I love crafting products that have multiple uses, especially when they’re easy to use. That’s why I was immediately drawn to the new Pansy Dies from the Stampin’ Up! 2021/2022 Annual Catalogue. This set of 21 dies coordinates with the new Pansy Patch Stamp Set, cutting out a number of the stamped images. If you don’t fancy stamping, the dies also cut out some images in the new Pansy Petals Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. Finally the dies cut plain card into pieces that stack to create layered pansy flowers, buds and leaves. So many options, and all the pieces fit on the Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine too!

For today’s sneak peek project I decided to ignore the stamp set, and instead use the DSP and dies to create a summery treat box.

TREAT BOX

I began by making up the drawer-style Love You Always Treat Box. This first appeared in the January to June 2021 Mini Catalogue and has been carried over into the 2021/2022 Annual Catalogue. It comes flat in two parts, the drawer and the sleeve, and is easily assembled without any adhesives. Here’s my short video showing how to put it together.

As you can see the box is easy to assemble and amazingly sturdy. The finished dimensions are listed as 4-1/16″ x 2-11/16″ x 1-1/2″ which is quite a good size for treats or a small gift.

Once assembled I then cut the card and DSP pieces to decorate the sides and top. From the Pansy Petals DSP I chose the gingham pattern in Pale Papaya (one of the new 2021-2023 In Colors). First I cut two pieces 1-1/4″ x 3-7/8″, and two 1-1/4″ x 2-3/8″. Then for the top I cut one piece of the DSP at 2-1/2″ x 3-7/8″.

Next I cut five pieces of Pale Papaya Card to go under the DSP. I needed two at 1-3/8″ x 4″, two at 2-1/2″ x 1-3/8″ and one at 2-5/8″ x 4″. Then I mounted the DSP onto the pieces using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) before attaching them to the box.

PANSY PIECES

In no time at all I was ready to start on the pansy decoration for the top of my box. I could have used several different colours of card but instead I wanted to keep it simple. So I chose just Fresh Freesia (another of the new In Colors) for the flower. To provide different shades for the various die cut pieces I would simply press a Fresh Freesia ink pad onto the surface.

First I took the Fresh Freesia Card, cut the solid ‘butterfly’ shape and set it aside. Then I lightly pressed the ink pad onto the remaining card before cutting two of the solid ‘fan’ shapes.

I pressed the ink pad onto the already inked card again, and from this cut the thick ‘butterfly’ outline piece. This was followed by two of the thick curved piece.

Going back to the ink pad I pressed it one final time onto the twice-inked card to make it even darker. Then I cut the small piece with the circle cut-out.

To complete the flower I needed the three teardrop die and some Pale Papaya Card. I put two of the die-cut teardrops aside for another day, and placed the third with my pile of pansy pieces.

FINAL STEPS

I was almost done but first I needed to cut some leaf pieces from Soft Succulent Card (another one of the 2021-2023 In Colors). Going back to the Pansy Dies I picked the two solid leaves. Then I used them to two of the large leaf and one of the smaller one. Then I pressed the So Succulent ink pad onto the card scrap to darken the card. From the inked card I then cut two pieces using the large ‘leaf vein die’, and one using the smaller ‘leaf vein’ die.

With everything cut and prepared all I needed now was to layer the flower pieces together using liquid glue. Then I assembled my three leaves with liquid glue before fixing them to the back of the pansy with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Finally I used more liquid glue to mount the completed pansy to the top of the decorated box.

I love how this project turned out, and I opted not to add a sentiment just yet. I think I’ll wait to see what I want to do with it before making that decision. Overall I found the dies really easy to use. I can’t wait to try them on coordinating stamped images or images from the Pansy Petals DSP. Watch this space…

In the meantime, here’s a closer look at the 21 pieces included in the Pansy Dies set.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Pansy Dies with the coordinating Pansy Patch Stamp Set (not used today) using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to explore this option.