March 2020 - The Maine Stamper

Beautifully Braided In Melon Mambo

March 30, 2020

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be

Monday’s are hard, but in this cardmaking series, I will show you that stamping shouldn’t be. In fact, it’s quite easy. And with minimal supplies and minimal efforts, you can get fabulous results!

Today’s Monday Card features the stamp set, Beautifully Braided. This is one of my favorites from the January-June 2020 Mini Catalog from Stampin’ Up!. If you would like to see another project that features this stamp set, click here.

You can purchase Beautifully Braided as a bundle with the Braided Border Punch and save 10%. However, since we are using minimal supplies, this Monday Card only uses the stamp set.

Beautifully Braided Bundle item #153821 — Beautifully Braided Stamp Set, item #151637. Braided Border Punch, item #151924. Beautifully Braided Bundle, item #153821.

That’s right, one stamp set, Beautifully Braided, two ink pads, Melon Mambo and Memento Tuxedo Black, and two colors of cardstock, Melon Mambo and Whisper White. Please follow along!

A Monday Card

The Card Recipe

Melon Mambo CS: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″ for card base.

Melon Mambo CS: 3 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and 2 1/8 x 1 3/8

Whisper White CS: 4 x 5 1/4″ x 2 (one for inside, optional)

Whisper White CS: 2 1/2 x 4 1/2″ and 2 x 1 1/4

Stamp And Assemble

This Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be Card starts out with the typical “fold in half” and score with your bonefolder to get a great crisp card base. Let’s not break tradition.

However, my TIP to you is to score once, invert the fold and score again. Your inner crease is now as crisp as the outer one. This makes for a professional looking card base!

Create Your Own Designer Series Paper

With the minimal supplies used in this card, we are not adding designer series paper to it. We are making our own! This great background pattern can be used with any stamp sets you own that contain words or sayings.

I suggest stamping on scrap paper, as this technique has you stamping off the edge of your cardstock. Starting at the top, stamp your saying in Memento Ink onto the Whisper White Cardstock. Then, continue to stamp across and downward, varying the stamp (or words) position to get a unique random pattern.

Background technique with wordy stamps and Memento Ink.

An overlap in the middle is fine, that portion will be covered with other layers on the finished card. I prefer to keep the top, bottom and sides as nice as possible, as they will be seen. This is great practice stamping! When done, you can add this layer to your card base.

Floral Details

Next, we stamp the decorative floral border stamp in Melon Mambo Ink onto the Melon Mambo CS. Again, the pattern can vary, and only some of it will be seen on the completed card.

I tried to keep the full floral image on the outer edges. This technique requires stamping beyond your cardstock as well. You can add it to the card when stamping is completed.

Here comes my favorite part: the large floral image. This is stamped on Whisper White CS with Memento Ink. Some of the image will stamp off the sides, and as the artist of your own card, you decide how that will look.

Let’s add some color to our flower! Using the filler stamp (TIP this could make great clouds too), and Melon Mambo Ink, fill in your flower petals. This is not meant to be an exact fit, so don’t stress over lining it up perfectly. I love this artsy appeal. You can add it to the card when completed.

Finishing Touches

It’s time to stamp some more words. I stamped the front saying on Whisper White in Memento Ink, then layered it with a piece of Melon Mambo CS. As a final step to the front of the card, I added it toward the bottom.

Your card is beautiful on the outside, now lets make it pretty inside too! I like to mimic some of the outer stamping into a corner of the inside card. This way the card has continuity and there is still lots of room to add your own sentiment or written thoughts.

Here, I used the same technique from the stamping of the large floral image and filler petals to add that inside interest.

Now is a good time to add some stamping to your envelope too! You could choose from the large floral stamp, the flower border stamp or the sentiment stamps. And if you have some bling laying around, you could add that to your card front, too.

Noble Peacock Rhinestones, item #149494, includes Melon Mambo jewels. The Take Your Pick Tool, item #144107 makes it easier to apply the rhinestones to your project.

I hope you enjoyed making this easy card on a hard Monday with me. My video tutorial can be found on my FaceBook page, as well as my YouTube channel. If you need any supplies for this card, please feel free to visit my online store, https://www.juliemakson.stampinup.net, at any time. See you next Monday for another installment of:

Monday’s Are Hard, Stamping Shouldn’t Be!

