Paper Pumpkin -- Banner Surprise!

 Last Friday was Paper Pumpkin Power Hour!  Everyone who came decided to work on this month's Paper Pumpkin Kit, which is called Banner Surprise.  The kit comes with supplies to create cards with shaker-banners attached to them.  I especially love the colors of the fun sequins and the Washi Tape (gold and Peekaboo Peach)!

I started by creating a couple of the banners to attach to cards.  Here's how one of the pieces looks from the front:

And, the same piece from the back.  If you look closely you can see a glue dot back there, holding the circle in place so the letter won't go spinning around (a tip I found on Pinterest here).

Here's my finished "happy" banner:

With apologies for the super-grainy photo, here's the banner I created for my friend Marlene:

And, here's the outside of one of the cards I stamped before I attached the banner:

I had great fun stamping the inside as well!  Can you tell I'm enjoying the stamps that came with this kit?

And, here's one of the cards finished:

 
For this one, I used mini gold clothespins to hold all the banner pieces together and then tied them to the card.

Here's the other card, which I did following the kit's directions:

Half of the banner ends up on front of the card, and the other half ends up on the back:

A close up to show off the pretty sequins:

I also stamped up the envelopes:

And, used more the pretty washi tape to close it:

I'm looking forward to finishing up more cards from this kit and trying out some of the alternate ideas I've seen on Pinterest.  If you'd like to check out my Pinterest board with alternates, you can see that by clicking here.

While supplies last, Paper Pumpkin subscribers can get refills for this kit here.

Not a subscriber yet?  If you would like to learn more or sign up, be sure to click here to go to my Paper Pumpkin website!  


Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

- Michelle

More Detailed Floral Thinlets Ideas . . .

Hi!  Back today with more cards made with the Detailed Floral Thinlets (also available in a bundle and save 10% with the Floral Phrases Stamp Set).  The first one might look a little familiar:

If so, that's because it is made using the same ingredients as my original make and take for Saturday's Jewelry and Stamping party, which you can see here.  The greeting on this card is from Blooms and Wishes, and the little flowers are from Cottage Greetings.

Here's another version, which also uses a Sweet Sugarplum die cut, the Blooms and Bliss Designer Paper, and greeting from Cottage Greetings:

The little flowers are "leftovers" from the pieces punched out during die cutting.  The card base is Blushing Bride, and the stamped border on Whisper White is from the Floral Phrases set.

While I was designing the make and takes, I did a lot of experimenting with the Detailed Floral Thinlets.  For this one, I die cut Sweet Sugarplum with both of the detailed dies, and layered that piece onto Gold Foil, then added some Gold Satin Ribbon, a piece of Whisper White die cut with the new Layering Circles, some Gold Foil pieces die cut with the Flourish Thinlets.  The flowers on the Whisper White piece are stamped in Sweet Sugarplum and Rich Razzleberry, and are from the Blooms and Wishes stamp set:

The next card is a gate fold, inspired by the card at the bottom of page 76 in the Catalog:

I used the Floral Phrases stamp set on the inside:

And this version actually resulted from an oops!  When I was trying to make the card above, I goofed my measurements and made an equal gate fold card.  Rather than toss it, I decided to go ahead and die cut the gate pieces -- did both with the larger of the two detailed dies, then added layers of Sweet Sugarplum behind:

The center piece is die cut using the Lots of Labels Framelits dies with Shimmery White and Rich Razzleberry Card Stock.  The flowers and greeting stamps are from the Blooms and Wishes stamp set.

Here's the inside, which is stamped with images from Blooms and Wishes and Floral Phrases in Sweet Sugarplum, Peekaboo Peach, and Old Olive:

Don't you love how versatile these dies are?!!

Thanks so much for visiting!

- Michelle

Stamping and Jewelry Party Bonus Make and Take Samples and Gifts

Whew!!!  It was a busy weekend of stamping and activities, and then, yesterday, what was supposed to be a routine check up for Isabella the cat turned into a lot bigger deal -- long story short, the vet coming into the exam room and trying to start an exam triggered the biggest fight response we've ever seen in Izzy (which those of you who've met her know is really saying something!), and she ended up having to have some serious sedation to get her routine care done.  Then, when Izzy came home, she was a complete mess for longer than expected.  Fortunately, doing better today, which means I have some time to get things done!  Including posting photos from this weekend's stamping fun!  

