#create

August 2021 Paper Pumpkin Alternatives- Hope Box

The August 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit is titled Hope Box. It was created by one of Stampin’ Up’s founders, Shelli Gardner. When Shelli designs a kit, it is highly sought out!

Today’s Video

Once again, I have found that Paper Pumpkin has improved their kit cards and I like them! As a result, I decided to create my alternatives using only the stamps and a few unused elements of the kit. I love that I can then choose any Stampin’ Up colors for my cards!

More Hope Box Cards

This is a greeting card created with elements of the Paper Pumpkin Hope Box kit.

For example, the card featured in today’s video uses So Saffron, Pool Party, Melon Mambo, and Bermuda Bay. However, my first version uses Blackberry Bliss, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Rich Razzleberry, and Bermuda Bay.

The sentiments that are included in the Hope Box are great for those cards that are really difficult to send. It is important to have these greetings in our stash. But we are not limited by them either. Mixing our stamp sets is super fun!

I used my Stampin’ Write Marker in Blackberry Bliss to make the dashes between the butterflies. I could do this with complete confidence that the marker would match my stamped image. You cannot do this at the local craft store. I love that Stampin’ Up inks match with the embellishments, markers, cardstocks, and ribbons!

This card design was my favorite one to make. The process is a little messy but it is fun! Some of the splatters were created using the included stamp and the rest were created by flicking the Stampin’ Write markers. Then I used the Ornate Floral Embossing Folder to dry emboss this layer. Next, I stamped al butterfly on an additional piece of Basic White cardstock and fussy cut it out. It is popped up on the card with dimensionals. And lastly, I used some Wink of Stella on it to give it some sparkle and I adhered the sentiment across the middle.

Next Month’s Paper Pumpkin

Don’t forget to hurry and sign up for next month’s Paper Pumpkin kit, Haunts and Harvest by September 10th. You can use one of the links below.

I hope that you enjoyed today’s alternative cards. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel to get informed whenever I post a new video. As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Card Supplies

Shop my entire online store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Melon Mambo Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Pool Party Cardstock: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″, and 1/2″ x 5″
  • Basic White Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″, and (3) 7/8″ x 2 1/4″

Hand-Penned and Linen Paper

Let’s play with the Hand-Penned Suite and the new Linen Paper by Stampin’ Up! These items are both new and in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. The suite features stamps, dies, gems, and gorgeous DSP. The delicate images and pastel colors are simply lovely. And I feel that Stampin’ Up’s new Linen Specialty Paper will become a favorite among stampers.

Today’s Video

Can we talk about today’s card layout for a minute? I love it! It is so simple. You could use this layout with any paper or stamp set. It would be great if you need to make a card in a hurry.

The Linen Specialty Paper brings a new texture to the table. I loved throwing caution to the wind and just playing with it. Hopefully, you learned something about the paper in today’s video.

More Hand-Penned and Linen Paper Cards

This card shows perfectly how nice the linen paper die cuts. The scallops and stitching are both very crips and clean. Additionally, this card shows that the linen is very sheer if you don’t back it with paper. I love that the paper is already backed with an adhesive sheet!

I love textiles. It is not a secret that I possibly own every ribbon in our line! Blending the linen paper alongside Stampin’ Up’s gorgeous ribbons is a dream come true for me. And the new Scalloped Contours dies are going to be a standard staple for us over the coming year. In particular, the largest die that created this Misty Moonlight layer. Swoon!

The long edge die included in the Hand-Penned set created this sweet yet subtle peek-a-boo look at the bottom of this card. I added in our new Mint Macaron Velvet Ribbon. It is totally gorgeous ribbon.

Connect, Create, & Collect $25

Please understand that you do NOT need to hold a party! Your personal order of $250 or more will be rewarded with an additional $25 in free product. We all have wish lists that are miles long so creating a large order won’t be an issue!

I will be rewarding anyone that purchases $75 or more using the May Host Code. These customers will receive a collection of varied color 4″ x 6″ pieces of cardstock that have been embossed using many of our new and favorite embossing folders! Here is the May Host Code: BK92CUVN. But remember, if your order is OVER $150 in product value, do NOT use the host code. I want YOU to earn Host Rewards! But you will earn my May gift as well.

Thank you so much for spending time with me today. I always enjoy your company. As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Card Supplies

Shop my entire online store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements:

  • Pale Papaya Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″, and scrap for sentiment
  • DSP: 2 1/4″ x 5 1/4″, and 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″
  • Linen Specialty Paper: 2 3/4″ x 2 3/4″

Hydrangea Hill

Working with the Hydrangea Hill Suite by Stampin’ Up is a dream! Both the stamped images and the Designer Series Papers are gorgeous. I just had to play with these goodies before they retire soon.

