Playing With The Paper Florist Dies!

(Part 1)

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Stampin' Up! Paper Florist dies (item 161284) from the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue.  I just recently added these dies to my collection and am very happy I did - there are so many dies to mix and match!  

Paper Florist dies - 161284

For an additional flower and foliage for several of my projects I also used the Around The Bend dies (item 160649):

Around The Bend dies - 160649

die cuts made using Around The Bend dies

Just a quick note about the standard tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for cutting cardstock and paper (can also be used for scoring);
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) - for scoring card fold lines, and decorative scored lines on the front of two of the cards.  For crisp creases I also burnished the card folds using my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the paper piercer, mini spatula, and tacky putty tips are very handy for picking up and placing small die cuts and embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  I transfer the glue into a small plastic bottle with a fine tip and a pin stopper - I find that the fine tip is a tremendous help when adding glue to small pieces!

All die cuts were cut from cardstock - for the leaves I used Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676).  

On with the projects!

For the base of this project I used a window frame easel photo frame I picked up at Dollar Tree (the same frame used for my March 10, 2023, Window Frame project - https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2023/03/flowers-and-bugs-part-1-hello-today-i.html) - the frame measures just under 9 1/2" tall x 5 7/8" wide, and I removed the clip and easel before sanding all edges.

Behind the frame I glued a trimmed piece of Pebbled Path patterned paper from Earthen Elegance 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161503).  I cut a piece of medium thick cardboard to fit in the 8" x 10" back opening of a thrift store frame (outer dimensions:  10 1/8" x 12 1/8") and covered it with a trimmed piece of Lost Lagoon/Pretty Peacock patterned paper from Winter Meadow 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162133).  After securing the paper-covered cardboard panel to the inside of the frame I attached the paper-backed window frame to the cardboard panel and then proceeded to "build up" the flower/foliage arrangement.  The large petals of the two largest flowers were cut from Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117) - for the largest flower I used 10 petals, for the smaller flower 5 petals - and after crunching up the cardstock with my fingers sponged the petals with Sweet Sorbet ink (item 159216).  The smaller top petals of both the smaller of the larger flowers, and the top flower on the left side were also cut from Pumpkin Pie cardstock and sponged with Sweet Sorbet ink (but the cardstock was not crunched up).  

The lower petals of the both of these flowers were cut from Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793).

Additional supplies used to complete the project:

• Pool Party cardstock (item 122924) - flower petals;
• Coastal Cabana cardstock (item 131297) - Pool Party cardstock flower stamens;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) - flower petals, and stamens;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) - Pool Party and Daffodil Delight cardstock flower stamens - and centers for Pool Party cardstock flowers;
• Berry Burst cardstock (item 144243) - flower petals;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) - flower center;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) - hexagon die cut (cut using the Nested Essentials dies - item 161597 - a decorative element used to cover the hole made by the screw that held the clip on the window frame), flower petals (used as layer between large and small petals on second largest flower), stamens, and flower centers; 

Nested Essentials dies - 161597

• Coastal Cabana shaded dots from Ombre Matte Decorative Dots (item 161448) - nine dots added to window frame; and
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) - one Dimensional used to attach the small plain flower centers to small Pumpkin Pie and Pool Party cardstock flowers.

After die cutting the strip for the "fringe" stamens I ruffled the cut ends (using both my fingernails and the blade of my craft knife), and then curled the strip around a toothpick - spot gluing the bottom edge of the strip.  After removing from the toothpick I "fluffed" out the "fringe" by using my fingers to gently pull down the top edges.  To make the "fringe" stamens fuller - or if using the strips alone to make flowers - additional strips can be wrapped around the first completed strip.  The strips can be wrapped tightly or loosely - all depending upon what look you prefer.

For my second project I used a black frame with an 8 1/2" square inside opening (outside frame dimensions:  10 1/16" square); a 6" square canvas board panel (painted with black gesso/paint); and an approximately 3 3/4" diameter ornament wood slice from Dollarama - the largest flower was positioned on the ornament wood slice to cover the hole through which twine had been tied (these wood slices are sold in packs of two as hanging ornaments - good thing I bought a few extra packs for Christmas projects!).  I began the project by covering the heavy weight mat that was included with the frame with trimmed Real Red/Cherry Cobbler patterned paper from Joy of Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161958).  I glued a 5" square of embossed Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), centered, to the top of the painted canvas panel.  I embossed the Pecan Pie cardstock panel using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406) - before embossing the cardstock I dragged my Early Espresso ink pad (item 147114) across the raised design on the inside of the embossing folder - after embossing I sponged the cardstock panel with additional Early Espresso ink. (I also used this technique on a Very Vanilla Thick cardstock - item 144237 - panel that I used on my first card project).

