Nutz about Stamping

How to make Christmas easy with Paper Pumpkin!

The holiday season will be here before we know it. And along with putting up the Christmas tree and spending snowy nights by the fire, many of you will be looking forward to opening your holiday Paper Pumpkin kit. Christmastime papercrafting with Paper Pumpkin has become an annual tradition!

So to deliver more of what you love this holiday season, in October and November we are offering back-to-back coordinating kits, one with Christmas cards, the other with Christmas tags. Both kits make it easy for you to add a handmade, personal touch to your holiday giving—without a lot of fuss. It’s Christmas made easy with Paper Pumpkin!

There’s something about the holidays that brings out the crafter in all of us. Even non-crafters like making simple and fun projects to celebrate the season. And since “simple and fun” is Paper Pumpkin’s middle name, you have the perfect gift idea for your non-crafty friends!

About the Holiday Kits

October Kit

Kit details: Makes 10 cards and envelopes

Card size: 4 1/4" x 5-1/2" (10.8 x 14 cm)

Envelope size: 4-1/2" x 5-3/4" (11.4 x 14.6 cm)

Coordinating colors: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Shaded Spruce

 

November Kit

Kit details: Makes 24 holiday-themed gift tags of 4 various sizes and designs.

Coordinating colors: Early Espresso, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, and Shaded Spruce

 

The October and November kits coordinate; however, each kit is all-inclusive and can stand alone.

When you think of fall what comes to mind?

When you think of fall, what stamp sets come to mind? 

For me, this is a no-brainer. I immediately think of the Colorful Seasons stamp set and matching Seasonal Layers dies!

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

Seasonal Layers Dies
$33.00

 

It's kind of funny but when these two first came out and were offered as a bundle I wasn't really taken with them. But as I am Canadian by birth, I bought the bundle because of the maple leaf. (dedication huh)

And even thought it was not my favorite, I kept using it over and over and over - for all sorts of occasions. One of my customers even used this set for her wedding invitations! 

Now I am turning to it once again for today's card map challenge. I started, as I often do, with my paper choice. Introducing the brand new Come To Gather designer series paper, featured on page 48 of the Holiday Catalog:

Come To Gather Designer Series Paper
$11.50

 

I wish you could see this paper up close - the colors and patterns are really fun and colorful! When I saw the paper design with the leaves I just knew it would be a perfect match for my card:

 

Now it's your turn: try this card map challenge and see what fall design you can create with the supplies you have on hand. 

If you want to see what the other design crew members created for this week's challenge, click here. 

You need to see the Night Before Christmas suite!

The Holiday Catalog has been live for under a week so it's time to turn those pages and start noticing things! As you explore, here's a wish list so you can pencil in your favorites as you go. 

Click on the photo above to download a full page list!

So, where shall we begin? How about with a product suite? What is a product suite you ask? Great question! It is like a complete bundle of coordinating products that you can purchase in all together OR as separate products too.

You will design your cards, tags, scrapbook pages (etc) all on your own. Think of the suite as a one-stop shop. As a grouping of products that Stampin' Up! has selected for you, for hours of crafting fun. 

So now that you have your catalog, turn to page 24. Introducing the Night Before Christmas product medley (order #153470)! Also available in French and German. 

Night Before Christmas Suite Bundle (En)
$90.50

 

The Night Before Christmas Suite bundle gives you a coordinating selection of products with one simple purchase. It includes the stamp set and tool bundle at 10% off plus one each of the other items listed. Also available in French and German.

The Night Before Christmas Suite Bundle includes
* Holly Jolly Christmas Cling Stamp Set (10% off)
* Jolly Season Dies (10% off)
* Night Before Christmas Memories & More Card Pack
* Night Before Christmas Memories & More Cards & Envelopes
* Night Before Christmas 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper
* Cherry Cobbler 3/8" (1 cm) Diagonal Stripe Ribbon

Add ink, cardstock, and adhesive to complete your project.

