It’s the first Friday of the month and that means it’s time for the A Paper Pumpkin Thing blog hop. This month the team has been having a blast playing with the February 2023 kit called “Sunshine & Smiles”. Unusually we got a pretty good feel for this kit after being told it coordinated with the Rain Or Shine suite on pages 50 and 51 of the January to April 2023 Mini Catalogue. That coordination also gave us lots more inspiration and supplies for designing alternate projects with this kit.

EASTER SUNSHINE

As soon as I saw the cute rabbit die-cut in the Sunshine and Smiles kit I immediately thought of Easter. Sadly there wasn’t an Easter sentiment in the kit, but I found one, in the Celebrating You Stamp Set. So I took one of the yellow check card bases from the box and stamped my sentiment through the window using Tuxedo Black ink.

To decorate the card I started with the die-cut grassy back from the kit. Using a little Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I fixed the grassy bank across the front of the card base. Then I trimmed off the excess card with Paper Snips.

Next I found the two long lines of flowers and glued one inside the card so it was completely hidden by the grassy bank. From the second line of flowers I cut two off one end and glued one to the flap of an envelope from the kit. Then I glued the second loose flower to the right-hand end of the grassy bank.

Now I was ready for the rabbit and added him next to the flower with Stampin’ Dimensionals (taking care they didn’t extend over the hole in the card front). I also used Stampin’ Dimensionals to add a couple of clouds from the kit too. Finally I glued the remaining part of the line of flowers beside the rabbit and my quick Easter card was complete.

RAINY DAYS

For my second project I couldn’t resist using one of the cute frogs from the kit. My initial inspiration was the rainy design inside one of the card bases but it didn’t have the glossy coating on the rain. So instead I cut a 2″ x 4-1/2″ piece from the Rain Or Shine 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the suite.

Then I cut a 2″ x 5-1/2″ piece of Thick Basic White Card and glued on the DSP, lining it up with the top edge. Along the bottom edge of the DSP I added a 1/8″ strip of gray card trimmed from one of the layers in the kit.

For my sentiment I chose “rainy days are better with you” from the Playing In The Rain Stamp Set. Then using Tuxedo Black ink I stamped it in the white space below the DSP.

Next I needed to add the hole at the top and for this I used the Very Best Trio Punch. After punching the slot at the top I cut 6″ of Old Olive 1/4″ Twill Ribbon and threaded it through the hole. Then I secured it in place with some Tear & Tape Adhesive.

Going back to the Sunshine & Smiles Kit I took two clouds plus a cute frogs. All three of these pieces were added to the scene with liquid glue. Finally in my general craft stash I found two small googly eyes. These were the perfect scale and I added them to my frog with liquid glue. And just like that my second alternate project was complete.

TEN YEARS OF GROWTH

Looking forward March will see the Ten Years of growth kit. This all-occasion kit contains everything you need to make nine A2 cards with coordinating envelopes (3 each of 3 designs). Everything comes cut and prepared, and as well as the card pieces you’ll also get a Polished Pink mini ink spot, adhesives AND an exclusive Ten Years of Growth Stamp Set. Plus to celebrate ten years of Paper Pumpkin every subscriber will find a bonus stamp set included in their box. The sneak peek of that set shows a gorgeous lily image, leaves, separate plant pot and more.

New Paper Pumpkin subscribers also get an acrylic block in their first kit so they 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.

The colours used in the Ten Years of Growth kit will be: Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake, Fresh Freesia, Garden Green, Orchid Oasis, Polished Pink and Shaded Spruce.

To get the Ten Years Of Growth kit and bonus stamp set make sure you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by March 10^th. However please be aware that stocks may be limited towards the end of the subscription period.

MORE SUNSHINE & SMILES

But now back to this month and the Sunshine & Smiles blog hop. Make sure you check out the alternate project ideas from other members of the talented APPT team. You are currently at #7 – Tracy Elsom.

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

PRODUCT LIST

Sadly the Sunshine & Smiles Refill Kit has already sold out and is no longer available. But if you liked this kit check out the Rain or Shine suite as it’s just as cute. You should note that the Playing In The Rain Dies from the suite are temporarily out of stock. More supplies are expected in the week beginning March 13th. Once they’ve been received the dies and the discounted stamp set/dies bundle will reappear in the online store and be available to order.

Meanwhile you’ll find links to all the extra products used to create my alternate projects in the table below,