The November 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit is titled Gifts Galore. This is one of my favorite kits of the year! The kit features enough supplies to create 9 adorable gift holders, three of each design.
Today’s Video
I made the complete kit as it was intended. Aren’t these gift holders the cutest? I think that the size of these cutouts just makes the project perfect!
Since I made the kit as intended, I didn’t use the kit supplies to create alternatives. However, I used the stamps from the kit to create some fun and festive gift tags! We all need those this time of the year.
Gifts Galore Tags
Last Chance Sale
Don’t forget to take a glance at the retirement and carryover lists. The sale will be from December 1, 2021 until January 3, 2022 or until supplies last.
Today, I am going to make a Fireplace Swing Card. I will be using the Sweet Stockings Suite of products by Stampin’ Up. While the suite features very cute and whimsical animals, don’t dismiss it if animals aren’t your thing. This card will show you that you can use these products to create very traditional cards. I added a cat to the inside of my card, but you could simply just leave it off.
Today’s Video
This card is an ideal card to send to a shut-in, nursing home resident, or hospital patient. I realize that it is early in the year to be thinking of such things. But, we know that we will need some of these types of cards. Now is the time to start building your collection of handmade cards for the holidays. You will feel so much less stressed in December if you have your cards ready.
More Details of the Sweet Stocking Cards
This is my favorite layer of the card! I love all of the depth and texture. I like all of the product coordination. The backs of the stockings still match the DSP on the inside layer. And, I also like the warm and cozy feeling that the card creates.
The Sweet Stocking Suite offers many different options for decorating the inside of your card. I chose the sentiment “Sending Lots Of Love”. I think the people I would send this card to would appreciate hearing that they are loved. 🙂 But there are other sentiment stamps in the set. And I chose to add this adorable kitty to the inside. However, there are images of gifts and other Christmas images as well.
I wanted to show you two different versions of the fireplace swing card. This is my original card. It has more of a sleek modern look compared to the traditional feel of the one we made together today. You have so many choices!
Finishing Touches
Don’ forget to decorate your envelopes! This step really elevates the look of your cards. I stamped and colored a stocking image of the front of my envelope and colored it in with Stampin’ Blends. You could also add some DSP to the flap of your envelope.
Do you enjoy making more involved cards? I would love to know what kind of cards you would like to see on my channel. As always remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!
Mossy Meadow Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″ Cut at 1 1/4″ on each side of the front. Trim 1/4″ from the bottom of the middle section. Cut (2) 1″ x 2 1/2″ pieces for front trim panels if desired.
Cherry Cobbler Cardstock: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″- Then cut into (2) 1 1/8″x 4 1/8″ and (1) 2 7/8″ x 4″
It’s time for my 2021 Holiday Mini Catalog Preview! I want to give you a more personal look at some of the items that I purchased from the demonstrator preorder. When my order arrived, I really was just like a kid at Christmas! Don’t forget about my giveaway! You must comment, share, and be subscribed on my YouTube post to be entered!
Today’s Video
Of course, my favorite items are the Christmas ones. And there are so many choices! Stampin’ Up offers everything from traditional style to whimsical style to abstract type style.
The new 2021 Holiday Mini Catalog will go live on August 3rd. I am so excited for you to see it!
More 2021 Holiday Mini Catalog Goodies
Additionally, there are many items that are fall-related inside the catalog. I feel that many of these items will make great all-occasion cards to be used all year long.
My Paper Pumpkin Jolly Gingerbread kit has arrived! Let’s unbox it together! We will make one of the gift card holders as it was intended to be made. Also, we will take some of the supplies from the kit, add a few supplies from our craft room, and make an alternative card.
The contents of this kit are pretty impressive. A large portion of Tear & Tape is included along with a nice stamp set. However, the best thing in the kit are the glossy, round pieces of faux candy! They are very realistic looking.
Today’s Video
I enjoy making alternative projects with the kits. Sometimes it is because I do not need or want the project featured in the kit. Other times it is just because I enjoy the challenge of creating something different. Additionally, I enjoy making projects using the stamp set even after the supplies from the kit have been depleted. I also send an exclusive alternate project to my Paper Pumpkin subscribers as well.