No Matter The Weather

March 27, 2020

Card made with Paper Pumpkin March 2020 kit

We’re In This Together

The March 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit has been a huge hit! We are all facing difficult times. The stormy clouds, adorable rainboots (let’s try to be fashionable in arduous situations!), and uplifting phrases like “wishing you brighter days ahead” and “I believe in you” are a much needed breath of fresh spring air to our tired souls.

Paper Pumpkin kits include supplies that are both consumable (like ribbons and embellishments, use them up!) and non consumable (stamp on my friends!). The kits are a great way to build up your stamp collection, and the stamps are intended to be used once all the consumables are gone.

In fact, today’s featured card uses just the stamps from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit. Bonus: this embellishment-free card is flat and easily mailed! What is not missing is… the wow factor.

If you would like to print or pin the card recipe with dimensions and a list of additional supplies I used, click here.

My Creative Process

Following are some pictures of assembly, useful tips and insights in the making of this lovely card, and alternative suggestions in creation. Please read on for more details!

Embossing Raindrops

VersaMark Ink, Emboss Buddy and Emboss Powder

To make raindrops on the watercolor paper, I took the following steps:

Run Embossing Buddy over Watercolor Paper.
Using VersaMark Ink Pad, stamp raindrops from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit on Watercolor Paper. (I stamped 3 images, then sprinkled with embossing powder, tapped off excess powder and repeated the process. In this way, I could see where my raindrops would be, and where I might want more of them.)
Use the heat tool to heat set the embossing powder. I experimented with both Clear and Silver Embossing Powder in my creative process.

Heat Tool — I find that a regular paintbrush is a great way to remove excess dry embossing powder from my project before I apply the setting heat.

Pigment Sprinkles

Prepare to be amazed….and very messy! Pigment sprinkles create super unique backgrounds, no 2 will ever be the same. So therefore, instant art! Here are my steps:

Using protective tray (or box, paper plates etc), lay heat embossed watercolor paper down and spritz with water to wet randomly. Don’t over-saturate here, you will be adding more water.
Sparingly tap pigment sprinkles over wet paper. These tiny particles have a mind of their own, just remember less is better and more is mud. Watch the colors run, it is so cool!
Add additional spritzed water to help pigment sprinkles blend. It is helpful to have a paper towel on hand to absorb excess water/color, especially from the sides where it tends to pool up.
Need to add more pigment sprinkles? Do so now, but be careful not to over blend.
When satisfied with outcome, you can place a clean paper towel over your watercolor paper to absorb liquid and speed drying time. Baby wipes are useful for your messy hands!
Allow watercolor paper to dry completely. Placing it under something flat and heavy helps to keep the curling paper manageable.

Fussy Cutting

Rainboots

Fussy cutting, the use of scissors to trim an image in close capacity, is not typically first choice. But sometimes it is necessary, and practice makes…if not perfect, maybe close enough? Regardless, Stampin’ Up!’s sharp little Paper Snips make the job easier.

Stamp the rainboot outline from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit on a scrap of Whisper White Cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.
Use the floral filler stamp from the same kit, and Pineapple Punch Ink, lining up with the outline image.
For an additional pop of fun bright color, I used the Dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Blend and colored the boot label, boot straps and outlines.
Time to fussy cut! This one isn’t too bad, you can do it.

Grass

Here’s how I created the grass inserts for the rainboots:

Stamp the grass image from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit on a scrap of Granny Apple Green Cardstock using Granny Apple Green Ink.
Next, add Garden Green ink to the grass stamp and apply, overlapping the first image. This will give you thicker, greener grass. Who doesn’t want that?
Time to fussy cut. This one is a bit hard, once you get it sliced in half. I recommend first tackling the sides (make sure you leave a nice base at the bottom for handling), then when ready to do the grass fronds, snip downward from the top. Making little x patterns or spear shaped cuts is helpful.
After I fussy cut the grass, I applied the grass stamp with Granny Apple Green ink to each half to overlap (again) the previous grass. The illusion here is that you are really good at fussy cutting!
With the White Stampin’ Chalk Marker, I added tiny dots to the top of the grasses. This brightness adds the look of dainty flowers.

