My Paper Pumpkin and Paper Pumpkin Pals

After a busy weekend, I finally had a chance to open My Paper Pumpkin 'box of fun'! It was our first Paper Pumpkin Pals* get together and it gave us a chance to work on our May projects. Here is a photo of what I did:

There are four gift bags and six birthday cards in the kit, but I only made up two because I want to try some alternate projects with the rest of the supplies (you'll get to see those in a few days!)

I really like the stamp set that came with the MPP kit this month! We all mentioned that we would be able to use it for a lot of other projects as well.

The treat bags are so cute! I'm going to use them for my granddaughters when they visit this summer. I'll fill each one with goodies and they will be their welcome treats when they arrive.

The balloon and string images make the envelopes look festive too.

I must admit I haven't met a My Paper Pumpkin kit I didn't like... although I've had to alter a few of them to my taste.

Here is something I made with the February 2015 box that was quite different from the original project:

This uses the Bloom with Hope Hostess set that retires next month, along with Basic Black card stock and Gold Shimmer Paper.

Here is the front panel that shows when the card is folded, along with the box envelope that comes in the kit. I decorated it to match the card.

It fits nicely in the box with room for a Ghirardelli chocolate or two!

*Paper Pumpkin Pals is a group for all the stampers who have become members of My Paper Pumpkin with me. We meet once a month to work on our projects, both past and present, enjoy some chocolate and special non-alcoholic drinks (unfortunately most have to drive home...) and have fun. 

Plus I will send you videos with instructions to put together the projects if you can't make the meeting, and throughout the month I'll send videos and photos of other projects you can make with the supplies. And there are some surprise events from time to time as well!

Members still love the anticipation of opening their Paper Pumpkin box at home as soon as it arrives, but getting together to make the projects avoids OBPU (Orange Box Pile Up). Plus it gives everyone a chance to see some alternative samples with different ways to use the supplies.

If you are new to Paper Pumpkin now is a great time to give it a try. You have until June 10th to sign up and save 50% off of your first two months! After that you can keep the creativity coming for only $24.95 + tax per month (shipping is included in the price).

Simply Click Here to go to my Paper Pumpkin site, and use the promo code SAVE50 to become a member. Then you will receive an email from me inviting you to our next Paper Pumpkin Pals get together!

Happy Stamping!

Carol

Products used to make the alternative project for the February kit:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Just Announced: 24 Hour Paper Pumpkin Special

It's just been announced that if you subscribe to 

My Paper Pumpkin within the next 24 hours, 

your first kit will cost only $7.00!!! 

(Regular Price $24.95)

The May kit includes 4 gift bags, tags, 6 full size cards and envelopes, plus a stamp set, ink spot, twine, and more.

A good value at $24.95, 
but

A GREAT DEAL AT $7.00!

If you choose to sign up here, Click Here

and you will become a Paper Pumpkin Pal

and receive special perks from me. I hope you will!

REMEMBER you must sign up within 24 hours 

(by 9:50 pm Atlantic Time, Saturday evening.)

Use the Promo Code: 24HOURS

You can watch a video Here
that will tell you more about the membership!

Happy Stamping

Carol

The Perfect Gift For Mom

Whether your Mom loves to do crafty things or not, a subscription to My Paper Pumpkin - a complete craft kit delivered right to her door - will be something she'll love!

($24.95 a month, Shipping Included)

How do I know that? Because Moms love to GIVE things - cards, treats, mini scrapbooks, gift items and more! And she will be able to do all that whether she is 'crafty' or not, because My Paper Pumpkin comes with everything she will need to complete the projects, except glue (and what Mom doesn't have glue?), and then she'll have fun giving her creations away!

The kit is designed to be done in 30 minutes or so - even a Mom has time for that! And she doesn't have to purchase anything, or clear out a closet to store all her tools and supplies.

Some months there are cards - pre-cut with prepared embellishments, stamps and inks.And envelopes. There are directions for how to make each one. Like these:

And if your Mom is tech savy she can go to My Paper Pumpkin on Pinterest and find all kinds of ways to use her kit in different ways! Like these:

But sometimes the kit is not about cards, but other fun and neat stuff like this: (only a few of the items from the kit are shown - there were 24 bags to decorate in the Valentine kit, and six Halloween bags)

       

Or even this:

And you can purchase an adorable My Paper Pumpkin Gift Certificate to give to your Mom too!

