Inspiration Outside The Paper Pumpkin Box

In my last post, I showcased the August, 2024 Time For Cake Paper Pumpkin Kit. I assembled those cards according to the Kit directions. The cards in this post are “Out-Of-The Box” Paper Pumpkin Alternatives. I used all of the supplies in the Kit and created “alternate” card designs. I put together six of the 9 cards in the Kit plus the three I’m showcasing today. There are easily enough supplies to make an additional four to five cards.

As you can see, I substituted the card bases using Night of Navy cardstock, added a Basic White cardstock layer to the top card and “shadowed” the sentiment with Basic White cardstock. Except for the addition of embellishments, all other supplies are in the Kit. Remember, if you are a Paper Pumpkin Subscriber, you can get Refill Kits.

  • This design is a popular Book Binding Fun Fold. It’s quick and easy.
  • I cut a Night of Navy cardstock card base 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, and scored it at 3 1/4″ and 4 1/4″ on the long side.
  • Fold the card base in half on the 4 1/4″ score line, then fold the front flap back on the 3 1/4″ score line. Adhere the left edge of the card front by placing glue n the 1″ scored space.
  • The floral patterned paper layer is 3 1/8″ x 5 3/8″. I cut it from one of the envelopes in the Kit.
  • The Night of Navy and Misty Moonlight patterned paper layer is 7/8″ x 5 3/8″. I cut this piece from one of the card layers in the Kit.
  • The rectangle front candle patterned paper layer is 2 1/4″ x 3 1/4″. I cut this from one of the card layers in the Kit.
  • The Basic White cardstock layer under the center patterned paper layer is 2 3/8″ x 3 3/8″.
  • The sentiment is a sticker in the Kit. I attached it to a piece of Basic White cardstock and fussy cut it creating a “shadow layer”. I attached it to the card front with Mini Dimensionals.
  • I added some embellishments I had in my stash.
  • The card above turned out to me my favorite!
  • I cut a Night of Navy cardstock card base 4 1/4″ x 11″, and scored it at 5 1/2″ on the 11″ side.
  • The pink card front layer is a card base from the Kit. I cut it 4 1/8″ x 5 2/8″.
  • The center horizontal patterned paper layer is 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″. I cut it from one of the card front layers in the Kit.
  • The vertical patterned paper layers are punch-outs from the Kit. I trimmed the flower design layers to measure 2 3/8″ in length. The strips are 1/2″ wide.
  • The pink vertical strips on the Focal Point are also punch-outs from the Kit. They measure 3/8″ x 2 3/4″,
  • I attached the five strips to the center horizontal layer with glue, stamped and adhered the sentiment layer, and popped the horizontal layer onto the card front with Dimensionals.
  • The off-set candle is stamped with one of the Kit stamps. I attached it with glue.
  • I added embellishments I had in my stash.
  • The card above is probably the quickest and easiest card I ever put together! I love the sentiment font.
  • The Night of Navy cardstock card base is 4 1/4″ x 11″, scored at 5 1/2″.
  • The Moody Mauve and blue striped card front layer is 3 3/4″ x 5″. It’s the back of one of the card bases in the Kit.
  • The candle patterned layer is 3 1/2″ wide x 3 3/4″ long. I cut it from one of the card layers in the Kit.
  • The two short candles are cut-outs from the Kit. I stamped them with the candle image and Night of Navy ink.
  • I stamped the sentiment with Night of Navy ink and added a few embellishments.

So I hope you enjoy this parade of alternative cards from the August Time For Cake Paper Pumpkin Kit. I had so much fun putting them together. I’m looking forward to the September Kit, Autumn Abundance. You can get the Kit details, along with Paper Pumpkin details here.

So, with a few cuts, a little glue, and don’t forget the embellishments, you can expand your Paper Pumpkin Kits, and have lots of fun in your craft space.

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This is a Fall-Themed Kit that features the Autumn Leaves Bundle. You will receive your Kit automaically with a minimum product purchase of $50 through my online store at Stampin’ Up! The Kit will include:

  • Everything you need to put the cards together as I’ve designed them;
  • Card bases, layers, die cuts, embellishments, sentiment layers, and envelopes;
  • I cannot send stamped images, but you will have a sentiment layer you can customize to a stamp you already own, or you can purchase the Autumn Leaves Bundle through my Online Store.
  • A printed PDF Tutorial, along with a video link so you can put the cards together with me.
  • This card kit will be available through August 31st.

You have until August 31st to redeem your Bonus Days Coupons. You should have received an email from Stampin’ Up! shortly after you placed your order in July. This email contains a Coupon Code. When you place your order in August, you will be prompted to put in the Coupon Code(s). If you have more than one Coupon Code, enter them in the space provided separated by a comma. The discount will appear when you check out.

