Gliding Garden Swing . . . But A Bench!

Hello!  Today I am sharing three projects I worked on this week using the Stampin’ Up!® retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Online Exclusives Gliding Garden Swing dies (item 167136).  For my garden bench projects I was dually inspired by beautiful garden photography in several books recently borrowed from the library, and my own wish for a garden bench!  By using the two leg dies included in the die set, rather than the hanger dies that are of course also included, the gliding garden swing easily becomes a garden bench.  From the Gliding Garden Swing dies I also used the foliage "clump", tall upright cedar-like stems, table, flower pot, and tiny flower dies.

To complete the three projects I also used the following additional Stampin’ Up!® products:

• Sweet Bugs dies (item 167001) - tall two-leafed stem and tiny flower dies;

• Online Exclusives Help Me Grow dies (item 167166) - large flowers, small cluster flower, large-leafed stem, and soil edge (for Gliding Garden Swing flower pots) dies;

• Fern & Flora dies (item 168991) - fern, and small stem dies.  I used the small stem dies with the Sweet Bugs tiny flower trio die cuts;

• tall grass, stem with flowers, and small seven-leafed stem dies from the retired Gallery Blooms dies (item 165212);

• daffodil, stem, and grass edge dies from the recently retired Easter Basket dies (item 166946);

• cloud dies from the retired Light & Wonder dies (item 165762).  The three clouds used on the third project were die cut from watercolour paper;

• broad-leafed plant die from the recently retired On Display dies (item 167020);

• small flower strip die from the retired Scenic Adventure dies (item 165467) - used along the bottom edge on the third project;

• for the background panel on the second project I used one of the patterned papers from the retiring - and currently available as one of the Last Chance Products - Thoughtful Journey 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 163303);

• for the first project I used a Garden Green/white patterned paper from the retired Forever Greenery 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 152492 - featured in the June 3 2020-May 3 2021 Annual Catalogue) for the garden backdrop behind the poolside bench.  To help soften/mute the pattern - push the patterned paper further into the background - I covered the DSP panel with a piece of trimmed vellum (Vellum 12" x 12" Specialty Paper - item 167099).  The translucent quality of the vellum helps to soften the colours and pattern of the underlying DSP without obliterating it - changes a shout to a whisper😺;

• for the pool water on the first project I used one of the Blueberry Bushel patterned papers from the Scenic Coast 6" x 6" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 167773), which is featured in the May-August 2026 Catalogue - Blueberry Bushel might be the perfect colour for a reflecting pool too!😼;

• from the retired Bloom Where You're Planted 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 155696 - featured in the May 2021-April 2022 Annual Catalogue) I used a strip trimmed from the Cajun Craze brick patterned paper for the side of the pool wall in the first project, and for the deck wall in the second project; and for the patio on the second project I used the Gray Granite large brick patterned paper.  I also used a strip of the Gray Granite large brick patterned paper for the patio wall on the third project;

• for the patio on the third project I used the Gray Granite/Smoky Slate/Basic Gray diagonal paver patterned paper from the retired In Good Taste 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 152494 - featured in the June 3 2020-May 3 2021 Annual Catalogue);

• for the upper background panel on the third project I used the Smoky Slate small floral patterned paper from the retired Abigail Rose 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 159037 - featured in the May 2022-April 2023 Annual Catalogue); and

• from the recently retired Gliding Garden Swing stamp set (item 167134) I used the two pillow, lemonade pitcher, and glass of lemonade images - all of which were die cut using the co-ordinating Gliding Garden Swing dies.  The stamped images were stamped on watercolour paper using VersaFine Clair Nocturne Ink by Tsukineko and coloured using Classic Stampin' inks and Classic Stampin' ink refills mixed with a little water and applied with a small paint brush.  

For shading the cardstock die cuts I used Small Blending Brushes (item 160518) to apply Classic Stampin' inks to the die cuts.  For some additional visual texture I sometimes lightly misted the shaded die cuts (i.e. foliage) with water using one of the Stampin' Spritzers (item 126185 - package of two), either blotting dry with paper towel or allowing to air dry. 

For the foliage die cuts (including flower stems) I used Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245), Granny Apple Green cardstock (item 146990), Old Olive cardstock (item 100702), Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), and for two Gliding Garden Swing foliage clump die cuts on the third project Lost Lagoon cardstock (item 133679), all shaded with Mossy Meadow ink (item 147111).  

