A Penguin Party

A penguin party is in full swing today to celebrate a birthday! But it’s cold outside, so they’re dressed with hats and scarves to keep warm. With the Penguin Builder Punch, it’s a snap to create as many penguins as you like. Of course, you’ll also want the Penguin Place stamp set in order to create all of the penguin accessories. So save 10% and purchase both products together in the Penguin Place Bundle!

Image of the Penguin Place stamp set and Penguin Builder Punch.
Penguin Place Bundle: Penguin Place stamp set PLUS Penguin Builder Punch

Creating the Penguin Party Card

A Penguin Party birthday card showing placement of the penguins and all their accessories from the Stampin' Up! Penguin Place Bundle.

In order to create a Penguin Party card, start with a Mint Macaron card base 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″. Then score it at 4-1/4″ and fold. Using the Penguin Builder Punch, cut five black penguin bodies. Similarly. punch five white bodies. In order to assemble the penguins glue the white and black layers together. Alternatively, stamp the penguins with Tuxedo Black Memento ink on Basic White cardstock. Then punch out the penguin bodies. Either way you’ll have five cute penguins to decorate!

Continue by stamping the eyes, noses, balloons, hats, scarves, gifts, etc. Snip these accessories with a Paper Snips, a must-have tool for your stamp room!

Click the button below for more details. There’s a list of all the products used and instructions, as well as links to purchase any items you may need.

Penguin Birthday Card Info

Penguin Inspiration

For more penguin inspiration, see the Penguin Playmates Series which begins here. This series demonstrates how to use various size pieces of Designer Series Paper in card layouts. Although the featured paper is no longer available, you can use any paper for the layouts. Just change the colors, elements and embellishments to use what you have!

What will you create today? We’d love to see what you’re working on. Leave a comment below to share what you’re making today!

Frightfully Cute Shaker Card

A Frightfully Cute Shaker Card is fun to make and even more fun to shake! Use the orange shades in Sequins for Everything to fill this shaker. They are perfect for our Halloween card! Then add a touch of gold with some Gold Shimmer Ribbon to accent the sparkly sequins.

For some spooky texture, die cut the spider web with Snowy White Velvet paper. Don’t forget to stamp the bats and spider too!

Frightfully Cute Shaker Card showing the position of the shaker, spider web and greeting.

Frightfully Cute Shaker Card Recipe

Begin creating the shaker card by cutting Night of Navy cardstock for a standard card base, 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″. Score at 4-1/4″ and fold. Next cut Beauty of the Earth Designer Series Paper to 4″ x 4″. Also cut Misty Moonlight cardstock to 1-3/8″ x 4″. Adhere the Designer series Paper and Misty Moonlight piece together with multipurpose glue, overlapping just slightly. Set this piece aside while stamping the shaker piece.

Preparing the Shaker Pieces

To build the shaker, firstly stamp the circular image from Frightfully Cute in Bumblebee ink on Basic White cardstock. Secondly, die cut the circle with the Frightful Tags Die. Thirdly, use Layering Circles Dies to die cut a hole in the background piece you created in the previous step. Also cut a Night of Navy circular frame using the same size circle as the Bumblebee piece, and one slightly larger. This will cover the ribbon edges once the shaker is finished.

Adhere a small piece of Window Sheet on the back of the hole. Then cut a small piece of Gold Shimmer Ribbon for the left side of the hole, and a larger piece for the right. Attach the ribbon, wrapping a small amount around to the back of the panel. Once the ribbon is on, place the Night of Navy frame over the window sheet, covering the ribbon ends.

For some spooky texture, die cut a spider web from Snowy White Velvet Paper with the Frightful Tags Dies. Adhere the spider web with a few dabs of multipurpose glue. Finish the background by stamping some bats in black ink, and of course, you’ll want to add a spider or two also. Finally, stamp the sentiment in black ink on a scrap of white cardstock and glue it at the bottom center of the panel.

Raising the Front Panel

The next step is to position the Bumblebee circle beneath the die cut hole and glue it to the card base. Afterwards, add Foam Adhesive Strips around the outside of the Bumblebee circle, adhering them only to the circle, and not to the top panel. Additionally, add foam strips around the perimeter and interior of the top panel.

