Fun With Flowers!

Hello!  Although it is now September there is still plenty of summer to enjoy before we embrace the amber glow of autumn!  Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week inspired by the abundance of flowers still to be enjoyed!  As usual for my projects I used a variety of current, retiring, and retired Stampin’ Up!® products, including the following die sets, and Designer Series Papers:

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

• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - foliage;

• Online Exclusives Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) - the smallest die worked great for the petals for a large flower;

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Around It All dies (item 164725) - these "wonky" circle dies make great flowers too!  For my gift card flower I lightly spritzed the various sizes of Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985) circle die cuts, that had been shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), and scrunched them up with my fingers.  After allowing them to dry I sponged additional Pumpkin Pie ink around the edges.  For the flower center I used the smallest circle die to die cut a circle from Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686), scraping around the edges of the die cut circle with the blade of my craft knife.  I used this circle as a base for the two Impressions Abloom flower centers that I die cut from Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), around the edges of which I sponged Pecan Pie ink (item 161665).  I also used the Around It All circle dies to cut centers for my Everyday Arches flower;

• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - I used the largest square die to cut the window in the 5 1/4" square Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) frame for my bee among the flowers project;

• retired Detailed Bee dies (item 151526) - featured in the January-June 2020 Mini Catalogue - for the main character in my bee among the flowers project.  The detailed overlay was die cut from Basic Black cardstock (item 121045), and from Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) I trimmed the backing head/body piece to fit behind the overlay.  I used the Crushed Curry watercolour pencil - just as a regular coloured pencil - (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 2 - item 149014) to add a little shading to the segments of the Daffodil Delight cardstock head/body piece;

• Light & Wonder dies (item 165762), featured in the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue as part of the Lights Of Aurora Suite Collection (item 165768), for the landscape elements in my first project.  If you straight cut the bottom edge of the cloud die cuts they can do double duty as shoreline rocks😺;

• Online Exclusives Botanical Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165545) - I used one of the grayscale botanical prints as the large background panel for my Everyday Arches flower;

• Pool Party patterned paper from the Online Exclusives Floral Impressions 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165603) used for the background panel (sky) for my first project;

• two Timid Tiger patterned papers from the 2025-2027 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 165300) used on the Around It All flower gift card - the two patterns used are actually the flip sides of a single piece of paper (DSP panels:  3 7/8" x 1 7/8", and 3 7/8" x 1"; and inside strips:  3" x 1/2", and 3" x 1/4");

• Smoky Slate patterned paper from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Country Lace 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163415) used for the background panel on my bee among the flowers project; and

• a full 6" x 6" sheet of a Shaded Spruce patterned paper from the retired Regals 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 163774) used as a background panel for the Everyday Arches flower.

I used frames for three of my projects:  one thrift store wood frame with inside back dimensions of 10" x 8", with which I used a white cardboard mat I had on hand with a beveled edge window opening of 6 5/8" x 4 5/8", and over which I added splatters by flicking a paint brush I used to mix Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029) with a little water; and two black wood frames from Dollarama with inside back dimensions of 7" square.  I removed the glass from all frames, and used sandpaper to add a little distressing (or a little more distressing as the case may be!). For each of the frame projects I cut a medium weight cardboard panel to fit the frame's inside back dimensions, to which I glued a selected piece of Designer Series Paper.  When gluing DSP to a larger cardboard base, as in these instances, I first use an old paint brush to spread the glue over the base, and immediately after laying the DSP over the prepared base I use 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.  I do not trim the DSP to exactly fit the dimensions of the cardboard panel before gluing it to the panel - I allow extra, usually on all sides unless there is a defined pattern on the DSP that I want to have squared up to the side of the cardboard panel, and after the glue has fully dried I use my craft knife to trim away the excess DSP from around all edges of the panel.

Just a quick synopsis of the basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, watercolour paper, and DSP, and for scoring card fold lines.  To ensure sharp folds I also burnish the folded scored lines with my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) for all die cutting and embossing; 
• Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) for applying Classic Stampin' inks to cardstock die cuts for shading. For a little additional visual texture I sometimes lightly spritz the shaded die cuts with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185), blotting dry with paper towel - often adding additional ink after the blotted cardstock die cut is fully dry; 
• 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).  The Multipurpose Liquid Glue bottle is dual-tipped - the broad tip is great for spreading the glue over a larger surface.  I transfer most of the contents of each glue bottle to a bottle equipped with a fine tip and pin stopper, as the fine tip gives me much more control when applying glue to small areas such as small die cut pieces or when I just need a thin bead of glue along an edge.

