Bottled Lighthouses!

Hello!  Today I am sharing two lighthouse projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Sunset Coast dies (item 167780), which are featured in the May-August 2026 Catalogue as part of the Scenic Coast Suite Collection (item 167786).

In addition to the Sunset Coast dies, from which I also used the sailboat and seagull dies, I also used the following Stampin’ Up!® dies and Designer Series Papers to complete my projects this week:

• to make the bottles I used the 3 3/16" x 1 15/16" arch die from the Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) for the bottle base; the 2 3/8" x 1" banner die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) for the neck; the 1 3/8" x 1/2" label die from the Bordered In Beauty dies (item 167556) for the lip; and for the cork, one of the small flag dies from the Extraordinary Life dies (item 167718).  I trimmed the top of the arch die cut to match the width of the banner die cut, both ends of which I also trimmed;

• from the Online Exclusives Rolling Waves dies (item 167144) I used the large leaf and shell dies;

• from the new Online Exclusives Pretty Poinsettia dies (item 168146) I used the large six-leafed stem die;

• from the Fern & Flora dies (item 168991) I used the large narrow-leafed fern die;

• from the new Online Exclusives Oh My Fright dies (item 168175) I used the large cloud die;

• on the first project I used two of the patterned papers from the Nature Walk 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 166912) - a Night Of Navy grid pattern, and a Lost Lagoon/Pretty Peacock pattern;

• also on the first project I used a strip trimmed from one of the patterned papers from the Moonlit Flora 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 167737); and 

• for the background panel on the second project I used the neutral map patterned paper from the retired Let's Go Fishing 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161534 - featured in the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue).

I used watercolour paper for the base lighthouse die cuts, and, with the exception of the "corks" for the die cuts used to make the bottles.  To shade the base lighthouse die cuts (including the rocks) I used Gray Granite ink (item 147118), mixed with water and applied with a small paint brush.  I used my retired Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker to apply splatters by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid.  For the lighthouses for both projects I added behind the window openings strips trimmed from watercolour paper that had been coloured using Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), and a little Highland Heather ink refill (item 147167).  For the roofs of the lighthouses and lighthouse keeper cottages I glued trimmed cardstock die cuts over the watercolour paper bases - Real Red cardstock (item 102482) for the first project, and Night Of Navy cardstock (item 100867) for the second project.  I used one of the finger Sponge Daubers (item 133773 - package of five) to apply some Early Espresso ink (item 119686) around the edges of the cardstock die cuts.

I used the Everyday Arches die to trim the edges and bottom of the lighthouse die cuts so that they would have the same stitched borders as the bottle base die cuts.

After assembling the "bottles" I used Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), and Pool Party ink refill (item 122933), all mixed with water and applied with small paint brushes, to colour the base rocks, the water, and the sky.  I used Pool Party ink (item 147107), Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088), and Early Espresso ink, each applied using one of the Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to shade around the edges of the bottles.  I used one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two) to lightly mist the coloured bases of the bottles (before adding the lighthouse and other additional die cuts) with water, blotting dry with a paper towel.  After the misting, and after adding the lighthouse die cuts, I applied more of the shading inks.  I used one of the White Gel Pens (item 166642 - package of two) to add highlights on the water.

For the foliage die cuts I used Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).  For the shell die cuts I used Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665).  For the seagull die cuts I used Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165).  For the "corks" I used Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks.  I used one of the Stampin' Spritzers to lightly mist the shaded foliage die cuts - allowing the die cuts to air dry.  

On the first project I used some cheesecloth that I had coloured by spraying with a mixture of Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029) and water - by adjusting the ratio of ink refill to water you can adjust the intensity of the colour - always best to start off lighter and add more ink refill if you want to darken the colour!

On both projects I used trimmed and stacked strips of medium weight cardboard, glued to the back of the completed "bottles" to attach the bottle scenes to the background panels.

Just a quick note regarding the additional basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) for trimming Designer Series Paper;
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) for all die cutting;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the tacky putty tip is definitely a great help for picking up and placing small die cuts (shells and seagulls); and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

On with the projects!

