Pumpkins And A Few Sunflowers Too!

Hello!  Really getting into the autumnal state of mind now that the temperatures are getting a little cooler!  Today I am sharing a few pumpkin/sunflower themed projects I worked on this week using a variety of Stampin’ Up!® products, including the following die sets, stamp set, Designer Series Papers, and 3D Embossing Folder:

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Framed Scenes dies (item 165396) - I used the two oval dies to make pumpkins - for each pumpkin I used three die cuts (three segments);

• retiring - and also currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Impressions Abloom dies (item 165610) - for the large sunflower on one of the MDF pumpkins I used one of the small leaf dies to cut the petals - I also used additional floral and leaf dies from the set;

• Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - for the large sunflower I used the smallest circle die for the base center over which I added the centers die cut using the Impressions Abloom dies;

• Autumn Trees dies (item 165899) - large and small trees, deer, and detail leaf overlay dies.  I used the bottom portion of the small tree die cuts (trimmed) as the stems on the Framed Scenes pumpkins, and I also used the small tree die cuts as "branches" in the large sunflower arrangement on one of the MDF pumpkins;

• Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212) - foliage;

• small detailed leaf dies from the retired Giving Gifts dies (item 156563 - featured in the July-December 2021 Mini Catalogue);

• Online Exclusives Rustic Centerpiece stamp set (item 166186) - for two projects I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the quintessentially fall sunflower arrangement image on watercolour paper, colouring the images with Classic Stampin' inks and Classic Stampin' ink refills mixed with a little water, and applied with small paint brushes;

• two patterned papers from the Autumn Toile 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165882);

• Lost Lagoon/Pool Party patterned paper from the Thoughtful Journey 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 163303) - to cover the base of the framed MDF pumpkin - I used one of the Autumn Toile papers to cover the stem;

• two wood grain patterned papers from the Country Woods 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163393) - to cover the stems on two of the MDF pumpkins;

• one of the basket patterned papers from the Online Exclusives Woven Textures 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 165560) - to cover the base of the MDF pumpkin with large sunflower arrangement;

• Old Olive/Lost Lagoon patterned paper from the Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678) - background panels on the Framed Scenes pumpkin card; and

• Online Exclusives Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166186) - I used this Embossing Folder to emboss Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117) before using the Framed Scenes oval dies to die cut pumpkin segments (three segments used for each pumpkin); and I also used this Embossing Folder to emboss the Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) I used to cover the base of one of the MDF pumpkins.

I used Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) and Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade/colour cardstock and watercolour paper die cuts, and to add colour and shading to embossed cardstock die cuts and panels to highlight the embossed pattern.  For additional visual texture (a slightly mottled effect) I frequently lightly misted the shaded die cuts (including embossed die cuts and panels) with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), either blotting dry with paper towel or allowing to air dry, often adding additional ink after the cardstock/watercolour paper die cut was fully dry. 

Just a brief summary of the additional 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;
• 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).  For several projects I had to glue DSP to a base - either an MDF pumpkin or a cardboard panel trimmed to fit the inside dimensions of a frame.  After applying the glue to the base surface, and spreading it over the base surface with an old paint brush, I placed the DSP (cut slightly  larger than the base, with the exception of the DSP that was trimmed to fit over the MDF pumpkin stems) over the base surface, and 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.  After the glue was thoroughly dry I used my craft knife to carefully trim away the excess DSP from around the edges of the base surface - in the case of the MDF pumpkins I also used a sanding sponge with a fine grit sandpaper surface.  To adhere the embossed Crumb Cake cardstock to the MDF pumpkin I omitted the use of the brayer as it would have flattened the embossed design.

On with the projects!

The 1/2" thick MDF pumpkin shape shelf-sitters were picked up at Dollarama - I think I grabbed up the entire supply at my two local stores so that my sister and I would both have an adequate supply for our autumnal and Halloween projects - and the three I used this week each measure just under 6" tall x 4 5/8" wide.

Additional supplies used to complete the two shelf-sitter pumpkins:

• Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to sponge around the edges of the DSP on the one pumpkin base and on both stems of the pumpkins - for the embossed Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) I first applied Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) over the embossed cardstock before blending on the Early Espresso ink;
• for the arrangement on the first pumpkin:

1. Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), for the sunflower petals and additional large flower die cut.  I added splatters to the petals of the large sunflower using my Pecan Pie Stampin' Write Marker (Neutrals Stampin' Write Markers - item 161697 - currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products) by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid;
2. Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), for the larger flower centers, and Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the smaller flower centers;
3. Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for leaves and stem die cuts - the Giving Gifts leaves were die cut from watercolour paper and coloured using Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks;
4. Crumb Cake cardstock, shaded with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks, for additional foliage die cuts - including the Autumn Trees "branches"; and
5. Cajun Craze cardstock (item 119684) for the very small Impressions Abloom flowers - to the centers of each of these flowers I added one of the small Very Vanilla dots from the retired Classic Matte Dots (item 158146 - May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue).

Around the stem of the embossed Crumb Cake cardstock pumpkin I tied a bow using some coffee-dyed seam binding ribbon.