On with the projects!

Additional supplies used to complete the forced perspective landscape project:

• Basic White cardstock (item 166780) for the die cut clouds;
• Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), and Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) for die cut trees, leaves, stems, and "grass" - all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686), shaded with Early Espresso ink (item 147114) for the shoreline die cuts;
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165) for the shoreline (cloud) rocks;
• Summer Splash cardstock (item 163797), shaded with Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088) for the water die cut;
• Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084) for the Impressions Abloom "poppies"; and
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the two large Impressions Abloom flower center die cuts.

It was a lot of fun to work on this landscape project combining the Light & Wonder die cuts with the Impressions Abloom and Gallery Blooms die cuts!  When I use two of the Light & Wonder dies to make a single die cut - i.e. when I want the water and shoreline die cuts to fit together like puzzle pieces - I use low tack tape to hold the two dies together while I pass the dies and cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine.

Pinterest is a great place to find inspiration for your projects!  For this project I was inspired by a paper art piece featuring a bee over a honeycomb and surrounded by large flowers that I came across on Pinterest a few weeks ago - and I immediately thought of the Detailed Bee and Impressions Abloom dies!  There have certainly been a lot of bees visiting my garden this summer - they seem particularly interested in the not-so-aesthetically-pleasing- to-me hosta flower spikes!  To complete this project I used the following additional supplies:

• Online Exclusives Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166145) to emboss a 4 1/2" square panel of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) that was used as the background panel for the bee and flowers;

• for the Impressions Abloom flowers:  Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117), and Peach Pie cardstock (item 163799), all shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086); Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094); and Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084);
• for the Impressions Abloom flower centers:  Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665); Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686); and Daffodil Delight cardstock, shaded with Daffodil Delight ink;
• for the Impressions Abloom leaves, and the Gallery Blooms foliage:  Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111);
• Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush (item 141897) to add a little shimmer to the bee's wings;
• black Stampin' Dimensionals (Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack - item 150893) - trimmed as necessary, added to the back of the bee's body to attach him to - and slightly pop him up from - the embossed panel;

• Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166), mixed with a little water, to add splatters to 5 1/4" square Basic White Thick cardstock matting frame;
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the matting frame over the embossed panel (after the addition of the die cut flowers and foliage to the embossed panel);
• Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202) for 5 1/2" square matting panel; and
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 5 5/8" square matting panel.  After gluing the Smoky Slate cardstock matting panel to the Basic Black cardstock matting panel I glued the matted flower/bee panel to the Smoky Slate cardstock matting panel, finally gluing all to the DSP background panel.

I just wanted to have some fun with a big flower!  To complete this project I used the following additional supplies:

• watercolour paper, shaded with Berry Burst ink (item 147143) for the Everyday Arches "petals", and the Around It All flower center circle.  I used my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) - currently available, while supplies last, as one of the Last Chance Products - to add splatters to the Everyday Arches "petals" by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid;
• watercolour paper, shaded with Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088) for the Around It All large, and small frame flower center circles;
• Petunia Pop cardstock (item 163801), shaded with Berry Burst ink, for the Impressions Abloom petals;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 6 1/8" square matting panel, Around It All circle flower centers, and the Impressions Abloom flower center die cuts - I used one of the black Stampin' Dimensionals (Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack - item 150893) to attach and slightly pop up the large Impressions Abloom flower center over the Basic Black cardstock Around It All circle in the middle of the flower;
• Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) - for the Gallery Blooms foliage die cuts; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the Berry Burst shaded watercolour paper Around It All circle to the Basic Black cardstock Around It All circle (around which I scraped the blade of my craft knife), and to attach the Basic Black cardstock Around It All circle to the Shaded Spruce shaded watercolour paper Around It All circle.  I also added trimmed strips behind the center of the flower, and behind each of the Everyday Arches "petals" to attach the flower to the DSP panel.

