I had a lot of fun with this kit! I loved the boxes it was designed to create but it was easy to use the pieces for cards as well.  

For this first card I paired it with the Scary Cute stamp set from the July-December mini catalog. The line of trick or treaters makes such a cute background. 

When I cut apart one of the lids to use it had score marks already so I added more to create a fun background.  A little splatter with a marker and some of the various elements from the kit makes a simple but festive card. 

Here I cut the web section from the box lid and then layered it on another piece of the white lid. A few web stamps and it's a quick and easy card!

The plaid design in all the fun colors might be my favorite part of the kit.  This is another very simple card layout that is easy to recreate. 

When I cut apart the lids I ended up with the flap pieces leftover but I didn't want to throw them away.  I decided to try layering them and thought it turned out pretty cute! The Glitter Washi tape has quickly become a favorite. Anything that adds sparkle without mess!

I had this piece of Designer Series Paper from the Host paper pack Celebrate Everything sitting on my desk and thought it was perfect to pair with the purples! 

Which is your favorite?  Do you send Halloween cards? 

If you enjoy seeing my alternatives each month consider subscribing to get your own kit! I love them, both for the projects as intended and for the fun alternatives I manage to create. New for my customers is an exclusive set of PDF instructions for alternative projects emailed to them each month.  These are designed by a number of different demonstrators so you get lots of styles of projects.  The PDF's are emailed typically by the end of the first week of the month. Sign up for Paper Pumpkin here. 

The weather is finally changing and it's starting to feel like fall! I'm ready to think about Halloween and I've having fun creating with this new set called Scary Cute.  

This card was a take on a sample in the catalog on page 56. I changed up the colors and size but I loved the idea of using the line of Trick or Treaters as the background. Paired with the Black & White Designs paper pack which is a a perfect compliment to Halloween cards. Don't forget those Matte Black Dots which happen to be on sale this week. 

More of the Black & White paper pack plus I added in the glitter washi tape and some metallic ribbon and I think I have a fun card! I love to combine green, purple, orange and black for Halloween cards. 

One of my favorite things in the current mini is the Glitter Washi tape. If you know me well, you know I love a good sparkle but I HATE loose glitter.  Ask me about my kids and glitter...it hasn't been good.  So anytime there is a glitter product that doesn't make a mess I'm in! I created this card on a Facebook Live in my VIP group and tried it with both Parakeet Party and Granny Apple Green.  I'm still not sure which I like best. 

I wanted to show a way to use this set in a non Halloween way.  I think the little princess is perfect for a little girl birthday card. 

I love the Gingham Cottage paper pack.  Both of these designs  I used on this card are from that pack. 

Be sure to hop along with us today! Next for Wendy or back for Elizabeth.  They are both sure to delight. 

These projects are all part of the Water Color Technique class I taught this week. I wanted to share multiple ways to create water color projects. 

Projects utilized Water Painters, Fluid 100 paper, Shimmery White paper and various techniques with ink on blocks. 

This first card was a technique adding ink with a clear block to Fluid 100 paper that had been spritzed with water. I love the bright bold color is creates.  

For this card we used the largest Water Painter brush to add three shades of purple (Rich Razzleberry, Highland Heather and Fresh Freesia) to Fluid 100 paper to create an ombre look.  After letting it dry completely we added the stamped images with Memento Black Ink. Layering it with an embossed panel creates a fun look! 

This card was created by adding ink to a block, spritzing with water and then inking up the stamp. We stamped the images on Shimmery White card stock.

​Shimmery White is great for water coloring.  It doesn't absorb the water the same way that Fluid 100 does but it doesn't warp like regular Basic White does when water is applied. 

This photo gives you a look at the supplies used. 

The last card we created used the smallest Water Painter to color in the apple from the Apple Harvest stamp set. When I water color, or use my Blends, I like to start with the dark color along any solid lines and work my way in with lighter colors.  

Are you a fan of water coloring?  Which of these have you tried before?

