Gliding Into Spring On A Garden Swing!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Gliding Garden Swing Bundle (item 167137).  This Bundle, which includes the Gliding Garden Swing photopolymer stamp set (item 167134) and the co-ordinating Gliding Garden Swing dies (item 167136), was included in the January Online Exclusives new product release.  Although spring is certainly a few months away - plenty of snow yet to shovel! - there is no harm in starting to dream of spring and peaceful days spent in the garden!  Although I unfortunately do not have a gliding garden swing to enjoy in my own backyard I can certainly live vicariously through a few art and crafting projects!

The Gliding Garden Swing dies include leg dies so that you can turn the garden swing into a garden bench!

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

• Sweet Bugs stamp set (item 166995) and co-ordinating Sweet Bugs dies (item 167001) *the Sweet Bugs stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Sweet Bugs Bundle (item 167002)*;

• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - for additional foliage die cuts;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - On Display dies (item 167020) - for additional foliage die cuts - the hanging succulent die cut was turned upside down  for a spiky fern-like plant;

• Nature's Symphony dies (item 166925) - wood plank die;

• Gears & Textures dies (item 166853) - circle frame die;

• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - square dies for a frame on one of the cards.  I used low-tack tape to secure the 2 3/4" and 2" square dies together while I passed the dies and the cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653); 

• from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Light & Wonder dies (item 165762) I used the curving edge "ground" die, and cloud dies;

• for the background panel on the first project I used a Crumb Cake patterned paper from the recently retired Floral Delight 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 164700);

• for the framing mat and background panel, respectively, on the second project, I used one of the patterned papers from the recently retired Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560) and a Summer Splash patterned paper from the retired 2025 Sale-A-Bration Bloom Impressions 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 164944); and

• for the background panel on the square frame card I used one of the patterned papers from the Nature Walk 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 166912).

All stamped images were stamped on watercolour paper using StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406), and coloured using Classic Stampin' inks and Classic Stampin' ink refills mixed with water and applied with small paint brushes.

I used Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade/colour the cardstock die cuts.  To add a little additional visual texture to some of the shaded cardstock die cuts (i.e. foliage) I lightly misted 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.

For the two large Gliding Garden Swing tree die cuts I used Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Early Espresso ink (item 147114), and a little Basic Gray ink (item 149165).  For the trees' "leaves" I used Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).  For the additional foliage die cuts, in addition to Old Olive and Mossy Meadow cardstock, I used Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), also all shaded using Mossy Meadow ink.

Just a quick note regarding 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, watercolour paper, and DSP, and for scoring 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 definitely a great help for manipulating and placing small die cuts - i.e. the tiny Gliding Garden Swing flower die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755). On two of the projects I had to glue DSP to a trimmed cardboard panel, and I first applied the glue to the cardboard panel, using an old paint brush to spread the glue over the panel surface.  After placing the DSP over the panel I 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.  For the second project I also used my craft knife and a ruler to cut the 5" square window opening in the 7" square cardboard panel covered with the Woven Textures DSP. 

On with the projects!

For the first project I began with a Dollarama frame, glass removed, with inside back dimensions of 10" x 8", and a pre-cut white framing mat over which I dragged my (old) Crumb Cake ink pad (item 147116).  To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the garden swing;
• Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202), shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165), for the swing "hangers";
• Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Light & Wonder ground die cut;
• Petunia Pop cardstock (item 163801), shaded with Berry Burst ink (item 147143), for the large and small Sweet Bugs flowers.  For the die cut centers for the larger flowers I used Peach Pie cardstock (item 163799), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086).  To the center of each of the smaller flowers I added one of the small Peach Pie dots from the recently retired Party Dots (item 164602);
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), and Pool Party cardstock (item 122924), shaded with Pool Party ink (item 147107), for the pillows - I used two of the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach and slightly pop up the Daffodil Delight cardstock pillow; and
• I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, behind the second and third from the bottom of the large Sweet Bugs flowers, and behind the tree's "leaves".

For the second project I began with another Dollarama frame, glass removed, with inside back dimensions of 7" square.  I used a medium grit sandpaper to distress the frame edges.  To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to sponge around the inside edges of the window opening in the Woven Textures DSP framing mat;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the garden bench and legs;
• Crumb Cake cardstock, shaded with Crumb Cake ink, for the Light & Wonder ground base.  I used an Early Espresso watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 1 - item 161700) to lightly sketch in the shadows on the ground base die cut cast by the garden bench legs;

• Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), and Pool Party cardstock (item 122924), shaded with Pool Party ink (item 147107), for the pillows. After gluing the two pillows together I used Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach the pillows to the bench;
• watercolour paper for the Light & Wonder cloud die cuts (I used the more textured side of the watercolour paper as the "right" side for the die cuts);
• Shaded Spruce cardstock (item 146981), shaded with Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088), and Misty Moonlight cardstock (item 153081), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), for the flower pots - I used one of the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals behind the die cut greenery in the Shaded Spruce cardstock flower pot; and
• Petunia Pop cardstock (item 163801) for the tiny Gliding Garden Swing flowers added to the greenery in the Misty Moonlight cardstock flower pot.