A Framed Country Woods Birthday

The Country Woods Designer Series Paper is a sure favorite of mine. I especially love this Pool Party distressed wood look pattern. In my card design, I mixed a little Petal Pink and used Basic Beige and Early Espresso as my neutrals.

Once again, I had no idea what the outcome wouold be when I sat down to create a card for today’s post. I started matching some patterned paper and thought it would be fun to create a frame. Since I haven’t used my Perennial Postage Dies in a while, I thought they would enjoy a run through my die cutting machine. I also haven’t used the little stamped and die cut flower from the Country Birdhouse Stamp Set. It was time that little stamp saw some ink.

The Country Birdhouse Stamp Set has an ink splatter stamp. It had to be part of my design. To keep in line with the rustic look of the patterned paper card front, I inked the edges of the die cut frame, my focal point layer, and the two patterned paper strips under the frame. Early Espresso ink and a Sponge Dauber helped me accomplish this. Notice the dimension the inked edge gives the elements.

So, let’s make a card!

  • I cut an Early Espresso cardstock card base 4 1/4″ x 11″ and scored it at 5 1/2″.
  • The distressed wood patterned paper layer is 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.
  • I used a pattern from the Country Lace Designer Series Paper to create the die cut frame and center focal point.
  • The frame measures about 3 1/4″ x 4 1/2″.
  • The focal point center layer measures about 2″ x 2 3/4″.
  • I cut the Petal Pink patterned paper strip from one of the patterns in the Country Woods DSP pack.
  • It measures 7/8″ x 3 3/4″.
  • The Pool Party patterned paper strip measures 1/2″ x 3″.
  • The Pool Party patterned paper layer and the frame are attached to the card base with glue as shown.
  • The focal point center layer, the stamped and die cut flower, and the DSP strips are attached with Dimensionals as shown.
  • I added a few Pool Party Opaque Faceted Gems for a little color balance and embellishment.

This design is super simple. Just make the card base and layer cuts, stamp the sentiment as shown, add the die cut flower and embellish.

I hope you enjoy creating your version of thsi design. Remember …

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It’s time for a new Customer Card Kit. The June, 2024 Monthly Customer Card Kit celebrates Country Flowers and Country Lace. The Card Kits feature a Fun Fold and an easy layered card design.

Below are additional Kit details.

  • You will receive everything you need to put the cards together as I’ve designed them.
  • The kit will include the card bases, layers, die cuts, embellishments, sentiment layers, and envelopes.
  • I cannot send stamped images, but you will have a sentiment layer you can customize to a stamp you already own, or you can purchase the Country Flowers Bundle.
  • You will also receive a printed PDF Tutorial, along with a video link so you can put the cards together along with me.
  • You will automatically receive this kit with a minimum product purchase of $50.00 through my online store.
  • This card kit will be available through June 30th.

  • Do you love Bundles? I do. It’s rare that I purchase a stamp set without the dies, or dies without the stamp set. Aside from that, there’s ALWAYS a 10% discount on Bundles. Starting today, Wednesday, June 5th, Stampin’ Up! is dicounting Bundles an additional 10%. If there’s a Bundle you’ve had your eyes on, you can save more from June 5th through June 30th with the additional discount.
  • Even Better! As much as I love Bundles, you absolutely have to have a cutting machine. If you don’t have one, think about investing in one during the month of June. From today, June 5th through June 30th, the Stampin’ Cut And Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut And Emboss Machine will be discounted 10%.
  • I’m sure you’ve heeard me say that I love my “Mini”. I do! Its smaller size makes it easy for me to keep it on my work surface when I’m making a card or project. The dies run through the machine smoothly and it cuts evenly.

In Color Sampler For the Pals Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stampin’ Pretty Pals’ Blog Hop!

This month, the theme is the new 2024-2026 In Colors. We hope to inspire you with our creations today! You will find the lineup at the end of my post to help you “hop” along from Pal to Pal.

Here’s a Clean and Simple In Color Sampler that is quick and easy to put together. A Clean And Simple (CAS) card has lots of white space, few layers, and little or no embellishments. The design is versatile. You can reverse the squares and circles, add a different die cut element, embellish differently, and customize your sentiment.

My card showcases three of the five new In Colors: Peach Pie, Petunia Pop, and Summer Splash. I enjoy combining these three. They’re crisp, clean and will give any project a fun pop of color.

Below are the five new 2024-2026 In Colors.

So, let’s make a card!