Today’s Video

I wanted to show you specifically how this design in the paper pack could be used to create cards very quickly. As a result of this technique, you have six beautiful cards in a matter of minutes!

More Hydrangea Hill Cards

On this card I used the Seaside Spray cardstock for the tag. I am going really miss this color! And the Detailed Band Dies are on clearance sale right now. They are an absolute steal!

This card features the Rococo Rose cardstock. I also ran the DSP through the embossing machine using the Subtles Folder. It really made the card look rich and sophisticated! I am happy with how things turned out.

As you can see, this suite of products can be used together to create many different styles of cards. The DSP is very appropriate for any card occasion. You would not likely find cards this beautiful in a store.

I used various sentiments today. But, the ones included in the suite are lovely. Who wouldn’t love receiving a card with this greeting? Getting a card for no reason at all is a great surprise!

As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.

Sally

Card Supplies

You can shop my entire online store here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Card Measurements

  • Basic White Thick Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Gorgeous Grape Cardstock: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″
  • DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
  • Highland Heather Cardstock: Piece large enough for your die choice
  • Basic White Cardstock: Piece large enough for your sentiment choice
This is a greeting card made using the Simply Succulents Bundle by Stampin' Up.

Simply Succulents by Stampin’ Up

The Simply Succulents Bundle by Stampin’ Up can be found in the January-June 2021 catalog. The bundle includes a stamp set and dies. My favorite part of the bundle is the die set. There are great sentiment frames, nice filler greenery, and one large gorgeous die that creates an entire card front.

Today’s Video

Where I Started

I have had the Simply Succulents Bundle for a while. It intimidated me for some reason and I don’t even know why! I was very drawn to it but I just didn’t know where to start. As a result, I just kept sliding it to the bottom of my pile. However, I finally decided it was finally time to jump into using the set.

The only idea I had in my mind was that I wanted to use the Blending Brush technique. So, I grabbed a sheet of our new Basic White Thick Cardstock and made a tye-dyed-looking sheet of paper. From there I used the largest die and ran it through my die cutting machine. This resulted in a beautiful card front and a million tiny bits of paper! I stamped and cut a few images out of my remaining paper. After using the die, I decided that I wanted to make a card using this piece as a mask. That is what brought me to today’s card.

More Simply Succulents Cards

I decided to move on and try stamping and coloring the images in the stamp set. First, I tried my hand a using our Stampin’ Blend Markers to do my coloring. This proved to be challenging for me. The new Basic White Thick Cardstock just worked a little differently for me. I need to make more cards and practice. That is the only way for my to improve.

Next, I tried using our Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pen. I chose to use a pastel shades. I felt most comfortable with this technique and I like how the card looked.

Last, I tried my hand at watercoloring. I am not a water color artist! But, at least Stampin’ Up offers us products that we can use to do a good job. The results weren’t awful, but I feel that using the Watercolor Paper would have been a better choice for this project.

I would encourage you to pull out a project that you are just afraid to start. Find a technique or card sketch that you like and start there. If that card isn’t exactly what you love, you will probably be inspired to change something and continue. It’s a process!

As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!

Sally

Measurements for Today’s Card

  • Rich Razzleberry Card Base: 5 1/2″ X 8 1/2″, Scored at 4 1/4″, and scrap for sentiment
  • Shimmery White Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 11″ (This should give you enough room to have your mask that you will cut down, a sentiment, and an inside layer) Also, a 4″ x 5 1/2″ piece for the mat.

Card Supplies

Shop My Entire Online Store: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Stampin’ Up’s You Are My Sunshine

Even just saying You Are My Sunshine makes me smile! I have such fond memories of singing that song to my children and my mother singing it to me as well. We even used to have a little neighbor girl that sang it with a tiny lisp and it was precious! Our new Bumblebee In Color was the obvious choice to use for my card. And I feel that the Magenta Madness adds just a little sparkle. So happy!

I filmed this video at the same time that I shot the Lovely You video. So again I apologize that it is a little too close up. I do not expect that I will ever win an award for my filming skills! But it is what it is and I am learning more each day. I think life long learning is so important. Especially during all of this COVID stuff….it has been a great way to work through the time and work out some frustrations. I hope that your crafting has been a pleasant diversion to you. And when you are finished crafting you can share the sunshine to someone else by sending them your card!

Here is today’s video:

  • Bumblebee Cardstock 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Whisper White Cardstock 4″ x 5 1/4″ (2)

Supplies For Stampin’ Up’s You Are My Sunshine Card:

You can shop for all the supplies here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/shop/

Always remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative,

Sally

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