Bonus Paper Pumpkin Alternative - Pumpkin to Pumpkin

 Because I posted my alternatives early, I wanted to show my subscribers something unique while I was doing my alternatives Zoom call on Monday.  I learned that I'm much better with prepared projects than trying to demo on the fly with a son half dressed and yelling for the iPad and a daughter singing to herself with homework through the wall.  But alas, we made it through, and here is the final project with a few tweaks.

The project started with a Pumpkin Pie treat holder (shown below) as the base.  Several demonstrators and crafters showed how to cut these up to make pumpkin cards but the first one I saw was from Jill Reese so I'm crediting her for the idea and my mom for helping me flush out my idea.  

You could definitely use a stitched oval die to make these pumpkin cards but I chose to just cut one apart on all the score lines, cut off the latch at the top, and smooth out any sharp edges with my scissors.  Then I sponged it in Pumpkin Pie ink for a little extra dimension.

Next I took a 5 1/4 x 4 piece of In Good Taste DSP and layered the five pieces to it with adhesive.  I put the outside ones flush with the bottom of the DSP and moved the others up slightly.  The top one is attached with dimensionals.  Trim the edges that hang off the DSP and layer on a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 Basic White card.

From there, I cut apart the top of a twine piece and removed the wire.  This was the stem.  I took the rest of the wired twine and twirled it for the top and flattened it.  It's attached using the small glue strips from the kit that are the same width as the wire.  Three stamped leaves were added with glue dots and dimensionals. Finally I stamped the pumpkin saying on a label from the kit and tucked it under the front DSP piece.

I hope you enjoy this idea and this kit.  

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin

If you would like to get creativity in the mail, sign up to receive the holiday Peaceful Christmas Paper Pumpkin kit for October.  If you sign up using the link below by October 10th, you will receive a kit featuring 10 cards and envelopes, along with a stamp set, ink spot, and instructions.  First time subscribers also receive a free clear block in their first kit. This is a great way to make something pretty for the holidays that brings you all the joy and none of the stress.  Plus, you can join me and my subscribers for an alternative virtual workshop on the 4th Monday of every month to talk tips and show alternative ideas like the ones above.  

• Sign up HERE to try it out for a month!

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

Supplies:

Layout of the Month - September 2021 - Card #4

Today's card is another featuring my Layout of the Month (LOTM) and our newest Paper Pumpkin kit.  This kit didn't have big pieces of DSP to use for the layout so I chose to feature stamped images and the three different ways you can stamp the leaves instead.

I recommend stamping off the background once before applying it to your projects so you can see the vein detail on each leaf.  But in this project, there are three ways to stamp on the leaves.  

1. Stamp the veins and/or the background on the front of the Soft Succulent leaf diecut.
2. Stamp the veins and leaves on the Basic White side of the leaf diecut.
3. Use the die cut sheet as a stencil to stamp the leaf and background and then cut it out leaving a slight border.

I used the Timeworn Type 3D embossing folder on the Basic White pieces to add a little detail without distracting from the rest of the elements.  I had a piece of a cut up pumpkin left over so I ran it through my Cut and Emboss Machine with the Stitched So Sweetly dies and the smallest scalloped rectangle.  One of the labels included in the kit fits perfectly in the stitched area.  I also added a small piece of Crumb Cake twine from our Baker's Twine Essential Pack to finish off the leaf cluster.

For more information about this layout, visit THIS POST.

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin

If you would like to get creativity in the mail, sign up to receive the holiday Peaceful Christmas Paper Pumpkin kit for October.  If you sign up using the link below by October 10th, you will receive a kit featuring 10 cards and envelopes, along with a stamp set, ink spot, and instructions.  First time subscribers also receive a free clear block in their first kit. This is a great way to make something pretty for the holidays that brings you all the joy and none of the stress.  Plus, you can join me and my subscribers for an alternative virtual workshop on the 4th Monday of every month to talk tips and show alternative ideas like the ones above.  

• Sign up HERE to try it out for a month!