With the exception of the daffodil flower pot I used Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717), shaded with Pecan Pie ink (item 161665) and Early Espresso ink (item 147114), and highlighted with Craft Stampin' White Ink (item 147277) applied using one of the finger Sponge Daubers (item 133773 - package of five), for the Gliding Garden Swing flower pots.  For the daffodil flower pot I lused Misty Moonlight cardstock (item 153081), shaded with Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118).

For the garden bench die cuts I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229), and, for the third project, Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983).    For the first project I stacked together three bench die cuts, and for the second and third projects I stacked together two bench die cuts.  For each of the benches I stacked two leg die cuts together.  I used Gray Granite ink (item 147118) for shading the Gray Granite cardstock bench and bench leg die cuts. 

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

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) for cutting cardstock and DSP strips and panels;
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) - for scoring the decorative line along the length of the 1/4" wide Basic White Thick cardstock strip added to the top edge of the pool wall on the first project, and the decorative lines on the watercolour paper framing mat on the first project;
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) for all die cutting - on a few of the Pecan Pie cardstock flower pots I re-ran the die cuts through the machine using one of my very well-used cutting plates to transfer a subtle texture to the die cuts;
• 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!

For the first project I began with a wood frame from Dollar Tree, glass removed, inside back dimensions of 9 7/8" x 7 7/8".  On a medium weight cardboard panel trimmed to fit the frame's inside back dimensions I glued the DSP and cardstock panels and strips for the base of the scene - each glued so that a bottom edge would abut but not overlap the top edge of the previous panel/strip.  To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• for the framing mat a 9 7/8" x 7 7/8" piece of watercolour paper with a 6 3/4" x 4 3/4" window opening - I used my craft knife and ruler to cut the window opening.  After cutting the window opening I scored two sets of lines along each side of the framing mat, 1/4" apart, and starting at 1/4" away from the edges of the window opening.  I used cello tape along the top inside edge of the framing mat for the hinge to attach the framing mat to the cardboard base panel.  The hinge, by allowing me to easily flip the framing mat up and down, helped in the placement of the additional die cuts;
• double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031) to secure the vellum over the DSP panel at the side edges beyond the window opening;
• 1/4" wide strip of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229), scored down the center middle of the length, for the top of the pool wall;
• a 1/8" strip of Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the edge of the deck, abutted up to the top edge of the Basic White Thick cardstock strip;
• a 1/4" strip of Smoky Slate cardstock (item 131202) for the pool deck;
• Calypso Coral cardstock (item 122925), Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), and Lemon Lime Twist cardstock (item 144245) for the die cut pillows - after gluing the Calypso Coral cardstock and Lemon Lime Twist cardstock pillows directly to the bench I used two Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108) to attach the Daffodil Delight cardstock pillow over the other two pillows;
• Calypso Coral cardstock, shaded using a Calypso Coral watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 1 - item 161700) for the three large Help Me Grow flowers (attached to Sweet Bugs stems);
• for the Sweet Bugs tiny flowers (used on the Fern & Flora stems) I used:  Daffodil Delight cardstock and Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199), shaded using a Crushed Curry watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 2 - item 149014); Lemon Lime Twist cardstock, shaded using a Granny Apple Green watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 2); and Highland Heather cardstock (item 146986), shaded using a Gorgeous Grape watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 2);

• Basic White Thick cardstock for the Gliding Garden Swing "roses"; and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach the bench to the scene.

For the second project I began with a black wood frame from Dollarama, glass removed, edges distressed with a fine-grit sandpaper, and inside back dimensions of 7" square.  I used the full 6" x 6" piece of the Thoughtful Journey DSP, matting it with a 6 1/2" square piece of Basic Black cardstock (item 121045), and a 7" square piece of Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229).  To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• retiring - and currently available as one of the discounted Last Chance Products - Petunia Pop cardstock (item 163801), Gorgeous Grape cardstock (item 146987), and Highland Heather cardstock (item 146986) for the die cut pillows;
• Highland Heather cardstock for the single large Help Me Grow flower - an additional "flower" was cut from Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676) and added as fill-in foliage;
• Petunia Pop cardstock and Fresh Freesia cardstock (item 155613), all shaded using a Gorgeous Grape watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 2 - item 149014) for the small Sweet Bugs flowers (added to the Fern & Flora stems);
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the trimmed Help Me Grow soil die cuts;
• Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the table base die cut; and Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983), shaded with Basic Gray ink (item 149165), for the table top (trimmed from a full table die cut);
• a 1/8" wide strip of Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) for the top of the patio wall;
• Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094) to colour the lemonade (glass and pitcher); and
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach the garden bench to the patio; and
• Black Stampin' Dimensionals and Black Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (Black Stampin' Dimensionals Combo Pack - item 150893), trimmed as necessary, used behind the flower pot in the lower right corner, the flower pot on the left side with Petunia Pop cardstock and Fresh Freesia cardstock flowers, and the table top. 