Not convinced? Well you can purchase 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. You can purchase an ongoing subscription that you can cancel (or pause for a month or more) at any time.

Go on! Your Mom will thank you for it!!!

Contact me to order a subscription, complete with Gift Certificate. Or you can go directly to the My Paper Pumpkin site BEFORE MAY 10TH, and sign up so that your Mom's first kit will arrive the week after Mother's Day.

Happy Stamping!

Carol

What Will You Stamp Today?

I am pleased to tell you that my card was randomly chosen in the What Will You Stamp Today challenge on April 20th, and as a result I was invited to be their Guest Stamper for this week's challenge.

WWYS//#10 Painted Petals

Here is the card I created for their challenge:

I really love the Painted Petals stamp set because you can make such pretty cards that are basically quite simple.

This card uses Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White card stock. The ink colours are Wild Wasabi, Crisp Cantaloupe, Daffodil Delight, and Early Espresso.

Because it is a clear/see through photopolymer stamp set it's easy to match up the flowers and leaves, And even if you've never watercoloured, you can make a lovely design with the stamps that looks like you can!

I also made a second card for today, using Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Tangelo Twist, and Mossy Meadow.

I first punched out a 2 1/2" circle, placed it on the Whisper White, and drew a pencil line lightly around the outside. Starting with the Daffodil Delight I stamped the two roses around the circle, leaving some space between the images.Then I filled in the spaces stamping the roses in Tangelo Twist. I used one of the single leaves from the stamp set in Mossy Meadow to add some balance.

I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso, made a mistake, and had to re-stamp it on another sheet of Whisper White and punch it out to hide my mistake!! Now every time you see a punched sentiment you're going to wonder if there is a mistake under it!! :)

Be sure to visit the "What Will You Stamp" blog to check out their other samples. And then participate yourself - it's lots of fun.

Happy Stamping

Carol

Love You More Than Chocolate!!

Time marches on and it's obviously marching much faster than I am!!

Today I want to share a series of cards I made during the weekend, at an on-line mini conference with Ronda Wade.

Of the six cards this one was my favourite! And not only because it mentions chocolate!!

This was an easy card to make but packs a whallop on display. Plus the use of Stampin' Up!'s Gorgeous Grunge stamp set for the background is always a good choice. I'm so glad it's not retiring.

The sentiment comes from a photopolymer stamp set that you might have missed, it's called Lovely Amazing You, and is not shown in any catalogue, just in my online store under photopolymer  stamps.

Lovely Amazing You Photopolymer Stamp Set	140594
Price: $17.95

Speaking of Retiring - I will be featuring some of my favourite Retiring stamp sets during the next few weeks. And just a reminder - if there's one on the list that you've been craving, be sure to order it by May 27th.

Which is YOUR favourite Stampin' Up! stamp set that is retiring? Please let me know in the comments below and I will choose one or two winners to receive a card from me. The contest will close next Monday, May 4th. I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Stamping!

Carol

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Video of Favourite Retiring Items...& Retirement List

I'll miss them!

Click Here to see the list of retiring stamp sets.

Click Here to see the list of retiring accessories.

Happy shopp.... er...stamping!

Carol

If You Want Them, Get Them Now!

These Colors will be announced on the Last Chance list for tomorrow! And they will probably be discounted. But if you wait, I will not be able to guarantee them! As in years past, as soon as it's announced they move VERY QUICKLY!

SO...Don't wait! Order right away!
Stock up on the card stock, AND ink refills!! Ribbon, The DSP stack and anything that has these colors in it!

Stay tuned tomorrow I will announce the last chance list with everything else, but if you want to guarantee receiving these colors, then order them today!  

Happy Stamping
Carol

The Long Wait is Over!

The Butterflies have landed and are ready to be delivered!

The Butterfly Thinlits are finally in stock, 

and you can get them at a 15 % discount - 

that's just $26.30!