My friend Santa, is here to show you more! 

 

See how to get card inspiration from our catalogs

In today's video I am going to show you that our catalogs are also idea books! I got my inspiration using a Come to Gather card I spotted on page 46 of the Holiday Catalog. 

I often get inspiration for my design starting points from our fabulous catalogs, and I hope that you realize they are idea books as well as catalogs. 

So when I spotted this card idea I decided to use it but change up the stamp set used. I love the Colorful Seasons stamp set so that would be what I would use instead. This set has a match pack of dies which makes crafting a breeze:

Colorful Seasons Photopolymer Stamp Set
$27.00

Seasonal Layers Dies
$33.00

 

Although my card photo is a bit dark, I hope you can see all the layers and embellishments clearly enough. I feel that all these elements make it a stand-out design!

Under the card photo is a list of supplies, a set of directions and a video tutorial!

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Colorful Seasons (143726),  Painted Harvest (144783)
• Card Stock – Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pretty Peacock (150880)
• Stamp Pads – Pretty Peacock (150083), Early Espresso (147114)
• Misc. – Come to Gather Designer Series Paper (DSP) (150454); Seasonal Layers dies (143751), Layering Circles dies (141705), Star Designer Elements (150430), SNAIL adhesive (104332), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), die-cutting machine

 

Measurements:  

• Early Espresso: 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”;
• Soft Suede:              2 3/4” square (two pieces)
• Pretty Peacock         2 3/4” square; 2 1/4” x 1” 
• DSP:  2 1/4” x 4”; 3” square

 

Instructions:

1. Fold Early Espresso card base in half and score. 
2. Ink outline leaf stamp using Early Espresso ink and stamp over card base.
3. Ink outline leaf and stamp onto Soft Suede card stock. Die-cut using Seasonal Layers die. Repeat.
4. Stamp and die-cut Pretty Peacock leaf (same method as above).
5. Using Paper Snips, create banner in Come to Gather paper. Adhere to card front using SNAIL.
6. Die-cut Come to Gather circle. Adhere to card front on top of banner using SNAIL.
7. Ink phrase using Early Espresso ink and stamp onto Pretty Peacock layer. Adhere to card front using SNAIL. 
8. Adhere leaves to card front using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
9. Attach three Star Designer Elements to card front.

Here's my video:

 

See the surprise to this delightful Halloween card

Don't you think the Monster Mash paper is delightful? 

Monster Bash Designer Series Paper
$11.50

Those patterns just make me smile and today's card features two patterns, along with the fabulous Ornate Frames dies:

Ornate Frames Dies
$34.00

 

This card has a nice surprise to it too - just to add to the fun! It has a fun fold! And don't miss those super cute googly eyes - did you know they are colored? 

Why not order these products and give this fun card a try? Click on the shopping basket on the right side of this blog to link over to my online store. 

Monster Bash Halloween card

Here's how to make this fun card - under the instructions I have a photo of what this card looks like inside!

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Boo To You (150550)
• Card Stock – Smoky Slate (131202); Basic Black (121045); Whisper White (100730)
• Stamp Pads – Memento Tuxedo Black (132708)
• Misc. – Monster Mash Designer Series Paper (DSP)  (150447); Stitched Rectangle Dies (148551); Ornate Frames Dies (150664); Googly Eyes (150453); Basic Black Scalloped Edge Ribbon (150449); Dimensionals (104430)

Measurements:  

• Smoky Slate CS: 8 1/4” x 41/4”, scored at 5 1/2”; 3” x 7 ½”, scored at 3 ½”; scrap for die cut
• Basic Black CS: 2 ¾” x 3 ¼”;  2 5/8” x 4 1/8”
• Whisper White: 2 5/8” x 4” 
• DSP:  2 1/2” x 4 1/8”;  small piece of DSP with figures 

Instructions:

