Garden Poetry Suite

Retirement Wishes in Bloom with March Online Exclusives

There’s something so special about creating a handmade card to celebrate a meaningful life moment—and retirement is definitely one of those occasions. I’ve been having so much fun playing with the March 2026 Online Exclusives, and I am absolutely in love with the beautiful paper, stamp set, and coordinating dies in this collection.
When I needed to make a retirement card, I knew this suite would be perfect. The elegant textures and floral elements came together beautifully, and I’m excited to share what I created!

Card Details

Card Base:

  • Berry Burst cardstock: 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″

Layers & Pieces:

  • Basic White cardstock (inside layer): 5 1/4″ x 4″
  • Blackberry Bliss cardstock: 1 1/4″ x 4 1/4″ (embossed with the Paradise Garden Hybrid Embossing Folder)
  • Designer Series Paper (Garden Textures):
    • 5 1/4″ x 4″ (main background)
    • 1 1/2″ x 5 1/4″ (vertical strip)
    • 1 1/2″ x 4″ (horizontal strip)
    • 2 1/4″ x 6″ (envelope flap)

Additional Elements:

  • Scraps of Basic White cardstock for stamping and die cutting flowers and leaves
  • Scrap for die cutting the Paradise Garden Hexagon

How to Make This Card

Start by adhering the main Designer Series Paper layer to your Berry Burst card base using liquid glue. Next, add the vertical strip of DSP, followed by the embossed Blackberry Bliss strip to bring in texture and depth.

Once those layers are in place, adhere the horizontal DSP strip across the front of the card to create a balanced design.

Stamp your leaves in Old Olive ink and your flowers in Berry Burst ink onto Basic White cardstock. Die cut the images and attach them to the card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals for added dimension.

For the sentiment, I used a greeting from the retired Gone Fishing stamp set. Stamp it onto the Paradise Garden Hexagon die cut and adhere it to the front of the card.

To complete the inside, stamp a few coordinating flowers in Berry Burst ink onto the Basic White layer and adhere it inside the card.

And don’t forget the envelope! Add a piece of matching Designer Series Paper to the flap for a beautifully coordinated finishing touch. Every card needs some added bling so I used Rhinestone Basic Jewels.