I hope that today’s video was helpful and inspirational. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to watch my video. Please share the video and subscribe to my YouTube channel. This helps me greatly! Please leave me a comment to let me know how you have used your kit this month.
As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.
Let’s go Trimming The Town! The stamp set from this suite is part of Stampin’ Up’s Making a Difference campaign. A portion of the proceeds from each stamp set sold is donated to charities that support infertility, foster care, and adoption. The images are representative of new homes for many children and welcoming in new members for families. My life has been impacted by each one of these situations. Therefore, that is why I am so thankful that Stampin’ Up has committed to make a difference in these areas.
Today’s Trimming The Town Video:
I love fun fold cards! That is why I chose to demonstrate one for you today. Some people find them intimidating But, if you simply break them down step-by-step, they are fun. Today’s card just has more steps and more pieces than a traditional card. But it isn’t hard at all.
Here Are Some Card Examples:
This is the card we made today on the video. I really do love both versions! Do you have a favorite?
The inside of the two cards vary only slightly. But there are differences in image layout and colors used. You could alternate your panels between DSP and Whisper White card stock as shown or make all of the panels DSP or all Whisper White cardstock. You could also alternate the height of each panel in the row for an entirely different look.
My images are colored using Stampin’ Blend alcohol markers. Of course, you could absolutely use watercolor pencils or watercolor using our ink refills and a water painter. And while the coordinating DSP is uses a lot of bright colors, the sky is the limit when it comes time for you to select your color palette! This card is my take on a more nature themed version. It would even make a great birthday card for someone with a winter birthday.
Misty Moonlight Cardstock: 4 1/4″ x 11″, scored at 5 1/2″
Whisper White Cardstock and/or DSP: (4) 2″ x 2 1/2″
Misty Moonlight Cardstock:1 3/4″ x 11″, scored at 2 3/4″, 5 1/2″, and 8 1/4″
Whisper White Cardstock: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″
Misty Moonlight Cardstock: (4) 2 1/4″ x 2 3/4″
Poppy Parade Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 3 3/4″ x 5″
Thank you so much for taking some of you time to visit my blog. I hope that today’s fun fold card brought you a smile! As always remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.
A Merry Hello friends! I hope that you are all doing well. This stamp set was so much fun to use for creating cards. I could hardly stop! This particular stamp set by Stampin’ Up is a host set. For example, whenever you host a party or simply spend $150, you earn Stampin’ Rewards. As a result, you can then use part of your Stampin’ Rewards to purchase this set if you choose.
Today’s Video featuring A Merry Hello:
More A Merry Hello Cards
Do you have a favorite color scheme for Christmas? I am typically a red and green girl but I have enjoyed experimenting with other color combinations as well. Additionally, I love that with Stampin’ Up we even have several red and green combinations. I wish that the Wink of Stella that I used on the greenery would show up on camera. Not only is this a low cost tool for your crafting, but the sparkles add such a pretty touch.
Baby’s First Christmas
I just couldn’t resist creating a Baby’s 1st Christmas card! A handmade card makes an exceptional keepsake. Also, this combination of Balmy Blue, Granny Apple Green, and Night of Navy might be a new favorite for me.
A Challenging Color Challenge
My upline gives us a different color combination to use for creating each month. Of course, we do not have to participate but I find them enjoyable and they teach me new things. And this month’s challenge was just that…a challenge! We were told to create with Shaded Spruce, Soft Suede, and Bermuda Bay. This is not a combination I would have ever considered. However, in the end I liked the cards that I created. I guess you never know until you try.
This was the card that I entered in the challenge. I was happy that I had another opportunity to use Stampin’ Up’s beautiful Shaded Spruce ribbon. It is just dreamy! Of course, I didn’t have any DSP to use that had all three colors on a light background to fit in with the idea in my mind. So I took a piece of Thick Whisper White cardstock and used my Stampin’ Blend alcohol markers along with a ruler and created my own DSP.