Be sure to check out the rest of the stops on our hop this week! We have a full line up.  Click next to go to Julie or back to go to Elizabeth. 

I overlooked Apple Harvest at first but when Stampin' Up! issued dies to go with it I was intrigued. After playing with it I'm in love! It's a great set for coloring.  

I used the thin brush Water Painter to color this one in. I chose Poppy Parade for the skin and Petal Pink for the blossoms and inside.  I used Granny Apple Green for the stems and leaves.  

The Artistic Mix Decorative Masks paired with a Blending Brush created a fun background on the card base. I finished the card with Matte Black Dots and Gingham ribbon. 

This was my second take with the same coloring but I wanted to add in the blossom dies as well. 

For this card I used sponge daubers to add the color to the image. It gives it a much more subtle look. 

When you don't have coordinating ribbon remember you can create your own with the Whisper White Seam Binding Ribbon and Blends. The Gingham Cottage paper pack includes 40 sheets of amazing paper. 

Remember these dies are only here for the month of September or while supplies last.  Happy crafting! 

This is one of my top five kits of all time! It is so beautiful.

I thought I'd share a visual of how I cut down my card bases to create extras. I take each one and trim on the long edge to make it 5 1/4 in and then rotate and trim to create two 4 in pieces. If the strips are of varying colors I'll keep them to create a card using only strips. 

With the sunflower water color piece I cut it in 1/2 again to create two focal pieces I could use. 

The larger piece on this card is actually from an envelope. I cut out main design with a circle die (which you can see on the last card). I layered the other pieces so they would cover the area that I had cut out. I also tied the ribbon through the edge of the circle so it did not go all the way around the layered base piece. 

Stamping on a printed piece of paper can create a fun look. 

Another technique I used on some of the cards was to make the included gold honeycomb pieces a mask.  Using a blending brush I was able to add a subtle pattern to my card stock. These are very simple single layer cards! 

This is another very simple card that lets the beautiful watercolor do the work. Cards don't have to be complicated to be amazing!

Another card where I used the honeycomb as a mask. 

This is the card I created with the cut out piece from the envelope. I stamped the leaves behind it and layered it on a scallop circle. The Solid Faceted Gems are one of my favorite embellishments. 

Which is your favorite?  You can sign up for Paper Pumpkin here or email me with questions. 

To say there is a lot going on with Stampin' Up! this month would be an understatement!
Host Code for the month is X2E99D6U. Shop all these deals here. 

Here's a summary and then you can scroll to see more about each:

1. New dies were released.  There are six new die sets that coordinate with current stamps sets. All are only available until Sept 30 OR while supplies last so don't wait. Flyer posted below. 

2. A new bundle is being released in honor of World Card Making Day on Oct. 1.  You can purchase this bundle now (Warm Welcome, 160704, $50.25). There are two other current bundles also offered as part of a  WCMD special (Cottage Rose, 159048 and Cottage Wreaths, 159659). Order any of the three this month and you'll receive a free set of Iridescent Pearl Basic Jewels. These will be automatically added to your order. 

As an additional bonus, if you order any of these three in the month of September you'll receive three project PDF's from me in October. Each will feature one of the bundles. 

On Saturday, October 1st you can register to participate in an online stamping event! This is free and open to all.  Stampin' Up! will create projects using the three bundles during the event.  I encourage you to grab crafting supplies and craft while you watch them create.  If you have the bundles you can create the projects yourself as well. 

For those who are local, I will also be hosting an Open House style morning of card making so mark your calendars!

3. Weekly Deals--each week (on the 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd) Stampin' Up! will release new weekly deals. These are current products on sale. There are some great deals this week! Be sure to check back each week. 

I can't believe Sale a Bration is almost over!  I love so many of the offerings especially this Amazing Phrasing stamp set. It has so many options. 

Here I paired it with the Dots and Spots die that was added as a Sale a Bration item as well as the fun Host Paper Pack "Celebrate Everything".  