1. Orienting your large piece of smoky slatecardstock, fold the scored piece with the smaller piece going up
2. Attach the DSP piece to the black cardstock that fits on that front lower flap; attach to flap
3. Attach the smaller smoky slate piece inside the flap on the 5 ½” x 4 ¼” back piece so that the bottom touches at the fold and the smaller part folds over the front flap.
4. Attach the black 3 ¼” piece of cardstock to the front of that overhanging flap.
5. Diecut the ornate frame in smoky slate.
6. Fussy cut out a skeleton (or figure of your choice) out of the DSP and attach to the ornate frame with dimensionals.  Attach googly eyes. Attach to card front.
7. Using your favorite adhesive, attach the ribbon to the card.
8. Using the whisper white piece diecut using a stitched rectangle.  Stamp the sentiment  on that piece.  Attach to inside of card.

Here's the card open, so you can see the fancy fold!

I invite you to subscribe to my free newsletters

I invite you to subscribe to my exclusive (and free!) Stampin' Up! newsletters and find beautiful crafting inspiration with projects I share using our amazing catalog!

Every week I create a project idea along with all the supplies I used (including ordering numbers!) and a full set of step-by-step instructions. I also share tips, tricks, techniques and products I am nutz about. 

Now is the time to subscribe because I will be sharing projects from our brand new Holiday Catalog (now live)!

Why join my mailing list? Here are 7+ great reasons:

- exclusive card samples with photos and step-by-step instructions
- stamping techniques
- tool tips featuring brand new products or my all-time faves
- customer Q&A's - perhaps some you have been secretly asking too!
- information on upcoming classes with registration and payment links
- card maps and challenges
- special offers and surprises sprinkled in
- and much, more

I email a newsletter every week - sharing Stampin' Up! special announcements and an exclusive project idea just for you!

If you are not on my mailing list and would like to be, here's what you do:

• Look for the Join My Mailing List heading in the right column of this blog
• Type your name and email address in the boxes and click the "go" button
• In a few minutes, check your email. I use a confirmed opt-in subscription process to guarantee that you do want to subscribe. Please watch your email and respond to the confirmation notice that you will receive.
• BONUS: As a thank you, I will send a link for you to download three exclusive project ideas 

Let all your crafty (and crafty wannbe) friends and family members know about my free newsletters and subscribe today to let the stampin', scrappin' and paper craftin' fun ideas begin!

Here's a peek at a card I recently shared in one of my  newsletters, using the new Perfectly Plaid paper:

Make the perfect card for a good man

Do you know a good man? If you can answer yes (and I hope you do) then I have the perfect card for him today. 

This card combines some of our Annual Catalog products with some new Holiday Catalog products:

A Good Man Cling Stamp Set
$24.00

Come To Gather Designer Series Paper
$11.50

Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder
$10.00

Stitched Nested Labels Dies
$35.00

 

I hope you will do the same when you craft - mix some of the old with some of the new! The A Good Man stamp set is perfect for recognizing and celebrating your good men!

Here's a fun layout idea that has many interesting visual and textured elements: 

And here's how to make this card:

A Good Man occasions card

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – A Good Man (149270)
• Card Stock – Cajun Craze (119684); Mint Macaron (138337); Whisper White (100730); Come To Gather Designer Series Paper (150454) 
• Stamp Pads – Memento Tuxedo Black (132708); Versamark (102283)
• Misc. –  Stampin' Blends Combo Packs So Saffron (149557); Pretty Peacock (149560); Cajun Craze (147931);  Soft Suede (147273); Stampin’ Blend Ivory (144606); Copper Trim (144179); Stampin’ Emboss Powder (109132); Stitched Shapes Dies (145372); Stitched Nested Labels (149638); Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder (149643); Snail Adhesive (104332); Stampin' Dimensionals (104430); Heat Tool (129053)

Measurements:  

• Cajun Craze (4 ¼” x 11” scored at 5 ½” & 4” x 5 ¼”) 
• Whisper White (4” x 5 ¼” & 3” x 3”) 
• Mint Macaron (3/8” x 1 ½”)
• Come To Gather Designer Series Paper (3” x 5 ½” & 1” x 3”)

