Bordered In Beauty For An Extraordinary Life!

Hello! Today I am sharing a few projects I worked on this week using two of the Bundles featured in the Stampin’ Up!® May-August 2026 Catalogue:  the Bordered In Beauty Bundle (item 167557) includes the Bordered In Beauty photopolymer stamp set (item 167555) and the co-ordinating Bordered In Beauty dies (item 167556); and the Extraordinary Life Bundle (item 167719) includes the Extraordinary Life photopolymer stamp set (item 167713) and the co-ordinating Extraordinary Life dies (item 167718).  Each of the stamp sets and dies are also available separate from the Bundles; however, if you wish to purchase both the stamp set and co-ordinating dies, and use the Bundle item number when submitting your order, you will receive the 10% Bundled Savings!

For my projects this week I did actually fussy cut the Bordered In Beauty stamped labels and tags rather than using the co-ordinating dies - and I used the Paper Trimmer to trim the Extraordinary Life stamped note paper images rather than using the co-ordinating die. 

To complete my projects I also used the following additional Stampin’ Up!® dies:

• from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) I used the small narrow banner die to cut the eight tabs used as the links between the tote bag's metal hardware (four 5/8" square x 1/16" wide jewellery findings) and the ends  of the bag's straps and the front and back of the bag.  These banner tabs were cut from Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717).  A die cut tab was folded over the top and bottom sides of each of the square jewellery findings, and on the front side of the cardstock die cuts I used my fingernail to make a crease right up against the edge of the jewellery findings before gluing the two flaps of the folded cardstock die cut together; 

• I used the small circle die from the Gears & Textures dies (item 166853) to cut from Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) the eight "fasteners" for the Stylish Shapes banner tabs;

• from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Notes & Totes dies (item 165240) I used the small tag die to cut the tag added to the tote bag's handle - I cut one tag from Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784) and one tag from Basic Black cardstock (item 121045), and glued the two tags together with wrong sides together; 

• I used the note paper hole punch edge die from the retired Blossoming Happiness dies (item 158823 - featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue) to cut the side edge on one of the Extraordinary Life stamped note paper images used on one of the file folders ("top five"); and

• the largest of the rectangle dies from the retired Stitched Rectangles dies (item 151820) to cut edges of additional die cuts and trimmed strips used to decorate the front and back panels of the tote bag - I wanted to match the stitched detail on the additional die cuts.

Due to the discontinuation by Stampin' Up! of both StāzOn Jet Black Ink (item 101406) and Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (item 132708) I have been looking for a replacement strong black ink, and for the black ink used for the stamping of images and sentiments for this week's projects I used VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink by Tsukineko, which I purchased at my local scrapbooking shop and am finding to work very well for my purposes.  

Just a quick 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, and embossing (Archie project);
• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for cutting cardstock (can also be used for scoring);
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) - for scoring all fold lines, and for scoring decorative lines on tote bag's handles, and on the file folders.  To ensure crisp folds on the tote bag and sticky notes holder I also burnished the folded scored lines using 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 embelllishments; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755). 

For my projects this week I used a limited cardstock colour palette: Basic Black cardstock (item 121045), Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953), Very Vanilla cardstock (item 166784), Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), and, for a little punch of colour, Poppy Parade cardstock (item 119793).  I had the idea to combine this colour palette with the Bordered In Beauty and Extraordinary Life Bundle to make a tote bag holding file folders in which you could keep messages, small notes and photos etc. - all the things that make for an extraordinary life! 

The front and back panels of the tote bag measure 3 3/4" tall (excluding handles) x 5 1/8" wide; the side panels are slightly shorter, measuring 3 5/16" tall x 2" wide.  For a little extra durability I have a fold-over flap on the top edges of the front, back, and side panels.  All five of the file folders - all made using Crumb Cake cardstock - are 4 3/4" wide but vary in height from 5 1/4" tall (measured to the top edge of the tab) to 4 1/4" - I wanted them staggered in height with the tallest at the back etc.  For the file folders I scored the cardstock along the width before using the long Bordered In Beauty tab die to cut the top back edges.  For some visual interest I scored additional decorative lines at 1/8" intervals along the bottom front (two lines) and top front (one line) of the file folders.

For each of the tote bag's front and back panels I used a 5 1/8" x 6 1/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock, scored on the 6 1/4" side at 2" (bottom flaps) and 5 3/4" (1/2" top fold-over flap).

For each of the tote bag's side panels I used a 3" x 5 13/16" piece of Basic Black cardstock, scored on the 3" side at 1/2" (top to bottom), 1 1/2" just down to 2 1/2" from top edge, and 2 1/2" (again top to bottom); and scored on the 5 13/16" side at 2" from the bottom edge (bottom flaps) and 1/2" from the top edge (top fold-over flaps).  I used a stylus and ruler to score the two diagonal lines from the bottom of the line scored at 1 1/2" on the 3" side of each panel out to the bottom corners of the 2" x 3 5/16" portions of the side panel.

