Spring Flowers To Brighten A Snowy February Day!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few card projects I worked on this week using a few of my favourite Stampin’ Up!® products that were included in the January 2025 release of new Online Exclusives products.  Just a reminder that Online Exclusives are products that are only available through the online store as they are not featured in either an Annual or Mini Catalogue.  The following are the Online Exclusives products I used this week:

• Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) - largest die measures 5 3/16" x 3 15/16".  When using two of these nesting dies to cut a frame I used low-tack tape to hold the dies together to ensure that the dies didn't slip when running the dies and cardstock/watercolour paper through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653);

• Around It All dies (item 164725) - largest die measures 5 1/2" x 5 1/4"; and

• Mixed Florals Bundle (item 164642), which includes the Mixed Florals photopolymer stamp set (item 164639) and the co-ordinating Mixed Florals dies (item 164641).  The stamp set and dies are of course also available separate from the Bundle but when purchased together using the Bundle item number the 10% Bundled Savings applies!

Additional stamp sets and dies I used this week:

• Storybook Friends Bundle (item 164675), featured in the January-April 2025 Mini Catalogue, and which includes the Storybook Friends photopolymer stamp set (item 164668) and the co-ordinating Storybook Friends dies (item 164674) - to stamp and die cut the bunny images;

• Storybook Garden Patch Bundle (item 164667), also featured in the January-April 2025 Mini Catalogue, and which includes the Storybook Garden Patch stamp set (item 164663) and the co-ordinating Storybook Garden Patch dies (item 164666) - to stamp and die cut the vegetable and trowel images;

• Sale-A-Bration Corner In Bloom stamp set (item 164959) - for floral images - this photopolymer stamp set is one of the products available for FREE during the Sale-A-Bration Promotion on now until February 28, 2025, with a $150.00 CDN (before applicable taxes and shipping) purchase of Stampin’ Up!® products;

• Beach Day stamp set (item 162797) and the co-ordinating Beach Day dies (item 162799) - to stamp and die cut the flying seagull image;

• retired Garden Meadow stamp set (item 162736) and the retiring co-ordinating Garden Meadow dies (item 162740 - currently available, while supplies last, as a very substantially discounted Last Chance Product!) - to stamp and die cut the small watering can image;

• Playing In The Rain stamp set (item 160542) and the co-ordinating Playing In The Rain dies (item 160550) - to stamp and die cut the flower-bearing turtle;

• Grow With Love stamp set (item 164797) - "From The Garden Of" and "you're on my mind" sentiments;

• Country Birdhouse stamp set (item 163395) - "happy birthday" sentiment;

• Country Flowers stamp set (item 163405) - "Best.Friend.Ever." and "sending love" sentiments;

• Country Flowers dies (item 163410) - to die cut leafy clump;

• Country Birdhouse dies (item 163400) - to die cut three small flowers; and

• Perennial Postage dies (item 162607) - scalloped end die to die cut the "you're on my mind" sentiment label.

For all card bases I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229).  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.  I also used Stazon Jet Black Ink to stamp the sentiments - "you're on my mind", "happy birthday", ""Best.Friend.Ever", and the "From The Garden Of" sentiments on watercolour paper, and the "sending love" sentiment on a small trimmed scrap of Basic White Thick cardstock.

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

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock - 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;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) for fussy cutting the tulip image on the "From The Garden Of" note card, and for trimming the Designer Series Paper to fit behind the small arch frame on the bunny with vegetables/watering can/trowel note card;
• 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 die cuts. To add additional visual texture to the shaded cardstock die cuts I sometimes 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).

On with the projects!

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

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) to cut two arch frames and one solid arch - I had a slight change of heart while I was assembling this card and swapped out my first choice for the matting arch for the image arch with the Basic Black cardstock arch;
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Pool Party ink (item 147107) to colour the floral and the bunny images.  The tall leafy stem behind the bowtie-wearing bunny was stamped and die cut using the Mixed Florals Bundle, and the floral image on the center arch was stamped using the largest image from the Corner In Bloom stamp set;
• Crumb Cake ink to shade the edges of and to add splatters to the sentiment label;
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach and pop up the two bunny images;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach and pop up the sentiment label; and
• three small and two large Pool Party dots from Party Dots (item 164602) added to card front.

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

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the arch frame;
• Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), Calyspo Coral ink refill (item 122934), Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088), Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165) to colour the floral and bunny images (to the floral arrangement I added two additional tall leafy stems);
• Crumb Cake ink to shade the edges and torn end of the sentiment strip - immediately after stamping the sentiment I rubbed over it with a paper towel to partially smudge the ink; and
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach and pop up the bunny image.

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

• watercolour paper for the arch frame and large foliage die cut - both coloured with a wash of Old Olive ink (item 147090), and shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) applied with one of the Small Blending Brushes;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) for the leafy clump die cut using the Country Flowers dies - shaded with Mossy Meadow ink;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) for the three small flowers die cut using the Country Birdhouse dies - shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086).  I used a Q-tip to apply the ink to the centers of the flowers;
• Old Olive ink, Mossy Meadow ink, Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Daffodil Delight ink, and Pumpkin Pie ink to colour the turtle image;
• Crumb Cake ink to shade the sentiment label, and to add splatters to the card front;
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) - I used two on the back of each end to attach and pop up the sentiment label; and
• one of the small Antique Pearls (item 164679) added to the center of each flower.

