Well the new design for the website published yesterday! How do you like it? Let me know! While this is not a Paper Pumpkin alternative it is a kit alternative so I placed it within the Paper Pumpkin tab for easy access! Tuesday of this coming week on the 9th of April, I will be hosting the first Kit Together at my home. What is a Kit Together? Stampin’ Up! started selling all-inclusive kits for easy stamping options last year and every month have been releasing new products. To date there are at least 27 past and current kit collections for sale on the website in English and many are available in French as well! The Birthday Sparkle kit released last month and I decided to do an alternatives class with the kit. Interested in joining us from 1-3PM? Send me an RSVP! We are changing the kit slightly and doing four cards instead of 2 cards and 2 tags! One card will be exactly as the directions in the kit, but the others are all alternative cards! If you want to join us the class is $10 for the 4 cards or you can buy the kit for $23 and get the stamp set, ink spot, acrylic block, and all the supplies to make 6 cards and 6 tags.
Below are the pictures from the Stampin’ Up! website of what the kit includes:
” Order # 163865
BIRTHDAY SPARKLE KIT (ENGLISH)
$23.00
Create glittering birthday cards and gift tags with the Birthday Sparkle Kit! This kit includes six cards and six gift tags. Create each project with the included stamp set, die-cut paper pieces, and twine. It also includes other elements such as glitter stickers, pressed wood picks, coordinating envelopes, and gold foil paper pieces! It’s easy to create each project for your recipient or get ahead on your crafting for the year by making quick multiples. Either way, you’ve got a special paper craft that your recipients will love! Also available in French.

Kit includes:
*Birthday Sparkle Photopolymer Stamp Set
*Clear Stamp Block
*Early Espresso Stampin’ Spot
*Predesigned projects
*Step-by-step instructions
*Precut pieces (No prep work! Get right to crafting)
*Make 6 cards and 6 gift tags
*Cards: 3 each of 2 designs; folded card 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ (14 x 10.8 cm)
*Gift tags: 3 each of 2 designs; largest tag 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ (5.7 x 8.9 cm)
* 6 preprinted envelopes
*Enough adhesive to complete projects
*Gold glitter stickers and pressed wood picks.
*Baker’s Twine in Early Espresso and White
*A 9-7/8″ x 6-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ (25.1 x 16.5 x 7 cm) printed designer box for storage or crafting on the go

Product colors: Basic White, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, gold glitter

Kits by Stampin’ Up! are perfect for new crafters, busy crafters, or crafters who want quick and easy projects. All-inclusive project kits have everything you need in one box! Give as a gift or try them yourself. Kits are while supplies last. Order today!”

And this is the stamp set that comes in the kit:

I added two Brushed Gold Cards and Envelopes to the mix to change the tags that come in the kit into cards. This item is currently back-ordered but will continue into the new Annual Catalog and should be back soon!

This first card was done exactly according to the kit instructions which are full colored instruction sheets and very helpful for those that do not want to go off-script!

Sweet layers and pop-up balloons make this a beautiful and easy birthday card anyone would be proud to send and happy to receive!

I modified one of the tags and popped it up on the Brushed Gold Cards and Envelopes. Changed the stamping and made a fun and easy card out of one of the tags!

For the second tag card I added a 2″ panel embossed with the polka dots from the Basics 3D embossing folder and popped up the tag over that panel on the Brushed Gold card.

This last card I changed up and added a window sheet and some foam adhesive strips to the mix to make a shaker card with the Iridescent Shaker Circles, which will be retiring. These are a must have if you like to make shaker cards. They are full of fun and whimsy and I love this card!

Come join us Tuesday and if you can’t this is a great kit to buy and have for all those birthday cards needed for the rest of the year! With just a few extra supplies you can double the cards in the kit and get 12 cards instead of 6 cards and 6 tags! there are left over pieces that could easily make another card of two as well!

Now go and create some birthday cards of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie