I’m still suffering with a bad cold and it’s definitely slowing me down. Thankfully I’ve improved enough to be able to take part in this month’s A Paper Pumpkin Thing Blog Hop. Today it’s all about the September 2022 Kit called Spooky Treats. While I’m not a huge fan of Halloween I know a lot of you are, so my first project is a larger box for even more Halloween treats. Then my second project is an easy Christmas idea with a simple trick to disguise those bright box colours.

NOT SO SPOOKY GHOST

My first project starts very simply with the black box drawer piece from the kit. No tricks here I just assembled the tray as shown in the official Paper Pumpkin unboxing video.

With that done I took one of the scalloped circles and the “Trick or Treat” sentiment from the Spooky Treats Stamp Set included in the kit. Using the Orchid Oasis mini ink spot from the kit I stamped the sentiment onto the circle. Then I flipped the assembled tray box over and fixed the sentiment onto it with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals from the kit. Finally I added the printed ghost with more Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.

One of the problems I’ve been hearing is that the box is not big enough for everything people want to put in them. So I decided to change the design from a drawer-style box to a two part box.

For this I cut a 6-7/16″ x 6-15/16″ piece of Orchid Oasis Card. Then I scored it on each side at 2″ and cut up one side of each of the square corner sections to create tabs. I trimmed 1″ off each of the tabs and attached Tear & Tape Adhesive from the the kit to each one as shown in the photo. Then I simply tucked each tab in and secured them in place to create a simple tray box. After filling the box I added the decorated black box on as a lid.

If you’re more of a visual learner check out my video for creating simple two part boxes from scratch.

This finished box is now 2″ high instead of the original 1″ high. If you’d prefer something even larger start with a piece of card 8-7/16″ x 8-15/16″ and score it on all sides at 3″. This will give you a box 3″ high but will still fit the ‘drawer’ from the kit as a lid.

CHRISTMAS GIFT BOX

It goes without saying that you could take any one of the boxes from the kit and change it to a different occasion simply by changing the sentiment. But what if all you have left are the black or bright orange drawer pieces and they don’t fit your colour scheme? Well I found a simple solution… simply assemble the box inside out and start with a white base!

Having turned a black drawer box into a white one I took one of the Fresh Freesia sleeve pieces from the kit. I could have assembled this inside out too but instead I decided to tone down the colour a little. So using a Blending Brush I added a light touch of Starry Sky ink. Then from the Spooky Treats Stamp Set I found the stars image and stamped them across the inked surface. Finally I assembled the sleeve and slipped the white drawer inside.

Next from my stash I cut an 8-1/4″ piece of Gold 3/8″ Shimmer Ribbon and wrapped it around the box. With the cut ends of the ribbon on the top I fixed them into place with Tear & Tape Adhesive.

Then I looked through my extensive collection of stamp sets and chose the ” ‘Tis the season” sentiment from the Brightest Glow Stamp Set. Continuing with my idea to turn everything white I flipped over one of the scalloped circle pieces from the kit. Using Starry Sky ink I stamped the sentiment before adding three of the black star sequins from the kit. Then I attached the completed sentiment to the box sleeve with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals and my second alternate project was done.

HO HO HOPE YOU DON”T MISS OUT

Looking forward… if you haven’t already done it, you still have time to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin and get the first of two Christmas-themed kits.

The first kit is called Ho Ho Ho and contains everything you need to make nine A2 Christmas cards (3 each of 3 designs). Everything comes cut and prepared, and as well as the card bases and envelopes, you’ll get die cut pieces including iridescent foil snowflakes, an Early Espresso mini ink spot, adhesives AND an exclusive Ho Ho Ho 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 Ho Ho Ho kit will be Bermuda Bay, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Shaded Spruce, Sweet Sorbet, and Very Vanilla.

To get the Ho Ho Ho card kit make sure you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by October 10^th, but be aware that stocks may be limited towards the end of the subscription period. In past years the Christmas kits have been very popular and I must admit that I would not be surprised to see them sell out before October 10th. In November there will be a second Christmas-themed kit designed to coordinate with the October one. More about that next month.

MORE SPOOKY TREATS PROJECTS

But now back to this month and the Spooky Treats kit blog hop. Make sure you check out the other alternate project ideas from the rest of the talented APPT team. You’re currently at number 10 – 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

FULL KIT AND REFILLS NOW AVAILABLE! – As the Spooky Treats Kit is time sensitive Stampin’ Up! have now released the remaining stocks of the complete Spooky Treats Kit and the Refill Kit. Please note that the Spooky Treats Refill Kit does NOT contain the Spooky Treats Stamp Set or Orchid Oasis ink spot, hence the lower price.

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Brightest Glow Stamp Set and coordinating Labels Aglow Dies (not used today) as a “bundle”. Using the single “bundle” item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the same two items separately. I’ve included links for both options below in case you want to explore these further.