#papercrafting

August 2021 Paper Pumpkin Alternatives- Hope Box

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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″

Sale-A-Bration 2021

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Sale-A-Bration is the very best time of year for Stampin’ Up customers! On top of the already great card-making products, Stampin’ Up is currently offering free gifts with purchase!

Some Sale-A-Bration items are free with a $50 purchase. Other free items are with a $100 purchase. The purchase amount is the total amount of the product before tax and shipping. Customers are able to mix and match as their total allows. Watch today’s video to see these excellent products up close. 🙂

Today’s Sale-A-Bration Video

Aren’t the Sale-A-Bration products great? There is a little something for everyone! It won’t be hard to earn these products. Have you seen the new Holiday Mini Catalog? Oh, my word! Just the Christmas card items alone blew my mind! If you haven’t taken the time to watch my video showing some of the new catalog items, you can check it out here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/2021-holiday-mini-catalog-preview/

Become A Discount Shopper

Do you know the best way to get all of those goodies on your Stampin’ Up wishlist? Get a discount!!! You should join my team and become a discount shopper. You can purchase a starter kit for just $99. And YOU get to choose $125 in products. You will also get some business supplies included with your kit.

If you purchase your starter kit during Sale-A-Bration, you can ALSO choose a FREE bundle from the list below! That is up to an additional $60 in free supplies!

Please know that you will NOT be required to do anything else! But you will want to stay around and enjoy all of the ideas and support from a wonderful community. Please contact me at sally@thepolkadotlife.com if you have any questions.

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

Sally

Sunny Sentiments

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I love the Sunny Sentiments Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up! It features large, bold sentiments that are useful and fun. The fonts are chunky and they stand out. The sentiments are words that you would actually say to someone.

Today’s Video

If you are a beginning stamper trying to build your supplies, this is a set you should purchase. It is easy to stamp and the greetings will cover most of the cards you will make.

Did you like today’s card layout? It is so easy and fun! I like that you can make it just like it is or build on that by adding layers and embellishments. Additionally, I do enjoy a black and white card on occasion. They are sleek.

More Sunny Sentiments Cards

Look what flipping over the same paper does! It’s an entirely different look and vibe. And all from a small piece of paper. Remember this layout when you need to make multiple cards at one time. This layout would be a lifesaver. It would be great to use when making your holiday cards.

Look at that stunning black sentiment! Your eyes can’t help but be drawn to it. The recipient of this card will not miss the message that you intend to relay.

Here is another great layout! It is also easy. You can change to look easily by adding a layer or changing the color of your card base. You could use any paper that you have in your stash.

I hope that you found today’s card layouts useful. My goal is to produce a wide variety of ideas for all levels of crafters. 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

  • Basic White Thick Cardstock: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Pattern Party DSP: 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″, then cut lengthwise at 1 5/8″, then turn and cut at 1 1/2″

Hand-Penned and Linen Paper

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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″

Paper Pumpkin So Cool April 2021

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This month’s Paper Pumpkin kit is So Cool! And it really is! The kit features card bases in the shape of frozen treats, watermelons, and rainbows. I did not want to cut the cards up to use in alternatives. They are just so cute and I wanted to make them as intended. Therefore, I decided to show you what you can do with your stamps after all of the kit supplies are gone.

Today’s Video

I do not think that I have ever used this color combination before. It is definitely unusual! I do like how it turned out. But if I make another card using this DSP, I will likely choose to use some of the lighter colors. My brain is just not wired for the darker colors. However, my friend totally loves creating cards using jewel tones and they are beautiful. They are her wheelhouse. God really did create us individually with different gifts and preferences!

I used the paper piecing technique to create the popsicles on this example. I failed to mention in the video that the Basic White layer was die cut using the Stitched Rectangle Dies. You can use a label die of your choice.

More So Cool Paper Pumpkin Alternatives

Don’t forget about the DSP Stampin’ Up offers in the various color families and In Colors. They usually offer 3 or 4 different prints in each color. You can make your creations in any color that you love! Additionally, you can use the search feature of my online store to find any product that we offer in a particular color. I use this tool frequently. Sometimes it just helps my creative process start to flow.

