Playing With The Totes!

Hello!  Today I am sharing two decor projects I worked on this week using the Stampin' Up!® Notes & Totes dies (item 165240), which are featured in the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue, and which are also available together with the Notes & Totes photopolymer stamp set (item 165239) in the Notes & Totes Bundle (item 165241).

To complete the totes for my projects I also used additional current, retiring, and recently retired Stampin' Up!® products, including the following dies, stamp sets, and Designer Series Papers:

• Online Exclusives Just A Note dies (item 166101) - binder clip;

• Trusty Tools dies (item 162722) - pencils.  For each of the two pencils I: cut one full pencil (base) from watercolour paper, colouring the lead and collar, respectively, with Basic Gray ink (item 149165) and Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) mixed with a little water and applied with a small paint brush; die cut the barrel from Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199); die cut the eraser from Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793); and die cut the ferrule (band) from silver cardstock from my stash.  For the eraser and ferrule die cuts I used the full pencil die - trimming as necessary, and "stacking" the trimmed die cuts over the watercolour paper base pencil.  Before trimming the ferrule lengths I added vertical decorative score lines onto the silver cardstock die cut.  I sponged Crumb Cake ink around the edges of the completed pencils;

• rounded corner rectangle dies from the Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) for the clipboard base, and notebook paper sheets - for the clipboard base I used Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink and Early Espresso ink (item 147114); and for the notebook paper sheets I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229).  Before die cutting the notebook paper sheets I first stamped the notebook paper lines using Lost Lagoon ink (item 161678) and the Just A Note stamp set (item 166098), and then used Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118) and one of the script stamps from the retiring Elements Of Text stamp set (item 164774) to stamp over the lines;

• Online Exclusives Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610) - flowers, flower centers, and stems;

• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - additional foliage;

• Alphabet À La Mode dies (item 160750) - letter "A", die cut from scrap of gold cardstock from my stash.  After die cutting the letter I added a little texture to the surface by removing the cardstock die cut from the die and then running the cardstock die cut through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653), finished side up so that the nicks and marks from my cutting plate would impress a slight textured design into the cardstock surface - something you usually try to avoid - but I used this same trick to add some texture to the silver cardstock lenses of the sunglasses;

• retiring Tags To Go dies (item 165576) - mini lock and key, and a bag fastener flap - the mini lock and key were die cut from gold cardstock;

• recently retired Tune In dies (item 163636) - I used the knob dies for strap and pocket flap fasteners - these fasteners die cut from both gold and silver cardstock;

• recently retired Country Flowers stamp set (item 163405) for the "Flower Market" sentiment that was stamped directly onto the DSP pocket;

• retiring Storybook Garden Patch stamp set (item 164663) and retiring Storybook Garden Patch dies (item 164666) to stamp and die cut, respectively, the trowel.  I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the image on watercolour paper, and coloured the image using Basic Gray and Crumb Cake inks - I sponged the edges of the die cut image with additional Crumb Cake ink;

• So Swirly Embossing Folder (item 163791) to emboss the Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985) prior to die cutting the bag, and the recently retired Metal Plate 3D Embossing Folder (item 160766) to emboss the Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) prior to die cutting the bag (for the Basic Gray cardstock bag I used the debossed design for the "right" side of the bag);

• Online Exclusives Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166145) to emboss the small Notes & Totes Crumb Cake cardstock tag on the "Flower Market" bag - the embossed design highlighted with Early Espresso ink;

• linen patterned paper from the Online Exclusives Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 1655560) - for the bag and pocket of the "Flower Market" bag;

• denim patterned papers from the retiring Country Lace 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163415) for one of the bag's base and pocket; 

• Poppy Parade/Petal Pink/Flirty Flamingo striped patterned paper from the retiring Marbled Elegance 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 164919) for a bag scarf, and for the background panel on the first project; and one of the Melon Mambo patterned papers for the background panel on the second project; and

• Summer Splash/Melon Mambo patterned papers from the Bloom Impressions 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 164944 - currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products) for the bags and dresses on my second project.