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

• Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to shade the edges of the DSP on the base and stem of the MDF pumpkin;
• watercolour paper, coloured with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Early Espresso ink, for the Autumn Trees large tree and deer edge die cuts, and the Giving Gifts leaf die cuts.  For the Autumn Leaves detailed leaf overlay die cuts I used Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks; and
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) and Pecan Pie cardstock, shaded with Early Espresso ink, and Early Espresso cardstock for the Gallery Blooms foliage die cuts - for the "flowers" on the Early Espresso cardstock stems I used Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and these "flowers" were trimmed from Very Vanilla cardstock stem die cuts.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), for the Autumn Trees pumpkin stem;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Gallery Blooms leaves;
• Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to shade the edges of the card front's two DSP panels (3 1/2" x 2 3/4" - torn bottom edge, and 1" x 2 3/4"), and the edges of the three embossed die cut pumpkin segments;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the top pumpkin segment to the two bottom segments (which were glued together), and then to attach the completed pumpkin to the card front (the stem was glued to the top of the two bottom segments before the top segment was added); and
• one large and two small white dots from the Online Exclusives Neutral Matte Dots (item 165561) added to the card front.

For the pumpkin on this project I used the larger of the two Framed Scenes oval dies to die cut the embossed pumpkin segments, adding splatters to the segments using my Pecan Pie Stampin' Write Marker.  The pumpkin was completed in the same manner as in the previous project, and again I used Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), and Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111) for, respectively, the Autumn Trees stem and the Gallery Blooms leaves. In addition to the Dollar Tree decor frame with inside dimensions of 4 5/8" square, I used the following supplies to complete the project:

• Old Olive cardstock, shaded with Mossy Meadow ink, Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114) for the trimmed Autumn Trees detail leaf overlay die cut;
• Early Espresso ink to shade all edges of the 5/16" wide strips of Autumn Toile DSP used to cover the front edges of the frame, and to shade the edges of the vintage book page glued to a cardboard panel trimmed to fit the inside dimensions of the frame; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the top pumpkin segment to the two bottom segments (which were glued together), and strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed pumpkin to the base panel.

To colour the Rustic Centerpiece image on each of the next two projects I used the following Classic Stampin' inks and Classic Stampin' ink refills:

• Real Red ink (item 147084);
• Pecan Pie ink (item 161665);
• Early Espresso ink (item 147114);
• Daffodil Delight ink refill (item 119672);
• Old Olive ink refill (item 100531);
• Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029); and
• Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166).

To complete the 4 3/4" x 3" top-fold card I used the following additional supplies:

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach, and slightly pop up, the fussy cut image.

To complete the second project I used an $0.85 thrift store wood frame, glass removed, and edges distressed with a fine-grit sandpaper, with inside back dimensions of 7 1/8" x 5 1/8"; and a white cardboard photo mat with a pre-cut 4 1/2" x 3" window.

And finally . . .

For the 5" square top-fold Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) "Archie" card, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I used StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) to stamp the images from the retired Cheerful Basket stamp set (item 158674) on watercolour paper, using the co-ordinating (and also retired) Full Basket dies (item 158679) to die cut the images.  The Cheerful Basket stamp set and the Full Basket dies were featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue.  To colour the images I used:  Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Real Red ink (item 147084), Old Olive ink refill (item 100531), Basic Gray ink refill (item 149166), and Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029).  To the card front I added a 4 1/2" x 2 3/4" strip (top edge torn) trimmed from one of the patterned papers from the Timeless Plaid 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 164678), all edges sponged with Early Espresso ink (item 147114).  I used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach, and slightly pop up, the two die cut images, and then added two large and two small of the Cloud Cover dots from the Muted Palette Dots (item 165155).

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on my autumnal projects!  I took advantage of last month's 24-Hour Stamp Sale to add the Rustic Centerpiece stamp set to my collection!

Unfortunately, Stampin' Up! advises that the Sunflower 3D Embossing Folder (item 166145) is not currently available for ordering, but is expected to again be available the week of October 27, 2025.

If you think you might be interested in joining Stampin' Up! as an Independent Demonstrator then I have good news!  Until October 31, 2025, Stampin' Up! is offering two great options in the Starter Kit Special:

Option 1:  For $48.00 CDN recieve $165.00 CDN worth of Stampin’ Up!® products of your choice; or

Option 2:  For $135.00 CDN recieve $252.00 CDN worth of Stampin’ Up!® products of your choice.

Regardless of which of the two options is selected there is free shipping on the Starter Kit, and each Starter Kit also includes business supplies (including copies of the most recent catalogues), and a free Paper Pumpkin Kit!  Whether you are an avid crafter who would like to receive a nice discount on your own crafting supplies - and early access to new products, or you are interested in establishing a home-based business, and you live in Canada, you would be most welcome to join my team as one of "Archie's Arties"!  If you would like more information about joining my Stampin' Up! team please do not hesitate to contact me!

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 all the Online Exclusives as well as the new additions to 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!! 

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