Festive Friends!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Online Exclusives Festive Friends stamp set (item 166035) -  you can never have too many festive friends!  There are also co-ordinating dies for this stamp set - the Festive Friends dies (item 166038) - and the stamp set and dies are also available together in the Festive Friends Bundle (item 166039).  I do not have the dies, and used my Paper Snips Scissors (retired - item 103579) to fussy cut the three festive friend images.

To complete my projects this week I also used the following additional Stampin’ Up!® die and stamp sets, and Designer Series Papers:

• Online Exclusives Just A Note dies (item 166101) - clipboard clip and star dies for the elf tag, and, from the co-ordinating Just A Note stamp set (item 166098), the notepaper lines image (stamped on watercolour paper using Pool Party ink - item 147107);

• Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) - rounded corner rectangle dies to cut the clipboard base and the notepaper;

• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - long wide banner die to cut the "To: From:" sentiment label on the elf tag, and the 2 3/8" square die used to cut the window in the watercolour paper framing mat on the embossed snowflakes card;

• Online Exclusives Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) - I used two of the nesting dies to cut the frame for the Santa "peppermint" card - I used low tack tape to hold the two dies together while I passed the dies and cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653);

• distressed label image from the Online Exclusives Fright Night stamp set (item 166103), stamped using Real Red ink (item 147084) on watercolour paper for the "peppermint" panel on the Santa "peppermint" card.  To add a little additional visual texture to the panel I lightly spritzed the stamped imaged with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), blotting dry with paper towel;

• retired Online Exclusives Sophisticated Sled dies (item 164133) for the greenery swag at the top of the frame on the Santa "peppermint" card.  To cut the swag bow I used the Gingerbread Man dies (item 165784);

• arch die from the Online Exclusives Creative Haven dies (item 167208) to cut the window opening in the watercolour paper framing mat on the watercolour tree card;

• for pine bough die cuts I used dies from the retired Beautiful Boughs dies (item 150661 - featured in the 2019 Holiday Catalogue) and the retired Joy Of Noel dies (item 161965 - featured in the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue); and

• Shaded Spruce striped patterned paper from the retired Regals 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 163774 - featured in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue) for the 4" x 2 3/8" panel on the snowman Merry Christmas card (I also added 1/4" wide x 3 3/8" long and 2 1/4" long strips on the card's inside panel).  For the card's envelope (made using an envelope punch board) I used one of the Real Red patterned papers from the August 3-September 30 2021 Sale-A-Bration Peaceful Prints 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 156628).

I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the three festive friend images (Santa, elf, and snowman) on watercolour paper, and coloured them using the following Classic Stampin' ink refills and Classic Stampin' ink mixed with a little water and applied with small paint brushes:  Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934), Real Red ink refill (item 103287), Granny Apple Green ink refill (item 147163), Mossy Meadow ink refill (item 133651), Balmy Blue ink refill (item 147168), Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166), Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161669), Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088), and Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086).  To soften the intensity of the Calypso Coral, used on the faces of Santa and the elves, I mixed a little bit of the ink refill with some white acrylic paint, thinning the mixture with water.

Just a quick note of the additional basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week, in addition to the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) that was used for all die cutting:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, Designer Series Paper, and watercolour paper, and for scoring card fold lines.  To ensure crisp card folds I also burnished all the scored fold lines with my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the spatula and tacky putty tips are definitely a great help for manipulating and placing small die cuts and embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755). 

I used Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade/colour cardstock die cuts.  With the exception of the pine boughs on the embossed snowflake snowman card I used Garden Green cardstock (item 102584), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for die cut foliage.

I used the following additional supplies for the heat embossing of the snowflakes:

• Embossing Buddy - a small bag of anti-static powder that is rubbed over the cardstock before stamping to help ensure that the embossing powder will only adhere to areas of the cardstock that have been stamped.  The Embossing Buddy is included in the Embossing Additions Tool Kit (item 159971);
• VersaMark Ink (item 102283) - a specialty ink used to stamp the images.  This ink stays sticky long enough to ensure good adhesion of the embossing powder to the stamped images;
• white embossing powder - WOW! Embossing Powder-Basics (item 165679 - includes three embossing powders:  white, black, and clear); and
• heat tool (Heat Tool - item 129053) - the embossing powder needs to be heated to be activated (melted).

