celebrate spring february 2026 paper pumpkin alternate pop up card

celebrate spring february 2026 paper pumpkin alternate pop up card

We were asked to bring an alternative Paper Pumpkin card to OnStage 2026 and this is my submission. Part of joining together at convention is to share ideas and it will be fun to see the creativity that will be on display. At the end of this post I will have some photos of some of the other submissions on display!

Measurements:
BASE: Pretty in Pink CS: 4 1/4″ x 11″
scored at 5 1/2″
Various pieces from the Celebrate Spring
February 2026 Paper Pumpkin
Chip Board

I used the card front from card #3 in the February 2026 Paper Pumpkin CXelebrate Spring kit and cut it down to 4″ square.
Stamp the bottom edge of this 4″ square layer with the Happy Easter from the Celebrate Spring stamp set in the kit in Shy Shamrock ink (also provided in the Paper Pumpkin kit)

I placed Stampin’ Dimensionals on it to pop it up to be able to put a slide mechanism underneath it.

I cut pieces of chip board I have saved from the packages of 12 x 12 papers I have purchased over the years.
I cut 2 pieces of each of these sizes: 1/2″ x 3 3/4″ and 1/2″ x 2″, and glued the smaller sections to the front and back of the bunny die cut from card #1 in the kit.
I adhered one of the longer pieces to the top edge of the 4″ square.
I removed all of the release papers from the four Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back of the 4″ square and placed Tear-n-Tape to the backside of the chip board, slip the bunny under the top chip board bar, remove the release paper from the Tear-n-Tape and adhered the square to the bottom of the card front.
(I later realized that I needed to place another piece of chip board at the bottom of this piece to stop the bunny from falling out the bottom! So you should do this step now instead of waiting for my fixing of my oversight LOL)
I cut a strip of 1/2″ x 6″ Pretty in Pink cardstock and slid the bunny all the way up and adhered this strip to the bunny’s back. This will be the pull mechanism to slide the bunny up and down to “pop” out of the Easter Basket!

At this point as I was moving the mechanism for the bunny I realized there was not a bottom stop point and that the bunny could be pushed below the card front piece so I lifted up the 4″ square and adhered another piece pf chip board to the bottom edge of the 4″ square to have a stopper for the slider mechanism!

I decorated the card front with the Easter Basket die from card #3 and the eggs die cut from the same card, i adhered it above the printed flowers so that the edges of the eggs were covering the top of the square.

I cut a banner edge on the Pretty in Pink strip that is the slider mechanism and wrote PULL on the slider tab!

Pull the slider tab and the bunny peeks out at your Easter Card Recipient – so stinking cute!

Hope you enjoyed this February 2026 Celebrate Spring Paper Pumpkin alternative card.

Below are some photos of the alternative projects shared at OnStage!

I hope you have a great day creating today – now it’s your turn to go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

creating unforgettable details in card making or scrapbooking

creating unforgettable details in card making or scrapbooking

Sometimes creating something special for a card or a scrapbooking page makes that piece memorable or a little extra special.

This week I am going to be at our national convention called OnStage 2026 and I created a bunch of swap cards for the event.

We are expected to use only current products and current colors, so I modified a card I did a few weeks ago and instead of using Designer Series Paper to create the beach blanket in my beach scene I wanted to create a beach blanket made out of background paper that I made.

I looked through my embossing folder as I knew that I wanted to add texture on top of whatever background design I created and decided that the Beautiful Patterns would be a great choice to mimic a blanket texture and design!

I wanted to do matching colors for the card I had designed so I started with Crumb Cake and Balmy Blue inks and did a watercolor wash striped design on our Basic White Cardstock alternating with two wide brushes from our Water Painters three brush sets.

I then dipped my very wet brush into the lid of the stampin’ pad filled with ink refill dots of ink and tapped the side of the brush with my bone folder over the watercolored paper to create a splatter effect.
I decided that the Beautiful Pattern 3D embossing folder would create a nice embossed design over the paper, so I ran it through our Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the BASE #1 and Embossing #4 Plates.
I cut the 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ embossed layers into
1 1/2″ strips.
Then I cut the 1 1/2″ strips into 2″ segments so I created a little rectangular blanket shape.
I took our knife edged scissors which unfortunately are no longer for sale – but use a sharp scissors to cut small fringe across the short edges on both sides.
I added the blanket to the sand of my beach scene card!
Then I proceeded to make 99 more! LOL – now I am ready to swap!

Cannot wait to show you all the great cards I will be trading for in the next coming days! I will have all of them on display at this month’s Stamp-a-Stack class on the 23rd!

Make sure that you RSVP!

Now I am off to visit and stamp with new and old friends – hope you are getting to do the same! Now go and create some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more than just cards – party banners and party alphabets

more than just cards – party banners and party alphabets

Stamps and Dies are such a great investment they are for SO MUCH more than just cards.
I use my products for scrapbooking and when the children were younger I was VERY popular around science fair time LOL!

