While I love spending hours creating my projects completely from scratch, sometimes I don’t have the time. That’s when I reach for Stampin’ Up! kits, whether that’s from their online Kits Collection or Paper Pumpkin subscription. The May Paper Pumpkin kit called “Exploring In Color” was simply gorgeous and I’ve never seen so many alternate projects from so many people. In fact many were spookily close to what I’d planned to do. So instead, for this month’s A Paper Pumpkin Thing blog hop I decided to keep things super simple.
PLANNING THE NEXT ADVENTURE
This first project came to mind as I discovered an undated diary that was just a tad smaller than one of the card bases in the kit. But before I covered the diary I wanted to add a page marker and pencil loop. For this I decided to use some Night of Navy 3/8″ Bordered Ribbon.
I began by cutting 8″ of the ribbon and attached it to the back of the diary (at the top near the fold) using Tear & Tape Adhesive. Next I cut 4″ of ribbon and wrapped it around a mechanical pencil. Then holding the pencil close to the pages I fixed the cut ends of the ribbon to the back of the diary using more Tear & Tape Adhesive.
With the ribbon in place I was ready to cover the book, but first I had to trim about 1/4″ off the right and left sides of the card base. This meant that the pre-scored line was still in the middle and I lined that up with the fold of the diary. Now all I needed to do was fix the card to the original diary cover using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) This also sandwiched the ribbon I’d attached to the back to keep it in place.
From there I went back to the Exploring In Color kit and picked out one of the Moody Mauve banners. After trimming it down to 2-1/4″ I glued the banner to the front of the covered book at the top, 1″ from the fold.
Next, from the Exploring In Color Stamp Set in the kit I chose “Cheers to another adventure”. Using Copper Clay ink I stamped the sentiment onto one of the rectagular white labels. Then to finish I glued the sentiment onto the front cover over the banner piece. Project 1 was complete.
My second alternate project was even simpler as chose the mountain pass card base from the kit. After cutting 2″ strip off the right-hand side I added a slot at the top using the Very Best Trio Punch.
Next from the Exploring In Color Stamp Set I chose “life is meant for good friends and great adventures”. Then using Copper Clay ink I stamped the sentiment in the ‘sky’ portion of the card strip.
Finally I cut two 6″ pieces of Copper Clay twine from the 2023-2025 In Color Jute Trim pack. I folded the twine in half and poked the loops through the slot in the card. Then I threaded the cut ends through the loops and pulled gently to secure them in place. And just like that I had the perfect bookmark for my travel guidebook. Now to start planning my next adventure…
NEXT MONTH’S KIT
If you haven’t already done so, you still have time to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin and get the June kit called “Welcome Inn”.
This kit has beautiful florals and coordinates with the Countryside Inn Suite in the Stampin’ Up! 2023/24 Annual Catalogue! The kit contains everything you need to make nine A2 cards with hospitality-themed sentiments (3 each of 3 designs). Everything is cut and prepared, and as well as the pre-cut card pieces you’ll also get a Night of Navy mini ink spot, adhesives AND an exclusive Welcome Inn Stamp Set.
Want more? Paper Pumpkin subscribers have the option to buy the Welcome Inn Dies Add-On containing 3 coordinating dies (while stocks last). These will make the stamp set even more versatile long after the rest of the kit pieces are gone.
If you’re new to Paper Pumpkin your first kit will automatically include an acrylic block too so you can start creating right away. What’s more every kit comes with a satisfaction guarantee, and you’re always free to cancel your subscription at any time without penalty. So why not try Paper Pumpkin this month and see what you think.
The colours used in the Welcome Inn kit will be Balmy Blue, Boho Blue, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Misty Moonlight, Night of Navy and Old Olive.
To get the Welcome Inn kit simply make sure you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by June 10th. However bear in mind that this kit is likely to be very popular and stocks may be limited towards the end of the subscription period.
EXPLORING MORE IDEAS
But back to this month… For even more ideas using the Exploring In Color kit please visit the other amazing designers joining the blog hop:
PRODUCT LIST
I’m excited to confirm that as of 10am AT today you can still buy the Exploring In Color Refill Kit. This contains everything included in the original kit except the stamp set and ink spot. But be warned, once the Refill Kits have sold out they will be gone for good. Also available while stocks last is the Exploring In Color Cards & Envelopes Add-On which contains 18 cards and envelopes. These cards and envelopes are different from the cards in the kit but use the same artwork.
So that just leaves the links to the extra products I used to create my alternative projects. Note that I chose to use a full size ink pad and my own adhesives. However the kit did include an ink spot and adhesives to complete the cards per the included instructions.
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