Instructions:

1. Fold the 4 ¼” x 11” Cajun Craze in half to create the card base.  
2. Emboss the 4” x 5 ¼” Cajun Craze with the Brick & Mortar 3D Embossing Folder and adhere to the card front.
3. Cut out the 3” x 5 ½” designer paper using the Stitched Nested Label Die (2 5/8” x 4 7/8”) and adhere to the center of the card front.
4. Adhere the designer paper strip to the left-hand edge of the card front and about 1 ½” from the bottom.
5. Tie a large bow using the Copper Trim and adhere to the center of the designer paper strip.
6. Stamp the image on Whisper White cardstock and cut out with the stitched circle 2 3/8”. 
7. Color the image with the Stampin’ Blends and adhere to the center of the designer paper strip with Dimensionals. 
8. Rub the Embossing Buddy over the Mint Macaron and stamp the words in Versamark Ink.
9. Pour White Embossing Powder over the top and heat set. 
10. Cut a banner end on the right-hand side and adhere to the lower right-hand corner of the stitched circle with a dimensional.
11. Glue the 4” x 5 ¼” Whisper White to the inside of the card and stamp your greeting.

Why not build on last week's challenge?

Last week I shared the card map challenge below and what I created as a result:

I gave myself a challenge to use up some of my Holiday Catalog paper! You can download the using the link on the right side of my blog or by clicking on the image below!

But. There were technical difficulties last week - normally I share a link so you can see what other designer crew members but for some reason the link failed so the crew decided to rerun this challenge again so you can see other ideas too. 

There are so many new packs of designer paper in this catalog and so I doubled down on my challenge to use some Monster Bash paper (page 54, #150447):

I think the patterns in this paper pack are delightful and will appeal to everyone (not easily said)! 

I decided to use two different patterns: one for a background layer and one for the card layer image. How fun is that!

 

I created the phrase using my Itty Bitty Greeting stamp set. I stamped the long 'trick or treat' phrase onto Pumpkin Pie card stock and then cut the strip into three pieces to use on th e front of my card. 

I also decided not to ask any further embellishments because I felt they would get lost on the front of this card. 

Here are two other card ideas using the same map!

A. Tenia's card

B. Tanya's card

 

Why not explore the fabulous Holiday Catalog with me?

The Holiday Catalog has been live for under a week so it's time to turn those pages and start noticing things! As you explore, here's a wish list so you can pencil in your favorites as you go. 

Click on the photo above to download a full page list!

So, where shall we begin? How about with a product medley? What is a product medley you ask? Great question! It is like a kit in that you get everything you need to make a ton of cards but without instructions and a fancy box. (note: you need to supply your own additional cardstock ink and adhesives)

You will design your cards, tags, scrapbook pages (etc) all on your own. Think of the medley as a one-stop shop. As a grouping of products that Stampin' Up! has selected for you, for hours of crafting fun. 

Note: Stampin' Up! used to sell product medleys as a special one-month promotion and this is the first time they are trying a medley in a catalog. 

So now that you have your catalog, turn to page 39. Introducing the Most Wonderful Time product medley (order #150705)! Also available in French and German. 

Most Wonderful Time Product Medley (En)
$70.00

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My friend Tanner, is here to tell you all about it! And please don't miss Tanner's special holiday decorative sweater, HA.

At the end of the video Tanner offers four different card ideas and two tags using the Most Wonderful Year products - you are welcome to copy them or create your own ideas!

 

 

Do you want to make some frightful treats this year?

Halloween is nearly here, which means that Paper Pumpkin has been busy, busy, busy. We thought you might like “a hand” with your frightful festivities, so we designed September’s kit, Bone Appétit, with YOU in mind.

