How to stretch a Paper Pumpkin Kit and make 19 cards (Broadway Star June 2018)

I like to get the most out of my craft supplies. In the same way I know a lot of crafters do! We save every scrap to “do something with it” and every embellishment for “just the right card.” This includes figuring out how to stretch a Paper Pumpkin Kit.

When I opened the Stampin Up paper pumpkin kit in June, I was so excited by the theme and the colors! This month they packed the kit with papers, stamps, ink, embellishments, and adhesives — everything I need — to make 8 cards and envelopes with the fun broadway theme of lights and celebration.

Every month seems to include lots of extra pieces, beyond enough for the intended creations. To stretch this Paper Pumpkin kit, I wanted  to think outside the box.

But you know me: I’ll stretch those pieces and extras farther and use pieces that weren’t even intended for the card! With a little creativity, these extras can be turned into bonus cards!! I wanted to share with you some extra cards I created and a few tips for part of the process I go through to expand the number of cards I create from a single kit.

My Paper Pumpkin Kit Stretching Method:

1. Sit down at my desk with supplies in front of me. Seeing everything in front of you can get your brain working on solutions.
   • What color combos work with your supplies?
   • Create with this color scheme in mind.
2. Often I make a few cards exactly as the kit suggests. The instructions with the kits are easy to follow, and the designs they come up with are great!
   • This can get the ideas flowing. Once your hands are moving and creating, you may see something in your supplies that wasn’t in the kits instructions.
   • The ideas are so gorgeous!!
   • Don’t throw out your scraps as you create these!!
3. I bring out any related supplies I may have. Do you have matching cardstocks or inks? Maybe some embellishments that you’ve been saving and could match the theme?
   • In this case, I realized I have the matching Lemon-Lime Twist Ink as well as the Lovely Lipstick Cardstock.
   • Black and white paper from my stash that of course matches the theme!
   • The congrats sentiment would be perfect for a graduation party I have coming up, so I pulled out a few graduation embellishment stickers, including a cap, gown, and diploma.
4. I look at my scraps and pieces I didn’t make into the suggested card.
   • Can anything be used as a stencil, a template, or a background? This can jazz up a plain card front.
   • I used the Marquee outlines as a background and the Hooray sticker outlines as stencils using a Lovely Lipstick Marker!

     

     

     

     
     
   • Are there any leftover pieces or edges from sticker sheets? Use these! Lots of us crafters are afraid to toss them, but while they are out on your desk, play around with cutting them and putting them in your design.

     

     

     
     
5. Out of ideas?
   • Fold a bright piece of matching cardstock into a card. Sometimes just seeing a card base can be enough to assist in figuring out designs and placements!

     

     

     
     
   • The kits always arrive with a variety of stamps that may not be used with the suggested card, but are great for alternatives and extra cards! Getting out a scrap piece of paper and stamping ALL of the included stamps can spark your ideas, too.
   • If you create a design you really like, make a few with the leftovers you have! I made multiples of a few of these cards!

Here’s what I STILL have leftover! But it’s getting late, and 19 cards is quite a stack! Who’s birthday is next?!
I’m submitting a card for Paru’s Card Making Challenges – Birthday and the Always Happy Birthday July Challenge.
This has been so much fun. Thanks for checking out my blog, and Happy Crafting!

If you are interested in getting your own monthly Paper Pumpkin kit delivered to your mailbox, click here! Every month I will showcase a few alternative cards and creations to create with the kit!

Would you like to get 50% off your first Stampin’ Up! Paper Pumpkin kit? Simply sign up for a Paper Pumpkin subscription before August 10, and use the Promo Code BLOOM0818, and please choose me, Laura Geffert, as your demonstrator!
Here are more details:

• New month-to-month subscribers qualify for the 50% discount and must use the code BLOOM0818 at paperpumpkin.com by August 10, 2018 at 11:50 PM (MT).
• The discount cannot be applied to prepaid codes.
• The 50% discount only applies to the new subscriber’s first kit shipped. After that, the price for each month’s kit will return to the regular price of $19.95 USD/$26.95 CAD.
• Unless you cancel, your membership will continue at full price after your first kit.

This monthly kit from Stampin’ Up takes up very little space, and is all-inclusive, although you may need scissors. The projects are simple, come with instructions, and are fun (as you can see from my blog!). The kits are always a surprise, but you can cancel at any time or put your subscription on hold.

Other Supplies to stretch this Paper Pumpkin kit:

In Color 2018–2020 8-1/2″ X 11″ Cardstock

[146973]

$8.50

Whisper White 8-1/2″ X 11″ Card Stock

[100730]

$9.75

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin’ Pad

[147145]

$7.50

In Color 2018–2020 Stampin’ Write Markers

[147159]

$15.00

If you missed the kit this month, but love the theme, no worries! You can create this and much more with the Broadway Birthday Bundle, and the coordinating Broadway Bound Specialty Designer Series Paper!

Broadway Birthday Photopolymer Bundle

[148321]

$41.25

Broadway Bound Speciality Designer Series Paper

[146277]

$14.00

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I hope you enjoyed stretching your paper pumpkin kits! Check back for more paper pumpkin tips right here in Laura’s Craft Closet!

• Paper Pumpkin August 2018 Alternatives: 15 Blissful Blooms from One Kit!
• What should I do with all those leftover Paper Pumpkin boxes?
• Tri-fold Card with Bat Signal over Gotham City; Using leftovers from Paper Pumpkin September 2018
• Paper Pumpkin Alternatives – Grown with Kindness Feb 2019 Succulents