Have you ever used a punch to create a background?  The Handmade Tag punch works great for this idea! 

This last card was a fun fold card.  The top flap slips under the kitty cut out.  I stamped the sentiment directly on the Designer Series Paper. 

Be sure to get your orders in before the end of the month to earn this great stamp set and more! Use Host Code ​ZEEXCECK.

I always love the animal set that Stampin' Up! offers during Sale a Bration and the hippos are no exception.  They are so cute! I had a lot of fun playing around with just the stamps and with the coordinating dies you can also earn.

​Using a stamp to create a background tone on tone is a go to technique for me.  It's easy and cute! Plus any stamp that I can color with Blends is a fun one. 

I did a little paper piecing for the tutu on this one. And you know I  never miss a good pun! 

This card really shows off some of the fun dies that are included. 

Welcome to another Monday Montage Blog Hop.  Glad to have you stop by! 

I decided to play around with the new Apple Harvest stamp set.  The images are perfect for coloring so I thought I'd try a few different ways. 

First up I used my Blends. I stamped the image on Basic White with Memento Black and used Poppy Parade, Granny Apple Green and Light Soft Suede to color the image.  I did have to add some Wink of Stella on the apples because who doesn't love sparkle? For the papers I paired it with the Host Paper Pack Celebrate Everything. A piece of vellum helped to soften the whole look. I think this would be an easy layout to CASE.

Did you happen to catch the sneak peek in the corner?  Coming September 1 you can order dies to go with this set! 

Here's a closer look.  I think you can almost see the sparkle from the Wink of Stella. When I color with Blends I like to start with the darker color which I tend to use around edges or lines.  I then use the lighter color to do the blending and soften the colors. Personally, I don't think there is a right or wrong way to use them.  I encourage people to simply play and not worry about being perfect. 

For this card I stamped the apple on water color paper and then used ink and my Water Painters to water color the image. I love having dies to go with a set! As much as I don't mind fussy cutting it's so much easier with a die. 

If you haven't checked out the Gingham Cottage paper pack you need to do so. It is a huge paper pack with great patterns and colors.  You get 48 sheets in this pack! It was a perfect choice to pair with this apple along with vellum again. 

I used Old Olive and Real Red on this card. 

Which do you think you prefer?  Blends or water color?  Interested in recreating these projects?  Use the links below and be sure to use Host Code 7SWG62TK.  Sale a Bration is still going so don't miss out on your FREE items. 

Click next to hop along to Wendy or back for Elizabeth. 

Thanks for joining us for another Monday Montage.  Be sure to get to the bottom and click through to see all the fantastic projects.  

I'm sharing projects from my class Friday night.  I did a Best of Bundles class to show off some of the new bundles in the July-Aug Mini Catalog. 

​The gnomes are one of my favorite items in the catalog! I wanted to be sure to show them in a non holiday way.  I love the full suite in the catalog but the coordinating paper is very winter themed so I wanted to share a way to use the dies that could work year round or for any holiday.  I paired the dies with the awesome Gingham Cottage 12 x 12 paper from the mini.  This pack is HUGE! It has 48 sheets per pack. the result was a cute tag that can be used on a gift or attached to a card. 

The Ringed With Nature bundle offers many creative options.  I paired it with the Rings of Love paper you can earn as a FREE Sale a Bration item to show off how well it coordinates. 

This is a fun fold card design.  The base is 8 x 4 1/4 and I scored it at the 5 1/2 mark for a traditional sized card.  However, I used a piece of the Designer Series Paper to create the rest of the flap.  The hybrid embossing folder is my favorite part though.  You can run the die through the folder with your paper and it will cut out the tree cookies!  

By the way, what do you call these tree slices?  I worked for the Girl Scouts for a few years and the term was "tree cookie"! 

This shows you the card opened up.  

Be sure to click next to see Wendy's project or back for Elizabeth's.