Be MINE (Valentine Seagulls, again)

It had to be made.

If you’ve ever seen “Finding Nemo”, you know how the seagulls squawk “mine! mine! mine!” over a french fry? This card was swimming in my head with the call of the birds until I stamped it!

Can’t you hear them?!

If you haven’t seen the other Friendly Seagull Valentines I created earlier this week using the Stampin’ Up! Friendly Seagull stamp set for Sale a Bration, you’ll want to see them, too (hint: there ARE french fries involved!)

The Friendly Seagulls stamp set could be yours FREE with a qualifying order from my Stampin’ Store by Feb. 28, 2025.

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It was fun to use the Mini Alphabet letters on the heart die from the “Spring Is In the Air” dies, which are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber exclusive add-on. If you aren’t a Paper Pumpkin subscriber, this is your sign!

Fault Line Cards- Paper Pumpkin Alternatives

I was thinking of cake.

This decorating trend is called a “fault line” cake, and after watching a few short videos (activating my sweet tooth), it occurred to me that the concept would translate into card making (minus the calories!).

Let’s try it using the December Paper Pumpkin “Notes from the Heart” stamp set from paired with card stock and Designer Series Paper to create these Fault Line greeting cards,starting with a thank you card:

I roughed-up the edges along the “fault line”, reminiscent of my Busted Canvas card, by rolling back the torn edges. It really gives the card character!

Next, a Basic Beige Birthday Card, with the Timeless Plaid Designer Series Paper (from the Stampin’ Up! 2025 January-April mini catalog) peeking through:

Since I hadn’t opened the Nature’s Sweetness Specialty DSP package, I ended my stamping spree with this shiny Congrats Card. The gold foil and embossing are gorgeous, so I’ll probably make a whole stack of these to have on hand! The Adhesive-Backed Heart Sequins will be available on January 7th:

Here are the materials needed for the Fault Line card:

  • 4.25″ x 9.5″ card stock base, scored at 5.5″
  • 4.25″ x 5.5″ card stock, same color (inside the front of the card to give it stability and cover DSP)
  • Designer Series Paper 4.25″ x 4″ -the main image showing through
  • Designer Series Paper -OR- card stock 4.25″ x 3″
  • Stamps, Ink pad, embellishments (as desired)

Learn how to make this fault line card (with a twist) on Monday 12/30 during Lunchtime Live Crafting on my Facebook Page and YouTube channel at 12:30 MT. The replay will be posted here on my website later that day.

Don’t miss a Paper Pumpkin kit! The January kit Hearts for You will be oh-so-loveable, and I always share exclusive alternate projects using just the stamp set and ink (similar to these) with my subscribers in my Paper Pumpkin Patch email. Subscribe NOW by clicking the image or link above:

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Spotlight Masking Technique

Using this reverse masking concept with blending & stamping to give your hand-crafted projects the look of layers without the bulk of extra paper! While I’m sharing projects used mostly with the November “Filled with Joy” Paper Pumpkin kit, I know you’ll find ways to try it with what you have.

Watch the video tutorial, then see the finished projects below.

A good paper crafter looks for new ways to use every piece of a kit, such as the piece that we popped the ornaments from in the kit – I used it as a stencil for blending ink onto this tag (from the coordinating Merry Tags & More dies), then stamped through the stencil before removing it:

Voila! A new ornament! Same technique on a card:

These stockings were included in the “Filled with Joy” kit – there were still some refills available to Paper Pumpkin subscribers at the time of this post – and DID YOU KNOW you could add texture to fabric by running it through an embossing folder?! The Eyelet 3D folder was adorable on these and the tag was another alternative idea that wasn’t shown in the video:

I’ll stuff these with some goodies for my primary class at church and for the sisters I minister to. That’s 8 gifts wrapped, thanks to a kit!

Paper Pumpkin subscribers who choose me as their demonstrator receive an exclusive “Pumpkin Patch” email each month with more ways to use the stamp set and ink pad from their kit.

You can “think outside the box” and use the supplies from a kit for different projects, like this quick gift card holder (demonstrated in the video):

If you missed subscribing for the November Paper Pumpkin kit, don’t worry…you could make the same gift card holder idea with the Festive Tags kit, which is available a la carte in the Kit Collection!

While you can order from the Kit Collection ANYTIME (new kits are added monthly!), you may not want to miss a month of our premium craft kit subscription…the December kit is called “Notes from the Heart” and here’s a sneak peek:

Learn more about Paper Pumpkin HERE.

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Loni Spendlove, Paper Pumpkin Craft Kit

Don’t Be Spooked-Be Crafty!

