In Full Bloom!

Hello!  Today I am sharing two "full bloom" card projects I worked on this week - a chalkboard easel card with flower box, and a planter box card - using a variety of current, retiring, and retired Stampin’ Up!® products.  

The following are the stamp and die sets I used for my projects:

• retired Flowering Rain Boots stamp set (item 157689) - for "live life in full bloom" sentiment;
• retired Home & Garden stamp set (item 157910), and the co-ordinating and also retired Garden dies (item 157918) - to stamp and die cut, respectively, the gardening gloves image used on the chalkboard easel card;
• retired Lazy Days dies (item 161342) - for the die cut "ivy" used in the flower box on the chalkboard easel card;
• recently retired Grove dies (item 157844) - I used one of the open dies for soil die cuts used in the planter box card;
• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Delicate Forest dies (item 162679) - foliage die cuts;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Country Flowers dies (item 163410) - leafy clump die cuts;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Country Birdhouse dies (item 163400) - flowers, and additional foliage;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Playing In The Rain dies (item 160550) for grass die cut (additional foliage) used in the planter box card;

• Storybook Garden Patch stamp set (item 164663), and the co-ordinating Storybook Garden Patch dies (item 164666) - to stamp and die cut, respectively, the stacked flower pots, garden trowel, and watering can images.  [The Storybook Garden Patch stamp set and the co-ordinating dies are both part of the Storybook Moments Suite Collection, and as Suite products are included in this month's Suite And Suite Products Buy One, Get One 50% Off Sale];

• Online Exclusives Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610) - one of the products from the Floral Impressions Suite Collection - flowers and stems (including tall four-leafed stem); 

• Online Exclusives Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) - one of the products from the Everyday Skies Suite Collection - for the back panel and frame on the planter card;

• Online Exclusives Tags To Go dies (item 165576) - one of the products from the On The Go Suite Collection - the small circle that is the negative from the hole when the small circle tag is die cut was used for daisy flower centers on the planter box card; and

• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - featured in the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue as part of the Beautiful Gallery Suite Collection - for foliage die cuts.

It is a lot of fun to combine die cuts made using dies from several die sets to make different versions of flowers/stems - sometimes a little trimming may be necessary!✀  I have included below a photo showing a few of the die cut combinations I used for the flowers and stems for this week's projects (Country Birdhouse - flowers; Impressions Abloom - flower centers, and stems; Tags To Go - small circle used for flower centers; and Gallery Blooms - stem leaves, and an alternate stem for a sunflower): 

I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the images for colouring on watercolour paper.  I coloured the images using Classic Stampin' inks and Classic Stampin' ink refills, mixed with a little water, and applied using fine tipped paint brushes.

To add a little additional colour (shading) to many of the cardstock die cuts I applied Classic Stampin' inks using Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three).  For a little additional visual texture (speckled effect) on the foliage die cuts I lightly spritzed the shaded cardstock die cuts with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), allowing to air dry or blotting dry with paper towel.  For the foliage die cuts I used Soft Seafoam cardstock (item 146988), Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676).  To shade the Soft Seafoam cardstock die cuts I used Old Olive ink (item 147090); and to shade all other foliage die cuts I used Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).

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

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock and Designer Series Paper, and for scoring cardstock - including scoring the decorative lines on the "wood" legs and trim pieces on the planter box card;
• Bone Folder (item 102300) - for burnishing all scored fold lines to ensure crisp folds;
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp little scissors are great for doing any necessary trimming of die cuts - snipping off a few leaves, shortening a stem etc.;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the spatula and tacky putty tips are definitely a great help for manipulating and placing small die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  

To create the chalkboard effect on the Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) sentiment panel on the chalkboard easel card I also used the following heat embossing supplies:

• Embossing Buddy - a small bag of anti-static powder that is rubbed over the cardstock before stamping to help ensure that the embossing powder will only adhere to areas of the cardstock that have been stamped.  The Embossing Buddy is included in the Embossing Additions Tool Kit (item 159971);
• VersaMark Ink (item 102283) - a specialty ink used to stamp the sentiment.  This ink stays sticky long enough to ensure good adhesion of the embossing powder to the stamped sentiment;
• white embossing powder - WOW! Embossing Powder-Basics (item 165679 - includes three embossing powders:  white, black, and clear); and
• heat tool (Heat Tool - item 129053) - the embossing powder needs to be heated to be activated (melted).

To complete the chalkboard effect I used a Sponge Dauber (item 133773 - package of five daubers that fit on your finger) to lightly rub Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277) over the stamped and embossed cardstock panel.  I also added some splatters by flicking over the cardstock panel a paint brush holding a mixture of Craft Stampin' White Ink refill (item 101780) and water.  *When Craft Stampin' White Ink is purchased you receive an uninked pad and a bottle of Craft Stampin' White Ink refill.*

On with the projects!