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

Paper Pumpkin Alternatives - September 2021

I'm pretty conflicted when it comes to treat boxes and Paper Pumpkin.  I think any project that lets me take time to myself to create and that I don't have to design is truly time well spent.  However, especially with covid-19, it's hard to figure out what to do with the treat boxes.  We can't really give them to schools, trick-or-treaters, or co-workers since we still aren't in the office (well, unless you are me and your home is your office!)

These boxes are adorable.  They are a good size for a candy surprise and I love that they are themed to work for September (apples), October (Jack-o-lanterns), and November (gourds).  

The bonus project to convert the box into a wagon is a great holder for a few of these at a time to keep out for the next few months.  Here are a few tips:

• If you have a hard time cutting the pieces, don't sweat it. Just grab a sanding tool and sand down any rough cut edges that won't be covered with the sticker tape.  
• As for the treat holders inside, they are a little difficult to assemble and keep the holders shut - just try to remember to stack the enclosures so they form a circle.  
• You can twirl the crumb cake wire around a pencil to give it a nice swirl.  

The Haunts & Harvest kit came with a stamp set, a Soft Succulent ink spot, supplies to make 12 treat holder - two of each pattern since they are double-sided - and the pieces for the wagon décor.  

I always tell my subscribers to make sure they have notecards and envelopes on hand so that when we have kits like this come through, they can take the cute and on-trend images and convert them to cards.  This one took a bit more creativity but thanks to a wonderful stamp set, here are some alternatives that I really enjoyed making.  I hope you enjoy them too.

Card 1: Cut out a square around one of the leaves from the die cut sheet.  Lay on a notecard and stamp the leaf veins on the inside.  Stamp a sentiment below.  Put the Soft Succulent leaf frame on the card with dimensionals.

Card 2: Cut apart a treat box on the score lines.  Cut three of the sides to 3 x 7/8 (or so - just trying to make them close to rectangles.  Layer on a notecard with adhesive.  Stamp the saying on the label with the circle opening to the right.  Attach with adhesive.  Stamp the leaf veins and add to the card with dimensionals.

Card 3: Use the hexagon and the small flap from the holder that was cut apart for card 2.  Stamp the brushstroke on the lower right of the notecard using the Soft Succulent.  Cut 1" off one of the brown wire pieces and pull out the wire.  Attach to the back of the hexagon with adhesive.  Attach the hexagon to the card with dimensionals.  Add the flap to the card with adhesive and a small dimensional.  Stamp Thank You on a label and cut off the ends.  Attach to the card with dimensionals.  Add two Pale Papaya Genial Gems if desired.

This is card was inspired by my good friend and fellow demonstrator, Paula Wright.  Paula always makes the most beautiful wreaths and I found myself making one as I thought about our friendship.  She is such a blessing and I wouldn't have met her if I hadn't joined Stampin' Up! seventeen years ago!

Card 4: Cut a piece of the tissue paper to 5 1/4 x 4. Crumple it up.  Add a layer of multi-purpose glue to the front of a Basic White 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 card.  Attach the tissue paper. Stamp the saying on a banner with the circle to the left. Stamp the veins on two green leaves and two white leaves (the back of the green leaves).  Stamp off the leaf background and stamp over the white leaves.  Stamp two leaf backgrounds on a scrap of cut apart pumpkin (from card 2) and cut out with scissors.  Layer on the back of two more white leaves with adhesive.  

To make the wreath, make a circle out of one of the brown wire pieces and twist the ends.  Then turn over and put a layer of glue around the whole circle.  Start by adding your label.  Then slide the leaves on them in a pattern.  To make the bow, take the wire out of the piece we used for card 3.  Cut it in half lengthwise.  Tie in a bow and trim the edges.  Once assembled, turn over and add dimensionals to the back to attach to the card.

These next two projects use the sheet with the die cut leaves.

Bookmark: Cut the strip of leaves down to around 1 5/8 x 6 7/8.  Cut a 1 7/8 x 8 1/2 piece of Basic White and put it through the Delightful Tag Topper Punch.  Stamp the saying of your choice on the top and thread ribbon through the hole.  I used the 1/4 White Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon.  Stamp the veins first in the holes of the leaves.  Then stamp off the solid image once and stamp over the veins.  Repeat until done!