This kit includes 20 food-safe treat boxes, a unique and exclusive Halloween stamp set, and a spooky, special-edition box. September’s kit also gives new meaning to the word “handmade.” (Cue the scary laughter!)

So don’t leave your trick-n-treaters in the dark this Halloween. Subscribe at paperpumpkin by tomorrow to get in on the fun.

Note: the exclusive Halloween stamp set can be used for other project ideas as well! Don't think that once your treat bags are created that you are done and dusts. Coordinate this set with the Monster Bash suite in the Holiday catalog (pages 52 - 54) and the other Halloween sets and accessories too.

Want the fine details?

• There’s no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want by logging onto the website and putting that month's kit on hold.
• Each month Stampin’ Up will send you a unique, surprise kit with a project – cards, journals, décor, and more! (They’ve even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you! How great is that!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories – everything but scissors.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape – who doesn’t need that?
• Stampin’ Up 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 after the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the following month. 
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $21.95 per month (and shipping is included!)

You don't want to miss the next Paper Pumpkin kit, but you have to subscribe no later than tomorrow! Order now and a spooktacular Bone Appetit kit will arrive on your doorstep in this sweet box! 

Ready to join? Go here to subscribe and get your Paper Pumpkin Halloween kit:

How to add beautiful elements to your cards

In today's video I am going to introduce a brand new product from the Holiday Catalog and show you how to use this product along with the Flourishing Phrases stamp set to make a greeting card. 

Here are the main products I used for my card:

Mosaic Mood Specialty Designer Series Paper
$14.50

Flourishing Phrases Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$37.00

 

The layout I chose is lovely and as I laid things out I decided that one of my layers needed something a little extra. So I decided to use my brand new Hammered Metal 3D embossing folder to create visual interest that nicely matched the Mosaic Mood paper:

 

Hammered Metal 3D Embossing Folder
$9.00

Here's my Flourishing Phrases Sympathy card and how to make it! (hint: change the phrase to match the occasion you need)

Stamp set: Flourishing Phrases (set of 2, 151407)

Ink: Terracotta Tile

Paper and cutting dimensions:
        Crushed Curry: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"; 1 7/8" x 5 1/8"
        Mosaic Mood: 1 7/8" x 5 1/8"
        Terracotta Tile: 4" x 5 1/4"
        Very Vanilla: 3 1/4" x 2 1/4"

Other: Hammered Metal 3D embossing folder (150646), Stitched Shapes framelits (145372), Paper Snips, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Mosaic Mood designer series paper (149478), Mini Glue Dots, Crushed Curry 3/8" Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon (149444), Tear & Tape Adhesive, Die-Cutting machine

Here's my video, showing you how to make this card. Listen throughout for extra crafting tips!

Do you know how was this paper layer made?

Questions: what is the first thing that catches your eye on today's Harvest Hellos thank you card? The bright colors? The layered apples? The checked paper?  

And one final question: have you seen the checked paper in the catalog? No, you have not. 

Because it was created by a stamp!

Buffalo Check Cling-Mount Stamp Set
$16.00

This is such a cool stamp - it has so many uses and color combinations! And today's card shows you one fun way to use your Stampin' Blends!

Here's how to make this Harvest Hellos card -  perfect for a teacher, don't you think? 

Supplies: 

• Stamp Sets – Harvest Hellos (150581), Buffalo Check (151372)
• Card Stock – Real Red (152482); Fiirty Flamingo (141416): Crushed Curry (131199); Granny Apple Green (146990); Old Olive (100702); Early Espresso (119686); Whisper White (100730) 
• Stamp Pads – Memento Tuxedo Black (132708)
• Misc. – Apple Builder Punch (150663); Blends: Dark Real Red (147934); Dark Flirty Flamingo (147032); Dark Granny Apple Green (146877); Marker: Crushed Curry (147155--Regals Stampin’ Write markers); Multipurpose Liquid Glue (110755); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430) 

Measurements:  