I thought I'd start with the bonus make and take samples I prepared.  Like the original make and take, these cards use the Detailed Floral Thinlits.  However, I stepped it up by using both of the detailed die pieces -- either with flat sides matching the edges of the Dapper Denim layer, or with flat sides of the die to the center.  The layer underneath the die cut piece and the layer with the greeting are pieces from the Serene Scenery Designer Series.  The other fun addition on these cards is the silver embellishment -- created using the new Flourish Thinlits to die cut a piece of Silver Foil -- thought since we were having fun dressing up with jewelry, our cards should get to do that, too!  We also added some Rhinestone Jewels to "bling" up our cards:

That's a little bit of Dapper Denim Ruched Ribbon you can see poking out from under the greeting strip -- isn't it pretty?!  The greetings on these cards are from the Cottage Greetings stamp set.

I also created some more note totes for a hostess gift and a door prize, using some beautiful new designer paper.  The first is made using the gorgeous Blooms and Bliss Designer Series Paper (which is the same package we used for the layers under our Sweet Sugarplum Make and Take):

Flowers on the totes and cards were created with the Pansy Punch, and I stamped flower centers using the Blooms and Wishes Stamp Set.  

For the other set, I used a design from the awesome Affectionately Yours Designer Series Paper:

Also, had to share this fun photo of my friends creating their make and takes, while dressed up in and trying out some beautiful new jewelry pieces:

Thanks so much to Cori and everyone who came for a sparkly, laughter-filled, creative afternoon!!!  Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!!!

Still have a few more photos to share with you from this party, and from Friday's Paper Pumpkin Power Hour.  So, stay tuned!!

Thanks for visiting!

- Michelle

Sweet Sugarplum Blooms and Flourishes

Hi everyone!  Popping in with a quick post to show you the card I designed as a make and take for tomorrow's Stamping and Jewelry party.  

  

Fairly clean and simple, but I liked this because there are some fun options with the pieces for this card . . . although I made this one with the strips of the Blooms & Bliss Designer Paper directly underneath my Detailed Floral Thinlits die cut Sweet Sugarplum piece, you could easily change up the card putting the die cut piece directly onto the Whisper White card base and then having the designer paper strips adhered under the Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper strip instead (occurs to me as I write this that a picture is worth a 1000 words, so will have to make that card and post it here, too, to show you!)  The bow is the Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon (currently on backorder!!!  Love it, so totally get how that happened!  ;)  Hopefully, it'll be back in stock soon!  Luckily, there are still other colors available in the meantime!)

The "for you" is from Blooms & Wishes, and is stamped in Sweet Sugarplum.

I have been having great fun creating with the Detailed Floral die cuts and coordinating Floral Phrases stamp set (available together in a bundle and save 10%), so will have more cards to show you soon!  Stay tuned!!

Thanks for visiting!

- Michelle

Foxy Friends and Butterflies . . .

I spent my mornings last week teaching Vacation Bible School to an adorable class of four year olds.  Our theme for the week was Camp Promised Land, and our class was the Butterflies.  To share the photos I took during the week with our students' families, I used my Envelope Punch Board and created envelopes, using some retired designer papers from my stash.  Part of me wished I'd gone ahead and bought the Always an Adventure bundle, since it would have been perfect with our camping theme!  However, I did have the new Foxy Friends bundle on hand, and decided to combine that with some butterflies created with the Papillon Potpourri set and coordinating punches, to decorate the envelopes.  Here's the pile of finished envelopes (21!! -- one for each student, one for my co-teacher, and one for each of our youth counselors) on my desk, waiting to be stuffed with photos:

I also used the new Layering Circle Framelits and Duet Banner Punch.  Here's a closer view of one of the envelopes:

I also created some thank you cards for our youth counselors, and decided to use Foxy Friends for that, plus the coordinating Perfect Pines Framelits:

The little butterflies were created by cutting pieces out of an orange soda can with some retired butterfly embosslits.