Today’s post is all about the Party Banners and Party Alphabet. As many of you know my mother passed away unexpectedly a few weeks ago and tomorrow is her funeral Mass and luncheon. She was forever gardening and cooking and taking care of everyone. I made some picture boards for the luncheon and a used some retired Designer Series Paper called Forever Greenery – it is perfect for my plant loving mom.

I created four boards of baby, teen, college and marriage and grandchildren and entitled them Celebrating a Life Well Lived.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers!

The first few photos are of the individual banners and letters…

This is the first board entitled “Celebrating” and has her pictures as a youngster.
Here is the second board – a little older and it’s entitled “A Life”

The third board is of college and young married life and is entitled “Well”
The last board would have been her favorite her family, children and grandchildren – entitled “Lived!”

Thanks for stopping by come back for More Color Mondays in a few days!

Happy Stampin’ (stampin’ through the happy and the sad!)
Natalie

cozy christmas paper pumpkin alternatives

cozy christmas paper pumpkin alternatives

Paper Pumpkin kits are so incredible for $27 you get detailed color instructions to make 8-9 cards, a stamp set, an ink spot, an acrylic block in your first box and all of the supplies to make these lovely cards as is…

OR you can follow a multitude of creative Stampin’ Up! demonstrators that make alternative cards for that particular box! Today I am using the October 2025 Cozy Christmas kit to turn 9 card supplies into 44by adding extra card stock and envelopes! I added Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green cardstock, cut up bases and envelopes and added die cuts to make some lovely simple Christmas cards!

This month’s kit came in a festive box with a versatile stamp set. The box makes 3 sets of 3 card designs if you follow the enclosed directions.

For the my first alternative card I used the Merry Christmas sentiment die, stamped it in a Cherry Cobbler ink pad that I brought in. (The kit comes with a Pecan Pie ink spot)

I cut the Garden Green tree printed base card into 2 – 4″ x 5 1/4″ pieces. I mounted the tree layer onto a 5 1/2″ x 81/2″ cardstock base that I scored at 4 1/4″. I cut all of the flocked leaves apart and after popping up the sentiment onto the layer I adhered the flocked leaves under the sentiment piece. I adhered the layer to the base and added embellishments to finish this simple and fun card.

In order to more than quadruple the cards made from the kit I separated the die cuts to try to use them in expanded ways. I took the Cherry Cobbler JOY letters to use on a different project and used the negative die images of the letters and traced the letter outlines in Garden Green ink where the die cut letters would have been. I cut away the flocked red flower images from both sides of the JOY sentiment piece.

I cut one tree printed card into four pieces at
2 1/8″ x 5 1/2″ and adhered the strip onto the middle of a Cherry Cobbler base card.

I stamped the “to the world” in Pecan Pie ink under the outline JOY on the sentiment piece and popped it up onto Stampin’ Dimensions
I tucked one flocked flower and one flocked leaf segment under the sentiment piece.

Add embellishments and this card alternative is finished as well.

This next card uses a Cherry Cobbler CS base, I cut the envelope flap off of the envelope and adhered it to the scored side of the card. Cut off the excess on the sides and make sure all of the sides are adhered down.

Take the ornament pieces and adhere the top piece over the flocked bottom piece. Pop up the ornament die cut in the center of the card over the envelope’s flap point.

I stamped the Merry Christmas sentiment in the bottom right-hand corner of the card base in Cherry Cobbler ink for a tone on tone effect and added embellishments to finish this next simple and elegant Christmas card alternative.

I cut the Cherry Cobbler card base into 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ layers each card base will make 2 layers.

Adhere the layer onto a Garden Green base.

I embossed a 1/2″ x 5 3/8″ strip and took one of the thin strips cut from the card base and adhered it into the middle of the white strip. Adhere the white and red strips to the middle of the card layer. I die cut a middle circle from the Stylish Shapes die set and stamped the JOY sentiment in Cherry Cobbler ink and the stars around the word in Garden Green ink.

Pop up the circle die over the right-hand side of the strips, and add embellishments to finish off this card.

I adhered a Basic Beige layer to a Cherry Cobbler CS base.

I cut up the flocked trees into smaller tree sections making more available for more cards. I added Stampin’ Dimensionals under the bottom of the three tree base and under the one tree image. I mounted the one tree over the five tree image and adhered that tree to the middle of the card. I added the flocked star over the flocked tree and adhered it under the tree top.

I stamped “DECK the Halls” sentiment in Pecan Pie ink on a smaller banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set. Pop up the sentiment piece under the tree image on the card layer.

I added embellishments to finish off this card!

For the next alternative card I die cut one of the larger circles from the Stylish Shapes die set in Cherry Cobbler CS. I stamped the Merry Christmas and the stars image in Cherry Cobbler ink.

I adhered the envelope flap on the top short side of the card, cut off the excess and adhered the excess to the bottom card corners.

Pop up the circle die on Stampin’ Dimensionals over the envelope point and add embellishments to complete this card.