  • Cut a Thick Basic White cardstock card base 11″ x 4 1/4″, and score at 5 1/2″ on the 11″ side.
  • I cut a Basic White cardstock layer 3 1/2″ x 5″.
  • Each of the cardstock squares are 1 3/4″.
  • I die cut three cardstock circles using the Everyday Details Dies. The circle is about 1 7/8″ in diameter.
  • The Basic White die cut decorative elemtns are from the Friends For Life Dies.
  • Attach the cardstock squares to the back side of the Basic White layer as shown.
  • The Summer Splash layer is centered on the back of the right side.
  • The bottom of the Petunia Pop square is about 1/2″ from the bottom of the layer.
  • The top of the Peach Pie square is about 1/2″ from the top of the layer.
  • Stamp your sentiment.
  • I attached the circles with Dimensionals.
  • I embellished with the coordinating 2024-2026 In Color Resin Dots.
  • I stamped the inside and added a little stamped and die cut heart.

So, I hope you enjoy my In Color circles and squares sampler as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Have fun with this clean and simple design. Try your favorite colors, and add a die cut element.

Most importantly, have fun creating your design.

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There’s more inspiration to show you, so use the lineup below to visit the rest of the Design Team. Please mark your calendars for our next blog hop in July, when our theme will be Our Favorites in the New Catalog.

Until then, have fun in your craft space.

  1. Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
  2. Stesha Bloodhart at Stampin’ Hoot!
  3. Debbie Crowley at expressively deb…
  4. Debbie Mageed at Secrets to Stamping
  5. Su Mohr at Aromas And Art
  6. Peggy Noe at Pretty Paper Cards
  7. Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stamping Habit
  8. Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs
  9. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
  10. Melissa Seplowitz at The Stamping Ninja
  11. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
  12. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
  13. Mary Hanson at Up North Stampin’
  14. Sue Jackson at Just Peachy Stamping
  15. Rae Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
  16. Deb Walker at Deb Stamps Life
  17. Donna Walls at Duncan Street Designs
  18. Stefani Ewing at Stamp with Stefani

It’s time for a new Customer Card Kit. The June, 2024 Monthly Customer Card Kit celebrates Country Flowers and Country Lace. The Card Kits feature a Fun Fold and an easy layered card design.

Below are additional Kit details.

  • You will receive everything you need to put the cards together as I’ve designed them.
  • The kit will include the card bases, layers, die cuts, embellishments, sentiment layers, and envelopes.
  • I cannot send stamped images, but you will have a sentiment layer you can customize to a stamp you already own, or you can purchase the Country Flowers Bundle.
  • You will also receive a printed PDF Tutorial, along with a video link so you can put the cards together along with me.
  • You will automatically receive this kit with a minimum product purchase of $50.00 through my online store.
  • This card kit will be available through June 30th.

  • Do you love Bundles? I do. It’s rare that I purchase a stamp set without the dies, or dies without the stamp set. Aside from that, there’s ALWAYS a 10% discount on Bundles. Starting today, Wednesday, June 5th, Stampin’ Up! is dicounting Bundles an additional 10%. If there’s a Bundle you’ve had your eyes on, you can save more from June 5th through June 30th with the additional discount.
  • Even Better! As much as I love Bundles, you absolutely have to have a cutting machine. If you don’t have one, think about investing in one during the month of June. From today, June 5th through June 30th, the Stampin’ Cut And Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut And Emboss Machine will be discounted 10%.
  • I’m sure you’ve heeard me say that I love my “Mini”. I do! Its smaller size makes it easy for me to keep it on my work surface when I’m making a card or project. The dies run through the machine smoothly and it cuts evenly.

Best Day Ever With A Country Flower Box

Wishing you all the “best day ever!”

If you enjoy using your dies to create a dimensional design, this card is inspiration for you. I used my Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (discounted 10% during the month of June), along with colorful cardstock scraps to die cut the flowers in the flower box.

The Country Woods Designer Series Paper created the distressed look background, and the Country Birdhouse Bundle did the rest.

So, let’s make a card!

  • The Basic Gray cardstock card base is 4 1/4″ x 11″, scored at 5 1/2″.
  • I attached a Basic White mat layer that measures 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.
  • The patterned paper top layer is 4″ x 5 1/4″.
  • I die cut the “flower box” using one of the Country Birdhouse Dies, and attached it with Dimensionals.
  • The flowers and leaves are all die cut using the Country Birdhouse Dies and attached with glue and Mini Dimensionals.
  • Do you see the little white flower in the garden box. I put it in there just for fun!
  • I stamped the sentiment with Basic Gray ink and fussy cut it.
  • I attached the fussy cut sentiment to a piece of Basic Gray cardstock, and fussy cut it again.

