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.
The Peaceful Christmas Paper Pumpkin kit for October is packed full of holiday goodness! The main color is Shaded Spruce. Accents of silver add a beautiful shimmer to the cards.
Today’s Video
I chose to make the cards in the kit as directed. They are lovely! My alternative cards use the stamps from the kit. Additionally, I used the Peaceful Place Specialty Designer Series Paper. But you could substitute any DSP that you have in your craft stash to recreate my cards.
More Peaceful Christmas Cards
The card that is featured at the top of the blog is my favorite. I used our White Craft Ink to stamp a background on Basic Gray cardstock. The small snowflakes around the sentiment were heat embossed using Silver Embossing Powder. But getting to use the Smoky Slate Textured Ribbon really made my heart happy! It is just so dreamy to work with.
On this card, I used the tree image stamp to create a border on Basic Gray Cardstock. The silver embossing makes the trees pop right off the page!
I had some leftover paper that I had stamped with the White Craft Ink. So, I cut that down into 1″ strips along with some leftover DSP. I adhered these strips to a Basic White layer of cardstock that measures 3 3/4″ x 5″. Then I added this layer to a piece of Silver Foil Specialty Paper. Before adhering this layer, I added some Smoky Slate Textured Ribbon. I then added this layer using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
Do You Have A Long Wish List
Do you love a lot of items from the Stampin’ Up Catalogs? Now would be a wonderful time to join Stampin’ Up and become a discount shopper. The Starter Kit is valued at $125. You get to pick exactly what you want in your kit. And you only pay $75 plus tax!!! That is a crazy good deal. After you purchase a kit, you get 20% discount on your products right from the start!
Thank you for joining me today. Don’t forget to drop a comment on how you use your Paper Pumpkin kit. I want my posts to be helpful to you! As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!
The Haunts & Harvest Paper Pumpkin is the kit for September 2021. It is the cutest kit! The kit features supplies to make several pumpkins or apples. You get to choose!
Today’s Video
In addition to the supplies, the actual box can be turned into a wheelbarrow! Such a cute decor item for fall.
Haunts & Harvest Alternatives
For this card, I used a Cajun Craze card base. Next, I used the Timber 3D Embossing Folder on the following layer. Finally, I used the stamps to create a border layer. The Well Defined Stamp Set completes the card with a perfect sentiment.
For the inside layer of my card, I simply added a Basic White layer with a stamped leaf image in the lower corner.
This next card was made using a Mango Melody card base. I used Crushed Curry, Old Olive, and Pumpkin Pie inks for the card. I took the abstract type stamp and created a design on the left side. Using the Pretty Pumpkins bundle, I die-cut the pumpkin image. A simple twine bow and sentiment finish things off!
I hope that you enjoyed my alternatives for this month’s kit! As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.
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
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!
My July 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit has arrived! The kit is titled The Adventure Begins. The kit has included supplies to make 12 cards and envelopes. Coordinating Stampin’ Up colors are Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Early Espresso,Flirty Flamingo, Garden Green, Granny Apple Green,Mango Melody, Night of Navy, and Basic White. You will find a Garden Green Stampin’ Spot inside the kit.
Today’s Video
I really love the included cards and ideas in the kit. So I decided to create alternatives using the stamps only. I feel that this makes the most sense anyway! We own our Paper Pumpkin stamps long after the kit contents are gone. I place my stamps in a sleeve, download and print the image for that kit, and file them in a bin. You can download the inserts here: https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/how-paper-pumpkin-works. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see several inserts to download.
I love the softness of the card shown in my video. The card is made using a very simple layout. However, I think that is why I like it so much. It’s very clean and uncomplicated.
More July 2021 Paper Pumpkin Alternatives
The first thing I did was make a background DSP. I used Gorgeous Grape, Misty Moonlight, Bermuda Bay, and Granny Apple Green to create the background. It is really fun to play with blending brushes! Second, I took the solid tree stamp and stamped three trees along the bottom of my paper in Evening Evergreen. Next, I stamped those same trees and stamped them on Evening Evergreen cardstock. I fussy cut the images. Finally, I glued the trees to my paper. I adhered the center tree using Stampin’ Dimensionals. You can choose to add a sentiment to your card by stamping directly on the paper or by adding a banner.
In like manner, I created this card using only the stamps from the kit. I showcased the Let Your Light Shine sentiment by stamping the adorable fireflies around it. Additionally, I used the Hand Penned DSP to anchor the greeting to my card. The Macrame Embossing Folder adds the perfect texture to the background.
