Paper Pumpkin... Magical Fun

With tomorrow being the deadline to sign up for Paper Pumpkin to begin in June, I thought I'd explain a little more about it.  Paper Pumpkin is a kit that arrives each month at your doorstep in a cute little box and is all ready for you to make some creative magic.  The first kit is called the Welcome Kit.  Once you sign up, that's the kit you will receive first.  After that, you'll get the new one each month.  You can drop at any time or you can leave it as is and you're automatically sent the new kit each month.

Here are the cards I made with the Welcome Kit.

Here's what comes in the Welcome Kit:

You get supplies to make 4 cards + 2 stamps, some ink AND an acrylic block, so you can get started right away.  You'll notice that the kit comes with embellishments and envelopes, too.

I guess I just like the idea of a little surprise arriving each month.  I don't know until I open it if it's a card kit, a project kit, or what.  It's just a little magical fun.  It's designed for people who love to create but don't maybe don't have time or space to collect a lot of supplies and make a ton of things.  Many of us who have signed up have done so just because we like getting something special in the mail each month and know that we'll be able to make it quickly and enjoy it.

Still not sure?  How about purchasing a Try It Kit from me?  I have 3 left on hand.  You can make 2 cute little journals with it.  You can see the journals I made with it  here,   here   and   here.

Think you want to sign up?  Go to this link and get started.

And... if you stop by to get a Try It Kit or place an order... 

• Ask me about getting your new catalog, free.
• Ask me about purchasing framelits cases to protect all your wonderful framelits.
• Ask me for a schedule for upcoming new classes.
• Ask me for info about my new Stamp Club which will begin in July.

Have a great day!

Retirement is Fun ... Changes are Good ... and my Last Try It Kit Journal

First up, I want to share my last Try It Kit journal with you.  This one is very vintage in style.  It was super fun to make it.  If you missed my previous posts, check back here and here.  

My previous post has all the details for making a journal.  For this one, I added some bits of burlap, crochet trim, linen thread and a fancy button from our Artisan Embellishments Kit.  I am not sure if I like this one the best or the one with the seashells and sand dollars.  I love them both.  After we lost my mother to cancer, in going through her things, we often found little notebooks and journals with notes jotted in them.  I must have inherited some sort of gene for loving little books and journals:)

The remainder of today's post is all about 'out with the old and in with the new.'  Retiring items are going fast and I'm knee deep in big plans for the remainder of the calendar year.  Throw out your old schedules and get ready to embrace the new --- new catalog, new products, new class events, new and improved class events ... and it's all good!

Even rubber stamps deserve a good retirement!  I love this guy.  This is just a reminder to check the retirement list frequently.  We have 2 lists going... one for stamps and one for accessories.  When items are gone; they're gone.  Also, I sometimes forget to mention that the retirement list includes discounts!!!  If you are planning on ordering to qualify to attend the May 5 Left-Overs Party, you can really stretch your dollars a long way.  You can order up a boatload of new goodies AND go home with a boatload of finished projects from the class, not to mention prizes!!!  It's a win-win situation!!!

Now, for the new!  Please note and save this information.  More details will be coming soon.

Our last Friday 3-4-5 will be May 10.
Our last Walk-In Wednesday will be May 22.
Our last round of Hostess Scrapbook Club will be June 3.

I am NOT doing away with all of these classes.  I am going about them in a better way; a way that will make better use of my time and yours and give us more for our money, as well.  

These new plans are based on comments such as:
"I love all your classes and wish I could attend them all...  I love being in a club, but don't know if I can commit for 6 months at a time... I love your cards and love making the cards with lots of layers and embellishments the best... I love projects --- all kinds of projects... I love making little albums... I need to win the lottery so I can come to everything... I have accumulated a lot of products and am outgrowing my space... I have accumulated a lot of products and need help using them all... I wish I could attend all your classes, but can only come so many times a month... "

I could go on and on but you get the idea.  You talk and I listen.

Here's a peek at what's in the works:

We will have a new club, starting July 1 --- a Stamp Club.

• We will make all kinds of things, from cards to 3-D projects to scrapbooking...  
• You will sign up for just 3 months at a time.  
• I will show you everything that we'll be making for the 3 months BEFORE you sign up.  
• You will be required to pay $40.00 at least 2-4 weeks prior to the date we meet.  
• That money will be used for ordering all the products we will need to complete our special class projects.  
• All products left over from kits and packages, etc. you will get to keep and take home.  
• Stamp Club members may still attend Scraps and Prayers for 1/2 price.
• All classes will now include adhesive in the price of the class.  You won't have to bring your own.
• I think you will love the variety of projects that you will get to create.
• Instead of feeling bad that you can't be in a club AND come to a stamp camp, this will be a combined type of event.  You can do it all!!!
• More details soon, as well as sneak peeks at projects. 