Card 5: Run a 3 1/2 x 4 3/4 piece of Soft Succulent cardstock through the Cut and Emboss Machine using the Timeworn Type 3D Embossing Folder.  Attach to the 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 Basic White card base.  Cut out a three leaf piece from the die cut sheet - it should measure around 1 5/8 x 5 1/8. Using one of the treat pieces cut for Card 2, cut a side down to fit behind the middle leaf and attach with adhesive. Layer leaf strip on a piece of Basic White with a slight border.  Stamp the veins full force in all three leaves.  Stamp off the background stamp once and then stamp on the top and bottom leaves.  Stamp the sentiment on a banner and cut off both ends.  Add a small piece of Crumb Cake under the sentiment using adhesive.  Layer on the strip using adhesive.  Wrap the 1/4 Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon (or ribbon of choice) around a 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of Crumb Cake cardstock.  Tie in a bow and trim the ends.  Add your leaf strip to the Crumb Cake with dimensionals. Attach Crumb Cake to the card with adhesive.

Come back on Monday when I will post one more card from this Paper Pumpkin kit using my Layout of the Month.

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin

If you would like to get creativity in the mail, sign up to receive the holiday Peaceful Christmas Paper Pumpkin kit for October.  If you sign up using the link below by October 10th, you will receive a kit featuring 10 cards and envelopes, along with a stamp set, ink spot, and instructions.  First time subscribers also receive a free clear block in their first kit. This is a great way to make something pretty for the holidays that brings you all the joy and none of the stress.  Plus, you can join me and my subscribers for an alternative virtual workshop on the 4th Monday of every month to talk tips and show alternative ideas like the ones above.  

• Sign up HERE to try it out for a month!

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

Layout of the Monday - September 2021 - Card #3

It's Monday again and week three brings another card featuring this month's layout and some fun and versatile products!  

As Sale-a-Bration (SAB) continues through September 30th, both of today's projects feature SAB product that you can earn for free with a $50 purchase. These cards feature the Penguin Playmates DSP (#158420) which coordinates with the Penguin Place Bundle in the July-December Mini Catalog.  

This first card utilizes the Penguin Place Bundle (#156789, $31.50).

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Fresh Freesia, Basic White, Misty Moonlight, Just Jade, Penguin Playmates DSP
• Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Stamp Set: Penguin Place Bundle
• Tools & More: Just Jade Blends, Genial Gems, Cut & Emboss Machine, Hippo & Friends Dies, Adhesive, Dimensionals

As I played around with these products, I realized this paper works great for gender neutral baby cards.  So I paired it with the All for Baby Bundle (#158360, $38.50) and the results were just like I hoped!  Isn't it cute?

Supplies:

• Cardstock: Fresh Freesia, Basic White, Just Jade, Penguin Playmates DSP
• Ink: Fresh Freesia, Just Jade
• Stamp Set: All for Baby Bundle
• Tools & More: Just Jade Blends, Genial Gems, Cut & Emboss Machine, Stitched So Sweetly Dies, Fresh Freesia Open Weave Ribbon, Scissors, Adhesive, Dimensionals

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

Merriest Memories of Gingerbread

This season's theme for me is "work smarter, not harder" based on the Backstage@Home conference I attended in August.  One of the ways that I am applying that to my life in general is by finding ways to cut back on the stresses that come with the holidays.  While making a Shutterfly card is fun and easy, it's usually something that still stresses me out to create.  And then it comes, and it's a little matte and a lot of flat.  So this year, I needed to find a card that I could make that would hold a printed photo and newsletter while also letting me take the time to create each and every one.

To some people, that sounds horrible and like a big time commitment.  But if you are reading my blog post, you are one of those people that likes taking the time to create a special card for whatever the occasion.  The key is to find a design that is easy to replicate with what you have on hand and to START EARLY!  No waiting until November to try to knock these out.

