Dreaming Of A Return To The Garden

(in the midst of a winter storm!)

Hello!  Trying to distract myself this week during, first the threat and then the actual event of, the biggest snow storm of the season with a few garden-themed projects, including a potting bench lidded box to hold seed packets, and a few more little gift note cards with seed packet envelopes.  The following Stampin’ Up!® stamp and die sets helped put me in a garden state of mind:

• Grow With Love stamp set (item 164797) - "From The Garden Of" and "grown with love" sentiments; and the partial mint image stamped on one page of the potting bench box's garden journal;

• Grow With Love dies (item 1648803) - seed packet die to cut the envelopes for the gift note cards, and the circle die to cut the "grown with love" sentiment circle.  The Grow With Love stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Grow With Love Bundle (item 164804);

• Storybook Garden Patch stamp set (item 164663) - garden fork, watering can, stacked flower pots, and trowel images used on the potting bench box.  All of these images were die cut using the co-ordinating Storybook Garden Patch dies (item 164666).  The stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Storybook Garden Patch Bundle (item 164667);

• Storybook Friends stamp set (item 164668) - the image of the jacketed bunny proudly holding aloft his beet (radish?) used on one of the gift note cards.  The image oval tag was die cut using the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Greetings Of The Season dies (item 164112);

• Mixed Florals stamp set (item 164639) - ladybug images used on the potting bench box, large floral images stamped on the potting bench box's back panel, and the large daisy image used on one of the gift note cards.  The ladybug images and the gift note card daisy image were die cut using the co-ordinating Mixed Florals dies (item 164641).  The stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Mixed Florals Bundle (item 164642);

• Country Flowers stamp set (item 163405) - large floral bouquet and bucket images used on one of the gift note cards; and the "Flower Market" sentiment used on the potting bench box.  The images were die cut using the co-ordinating Country Flowers dies (item 163410).  The stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Country Flowers Bundle (item 163411);

• Thoughtful Wishes stamp set (item 163305) - small floral image used on one of the gift note cards.  The image circle was die cut using one of the "wonky" circle dies from the Around It All dies (item 164725);

• Attention Shoppers stamp set (item 163640) - potted plant and paper-wrapped bouquet images used on the potting bench box.  These images were die cut using the co-ordinating Attention Shoppers dies (item 163643).  The stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Attention Shoppers Bundle (item 163644);

• Sale-A-Bration Corner In Bloom stamp set (item 164959) - I fussy cut three of the flowers from the  large floral image and added them to the display in the stacked flower pots image on the potting bench box; small bouquet image stamped on one of the pages of the potting bench box's garden journal; and a partial image from one of the corner images combined with die cuts made using the Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) on one of the gift note cards;

• retired Garden Meadow stamp set (item 162736) - flowers in basket image used on the potting bench box.  This image was die cut using the retiring - and currently available as one of the substantially discounted Last Chance Products - Garden Meadow dies (item 162740);

• retired Home & Garden stamp set (item 157910) - garden gloves image used on the potting bench box.  This image was die cut using the co-ordinating and also retired Garden dies (item 157918).  The Home & Garden stamp set and Garden dies, along with the retired Flowering Rain Boots stamp set (item 157689) that I used to stamp the seed packet image on two of the pages of the potting bench box's garden journal, were featured in the January-June 2022 Mini Catalogue;
• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Sophisticated Sled dies (item 164133) - trimmed small-leafed spray used in the display in the stacked flower pots image on the potting bench box;

• Grove dies (item 157844) - five-leafed sprig added to the display in the stacked flower pots image on the potting bench box; 

• recently retired (and unfortunately no longer available) Encircled In Nature dies (item 163628) - two trimmed oak leaf sprays added to the display in the stacked flower pots image on the potting bench box; and
• Trusty Tools dies (item 162722) - and currently offered as one of the available FREE products during Sale-A-Bration as item 168076 - "peg board" on potting bench box. (When selecting the Trusty Tools dies as a Sale-A-Bration item be sure to use the assigned Sale-A-Bration item number - 168076).

 

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

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock and Designer Series Paper - can also be used for scoring; 
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) for scoring fold lines on cardstock;
• Bone Folder (item 102300) for burnishing scored fold lines;
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp little scissors made fussy cutting the three flowers from the large Corner In Bloom image a whole lot easier, and they are great for trimming die cuts too of course;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the paper piercer, mini spatula, and tacky putty tips are definitely a great help for picking up and placing small die cuts and embellishments; 
• Small Blending Brushes (package of three - item 160518) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade cardstock/watercolour paper die cuts; and stamped, and embossed panels. To add additional visual texture to some shaded die cuts I lightly spritzed them with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), and blotted dry with paper towel; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

All images for colouring were stamped on watercolour paper using Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406), and coloured with Classic Stampin' inks/Classic Stampin' ink refills mixed with a little water and applied with small paint brushes.  The sentiments were also stamped on watercolour paper using Stazon Jet Black Ink to stamp the sentiments.