I thought it would be a fun switch from creating a birdhouse, but using the same Bundle to create the little flower box. Since I was keeping the background neutral, I used bright colors for the flowers.

Arranging the flowers is easy. I started by adding flowers along the top of the flower box, then attached the flowers in the “second” row in between the flowers in the “bottom” row. I filled in with some of the die cut leaves.

So, cut a few layers, create a little flower box, die cut some flowers and wish someone special the “best day ever”.

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  • Do you love Bundles? I do. It’s rare that I purchase a stamp set without the dies, or dies without the stamp set. Aside from that, there’s ALWAYS a 10% discount on Bundles. Starting today, Wednesday, June 5th, Stampin’ Up! is dicounting Bundles an additional 10%. If there’s a Bundle you’ve had your eyes on, you can save more from June 5th through June 30th with the additional discount.
  • Even Better! As much as I love Bundles, you absolutely have to have a cutting machine. If you don’t have one, think about investing in one during the month of June. From today, June 5th through June 30th, the Stampin’ Cut And Emboss Machine and the Mini Stampin’ Cut And Emboss Machine will be discounted 10%.
  • I’m sure you’ve heeard me say that I love my “Mini”. I do! Its smaller size makes it easy for me to keep it on my work surface when I’m making a card or project. The dies run through the machine smoothly and it cuts evenly.

It’s time for a new Customer Card Kit. The June, 2024 Monthly Customer Card Kit celebrates Country Flowers and Country Lace. The Card Kits feature a Fun Fold and an easy layered card design.

Below are additional Kit details.

  • You will receive everything you need to put the cards together as I’ve designed them.
  • The kit will include the card bases, layers, die cuts, embellishments, sentiment layers, and envelopes.
  • I cannot send stamped images, but you will have a sentiment layer you can customize to a stamp you already own, or you can purchase the Country Flowers Bundle.
  • You will also receive a printed PDF Tutorial, along with a video link so you can put the cards together along with me.
  • You will automatically receive this kit with a minimum product purchase of $50.00 through my online store.
  • This card kit will be available through June 30th.

My Brush Strokes Are Full Of Life

Do you believe this card is quick and easy? Once I made the decision to have my paint brush strokes laid out vertically on my card front, the rest was a breeze. It is fun to duplicate the colors of the rainbow. It made me smile.

My inspiration for this card came from the paint brush-stroke die in the Friends For Life Dies. I was deterined to find a way to use this die. Taking another look at the Ful Of Life Designer Series Paper helped me make the decision to go with the colors of the rainbow on a Basic White background.

So, let’s make a card!

  • I cut a Thick Basic White cardstock card base 8 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ and scored it at 4 1/4″ on the 8 1/2″ side,
  • The Basic Black cardstock mat layer is 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″.
  • The Basic White top layer is 4″ x 5 1/4″.
  • I used the patterned paper design pictured above, along with the die from the Friends For Life Dies. (You can click on the product details at the end of this post).
  • As you can see in the photo above, I simply placed the die vertically over the color I wanted to cut.
  • Once I had my rainbow colors, I attached them to the Basic White top layer of the card.
  • Note that the left edge of the “red paint strip” is about 1/2″ in from the left side of the Basic White layer.
  • Similarly, the right edge of the “purple paint strip” is about 1/2″ in from the right side of the Basic White layer.
  • I attached those colors first, then filled in the center strips evenly placed.
  • The “friend” sentiment is die cut from the Dies and attached with Dimensionals.
  • I stamped and fussy cut the Happy Birthday sentiment.
  • I attached the fussy cut sentiment to Basic Black cardstock and fussy cut it again.
  • For a little sparkle, I added a few of the Iridescent Faceted Gems from the Full of Life Product Suite.

So, what do you think? Quick and easy, right? Pick your special cololrs, add your custom “paint” and create a fun, quick and easy card to share.

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My Customer Mini Card Kit for May focuses on products from the Unbounded Beauty Product Suite. I’m showcasing the Unbounded Beauty Designer Series Paper, along with the Flowers of Beauty Dies. The Kit Details are listed below.

  • You will receive everything you need to put the cards together as I’ve designed them.
  • The kit will include the card bases, layers, die cuts, embellishments, sentiment layers, and envelopes.
  • I cannot send stamped images, but you will have a sentiment layer you can customize to a stamp you already own, or you can purchase the Bright Skies Bundle.
  • You will also receive a printed PDF Tutorial, along with a video link so you can put the cards together along with me.
  • You will automatically receive this kit with a minimum product purchase of $50.00 through my online store.
  • This card kit will be available through May 31st.

Click the image to download the digital catalog.

The Color Coach is a reference tool I use often. You can view and download a copy of the updated version here, or click on the image below.