It’s the first Friday of the month and that means it’s time for another A Paper Pumpkin Thing blog hop. This month we’re having fun creating alternate projects using the January 2023 kit called Key To My Heart. While the timing is perfect for Valentine’s Day, the kit is also great for other love events. For my alternate projects I started with a simple “I love you” card. Then using the Heart Boxes add-on kit and Happy Labels Stamp Set and Punch I created a couple of sweet treat boxes.

HEART SHAPED PADLOCK

I have to say I love the heart shaped padlock pieces and stamp and wanted my card to feature both. But having set them aside I first needed to work on the rest of the card.

From the Key To My Heart kit I chose the Petal Pink card base with the gold plaid design. I cut the card in half along the pre-scored line then cut the back and front to 3-5/8″ x 4-3/4″. Next I cut some Calypso Coral Card at 3-3/4″ x 4-7/8″ and mounted the trimmed plaid piece on top using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

For my card base I used my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Petal Pink Card. After folding it along the scored line I sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder. Then using Stampin’ Dimensionals I fixed the assembled card layers onto the front.

Picking up the other part of my trimmed card base I flipped it over so I was looking at the white side. Using the Fresh Freesia ink spot included in the kit I stamped the packlock image in the centre near the top. Then I fixed this layer inside my card base with liquid glue. Finally I stamped the padlock in the centre of the flap of a Basic White Medium Envelope.

Going back to the stamp set I found the “I love you” sentiment and stamped it towards the right-hand end of a small sentiment label from the kit. Then I cut a 3/4″ x 3-5/8″ piece of Calypso Coral Card and glued the sentiment to it. Now from the kit I took the large vellum circle, cut it in half and fixed it to the back of the layered sentiment.

After gluing the assembled sentiment piece to the front of the card I added the printed heart padlock with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Finally I tied a tiny Calypso Coral bow from the Baker’s Twine incuded in the kit. Then with a Mini Glue Dot on the back I added it to the packlock and my first project was complete.

HEART TREAT BOXES

The two-part Heart Boxes were really easy to assemble and required no additional glue. I made up two bottom sections and lined them with some Fresh Freesia tissue paper from the kit. Then I decided to cut open one of the envelopes to take advantage of the printed lining.

I had two types of candy to hand so for the Love Hearts I cut a 2-1/8″ x 3″ piece of the printed envelope. After wrapping it around the roll of sweets I glued the paper in place. Then I tied a small Calypso Coral bow and added that with a Mini Glue Dot. Then all I had to do was add the decorated candy to one of the boxes.

For the front of this box I wanted to use a sentiment I’d spotted in one of my regular stamp sets called “Happy Labels”. So for the sentiment label I cut a 1″ x 3-1/4″ strip from the white part of the deconstructed envelope. Using Fresh Freesia ink I stamped “you’ve got the biggest heart” onto the strip. Then I shaped the ends using the Happy Labels Pick-A-Punch. With that done I found the multi heart image in the kit and inked up just the first heart. That made it easy to stamp the heart in the corner of the sentiment. Once I’d added the sentiment to the heart box top with Stampin’ Dimensionals that treat package was finished.

GOLDEN KEY

For the second treat box I had a couple of Hersheys Nuggets. These were easy to wrap with a 1″ x 3″ piece of the printed envelope paper glued around each one.

Next I cut a 1/2″ x 2-1/2″ strip from the white part of the deconstructed envelope. Then for my sentiment I went back to the kit stamp set and chose “You hold the key to my heart”. This time I used Tuxedo Black ink to create a bolder contrast.

To shape the ends of the sentiment I placed it under the point of the bottom heart and slid it up until the words were hidden. Then using a pencil I marked the edges of the heart on the sentiment strip. With that done I used my Paper Trimmer to cut along the pencil lines. Then I simply fixed the sentiment below the bottom box section with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Going back to the kit I found a golden key and placed it on top of the nuggets before adding the top box section.

Finally using Fresh Freesia ink I stamped “To my Valentine” onto a banner sticker included with the Heart Boxes. Once I’d attached the sticker to the box top my final project was done.

SUNSHINE & SMILES

Looking ahead the February kit is called Sunshine & Smiles. This sweet kit with a springtime theme makes nine cards with coordinating envelopes (3 each of 3 designs). Everything comes cut and prepared, and as well as die cut pieces you’ll also get a Mango Melody mini ink spot, adhesives AND an exclusive Sunshine & Smiles Stamp Set. The card bases have peek-through window scenes and there’s also pre-cut critters and labels, raindrop embellishments and much more. In addition this kit is designed to coordinate with the Rain or Shine Suite on pages 50 and 51 of the new Mini Catalogue to give you even more options. However you don’t need to have any of this suite to make this kit according to the instructions.

If you’re new to Paper Pumpkin your first kit will automatically include an acrylic block 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.

Sadly the add-on Sunshine & Smiles Dies have been incredibly popular and have now sold out. However the the kit was always designed to be used without them.

The colours used in the Sunshine & Smiles kit will be Balmy Blue, Cajun Craze, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Old Olive and Shaded Spruce.

To get the Sunshine & Smiles kit make sure you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by February 10^th. However please be aware that stocks may be limited towards the end of the subscription period.

MORE KEY TO MY HEART IDEAS

But now back to this month and the Key To My Heart blog hop. Make sure you check out more alternate project ideas from other members of the talented APPT team. You’re currently at number 4 – 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 Key To My Heart Refill Kit. The refill kit contains everything except the stamp set and ink spot from the original full kit, hence the lower price. Also still available are the Heart Boxes with each pack containing tops and bottoms for 10 boxes.

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

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Happy Labels Stamp Set and coordinating Happy Labels Pick-A-Punch using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included links for both options so you can explore them further if you wish.