A Look At August’s Kit
As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.
I am so late with my Paper Pumpkin Expressions In Color alternatives! But isn’t this kit fantastic? I think that Paper Pumpkin has really upped the quality of their kits in the past year. And I really like the cards included with the kit. I had a hard time trying to decide how to approach my alternatives this month. That is why I only made one card using the kit supplies. For the other two, I used the stamp set and pulled in items from the Expressions In Ink Suite of products.
Today’s Video
The card featured in today’s video is a combination of kit supplies and other supplies I had on hand. You could totally use the large vellum flower that was included in you kit instead of die cutting a white one. And we have so many sprigs or greenery pieces that you could pull in as well. Make sure to watch the video to see both my vellum and my white cardstock versions. I was surprised that I actually like the white version better. Who knew?
Undoubtedly, Evening Evergreen has stolen my heart. And no one was more surprised than me! I am not usually a dark or jewel tone color person. It is falling into the same category for me as Night of Navy. I consider it a neutral. In particular, it works perfectly for accents and sentiments. I could have chosen any color for this card, yet I chose Evening Evergreen. This would be a perfect masculine card.
This card could also be made using any color of your choice. I seem to be having an In Color phase. 🙂
Next Month’s Kit
Here is a little preview of the July 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit. Please make sure that you are signed up on or before July 9th. That way you can craft along with me next time! As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.
My Paper Pumpkin Batter Up kit just arrived and it is full of goodies. There are die cuts that can be used in all sorts of ways. Also, there are matte resin dots that I just love to use. The card bases and envelopes have very clean-styled patterns that are easy to mix and match.
Today’s Video
I am not sure which of the cards I made was my favorite. Each one of them has elements that I really like. I am not a blue person, but I really do enjoy working with Pacific Point any chance I get! Night of Navy is my favorite neutral color. It plays so well with many colors in our line. In addition, I loved getting to pull in the Hats Off Bundle. I can see that I will get a lot of use from those products!
On this card, I glued the bats to the ball first. Second, I glued down the ball. And last, I secured down the ends of the bats with a tiny dot of glue after the ball dried. Please be VERY careful when you wrap your thread around your card base. If you pull too hard, you can tear your base. I barely escaped disaster.
This card reminds me of my hometown. The Pittsburgh Pirates were the closest MLB team. So, I decided to use the Hats Off stamps and dies to make this awesome cap! You can make your card reflect your favorite team. This card would be great for birthdays, graduations, or Father’s Day. And it is great for both males and females.
In my opinion, Paper Pumpkin has significantly upped their game as of late. The elements of recent kits are good for both new and experienced stampers. Leave me a comment and tell me if you feel that is the case! As always remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative.
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.
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.
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.
I was so surprised to see my Bouquet of Hope Paper Pumpkin kit arrive so early. We had about three days of ice storms here in the south. On two days this week, we didn’t even get mail. However, I definitely wasn’t losing any sleep about it considering so many people in Texas were totally suffering and cold.
This kit features colors that I would probably have never put together. The colors are Basic Black, Bumblebee, Just Jade, Merry Merlot, Mossy Meadow, and Rococo Rose. I do really like the example cards from Paper Pumpkin as well. For that reason, I tried to keep my supplies to be used later.
Today’s Video
The sentiments included with the kit set the theme of the card to be either sympathy, thinking of you, or friendship. I decided to make a sympathy card. The piece of vellum enclosed in the kit was my favorite element. I feel it paired very nicely with the gold foil piece that I cut using the Ornate Layers die set.
Using the Bouquet of Hope Stamps
The main floral image stamp is simply stunning! I knew that I wanted to use that stamp on my card. Since I was able to use both the large image and the sentiment, a lot of the blank space of the card was used. A number of people are not comfortable writing in a sympathy card. There is just enough white space on the card to write “Love and prayers” and sign your name below. I try very hard when I tell someone that I will pray for them that I stop and do it right away. This is mostly because I am old and forget things!
You will see by the photo above that our card goes very nicely with the Mossy Meadow envelope included with the kit. I decided to save that envelope and create a new one. I used the smaller flower stamp and made my own DSP strip to adhere to a medium envelope flap. Again, I used that floral image to stamp the front of my envelope.
In conclusion, I pray that you and your loved ones will be blessed today. As always, remember to be kind, send a card, and do something creative!