There is a LOT going on in the SU!niverse – let’s break it down, so you can pick your path to fall creativity:

First: Can there be anything easier and more exciting than getting a craft kit in the mail??

Actually, YES: When your first kit is 40% off!

The last day to take advantage of the Paper Pumpkin new subscription offer is Thursday, October 10th (also the deadline for the Nests of Winter Kit) and new accounts will receive 40% off the first kit when you enter the promo code HOLIDAY40CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE

Sweetening the pot: I have a GIVEAWAY for one new subscriber – the coordinating Merry Tags & More dies match the Oct/Nov/Dec kits! It could be yours, along with the joy of a new monthly crafting adventure!


Second: TODAY (Wednesday, October 9th) is the last day of our Stamp Sale~ 15% off all stamp sets from the Annual Catalog!


Next: Whether you are craving connection, a community or a discount on craft supplies, you’ll find that the best opportunity to try any of those is the STARTER KIT – and it’s worth MORE in October!

You’ll get to choose $155 ($30 more than usual) worth of product for just $99, PLUS get a discount on future purchases through January, 2025. You’ll also get to be a part of my Sprinkled Ink family of demonstrators, and if it brings you JOY, it could turn into the adventure of your life!


FINALLY: Choose your own CURATED Craft Kit for up to 30% off this month!

This sale includes the two newest kits that were released last week! Click on the images to view them:

Tie a ribbon around these kits and you are ready for gifting!


BONUS NEWS: I’ll be at CraftCon USA in Kanab, UT on October 25-26 and teaching two classes with my friend Sue. We would love to see you there! Use promo code TEACHERS PET to save MORE on the event registration, then use what you saved to register for one of our classes.

Winterly Tree Tops 3D Frame Card with birds for a friend, Stampin' Up!

Mail this 3-D Frame Card

…to a friend who will display it proudly!

Because the October Paper Pumpkin kit coordinates with the Nests of Winter Suite, I wanted to show a card using those products that pops out of the envelope to create a stand-up 3-D frame:

This was a pretty simple card to create, and if you dislike fussy cutting (as I did with the birds from the Designer Series Paper), you could use the coordinating dies to cut different birds out for the inside.

Here’s the video tutorial to follow along:

Add a panel to the back of the card for writing your message, and remember, #nonakedenvelopes

If you love this project, DON’T MISS THE “Nests of Christmas” craft kit in the mail! You must subscribe by October 10th in order to receive this kit, and new subscribers can use code HOLIDAY40 to save 40% off their first kit!

The stamp set from the Kit will work perfectly with the Suite from the mini catalog (which we used today). When you purchase Stampin’ Up! products from your demonstrator, you support a small business, PLUS keep artists creating beautiful crafting supplies for you to enjoy~ THANK YOU.

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Build Creative Muscles – Get 40% Off!

When I taught piano lessons, I’d tell my students “Practice trumps talent when talent doesn’t practice”. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not creative,” believe me when I say CREATIVITY CAN BE LEARNED!!

The easiest way to become more artistic is to have a starting point. Paper Pumpkin – a monthly craft box kit subscription – gives you a place to practice. Let me show you how:

On the left is a card created as designed for the September Paper Pumpkin Kit (“Autumn Abundance”). It took me less than 5 minutes to make it, following the instructions in the box. I thought the colors were so pretty, I chose to use the same palette on another card. Using Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry and Night of Navy ink pads, I followed a sketch from the Stampin’ Up! Sept-Dec Mini Catalog (pg. 16) to make the second card. It was simply stamped on Very Vanilla card stock and used the Labeled with Love punch to make the trio of panels.

Each quarter, there is a coordinating die set available to add-on to the kits, so I used the same sketch & colors to create a second version with the die-cut leaves using the dies for last quarter. They are sold out, but you CAN order the Merry Tags & More Dies (which coordinate with the Oct-Dec 2024 kits) while supplies last.

Next, this Thank You card in the kit (left) had a beautiful base. What if you needed a small gift package?

Make it into a box, of course! I’m teaching you how to make all these alternate projects in today’s video, so watch here for instructions:

Also included in the kit this month was this third card project- it was a 4″ x 4″ Autumn card, then I looked at the window and it made me think of a shaker card:

The snail and leaves shake around inside!

The kit is terrific to get your creative juices flowing, and making the projects as intended, you will learn the basics of paper crafting. You can always make different projects with the supplies you have in the box, and I send an EXCLUSIVE email each month to my Paper Pumpkin subscribers with ways to use the stamp set and ink spot after the kit is complete!

HERE’S THE DEAL:

Try a Paper Pumpkin craft kit subscription with 40% off your first month (new subscribers only)! Use promo code HOLIDAY40 when you subscribe HERE by October 10, 2024!

