Gallery Blooms!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Gallery Blooms Bundle (item 165213), which includes the Gallery Blooms photopolymer stamp set (item 165211) and the co-ordinating Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212).  This Bundle - and of course the stamp set and dies can be purchased individually separate from the Bundle, if, however they are purchased together using the Bundle item number the 10% Bundled Savings will apply - is featured in the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue as part of the Beautiful Gallery Suite Collection (item 165217).  Also part of this Suite Collection is the Beautiful Gallery 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 165196), which I also used in several of my projects.  This DSP collection certainly has an old world charm - and many of the images remind me of rainy afternoons spent studying at the Art Gallery!

To complete my projects I also used additional current, retiring, and recently retired Stampin’ Up!® products:

• Online Exclusives Tags To Go dies (item 165576);

• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183);

• Online Exclusives Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610);

• Online Exclusives Everyday Arches dies (item 164629);

• Nested Essentials dies (item 161597);

• Online Exclusives Just A Note stamp set (item 166098) and the co-ordinating Just A Note dies (item 166101) - the stamp set and dies are also available together in the Just A Note Bundle (item 166102);

• Online Exclusives Elements Of Text stamp set (item 164774);

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Online Exclusives Around It All dies (item 164725);

• recently retired Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406); and

• retired Stitched Greenery die (item 155451).  This die, featured in the May 2021-April 2022 Annual Catalogue, is great for adding a little stitched detail to a paper quilting project!

I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp all images.  I stamped the images on watercolour paper, cardstock, and Designer Series Paper.  I used the following Classic Stampin' ink refills, mixed with a little water, and applied with a small paint brush, to colour those floral images stamped on watercolour paper:

• Calypso Coral (item 122934);
• Highland Heather (item 147167);
• Pecan Pie (item 161669); 
• Old Olive (item 100531); and
• Mossy Meadow (item 133651). 

I used the following coloured pencils to colour the images stamped on cardstock and Designer Series Paper:

• a Prismacolour #1054 (warm gray) pencil to colour the images stamped on Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511); 
• a Prismalcolour white pencil (#338) to "highlight" the petals of the floral image stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953); and
• Faber Castell Polychromos pencils #9201-131, #9201-126, and #9201-174; and a Prismacolour #912 pencil to colour the floral images stamped on the Beautiful Gallery DSP.

On a few of the watercoloured images I added a little more shading using the coloured pencils used to colour the DSP images.

The Gallery Blooms frames were die cut from cardstock that had been embossed using the recently retired Timber 3D Embossing Folder.  Before embossing the cardstock I dragged an ink pad across the raised design on one of the inside panels of the embossing folder.  For the Basic Beige cardstock frame a Crumb Cake ink pad (item 147116) was dragged across the embossing folder inside panel; for the retired Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) frame a Basic Gray ink pad (item 149165) was dragged across the embossing folder inside panel; and for the Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) frame, a Pecan Pie ink pad (item 161665) dragged across the embossing folder inside panel. The edges of the die cut frames were sponged, respectively, with Crumb Cake ink; and Pecan Pie ink and Early Espresso ink (item 147114).

I used Pool Party ink (item 147107) to stamp the Just A Note notepaper lines on watercolour paper - shading the die cuts (Just A Note/Nested Essentials) with Crumb Cake ink (147116) - additional splatters added by flicking over the die cut the paint brush used to mix Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029) with a little water.  To apply ink for shading purposes on die cuts I used Blending Brushes (item 153611) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518).  On some of the shaded cardstock die cuts I added a little additional visual texture by lightly spritzing the 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. 

The following cardstock was used for die cuts:

• Old Olive (item 100702), Mossy Meadow (item 133676), Garden Green (item 102584), and Soft Sea Foam (item 146988) for foliage - all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);
• Smoky Slate (item 131202) for Everyday Arches frame - shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 121044);
• Smoky Slate, and Gray Granite (item 146983) for keys - shaded with Basic Gray ink, Crumb Cake ink, and Pecan Pie ink (item 161665);
• Smoky Slate for clipboard clips - shaded with Basic Gray and Crumb Cake inks;
• Pecan Pie (item 161717) for clipboard bases - shaded with Pecan Pie ink, and Early Espresso ink (item 147114);
• Lost Lagoon (item 133679) for Impressions Abloom flower, and the Around It All small "flower" layered over the Impressions Abloom flower (quilt block card).  After using the smallest of the Around It All dies to cut the cardstock circle I misted the die cut very liberally with water and scrunched it up with my fingers, allowing it to air dry in a slight bowl shape; and
• Cloud Cover (item 165621) for Impressions Abloom die cut flower center. 