Just a quick note regarding additional basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week, in addition to the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) that was used for all die cutting and embossing:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, watercolour paper, and DSP - can also be used for scoring decorative lines;
• 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; 
• for shading cardstock die cuts Blending Brushes (item 153611) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to the die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).  On both projects I had to glue DSP to a larger 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.  

On with the projects!

For my first project I was inspired by many handbag posters I found while doing "research" on the internet!  Maybe my project is more a sampler but I did try to keep in mind the graphic nature/appeal of the posters.  I began with a framed laundry sign from Dollarama - the paper sign was very easy to remove from the cardboard backing, and the frame's inside dimensions are just under 12" square. I trimmed the Marbled Elegance DSP sheet to fit the cardboard backing panel.  For all six of the tote bags I chose the "traditional" beach tote style, and made each bag slightly dimensional by using two die cut bag pieces:  for the front bag piece I cut off the small bottom tab that is required when making the 3-D bag, and folded back the side and bottom tabs and glued them to the second bag piece.  On the second bag piece (which I used as the back of the bag) I removed all of the tabs (both side and both bottom tabs).  With the right side of the back bag piece facing up I glued the folded tabs on the front bag piece so that the folded edges lined up with the straight sides and bottom edge of the second bag piece. By slightly curving out the front bag piece when gluing it to the back bag piece I created a little bit of dimension.  Before gluing the two bag pieces together I added any decorative strips and bottom panels, pockets, and handles to the front bag piece.  For the handles on the front of each of the bags I glued two handle die cuts together - my initial intention was to use jump rings to attach some hanging elements (charms etc.) to these handles.  To help with the illusion of dimension I added a handle to the back bag piece, right side facing out. To complete the six bags I used the following additional supplies:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for handles, decorative strips, handles, Tags To Go flap fastener, bottom panels, frames for the sunglasses, and large flower center;
• on the embossed Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985) bag I also used Petal Pink cardstock for the handles, decorative strips, and bottom panel; and added some shimmery splatters over the bag by "whacking" my Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush (item 141897) against the shaft of a paint brush in the general direction of the bag - needless to say a few shimmery splatters landed a few other places as well!;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) that I distressed by misting liberally with water, scrunching up, and then ironing, for the school bag base - I was trying to replicate a well-worn leather teacher's tote bag;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), for handles, decorative strips, pocket flap, pocket side "label", and bottom panels;
• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793) for a bag base, Impressions Abloom flower die cuts, and the binder clip.  The flower die cuts were shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084), and the binder clip with Real Red ink and Early Espresso ink (item 147114);
• Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793) for additional Impressions Abloom flower die cuts, also shaded with Real Red ink;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for stripe, and fastener detail on Poppy Parade cardstock bag, and for additional Impressions Abloom little flower die cuts;
• Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), Garden Green cardstock (item 102584), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) for Impressions Abloom and Gallery Blooms foliage die cuts - all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);
• black and Very Vanilla dots from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) for handle fasteners, and to embellish the flap fastener and scarf on the Poppy Parade cardstock bag;

• two of the large dots from the recently retired Adhesive-Backed Textured Dots (item 163338) for the handle fasteners on the Early Espresso cardstock school bag; 

• Linen Thread (item 104199) to tie the embossed Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) tag to the handle of the "Flower Market" bag; and

• retiring Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters to the Poppy Parade cardstock bag by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid.

*Stampin' Up! has just announced this week two significant product changes: 

• production of Stampin' Write Markers is being discontinued, and effective as of August 20, 2025, all current Stampin' Write Markers - including the Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker - have become Last Chance Products, available only while supplies last; and
• due to difficultly in sourcing required raw materials for the production of cling stamps these stamps are being discontinued.  Cling stamps featured in the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue, and the upcoming September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue will continue to be available while supplies last, and any cling stamps featured in these Catalogues that remain available as of the end of the Catalogue periods will become Last Chance Products.  The September Online Exclusives release will be the last of the Online Exclusives release to include cling stamps.  Effective with the November Online Exclusives release all new stamps will be photopolymer.  With the transition to strictly photopolymer stamps there will also be a change in packaging:  photopolymer stamp sets, and die sets will be packaged in slim 5 5/8" x 9" clear envelopes that will include inserts displaying stamp/die art work for quick and easy identification.*

Several weeks ago on a thrifting excursion I lucked into a real find - the Stampin' Up!® Dress Up Framelits (item 130101) that were featured in the 2013 Spring Catalogue - and thought they would be a great complement to the Notes & Totes bags!  Who doesn't love shopping for pretty floral dresses?