I used my Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers to color in the popsicles on this card.

For this card, I used my watercolor pencils and a blender pen to color the watermelons.

As a little bonus technique, I showed you how to turn this card into a gift card holder. So fast and easy! I think this card is a great way to reach out to someone that you love and encourage and/or celebrate them. Send this to your favorite child to celebrate the end of the school year, a dance recital, or because they have been “spotted” doing something kind. God calls us to encourage one another and we can do that using our gift of crafting. Now that is really So Cool!

Thank you for stopping by today. I appreciate it. As always remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.

Sally

Card Supplies

Paper Pumpkin Prepaid 12-month Subscription: https://bit.ly/3fiCPgB

Bermuda Bay Cardstock: https://bit.ly/3vH4Vt7

Blackberry Bliss Cardstock: https://bit.ly/3eceYR2

Basic White Thick Cardstock: https://bit.ly/3bm4BJ1

Paper Snips Scissors: https://bit.ly/3gVYazl

Blackberry Bliss Striped Ribbon: https://bit.ly/2QP1YaP

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

Join my team: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/join-my-team/

Card Measurements

Bermuda Bay: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″

Blackberry Bliss: 4″ x 5 1/4″

DSP: 3 3/4″ x 5″

Basic White Thick Cardstock: Whatever size you need for your sentiment and die cut piece

Hydrangea Hill

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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

Here’s To You Paper Pumpkin March 2021

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The March 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit is called Here’s To You. We received an extra goodie this month to celebrate their birthday. The gift is a set of 4 masks. They will make a great addition to your craft stash!

Today’s Video

More Paper Pumpkin Alternatives

The card featured in today’s video might not reflect as pretty on screen as it is in person. I like it because it has a lot of different textures. Additionally, the kit also brought me a color combination that I would never have put together on my own. I love the combination! As a result, I have a new color combination in my toolbox. It is such a soft-looking card.

This greeting card is an alternative Paper Pumpkin March 2021 kit. It is a happy and cheery card!

Alternatively, this card is bright and cheery! The envelope liner papers in this month’s kit are gorgeous! Be sure to trace one of these liners on some Basic White Thick cardstock so that you have a template to create your own liners. The Seaside Spray border just makes those tiny matching flowers jump out of the DSP. The Ornate Floral Embossing Folder and the Bumblebee Gingham Ribbon pull everything together perfectly. I used the Stitched So Sweetly Dies for my label.

The Dragonfly Garden Bundle was just what I needed to embellish the inside of my card and the front of my envelope. It makes me feel like I am in the middle of a lovely meadow.

This monochromatic card was created using Petal Pink. The tiny floral stamp from the kit is simple and uncomplicated. I had a piece of gingham paper left over from a previous project. It was created using our Buffalo check background stamp. You can find the earlier project here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/oval-occasions/

The greeting I choose was from the Itty Bitty Greetings set. But, you can change this card to fit any occasion simply by changing the greeting. And this layout can be any color or use any DSP that you love.

Card Supplies For Today’s Project

You can subscribe to Paper Pumpkin here: https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2211250

Card Measurements

  • Petal Pink: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Petal Pink: 4″ x 5 1/4″
  • Basic White: 3 1/4″ x 3 1/2″
  • Pretty Peacock: 3 1/2″ x 3 3/4″
  • Soft Suede: 3″ x 3 3/4″
  • Sahara Sand: 3″ x 3 3/4″
This is a greeting card made using the Simply Succulents Bundle by Stampin' Up.

Simply Succulents by Stampin’ Up

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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/

Pretty Perennials And The Slimline Card

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The Pretty Perennials stamp set is right in my wheelhouse. This set has many different parts and pieces. There are flowers, leaves, and additional types of plants included. Additionally, depending on the colors that you choose, you can totally change the feel of a card. There is a coordinating die set as well.