So, the easiest way to create layers of fun that still mail is to combine our dies and punches with our DSP and stamp sets.  The Merriest Moments Bundle is a great tool to help with that since it has stamps, dies, and a hybrid embossing folder that combines them all together.

But, before I stumbled onto that amazing bundle, I had intended to use the Gingerbread and Peppermint Suite in the JD mini catalog (pg 8).  I loved the idea of our Gingerbread & Peppermint Memories and More Cards & Envelopes for our family photo card.  My plan was to cut out the shapes from the DSP with the Gingerbread Dies and just create while drinking a gingerbread latte.  So I bought a lot of stuff to do those.

Here is where the worlds collide.  Using the Gingerbread DSP and the Merriest Moments bundle, I was able to design a fun card front that will mail easy and screams holiday.  

And, to keep the photo card idea, I turned the card inside out so when you open it, you will see the photo and and then I will add my newsletter.  I'm so excited with how this turned out and how much fun these will be to mass create!

Sometimes the most fun cards are the ones that happen when you just let yourself play with your supplies. 

Supplies: 

• Stamps: Merriest Moments
• Cardstock: Cinnamon Cider, Basic White, Gingerbread and Peppermint 6x6 DSP
• Ink: Cinnamon Cider
• Tools & More: Cut & Emboss Machine, Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing Folder, Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Dimensionals, Adhesive

Instructions:

• Put a 4 x 6 piece of Cinnamon Cider Cardstock through your cut and emboss machine using the largest die in the set.  
• Put a 4 x 6 piece of Basic White in the embossing folder with the large die also in there and run through the Cut & Emboss Machine with the indicated sandwich.  
• Run the white piece through the cut and emboss machine again using the large intricate die.
• Attach a 1 1/4 x 6 strip of the Gingerbread & Peppermint DSP to the card with adhesive. 
• Layer the white die cut image on the cider cardstock using adhesive and add to the card.
• Cut out the rectangle of coordinating or matching DSP using the stitched die.
• Stamp your saying in Cinnamon Cider ink on a 1 3/4 x 2 1/2 piece of Basic White.
• Add saying to the DSP with adhesive and then add to the card with dimensionals.
• Add red rhinestones as desired. 

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

Merriest Moments for 2021

It's been a while since I felt I had time to make Christmas cards with as many as I send out.  I've used Shutterfly for the past few years because the new house and then covid lent themselves to a photo based card.  But while the kids are back in school and I'm able to have a little more time to myself to make pretty things, I am 100% thinking about Christmas.

So here are a few more samples featuring the Merriest Moments bundle (JD Mini pg 43, #156783, $54.00).  This bundle helps you create beautiful cards with very little effort.  I can't wait to make a bunch of these for my cards this year.

This first card also features the Sale-a-Bration Peaceful Prints DSP (156628) which you can earn by purchasing the bundle.  I love that it has the Crumb Cake pattern that gives just enough visual interest to work against the embossed background image.

Supplies:

• Stamp Set: Merriest Moments
• Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic White, Peaceful Prints DSP
• Ink: Crumb Cake
• Tools & More:  Cut & Emboss Machine, Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Adhesive

This second card features two of our new In Colors - Evening Evergreen and Soft Succulent.  I love traditional colors for Christmas cards and these work great with the Real Red saying and poinsettia.  

And have I told you how great the sentiments are for this bundle???

Supplies: 

• Stamps: Merriest Moments
• Cardstock: Evening Evergreen, Basic White
• Ink: Evening Evergreen, Soft Succulent, Real Red
• Tools & More: Cut & Emboss Machine, Merriest Frames Hybrid Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Adhesive

Tune in tomorrow when I show one more creative way to combine this bundle with another suite in the catalog and share some tips on how to use the bundle effectively!

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

Layout of the Month - September 2021 - Card #2

 It's been a week so I have another sample to share with you using my September layout of the month (LOTM).  

Today's sample features more Sale-a-Bration products, available for free when you purchase $50 worth of creativity tools by September 30th!  Stamps, inks, paper, Paper Pumpkin, or actual tools!  