For this project I began with a repurposed thrift store frame with inside back dimensions of 10 1/8" x 4 1/8", and, in addition to the Melon Mambo patterned paper from the Marbled Elegance Specialty DSP trimmed to fit the medium weight cardboard backing panel, and the Bloom Impressions DSP used for the dresses and bags, I used the following additional supplies to complete the project:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the dress forms, bag handles and stripe, and flower centers;
• Melon Mambo cardstock (item 115320) for the Impressions Abloom flowers, Notes & Totes heart, and bag bottom panel;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for handles, decorative strips, bottom panels, and four small Impressions Abloom flowers;
• Summer Splash cardstock (item 163797) for handles, decorative strips, bottom panel, and all Gallery Blooms foliage.  The foliage die cuts were shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);
• two small black dots from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) - added to the centers of two of the Basic White Thick cardstock Impressions Abloom flowers; and
• white baker's twine from Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) for the bow tied around the handle on the top bag.

I stuffed each bag with some "almost Summer Splash" tissue paper from my stash.

For my "Archie" project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post, I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp both the feline image from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674), and the book images from the retired Potions & Spells stamp set (item 164355) on watercolour paper.  "Archie" was die cut using the retired Full Basket dies (item 158679), and coloured using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Real Red ink (item 147084).  Before inking the books stamp I used trimmed strips of low-tack tape to mask off the printing on the book spines, removing the tape before stamping.  I coloured the books using Pecan Pie ink, Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Early Espresso ink (item 147114), and Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118).  After fussy cutting the books I used my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to colour around the cut edges.  The foliage was die cut from Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) using the Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212), and shaded with Mossy Meadow ink.  The three small flowers were die cut from Peach Pie cardstock (item 163799) using the Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610), and to the center of each flower I added one of the small Very Vanilla dots from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561).  Using the stamp from the Just A Note stamp set (item 166098), and Pool Party ink (item 147107) I stamped the notebook paper lines on watercolour paper, and then die cut the notebook paper using the Just A Note dies (item 166101), shading the die cut using Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks.  The Just A Note paper clip was die cut from Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), and shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Early Espresso ink.  The Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793) heart was die cut using the Notes & Totes dies, and shaded with Real Red ink.  I used the recently retired Mini Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder (item 165559) to emboss a strip of Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shading the torn edge strip with Early Espresso ink.  I trimmed a piece of denim patterned paper from the retiring Country Lace DSP (item 163415) to cover the 6" x 4" cardboard backing panel in the Dollarama frame.  Along the back of the left side of the "Archie" panel I added a strip trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815), gluing the right side of the panel directly to the embossed Pecan Pie cardstock strip. Archie always thoroughly enjoyed our reading periods!📖🐱   

2025-2027 In Colours Sale!

Just a reminder that until August 31, 2025, Stampin' Up! is offering select products featuring the 2025-2027 In Colours (Cloud Cover, Darling Duckling, Secret Sea, Strawberry Slush, and Timid Tiger) for 15% off, and that these select products include Designer Series Papers, cardstock (including two-tone cardstock), inks, ink refills, Stampin' Blends Combo Packs, Stampin' Write Markers, ribbon, embellishments, and kits! You can view the full range of products featuring the 2025-2027 In Colours on my website by selecting from "Menu":

1. "Shop By"
2. "Colour"
3. "In Colours 2025-2027"
4. select "Shop All" if you would like to see the full product selection, or click on one of the individual colours if you would like to see only products in or featuring your favourite colour!

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on all my projects this week!

Stampin' Up! advises that the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166145) is not currently available, but is expected to be again be available for ordering the week of September 1, 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 Last Chance Products - but 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!! 

"Tell me having a cat's affection and a good book doesn't sound like an ideal evening."

- Kerri Maniscalco -