Sentiment

No Matter the Weather We Are in This Together Stamp

You are not alone in this. This card speaks comfort. To create the embossed verse, here are my steps:

Using your paper snips, flag the end of the Bermuda Bay Cardstock. I start at the bottom corner and cut straight toward the middle, stopping there. Next, I start at the upper corner and do the same, meeting in the middle to remove the triangle cut away.
Run Embossing Buddy over Bermuda Bay Cardstock to prevent embossing powder from sticking where you don’t want it.
Ink stamp saying form the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit in Versamark, apply to cardstock.
Immediately sprinkle White Embossing Powder over Versamark image.
Tap off excess embossing powder and heat emboss to set.
I love sponging to add interest and depth. I added Bermuda Bay ink to the outer edges of the flagged sentiment piece using my designated sponge. (Yes, I am that person, designated sponge.)

Putting It All Together

All the hard work is done! Now it is time to assemble your card layers. As mentioned earlier, this card is flat, and easily mailed. However, if you choose to add dimension or embellishments, get creative!

Quick Tips

I used Tear and Tape Adhesive to attach the watercolored paper to the Whisper White Cardstock. This great holding tape really secures the heavy paper with its tendency to curl.
I used (Tombow) Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue to tuck the grass fronds into each boot. The wiggle room you have with this glue lets you move the grass around a bit to get the best angle.
Play with the placement of your sentiment piece. Depending on your creative outcome from the pigment sprinkles, you may need to adjust the height as you desire.
The process for heat embossing on this card is optional. If you have raindrop embellishments, use them instead. Craft Whisper White Ink can be used to stamp the sentiment instead of heat embossing it, and will look similar.

I hope you enjoyed my tips and techniques in the making of this card using the stamps from the March 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit! Be sure to sign up for my email newsletter, where I share more tutorials for free.

And if you need any of the supplies to create this card in your own stamp studio, shop my online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, anytime.

Cards Of Social Distancing

March 25, 2020

You’ve Been Red-Carded!

In this time of pandemic, it seems like we are surrounded by bad news. And what makes it worse, is the feeling of isolation. We have all been red-carded: social time out! So how does social distancing relate to card making?

Because we care about those we can’t physically connect with, we are searching for ways to reach out and provide physical proof that our love exists. As such, I find the answer to social distancing as simple as card making, and card sending.

I made these quickly, using the Scalloped Note Cards & Envelopes, item #149610. By placing Designer Series Paper on the bottom inside, I created a pop of fun beneath the scalloped front edge. This is easy card making in times of social distancing, and provides instant results to send to friends and family.

Homemade Cards: Cards That Care

Homemade cards come from the heart, they are made with love. Do you remember coming home from grade school with a drawing, and your parents promptly displayed your artwork on the frig? For months, even!

The front of this homemade card says “Welcome to Maine”. Best housewarming gift ever from my granddaughter, and proudly displayed on my frig for, in all honesty, months!

Homemade cards are like precious artwork. There is care and attention in every detail. No two are ever the same, because they are not manufactured.

Card making is for kids and adults alike. A perfect accompaniment to social distancing, card making provides a creative release of your feelings, and card sending provides a way to show you care. And the creating process of card making is just as wonderful as the receiving process of a homemade card.

Thinking Of You Cards

Thinking of You Notecard in Balmy Blue, cardmkaing for social distancing. — The stamp set, Flourishing Phrases, item # 141534, and some (retired) Gingham Gala DSP add beauty to the Balmy Blue note card.

If you’re like me, you love sending Christmas cards, and birthday cards. Maybe you’ve sent sympathy or get well cards, as I have.

Have you thought about sending “thinking of you cards”? If your reaction is, “that seems too ordinary”, you are not alone. But in extraordinary times of social distancing, “thinking of you” card making seems like the perfect choice to let someone know they are on your mind.

From my experience, people love getting cards in the mail. The walk (or sometimes drive) to the mailbox is worth it when there is a delivery of ‘happy mail’.

I believe that cards are like little presents.When I get a card, I am excited to open that envelope and see what is inside, a mini gift just for me!

Inspirational Cards

Inspirational Note Card in Old Olive, cardmaking for social distancing. — A wonderful phrase from the stamp set, Enjoy Life, item # 148190, and some Best Dressed DSP in Daffodil Delight, item # 151319, make this Old Olive note card naturally gorgeous.

Everyone needs inspiration. You have the great ability to provide inspiration to someone else. Your habits of inspiring may include texting or a phone call, or a post on social media.

But when you send a card that inspires, the words and thoughts shared are like a touchstone. The physical presence of your card is a visual reminder that can be held, speaking comfort at any time.

There is great inspiration to draw on when creating your homemade cards. You can look to online sources for similar renderings. Some cardmakers look at catalogs or magazines for ideas.