My first project was inspired by a 6 1/2" tall x 4 5/8" wide easel I picked up at Dollar Tree that had a chalkboard on one side and a whiteboard on the other, and I used the same dimensions for the card. 

To complete my chalkboard easel card I used the following additional supplies:

• for the base of the card one 4 5/8" x 7" piece of Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the back panel; and one 4 5/8" x 6 1/2" piece of Early Espresso cardstock for the front panel.  To create the legs of the easel these pieces of cardstock were trimmed on the bottom edge of the 7" or 6 1/2" length in a "u" shape 3/4" in from each edge and 1" up from the bottom edge as indicated on the photo below.  After making the cuts for the legs I scored the back panel at 1/2" from the top edge - this 1/2" tab is the glue tab to attach the top edge of the back panel to the top edge of the back of the front panel;

• after attaching the front and back panels together I added the re-enforcing side panels to the insides of the front and back panels:  for the front panel two just a shade under 6" tall x 3/4" wide strips of Early Espresso cardstock; and for the back panel two just a shade under 6 1/2" tall x 3/4" wide strips of Early Espresso cardstock;
• for the "hinge" attached between the re-enforcing side panels on the inside of the front and back panels:  a 3 1/8" x 3" piece of Early Espresso cardstock, scored on the 3" side at 1/2", 1 1/2", and 2 1/2" (valley, mountain, valley folds);

• from Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) panels embossed with the retiring - and currently available as one of the substantially discounted Last Chance Products - Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406), strips trimmed for the "wood" frame for the front and back panels of the easel.  Before embossing each cardstock panel I dragged my Early Espresso ink pad (item 147114) across the raised design on the inside panel of the embossing folder.  From the embossed panels I trimmed four 4 5/8" long x 3/4" strips (top and bottom strips), and four 5 3/4" long x 3/4" wide strips (side strips).  I glued on the top strip first, then the side strips, and then the bottom strip.  Before gluing the strips onto the base panels I sponged the edges and ends of all the embossed strips with Early Espresso ink;

• for the chalkboard matting panel:  a 4" x 3 1/16" piece of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229);
• for the chalkboard panel:  a 2 15/16" x 3 15/16" piece of Basic Black cardstock - after stamping and embossing the sentiment, and completing the additional chalkboard techniques, I glued this panel to the Basic White Thick cardstock matting panel and then glued the completed panel to the front panel;
• for the "whiteboard" matting panel:  a 4" x 3 1/16" piece of Basic Black cardstock;
• for the "whiteboard" (message) panel:  a 3 3/4" x 2 7/8" piece of Basic White Thick cardstock;
• for the flower box:  from the embossed Pecan Pie cardstock a 5 5/8" long x 1 3/4" wide strip - scored at 1/2" along bottom edge, and both sides.  After gluing the flower box to the front of the easel I added the additional die cuts etc;
• Strawberry Slush cardstock (item 165625) for the two sizes of the same design Country Birdhouse die cut flowers - shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084).  The small Impressions Abloom flowers used as the flower centers were die cut from Basic Black cardstock;
• Lemon Lolly cardstock (item 161720), and Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), for the additional small Impressions Abloom flowers - shaded with Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094);
• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793) for the back panel's large Impressions Abloom flower - shaded with Real Red ink; and Pecan Pie cardstock, shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), for the flower center; and
• Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161669), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029) to colour the stacked flower pots, garden trowel, watering can, and gardening gloves.

For my planter box card I was inspired by Bronwyn Eastley's (addINKtive designs) "Spring Planter Box Card" shared in her October 8, 2015, blog post (https://addinktivedesigns.blogspot.com/2015/10/spring-planter-box-card.html), and although I did follow her instructions to assemble the base of the planter I did slightly adjust both dimensions and design.