The snowflakes were stamped and heat embossed on a panel of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229).  After heat embossing I applied Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118) to the panel using one of the Blending Brushes.  After I had the panel shaded to my liking I used a dry paper towel to "buff" the panel - removing any ink from the embossed snowflakes.  

On with the projects!

Additional supplies used to complete this gift tag, the base of which measures 3" tall x 2 3/8" wide:

• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the Nested Essentials clipboard base - I cut two panels and glued them together with wrong sides together to make the tag a little more robust - also a message could be written on the back finished-edge panel .  Before gluing the panels together I lightly misted the inked top panel with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers, blotting dry with paper towel;
• watercolour paper for the notebook page, and for the sentiment banner - both shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116).  I used a 1/8" hole punch to punch the holes in the left side of the notepaper, using my scissors to make the cuts from the side of the panel to the punched holes.  I tore the bottom edge of the notebook paper panel.  I stamped the sentiment before die cutting the sentiment banner;
• I die cut the clip and star from heavy weight black cardstock from my stash that I had covered with silver tape (picked up in the plumbing department of Home Depot).  Before painting the die cuts with black acrylic paint I lightly sanded the tape-covered die cuts with a fine-grit sanding sponge.  I used my fingers to "buff" the paint - essentially removing most of the paint from the die cuts.  This technique works great when you want a slightly distressed metallic look for your die cuts - a little messy but certainly a lot of fun!;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach and slightly pop up the elf; and
• for the button on the elf's tunic, and for the center of the star, I used one small and one medium sized, respectively, of the Real Red & White Adhesive-Backed Peppermints (item 164050).

For the tag hanger I used some jute twine I had on hand. 

Additional supplies used to complete this 5 1/4" square top-fold card:

• Pretty Peacock cardstock (item 150880) for the card base;
• for the framing mat a 4 3/8" square of watercolour paper with a 2 3/8" square window opening - I used double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to attach the framing mat over the embossed snowflake panel;
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the framed embossed panel to the card base;
• Balmy Blue cardstock (item 146982), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), for the two Beautiful Boughs pine bough die cuts;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach and slightly pop up the snowman; and
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 5" square inside panel. 

Additional supplies used to complete this 4 7/8" x 3 7/8" top-fold card:

• watercolour paper for the card base;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the Everyday Arches frame;
• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084), for the Gingerbread Man bow; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach Santa.

After inking the tree stamp with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) I lightly spritzed the stamp with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers and then stamped the image on watercolour paper. After allowing the ink to spread a little I used my heat tool (Heat Tool - item 129053) to dry the image.  The addition of the water to the inked stamp allowed the ink to flow, letting the branches fill out.  After drying the Mossy Meadow ink I added the "ground" and additional splatters using Pool Party ink (item 147107) mixed with water.  The splatters were added by flicking over the panel the paint brush used to mix the Pool Party ink and water.  To complete this 4 7/8" x 3 7/8" top-fold card I used the following additional supplies:

• watercolour paper for the card base, and for the 4 5/8" x 3 5/8" matting panel with the Creative Haven die cut window opening;
• Pool Party cardstock (item 122924) for the 4 3/4" x 3 3/4" matting panel;
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the matted image panel to the Pool Party cardstock matting panel.  The fully matted panel was then glued directly to the card base; and
• two small and one large of the Pool Party dots from the recently retired Party Dots (item 164602) added to the right side of the framing mat.

Additional supplies used to complete this 4" x 3 1/2" top-fold card:

• Coastal Cabana cardstock (item 131297) for the card base.  After adding the 4" x 2 3/8" Shaded Spruce patterned Designer Series Paper panel I added white splatters by flicking a paint brush loaded with Liquitex Titanium White Acrylic Gouache (purchased at my local art supply shop) over the card front;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 3 7/8" x 3 3/8" inside panel, and the sentiment banner.  After stamping the sentiment I used a punch with a 90 degree angle to "flag" the right end of the sentiment strip (of course this can also be done with scissors - which would probably be a lot easier than hunting through punches . . . 😏);
• after gluing the sentiment strip to the snowman I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) and, under the sentiment strip, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108), to attach, and slightly pop up, the snowman and sentiment strip; and
• one of each of the three sizes of the Real Red & White Adhesive-Backed Peppermints (item 164050) added to the card front. 

