What Is Paper Pumpkin?

Do you want to make amazing projects without all the prep work? Meet Paper Pumpkin—Stampin’ Up!’s crafty subscription program.  Paper Pumpkin is a monthly subscription box filled with all the supplies you need to make several cards and/or projects. Each month's kit is uniquely different, but each come with prepared, ready to assemble items to make several cards (including envelopes) or other small papercrafting projects.  Also included is an instruction sheet and a link to an online instructional video. Make the cards as is or let your creativity flow.  Each kit also comes with a reusable ink spot and a specially designed stamp set unique to that month's theme. These reusable items are an excellent way to begin to build your own crafty stash.

My Paper Pumpkin kit for March just arrived. Watch the unboxing video from Stampin' Up! to see just what is in this month's box. With this box, we also got a special add on bonus - a set of four stencils and and a stamping sponge.

Of course, I couldn't wait to check it out. I usually begin by making one of each design. This month I will be able to make 8 cards with the contents of the box if I use them just as is. Because these kits are complete with all the materials needed, Paper Pumpkin is an easy way to take some crafty goodness with you camping, on vacation, or to a friend's house, etc.  Here are my samples. 

I will use the rest of the materials in the kit to come up with my own designs. I may add some extras from my own crafty stash or from leftover previous Paper Pumpkin kits. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you just may see some pictures in the near future.

The next box comes out April 10. Here's a preview of what's coming in April. This "So Cool" Paper Pumpkin Kit is a little taste of summer fun, with enough supplies to make 12 colorful, shaped cards with coordinating envelopes. The kit also includes two full-size, matching sticker sheets, die-cut accents, fun embellishments, and more. This one is designed with kids in mind and will be great for adult/child interaction.

Sign up by April 10th and start your subscription now. Go to https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2234261 for more information and to sign up.

The Butterfly Bouquet Collection

If you love butterflies, and who doesn't, you will quickly fall in love with this set of stamp and dies from Stampin' Up! As an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, one of the things I enjoy is the opportunity to see new releases of their products. Right now Stampin' Up! is offering an early release of a collection that will be continue to be available in their new annual catalog, which debuts May 3. Just look at the beautiful stamps and dies in this new collection.  

The butterfly stamp is one large stamp that allows you to stamp all six butterflies at once. You can also then cut all six with the large die. There are six individual detailed dies that you can use to cut additional images in vellum or cardstock to add detail and dimension to the butterflies. By buying both as a bundle you save 10 %. 

But wait, there's more! As a special introductory offer, there are also two sets of designer paper. When the annual catalog debuts in May, the stamps and dies will be still available. However, the papers are a special release and are only available until then or as long as supplies last. One is a set of  48 6x6" double sided printed paper (8 each of 6 designs) and the second is two sheets of 12x12 exclusive woodgrain textured specialty paper.

One of the things I have enjoyed is making these beautiful fun fold cards. Both fit into a standard A2 envelope for easy mailing.

This is a landscape z-fold card. To make this card, I used SU's daffodil delight cardstock cut at 4 1/4 x 11" and scored at 2 3/4 and 5 1/2 ". The card was folded as a mountain fold at the 2 1/8" and a valley fold at the 5 1/2" thus creating a z. I cut my designer paper at 4 x 5 1/4" for the inside and 4 x 2 1/2" for the front flap. I used the largest scalloped die from SU's "Stitched So Sweetly" dies (#151690) to cut both the yellow flap and the white inset piece. The layered piece on the flap was cut with the second largest die from the same set. One of the pieces of the paper pack is made to perfectly match the large butterfly die to cut all six of these beautiful butterflies.  The butterfly I used was cut from that paper and then layered with a vellum butterfly cut with the matching detailed die.

This second card is portrait style z-fold card. For this card I used Bermuda bay card stock, cut at 5 1/2 x 8 1/2" and scored at 2 1/8" and 4 1/4". The dsp was cut at 4 x 5 1/4" for the inside and 2 x 5 1/4" for the front. I used a retired set of dies to cut my flap and inside piece. Even though I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I have many stamps that I have purchased over the years. The sentiment I used for both of these cards was from one of those. In both of these cards I left the inside blank, but you could certainly use whatever sentiments you like to create a card of your own.

The butterfly stamps and dies  as well as the papers can be purchased through my Stampin' Up! website (link on the right). If you love to stamp and do not have a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I would love to be yours.