Quilts And Flowers!

Hello!  Today I am sharing four "quilts and flowers" projects I worked on this week combining die cuts made using several Stampin’ Up!® die sets with "quilt blocks" made using several Stampin’ Up!® Designer Series Papers.  I have found that one of my favourite things to make with my Designer Series Paper scraps are paper quilt blocks - it is a lot of fun to mix and match colours and designs:  choosing to highlight certain hues in one of the main DSP pieces by using additional DSP pieces of that hue - i.e. Cajun Craze/Calypso Coral/Misty Moonlight; choosing a contrasting or more subtle colour palette - there are no rules to follow! The design of the "quilt blocks" can be as simple or as intricate as you like - and you can base your blocks on actual quilt block patterns or make up your own - or a combination of the two!  

Avid quilters always have an extensive library of quilting books - in addition to an extensive hoard of fabric and quilting tools and supplies of course! - but two books that I have recently perused that may be of interest:  "Classic To Contemporary String Quilts" by Mary M. Hogan (2019); and "Fast And Fun First Quilts" by Sara Diepersloot (2011).  

To assemble my originally 4" x 4" sized "quilt blocks" I glued the individual DSP pieces to graph paper, and after all pieces were glued to the graph paper and the requisite trimming (cleaning up the block edges) was done, I glued the assembled "block" to a piece of cardstock (I used Very Vanilla cardstock - item 166784) larger than the original "block" to allow, in some cases, sufficient space for the addition of "binding strips" (trimmed strips of DSP).  The completed "block" was then trimmed again and either left as is; matted with additional cardstock/Designer Series Paper; or overlayed with a cardstock matting panel with a die cut window that effectively reduced the original size of the "block".  For future "quilt block" projects I think I will glue the graph paper to a cardstock base before assembling the "block".

I used the following die sets for the cardstock flower and foliage die cuts:

• Online Exclusives Impressions Abloom (item 165610);

• Gallery Blooms (item 165212) - featured in the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue as part of the Beautiful Gallery Suite Collection;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Delicate Forest (item 162679); and

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Country Flowers (item 163410).

To add a little additional colour (shading) to 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 Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676).  All foliage die cut shading was done using Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).

I used the following Designer Series Papers:

• Online Exclusives Mixed Media Florals 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 164638) - part of the Mixed Media Floral Suite Collection;

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

• Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678) - part of the Storybook Moments Suite Collection;

• Cajun Craze patterned papers from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Regals 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 163774);

• Night Of Navy/white striped paper from the recently retired Take To The Sky 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163436) - featured in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue;
• Misty Moonlight with white dots paper from the retired Online Exclusives One Horse Open Sleigh 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 162118);
• Calypso Coral sun print floral design paper from the retired Pretty Prints 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 159245) - featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue; 
• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Online Exclusives Season Of Green & Gold 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 164678); and

• Online Exclusives Botanical Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165545) - part of the Botanical Textures Suite Collection.

I used two variations of two basic patterns for my "blocks":

• center square with rectangle framing pieces:  for the first variation I began with a 1" center square, around which I added four 1/2" wide rectangular framing pieces (1 @ 2" long, 2 @ 1 1/2" long, and 1 @ 1" long) to create a 2" square; around this 2" square I added four 1" wide rectangular framing pieces (1 @ 4" long, 2 @ 3" long, and 1 @ 2" long ) to create the final 4" square block;
• center square with rectangle framing pieces:  for the second variation I began with a 2" center square, around which I added four 1" wide rectangular framing pieces, all 3" long, to create the final 4" square block;
• star pattern:  for the first variation I began with four 1" squares (2 each of two different DSP patterns) to create the 2" square center block.  To complete the 4" square block I added four 1" squares from a third DSP pattern - all four of these squares cut diagonally in half; and eight 1" squares from a fourth DSP pattern - four of these squares cut diagonally in half; and
• star pattern:  for the second variation I began with a center 2" square trimmed from one DSP pattern, adding four 1" squares from a second DSP pattern, all four of these squares cut diagonally in half; and eight 1" squares from a third DSP pattern - four of these squares cut diagonally in half.

Just for reference I have included links to three previous blog posts re paper quilting projects:  "Paper Quilting With Designer Series Papers!" (September 27, 2024)

https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2024/09/paper-quilting-with-designer-series.html; "A Few Christmas Projects!" - Christmas Star Gift Box (September 15, 2023)

https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-few-christmas-projects-hello-today-i.html; and "Paper Quilt Block Tote Bags - And A Card Too!" (February 10, 2023)

https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2023/02/paper-quilt-block-tote-bags-and-card.html.