On with the projects!

This potting bench box - designed to hold a good supply of 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" seed packets - measures 8" tall (including the pegboard panel) x 4 3/4" wide x 2" wide - the same dimensions, and constructed similar to the Father's Day workbench gift box shared in my June 14, 2024, blogpost (https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2024/06/tools-for-dad-hello-today-i-am-sharing.html).  For the garden journal I used a 1 1/4" x 2" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the cover, scoring in half on the 2" side; and for the pages, three 1 3/16" x 1 7/8" sheets of coffee-dyed copy paper, folded in half on the 1 7/8" side, all edges and fold lines sponged with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116).  To secure the pages I put a small line of glue down the back of the center fold of each page, securing the bottom page to the cover, the next two pages to the previous pages.  I added a drop of glue to the back of the second page on the left to secure it to the bottom page (to hide the fact that I had not stamped anything on the bottom page!)  To complete this potting bench project I used the following additional supplies:

• for the box portion two 7 1/4" x 6 1/2" pieces of Basic Black cardstock, each scored on the 7 1/4" side at 4 3/4" and 6 3/4" (1/2" tab is the glue tab), and scored on the 6 1/2" side at 2" (bottom flaps);
• for the lid: a 6 7/8" x 4 1/8" piece of Basic Black cardstock, scored at 1" on all four sides;
• for the back panel, which is glued to the back side of the lid - bottom edges aligned - before the embossed panels are glued on, a 4 7/8" wide x 4 3/8" tall piece of Basic Black cardstock;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406)  

Before embossing each of the pieces of Pecan Pie cardstock from which I trimmed the required embossed panel/strips, I dragged my Early Espresso ink pad (item 147114) over the raised design on one inside panel of the embossing folder so that the inked areas on the embossed cardstock would be on the debossed sections of the design. 

From the embossed cardstock I cut the following pieces:

• for the edges of the lid:  2 pieces @ 4 7/8" x 1", and 2 pieces @ 2 1/8" x 1";
• for the top of the lid:  a 4 7/8" x 2 1/8" piece;
• for the corner pieces on the box:  4 pieces @ 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" - scored on the 1 1/2" side at 3/4";
• for the cross pieces for the front and back of the box:  2 pieces @ 3 5/16" x 3/4", and 2 pieces 3 5/16" x 1/2"; and
• for the cross pieces for the sides of the box:  2 pieces @ 5/16" x 3/4", and 2 pieces @ 5/16" x 1/2".

Before gluing the embossed panel or strips to the lid and box I sponged all edges with additional Early Espresso ink.

• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for pegboard and back panels - the die cut pegboard panel and back stamped panel both trimmed to 3 1/8" x 4 5/8", and shaded with Crumb Cake ink;
• Crumb Cake cardstock for the "grow with love" sentiment circle - edges shaded with Crumb Cake ink;
• long wide banner die from Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) to cut the "Flower Market" sentiment strip - after tearing both ends I shaded the strip with Crumb Cake ink and matted it with a just under 1" x 1 3/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock;

• Crumb Cake ink to shade the trimmed "From The Garden Of" sentiment strip (after both ends torn).  To each end of the strip I added one of the small Adhesive-Backed Textured Dots (item 163338);

• Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990) for one of the Encircled In Nature die cut and trimmed oak leaf sprigs - shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111); and watercolour paper coloured with washes of Mossy Meadow ink for the second die cut and trimmed oak leaf sprig;
• Soft Seafoam cardstock (item 146988) for the Sophisticated Sled and Grove leafy sprig die cuts - both shaded with Mossy Meadow ink;
• Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934) to colour the three fussy cut flowers;
• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) to colour the flower pots;
• Basic Gray ink (item 149165) and Pecan Pie ink to colour the watering can;
• Basic Gray ink and Crumb Cake ink to colour the trowel;
• Real Red ink (item 147084) to colour the ladybugs;
• Garden Green ink refill (item 102059), Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), and Pecan Pie ink to colour the potted plant;
• Misty Moonlight ink, Mossy Meadow ink, and Crumb Cake ink to colour the flower basket;
• Crumb Cake ink to colour the gardening gloves;
• Crumb Cake ink, Basic Gray ink, and Mossy Meadow ink to colour the garden fork;
• Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), Mossy Meadow ink, and Pecan Pie ink to colour the paper-wrapped bouquet;
• Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters to stamped back panel by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) used to attach and pop up the fussy cut flowers (to which the foliage was glued), front stacked flower pots, flower basket (two stacked Dimensionals added to the back right side of the flower basket), and potted plant.