To complete my card - which measures 6 5/8" tall x 3" wide x 2 1/2" deep (and does actually fold relatively flat . . . folded flat measurements: 6 5/8" tall x 6 1/2" wide) - I used the following additional supplies:

• for the box base:  two 5 1/2" long x 2 1/2" wide pieces of Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), each scored on the 5 1/2" side at 2 1/2" so there is a 2 1/2" square, and a 2 1/2" x 3" segment on each piece;
• for the legs:  four 3" tall x 1" wide strips of Crumb Cake cardstock - scored on the 1" side at 1/2" (I added three additional vertical decorative scored lines at 1/8" intervals on each 1/2" wide section).  Before assembling the box base using the leg pieces as the connecting pieces as per Bronwyn's instructions, I added the DSP panels to each front segment of the two box base pieces.  From one of the woven texture patterns from the Online Exclusives Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560) - part of the Botanical Textures Suite - I trimmed the panels, approximately 1/16" smaller than the corresponding cardstock panels.  After adding the DSP panels I completed the assembly of the box base - adding the top and bottom horizontal Crumb Cake cardstock 1/2" wide strips, trimming each length to fit exactly in the spaces on each panel.  I started with long 1/2" wide strips of Crumb Cake cardstock, adding the three decorative score lines at 1/8" intervals, before trimming the individual lengths.  Before I attached any of the Crumb Cake cardstock strips - legs or cross pieces - I sponged the edges and ends liberally with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116);

• after completing the assembly of the box base I added the back panel.  I used the Everyday Arches dies to die cut both one full back panel, and the frame from Crumb Cake cardstock (sponging all edges with Crumb Cake ink), and the frame's inside panel from the Woven Textures DSP.  I slightly trimmed around the DSP panel before gluing it to the wrong side of the back panel, and then gluing the frame over the top of the DSP panel.  After adding the frame I sponged more Crumb Cake ink around the outside edges of the completed panel.  On the back of the back panel I used a pencil to mark a line 1/2" up from the bottom edge, which I used as a guide when gluing the panel to the inside of the back panel of the box base.  I used the right side of the Crumb Cake cardstock arch die cut as the outward facing side of the back/message panel;
• from Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) I cut three inserts for the box - varying the heights of the panels (shortest in the front, tallest in the back) but all are 4" wide, scored at 1/2" from each end (these 1/2" tabs are the glue tabs for securing the inserts to the inside of the side panels of the box base).  To the top of each insert I added Early Espresso cardstock "soil" die cuts made using the retired Grove dies;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the Country Birdhouse daisies; Lemon Lolly cardstock (item 161720), and Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) - shaded with Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094) - for the small Impressions Abloom flowers used as centers for the daisies; and Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) and Early Espresso cardstock for the Tags To Go tiny circle centers;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock - shaded with Daffodil Delight ink - for the Country Birdhouse sunflowers, and Pecan Pie cardstock - shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) - for the Impressions Abloom centers for the sunflowers; and 
• Petunia Pop cardstock (item 163801), and Balmy Blue cardstock (item 146982) for the additional small Impressions Abloom flowers.  

For my "Archie" project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post, I made a pair of earrings, and a small tent display card - because I definitely want to have these special earrings on display when I am not wearing them!  I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the sweet feline image from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674) on watercolour paper, die cutting the image panels using the smallest rounded corner rectangle die from the Nested Essentials dies (item 161597), and using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Basic Gray ink (item 121044) to colour the image panels. From Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) I cut the earring backing panels, and glued the image and backing panels together - with wrong sides together.  From my stash I added the eyelets, jump rings, and earring hooks.  I used Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the base of the 4 1/8" x 3" card, the card hinge (3" x 2", scored on the 2" side at 1/2", 1", and 1 1/2" - valley, mountain, valley folds), and the 2 3/4" x 1/8" strip on the card front.  I used Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 4" x 2 7/8" matting panel; Peach Pie patterned paper from the retiring 2024-2026 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortment Stack (item 163777) for the 3 7/8" x 2 3/4" panel; and Pumpkin Pie patterned paper from the retiring Brights 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortment Stack (item 163775) for the 1" x 2 3/4" strip.  Items 163777 and 163775 are both currently available as discounted Last Chance Products.  I punched the holes to accommodate the earring hooks in the completed front panel of the card before I added the card hinge.

Suite And Suite Products Sale!

Just a reminder that on now until June 30, 2025, is the Suite And Suite Products Buy One, Get One 50% Off Sale!  The sale will apply to all available suite collections and suite products - including Online Exclusives suite collections and suite products!  The 50% discount will apply to the lower-priced item selected, and the discount will appear in your cart once two suite products have been added to your cart.  During this sale you can mix and match suites and suite products - you are not restricted to selecting products from the same suite!  Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to add some of your wish list items to your own collection!

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on my "full bloom" card projects!

Stampin' Up! advises that although the StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) remains unavailable for ordering it is still expected to again be available the week of June 16, 2025.  

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 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue is available for you to access at your convenience on my website.  If visiting the online store don't forget to check out all the available suite collections and individual suite products, as well as all the Last Chance Products!  Just a reminder that all Last Chance Products remain 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!! 

"A kitten is, in the animal world, what a rosebud is in the garden."

- Robert Southey -