OR

Buy the Butterflies Thinlits Bundle at a 15% discount 

and choose one of three FREE SALE-A-BRATION ITEMS

OR

OR

Contact me to place your order right away 

because those butterflies won't stay for long!

Happy Stamping

Carol

Spring! And From The Garden WWYS7

Spring has finally come to my town! That is not to say the snow is gone, because there is still two feet of it in my back yard, and higher piles along the driveway, but it's starting to shrink...

And the robins are here! Rather bewildered because they were expecting grassy lawns, but lots of people are offering berries, and raisins, and apples, so hopefully they will survive until the lawns do appear.

So today I've used the From The Garden stamp set and framelits to create my card. I've used my favourite colours - Garden Green and Strawberry Slush (which is retiring in June - so sad!). I remember making cards using this style a few years ago but haven't made any for a while. Hope you like it!

This is called an Apron card, sometimes they open from the side, sometimes from the bottom. They can be used for kitchen aprons, craft aprons, Christmas aprons, woodworking aprons, lots of things.

I used the lovely, soft Strawberry Slush Baker's Twine for the ties, and heat embossed the white images with White Embossing Powder.

Here is the inside:

I'm also using this card for a challenge: 

What Will You Stamp? WWYS Challenge #7

I hope spring has paid you a visit by now too!

Happy Stamping

Carol

Upcoming Classes

CARDS & CASES CLASS SERIES At each Cards & Cases class we make eight quick & easy cards that will fit into a decorated case. Above is a photo of February's class where we made four Thank You cards and four Thinking of You cards, along with envelopes. You can register for as few or as many classes as you wish. But if you sign up for 3 or more you will receive a $5 discount on each class. FEE: $25 The next classes will be held on: Monday, April 27 (Brides, & Babies) at 2 pm & 7 pm      (you can change to Anniversary & Birthday) Monday, May 25 (Holidays & Celebrations - including Graduation, Father's Day, Congratulations, and Happy Retirement) at 2 pm & 7 pm Monday, June 22 (Children's Birthday Cards, 4 for boys & 4 for girls) at 2 pm & 7 pm Email me to save your spot! ******************************** NEW MINI ALBUM SERIES    STARTING IN MAY! We will make a different style of mini scrapbook/album each month. You can register for as few or as many classes as you wish. But if you sign up for 3 or more you will receive a $5 discount on each class. FEE: $30 Thursday, May 14, 2 pm & 7 pm  MASCULINE ENVELOPE ALBUM (Similar but not exactly the same as this) Thursday, June 11, 2 pm & 7 pm  CD POCKET ALBUM (Similar but not exactly the same as this) Thursday, July 16, 2 pm & 7 pm  TRIPLE FLIP ALBUM (Similar but not exactly the same as this)    Thursday, August 13, 2 pm & 7 pm  WATERFALL ALBUM (Similar but not exactly the same as this) PLUS MORE MINI ALBUMS DURING THE FALL & WINTER! EMAIL ME to save your spot!

ONE OF A KIND CLASSES Mother's Day Card & Gift Thursday, April 23, 2 pm & 7pm Fee: $15. Click here to register +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PAPER PUMPKIN PARTY!            Thursday, May 7, 2 pm & 7 pm      Come help me put together my Paper Pumpkin kit and you can take one of the projects home with you.  Will it be a card? A treat bag? Or something else? We have to wait and see. Along with making the project in the box, I'll show you other ways to use the materials. Fee: $5 Click here to register

Baskets & Butterflies

Though Easter celebrations are over I wanted to share with you some baskets I made to sell at the Soup Cafe here in town. They also carry my Greeting cards, plus serve delicious lunches!

 I love using the Berry Basket die to create baskets to hold a whole variety of gifts. If the gift doesn't weigh a lot you can use card stock, but if you need a sturdier container try using our Coaster Board.

The basket on the left is made with Tangelo Twist cardstock, the flower and brad are retired. 

The basket in the centre is made using the white backing paper from Designer Series Paper and stamped with the leaves from An Open Heart stamp set, using Mossy Meadow ink. The ribbon is also Mossy Meadow.