I began the third project with an "almost Gray Granite" easel frame from Dollarama, glass removed, inside back dimensions of 4" x 6".  On a medium weight cardboard panel trimmed to fit the frame's inside back dimensions I glued the DSP and cardstock panels and strips for the patio, patio wall, patio wall top ledge, and top background.  To complete the project I used the following additional supplies:

• a 1/8" wide strip of Gray Granite cardstock (item 146983) for the top ledge of the patio wall;
• Highland Heather cardstock (item 146986); Timid Tiger cardstock (item 165626), shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086); and Berry Burst  cardstock (item 144243), shaded with Berry Burst ink (item 147143), for the Help Me Grow flower clusters;
• Pumpkin Pie cardstock (item 105117), shaded using a Pumpkin Pie watercolour pencil (Watercolour Pencils Assortment 1 - item 161700), for the Sweet Bugs flowers (added to the Fern & Flora stems);
• Daffodil Delight cardstock (item 119683), shaded with Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094), appropriately enough😺,for the Easter Basket daffodil;
• Pumpkin Pie cardstock, shaded with Pumpkin Pie ink (item 147086), and Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for the die cut pillows;
• Early Espresso cardstock (item 119686) for the trimmed Help Me Grow soil die cuts (Gliding Garden Swing flower pots);
• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the die cut table;
• watercolour paper for the die cut clouds;
• Daffodil Delight ink (item 147094) to colour the lemonade (pitcher and glass);
• Daffodil Delight ink, Lemon Lime Twist ink refill (item 144092), Real Red ink (item 147084), Mossy Meadow ink refill (item 133651), Granny Apple Green ink refill (item 147163), and Azure Afternoon ink refill (item 161668) to colour the stamped pillows;
• Stampin' Dimensionals (item 104430), trimmed as necessary, to attach the garden bench to the patio; and
• Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (item 144108), trimmed, used behind the lemonade pitcher, the right side of the smallest cloud, and the flower pot on the left side of the garden bench.

And finally . . . 

For my Archie project this week, shared at the bottom of this blog post, I stamped the images from the retired Grace's Garden stamp set (item 151513 - featured in the January-June 2020 Mini Catalogue) on watercolour paper, first die cutting the image panel using the retired Greetings Of The Season dies (item 164112), and then using Pumpkin Pie ink refill (item 105229), Pecan Pie ink refill (item 161669), Highland Heather ink refill (item 147167), Mossy Meadow ink refill (item 133651), Lemon Lime Twist ink refill (item 144092), and Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118) to colour the image panel. I covered a medium weight cardboard panel that was trimmed to fit the 6" x 4" inside back dimensions of another "almost Gray Granite" Dollarama frame with one of the Misty Moonlight patterned papers from the retired Let's Go Fishing 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161534 - featured in the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue) - adding strips trimmed from two Old Olive/Mossy Meadow patterned papers from the retired Online Exclusives Season Of Green & Gold 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 164324), Night Of Navy patterned paper from the retired Take To The Sky 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 163436 - featured in the May 2024-April 2025 Annual Catalogue), and one of the Misty Moonlight patterned papers from the retired Online Exclusives One Horse Open Sleigh 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 162118).  I used my Crop-A-Dile to enlarge the hole for and to set the "almost Gray Granite" eyelet (purchased at my local scrapbooking shop), adding a loop of Gray Granite baker's twine (Baker's Twine Essentials Pack - item 155475).  I used strips trimmed from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) to attach the image panel to the base panel, securing the knotted end of the baker's twine loop to the image panel with a tiny dab of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun working on my Gliding Garden Swing garden bench projects this week - especially the poolside bench project on a day when the temperature here topped 29° Celcius!

Unfortunately Stampin' Up! advises that the following products that I used this week are not currently available, but I have included below the dates by which Stampin' Up! expects the products to again be available for ordering:

• Scenic Coast 6" x 6" Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 167773) - week of June 22, 2026; and
• Baker's Twine Essentials Pack (item 155475) - week of June 29, 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!  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 month - 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!! 

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