Put Sequins For Everything on top of the Bumblebee circle, then remove the paper from all the adhesive foam strips and carefully lay the top panel in position over the card base. Then shake, shake, shake your Frightfully Cute card!

For a list of all the products used in this post, click the button below.

Frightfully Cute Shaker Card Info

For more Halloween fun, be sure to check out the Bewitched and Be Dazzling post!

Repurposing Christmas Cards

Repurposing Christmas cards by making them into new cards is one of the most popular ways to keep them from cluttering your home. While you could just recycle them, why not give card-making a try? You’ll create a fresh original Christmas card with your own special touches!

For this craft, start by simply cutting your favorite elements from the old cards. For example, cut a scene, a greeting, or a cute picture. Perhaps there is a sentiment set you haven’ t used much (or at all!) yet. Look through your old cards to see if you have images that would coordinate perfectly with the greetings.

In order to transform your card, choose cardstock for your new creation in a coordinating color. In addition, find a sentiment, background, and embellishments. Two examples are shown below to get you started.

Religious Themed Card Scene

Firstly cut a larger image down to fit a standard card front, which is 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″. Use a paper trimmer, or alternatively a die cutting machine with dies, such as these Stitched Rectangles Dies. Then mount your image on the card front with multipurpose glue, or other adhesive.

Finally add a sentiment, like this one from For Unto Us. For an ornate image, such as the red and gold one below, heat-emboss the greeting with Gold embossing powder to match the background. If you haven’t tried heat embossing yet, get more details in this post. Of course stamping the sentiment in a coordinating color works too, but the embossing is so elegant!

Repurposing Christmas Cards with a religious theme - example.

Repurposing Christmas Cards by Cutting Out Elements

Sometimes there are just a couple elements that you want to save from an old greeting card. For this card, it is these smiling gingerbread people. To create a new card with them, cut a piece of silver foil for the background. Then score it 1/4″ from the edge all the way around to resemble a baking sheet. Add the cutouts, then stamp and die cut a spatula and rolling pin. Lastly add the die cuts and a greeting with the What’s Cookin’ Bundle from the Stampin’ Up! 2021-2022 Annual Catalog. As a result, the cute gingerbread people have a new life and you have a cute card to send!

Example of repurposing Christmas cards by cutting out elements.

Featured Stamp Sets: For Unto Us, What’s Cookin’

The sentiments in the For Unto Us stamp set have beautiful fonts as shown below. Use them for both the outside and inside of your repurposed cards. For example, the first card above has “oh, come let us adore him” heat embossed in gold on the inside.

Sentiment images from the Stampin' Up! For Unto Us stamp set.
For Unto Us stamp set by Stampin’ Up!

Alternatively, build creative kitchen cooking and baking scenes with the What’s Cookin’ bundle of stamps and dies. While the dies cut out some stamped images from the coordinating set, there are several additional elements included, such as the cutting board and whisk. The bundle includes 10% savings over buying the two products separately.

Cooking and baking images and coordinating dies in the Stampin' Up! What's Cookin' Bundle.
What’s Cookin’ Bundle: What’s Cookin’ stamp set and Cookin’ Dies by Stampin’ Up!

In conclusion, repurposing Christmas cards can be as simple as adding a greeting. Or it can mean embellishing with as many additional elements as you like! Are you ready to try it today? Leave a comment below and let us know what you are creating!

Delightful Snowflakes

Delightful Snowflakes are the backdrop for these two prancing deer Christmas cards today! Are you a fan of snow? Do you get excited when the first snowflakes of the season begin to flutter from the sky? Perhaps you anticipate cross-country or downhill skiing, snowboarding, or building snowmen and snow forts.

Whether you’re a snow lover or a snow bird, these prancing deer in a snowy scene can fit the bill for your holiday greetings to friends and family. Look through your stash for some snowflake paper, or make your own! Then, based on the colors in your paper, design with a traditional or non-traditional color scheme. For example, see one sample of each type below.

Traditional Color Scheme

First of all, starting with traditional red and green Christmas colors, we will create the same card in two color schemes. To begin, gather a standard 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ card base, two pieces of patterned paper that coordinate with each other and the Peaceful Deer Bundle. Snowflake patterns work great, but if you don’t have any, the next card shows how to create some. In addition, choose one or two ink pads for the deer and sentiment, and a couple of embellishments.