I hope these made the recipients smile!  And, you, too!  Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

- Michelle

Sweet Sugarplum Birthday Wishes

Hi, everyone!  Well, school is out here, and the boys and I have been having a busy, but good week at our church's Vacation Bible School, which is why I've been a bit quiet!  All set for tomorrow now, though, so thought I'd pop in and share another of the cards I created to show off new In Colors at my new catalog open house.

This card uses Sweet Sugarplum card stock for the card base, the gorgeous new Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon, and then an ombre-ish cake, made with stamps from the Build a Birthday set, and which has Sweet Sugarplum in the middle layer (with stripes):

The cake pedestal is Elegant Eggplant, the bottom layer of the cake is stamped in Rich Razzleberry, topped with a Sweet Sugarplum layer, and then with Flirty Flamingo on top.  The banners on top of the cake are stamped in Rich Razzleberry.  I also added some dots on the background on the right side in the different colors, with the dotted stamp from the Perfectly Wrapped stamp set.  The little flower on the cake is a piece of Sweet Sugarplum, die cut with the shape from the Swirly Scribbles Framelits.  I added an Iced Rhinestone Embellishment (retired) in the flower's center, and a strip of Rhinestone Basic Jewels along the bottom of the cake.

Hope you like this!  By the way, if you haven't checked it out yet, you can see my new ribbon and embellishment shares by clicking here -- these are a great way to get a sampling of new products!!!

Thanks for visiting my blog!

- Michelle

In Color Rainbow Card

Happy Friday!  Here's a card I created for the new Catalog Open House as a fun way to show off the new 2016-18 In Colors together:

The card base is Flirty Flamingo, and for the stamped layer, I used Whisper White card stock.  The greeting and rainbow stripes come from the Work of Art Stamp Set.  The butterflies are from the Garden in Bloom stamp set.

So, I have a poll for you:

Which of the new In Colors is Your Favorite?

Flirty Flamingo Peekaboo Peach Emerald Envy

Dapper Denim Sweet Sugarplum

Poll Maker

I'll leave the poll open over the next week, and then announce the results next Friday, and make a card with the color that receives the most votes!

Thanks for visiting!

- Michelle

Paper Pumpkin Only $5 for New Subscribers!

The flash sale is here! New subscribers can sign up for Paper Pumpkin now and get your first kit for only $5 USD. Use promo code “ONEDAYDEAL” at PaperPumpkin.com today.  Hurry -- deal ends June 10 at 10:50pm (PT)!

Many Manly Greetings Paper Pumpkin -- and New Subscriber Special!

Hi, everyone!!!  Hope you are having a great day!  Today was the last day of school for my kiddos!  Can't believe another school year is done, and now I will have a 5th grader and an 8th grader!  They are growing up too fast!

There's exciting news in the Paper Pumpkin world for those of you who haven't tried these monthly kits yet!  Stampin' Up! is having a Paper Pumpkin Flash Sale for new subscribers!  Starting at 4:00 PM (Pacific Time) on Thursday, you can get your first Paper Pumpkin kit for only $5 (be sure to click here to go to my Paper Pumpkin website, and enter the code ONEDAYDEAL when you sign up)!   You won't want to  miss this one!  Makes me wish I could be a new subscriber again, too!  Then again, I wouldn't want to have missed out on any of the past Paper Pumpkin goodness!!!

Speaking of which, here are the cards I've made (so far) with the May kit, also known as the "Many Manly Greetings" kit:

With these first cards, I didn't stray far from the kit's instructions and samples.  I'd already made my cards for Father's Day, so made all of these birthday cards -- can never have too many of those, right?!  

You may also have noticed that I had fun dressing up the insides of my cards and envelopes with the stamp set that came with the kit!  Definitely one I'll be using again on other projects!

Inspired by Pinterest, I also created this alternate card with pieces from my kit, plus a piece of the now-retired Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper, and some flowers die cut with the Botanical Builder Framelits:

I still have some more pieces left to create with, and I've seen lots of great ideas for this kit over on Pinterest!  You can check those out on my board for this kit.

While supplies last, Paper Pumpkin subscribers can get refills for this kit here.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

- Michelle