Today’s Video

More Cards Featuring Pretty Perennials

Making a slimline card was a totally new thing for me! To begin with, changing things up a bit for me “sparked joy”! I was kind of in a designing slump and simply changing the layout opened my mind. Additionally, just having a wider canvas made me feel a little bit more open to playing with my stamps. I enjoyed my design process today. The mistakes and all! Please don’t ever give up if you make a mistake. Sometimes our mistakes can open up an entirely different path for us. This is true in both cards and life.

I love how this card turned out! This card is very happy. yet, very subdued. I feel it would make a great card for both men or women. The Misty Moonlight and Bumblebee work so nicely together. I stamped the images and then ran this layer through the embossing machine. The embossing folder I used was the Tasteful Texture Embossing Folder. It gives you such a wonderful textured piece of art!

This color combination makes me very happy! I think these colors just play so nicely together. Just Jade is becoming my new favorite green.

I hope that you enjoyed the embossing technique that I shared with you today. It was just one of those ideas that came into my head one night in bed and I had to get it out! Don’t forget that these cards require a #10 Envelope.

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

Sally

Card Supplies

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

Join my team and become a discount shopper: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/join-my-team/

Card Measurements

Today’s Featured Card

  • Basic White Cardstock: 7 1/2″ x 9″, scored at 3 3/4″
  • Granny Apple Green Cardstock: 3 1/4″ x 8 1/2″
  • Magenta Madness Cardstock: 2 3/4″ x 8″
  • Basic White Cardstock: Scrap for label and banner

Measurements For the Other Cards Shown

  • Basic White Thick Cardstock: 7 1/2″ x 9″, scored at 3 3/4″
  • Misty Moonlight Cardstock: 3 1/4″ x 8 1/2″
  • Bumblebee Cardstock: 2 3/4″ x 8″
  • Basic White Cardstock: 2 1/2″ x 7 3/4″

Paper Blooms by Stampin’ UP

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Have you ever heard the terms beginner, casual, or avid crafter? Today, I am going to use the Paper Blooms Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up to illustrate these terms. You can earn this paper for FREE right now during Sale-A-Bration when you purchase $50 in products. But hurry! Sale-A-Bration ends February 28th.

Today’s Paper Blooms Video

Beginner Crafter

Let me begin by saying that this tern is not meant to be offensive in any way. It can mean that you are an actual beginner and this project is a great place to start! Alternatively, this could also mean that this is just the style that you prefer. A beginner crafter card would include only stamps, ink, and paper.

These cards are both very simple to make. But aren’t they lovely? I like the clean and sleek feel of these cards.

Casual Crafter

On a casual card, the crafter would add some type of die or punch, an embellishment, or dimension. The card I make in today’s video, I add a punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, and some cute butterfly embellishments. This card also has an additional layer.

Avid Crafter

The term avid crafter simply means that this is a crafter who enjoys adding many layers, dies, dimension elements, and embellishments to their cards. An avid crafter is usually a person that has a larger collection of craft supplies at their disposal. It does not mean that their cards are any better or that they outshine a beginner card. Again, this might just simply be a crafter’s personal preference for making cards.

Additionally, these cards are still very simple in nature. The Designer Series Paper is the absolute star of the show!

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

Sally

Join My Team

Sale-A-Bration is the best time of year to join Stampin’ Up! You can join my team here: http://www.thepolkadotlife.com/join-my-team/

Supplies

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

Card Measurements-Beginner

  • Basic White Cardstock- 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″ and 3/4″ x 4 1/4″
  • DSP- 4″ x 5 1/4″

Card Measurements-Casual

  • Basic White Cardstock- 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″
  • Petal Pink Cardstock- 4″ x 5 1/4″
  • DSP- 3 3/4″ x 5″
  • Seaside Spray- Scrap for sentiment that will fit your punch or die

Card Measurements-Avid

  • Seaside Spray Cardstock- 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″ and scrap that will fit your punch or die
  • Basic White Cardstock: 4″ x 5 1/4″ and 3 3/4″ x 5″
  • Night of Navy Cardstock: 3 7/8″ x 5 1/8″
  • Designer Series Paper; 3 5/8″ x 4 7/8″

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