This card features the Sale-a-Bration Peaceful Prints DSP (156628) which you can earn by purchasing the Merriest Moments bundle that I used in my sample (JD Mini pg 43, #156783, $54.00).

For details on this month's layout, visit this POST.

Come back tomorrow to see two more samples using this DSP and bundle combination.  

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy

Layout of the Month - September 2021

I attended a great conference in August with Stampin' Up! called Backstage@Home which was aimed at leaders to help with their team and personal development.  Work/life balance has been something I've struggled with from my time at a big tech firm and at home with kids during pandemics so I really appreciated hearing from professionals and peers on ways to better manage my experience.  At the end of the day, the key to balance appears to be putting down perfectionism, saying 80% is 100% enough, and finding ways to work smarter, not harder.

So in consulting with my creative mentor (aka my mom), I am launching the Layout of the Month experience.  This program will feature a layout idea that will be used for my virtual Mystery Monday class each month.  Each Monday, I will post another sample of the same layout using different products.  I'll even work Paper Pumpkin into the mix with my virtual Paper Pumpkin Alternatives class the 4th Monday of the month.  

This program allows me to show you new and exciting products with easy layouts that will work for every occasion!

Because it's launching with Mystery Monday, I will also be including the awesome samples from my customers that they designed in our virtual class which may be laid out differently from mine but with the same cuts.  So let's get started!

Supplies

Stamps:

• A sentiment of your choice
• An image you can stamp and then die cut, punch, or cut out

Cardstock: Can use 1 color for all cuts below or up to three coordinating colors: 

• Card base - 8 1/2 x 5 1/2
• Cardstock - 5 1/4 x 4
• Cardstock - 2 pieces at 2 x 1 3/4
• Neutral Cardstock for stamping sentiment and image

Designer Series Paper:

• 2 pieces (different or same patterns) at 1 3/4 x 2 ¾
• 1 piece at 3 x 1/2

Tools & Accessories:

• Something to punch or die cut out the sentiment
• Something to punch or die cut out the stamped image
• A small piece of ribbon (optional)
• Embellishment of your choice
• Adhesive
• Dimensionals
• Scissors
• Inks

Instructions

1. Attach the two small rectangles of DSP and cardstock to the 5 ¼ x 4 piece of cardstock with adhesive.
2. Attach to this cardstock to the card front using adhesive.
3. Attach the 3 x ½ DSP to the cardfront with adhesive.  NOTE: You can make a banner end on it or shorten it if needed.
4. Stamp your sentiment in the ink of your choice.
5. Cut out that sentiment using a punch, die, or scissors.
6. Attach your small piece of ribbon if desired.
7. Attach to the card with adhesive.
8. Stamp the focal image for your card in the ink or inks of your choice.
9. Cut out that image using a punch, die, or scissors.
10. Attach to the card with dimensionals.
11. Add your embellishments.

Samples

Here is the sample that I received from fellow demonstrator Angie Pegram that inspired this month's layout.  It spoke to me because of how it featured coordinating DSP, stamps, and dies.

Here is my sample featuring the Beautifully Penned DSP from the Sale-a-Bration brochure.  This paper lends itself beautifully to any color coordination.  This sample also features the In Your Words Sale-a-Bration set that customers can earn for free with a $300 party/order.

My samples this month will all feature Sale-a-Bration products that you can earn by spending $50 by September 30th.  

Here are other samples using these same cuts courtesy of my Mystery Monday crafting friends. Products on these samples may not be offered in my online store as customers use their own stash to create their cards.  

Ann's Card

Cheryl's Card

Cris's Card

Diane's Card

Heidi's Card

Kathy's Card

I hope you enjoyed today's projects and come back next Monday to see a layout featuring the Peaceful Prints SAB Paper.

Sale-a-Bration Promotion

If you are interested in earning free and exclusive stamp sets and papers, just place a $50 order by September 30th!  Browse the offerings via my Online Store!

Order Online

From 9/1-9/29, please use hostess code X9GMTMZQ if placing an order under $150.  When ordering, please make sure that my name is showing at the upper left in the online store.  

• Visit my Online Store here! 

Have a craftastic day,

Stacy