It’s the first Friday in the month and that means it’s time for another A Paper Pumpkin Thing blog hop. This month is all about the November kit called “From The North Pole”. I’ve had lots of fun with this kit including designing alternate projects to the original gift tag designs. This kit is really versatile but what’s even better is that like many Paper Pumpkin kits it’s given me ideas for projects long after the kit is used up. But for today here’s a simple Christmas card and decoration.

NORTH POLE CARD

Making cards from tags can be as simple as gluing one onto a card base. However I wanted to stretch the contents of the From The North Pole kit and only use a few of the parts. But first I needed to stamp that round sentiment/image onto one of the large white die-cut pieces from the kit. I find stamping circles on circles particularly tricky and so I decided to use my Stamparatus stamp positioning platform to help me.

I began by mounting the stamp onto one of the hinged plates so I could stamp it onto some Small Grid Paper using Cherry Cobbler ink. Next I removed the large circle from the rest of the card layer and set it aside. Then I placed the empty frame onto the Small Grid Paper centering the hole over the stamped image. Once I was happy with the placement I secured the frame with a Stamparatus Magnet and put the circle back into the frame. With that done I reinked the stamp and this time when I closed the hinged plate it stamped exactly where I wanted it.

I didn’t need the frame piece any more but before removing the stamp I decided to work on the envelope and inside of the card. So I placed a Basic White Medium Envelope face down onto the platorm so the image would stamp across the flap. I inked up the stamp with Cherry Cobbler ink as before and closed the hinged plate. As expected there was an area that wasn’t stamped just below the flap edge. This wasn’t a problem, I just needed to open up the flap, reink the stamp and close the hinged plate again. Now I had a complete image on the back of the envelope that lined up with the partial image on the flap.

I had one final bit of stamping to do and that was less technical. I simply stamped the image partly over the bottom left corner on a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Basic White Card.

QUICK ASSEMBLY

For my A2 card base I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Cherry Cobbler Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Next, using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the Basic White layer on the inside.

Going back to the From The North Pole kit I took one of the large Mint Macaron Glimmer Paper banners. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals I fixed the banner in the centre of the card front. Then with more Stampin’ Dimensionals I mounted the stamped circle piece on top.

Finally I added two sets of three Iridescent Pearls (from the 2022/2023 Annual Catalogue) around the edge of the circle. With that my alternate Christmas card project was complete.

NORTH POLE ROSETTE

For my second project I decided to use the candy cane image from the kit in a different way.

To start I cut a 4″ x 11″ piece of Basic White Card. Then I placed the card onto my Simply Scored Scoring Tool with the long side at the top. Using the included scoring stylus I first scored the card at every inch. Then I flipped the card over so I could add scored lines on the back an inch apart, but this time starting at the 1/2″ mark. Once that was done cut the card strip into two pieces so each one was 2″ x 11″.

Next I took the candy cane stamp from the kit and stamped the straight part over the two card pieces using Cherry Cobbler Card. When that task was complete I folded the card along the scored lines to create a concertina effect.

Now I needed to join the ends together so the pieces formed a sort of cylinder with the stamped side on the outside. Then by pressing the top edge in towards the middle I was able to create the rosette shape and hold it in place with some hot glue at the centre.

With that done I glued one of the large Mint Macaron snowflakes from the kit on the centre. Then I topped that off with one of the small pearlised snowflakes. FInally I cut 8″ of Mint Macaron twine from the kit and glued it to the back of the rosette. At last my decoration was ready to hang on the tree.

So there you have it, two alternate projects using only a few extra supplies from my stash. I hope they inspire you to create something similar even if you didn’t get the From The North Pole kit.

NEXT MONTH

If you haven’t already done it, you still have time to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin and get the Good Things Come In Small Packages kit.

This all-occasion kit has everything you need to make sixteen giftcard sized boxes (2 each of 8 designs). Everything comes cut and prepared, and as well as the die-cut pieces you’ll also get a Garden Green mini ink spot, adhesives AND an exclusive Good Things Come In Small Packages Stamp Set. If you’re new to Paper Pumpkin there’ll even be an acrylic block so you can start creating right away. What’s more every kit comes with a satisfaction guarantee, and you are free to cancel your subscription at any time without penalty.

The colours used in the Good Things Come In Small Packages kit will be Balmy Blue, Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Garden Green and Tahitian Tide.

To get the Good Things Come In Small Packages kit make sure you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by December 10^th, but be aware that stocks may be limited towards the end of the subscription period.

Also now available are add-on packs of card bases and coordinating envelopes (item number 163134). Each pack contains 4 each of 4 card bases and envelopes in Balmy Blue, Basic Gray, Blushing Bride, Garden Green. These are a great option if you don’t need 16 gift card holders and are available exclusively to Paper Pumpkin subscribers while stocks last.

MORE FROM THE NORTH POLE

But now back to this month and the From The North Pole blog hop. Make sure you check out more alternate project ideas from other members of the talented APPT team. You’re currently at number 3 – Tracy Elsom.

Still looking for ideas? Check out this month’s official Paper Pumpkin blog for additional projects, a stamp case insert and much more!

PRODUCT LIST

Sadly there are no full kits available, however while stocks last Paper Pumpkin subscribers can purchase the From The North Pole Refill Kit. The refill kit contains everything except the stamp set and ink spot from the original full kit, hence the lower price.

All the other products used today are listed below, along with the full-size ink pad and additional adhesives.