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

• watercolour paper for the large image backing wonky circle die cut - I used Blending Brushes (item 153611) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518) to apply Granny Apple Green ink (item 147095), Old Olive ink (item 147090) and Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) - spritzing with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185), blotting dry with paper towel, and then applying additional Old Olive and Mossy Meadow inks around the edges;
• Real Red ink (item 147084), Old Olive ink, Mossy Meadow ink, Azure Afternoon ink refill (item 161668), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165) to colour the floral image circle; 
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Basic Gray ink, and Real Red ink to colour the bunny image;
• Crumb Cake ink to shade the edges and torn end of the sentiment strip - immediately after stamping the sentiment I rubbed over it with a paper towel to partially smudge the ink; and
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach and pop up the bunny image.

I added three more 4" x 3" top-fold cards to my series of garden-themed note cards that I began a few weeks ago - I will soon have to make the gift holder for these cards before I make too many more!

Additional supplies used to complete the first card:

• watercolour paper for the small arch frame - shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114);
• Old Olive striped paper from 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortments-Regals (item 163774) for backing panel for arch frame; and

• Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Crumb Cake ink, Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Blackberry Bliss ink (item 147092), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118) to colour the vegetables, garden tools, and bunny images.

Additional supplies used to complete the second card:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the solid image backing arch die cut;
• Highland Heather ink refill (item 147167), Old Olive ink (item 147090), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165) to colour the image panel;
• Basic Gray ink to colour the seagull;
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Basic Gray ink, and Real Red ink (item 147084) to colour the bunny;
• Basic Gray and Crumb Cake inks to colour the trowel; and
• Crumb Cake ink to shade the edges and torn ends of the trimmed sentiment strip.

And finally . . .

Additional supplies used to complete the third and final note card:

• Real Red ink (item 147084), Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), and Azure Afternoon ink refill (item 161668) to colour the floral image;
• Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters to card front by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid; and
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) to shade the edges and torn end of the trimmed sentiment strip.

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

• Storybook Garden Patch stamp set (item 164663) - and consequently the Storybook Garden Patch Bundle (item 164667) - week of February 17, 2025; and
• Bone Folder (item 102300) - also the week of February 17, 2025.

Although it is always a little sad when products are retired the good news is that with the updating of the Last Chance Products list earlier this week there are certainly some great bargains to be had - while supplies last! -including the following products at the indicated discounted (CDN) prices:

• Frosted Forest stamp set (item 164344) - $17.40;
• Frosted Forest Decorative Masks (item 164350) - $10.50;
• Frosted Forest dies (item 164136) - $19.60;
• Changing Leaves stamp set (item 164351) - $14.00;
• Changing Leaves dies and Hybrid Embossing Folder (item 164138) - $33.00;
• Greetings Of The Season dies (item 164112) - $30.80;
• Sophisticated Sled stamp set (item 164340) - $16.50;
• Sophisticated Sled dies (item 164133) - $24.00;
• Nested Friends dies (item 160488) - $9.00;
• Trucking Along Builder Punch (item 162305) - $13.20;
• Filled With Cheer stamp set (item 164362) - $16.80;
• Potions & Spells stamp set (item 164355) - $16.80;
• Potions & Spells dies (item 164141) - $26.40; 
• Simply Zinnia dies (item 163479) - $22.50; and
• Garden Meadow dies (item 162740) - $9.80.

For the remainder of the Sale-A-Bration Promotion the following products have been added as products that can be selected for FREE with a $75.00 CDN (before applicable taxes and shipping) purchase of Stampin’ Up!® products - when selecting one or more of these products be sure to use the assigned Sale-A-Bration item number:

• Trusty Tools dies (item 168076);

• Alphabet À La Mode dies (item 168074);

• Natural Botanicals stamp set (item 168095);

• Beautiful Butterflies stamp set (item 168092);

• Planted Paradise stamp set (item 168079);

• Day To Celebrate stamp set (item 164963);

• Happy Houseplants Kit (item 168088);

• Hooray For Honeycomb Kit (item 168089);

• Happy Labels Pick A Punch (item 168080);

• Bee Builder Punch (item 168077);

• Night Of Navy & Gold 1/2" Glitter Ribbon (item 168073); and

• Brushed Brass Butterflies (item 168091).

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had lots of fun starting to play with some of the new Online Exclusives products!  Lots of possibilities to explore with the Everyday Arches and Around It All dies, and of course if the long winter days are getting you down and you need to see some spring flowers then the Mixed Florals Bundle might just be what you need to tide you over for the next few months!

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 - which is on now until February 28, 2025 - don't forget to check out the Last Chance Products - retiring products from both the September-December 2024 Mini Catalogue and the Online Exclusives line 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!! 

Like another famous ginger, Archie also finds it nearly impossible to escape the prying eyes of the paparazzi!👀📷