Instead of a Friday 3-4-5 Card Buffet Class, we will have a Friday Night Cards Class.  

• This class will still meet on the second Friday of each month.
• You will make 6 beautiful cards, that have layers, embellishments, perhaps a bit of bling...
• Envelopes AND adhesive will be included.
• I will spread the type of cards out to include all occasions and focus a lot on holidays as we near each special holiday --- particularly Fall and Christmas. 
• Class fee will be just $16. and you must pay to register at least 2 days prior to the class. 
• All classes will now include adhesive in the price of the class.  You won't have to bring your own.

Instead of 3rd Thursday or other types of Stamp Camps, I am moving those projects to the Stamp Club.  It gives everyone more opportunity to do more!

• You will see all projects ahead of time and can sign up for just 3 months at a time.  
• You will get way more in value than the $40. you'll spend each month for the 3 months; I'm positive! 

The one class I will no longer be offering is the Walk-In Wednesday.  I liked doing it, but it was not supported enough to merit adding it to the schedule on a regular basis.  It was an experiment.  If you miss a class, I will still make a kit for you and be sure that you get it finished.  You will not be left out in the cold. 

Christmas News / Christmas Retreat

• I am still, tentatively planning on a Christmas Retreat (Sat., Nov. 16) to help us prepare for the holidays. 
• Details for this event will be announced soon.  
• Save the date!  
• If you join the Stamp Club, we will make holiday creations, as we get closer to the holidays.  
• The Friday Night Cards Class will include some Christmas cards, as we get closer to the holidays.
• If you join Stamp Club, attend Friday Night Cards Class AND come to the Christmas Retreat, you will end up with way more than previously planned in the schedule AND at a great deal of time and savings to us all.

So, in summary, here's what will be on the calendar for each month:

• Stamp Club
• Scraps and Prayers
• Team Meeting
• Friday Night Cards Class
• Special Events will be added occasionally, if noted, such as the Christmas Retreat

So... that's a lot to digest for one day.  You may want to print this out.  It is tentative, so I will let you know if there are any changes, errors, or anything.  Please let me know if you have questions.

Another Journal from the Try It Kit

In my last post, I showed you a journal that was pretty much like the suggested version.  Today, let's step it up a bit!  Here's a vintage version with a little seaside thrown in for fun.

Here's how I made it:

• I stamped directly onto the journal, using Crumb Cake and Soft Suede inks.
• I sponged around the edges of the journal with Soft Suede ink.
• I wrapped linen thread around the front cover of the journal.
• I tied in some seam binding and crochet trim.
• I attached a piece of the gorgeous lace from our Artisan's Kit.
• I stamped a shell and some sand dollars, cut them out and attached them over the lace.
• Liquid Tombow holds everything securely in place.

That's it!  A beautiful, vintage journal in no time at all.

After all the excitement of getting to peek at the new catalog online yesterday, not to mention ordering a few of the new goodies, I am still kind of reeling.  My advise to you:  If you want to get something from the current catalog - DO NOT WAIT - get it now, because things will be going fast.  Once they're gone; they're gone.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Try It ... a Wonderful Little Journal Kit

I love, love, love the little journals that come in the Try It Kit.  The kit is designed for those who would like a little taste of what our Paper Pumpkin Kits are all about... thus the name:  'Try It.'  The kit comes with 2 little journals and embellishments to decorate them, along with 2 stamps and even an acrylic block, not to mention a cute little Stampin' Spot so you have the ink to get stamping right away.

I decided to make the first journal pretty much like the kit suggested.  Then, I made 2 more that were totally different.

Today, I'll share the first one with you.

I did add a little extra stamping on mine.  I just couldn't stop!  I think I'll use this one to carry with me in my purse for those times when you need to jot something down and you're on the go.

Here's a closer look at what comes in the kit:

It is still available now, even though March is over.  I have 4 kits left now, here in my studio.  We are allowed to sell these directly, so you can get your hands on the fun right away.  Contact me if you would like a kit.

It comes in a cute little box like this:

You open it... and wow... Let the fun begin!

I'll be sharing my other little journals with you soon.  Now, I'm off to study the new catalog and figure out my demonstrator pre-order today.  One of the many perks of being a demonstrator is that you get to enjoy sneak peeks before everyone else and order selected products early.  Oh, the excitement!

Come back soon to see my other journals, along with what I'm making with the My Paper Pumpkin Kits.  I cannot show you any new products before the new catalog goes live, but I CAN share my projects with you that I make with new product, so be sure to come back and check it out.  Have a great day!