I love the Perennial Essence 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack. It’s so pretty and makes creating stunning cards really easy. Stampin’ Up! product designer Julie Alusa was inspired by French painter Claude Monet’s work and decided to paint her own masterpiece. The painting she created was then used to create the amazing DSP. And while I can’t paint like Julie, her work allows me to add a little perennial essence to my projects.

PERENNIAL ESSENCE FLORALS
I began this project with a Thick Very Vanilla Card base and a sheet from the Perennial Essence DSP.
First I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to cover the front of the card base with the DSP. Next I glued a 1″ strip of the DSP along the bottom of a layer of Very Vanilla Card. Then I fixed the layer inside my card base.
Finally I glued the DSP to the flap of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope. Then I cut the DSP to shape with Paper Snips using the edge of the flap as a guide.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
My “Happy Birthday” sentiment comes from the Magnolia Blooms Stamp Set. I thought the fancy script would compliment the floral paper really nicely.
I started by wiping a piece of Thick Very Vanilla Card with an Embossing Buddy to remove any oils and static. Next I stamped the sentiment using VersaMark ink and sprinkled it with Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder. Then I tapped off the excess powder and removed a few stray specks. Once that was done I melted the rest of the powder with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

FANCY LAYERS
Then I decided that fancy florals and a fancy script required fancy layers. First I punched out the sentiment using the Everyday Label Punch. Then I went looking for something to layer underneath it and found exactly what I was looking for in the Stitched Labels Dies.
Although it’s fancy, the label die is also quite large and could distract from the floral background. So rather then using card I cut the label from some Vellum Cardstock instead.
With that done, I used liquid glue to attach the vellum piece to the card front and then fixed the sentiment to it with Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Finally I completed the project with a pretty bow tied from a length of Petal Pink 5/8″ Organdy Striped Ribbon. Once I’d added the bow to the sentiment with a Mini Glue Dot, I was done.
For more ideas using the Perennial Essence DSP check out some of my other projects in these earlier blog posts.
- Showing kindness and compassion
- Fields of perennial flowers
- For someone special
- I never tire of notebooks
PRODUCT LIST
UPDATE 2020: Sadly the following products have been retired and are no longer available from Stampin’ Up!
- Perennial Essence 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper
- Magnolia Blooms Stamp Set
- Embossing Buddy
- Stitched Labels Dies
First of all, your card this morning is just stunning Tracy! And I agree with your sentiments re: the Monet inspired paper; it’s definitely one of my all time favourites of all the DSPs we’ve had. Love that pretty die that you’ve used also! Well done and wishing you a creatively wonderful week ahead!
Thank you Geraldine.
Very pretty!! I also love this DSP!!
Thank you Tamera, I’m looking forward to pulling it out again while I dream of spring.
This card makes me wish I’d bought the Stitched Lable dies. That is just the perfect touch to add to this beautiful card. Love it!
Thank you Donna. I was so sad when those dies retired. Make sure you keep an eye on the Clearance Rack as I don’t think they actually sold out and they may appear there at some point. I’ll be sure to mention in my blog when the Clearance Rack is updated.