For the bow tied around the envelope I used a length of the retired Real Red 3/8" Mini Ruffled Ribbon (item 156323 - featured in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue).  

Santa's really coming to town!  For each of these little 4" x 2 1/2" top-fold cards I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, stamped the sentiment directly on the card front using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708), and used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach, and slightly pop up, Santa.

And finally . . .

I got festive with my "Archie" project this week too, which is included at the bottom of this blog post.  Archie loved to hang out under the Christmas tree with his festive friends, and he never bothered the ornaments! To complete this project featuring a photo taken many years ago of young Archie relaxing with his Rudolph stuffy under my Dad's little tree I used the following supplies, in addition to a thrift store wood frame, glass removed, with inside back dimensions of 8" x 10";

• to cover the cardboard panel trimmed to fit the inside back dimensions of the frame a Garden Green snowflake patterned paper from the 2021 Sale-A-Bration Peaceful Prints 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 156628);
• a 6" x 10" panel of a wood grain patterned paper from the retired In Good Taste 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 152494 - featured in the June 3 2020-May 3 2021 Annual Catalogue) with a 3 3/4" x 5 1/8" window opening die cut using the retired Stitched Rectangles dies (item 151820 - featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue) - I sponged Early Espresso ink (item 147114) around all edges of this panel, including the edges of the window opening.  After securing the photo behind the window opening I used double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to attach the panel centered over the background panel;
• Garden Green cardstock (item 102584), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the pine boughs and holly leaves die cuts:  for the pine bough die cuts I used the retired Decorated Pine dies (item 159710 - featured in the July-December 2022 Mini Catalogue), Beautiful Boughs dies (item 150661 - featured in the 2019 Holiday Catalogue), and Joy Of Noel dies (item 161965 - featured in the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue); and for the holly leaves the retired Poinsettia dies (item 153522 - featured in the August-December 2020 Mini Catalogue);
• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793), shaded with both Real Red ink (item 147084) and Cherry Cobbler ink (item 147083), for the poinsettia flowers, which were also die cut using the Poinsettia dies;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the Sophisticated Sled skate die cuts - I used the 1.0 mm tip of a dual-tipped ZIG Clean Colour Dot Silver Metallic Marker to colour the "blades"; and
• after gluing the two skates together I added glue behind the lower skate and trimmed Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) behind the upper skate to attach them to the bottom right corner of the framing mat.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun playing with my Festive Friends this week!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the VersaMark Ink (item 102283) is not currently available, although it was expected to again be available for ordering late this week.

During the Stampin' Up! Black Friday Sale, which will run from Tuesday November 25, 2025, through to Monday December 1, 2025, there will be:

• 40% off Stampin' Blends, Paper Trimmer and blades, and Ink Bundles;
• 25% off select adhesives; and
• 15% off select cardstock.

A great opportunity to stock up on some basic art and crafting supplies!
 

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin’ Up!® products I have used in my projects, and you live in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store found on my website https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/ at your convenience, or simply click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog, which will take you directly to my website and online store.  I very much appreciate your business, and would be very pleased to be your demonstrator! If you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com), and I will try my best to help!  In addition to the digital version of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue, the digital version of the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue is also available for you to access at your convenience on my website.   If visiting the online store don't forget to check out the Last Chance Products, and all the Online Exclusives - new Online Exclusives products, including the Creative Haven dies - were introduced on Tuesday November 4, 2025!  Just a reminder that all Last Chance Products are available only while supplies last!

Have fun creating!

Laurel

*It has come to my attention that quite often email correspondence from me is delivered to the recipient's spam or junk mail folder - if you have corresponded with me I have replied so be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder!  Thank you!! 

"Cats teach us that the true joy of Christmas is found in the quiet moments."