Positively Picturesque

I spent today playing with the latest Paper Pumpkin kit - Positively Picturesque.  It is a really cute one.  I just love getting my surprise box of fun each month.  It is so easy to travel with, easy to share and just plain fun!  Where else can you get a kit to make several cards, an ink spot or two and a stamp st for $19.95 delivered to your door??

I made a few alternative cards with the pieces.  I made at least one card (of each design) using the Paper Pumpkin directions and switched things around with the rest of the cards.  I ended up making 13 cards total and I still have a few things left so I can probably make 2-3 more.

The card on the right is the Paper Pumpkin direction one.  I just moved the washi tape up and stamped Happy Birthday on the other one.  (2 rolls of washi tape were included in the kit!)

For this card I used the Daisy Punch for the flower and Embossing Paste for the center.  The leaves are die cut from Flourishing Phrases.

I stamped the Pool Party piece with Tranquil Tide ink using the Hardwood background stamp.  Next I ran it through the Bricks embossing folder and rubbed White Craft Ink over the whole thing to soften the color.  The edges of the card are covered with strips of washi tape.

The flowers on this card are little wooden flowers that came in the kit.  I used a dauber to ink them with Berry Burst ink.

The Lemon Lime wash in the background is made with Work of Art.

This is one of the Paper Pumpkin instruction cards.  The circle is covered with washi tape.

This is another of the cards just following the directions.

I love how this one turned out.  I randomly put strips of washi tape in the background.  The wooden "love" is inked (with dauber) using Powder Pink, Flirty Flamingo and Berry Burst.

I used the Pretty Label Punch and cut the pink label in half.  

This is the card just following the directions in the kit.  The card below is just a tad different.

How do like the plaid background?  I used the Brushstrokes Background stamp and stamped it vertical and horizontal to create the plaid.  

I hope these cards give you some inspiration to make your own Paper Pumpkin cards!

Happy Birthday Paper Pumpkin - Alternatives

When I bring the mail in, it's usually promotional flyers, bills, junk mail that goes straight in the recycle bin  .... but once a month, I get a bright red box that makes me smile.  It makes my day!  Paper Pumpkin is a monthly project kit subscription.  Each box is a surprise but it always contains a project that is completely designed, cut, and ready to create.  You also get exclusive photopolymer stamp sets each month and mini ink spots.

Sometimes I make up the Paper Pumpkin projects exactly like they are intended.  But often times I prefer to make alternative projects to share and inspire you.  The February Paper Pumpkin kit has been sitting on my desk over a month now and today I decided to create it.  A friend recently asked me about alternate projects to make with this kit so I hope she enjoys these cards I made today.

For this card I cut apart one of the cards from the kit and made this candle.  It measures about 1 1/2" x 3".  I tied some white yarn around the candle and popped it up on dimensionals.   I adhered the candle flame to the Night of Navy card with glue.  I used one of the kit inserts for the white piece across the card and stamped the sentiment on it.

For the next card, I used another piece that I cut down from the card kit and matted it onto Flirty Flamingo card stock.  I used the Stitched Labels die to cut the oval.  I punched out flowers from Crushed Curry and the gold paper from the candle flames in the kit.

I think this one is my favorite!  I made a spinner card (with 2 pennies) so the Taco Truck (Sale-A-Bration) could move along the card.  It's been a long time since I made a spinner card and had to go to Splitcoast Stampers for a tutorial!

This is the original card from the Paper Pumpkin kit following the instructions given.

When you pull the tab at the bottom, you can see the rest of the message.

This next card is similar to the card above.  I cut down the DSP card and used the Adhesive Strips down the sides and top so the pull down piece slides down to reveal the message.

Most of the cards were CASEd from others I found on Pinterest.  I hope they give you some ideas to make your own alternative projects from the Paper Pumpkin Kit.

Stamp Club January Calendar

I think I should leave a sticky note at the top of my blog saying "sorry - I've been busy."  I have been snowed under (not really snow) and neglected posting to my blog on a regular basis.  I am the photographer for the Newcomers group which means I take pictures all year of events going on and at the end of the year, I put together a memory book for our president.  Well, I've been busy trying to finish up the book.  I finally finished yesterday and sent it to the printer.  Now, hoping it will be back in time to present it at our next meeting but I have my doubts. 