Additional supplies used to complete this 4" x 3" top-fold card:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Timid Tiger cardstock (item 165626), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086) for the Impressions Abloom petals;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) for the Impressions Abloom leaves; and
• Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), Old Olive cardstock, and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) - all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink - for the Gallery Blooms foliage.  

And finally . . .

For my "Archie" project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post, I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the kitty from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674) on watercolour paper, colouring him using using Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Real Red ink (item 147084), and Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and die cutting him using the retired Full Basket dies (item 158679).  Both the Cheerful Basket stamp set and the co-ordinating Full Basket dies were featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue.  For the 4 1/8" x 3 3/4" top-fold card base I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229).  To a Basic White Thick cardstock panel I added panels trimmed from an Old Olive/Mossy Meadow patterned paper from the retired Peaceful Poppies 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 151324 - featured in the January-June 2020 Mini Catalogue), and from one of the Strawberry Slush patterned papers from the 2025-2027 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Stack (item 165300), using the 2 3/4" square die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) to die cut the square.  To attach the die cut square to the card front I used strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815).  I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach "Archie" to the die cut square.  Tucked behind "Archie" are die cuts made using the Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610), and the retired Tree Rings dies (item 159888 - featured in the July-December 2022 Mini Catalogue).  For the Impressions Abloom die cut I used Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111); and for the Tree Rings die cut I used watercolour paper, colouring the die cut using Old Olive ink (item 147090), Mossy Meadow ink, Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114).

September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue 

and September Online Exclusives Release

The digital version of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue, which launched on September 3, is available for you to access at your convenience on my website.  Coinciding with the launch of the Mini Catalogue on September 3, Stampin' Up! also released lots of exciting new Online Exclusives products!  Between the Mini Catalogue and the Online Exclusives you will be sure to find lots of creative inspiration for fall and festive crafting projects!

Two new all-inclusive kits have been added to the Stampin’ Up!® Kits Collection:

Road To Christmas Kit

(item 166227)

The Road To Christmas Kit includes all the supplies necessary to complete eight 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards, four each of two designs:

• eight printed card bases;
• eight printed envelopes;
• pre-cut pieces;
• printed sentiments;
• adhesive required to complete the pre-designed projects; and
• easy to follow step-by-step instructions.

Handmade & Heartfelt Kit

(item 166213)

The Handmade & Heartfelt Kit includes all the supplies necessary to complete ten 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cards - two each of five designs - as well as a card organizer to hold the completed cards:

• ten printed card bases;
• ten printed envelopes;
• card organizer;
• Handmade & Heartfelt stamp set;
• Secret Sea Stampin' Spot;
• pre-cut pieces, embellishments, and twine; 
• adhesive required to complete the pre-designed projects; and
• easy to follow step-by-step instructions.

If you are looking for Halloween crafting inspiration you may be interested in these two Kits - one new and one a returning favourite:

Sweet & Spooky Kit

(item 166229)

The Sweet & Spooky Kit includes all the supplies necessary to complete fifteen treat boxes - five each of three designs:

• printed and pre-cut pieces, including tags;
• paper clips;
• pressed wood picks;
• baker's twine;
• adhesive-backed holographic stars;
• adhesive required to complete the pre-designed projects; and
• easy to follow step-by-step instructions.

Haunted Home Kit

(item 164376)

The Haunted Home Kit includes all the supplies necessary for you to complete the pre-designed haunted house:

• cardboard home pieces;
• pre-cut vellum, and die cut paper pieces;
• adhesive required to complete the pre-designed project; and
• easy to follow step-by-step instructions.

Of course, as with all kits, you are certainly free to add your own creative spin on the projects!

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I certainly had a lot of fun working on my flower projects, and mixing and matching my Stampin' Up! dies!

Stampin' Up! advises that the following products that I used in my projects are not currently available, but I have included below the dates that Stampin' Up! expects the products to again be available for ordering:

• Everyday Arches dies (item 164629) - week of September 8, 2025; and
• Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166145) - week of September 22, 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!  In addition to the digital version of the September-December 2025 Mini Catalogue, the digital version of the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue is also available for you to access at your convenience on my website.   If visiting the online store don't forget to check out the new Online Exclusives as well as 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!! 

"It is impossible for a lover of cats to banish these alert, gentle, and discriminating friends who give us just enough of their regard and complaisance to make us hunger for more."

- Agnes Repplier -