For the third project I again began with a 7" square Dollarama frame, glass removed, and the edges distressed witih a medium grit sandpaper.  I trimmed a piece of watercolour paper to fit the frame, and, with the more textured side of the watercolour paper facing up, I used one of the Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) to lightly apply Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118) to the center of the paper.  I added additional splatters by flicking over the paper a paint brush used to mix Misty Moonlight ink and water, and then lightly misted the inked paper with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185), blotting dry with paper towel.  To colour the Gliding Garden Swing images and the two Sweet Bugs flower and grass images I used: 

• Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029);
• Mossy Meadow ink refill (item 133651);
• Azure Afternoon ink refill (item 161668);
• Real Red ink (item 147084);
• Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094); and
• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665).

I used strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach and slightly pop up the garden swing and tree branch; and two of the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach and slightly pop up the floral pillow.  The two Sweet Bugs images (die cut using the co-ordinating Sweet Bugs dies) were glued directly to the watercolour paper background panel.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base and square frame;
• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Mossy Meadow ink refill (item 133651), Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088), Real Red ink (item 147084), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094) to colour the Gliding Garden Swing and Sweet Bugs images - all images die cut using their respective co-ordinating dies; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach cardstock frame over the trimmed Nature Walk DSP panel that had been glued directly to the card front.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base, Nature's Symphony wood plank die cut, and Gears & Textures circle frame die cut;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Misty Moonlight cardstock (item 153081), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), for the flower pots;
• Garden Green cardstock (item 102584), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Sweet Bugs flower stem;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), for the Sweet Bugs flower; 
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the "soil", which was die cut using one of the Gliding Garden Swing greenery clump dies (trimmed to fit the top of the flower pot); and
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink, for the two Gliding Garden Swing greenery clump die cuts added to the Misty Moonlight cardstock flower pot. 

And because after the rain no garden is without at least one leaf-bearing slug trampling over the sprouting mushrooms . . .

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), for the Nature's Symphony wood plank die cut;
• Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029), Pecan Pie ink, Old Olive ink refill (item 100531), Granny Apple Green ink refill (item 147163), and Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094) to colour the Sweet Bugs images (die cut using the co-ordinating Sweet Bugs dies).

And finally . . . 

For my Archie project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post, I combined a few leftover pieces from my projects last week using the "coming soon" Capturing Smiles Bundle (item 167133) with the fussy cut feline image from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674); flower and stem die cuts made using the Sweet Bugs dies (item 167001); additional foliage die cuts made using the retiring On Display dies (item 167020); a base "tag" die cut using the Nested Essentials dies (161597) with a square window opening die cut using the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183); and two patterned papers from the Nature Walk Designer Series Paper (item 166912) in a dollar store 5" x 3 1/2" wood frame, glass removed.  I used Melon Mambo cardstock (item 115320), shaded with Berry Burst ink (item 147143), for the Sweet Bugs flowers; Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Sweet Bugs flower stems; Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink, for the two On Display foliage die cuts; Timid Tiger ink refill (item 165283), and Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) to colour "Archie"; and watercolour paper, coloured with Pecan Pie ink, for the tag, to which I added from my stash an eyelet and, for the bow, waxed black cord.  After assembling the tag I added a few trimmed and stacked pieces of black cardboard to the back of the tag before gluing the completed tag to the Nature Walk DSP covered background panel (the DSP was glued to a piece of cardboard trimmed to fit the frame).

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I certainly had lots of fun this week playing with the Gliding Garden Swing Bundle, and getting in the mood for spring!

Bonus Days!

Just a reminder that you only have until tomorrow, Saturday February 28, 2026, to redeem the $6.00 coupons that were earned on purchases of Stampin’ Up!® products made between January 6 and February 2, 2026!

Upcoming Product Price Increases

Just a heads-up, in case you want to budget for stocking up on some favourite products and supplies, that Stampin' Up! has advised to expect unfortunate but necessary price increases to the following products commencing with the expiration of the current catologue periods:

• Select Stampin’ Cut & Emboss products
  
• Heat Tool
  
• Cutting & Scoring Blades Multipacks
  
• Select Colouring Tools
  
• Storage
  
• Select Adhesives
  
• Select Paper products including Envelopes, Basic White Notecards & Envelopes, and Masking Paper
  
• Designer Series Paper
  
• Classic Stampin’ Ink Pads and Refills
  
• Stampin’ Blends
  
• Select Embellishments, Twines, and Linen Thread

Online Exclusives New Product Release

New Online Exclusives Products will be released on Tuesday March 3, 2026!  Here are just a few of the many new products included in this release:

• Capturing Smiles Bundle (item 167133) - which includes the Capturing Smiles photopolymer stamp set (item 167130) and the Capturing Smiles dies (item 167132);

• Help Me Grow Bundle (item 167167) - which includes the Help Me Grow photopolymer stamp set (item 167164) and the Help Me Grow dies (item 167166);

• Scalloped Wishes Bundle (item 167453) - which includes the Scalloped Wishes photopolymer stamp set (item 167447) and the Scalloped Wishes dies (item 167452);

• Ladybug Picnic 3D Embossing Folder (item 167478); and

• Natural Matte Dots (item 167510 - white, Secret Sea, Mossy Meadow, and Crumb Cake).

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the Gears & Textures dies (item 166853) are not currently available but are expected to again be available for ordering the week of March 23, 2026.  The Capturing Smiles dies (item 167132), which are included as part of the March Online Exclusives Release, are unfortunately not expected to be available as of the release date but are also expected to be available for ordering the week of March 23, 2026.  An update from last week - the Sweet Bugs dies (item 167001) are back in stock!

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 full range of Online Exlusives Products - new products released on Tuesday! - as well as the Last Chance Products Listing!

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!! 

"Never trust a man who hates cats."

- Jane Pauley -