April 2025 Paper Pumpkin Alternatives

Let’s play around with some alternate ways to use the April 2025 Paper Pumpkin kit called Inked Occasions. The kit includes all the supplies you need to make 9 cards. However, you can easily cut apart the supplies in the kit and use them differently to create even more cards! Creating alternative designs is such a great way to get the most out of your Paper Pumpkin kit.

Paper Pumpkin Kit

First let’s talk about the card designs as featured in the April 2025 Paper Pumpkin kit. The kit includes all the supplies you need to make 9 cards; 3 of each of the 3 different designs. I created one of each of the three different card designs from the kit before I started creating alternative designs.

Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can create additional cards simply by cutting apart the supplies that come in the kit as I have 10 different designs to share with you.

Alternative Cards

The very first thing I do with any paper pumpkin kit is to take a peek at the front and back of each of the different card bases. Typically, there are beautiful designs on both sides of the card bases in the kit.

I cut up all of the card bases, in half, on the score line to create two pieces measuring 4-1/4 x 5-1/2.” If you decide to cut all 9 of card bases in half, you will end up with 18 pieces of the beautiful alcohol ink designs which you can use as patterned paper!

The background for the first alternate card idea is simply one of the 4-1/4 x 5-1/2″ pieces cut from the kit card base. Simply adhere it to the front of a an A2 size white card base. Add a 3″ circle shape and decorate the card with elements from the kit. The colorful leaf spray was cut from one of the kit elements.

The second card idea features a 2-1/8 x 5-1/4″ piece of the alcohol ink design cut from one of the kit card bases. Emboss a 4 x 5-1/4″ piece of white cardstock and tear off about 1-3/4″ from the right side. Adhere to the card front and embellish with a few kit elements.

Hugs Abloom Dies

The next couple of paper pumpkin alternative designs feature some die cut shapes using the Hugs Abloom Dies. This particular die set coordinates with 3 paper pumpkin kits (including this one). Simply die cut some flowers and leaves from white cardstock to decorate the cards. You can also use the “hugs” precut shape from the kit.

This first card features a 3-1/2 x 4-3/4″ piece cut from one of the kit card bases. Adhere it to a 3-3/4 x 5″ piece of Berry Burst cardstock. The greeting is stamped on a 3-1/2 x 1″ piece of white cardstock.

The second card features one of the kit card bases cut to 5-1/2 x 2-1/8.” Adhere it to a 5-1/2 x 2-3/8″ piece of Pool Party. Use the Exposed Brick 3D embossing folder to add texture to a white A2 size card base.

To create the third card, start with a 4 x 5-1/4″ piece of embossed white cardstock. Cut a 4 x 2-3/4″ piece of one of the kit card bases. Tear along the 4 ” side and adhere to the top part of the card front. Decorate with some die cut elements.

For the fourth card, start by adhering a 4-1/4 x 2-3/4″ piece, cut from one of the kit card bases, across the center of a white card base. Cut and emboss two pieces of white cardstock measuring 4-1/4 x 2.” Tear along the 4-1/4″ side on each piece. Adhere one to the top and one to the bottom of the card front.

Spotlight on Nature

One of the fun things to do with alcohol inked backgrounds (or even patterned paper) is to stamp some large images on them. This particular paper pumpkin kit did not have any large images, so I decided to use one of my favorite stamp sets called Spotlight on Nature. Simply stamp the images directly onto the alcohol ink design using black (or Early Espresso) ink to create a beautiful look!

For the first card, I die cut some rectangular shapes from one of the kit card bases using the Nested Essentials dies. Stamp the images right onto the die cut shapes. The background is a 5-1/4 x 4″ piece of embossed white cardstock adhered to a Pool Party card base. Add a 3 x 4″ piece of black cardstock and a1/2 x 3″ piece of pool party cardstock. Arrange the shapes on the card front as desired.

The second card idea is simply a 3-1/2 x 5-1/2″ piece of one of the kit card bases. Adhere it to 3-3/4 x 5-1/2″ piece of black cardstock before adhering to the Pool Party card base. Stamp a variety of images on the alcohol ink background using black (or Early Espresso) ink.

Busy Patterns

Some of the card bases in this paper pumpkin kit have a variety of different bright colors and busy patterns. These next two card ideas provide some fun and simple ways to tone down the colors and patterns.

The first way to break up a busy pattern is to create a panel style card. This is also a great way to cut up the kit card bases to create a lot of cards. The panels measure 1 x 4-1/4.” Adhere the panels to a 3-1/2 x 4-1/2″ piece of white cardstock. Add a 2-3/4 x 3-3/4″ piece of black cardstock behind the upper left side of the panels and then adhere to Berry Burst card base.

The second way to tone down a busy pattern is to cut it into a smaller piece and surround it with a neutral or white color. For this card I also used stamp images with the alcohol inked paper. Cut a 2-3/4 x 3-3/4″ piece of one of the kit card bases and stamp an image on it. Adhere it to the center of a 5-1/4 x 4″ piece of black cardstock. Cut and emboss two pieces of white cardstock measuring 2 x 3-3/4.” Tear along the 2″ side on each piece. Adhere one to the left and one to the right of the image on the card front.

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 8 or more project ideas! Yes, 8 or more fun ways to use the kit supplies and the exclusive stamp set. Check out the sneak peek of past tutorials and learn more about upcoming kits HERE.

Have you been missing out on these paper pumpkin kits? Browse my selection of past kits HERE.

Be sure to watch the video for some tips on creating these alternate designs. Have a fun and creative day my friends! ~ Lynn