For each project I used a dollar store frame, glass removed for three of the frames, and all edges of all frames distressed with a medium-grit sandpaper.  For the first project:  a brown wood grain plastic frame with a back opening of 8" x 10"; for the second and third projects: black wood frames with 7" square back openings; and for the third project a black wood frame with 1/2" wide edges, and a front opening of 4 3/4" square (this was a closed back framed decor piece so I glued the matted "block" over the glass, which I could not remove).  The frame for the "Archie" project - included at the end of this blog post - is a black wood frame with outside dimensions of 4 1/2" square that was actually a center frame removed from a larger dollar store frame.

Just a quick summary of 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;
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting;
• 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 tacky putty tip is definitely a great help for picking up and placing small die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  

On with the projects!

Additional supplies used to complete the first project:

• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) used to sponge the edges of the matted "block" (the final "block" dimensions just under 4 7/8" square);
• Calypso Coral cardstock (item 122925), Flirty Flamingo cardstock (item 141416), and Cajun Craze cardstock (item 119684) for the die cut flowers - the Calypso Coral and Flirty Flamingo cardstock die cut flowers shaded with Calypso Coral ink (item 147101); and
• for the background panel Boho Blue patterned paper from the Mixed Florals DSP glued to the medium weight cardboard panel that was trimmed to fit the back opening of the frame.

Before adding the die cut flowers and foliage I clipped the two 1 7/8" x 1/4" clothespins, picked up at Dollarama, to the top edge of the "block", and to secure the "block" and clothespins to the back panel I added glue to the back of the two clothespins and to the bottom back edge of the "block".  The clothesline stick was the happy result of some time spent trimming a few overgrown bushes in the back garden - the stick happening to be just the perfect diameter to fit nicely into the top of the clothespins - no glue required! 

The four 1/4" wide Mixed Florals DSP "binding" strips were added to the completed "block" after I decided the 1/2" wide One Horse Open Sleigh DSP "binding" strips were just too wide! 

Additional supplies to complete the second project:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 7" square back panel, and for the "block's" 4 1/4" square matting panel with 2 3/4" square window opening, which was die cut using the largest square die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183);

• Calypso Coral ink refill (item 122934) mixed with a little water to add splatters to the 7" square Basic White Thick cardstock back panel - I flicked the paint brush used to mix the ink refill and water over the panel;
• double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to attach the window panel over the "block", and to secure the matted "block" to the back panel; and
• Calypso Coral cardstock (item 122925) and Flirty Flamingo cardstock (item 141416) for the flower die cuts - both shaded with Calypso Coral ink (item 147101).

Additional supplies to complete the third project:

• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784), and Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for additional matting panels; and
• Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793) for all die cut flowers - all shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084).

Additional supplies used to complete the fourth project:

• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793) - shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084) - for all die cut flowers;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the centers added to the five small flowers - these circles are the negatives released from the holes when die cutting the small circle tag from the Online Exclusives Tags To Go dies (item 165576); 

• Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202) for the back panel; and
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229), and Basic Black cardstock for matting panels.

For the "Archie" project included at the bottom of this blog post I used Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the feline image from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674) on watercolour paper, colouring the image with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Real Red ink (item 147084) mixed with a little water and applied with a fine-tipped paint brush.  The image was die cut using the co-ordinating, and also retired, Full Basket dies (item 158679).  The Cheerful Basket stamp set and Full Basket dies were featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue.  I also used Stazon Jet Black Ink to stamp on watercolour paper the "C is for cat" sentiment from the long-retired C Is For Cat stamp set (item 115764), which was featured in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue.  The sentiment circle was cut using the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted L:ast Chance Products - Online Exclusives Around It All dies (item 164725).  The sentiment circle was shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116).  The die cut flowers were cut from Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985), and shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink.  For the die cut foliage I used Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245) and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - shading all with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).  For the background panel I trimmed a piece of Pebbled Path patterned paper from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Nature's Sweetness 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 162616) to fit the back opening of the small frame.

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!

Earlier this week the Last Chance Products category in the online store was updated to include additional retiring products, including retiring products from the Online Exclusives line.  Here are a few of my favourites of the newly retiring products - some of which are now substantially discounted: 

• Around It All dies (item 164725) - now $32.90;
• Grow With Love stamp set (item 164797);
• Grow With Love dies (item 164803) - now $40.80;
• Season Of Green & Gold 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 164324) - now $16.10;
• Black & Very Vanilla 3/8" Large Check Ribbon (item 161982) - now $7.70; and
• Party Dots (item 164602) - part of the Wildflower Birthday Suite Collection.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on my "quilts and flowers" projects!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406) remains unavailable for ordering but 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!! 

"Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened."

- Dr. Seuss -