This last card is a CASE card from my sideline Rachel T., she is such a great source of inspiration! Thanks Rachel. I changed up the placement of the ornament but loved her idea of using just the ornaments tops to stretch the kit even farther!

I used one side of the envelope as the card layer cut at 4″ x 5 1/4″. I adhered this to a Cherry Cobbler card base. I adhered the JOY letters to the top of the card in a diagonal whimsical way. I punched a small circle out of Cherry Cobbler CS, positioned it directly under the O in the JOY lettering and adhered off the bottom of the card layer. Adhere the ornament cap and decor to the top of the circle, making sure that the Pecan Pie “string” butts up to the O.

I have a few other designs which I will post after my Stamp-a-stack on Monday – but can you believe 44 cards from this kit and with Christmas cards – so useful!

Now go and create some alternative Paper Pumpkin cards or some artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

corner in bloom sale-a-bration wedding card

Today’s blog post features a wedding card made with the Corner in Bloom Level Two Sale-a-bration stamp set. Typically a “corner” stamp set is traditionally used in well the corners LOL of the card! But today I am pivoting and using those corners stamped twice in a diamond design to form a lovely floral backdrop for the sentiment!

Measurements:
BASE: Gorgeous Grape CS: 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White CS: (2) 4″ x 5 1/4″ pieces
scrap strip for the sentiment

Emboss one of the 4″ x 5 1/4″ layers of Basic White CS with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder.
Stamp the smaller flower corner image in Tuxedo Black Momento ink and match up the open ends and stamp again creating a diamond shape with the two corner images.
Because Gorgeous Grape is such a deep hued purple we do not carry the Stampin’ Blends. The Highland Heather is the same hue but in a lighter shade so this is a wonderful compliment to this project. I colored all of the flower petals in Light Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker and then highlighted the centers and edges near the stem in Dark Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends marker.
I colored over the petal areas in Light marker and blended the petals for a more even look.
I colored the leaves in Dark Granny Apple Green and highlighted in Dark Old Olive Stampin’ Blends marker for a nice shaded look.
Adhere the embossed layer to the Gorgeous Grape base card.
Fussy cut the floral diamond out.
Using a Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink pad highlight a diagonal area above to the right and below to the left where you will adhere the diamond image.
Adhere the floral image over the blended area.
I stamped the “lifetime of love” sentiment from the Linked Together stamp set from the 2025 January to April mini catalog release on a scrap 1/4″ strip of Basic White CS. Using a Paper Snip scissors I cut a banner edge on both sides of the sentiment and colored it with the Blending Brush and Gorgeous Grape ink. I popped it up on Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it between the two corner images.
I added Purple Shine Shimmer Gems to finish off this easy and lovely card perfect for a Spring Wedding or an anniversary!
I also made one with Berry Burst Stampin’ Blends as an alternative coloring sample – Which do you like the Monochromatic (Highland Heather) or the Analogous (Berry Burst) Color design?

Try some out of the box stamping and use one of your stamps in an unexpected way! Now go and create some unexpected artwork of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

sneak peak sweetest star punch ornaments

sneak peak sweetest star punch ornaments

Today’s blog post is a sneak peak of a new punch bundle from the upcoming September to December 2024 Mini Catalog debuting this September 4th! The Punch bundle is called Sweetest Star Bundle and features a stamp set with three star images, 4 sentiments and a corner snowflake image. I thought this would make a fun wreath Christmas Ornament and used the upcoming new 6″ x 6″ Take a Bow DSP with the punch to assemble some fun and easy ornaments.

I used old DSP cardboard inserts that I saved for the backing for these ornaments and die cut with the Deckled Circles die set, placing the largest and third largest circle dies inside one another evenly spaced to make a wreath base.

Punch 12 stars from the Take a Bow DSP package.
Adhere tape on the entire wreath base and start to place the stars on the base.
Complete the wreath with the stars.
Stamp the Santa Star with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and color with Stampin’ Blends, stamp the sentiment onto a 1/4″ strip and cut banner edges into each edge.
Adhere the Santa star to the top of the wreath and the sentiment across the bottom.
Tie some twine around the back of the wreath and stamp the To and From from the Greetings of the Season stamp set.
This is the wreath hanging up.
I cut the center circle with the fifth circle down from the Deckled Circle die set to create a circle ornament and a smaller wreath.
Place the stars around the smaller wreath, adhere a ribbon and the sentiment.
Stamp the To and From on the back.
Stamp the Santa Star in Tuxedo Black Memento ink onto the Deckled Circle. Color the Santa with the Stampin’ Blends and adhere two stars onto the bottom of the circle ornament.
Punch a hole and loop the ribbon through the hole and tie in a knot.
The Sweetest Star bundle is so fun and easy to make these Christmas Ornaments!

Go and create some artwork of your own – one stamp at a time.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

PS: Because this is a sneak peak there will not be any link boxes available until September 4th when the products debut!