For the first project I began with a white thrift store frame, edges distressed with a medium grit sandpaper, glass removed, and inside back dimensions of 6" x 8".  To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• over the Night Of Navy Nature Walk DSP that was used to cover the medium weight cardboard panel trimmed to fit the inside back dimensions of the frame I glued a 1 3/4" x 8" strip of the Lost Lagoon/Pretty Peacock Nature Walk DSP (I used a fine grit sanding sponge to lightly distress the edges of this strip), and then a 1" x 8" strip of the Moonlit Flora DSP;
• Linen Thread (item 104199) for the bow tied around the neck of the bottle - I secured the bow's center knot with a tiny dab of Multipurpose Liquid Glue;
• behind the bottle, and to the left side of the background panel I added torn strips of scrap corrugated cardboard that I had painted with white acrylic paint; and
• for the base of the bottle scene I used a small piece of reclaimed tree bark - I was hoping the bark would appear as an extension of the rocky shore on which the lighthouse was situated.

For the second project I began with a Dollarama frame, glass removed, inside back dimensions of 6" x 4", and to complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• Let's Go Fishing DSP panel to cover the medium weight cardboard panel trimmed to fit the frame's inside back dimensions;
• Night Of Navy cardstock (item 100867), shaded with Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the base sailboat die cut.  For the trimmed sail die cut that was glued over the base die cut (slightly offset in order to show a tiny border of the Night Of Navy cardstock along the right edges) I used watercolour paper, shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), with splatters added using my retired Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker;
• watercolour paper, shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165) for the Oh My Fright cloud die cut;
• several pieces of scrap corrugated cardboard - some painted with white acrylic paint.  I added the two vertical striped panels to the top and bottom of the back panel before I added the bottle scene - and added additonal pieces behind and along the bottom of the bottle; and
• a single strand of reclaimed twine used for the bow tied around the neck of the bottle.

And finally . . . 

For my Archie card project this week, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne ink to stamp the image from the long retired A Kind Word stamp set (item 113194 - featured in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalogue) on watercolour paper, and used Pumpkin Pie ink refill (item 105229), Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Gray Granite ink (item 147118), and Balmy Blue ink refill (item 147168) to colour the image panel.  I used watercolour paper for the 3 3/4" x 3 1/2" framing mat with 2" square window cut using the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183).  Along the bottom of the framing mat I added a 13/16" x 3 1/2" strip of a Crumb Cake patterned paper from the retired Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678 - featured in the January-April 2025 Mini Catalogue).  After gluing the framed image panel to a 3 7/8" x 3 5/8" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) I wrapped Linen Thread (item 104199) around the panel and secured the bow's center knot with a tiny dab of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  I used Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for the base of the 4 1/4" x 4" top-fold card, and for the inside panel used a 3 3/4" x 3 1/2" piece of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) matted with a 4" x 3 3/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock.  Along the bottom of the Basic White Thick cardstock panel I added a 3/4" x 3 1/2" strip of the Timeless Plaid DSP.

July Product Of The Month

The Begonia Belle photopolymer stamp set (item 168592) is the July Product Of The Month.  This exclusive Product Of The Month is now available, while supplies last, for purchase for $7.00 CDN with a purchase of $100.00 CDN or more (before applicable taxes and shipping, and after the redemption of any Stampin' Rewards or other discounts) of Stampin’ Up!® products made during the month of July.  There is a limit of one Product Of The Month purchase per month per Stampin' Up! account holder.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on my lighthouse projects this week - and, of course, it is always fun to do a little mixing and matching of die cuts!

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

• Sunset Coast dies (item 167780) - week of July 13, 2026; and
• White Gel Pens (item 166642) - week of July 27, 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!  The digital version of the May-August 2026 Catalogue is 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 Exclusives Products - including all the new products released on July 1st, including the Pretty Poinsettia dies (item 168146) and the Oh My Fright dies (item 168175) - as well as the Last Chance Products Listing!  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!! 

"Kittens will make your sad go away."

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