Botanical Tag Cards - With A Little Steampunk Vibe!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few botanical tag card projects - with a little steampunk vibe - that I worked on this week using several Stampin’ Up!® products featured in the January-April 2026 Mini Catalogue as well as a few long-time and retiring favourites!  The products featured in the Mini Catalogue that I used this week are:

• from the Joyful Squares dies (item 166849) I used the square frame and the solid square dies.  The square frames were die cut from Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), Early Espresso ink (item 147114), and Basic Gray ink (item 149165); and the solid squares, used as matting panels for the square frame die cuts, were die cut from Basic Black cardstock (item 121045);

• for the steampunk "vibe" I used the gear and decorative strip dies from the Gears & Textures dies (item 166853).  I used Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) and Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie, Early Espresso, and Basic Gray inks, for these die cuts.  

• from the Sweet Bugs dies (item 167001) I used the mushroom, butterfly, snail, flower (large and medium), flower center (daisy), leafy stem, and strawberry and stem dies;

• from the Nature's Symphony dies (item 166925) I used the large leafy stem die; and

• I used four patterned papers from the Nature Walk 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 166912).

From the Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212 - featured in the May 2025-April 2026 Annual Catalogue) I used the smaller of the two frame dies - die cutting the frame from Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shading with Basic Gray ink (item 149165) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114).

From the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Just A Note dies (item 166101) I used the clipboard clip and paper clip dies.  With the exception of the clipboard clip used on the Basic Black cardstock card I used Cajun Craze cardstock (item 119684), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the die cut clipboard clips.  To these clips I added a screw die cut and small backing Basic Black cardstock circle, all die cut using the Gears & Textures dies.  The screws were die cut from Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks, and Basic Gray ink (item 149165).  The clipboard clip on the Basic Black cardstock card was die cut from Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks.

For shading the Just A Note clipboard clip and paper clip die cuts, the Gallery Blooms frame die cut, the Gears & Textures die cuts, and some of the Joyful Squares frame die cuts I used a technique I have often used - I placed the die cut face down directly onto the ink pad and used my fingers to press the die cut at various places into the ink pad surface. For additional visual texture on several of the Joyful Squares frame die cuts and on the Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) mushroom cap die cuts I used the splatter image stamp from the Gears & Textures stamp set (item 166851) - for the frames I used Early Espresso ink to stamp the images, and for the mushroom caps I used Crumb Cake ink (item 147116).  Another way to add some visual texture to a shaded cardstock die cut is to lightly spritz the shaded die cut with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), allowing it to then either air dry or blotting it dry with paper towel.  I used this technique on some of the mushroom cap die cuts, and the four-leafed plant and flower pot die cuts that were cut using the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - On Display dies (item 167020).  I used Small Blending Brushes (item 160518 - package of three) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to shade/colour additional cardstock die cuts. 

From the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) I used one of the small banner dies; and, for the Basic Black cardstock frame used on the inside of the Joyful Squares frame on one of the cards, two of the square dies.  When cutting the Basic Black cardstock frame I used low-tack tape to hold the two square dies together while I passed the dies and cardstock through the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653).

Just a brief summary of the additional basic tools and supplies I used to complete the card projects, in addition to the Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) that was used for all die cutting:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock and DSP, and for scoring card fold lines.  To ensure crisp card folds I also burnished the folded score lines with my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• 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). 

On with the projects!

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

• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the card base;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the frame's 4 1/2" x 2 3/4" matting panel;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), and Petal Pink cardstock (item 146985), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084), for the Sweet Bugs flower die cuts;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Sweet Bugs and Nature's Symphony foliage die cuts;
• Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to shade the edges of the front panel's 5 3/16" x 3 13/16" DSP panel, and the inside panel's 5 1/8" x 1 1/2" DSP panel; and
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) added behind each of the flower heads.

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

• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the card base, and the mushroom gills and caps - shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116);
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953) for the butterfly and mushroom stems - shaded with Crumb Cake ink.  For these mushroom stems as well as the stems for the mushrooms on the other cards I used the Early Espresso watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 1 - item 161700) to lightly sketch lines down the length of the stem;

• Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush (item 141897) to "paint" the butterfly die cut;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Sweet Bugs foliage die cuts;
• Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink, for the On Display foliage die cut (hanging succulent plant die);
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), for the Stylish Shapes banner die cut - this die cut was trimmed in half, with one half glued to each side of the completed frame; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed frame to the card front.