You are peeking at the “Nest of Christmas” October Kit, which coordinates with the Nests of Winter Suite in the Sept-Dec Mini catalog, and you could try it at a discount! This kit will make 10 Christmas Cards.

While the September Autumn Abundance kit isn’t available as a full kit, the refill IS available in my store (limited supplies available) and you could use other stamps and ink pads you already have to make it. You must be a current Paper Pumpkin subscriber to order refills or add-ons, so sign up and then start shopping the extras, using the same email you subscribed with.

The Versatility of a Fabulous Kit

Stampin’ Up! has the #bestcraftingkit (or kits) on the planet. Whether you just want to dip your fingers in the paper crafting ocean, or you want to commit to creativity each month…there’s a kit for you!

I wanted to showcase how amazing the July Paper Pumpkin kit “Painted Petals” was, and encourage you NOT TO WASTE A SECOND in subscribing for the August kit (and beyond).

After assembling one of the cards as intended from the kit, I created an “alternate” card by just adding a bit of Basic Black card stock. You may enjoy simply following the instructions, but if you want to stretch your artistic muscles, kits are a superb starting spot:

Fold the printed card base with the printed images INSIDE the card, then trim 1/4″ off the bottom and open side, making it 4″ x 8 1/4″ when open. Fold the front (colored) flap back on itself, add a 3″ x 4.25″ black card stock to the front left side of the card and attach your details. Adhere the card to a 5.5″ x 4.25″ black card stock base and voila:

Try turning your kit into scrapbook pages for your memory albums! The back side of the card became a faux strip behind my photo mats, and I added a simple floral border at the bottom:

Finally, don’t forget the box! On the months when the box matches the contents (usually Paper Pumpkin kits arrive in Poppy Parade boxes), you may want to gussy it up and use it as gift wrapping:

For the box top, I used one of the envelopes and the special Add-On Every Celebration Dies, which coordinate with the July, August AND September Kits:

Once your kit is completed, you are left with a small ink spot and the photopolymer stamps. With some basic supplies, you can create more fantastic cards, tags, gifts, etc.

So what is the August 2024kit going to be? Birthday Cards!

The “Time for Cake” craft kit will be shipped around the 15th and features the following, but you must subscribe by August 10th

🎂 Rose gold foil
🎂 Accordion card folds
🎂 A festive color palette
🎂 A birthday sentiment stamp set

Subscribers will also receive a gift with their kit: an additional stamp set! 🥳 Those number stamps will become an indispensable tool in your stamping arsenal.

We have MORE INCREDIBLE a la carte kits that you won’t want to miss – stock up for yourself, to make with friends, or to give as gifts! The selection is always growing, so check back every month to discover your inspiration.

Upcycle a Kit Box into a Gorgeous Gift

Maybe it’s because we’ve searched for a good box previously to no avail, but I am of the age that it’s difficult for me to throw away the boxes from Stampin’ Up! kits, or the pretty Paper Pumpkin boxes! They are such a perfect size for a half batch of BROWNIES, that it *almost* makes me want to bake a pan of ooey-gooey goodness, but then I’d want to eat the other half…

But what can we DO with those wonderful Stampin’ Up! boxes (aside from delivering goodies)??

Turn them into STATIONERY GIFT SETS!

Begin by covering the top with a piece of card stock and/or Designer Series Paper and embellish as desired. The February Paper Pumpkin kit box was also one I kept to modify, and because it was pre-printed, it took a smaller piece of card stock that I embossed for the center:

Next, you’ll also re-cycle the cardboard backing from a package of Designer Series Paper by cutting it into two pieces:

  • 12″ x 6 1/4″ – scored at 4 1/2″, 6″ and 7 1/2″
  • 4 1/2″ x 9 1/8″ – scored at 2 1/2″, 4″ and 6 1/2″

Those two pieces will create the dividers for your box. These easily fit 6-8 cards & envelopes on the large sections, a small book of postage stamps in the smallest section and your could add tags, small gift enclosures, a pad of post-it notes or a treat in the medium section:

Here’s the video tutorial to discover how simple it is to make this handy project:

After the video, I remembered I had some Dollar Tree goodies to send to my grandkids, and lo-and-behold, they fit in a 2-section box… just leave out the second section divider and you could also put twice as many A2-sized cards inside:

As demonstrated in the tutorial, I made a few simple cards using up the scraps from my pack of Perennial Lavender DSP and the Paper Butterfly Accents, along with the Perennial Postage bundle:

What are you going to put in your boxes? I’d love to see how *you* upcycle an empty kit box…share your creativity in my VIP Facebook Group!

