Easter's On Its Way!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few Easter-themed projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® Easter Basket Bundle (item 166947).  The Easter Basket Bundle, which includes the Easter Basket photopolymer stamp set (item 166940) and the co-ordinating Easter Basket dies (item 166946), is featured in the January-April 2026 Mini Catalogue as part of the Easter Joy Suite Collection (item 166954).

To complete my projects this week I also used the following additional Stampin’ Up!® stamp sets, dies, and Designer Series Papers:

• Sweet Bugs stamp set (item 166995) and co-ordinating Sweet Bugs dies (item 167001) - single flower, flower with grass, and mushroom trio images.  The Sweet Bugs stamp set and co-ordinating dies are also available together in the Sweet Bugs Bundle (item 167002);

• Gears & Textures stamp set (item 166851) - I used the splatter image to add some texture to the die cut cardstock eggs on the "For You" Easter basket treat box, and to add some background texture to the "Happy Easter" sentiment strip that was added to the front side of the lid on the Easter basket lidded treat box;

• Online Exclusives Help Me Grow dies (item 167166) - for the plant stake and small flower cluster die cuts used on the "For You" Easter basket treat box;

• from the Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) I used the second smallest of the rounded corner rectangle dies to cut the sentiment panel on the "Easter's on its way" project;

• from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) I used the largest square die to cut the window opening in the watercolour paper framing mat on the first project, and the smaller of the two wider banner dies to cut the "hello spring" sentiment banner for the card;

• for the card I trimmed panels and strips from two patterned papers from the Nature Walk 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 166912);

• for the first project I used two of the Strawberry Slush patterned papers from the 2025-2027 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 165300); and

• I used two of the patterned papers from the Online Exclusives Hobby Haven 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 167201).

All images and sentiments were stamped on watercolour paper using StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406), and I used the following Classic Stampin' ink refills and Classic Stampin' inks mixed with a little water and applied with a small paint brush to colour the images:  

• Timid Tiger ink refill (item 165283);
• Highland Heather ink refill (item 147167);
• Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086);
• Daffodil Delight ink refill (item 119672);
• Azure Afternoon ink refill (item 161668);
• Real Red ink (item 147084);
• Old Olive ink refill (item 100531);
• Garden Green ink refill (item 102059);
• Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161669);
• Crumb Cake ink refill (item 121029); and
• Basic Gray ink (item 149165).

I did not do any ink shading of any of the cardstock die cuts used in the two treat box projects.

Just a brief summary of the additional basic tools and supplies I used to complete my projects this week:

• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting;
• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming cardstock, watercolour paper, and DSP
• for scoring the treat box and card fold lines I used a stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334), and to ensure crisp folds for both the boxes and the card I 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 embellishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755). For one of the main projects (and the Archie project) I had to glue DSP to a trimmed cardboard panel, and I first applied the glue to the cardboard panel, using an old paint brush to spread the glue over the panel surface.  After placing the DSP over the panel I 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 cardboard panel.  After the glue was thoroughly dry I used my craft knife to carefully trim away any excess DSP from around the edges of the cardboard panel.  

On with the projects!

For the first project I began with a black wood frame from Dollarama, glass removed, with inside back dimensions of 7" square, and used the following additional supplies to complete the project:

• 5 1/4" square of watercolour paper, with square window cut using the largest of the Stylish Shapes square dies - I do find it easier to cut the window opening first and then trim the panel to the final dimensions;
• Strawberry Slush patterned DSP trimmed to fit behind the watercolour paper framing mat - I used double sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031), placed along the back edges of the watercolour paper panel, to secure the DSP panel to the back of the watercolour paper panel.  I didn't want the adhesive too close to the edges of the window opening as I wanted to be able to tuck some of the die cut images between the edge of the window and the window backing DSP panel;
• a full 6" x 6" sheet of a second pattern of Strawberry Slush DSP;
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the matting panels for the watercolour paper framing mat and the 6" x 6" piece of Strawberry Slush patterned DSP - each mat was trimmed to allow for a 1/16" border on all sides of the panel being matted;
• for the background or base panel a piece of Strawberry Slush cardstock (item 165625) trimmed to fit the frame's inside back dimensions.  I glued the matted 6" square panel of Strawberry Slush DSP directly to the cardstock panel after the cardstock panel was secured in the frame.  Before gluing the matted watercolour paper framing mat over the matted DSP panel I added all the die cut imagery and trimmed sentiment strip to the watercolour paper panel; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) and Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108), all trimmed as necessary, to attach and pop up various portions of the die cut images - including the trimmed sentiment strip, and the single flower in the upper left corner.