Seed Packet Envelopes and Gift Note Cards

The completed seed packet envelopes are sized to hold a standard gift card - measuring 3 5/8" x 2 3/8" closed.  I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 120953) for the bases of all my 3 1/2" x 2 1/4" top-fold gift note cards.

I used the following Designer Series Papers to make the envelopes - sponging all edges of each envelope with Early Espresso ink (item 147114):

• Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678);

• Full Of Life 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 163357);

• 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments-Brights (item 163775) - Flirty Flamingo striped pattern; and

• Country Woods 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163393).

For the envelopes' two die cut circle fasteners I used Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), Peach Pie cardstock (item 163799), Shaded Spruce cardstock (item 146981), Flirty Flamingo cardstock (item 141416), and Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) - with  Early Espresso ink sponged around all circles.  To secure the fasteners to the back of the envelopes I used small brads (purchased at my local scrapbooking shop), using a piercing tool to make the holes for the brads. For the "string" wrapped around the circle fasteners I used:  white, Crumb Cake, and Gray Granite baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) - wrapping the twine several times around the brad and under the circle fastener on the back of the top flap before giving the final securing pinch to the brad's spread prongs.

Additional supplies to complete the first card:

• trimmed panel of Timeless Plaid DSP for card front (and a narrow strip added to the inside panel) - all edges sponged with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116);
• Crumb Cake ink and a little Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to shade the edges and torn ends of the trimmed sentiment strip;
• Crumb Cake ink, Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), Real Red ink (item 147084), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), and Pool Party ink (item 147107) to colour the image tag;
• Crumb Cake baker's twine (Baker's Twine Essentials Pack - item 155475) for bow tied through image tag hole - knotted ends secured with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue; and
• one small and one large of the Pool Party dots from Party Dots (item 164602) added to card front.

Additional supplies to complete the second card:

• 3 3/8" x 2 1/8" panel of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406);
• Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934), Berry Burst ink (item 147143), Pool Party ink (item 147107), Old Olive ink (item 147090), and Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) to colour the floral bouquet image;
• Basic Gray ink (item 149165) and Pecan Pie ink to colour the bucket image; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach and pop up the floral bouquet and bucket (I first glued the floral bouquet to the top edge of the bucket).

Additional supplies to complete the third card:

• Real Red ink (item 147084), Pool Party ink (item 147107), and Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088) to colour the image circle;
• two patterns of Shaded Spruce patterned paper from 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments-Regals (item 163774) for card front's 3 3/8" x 2 1/8" panel and 3/4" x 2 1/8" horizontal strip; and
• one small and one large of the Pool Party dots from Party Dots (item 164602) added to card front.

Additional supplies to complete the fourth card:

• Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934), Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), and Highland Heather ink refill (item 147167) to colour the floral image; and
• Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters to card front by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid.

And finally . . . 

Additional supplies used to complete the final card:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for one solid arch die cut, and one arch frame die cut.  For the arch frame I used low-tack tape to hold the two dies together when passing the dies and cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine;
• Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934), Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165) to colour the image arch die cut; and
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to shade the trimmed and torn sentiment strip - the Early Espresso ink was used to darken the torn ends.

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the Mixed Florals dies (item 164641), and consequently the Mixed Florals Bundle (item 164642), are not currently available, but are expected to again be available for ordering the week of February 24, 2025.

Just a reminder that Sale-A-Bration is on now until February 28, 2025, and that the Trusty Tools dies (Sale-A-Bration item 168076) has been added to the selection of products available for FREE with a $75.00 CDN (before applicable taxes and shipping) purchase of Stampin’ Up!® products; and the Corner In Bloom stamp set (item 164959) is one of the products available for FREE with a $150.00 CDN (before applicable taxes and shipping) purchase of Stampin’ Up!® products.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on these garden-themed projects!  Now I just need a few more seed packets to put in my potting bench box!

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 versions of the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue, January-April 2025 Mini Catalogue, the companion (and digital-only) January 2025 Scrapbooking Brochure, and the Sale-A-Bration Brochure are all available for you to access at your convenience on my website (https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/).  If you are shopping during the Sale-A-Bration Promotion don't forget to check out the Last Chance Products - retiring products (such as the Garden Meadow and Greetings Of The Season dies) that will be available only while supplies last - there are certainly some great bargains to be had!

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!! 

To avoid getting over tired while supervising the snow shoveling operation it is best to take a nap on a favourite pillow! An exhausted supervisor is of no use to anyone!😸