Last week was Stamp Club.  I am doing something a little different this year.  One of the gals from my Club (and my neighbor) gave me a calendar in a shadowbox frame for Christmas.  She bought the frame at Hobby Lobby.  I just love it!

So I decided that each month in Stamp Club, we would do a calendar page.  The gals can use the calendar this year and at the end of the year, they can just add the 2018 months and give it away as a gift to a friend.  This is the page we did this month.  The snowman is not Stampin' Up.  Believe it or not, I do not have a Stampin' Up snowman!!  Everyone had a different background snowflake piece of DSP.  We framed the snowman and calendar with Emerald Envy card stock.

Speaking of calendars, this is one Marianne gave me for Christmas.  It is hard to see in the picture, but she used glitter on the ground beneath the Lovely As A Trees.  It is so sparkly!!

Don't forget about Sale-A-Bration.  If you have been thinking about subscribing to Paper Pumpkin, now is the time.  Not only is the price reduced, but with a 3 month subscription, you will get a FREE item!! 

3-Month Prepaid Subscription (137859) $59 $55 USD/$79 $74 CAD Save on a
3-month prepaid subscription and instantly qualify for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!

12-Month Prepaid Subscription (137861) $215 USD/$295 CAD Take it to the next level with a 12-month prepaid subscription. Save over $2/month with the everyday awesome price, earn Stampin’ Rewards, and get 4 FREE Sale-A-Bration items!

I'll be at Buffalo Wild Wings later today cheering on the Steelers.  If they win today, we are Super Bowl bound!  Unfortunately, our opponent is the New England Patriots.  I am a little nervous!  We are definitely the underdog in this race.

November Paper Pumpkin

Be aware - the November Hostess Code is in the column on the left side of this blog.

 If you are short on time, space, supplies, etc. . . . Paper Pumpkin might be a great solution for you.  The November box is sure to hold something exciting for the holidays!  Now would be the perfect time to try it for yourself.  Sign up by the 10th to get the November box.  Remember, you can skip or cancel anytime AND your satisfaction is guaranteed!  I also think this would be a great Christmas present for a teen on your list.

This past weekend was Stampin' Up's On Stage which is an events program designed to bring together SU demonstrators from all over the world.  At the event, the newest catalog is revealed and well as demonstrators being recognized for their achievements.  It's been described as a little like attending a very big and fun party where you can meet new friends, re-connect with old friends, create Make and Takes, do some card swapping, take home free products and much more.  There is one big live On Stage and several local ones where you watch some of the recorded content from the live On Stage.  Last weekend the live On Stage was held in Brisbane, AU and the closest local event for NC was Atlanta.  I had a lot of friends who attended.  Sadly, I did not - too much traveling for me lately so had to sit this one out.  I hope to attend the next local On Stage in Savannah thought in April!

But, I didn't miss out on all the fun of On Stage.  A lot of demos posted picture on Facebook or on their blogs of the fun they were having.  Last night was my monthly demo meeting with Allison and, what a sweetie!  She brought us the Occasions Catalog which will be revealed Jan. 1!!  Plus we got to see all the swaps that she and the other gals had gotten at the event.

I have a few more birthday cards to share with you today.

My card from Ashley

Sweet card from an NC Demo friend, Jo Anne

Love all the details in this card from Margaret.

This was Ashley's card to her dad.  His birthday was a week after mine.

Paper Pumpkin BOGO

This is the September Paper Pumpkin kit.  It was a great one!  The kit included:

Supplies for 16 treat tubes
• 3 sheets of adhesive banners
• 3 sheets of printed die-cut labels
• 16 plastic food-safe tubes
• 5 yds of linen thread
• 35 adhesive dots

PLUS a photopolymer stamp set that not only has Halloween images but also that cute sunflower image seen in the card below.

The refill kit has already gone on sale so by purchasing it (includes all the above except the stamp set), you would have supplies for 32 treats!
 
For the FIRST time ever, FIRST-time subscribers can buy their FIRST month and get their second month FREE!  This BOGO sale is only available until Oct. 10.  You would pay for the October kit and get the November kit for free.  If you are interested in subscribing, click on Paper Pumpkin at the top of my blog.