The third basket is made using Coaster Board and stamped with our background stamp Hardwood using Baked Brown Sugar ink. I cut the Sale-a-bration Designer Series paper with the Berry Basket die and lined this basket.

Then I filled them all with yummy Easter treats, placed them in plastic bags and tied them up with Hello Honey ribbon!

I also have a quick and easy Thank You card to share:

This card uses several of the 2013-1015 In Colours that are retiring this year. And I'm going to miss them! If you like them too be sure to stock up before they are sold out - the ink refills go really fast, along with all the other products - card stock, ribbon, markers...

The card base is Coastal Cabana, the three small flowers are Crisp Cantaloupe, the butterflies are Strawberry Slush, and the large flower is also Coastal Cabana. The flowers, butterflies, and sentiment are all stamped with Memento Black ink. The stamp sets used are Papillion Potpourri, Flower Shop, Petite Petals, Kinda Eclectic.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Stamping
Carol

FREE SHIPPING!

Yahoo! Stampin' Up! has announced FREE SHIPPING from Monday, April 6th to Friday, April 10th.

The retirement list is posting early this year on April 21, 2015  and  just a heads up - there  will be  many 2013/15 IN COLOUR items that will go VERY quickly, especially re-inkers. You should  get those items before the retirement list post, and why not get them when you don't have to pay for shipping! That's an extra 10% savings.

It's also a smart time to purchase any big ticket items you have on your wish list!

You can shop at my on-line store and have your order shipped directly to your home. 

Please use the Hostess Code R2DNPA2Y.

Or contact me directly.

Don't miss your chance to save!

Happy Stamping

Carol

CREATIVE BLOG HOP!

Welcome to this Monday's Creative Blog Hop! I want to thank Cathy Miller for nominating me, and you can visit Cathy's blog Anything Goes Crafts by Cathy here.

The first project I want to share is a birthday card I made for a demo friend Maree. She is also involved in this blog hop, and you can visit her blog Inky Moose here.

For this card I used the Gold Soiree Designer Series Paper on Garden Green and Calypso Coral card stock.

The stamp sets used are Petite Pairs and Simply Wonderful.

The second card features three stamp sets: From My Heart (sentiment), Work of Art, and Serene Silhouettes. The colours are Lost Lagoon, Basic Black, and Whisper White. This is a good card for classes, simple to create but impressive to receive.

 My third project is a Bunny Basket, made with the Berry Basket Die.

The basket is stamped with the Hardwood background stamp in Baked Brown Sugar and lined with Designer Series Paper.

The bunny is made with a variety of punches...

The best part is when you turn the basket around you can see that the bunny is in the process of hopping into the basket!

Now on to the questions:

1. What are you working on now?

At the moment I am preparing for my Easter classes, and this bunny basket is a part of that. I'm also in rebuilding mode and trying to offer new and exciting ideas to my stamping friends. Part of that is starting Memory Keeping classes which I will be marketing in the new few weeks.

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre?

Sometimes it doesn't differ at all! I do a lot of CASEing (Copy & Share Everything). Partly because there are so many beautiful creations out there, and also because, for me at least, creativity is a slow process, requiring uninterrupted time alone. My natural style inclination is towards vintage.

3. Why do you create what you do?

Although I do make a lot of cards, I really enjoy caseing and creating projects that are practical and useful - gift items, stationery, mini scrapbooks and such.

4. How does your creative process work?

I need a specific goal, I can't create without something to guide me. Whether it's a birthday card or a gift item, I need to consider who it's for and how it will be used.

Then I usually choose a Designer Series Paper to help me with the colour combination - I may or may not use the DSP in the project. 

Once I have these I need 2-4 hours of uninterrupted time, depending on the complexity of the project. Personally I can't design unless I'm alone. And if I can set aside two or three days for designing and creating my ideas get better and better as the time goes on. I guess I have to get into the 'zone'.

++++++++++++++

For next week's Creative Blog Hop I would like to nominate Lillian Kemp, a lovely lady I met on the last day of Leadership this year. Lillian is working on reviving her blog so be sure to visit her next Monday (I will remind you!). Lillian's blog is called Stampers' Niche and you can find it here.

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you enjoyed the projects.

Happy Stamping
Carol