Look at these cards that came in the June Paper Pumpkin box! So fun, great colors and a snap to put together. The thing that stood out to me about all of the designs were the fabulous backgrounds. They made the simple, okay lovely, gold-detailed, and colorful prepunched pieces really pop.
As I thought about the alternates I might want to create, I decided to focus on a variety of backgrounds. One thing I do as I craft, besides save and organize every scrap, is create background pieces. Generally, I make them 4-1/4×5-1/2″ so they are already card size and I can trim them down as needed. With my kit I made all the cards, there were supplies for eight, before I started any alternates. So my cards are using the “leftovers”. If this doesn’t explain what a value the Paper Pumpkin is, I don’t know what will. But if you have questions about subscribing, don’t hesitate to ask. Now, let’s get crafty with backgrounds!
Oh Baby (wipe)
The background for this card uses leftover ink from a different project and a baby wipe (alcohol-free). I mopped up the extra Poppy Parade and probably some Daffodil Delight ink and dabbed it onto Whisper White cardstock until most of it was covered and then let it dry. I love this technique and use it all the time. The depth and interest of the color are amazing and you can use lots of combinations of ink. Reinkers are really inexpensive and are available for all the current ink palettes in the Stampin’ Up! catalog. You’ll also note that I’m using up some of my retired Pineapple Punch cardstock for these alternatives. The color is so bright it works perfectly with the pineapples and lemons in the kit.
Shimmer Paint
Bermuda Bay and yellow (Pineapple Punch or Daffodil Delight or Crushed Curry) really makes for a striking card. But this card has even more “Wow” factor with the addition of shimmer paint spatters. There are two colors available in the catalog, Frost White and Champagne Mist. I suspect I used Frost White on this background, but I’m not completely certain. I can tell you that I watered down my brush a bit before I dipped it in my lid and then flicked it over the page. It’s random and messy, let it happen without over thinking or trying to get it just right.
Designer Series Paper
If you are like all crafters I’ve ever met, you have pretty paper. If you are the exception to the rule, I can help you with that. I have an entire catalog of options. But let’s assume, you do have a stash of pretty paper. Now. It’s time. Cut the paper. There will be more pretty paper. Better pretty paper. Make room for the new paper by putting your gorgeous patterned paper to use in your crafts. This paper is long ago retired, but I selected it because of the Coastal Cabana color and graphic print. I added a few leftovers from last December’s Paper Pumpkin and done. A fun gorgeous card.
Speaking of using up the paper, how about a quick tag? Again, old paper. This time I stamped the Sun image from the kit right on top of my striped paper. I used the matching Crushed Curry ink, so it’s subtle, but adds a bit more texture. The sentiment is stamped in Mango Melody. And the chair was in my embellishment stash and is Poppy Parade. The ribbon is from a Paper Pumpkin kit last fall. I kept the decorations flat so it can be used as a bookmark in my favorite beach read. (That I’m reading on my porch this year!)
Terrific Tissue
Last month I used the tissue out of the box, which would work for this card, too. Instead, I dove into my way-back folder and retrieved some goodies from I think the 2018 June Paper Pumpkin. I had a tiny piece, last one, of the card base. I loved the pineapple, lemon, watermelon combination. To make this background, I covered a piece of Whisper White card stock with the tissue that was designed to go in the gift bags that the kit made. The round sentiment banner is from this year’s February kit. I had lots of those circles leftover, so expect to see them again. In fact, the small rectangle banner on one of the cards above is from the same kit.
That’s all the alternates I have for you this month. I still have a few pieces left over from the kit and you never know when they might make an appearance. I hope you are able to spend some time crafting and using the beautiful things in your craft stash.