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

• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) for all die cutting and embossing; 
• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, watercolour paper, and DSP, and for scoring card fold lines.  To ensure crisp folds I used my Bone Folder (item 102300) to burnish the scored and folded lines;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - these sharp little scissors are great for doing any necessary trimming of die cuts.  Unfortunately, Stampin' Up! advises that the manufacturer has ceased production of the Paper Snips Scissors, and, consequently Stampin' Up! is limited to the supply of the scissors currently on hand.  As soon as the on hand supply is depleted the scissors will be removed from the online store.  Stampin' Up! is exploring alternative manufacturing options with the hope that these scissors - or a very similar product - can be brought back in the not-too-distant future - in the meantime if you would like a pair - or additional pairs! - it would be advisable to order them sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment;
• 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 embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  On several of the projects I had to glue DSP to a larger wood or cardboard base, and in these instances I first used an old paint brush to spread the glue over the base, and immediately after laying the DSP over the prepared base used a brayer (Stampin' Brayer - item 162936) to roll over the DSP to ensure even coverage of the liquid glue and good even adhesion of the DSP to the base surface. The Multipurpose Liquid Glue bottle is duel tipped:  a pen tip and a broad tip.  The broad tip at the base of the bottle is great for applying the glue over a larger surface.  I transfer some of the contents of each new glue bottle to a smaller bottle equipped with a very fine tip and pin stopper, as a very fine tip gives me more control in dispensing glue - and anything that can help relieve the stress of applying liquid glue to a small die cut is very much appreciated!  

On with the projects!

In addition to two front covers and two spine covers salvaged from four discarded books; and a book page that I first covered with a light coat of white paint, crumpled up while the paint was still wet, allowed to air dry then ironed (the only time I use my iron is to iron paper!), and after tearing the edges sponged with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), I used the following additional supplies to complete this collage project:

• burlap patterned paper from the Online Exclusives Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560) to cover the front and four sides of the 10" x 8" x 1" deep wood panel picked up at Dollarama.  After gluing the DSP to the panel I sponged all edges with Early Espresso ink (item 147114);

• from two of the papers from the Beautiful Gallery DSP a 4 1/8" x 2", and a 6" x 2 3/4" panel, all edges sponged with Crumb Cake ink;
• Very Vanilla baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) for the loop on the bottom key - the knotted end secured to the spine cover with a tiny dab of Multipurpose Liquid Glue; and
• two small and two large of the Adhesive-Backed Textured Dots (item 163338) added to the Gallery Blooms frame.

In addition to an off-white distressed wood frame from Dollarama, glass removed, with inside dimensions of 7" x 5", and another book page prepared as per the first project, I used the following supplies to complete this project:

• Smoky Slate patterned paper from the Country Lace 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163415) to cover a medium weight cardboard panel trimmed to fit the frame's inside dimensions - edges of the DSP panel shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165);

• watercolour paper, stamped with one of the text images from the Elements Of Text stamp set, for the tag die cut using the Tags To Go dies.  The die cut tag shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114);
• Very Vanilla baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) for the loop on the key - the knotted end secured to the DSP background panel with a tiny dab of Multipurpose Liquid Glue; and
• one of the small Adhesive-Backed Textured Dots (item 163338) added over the hole in the die cut tag.

In addition to a re-painted thrift store frame, glass removed, with inside dimensions of 6" x 4", I used the following supplies to complete this project:

• one of the scene patterned papers from the Beautiful Gallery DSP to cover a medium weight cardboard panel trimmed to fit the frame's inside dimensions;
• Linen Thread (item 104199) wrapped several times around the stem of the flowers and tied in a bow - knotted ends secured with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach and slightly pop up the stamped and die cut flowers.

In addition to a black wood frame, picked up at Dollarama, inside dimensions of 7" square, glass removed, and edges slightly distressed with a fine grit sandpaper, I used the following supplies to complete this project:

• a full 6" square sheet of one of the designs from the Beautiful Gallery DSP, with 3" circle window die cut using the Stylish Shapes dies - the circle removed from the center later added down a little from and slightly overlapping the window opening;
• on one of the painted texture patterned papers from the Beautiful Gallery DSP I stamped the floral image - after colouring I trimmed this panel and glued it behind the window opening in the full panel;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 6 1/4" square matting panel - the edges scraped with the blade of my craft knife;
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) for the 7" square matting (back) panel; and
• four of the small and two of the large black dots from Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) added around the circle window opening. 