For the second project I began with another wood frame from Dollarama, glass removed, inside back dimensions of 5" x 7".  I used the Garden Green patterned paper from the Hobby Haven Specialty DSP to cover the cardboard panel trimmed to fit the frame's inside back dimensions, and used the following additional supplies to complete the project:

• after stamping the sentiment on watercolour paper I used the second smallest of the Nested Essentials rounded corner rectangle dies to cut the sentiment panel.  Around this die cut panel I glued the die cut images;
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach the middle of the three Sweet Bugs flower with grass images between the two large bunnies; and
• strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the completed sentiment/image assemblage to the background panel.

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

• Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679) for the card base;
• Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) for the 3 3/4" x 4 3/4" inside panel;
• from the Nature Walk Lost Lagoon patterned DSP a 2 1/4" x 4 7/8" panel for the card front, and a 3/4" x 4 3/4" strip for the inside panel;
• from the Nature Walk Crumb Cake grid patterned DSP a 3/4" x 3" strip for the card front, and a 1/4" x 4" strip for the inside panel;
• Pool Party ink (item 147107) to do second generation stampings of the Gears & Textures splatter image on watercolour paper before stamping the sentiment.  After stamping the sentiment I used the Stylish Shapes banner die to cut the sentiment banner.  To the die cut banner I glued the die cut images;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) to attach the completed sentiment banner with die cut images to the card front; and
• two small and one large of the Crumb Cake dots from the Online Exclusives Natural Matte Dots (item 167510) added to the card front.

For Easter you of course need a few treat holders . . . 

To complete this treat holder that measures 6 1/2" tall (box portion is 4" tall) x 3" wide x 2" deep I used the following additional supplies:

• for the box a 10 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Pool Party cardstock (item 122924), scored on the 10 1/2" side at 2", 5", 7", and 10" (1/2" tab is the glue tab); scored on the 8 1/2" side at 2" (bottom flaps), 6", and 7 1/2" (1" tab is the top); and then scored again on the 10 1/2" side (with the 1" tab along the top edge of the scoreboard) at 1" and 6" down to the first horizontal score line.  Using a ruler and stylus I scored the diagonal lines from the bottom of the lines scored at 1" and 6" out to the bottom corners of the corresponding 1 1/2" x 2" panels (see template below);

• Summer Splash cardstock (item 163797) for the basket base die cut, and the matting panels for the front, sides, and back panels of the box.  Each of the Summer Splash cardstock matting panels were trimmed to be 1/8" smaller than each of the corresponding Pool Party cardstock box panels.  The DSP panels, from the Hobby Haven Specialty DSP, were then trimmed to be 1/8" smaller than each of the corresponding Summer Splash cardstock matting panels (I allowed for a 1/16" border on all sides);
• Coastal Cabana cardstock (item 131297) for the basket "weaving strips", double bow, and scalloped trim die cuts;
• Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245) for the two grass strip die cuts;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) for the daffodil stem die cuts;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683) and Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199) for the daffodil flower die cuts;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the Sweet Bugs small flower cluster die cuts and the Help Me Grow plant stake die cut;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the chocolate bunny die cut; and
• Pool Party ink (item 147107) to stamp the sentiment on the plant stake die cut.

For the box fastener I used a white floral novelty paper clip from my stash.

Additional supplies used to complete this box, which measures 5" tall x 3 1/2" wide x 1 3/4" deep:

• for the box an 11" x 6 3/4" piece of Flirty Flamingo cardstock (item 141416), scored on the 11" side at 1 3/4", 5 1/4", 7", and 10 1/2" (1/2" tab is the glue tab); and scored on the 6 3/4" side at 1 3/4" (bottom flaps);
• for the lid a 5 9/16" x 3 13/16" piece of Flirty Flamingo cardstock, scored at 1" on all four sides;
• Shy Shamrock cardstock (item 163795) for the base basket die cut;
• Shaded Spruce cardstock (item 146981) for the basket "weaving strips", double bow, and scalloped trim die cuts;
• Shaded Spruce cardstock for the matting panels for the front, back, and sides of the box, and the front, sides, back, and top of the lid.  Each of the Shaded Spruce cardstock matting panels were cut 1/8" smaller than the corresponding box/lid Flirty Flamingo cardstock panels;
• for the DSP panels I used Flirty Flamingo patterned papers from two retired Brights 6" x 6" Designer Series Papers - for the front, back and sides of the box, and the sides of the lid the Brights Assortment item 163775 featured in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue; and for the top of the box the Brights Assortment item 159258 featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue.  Each of the DSP panels were cut 1/8" smaller than the corresponding box/lid Shaded Spruce cardstock matting panels;
• Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990) for the grass die cut;
• Old Olive cardstock (item 100702) and Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) for the daffodil stem die cuts;
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199), and Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the daffodil flower die cuts;
• Pretty In Pink cardstock (item 163793), stamped using Real Red ink (item 147084), and Pool Party cardstock (item 122924), stamped using Pool Party ink (item 147107), for the die cut eggs;
• Pool Party ink to stamp the Gears & Textures splatter image on watercolour paper before the sentiment was stamped over the images - the trimmed sentiment strip was matted with Shaded Spruce cardstock; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach the large and small bunnies to the basket - I doubled up the Dimensionals behind the upright ear on the large bunny.