• Real Red: 5 ½” x 8 ½” scored at 4 ¼ ” (card base); scrap
• Scraps for punches of Real Red, Flirty Flamingo, Crushed Curry, Granny Apple Green, Old Olive and Early Espresso
• Whisper White: 3 ¾” x 2 ¾”

Instructions:

1. Stamp Apple on scrap pieces of Real Red, Flirty Flamingo, Crushed Curry, and Granny Apple Green cardstock in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and punch out the 4 apples. Stamp “Give Thanks” in Memento Tuxedo Black ink centered on Crushed Curry apple.
2. Stamp 4 Stems on Early Espresso cardstock in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and punch out 4 stems
3. Stamp 4 Leaves on Old Olive cardstock in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and punch out 4 leaves
4. Assemble apples by gluing (Multipurpose Liquid Glue) the stems and leaves (See picture)
5. Stamp Buffalo Check on Whisper White piece in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. Let dry. Color white squares alternately with Blends and marker (See picture)
6. Glue stamped /colored white piece to bottom of Crushed Curry piece centered 1/8” from sides and bottom. Glue Crushed Curry piece centered to Real Red card base.
7. Glue Flirty Flamingo and Granny Apple Green apples to hide top of Buffalo Check piece. Then adhere the Real Red and Crushed Curry apples with Stampin’ Dimensionals (See picture for placement) 

Let me show you how to think outside the box

 

I have already told you that our September kit will help you make 20 Halloween treat boxes. But what if you are thinking "outside the box"? How about "with the box"? The spooky possibilities are endless! We created this haunted house with the special-edition box and other contents from the kit to give you a spooky sneak at what's to come inside the Bone Appétit kit.

Don't miss it! Subscribe by September 10, if you dare...

It’s so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program by visiting here to create an account, then simply click SUBSCRIBE.

Of course, you’ll want to know more. So here are the fine details:

• Each month Stampin’ Up will send you a unique, surprise kit with a project – cards, journals, décor, and more! (They’ve even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you! How great is that!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories – everything but scissors.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape – who doesn’t need that?
• Stampin’ Up 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 after the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the following month. 
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $21.95 per month (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 by logging onto the website and putting that month's kit on hold.

Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family – every month!

Ready to join? Go here to subscribe and get your Paper Pumpkin Halloween kit:

Introducing the fabulous, new Holiday Catalog!

It's here and it's live! Introducing the 2019 Holiday Catalog!

Here's what you need (and want!) to know:

• 63 pages of holiday fun!
• 25 bundles
• 8 packs of designer series paper (12x12 AND 6x6)
• 6 punches (two are punch packs!)
• 2 hostess sets
• 1 Making a Difference set (to support mental health organizations)
• 1 set that is a brand new design (*patent pending!)
• 1 new product medley
• 2 kits
• brand new embellishments, including new glitter, crystal effects and puff paint!

There is so much more to tell, but for now click on the cover of the catalog to download your own PDF and then grab your tissues and prepare to drool!

 

How to create a funky Halloween card

I took a bit of a departure from this week's Paper Craft Crew card map challenge:

And gave myself a challenge to use up some of my Holiday Catalog paper! And today is the day that the Holiday Catalog goes live and you can download it using the link on the right side of my blog or by clicking on the image below!

There are so many new packs of designer paper in this catalog and so I doubled down on my challenge to use some Monster Bash paper (page 54, #150447):

I think the patterns in this paper pack are delightful and will appeal to everyone (not easily said)! 

I decided to use two different patterns: one for a background layer and one for the card layer image. How fun is that!

 

I created the phrase using my Itty Bitty Greeting stamp set. I stamped the long 'trick or treat' phrase onto Pumpkin Pie card stock and then cut the strip into three pieces to use on th e front of my card. 

I also decided not to ask any further embellishments because I felt they would get lost on the front of this card. 

Now it's your turn: what comes to mind when you see this week's card map challenge? Give it a try using the supplies you have on hand and if you want to see what the other design crew members created, click here.