For the background layer at the top of the card, cut a 2″ x 5-1/4″ piece of your first patterned paper. Cut a 3″ x 4″ rectangle of your second pattern. Stamp and punch two deer, with or without antlers, with the Peaceful Deer Bundle.

Assemble the card base and patterned paper as shown below. Add the deer, a sentiment and a few rhinestones, and you’re done!

Delightful Snowflake Traditional Color Christmas Card

Delightful Snowflakes – Non-Traditional Colors

In contrast, if you prefer less traditional colors, you can use the same layout but change the color scheme. If you don’t have paper with snowflakes, choose a patterned paper such as the Coastal Cabana paper from the Brights Collection. Heat emboss snowflakes from Snowflake Wishes with Versamark ink, white embossing powder, and a heat tool. If you prefer to stamp and die cut snowflakes, the Snowflake Wishes stamp set has coordinating So Many Snowflakes Dies. For all products and cutting dimensions to make this card, click the link below the photo.

Non-Traditional Snowflake Christmas Card
Snowflake Wishes Card Info

For more Christmas Card Ideas and layouts, see the Penguin Playmates Card Series.

So which version of Delightful Snowflakes do you prefer: traditional or non-traditional? Let me know in the comments!

Timeless Tulips Sympathy Card

Timeless Tulips is a beautiful stamp set for sympathy cards. While there are sentiments for other occasions, such as birthday and get well, we need cards for the not so happy times too. Be sure to have some on hand because they’re so difficult to make when you’re mourning.

Starting with a white card base, first add a dark layer with the Gorgeous Grape cardstock. Then lighten things up again with a white panel enhanced with a narrow strip of Hand Penned Designer Series Paper.

Stamp tulips from Timeless Tulips in Gorgeous Grape and Old Olive ink, and a sentiment in Highland Heather ink. Next, punch out the large tulip and leaf with the Tulip Builder Punch. Finally, finish off the focal image by tying a bow with Gorgeous Grape Sheer Ribbon. It’s so easy to work with!

In order to embellish your card with a little extra interest, pop on a few Pastel Pearls. These pearls come in four colors. For a little contrast, choose the Highland Heather ones. On the other hand, to match the tulips, Gorgeous Grape ones also work.

For complete cutting and assembly instructions, click the link below the card photo.

Timeless Tulips Sympathy Card
Timeless Tulip Card Info

Click for another Sympathy card idea

Timeless Tulips Card Supplies

Click any product below for more information or to order any needed supplies.

Product List
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock
[159229]
$8.25
Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[159276]
$9.75
Gorgeous Grape 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
[146987]
$8.75
Hand Penned 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper
[155499]
$11.50
Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad
[147103]
$7.50
Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad
[147099]
$7.50
Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
[147090]
$7.50
Timeless Tulips Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)
[158327]
$18.00
Tulip Builder Punch
[151295]
$18.00
3/8" (1 Cm) Gorgeous Grape Sheer Ribbon
[154572]
$7.00
Pastel Pearls
[154571]
$6.50
Stampin' Dimensionals
[104430]
$4.00
Add All to Cart

October 2021 Paper Pumpkin Kit

Peaceful Christmas

The October 2021 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Peaceful Christmas is the perfect project kit for girlfriend or family get-togethers! Because these craft kits are all-inclusive, it’s so easy to craft while you snack and chat.

When you picture a peaceful Christmas, what comes to mind? Do you see snow softly swirling outside your window? A tree trimmed with tinsel? Or perhaps a fire crackling nearby? Can you catch a whiff of Christmas cookies wafting through the air?

Whatever you think about when Christmas comes to town, picture a peaceful Christmas with the Peaceful Christmas Paper Pumpkin Kit! This glimmering and gleaming kit is your creative kickstart to Christmas cardmaking. Sprinkles of snow, shimmering silver skies, and heartwarming holiday wishes are all here. And you’ll have enough elements and embellishments to create 10 Christmas cards and coordinating envelopes.

Speaking of coordination, make even more Christmas magic with Peaceful Place products! Our stunning Peaceful Place Suite Collection (item 156277) pairs perfectly with the kit’s components. Brew some cups of cocoa, gather with your friends, and prepare for a cozy craft night in!

Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin

October 2021 Paper Pumpkin Kit Details

Name: Peaceful Christmas

Details

  • The kit contains enough elements to create 10 Christmas cards—5 each of 2 designs—and coordinating envelopes. This all-inclusive kit includes printed card bases, die-cut paper pieces, embellishments, adhesive, and more!
  • October’s kit arrives in a cute collectible box covered with enchanting evergreen trees. Use this special, limited-edition box to store your holiday handicrafts, or transform it into a well-wrapped package for a present!
  • The kit’s contents pair perfectly with the Peaceful Place Suite Collection (item 156277). To continue your Christmas crafting, combine the kit’s components with the suite’s patterned paper, shimmery sequins, and more!
  • Card size: 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ (10.8 x 14 cm)
  • Envelope size: 4-1/2″ x 5-3/4″ (11.4 x 14.6 cm)
  • Coordinating colors: Basic Gray, Real Red, Shaded Spruce, silver foil
Basic Gray
Real Red
Shaded Spruce
Silver Foil

Subscription Information

  • Subscribe for the October Paper Pumpkin Kit from September 11 – October 10, 2021.
  • Supplies may be limited toward the end of the subscription period.

Find out all the details and subscribe to Paper Pumpkin here:

Paper Pumpkin FAQs
Subscribe Now
Purchase a Prepaid Subscription
October 2021 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Peaceful Christmas

Trifold Shutter Cards

Trifold Shutter cards are a fun-fold card that looks difficult to make, but is actually fairly simple. Once you’ve mastered the scoring and folding, the rest is easy. Just decorate your card with pretty paper!

Scoring and Cutting

Let’s see how to make this fun-fold card. Begin with a 5-1/2″ x 12″ piece of Calypso Coral Cardstock. On the 12″ side, score at 2″, 4″, 8″ and 10″. Put the 5-1/2″ side in the paper trimmer at the 1-1/2″ mark. Cut between the 2″ and 10″ score lines. Flip the paper and cut again. See diagram below.

Trifold Shutter Card cutting and scoring diagram.

Trifold Shutter Card Folds

Next, fold the outer sections, alternating a mountain fold, then a valley fold. So the mountain folds will be on the 2″ and 8″ score lines, and the valley folds on the 4″ and 10″ score lines. The center section will have a mountain fold on the 4″ score line, and a valley fold on the 8″ score line. As a result, the middle section of the card is folded in the opposite direction of the outer sections. When finished, your folded cardstock should look like the photo below.

Trifold Shutter Card showing completed folds.

Decorating Trifold Shutter Cards Two Ways

For the first birthday card, create a mat for the front and back panel. Decorate the other sections with the Pansy Petals Designer Series Paper. Stamp the greeting from Pansy Patch in the center panel. Then add a few 2021-2023 In Color Jewels (Polished Pink) to the front center section for a cute accent. For cutting dimensions and product information, click the link below.

Trifold Shutter Card with Pansy Petals Designer Series Paper.
Love Those Pansies Birthday Card
Love Those Pansies Card Info
Button to buy 2021-2023 In Color Jewels.
2021-2023 In Color Jewels

Alternative Pansy Petals Design

Like the first card, mat the front and back panel, but also add mats to the two center sections. Similarly, choose patterns from the Pansy Petals DSP to decorate all the other sections. For both cards, die cut the four pansies with the Pansy Dies.

So, the only stamping is for the greeting. Add your sentiment wherever you like it. For example, on the first sample, you stamp on the white cardstock. On the other hand, for the second sample you stamp the sentiment on a second piece of cardstock and add it over the Pansy Petals paper on the front.

Trifold Shutter Card with matted Pansy Petals Designer Series Paper.
In the Pansy Patch Card
In the Pansy Patch Card Info

Crafty Savings Tip

When browsing the Stampin’ Up! catalog, look for bundled savings. There’s one section in the back of the catalog that features punch bundles and another for die bundles. Whenever you purchase these coordinating products together, you save 10%. If you are shopping online, you’ll find bundled savings here.

More Fun Fold Cards

Ready to try another fun fold? Check out these Gatefold and Drapery Fold cards.