More Mushrooms!

Hello!  Today I am sharing three projects I worked on this week featuring primarily the mushroom dies from the Stampin’ Up!® Sweet Bugs dies (item 165899), which are featured in the January-April 2026 Mini Catalogue as part of the Cute AS A Bug Suite Collection (item 167007).  From these dies I also used the two full flower dies, and the two-leafed flower stem die.

As with last week's projects, to construct the mushrooms I chose to use three die cuts:  one full base mushroom die cut that was used for the stem, and over which I glued a trimmed mushroom die cut that was used for the gills, and finally the mushroom cap die cut.  For the mushroom base or stem die cuts I used Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and sometimes also a little Early Espresso ink (item 147114); for the gill die cuts Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784), shaded with Crumb Cake ink; and for the mushroom cap die cuts Very Vanilla cardstock, Crumb Cake cardstock, and Cajun Craze cardstock (item 119684), also all shaded with Crumb Cake ink, and sometimes also a little Early Espresso ink.

To complete my projects this week I also used the following Stampin’ Up!® stamp set, dies, embossing folder, and Designer Series Papers:

• Gears & Textures stamp set (item 166851) - I used Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and the "dotty" stamp to add a little visual texture to the Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) mushroom caps;

• Nature's Symphony dies (item 166925) - large leafy sprig and wood plank dies;

• Online Exclusives On Display dies (item 167020) - four-leafed potted plant (trimmed to remove the base of the die cut) and hanging succulent plant dies.  To create little forest ferns I turned the hanging succulent plant die cuts upside down;

• largest circle die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) to cut a framing mat window.  Before die cutting the window I embossed the Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) panel using the Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder (item 164049);

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Autumn Trees dies (item 165899) - deer die.  I cut the deer from Crumb Cake cardstock (trimming off the "grass" from the die cut), and shading with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Light & Wonder dies (item 165762) - tree line dies, cloud dies, and water and shoreline edge dies;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Scenic Adventure dies (item 165467) - large mountain die, five flower edge die, and grassy "clumps" die;

• Gray Granite patterned paper, and Early Espresso/Gray Granite striped patterned paper from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Autumn Toile 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165882); 

• for the sky background panel for the first project an Azure Afternoon watercolour effect patterned paper from the January-February 2025 Sale-A-Bration Bloom Impressions 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 164944); and

• to cover the cardboard framing mat for the first project I used a linen patterned paper from the recently retired Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560).

Just a brief summary of the additional basic tools and supplies I used this week to complete my projects:

• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, DSP, and watercolour paper, and for scoring the card fold lines.  To ensure crisp card folds I also burnished the folded score lines with my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the spatula and tacky putty tips are a great help for manipulating and placing small die cuts and embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  For the first project I had to glue DSP to trimmed cardboard panels, and after applying the glue to the cardboard panel, and spreading it over the panel surface with an old paint brush, I placed the DSP over the panel and used a brayer (Stampin' Brayer - item 162936) to roll over the DSP to ensure even coverage of the liquid glue and good even adhesion of the DSP to the cardboard panel.  After the glue was thoroughly dry I used my craft knife to carefully trim away any excess DSP from around the edges of the cardboard panel. 

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.  For the foliage die cuts I used Soft Sea Foam cardstock (item 146988), Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), Garden Green cardstock (item 102584), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).

To add a little additional visual texture (a slightly mottled effect) to many of the shaded cardstock die cuts I lightly spritzed the shaded die cuts with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), either allowing to air dry or blotting dry with paper towel.  I sometimes added additional ink shading after the spritzed shaded die cut was dry.

On with the projects!

For my first project I began with a thrift store wood frame (outside dimensions 11 5/8" x 9 5/8"), glass removed, and frame edges distressed with a medium grit sandpaper.  While sanding the frame edges I decided that I liked the additional detail along the sides of the frame on the back side better than the plainer front edges of the frame so I decided to turn the frame over and use the back as the front for the finished project! I trimmed two cardboard panels to 10 1/16" x 8 1/16" to fit into the back (now the front) of the frame - the background panel to which I glued the scene elements was first covered with the Azure Afternoon Impressions Abloom DSP; and the second panel, which was to be the framing mat, was covered with the Woven Textures linen DSP.  After the glue was thoroughly dry on the framing mat panel I used my craft knife and metal ruler to cut the 7 1/4" x 5 1/4" window, and then I "buffed" the finished framing mat with a very fine grit sandpaper.  I used some paper tape (picked up in the medical supply aisle of my local Dollarama) as a hinge to temporarily attach the two panels along the top edge - the hinge allowed me to be able to flip down the framing mat panel over the background panel as I placed the die cuts on the background panel to build up the scene.  I began with the mountain die cut, adding the die cuts to build up the scene working from background to foreground.  After the scene was completed I used strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the framing mat panel to the background panel.

