When I opened up the kit I really couldn’t see myself making lots of cards. Instead I immediately thought of all the other food-related projects that I could make.

SHOPPING LIST

My regular blog followers will know that I’m a list maker and shopping lists are essential for me (and hubby). So that’s where I began as I grabbed a plain 4″ x 5-1/2″ scratch pad that is 1/84″ thick. This has a thick card base at the back but no cover. Yet.

From my stash I took some Crushed Curry Card and cut it to 4-1/4″ x 7″. Then with the long side at the top I scored it at 5-5/8″ and 5-7/8″. Then I folded the card along the scored lines and sharpened the creases with a Bone Folder.

After placing the pad face down on the largest section of the card I folded the other parts over the top. Then I simply glued the card to the back of the pad with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

Next I cut the blue back off one of the card bases from kit and trimmed it to 4″ x 5-3/8″. This was then glued to the front of the cover as a background for the rest of the design.

I started with the vellum bag-shaped piece and added two 1/8″ strips of scrap card with liquid glue. One was an off-cut from the blue card base, and the other from my Crushed Curry scraps. Then I flipped the vellum over and put a line of liquid glue on the back along the line of the card strips. Now I could fix the vellum to the notepad without the adhesive showing.

For the sentiment I chose “You are the sweetest” from the stamp set included in the kit. Then using the Calypso Coral ink spot I stamped it onto the small label with a printed Blackberry Bliss border detail. I glued the sentiment to the front of the pad and then arranged the food pieces around it. First came the large baguette with liquid glue. Then I added the cheese and fruit pieces using Stampin’ Dimensionals. Job done.

PICK OF THE CROP BOOKMARKS

Now, of all the pieces in the kit the one I liked the least was the card base with the fruit punnets. However I was determined to use it, just to prove to myself that every part of the kit had some value.

So I started by cutting the card in two along the pre-scored line. Then I cut the Mint Macaron (back) half into two pieces, each 2-1/8″ x 5-1/2″. Next I took the front part of the card base and cut that into two strips, each one 2″ x 5-1/2″. Finally I used liquid glue to mount the fruit sections onto the plain strips.

After doing this I noticed that one of the layered pieces had a white area at the bottom. So as the “You are the sweetest” stamp and Calypso Coral ink spot were to hand that’s what I used.

SNEAK PEEK!

Finally I wanted to add some ribbon or twine to the top of the bookmarks to stop them getting lost inside my recipes books. First I needed to punch a hole and I couldn’t resist trying out the new Very Best Trio Punch. As the Trio Punch name suggests, this punch has three different options; a straight angled corner, a fancy corner and a ribbon slot.

All I had to do was mark the centre line on the back at the top of each bookmark with a pencil. Then I lined it up with the centre line marked on the punch. After punching the slots I simply erased the pencil marks. Then on one I threaded three 5″ pieces of Linen Thread and tied them in a simple knot. On the other I added 6″ of Gold 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon from my stash and held it in place with a couple of glue dots from the kit.

I finished both projects in next to no time and they’re already in my kitchen. I hope you like them.

NEXT MONTH

Looking ahead… you still have time to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin and get the Sending Good Thoughts card kit. This nautical-themed kit has everything you need to make NINE full-size cards with envelopes (3 each of 3 designs). Everything comes cut and prepared, and as well as the embossed card bases and envelopes you’ll get die cut pieces, a Bermuda Bay mini ink spot AND an exclusive Sending Good Thoughts Stamp Set. If you’re new to Paper Pumpkin there’ll even be an acrylic block so you can start creating right away. What I really love though is that every kit comes with a satisfaction guarantee.

The colours used in the kit will be Balmy Blue, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Fresh Freesia, Pacific Point, Poppy Parade & white.

And if you’re wondering about the bottle in the photo… we’ve been told that this kit will coordinate with the Vintage Bottle Punch and Vintage Bottle Shaker Domes.

To get the Sending Good Thoughts kit make sure you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by July 10^th, but be aware that stocks may be limited towards the end of the subscription period.

PICK OF THE CROP BLOG HOP

But now back to this month and the Pick of the Crop kit. Make sure you check out all the other alternate project ideas from other members of the team. You’re currently at number 2 – Tracy Elsom.

Remember I told you I just couldn’t stop creating with this kit? Well I ‘m not the only one. Check out this month’s official Paper Pumpkin blog for additional ideas. Plus there’s the stamp case insert and much more!

If that’s not enough I was honoured to be invited to submit samples for this month’s Paper Pumpkin Facebook Live. So if you don’t want to make 9 cards according to the instructions, there’s lots of other inspiration for you.

While stocks last Paper Pumpkin subscribers can now buy the Pick of the Crop Refill Kit. The Refill Kit contains everything except the stamp set and ink spot, hence the lower price. Plus if you loved the cute little cotton tote included in the kit you can get more! The Mini Shopping Bags are available now in packs of four while stocks last.

Phew, so with that I’m off to prepare for tomorrow’s launch of the July to December Mini Catalogue. But first coffee…

PRODUCT LIST

Many of the pieces used on today’s projects are only available as part of the Pick of the Crop kit. All other items that can be bought separately are included below.

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Very Best Trio Punch in a bundle with the Very Best Occasions Stamp Set (not used today). Buying these two items using the single ‘bundle’ item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the same two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to explore that option.