Additional supplies used to complete the project:

• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793) for large flower petals (15 used) - and sponged with Real Red ink (item 147084) after crunching - and flower buds;
• Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199) for "fringe" stamens (2 strips), and stamen circle;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) - stamen circle;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) - flowers and buds; and
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for stamen circle (large flower).

Additional supplies used to complete this 4" x 5" wild rose top-fold card:

• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for the card base;
• Very Vanilla Thick cardstock (item 144237) for the large flower petals - 15 petals used - and 3 5/8" x 4 5/8" inside panel;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) for small flower petals;, and circle stamen on inside panel flower;
• Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199) for circle stamen, buds, and base of inside panel flower,
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) for flower centers, circle stamen (large flower), and center stamen fringe strip;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for 3 7/8" x 4 7/8" inside matting panel, 5" x 1/4" front panel strips (glued under long edges of 2 1/2" x 5" Very Vanilla Thick cardstock embossed panel), outer stamen fringe strip, small stamen "square", and center for inside panel flower; and
• Very Vanilla dots from Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) - two dots of each of the two sizes added to card front.

The envelope was made from a trimmed piece of map patterned paper from Let's Go Fishing 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161534) using an envelope punch board.  I used Linen Thread (item 104199) for the bow tied through the center of the 5/8" gross grain "almost Very Vanilla" ribbon (Dollar Tree) bow.

Additional supplies to complete this 3" square top-fold card:

• Gorgeous Grape cardstock (item 146987) for the card base - inside of front panel scored at 1/4" and 3/8" from the bottom edge and from the center fold;
• Highland Heather cardstock (item 146986) for the hexagon die cut (cut using the Nested Essentials dies - item 161597), and buds;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the flower, and 2 3/4" square inside panel;
• Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199) for the circle stamen;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the flower center; and
• two small white dots from Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) added to card front.

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

• Shaded Spruce cardstock (item 146981) for the card base (inside of front panel scored at 1/8" and 1/4" from all four sides - top and bottom scores made first and the side scores made only between the top and bottom score lines);
• Very Vanilla Thick cardstock (item 144237) for the 2 1/4" x 2 3/4" inside panel;
• Coastal Cabana cardstock (item 131297) for the flower; 
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) for the flower center; and
• three Coastal Cabana shaded dots from Ombre Matte Decorative Dots (item 161448) added to card front - including one large dot for flower center.

And finally . . .

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

• Starry Sky cardstock (item 159263) for the card base, 3 5/8" x 2 7/8" front embossed panel, and 3/4" x 2 7/8" embossed strip on inside panel;
• Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder (item 162189) to emboss front panel and inside strip (strip was a left over cut off from front panel after panel was trimmed to final size) - I scraped the edges of the front panel with the blade of my craft knife;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 3 3/4" x 3" front and inside panels;
• Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117) for one small and one large four-petal section - sponged with Sweet Sorbet ink (item 159216) - large petal section lightly spritzed with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185) and blotted dry with paper towel;
• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793) for one small and one large four-petal section;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for two square stamen sections, and flower center;
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) - one Dimensional used to attach flower center; and
• four Calypso Coral shaded dots from Ombre Matte Decorative Dots (item 161448) added to card front - including one large dot used for flower center.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I certainly had a lot of fun working on these projects and am certainly looking forward to playing a lot more with the Paper Florist dies - now definitely one of my favourite dies!

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 if you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com)! The digital versions of both the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue and the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue can be accessed at your convenience on my website!  When visiting my online store don't forget to check out the selection of products available as Online Exclusives - remember that several new products will be introduced on November 7, 2023 - as well as the great deals on the Clearance Rack!  On November 1, 2023, Stampin' Up! also introduced a new card kit to the Kits Collection - The Best Destination Kit!

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!! 

Resting up after a strenuous session of Tricking and Treating!