Now that you’ve seen what you can make with the boxes, shop for more in the current Kit Collection:

Don’t miss the chance to subscribe before April 10, 2024 for the Delicate Wings Paper Pumpkin Kit, and add the “Thanks & Beyond Dies” to coordinate with the April, May AND June Paper Pumpkin kits!

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Unbox Your Craft-ivity

If you think you are not creative…THINK AGAIN!

Anyone can be crafty with a KIT, and I’m here to help you unbox some ways to be creative even when…

  • You think you don’t have time
  • You think you can’t afford it
  • You think you don’t have the space for crafting

Paper Pumpkin is the BEST craft kit subscription in the world, and each monthly box you’ll receive:

In this video, I show the Sweet Springtime Kit (February 2024), how to complete the projects as they are sent in the kit -OR- unleash your own ideas using the supplies from the kit or around your craft room:

While the full kits are sold out, there are refills for the Sweet Springtime kit (while supplies last) that you could easily add your own sentiment stamps to complete. They are available for subscribers only, so hurry and subscribe in the next step!

Click the button(s) to choose your Paper Pumpkin Path:

Here are the alternative projects I created with the Sweet Springtime Kit:

Now a look at what’s coming in the March “Memorable Meadows” Paper Pumpkin kit (SUBSCRIBE BY MARCH 10th to get this kit in your mailbox!!):

Share nature’s beauty with lovely all-occasion cards! Includes a free BONUS stamp set!

  • Makes 9 cards: 3 each of 3 designs with 9 coordinating envelopes
  • Precut vellum pieces & wood embellishments
  • Coordinating colors: Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Gorgeous Grape, Fresh Freesia

Perhaps you aren’t ready to make the commitment to a monthly subscription, but want a one-time curated crafting experience. I’ve got just the thing(s) with the Kit Collection in my Stampin’ Store which you can choose a la carte:

TWO NEW KITS are added to the collection every month, and while I indicated March 2024 kits would be added on Tuesday 3/5, I’ve learned that they are actually dropping into the store on THURSDAY, March 7th! I did get a peek at them today and I can tell you I’ll be grabbing BOTH kits…you’ll want to check them out in just a few days.

After the camera turned off, I did make a few more different cards with the leftover pieces from my kit (coudn’t let those gingham envelopes or adorable animals go to waste!). One of them I’ll share in my VIP Facebook Group and here’s the other:

And ONE (of four) #simplestamping cards I shared in my exclusive Paper Pumpkin email for my subscribers~ after the kit is complete and you have just the stamp set and ink spot remaining:

Use a 6″x6″ Designer Series Paper for This Card!

Some patterned paper comes as 12″ x 12″ and a few of our fancy designs are 6″ x 6″, so today (and to help you use up your Paper Share!), I’ve got a fun fold slimline card which uses a 6″ x 6″ piece of Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper:

On the left is the card closed flat, and on the right, it’s open to see all the panels.

Cut two 2″ wide and two 1″ wide pieces from one 6″ x 6″ piece of pretty paper to fit into each section. You’ll also need a 1″ x 6″ and 2″ x 6″ panel of card stock to fit where you will write a message. The finished size is 3.5″ x 6.25″ when folded flat.

Here’s a different version with a piece of the Lighter Than Air Designer Series Paper, which already comes as 6″ x 6″-

I created a belly band for this one to keep it closed, then when you slide it off, it opens to wish you a Happy Birthday:

If you didn’t snag a stack of patterned paper in my Designer Series Paper Share, I have a few left! Get one piece of EVERY paper in the 2024 Jan-April Mini catalog for $18 (if you pick up from me in Hurricane, UT) or $22 shipped to you, while supplies last. Both pieces used on these cards ARE INCLUDED IN THE SHARE.

Need more ideas to try for 6″ x 6″ paper?

I love making Sour Cream treat containers or use the Corner Angle card technique to get 4 cards from one piece of paper!


The Perennial Lavender Designer Series Paper (and Perennial Lavender suite) coordinates with the January Paper Pumpkin craft kit! Subscribe by January 10th to receive the Lovely Lavender kit:

Make love-themed cards for special occasions, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, and more with this all-inclusive kit that arrives in your mailbox in January. The kit includes a unique photopolymer stamp set and ink spot and…

• Makes 8 cards: 4 each of 2 designs with 8 coordinating envelopes

• 4 bonus tags that punch out from the card front

• Precut paper pieces and linen thread

• Coordinating colors: Garden Green, Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon, Highland Heather, Gorgeous Grape (Classic Stampin’ Spot), Berry Burst

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