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

• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the card base, and for the mushroom gills and stems that were shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116);
• Flirty Flamingo cardstock (item 141416), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084), for the mushroom caps;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Sweet Bugs and On Display foliage die cuts;
• Pool Party cardstock (item 122924), shaded with Pool Party ink (item 147107), and "painted" with my Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush (item 141897), for the butterfly;
• Early Espresso ink (item 147114) to shade the edges of the card front's 4 1/4" square DSP panel; 
• from the same pattern of DSP that was used behind the Joyous Squares frame I trimmed a 1" x 4 1/2" strip for the inside panel; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed frame to the card front.

Additional supplies used to complete this 4 1/4" x 4 3/4" top-fold card:

• Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for the card base;
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), for the mushroom stems and gills;
• Peach Pie cardstock (item 163799), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), for the mushroom caps. Before shading and spritzing the die cuts I used Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) to stamp a few of the Gears & Textures splatter stamp images over the mushroom caps;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the snail;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink, and "painted" with my Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush (item 141897), for the butterfly;
• Garden Green cardstock (item 102584), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Nature's Symphony foliage die cut;
• Basic White cardstock (item 166780) for the 3 7/8" x 4 3/8" inside panel;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the inside panel's 4" x 4 1/2" matting panel;
• from the same pattern of DSP that was used behind the Joyous Squares frame I trimmed a 3 7/8" (end torn) x 2 1/4" strip for the card front, and a 1" x 4 3/8" strip for the inside panel; and 
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed frame to the card front.

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

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the card base;
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the card front's 4 3/4" square matting panel, the mushroom gills and one of the stems (shaded with Crumb Cake ink - item 147116), and the 4 1/8" square inside panel;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake ink, for one of the mushroom stems;
• Pool Party cardstock (item 122924), shaded with Pool Party ink (item 147107), and Pretty Peacock cardstock (item 150880), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), for the mushroom caps;
• Peach Pie cardstock (item 163799), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), for the Sweet Bugs flower die cuts;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the Nature's Symphony and Sweet Bugs foliage die cuts;
• Balmy Blue cardstock (item 146982), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink, and "painted" with my Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush (item 141897), for the butterfly;
• from the DSP a 4 5/8" square panel for the card front, and from the same DSP pattern as used behind the Joyous Squares frame a 1 3/4" 4 5/8" strip for the card front, and a 1/4" x 4 1/8" strip for the inside panel; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed frame to the card front.
  

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), for the Sweet Bugs flower;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the Sweet Bugs flower center;
• Strawberry Slush cardstock (item 165625), shaded with Real Red ink (item 147084) and Cherry Cobbler ink (item 147083), for the two Sweet Bugs strawberries; and Soft Sea Foam cardstock (item 146988), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the strawberry stems;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink, for the Sweet Bugs and Nature's Symphony foliage die cuts; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed frame to the card front.

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

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the card base;
• Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Crumb Cake ink (item 147116), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), for the Just A Note paper clip die cut;
• Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), shaded with Crumb Cake and Early Espresso inks, for the snail;
• Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111), for the On Display plant die cut;
• Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie and Early Espresso inks, for the On Display flower pot - I used one of the ground cover edge dies from the retiring (and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products) Scenic Adventure dies (item 165467) to die cut the "soil" from Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686);

• Early Espresso ink to sponge the edges of the 3 3/4" x 1 3/8" strip of DSP - ends torn - that was glued directly to the back of the completed frame; and 
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed frame to the card front.

And finally . . . 

For my Archie project this week, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I used one of the images from the retired Sit Stay Relax stamp set (item 159152 - one of the host selection stamp sets from the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue) and the titular sentiment from the retired C Is For Cat stamp set (item 115764 - featured in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue) on a Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) 4" x 3" top-fold card.  On the card front I scored two sets of five horizontal lines at 1/8" intervals beginning at 1/2" from both the top edge and bottom edge of the card front.  I stamped both the image and sentiment on Basic White cardstock (item 166780) using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708).  I coloured the image using alcohol markers and used Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the fussy cut image to the card front.  I used the 1 1/4" diameter circle die from the Stylish Shapes dies to die cut the sentiment circle, which was glued directly to the card front.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had lots of fun giving my botanical tag cards a little steampunk vibe!

Bonus Days!

Just a reminder that you have until February 28, 2026, to redeem the $6.00 coupons that were earned on purchases of 

Stampin’ Up!® products made between January 6 and February 2, 2026!

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 January-April 2026 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 full range of Online Exlusives Products as well as the Last Chance Products Listing.

Have fun creating and Happy Valentine's Day!

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!! 

"Life is too short to be unhappy, so take a nap and purr like a cat."

- Unknown -