Paper Pumpkin BOGO

It's a good time to try out Paper Pumpkin!!!

When you  use promo code “BOGO” at PaperPumpkin.com, you will pay the regular price of $19.95 USD/$26.95 CAD and get the second month for FREE!    If you subscribe with the promo code between now and September 10, you will pay full price for the September kit and get the October kit free. If you subscribe between September 11 and October 10, the first kit will be the October kit and you will get the November kit free.





 
 The Fine Print:

• IMPORTANT: Offer invalid if subscription is suspended or cancelled during the first two months. In other words, subscribers cannot cancel or suspend their subscription during their first two months—if they do, the offer is void.
• After the first two months, the subscription will continue for $19.95 USD/$26.95 CAD + tax per month (shipping included) unless cancelled or suspended. Ends October 10, 2016.
• This offer is open to first-time subscribers only.
• Not valid on prepaid subscriptions.
• Ends October 10, 2016 (the last day to subscribe and get the October kit).

Paper Pumpkin - Manly Occasions

Thursday at 5:00 PM (MT): The flash sale is here! Sign up for Paper Pumpkin now and get your first kit for only $5 USD. Use promo code “ONEDAYDEAL” at PaperPumpkin.com today.




You've seen a lot of my samples from Paper Pumpkin.  I love getting a surprise in my mailbox every month.  I usually make one or two of the projects as the directions call for in the box.  Then I use the stamps and parts of the kit to create "out of the box" cards.   It's amazing what you can come up with when you have all the coordinated pieces.

Last month's kit was Many Manly Occasions.  I think everyone struggles with "manly" cards.  I pulled the April and May Paper Pumpkin boxes out at the May stamp club and let the gals make a card using the pieces in the box.  I wish I had remembered to take pictures as they were all different. Here are a few of the cards that I made from the May Manly Occasions kit.  (A lot of them are CASEd from cards I saw on Pinterest.

This one is pretty simple.  I punched the balloons out from the orange corragated paper that was included in the kit.

I got the idea from Dawn Olchefske.  I cut apart one of the lattice fronts of the card and came up with 3 pieces to use on 3 different cards (this one, the one above w/balloons and the heart punch further down.)  The flowers are punched using the Pansy Punch and the Petite Petals Punch.  "celebrate" is from the new Thoughtful Banners stamp set and Banners Punch (that I borrowed from my sister since my order has not arrived!)

I love the soft pastel colors and this is a great way to show off some of the new In Colors.  I used by Stamping Crimper (had to dig it from the back of the bottom drawer and dust it off!) to crimp a piece of white cardstock.  Then I sponged Flirty Flamingo, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Peekaboo Peach, Bermuda Bay and Pool Party on it.  Next I adhered it to the back of the lattice front.  I punched out 3 balloons and tied white thread around them.  The banner is from the Thoughtful Banners bundle.

This card took a little patience!  I started out with a piece of Elegant Eggplant cut at 4 1/8" x 5 3/8".  Next I cut strips of Dapper Denim and Emerald Envy at 5/8" wide.  I used temporary tape to adhere the Eggplant card stock down so I could position the strips.  Using tweezers or the piercer helps to move the pieces around through the lattice.  When you get them all placed where you want, adhere the piece to the back of the lattice front.  I love the effect!!  'Happy" is a sticker that was Pool Party but I used my Elegant Eggplant marker to color it.

Below is what my mat looked before I glued it down.

This is the third card from cutting the lattice apart.  Pretty simple - the heart is from the Sweetheart Punch and the banner again from the Thoughtful Banners bundle.  I cut off 3" the front black piece and adhered the matted lattice piece to it.  (see picture below)

Hope these ideas inspire you to try Paper Pumpkin at the great price of $5 today!!

What a deal!!

If you have ever thought about checking out Stampin' Up's! Paper Pumpkin monthly kits, do I have a deal for you!  Get ready for a flash sale!  Starting at 7:00 PM (EST) on Thursday, you can get your first Paper Pumpkin kit for only $5!!!  What a deal!  But don't delay in signing up because this deal will only last a day.