Before assembling the tote bag I glued the top fold-over flaps on the front, back, and side panels, and added the additional die cut decorations to the front and back panels.  So that the layered die cuts along the bottom of the back panel could serve as a pocket I added glue only to the side and bottom edges, leaving the top edge open so that something - such as a small stamped tag - could be slipped in.

For the handles I used two 1/2" wide x 11" long strips of Basic Black cardstock, with a decorative line scored down the length.  I used my Bone Folder to slightly curl each of the handles to help prevent creasing when I had to bend the handles while gluing them onto the bag.  Before gluing the handles to the bag I used a pencil to make a glue placement line 1/2" from each end of each handle, and lines along the top of both the front and back panels 3/4" in from each edge.  After gluing the handles to the front and back panels I then glued the Stylish Shapes banner die cuts with the hardware attached to the ends of the handles, trying to center the square findings over the handles - aligning the top edge of the findings with the top edge of the front and back panels. To attach the Notes & Totes tag die cut (witih attached Extraordinary Life heart die cut) I used a small lobster claw clasp and jump ring from my small stash of jewellery findings.

I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole and to set a silver eyelet (purchased at my local scrapbooking shop) in a couple of the stamped and trimmed Bordered In Beauty tags.  On a few of the stamped note paper images I added some splatters using my retired Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481).  For decorating the fronts of the file folders I just had fun layering images/sentiments and die cuts!

Since I  had a few black 3" square sticky note pads on hand I thought a sticky note pad holder with one of these pads would make a great addition to the tote bag project!  The new Stampin' Up! White Gel Pens (item 166642 - package of two) would work great on these black sticky notes!

For the cover of the sticky note pad I used a 3" x 8 1/2" piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045), scored on the 8 1/2" side at 2 1/2" (bottom cover flap), 3" (1/2" to accommodate the thickness of the sticky note pad), 6 1/16", and 6 9/16" (another 1/2" to again accomodate the thickness of the sticky note pad).  I glued a just under 3" square piece of Basic Black cardstock to the back of the sticky note pad before then gluing the note pad to the center back inside section of the cover.  I used two small magnetic discs (also purchased at my local scrapbooking shop) for the cover fastener.  To the top and bottom panels of the cover I added a 2 7/8" x 3/8" strip of Crumb Cake cardstock (item 120953).  For the cover decoration I used a 2 7/8" x 2 5/8" base panel of Crumb Cake cardstock, over which I layered the trimmed stamped images, additional die cuts, and one small and one large of the Poppy Parade dots from the retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Dear Dots (item 165848).  I used Black Stampin' Dimensionals (Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack -  item 150893) to attach the completed front cover decorative panel to the front of the Basic Black cardstock cover.

And finally . . .

For my Archie project this week, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I did a scrapbook layout featuring a photo of Archie snuggling into his favourite quilt (which also happened to belong to one of his favourite humans😻!)  To complete this 5 5/8" x 5 7/8" layout (which will go into the album for which I made the cover a few weeks ago) I used the following additional supplies:

• a 4 13/16"  square piece of Azure Afternoon cardstock (item 161719), embossed using the Fern & Flora 3D Embossing Folder (item 167744) prior to the window opening being cut using the largest square die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183).  I used one of the Blending Brushes (item 153611 - package of three) to apply a little Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118) around the edges, including around the edges of the window opening.  I used my (retired) Azure Afternoon Stampin' Write Marker from the retired Brights Marker Assortment (item 161696) to add some splatters over the embossed and inked panel;

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 5 5/8" x 5 7/8" and 5" square matting panels, 3" x 5 5/8" panel, 1 1/8" x 1 3/8" matting panel, and for the die cut "A" that was cut using the Mini Alphabet dies (item 162934);

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 5 1/2" x 5 3/4" matting panel;
• Golden Glow cardstock (item 167685) for the 5 3/8" x 5 5/8" panel;
• 2 11/16" x 1" and 1" x 1 1/4" pieces trimmed from Crushed Curry patterned papers from the retired Full Of Life 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 163357 - featured in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue); and

• 2 3/8" x 1" strip  trimmed from one of the Azure Afternoon patterned papers from the retired Brights 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper Assortment (item 161696 - also featured in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue).

I added three "almost Golden Glow" buttons from my stash, through each of which I tied some black embroidery thread (I secured the ends on the backs of the buttons with dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue).

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I certainly had a lot of fun working on my "office supply" projects this week!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the Gears & Textures dies (item 166853) are currently out of stock, but are expected to again be available for ordering the week of May 18, 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-August 2026 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 full range of Online Exclusives Products - including all the new products released earlier this week - as well as the updated Last Chance Products Listing!  A reminder that all Last Chance Products are 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!! 

"Cats are connoisseurs of comfort."

- James Herriot