For the "quilt block" for the center of this card I began with four 2" squares, two squares cut from each of two sheets from the Beautiful Gallery DSP, and followed the instructions provided by Maymay Made It Crafts in her June 28, 2025, YouTube video "Got 2x2 Inch Scraps? Watch Me Make Them Disappear!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljTz3WKM1po&t=505s) to glue these original squares to a 4" square piece of light weight cardstock (no need to use my premium SU cardstock for this!) and make the eight cuts necessary to create nine new pieces, which reassembled create the finished "block".  My finished "block" appears smaller since I placed over it a base matting panel with a 2 3/8" square window opening.  Before matting the "block" I added the quilted (stitched) detail by running the "block" with the Stitched Greenery die through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine.  To complete this 5 1/4" square top-fold card I used the following additional supplies:

• Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for the card base, and the 4" square base matting panel with 2 3/8" square window opening (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies);
• Cloud Cover cardstock (item 165621) for the 4 3/4" square top matting panel with 2 3/4" square window opening (also cut using the Stylish Shapes dies). Both the Cloud Cover cardstock and the Lost Lagoon cardstock appear bluer in the photos than they actually are - Lost Lagoon and Cloud Cover do make a very nice combination;
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach and slightly pop up the Cloud Cover cardstock matting panel;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 5" square inside panel - to this panel I added a couple of strips trimmed from my first attempt at the quilt "block"!; and
• one of the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach and slightly pop up the Impressions Abloom Cloud Cover cardstock flower center.

I stamped the floral image on a Cloud Cover toned painted plaster patterned sheet from the Beautiful Gallery DSP, and to complete this 6" x 5" top-fold card I used the following additional supplies:

• Basic Black cardstock - 12" x 12" (item 166786) for the card base; 
• additional Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 5 5/8" x 4 5/8" matting panel; Everyday Arches arch matting panel; and inside panel's 5 3/4" x 4 3/4" matting panel;
• Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for the front and inside panel's 5 7/8" x 4 7/8" matting panels;
• 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" panel from a Lost Lagoon patterned paper from the Beautiful Gallery DSP - the edges shaded with Lost Lagoon ink (item 161678);
• a 5 1/2" x 1 1/2" (right edge torn) strip of Cloud Cover patterned paper from the Beautiful Gallery DSP - a 5 5/8" long strip, with right edge torn, from this same paper added to the inside panel's 5 5/8" x 4 5/8" Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) panel;
• Gray Granite baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) wrapped around the framed image panel before the framed image panel was glued to the Everyday Arches Basic Black cardstock matting arch panel; and
• two small and one large of the black dots from Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) added to one lower corner of the Everyday Arches frame. 

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

• Basic Beige cardstock (item 164511) for the card base;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the front and inside panel's 5" square matting panels;
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) for the 4 7/8" matting panel with 2 3/8" square window opening (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies);
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 4 3/4" square inside panel - along the bottom edge I added a 4 5/8" x 3/4" strip trimmed from another sheet of the same patterned paper from the Beautiful Gallery DSP as I used for the card front's center image; and
• double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to adhere the Gray Granite cardstock matting panel over the DSP image panel. 

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• watercolour paper that was first coloured by "ink smooshing" with Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161669), and then stamped with one of the script images from the Elements Of Text stamp set for the 3" diameter circle die cut using the Stylish Shapes dies.  I sponged Early Espresso ink (item 147114) around the die cut circle; and
• after gluing the stamped and die cut flower images, and the cardstock foliage die cuts around the circle I used strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) - applied behind both the circle and overlapping portions of the floral arrangement - to attach the completed assembly to the card front.

And finally . . .

I was having so much fun with my projects that I had to make a paper doll and a few clipboard tags!  The "hair" for the paper doll was die cut using the Impressions Abloom dies from one of the map patterned sheets from the Beautiful Gallery DSP.

I also made a clipboard tag for my "Archie" project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post.  The sweet little feline from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674), die cut using the co-ordinating - and also retired - Full Basket dies (item 158679), was stamped on watercolour paper, and coloured using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086).  Before attaching "Archie" to the clipboard using Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) trimmed as required, I tied a Linen Thread (item 104199) bow around his neck.  The clipboard heart was die cut from Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084), and I added one of the large Adhesive-Backed Textured Dots (item 163338) to the center. 

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I certainly enjoyed working on my Gallery Blooms projects this week!

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:

• StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) - week of July 21, 2025; 
• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - week of July 28, 2025; 
• Just A Note stamp set (item 166098) - week of July 28, 2025; and
• Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610) - week of August 11, 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 the entire line of Online Exclusives products - including all the new products released July 1 - 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!! 

"Since each of us is blessed with only one life, why not live it with a cat?"

- Robert Stearns -