To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for the mountain and smaller tree line die cuts - both shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116).  On the top of the mountain die cut I used one of the finger Sponge Daubers (item 133773 - package of five) to apply a little Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277);
• Balmy Blue cardstock (item 146982), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), for the flowers on the Scenic Adventure flower die cuts - the trimmed Balmy Blue cardstock flowers were glued over the Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) full flower strip base die cuts.  I found it a lot easier to work with only two strips of flower die cuts at one time - one of the base die cuts and one of the Balmy Blue cardstock strips - that way as I trimmed the individual flowers from the Balmy Blue cardstock strip I could match them to the corresponding flower on the base die cut strip right away.  I have learned the hard way that if you go merrily along and trim all the flowers first it becomes almost impossible to match them up correctly with the corresponding base flowers!; 
• Peach Pie cardstock (item 163799) for the five larger Sweet Bugs flowers, and Timid Tiger cardstock (item 165626), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084), for the five smaller Sweet Bugs flowers.  After gluing the smaller flowers to the larger flowers I added one of the small Early Espresso dots from the Online Exclusives Earthy Matte Dots (item 167213) to each flower center - I did secure the dots with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue (I am definitely a belt and suspenders type!);

• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the shoreline die cuts;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the additional (separating) shoreline die cut;
• Pool Party cardstock (item 122924), shaded with Old Olive ink (item 147090), for the water die cut; and
• watercolour paper for the cloud die cuts.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, and the 4 1/2" square embossed framing window mat;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 4 3/4" square matting panel, and the 1/8" x 5" strip for the inside panel;
• Timid Tiger cardstock (item 165626), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147085), for the two Sweet Bugs flowers.  To the center of each flower I added one of the small Pecan Pie dots from the Online Exclusives Earthy Matte Dots (item 167213) - again securing with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue;
• Balmy Blue cardstock (item 146982), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), for the Scenic Adventure flowers - assembled as per the previous project;
• double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to adhere the embossed window panel (with all scene die cuts glued to the back thereof) to the Autumn Toile DSP background panel, and then to adhere the completed framed scene panel to the Basic Black cardstock matting panel, and finally to adhere the matted framed scene panel to the card front; and
• from the Autumn Toile DSP a 3/8" x 5" strip for the inside panel.

Additional supplies used to complete this 5 1/4" x 4 1/2" top-fold card:

• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the card base;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the wood plank die cut.  To each end of the die cut I added one of the large Early Espresso dots from the Online Exclusives Earthy Matte Dots (item 167213);
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) and Cajun Craze cardstock (item 119684) for the mushroom cap die cuts - shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink;
• from the Autumn Toile DSP a 1/2" x 4 1/2" strip for the card front, and a 1" x 4 1/2" strip for the inside panel; and
• behind the wood plank die cut, the caps of the two tallest mushrooms, and various of the leaves I added Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary.

And finally . . . 

For my Archie project this week, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the napping feline image from the retired Peace Within stamp set (item 114312 - featured in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue) on watercolour paper, and coloured the image panel using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Old Olive ink refill (item 100531), Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161669), Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029), Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934), Pool Party ink refill (item 122933), Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088), Early Espresso ink refill (item 119789), and Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166), all mixed with a little water and applied with small paint brushes.  After gluing a 1" wide strip of Petal Pink patterned paper from the recently retired Mixed Media Florals 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 164638) to a watercolour paper panel I used the largest square die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) to cut the window opening, then trimmed the framing panel to 4 13/16" square.  After securing the framing panel over the image panel using double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) I glued the completed panel to a 5" square Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) matting panel, then glued the fully matted panel to the front of the 5 3/8" square Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985) top-fold card.  To the right side of the framing panel I added one large and two small of the Early Espresso dots from the Online Exclusives Earthy Matte Dots (item 167213).  To complete the inside of the card I added a 4 3/4" square Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) panel matted with a 5" square piece of Early Espresso cardstock.  Near the bottom of the inside panel I added a 3/4" x 5" strip of the Mixed Media Florals DSP.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun continuing to play with the Sweet Bugs dies this week - lots of possibilities to explore, and it is always fun to mix and match dies!

If you are looking for fun and quick creative projects either for yourself or as a gift for a fellow crafter consider the variety of projects offered in the Stampin’ Up!® Kits Collection!  Here are a few new additions to the Kits Collection:

Lots To Love Kit

(item 167263)

The Lots To Love Kit includes all supplies required to complete nine 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards, three each of three designs, including:

• printed card bases and envelopes;
• laser-cut card fronts;
• pre-cut paper pieces and sentiments;
• Darling Duckling dot embellishments; and
• sufficient adhesive to complete the pre-designed cards.

Adopt A Pet Kit

(item 167256)

The Adopt A Pet Kit includes all supplies required to complete four projects, one each of four designs, including pre-printed imagery for pets, "homes", accessories, and adoption certificates.

Butterfly Garden Kit

(item 167266)

The Butterfly Garden Kit includes all supplies required to complete nine 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards, three each of three designs, including:

• Butterfly Garden photopolymer stamp set;
• clear stamp block;
• Misty Moonlight Classic Stampin' Ink Spot;
• nine card bases and envelopes;
• pre-cut paper elements;
• white dot embellishments; and
• sufficient adhesive to complete the nine pre-designed cards.

To view all available kits in the Kits Collection please visit my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/).

Stampin' Up! advises that the following products I used this week are not currently available, but I have included below the dates when Stampin' Up! expects the products to again be available for ordering:

• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) - week of January 19, 2026;
• Gears & Textures stamp set (item 166851) - week of January 26, 2026; and
• Forever Plaid 3D Embossing Folder (item 164049) - week of February 9, 2026.

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 January-April 2026 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 Listing - but 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!! 

"A sleeping cat is as peaceful as an angel."

- Japanese Proverb -