This offer is just for new subscribers.  You don't want to miss it!  Go to my online Paper Pumpkin sign up page by clicking in the box marked Paper Pumpkin above.  Use promo code ONEDAYDEAL to get the special one day offer.

This special price applies to one kit for June, 2016.  After the first month, the price for the subscription will return to $19.95.  BUT, keep in mind, you can cancel at any time!  This offer will end on Friday, June 10 at 1:50 AM (EST.)

More alternatives for March Paper Pumpkin

I have been really bad about writing my blog posts on a regular basis.  No excuse!  I have good intentions and even (usually) know what I want to blog about but life gets in my way OR I get just lazy and another day slips away with no posts.  Hope you are not giving up on me though!

I hope you enjoyed my video about the March Paper Pumpkin.  I am anxiously awaiting the April one - it should be here in a few days.  Before I put away my March kit though, I decided to make a few more cards using the pieces in the kit (and I still have more!)

This card uses the single flower stamp, Bloom for You.  I have a suspicion that this stamp will be on the retired list next week along with the "hello friend" stamp from Six Sided Sampler.

For this card, I cut up one of the floral envelopes and used my Wink of Stella on the balloons and Lost Lagoon square piece.  Love the shine!

This one was a fun card to make!  I used the Tree Punch for the party hat and the Balloon Punch for the balloons that are colored with the clear Wink of Stella.  The rest is just lots of layers - crumb cake, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Bermuda Bay and white.

I mentioned above about the retiring list.  Well, on April 18th, Stampin' Up! is going to publish the list of products that will be retiring from the catalog at the end of May.  These products may be from the 2015-16 Annual Catalog and/or from the 2016 Occasions catalog. There will be some products that you know will be on the list - the 2014-15 In Colors and all products related to them; Designer Series Paper (rarely does it carry over); the cute Ronald McDonald House set, Sprinkles of Life (and probably the coordinating punch).  All of these items will go fast so if you have them on your list, you might want to go ahead and order them now.  Please use my Hostess Code when prompted - P2MX7S76.  So check out the list when it is posted on Monday so you can grab your favorite products before they go away.

March Paper Pumpkin Alternatives (video)

I have not made a video in a long time so thought I would attempt one today.  I love the March Paper Pumpkin - the colors (Bermuda Bay, Cucumber Crush and Soft Sky) are wonderful together.  I have made several alternative cards which I share in the video.

Hope you enjoy it!

Video - Alternative Cards for October Paper Pumpkin

I have really enjoyed the October Paper Pumpkin.  I made several alternative cards from the kit and just a few supplies that I had on hand.  Check out my video to see the cards.

Christmas Ideas with Paper Pumpkin Kits

I have been trying to clean up some of the "half done" kits I have in my stamp room before I start any new ones.  I found several Paper Pumpkin kits that I had not finished so I decided to put them together and film a video for you.

One thing I forgot to mention that as a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you can purchase older kits as they are available.  Both of the kits I demo-ed today are still available!!

To see other ideas using these kits, check out HERE.

Paper Pumpkin - August 2015

I decided it was time for another video!  I received my Paper Pumpkin kit last week.  So, I decided to share with you what I did with it.  I followed the instructions for a couple of cards but then decided to switch things up and create a few of my own.  A few of the cards I CASE'd parts of them from other blogs but changing them and making them my own.  I ended up making 6 note cards and 6 full size cards.  The kit only contained the note cards but I was able to stretch the supplies and make a lot more.

You'll have to forgive me in the first part of the video when I was just a tad off camera!  I need to remember to do everything in the center!  Practice makes perfect!

Here are all the cards I made using this kit.  I also made 2 boxes as shown in the video.

These are the full cards

These are the smaller note cards

I highly suggest that you take advantage of the Paper Pumpkin sale that is going on now.  You have to sign up by September 10!  You get the first two months HALF PRICE - $9.95 (plus tax, but shipping is included in the price.)  If you go to the top of my blog, you will see a link to take you to sign up for Paper Pumpkin.  I saw a few of the upcoming kits at convention and they are going to be great!

• Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more!
  • We’ve even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month’s kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month.
  • Let’s say you sign up on May 10th, we’ll send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, we’ll send your first kit around June 15th.
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month (but with the special, it is $9.95 for the first two months) and shipping is included!
• There’s no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.