The October 2023 Paper Pumpkin kit is called Home for the Holidays. The kit contains all the supplies you need to create 8 standard size cards. However, today I will focus on some alternate ways to use the exclusive stamp set, the envelopes, and other kit supplies to create a total of 28-30 Christmas cards!
Paper Pumpkin Kit
The October Paper Pumpkin kit contains all the supplies you need to make 8 Holiday cards; 4 of each of the 2 different designs. The card bases already have the holiday houses printed right on them. You just need to add the trees, additional house layers and stamp the greetings. Below are the two different card designs.
The first card design is similar to the idea shown in the kit. However, I decided to leave off the trees on the bottom of the card so that I could use them to create additional cards. The layout for the second card design is shown above. And, of course, I just had to do something different with this card as well.
Alternative Ideas
Let’s talk about some of the alternative ways you can use the supplies in this month’s Paper Pumpkin kit to create a total of 28-30 cards! The first three alternate card ideas come from using all the pieces individually instead of layering them together on one card as the kit suggested. Notice the three separate pieces in the first picture. The two small pieces are intended to be added to the card base, in layers, to create a village on the card front. However, if you use each of these 3 pieces individually, you can create a total of 12 cards instead of 4!
The first card features the scene which was printed on the card base from the kit. I simply cut the scene, off the card base, to a 4 x 3 inch size. Next, I created my own standard size card base from a piece of white cardstock. Cut a 4 x 5-1/4 inch piece of white cardstock and emboss it with the Snowflake Sky 3D embossing folder or your favorite embossing folder. Adhere the embossed cardstock to the card front and then add the scene. Embellish as desired. Since there are 4 card bases, you can create 4 alternate cards.
The last two card ideas feature the two layering pieces from the kit. You can easily add these pieces to any card base to create two cards. Since there are a total of 4 of each of these pieces, you can create 8 additional cards by using them individually. Super cool!
Envelope Ideas
Next let’s talk about how to use the decorative envelopes from the kit to create a few cards. There are 8 envelopes in the kit. The flap of each envelope has a beautiful wreath design. Simply cut off the flap and trim it down to use as a focal point for your card. If you use all 8 envelopes, you can create 8 more cards!
The first design is simply the envelope flap cut down to 3-3/4 x 1-7/8 inches. Matte out the wreath on 4 x 2-1/8 inch piece of Old Olive cardstock. The background features a 4 x 5-1/4 inch piece of white embossed cardstock. And a little bit of paper tearing with some blue colored White Center paper will finish off the card nicely.
The second card idea showcases one of the envelope flaps cut down to 5-1/8 inches in length. The rounded flap of the envelope is hidden behind layers of torn paper. Check out the video HERE to see the creation of this card in action!
The last card idea features a die cut wreath as the focal point on the card. Simply use one of the Stylish Shapes Dies (or any other die) to cut the wreath from the envelope flap. Matte the die cut wreath on a 2-1/8 x 2-1/8 inch piece of Old Olive cardstock. Emboss a 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 inch piece of white cardstock and decorate as desired.
Christmas Trees
The last couple of card ideas feature the trees which came in the Paper Pumpkin kit. To create the first card, start with a piece of Old Olive cardstock for the base of the card. The patterned paper pieces are actually small pieces of the envelope which were left over after die cutting the square shape in the previous card (above). I cut these pieces to 1-1/2 inches wide and about 1-1/4 inches long. These pieces are just under the edge of the top and bottom of the focal point. The focal point is simply a 2-1/2 x 3 inch piece of embossed white cardstock. Matte the white cardstock on a 2-3/4 x 3-1/4 inch piece of Night of Navy cardstock. Add the tree and decorate as desired.
The last card idea features an embossed white card base with several different layers:
- 2 x 4-1/4 inch piece of Old Olive cardstock
- 3-1/2 x 2-3/4 inch piece of vellum
- 2-1/8 x 3-1/4 inch piece of embossed white cardstock
The tree makes a wonderful focal point for this card!
Video Tutorial
As you can see, there are a variety of different ways you can use each Paper Pumpkin kit! However, you must subscribe to the program by the 10th of each month in order to receive that month’s kit. Once the deadline passes, the kits are no longer available. So, I highly recommend becoming a subscriber, so you don’t miss out on the fun!
As one of my subscribers, you will receive a free tutorial each month featuring 12 more project ideas! Yes, 12 more fun ways to use the kit supplies and the exclusive stamp set. Check out the sneak peek of past tutorials and learn more HERE.
Be sure to watch the video for some tips on creating alternate designs. Have a fun and creative day my friends! ~ Lynn
Hello Lynn, I love the way you made your Christmas cards. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely cards.
Mary Cardini Anderson
Thanks so much Mary!
Lynn, I so appreciate your alternate ideas for Paper Pumpkin kits. Your ideas are creative and helpful.
Thank you much.
Super! I am happy to hear the ideas are helpful. Enjoy your Paper Pumpkin kit!