The thing that I have enjoyed the most in my Stampin’ Up journey is the relationships and the friends that I have made along the way. If this is something that you would enjoy, you can join my team here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/join-my-team/. You are not required to sell anything. You can achieve our low quarterly minimums simply by buying supplies for yourself. Joining to gain a product discount is perfectly acceptable! 🙂
Whisper White Thick Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
Crumb Cake Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″
DSP: 2′ x 4″
Old Olive Cardstock: 2″ x 5″
Cherry Cobbler Cardstock: 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
Whisper White Cardstock: 1 1/4″ x 4 1/4″, also a scrap for sentiment
I love the clear and crisp images that you get when you stamp with this set. The designer gives us many greetings, several focal images, and then the little stamps that fill in several of the images. This stamp set was not one of my favorites when I first saw it in the catalog. However, when I saw cards that other people were making using this set, I was won over.
Thanks again for joining me. As always…Be kind, send a card, and do something creative!
The Snowflake Wishes Bundle is part of the Snowflake Splendor Suite offered by Stampin’ Up in the mini catalog this year. And while it features some cool and frosty colors, there is something heartwarming about these products as well. The designer series paper in this suite matches back to every blue color in the Stampin’ Up line. And as a result, you will have a difficult time deciding which paper that you would like to use!
Casing the Catalog
The take away from today’s blog post is that I want you to be sure to hang on to your Stampin’ Up Catalogs. They are not solely for the purpose of shopping, but also to provide you with some inspiration when creating cards. You can always make the card as shown in the catalog or you can keep the things that you love about it and change up the parts that aren’t your favorite.
Don’t forget that I missed a step in my video! I forgot to rub over the window sheet with my emboss buddy. Stampin’ Up no longer sells them but a small piece of a laundry dryer sheet should do the trick as well. You just want to reduce the likelihood of static cling. Also, it appears that I use an entire container of the snowflake sequins. That is not the case! I already had used some out of the container. But with that being said, using that particular die makes it a very deep well in the window and you do end up using more sequins than usual. I would suggest cutting a different shape like a circle or an oval. Also, I you can place your pile of sequins in the center of your card base. That way you don’t need to align things upside down.
More Snowflake Wishes Cards
Don’t be afraid to try designs using non-traditional colors! This card features Rococo Rose.
Coastal Cabana Cardstock: 4 1/4″ x 11″, scored at 5 1/2″
DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Window Sheet: 3 3/4″ x 5″
Whisper White: 4″ x 5 1/4″ inside, scrap for sentiment
Please “like” and share my video on both Facebook and YouTube. And look me up on Pinterest as well! If you do not currently have a Stampin’ Up Demonstrator, I would love to become yours! Message me at sally@thepolkadotlife.com if you have any questions. As always…be kind, send a card, and do something creative.
It’s the season for Wishes & Wonder! The virus may have stolen a lot of things this year, but it cannot steal my love for Christmas! In fact, being at home most of the time has given me the opportunity to work on some holiday cards and projects and not feel rushed. The process has been so enjoyable and relaxing.
Do you have a particular style when it comes to decorating for Christmas? I am a very traditional gal. Red and green are my usual choices. But I enjoy other color combinations as well. I think that is one thing about our cards, gift wrap, and craft projects is that we are not committed to just one theme. We can go in whatever direction our creativity takes us. And I love that. That was my mindset for this particular project. Adding black to a color palette can change the “vibe” a little and make the other colors in the palette stand out. Sometimes adding black makes your project look more formal. Sometimes it makes it feel more on the earthy side.
Did You Know?
The Wishes & Wonder stamp set is part of the Wonder of the Season Suite of products offered by Stampin’ Up this season. The North Pole Wonder Dies are bundled with the stamp set. Did you know that when you purchase our stamp set/cutting tool bundles you save 10% vs. purchasing them separately? And if you love all of the products in the suite, you can just enter #155112 and order everything in the collection all at once. (I have also used a few items that are not part of the suite as well.)
Today’s Project Featuring Wishes & Wonder
This pocket card looks very complicated to make. But, this card is actually very simple to put together. Today’s video will show you how.
Even More Wishes & Wonder Cards and Creations
Once I started playing with the Wishes & Wonder stamp set, I just couldn’t stop!
Very Vanilla 6″ x 9 1/4″ (You could also use DSP here)
Basic Black 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″
Very Vanilla 3 3/4″ x 5″
Basic Black 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
Very Vanilla-Whole Sheet to stamp with Buffalo Check. Then cut a strip 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ for inside layer. Die cut on remaining portion.