And finally . . .

For my Archie project this week, included at the bottom of this blog post, I used one of the strip images from the Online Exclusives Cutest Crew stamp set (item 167146) because the only thing better than a frolicking Archie would be five little frolicking Archies!😺  The Cutest Crew stamp set was included in this month's Online Exclusives new product release and is also available together with the co-ordinating Cutest Crew dies (item 167148) in the Cutest Crew Bundle (item 167149).

I stamped the frolicking Archies on watercolour paper using StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406), and used Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), and Highland Heather ink refill (item 147167) to colour the image panel.  I tore both ends of the 4 1/4" x 2" watercolour paper panel, and matted it with a 4 3/4" x 2 1/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045).  I used strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the matted image panel to the Cloud Cover patterned DSP background panel.  The Cloud Cover DSP panel, trimmed from one of the patterned papers in the 2025-2027 In Colour 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 165300), covered a cardboard panel that had been cut to fit the 4" x 6" inside back dimensions of the Dollarama wood frame (glass removed).  To each end of the image panel I added one of the large white dots from the Online Exclusives Natural Matte Dots (item 167510).

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun getting into the Easter spirit with my projects this week!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the Nature Walk 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 166912) is not currently available, but it is expected to again be available for ordering the week of March 23, 2026.

Product Price Changes

(effective with release of May-August 2026 Catalogue)

In case you would like a chance to stock up on some essential crafting supplies, or treat yourself to a new tool, below are a few of the Stampin’ Up!® products that will unfortunately be increasing in price effective with the release on May 5, 2026, of the May-August 2026 Catalogue:

• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430) - increase from $6.00 to $7.00;
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) - increase from $6.00 to $7.00;
• Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack (item 150893) - increase from $8.50 to $9.75;
• Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755) - increase from $8.25 to $9.00;
• Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) - increase from $11.25 to $12.25;
• Adhesive Sheets (item 152334) - increase from $15.75 to $18.00;
• Mini Glue Dots (item 103683) - increase from $10.00 to $11.00;
• Sponge Daubers (item 133773) - increase from $10.25 to $12.25;
• Stampin' Brayer (item 162936) - increase from $22.00 to $24.00;
• Small Blending Brushes (item 160518) - increase from $20.00 to $21.00;
• Blending Brushes (item 153611) - increase from $21.00 to $24.00;
• Classic Stampin' ink pads (multi item numbers) - increase from $12.25 to $15.00;
• Classic Stampin' ink refills (multi item numbers) - increase from $7.50 to $8.25;
• Linen Thread (item 104199) - increase from $7.00 to $8.25;
• Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) - increase from $15.00 to $16.50; and
• Heat Tool (item 129053) - increase from $44.00 to $47.00.

New Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad

With the release of the May-August 2026 Catalogue Stampin’ Up! will introduce a new Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad (item 166648), a permanent ink that can be used with multiple colouring mediums - Stampin' Blends (alcohol markers) and watercolouring!  This ink will not be for stamping on Window Sheets or other non-porous surfaces.  The Basic Black Hybrid Ink Refill (item 166649) will not be available until several months after the release of the Basic Black Hybrid Stampin' Pad.

Discontinued Inks and Ink Supplies

Due to supply issues the following inks, ink refills, and cleaner will be discontinued by Stampin' Up! once the current inventory has sold out:

• StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406);
• StāzOn Jet Black Ink Refill (item 102566);
• StāzOn Saddle Brown Ink (item 151508);
• StāzOn Saddle Brown Ink Refill (item 152820);
• StāzOn Cleaner (item 109196);
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708); and
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink Refill (item 133456).

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin’ Up!® products I have used in my projects - or maybe want to stock up on supplies before price increases or discontinuation of products - 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 Exclusives Products - including all the new products released this month (such as the Cutest Crew stamp set) - as well as the Last Chance Products Listing!

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!! 

"A kitten is the most irresistible comedian in the world.  Its wide-open eyes gleam with wonder and mirth.  It darts madly at nothing at all, and then, as though suddenly checked in the pursuit, prances sideways on its hind legs with ridiculous agility and zeal."

- Agnes Repplier -