And there are crafters who just look out the window. Perhaps the greatest inspiration of all is nature. I ask you to be inspired to create, but more importantly, be excited to share!

Thank You Cards

Thank You Note Card in Terracotta Tile, cardmaking for social distancing. — Even though this card doesn’t say “thank you” on the outside, it certainly could on the inside. I stamped this Terracotta Tile note card with Special Celebrations stamp set, item # 143885, and Love What You Do stamp set, item # 148042. The DSP that adds a splash of color comes from Sampler, item # 154050.

I am a firm believer that the world needs more ‘thank you’s’. In troubled times, we tend to be more thankful for what we do have, and taking things for granted typically takes a backseat. There is no better way to say ‘thank you’ then with a card.

Even with social distancing, you may need to thank someone. Maybe you received a flower delivery. Perhaps someone kindly shoveled snow from your driveway, or graciously left a basket of cookies on your front porch.

We still manage kind acts, even at times like these when we keep our distance for health and safety. Thank you cards are also a kind act, in reciprocation.

Cards Sent With Love

Sending Love Note Card in light pink, cardmaking for social distancing. — This lovely note card in light pink clearly states that is is sent with love, per the stamp set, Inspiring Iris, item #149268. Petal Pink DSP from Pleased As Punch, item # 153558 is the perfect compliment in sweetness.

Now this may sound silly, but can you imagine a card sent without love? It would make more sense to not send a card at all if that were the case. So, does that mean that not sending a card equals the opposite of love?

Homemade cards have extra love built right in. When someone takes the time to craft a card, they love the act of providing from the heart. It is my practice to choose colors or a theme especially for the intended recipient.

Love is in the details, love is in the sending, and love is most definitely in the receiving.

Sharing Cards

Cards are meant to be shared. As a cardmaker, I often have lots of cards on hand, because making them is fun, and craft therapy, and somewhat addictive.

But now, more than ever, is the best time to share cards. Did you know that you can share a card that lets the recipient share that same card with someone else?

Instead of signing the inside of your card, I encourage you to attach a short poem inside. Either of these lovely poems can be viewed or printed here, and give the card receiver a message to care and share.

I encourage you to create a card, put a stamp on that envelope, and pop that homemade card in the post! Brighten someone’s day!

Aqua Painter — I couldn’t decide which postage stamps I liked better to dress up my envelopes for mailing, so I bought both. A great way to seal the envelopes without licking them is to put that aqua painter, item # 103954, to use! Just swipe that paintbrush end with a squeeze of the water barrel across the “lick and stick” portion of your envelope.

If you are new to cardmaking, or interested in getting started, contact me for help. My online store, https://juliemakson.stampinup.net, is always open to shop for necessary cardmaking supplies.

There has never been a better time to start getting crafty. Get inspired, show gratitude and send love. Do your part to make the world a nicer place.

My Paper Pumpkin Addiction Part III

March 21, 2020

This is the last installment of my ‘all things Paper Pumpkin’ series. If you have been following along, you know what Paper Pumpkin is and how to coordinate and organize your kit. Today I am tackling the pros and cons of a Paper Pumpkin Subscription, and what’s in it for you.

Paper Pumpkin Subscriptions

There are 2 easy ways to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin:

For $22 a month (plus tax), you can pay as you go. You simply place a credit/debit card on file when you sign up and you will be billed monthly for your kit. As with any subscription option, you can choose to skip a month if desired. And you can easily cancel your membership at any time. This is a great way to try Paper Pumpkin if you are on the fence.

Then there are pre-paid subscriptions. There are 4 options here, with a 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 12 month choice with unique price points for each. For example, when you purchase the 6 month subscription, you save $1 per month. When you get the 12 month subscription, you actually buy 11 and get one free.

Pre-paid Paper Pumpkin subscriptions make great gifts, for yourself or someone you love. When you purchase the pre-paid option, there is no expiration date for it to be used by. In fact, Stampin’ Up only allows subscribers to have 1 Paper Pumpkin code (per email) on file at a time. This keeps you from getting duplicate kits in the same month.

Paper Pumpkin Grid Paper, #153985, is perfect(-ly cute) to stamp on!

Pros of Paper Pumpkin

Paper Pumpkin is an all inclusive kit, the only thing you need is a clear block to mount your stamp(s) on. It is a no-brainer, easy to assemble whether you are following along with the printed instructions or watching a how-to video. Also great to take on the go!
Paper Pumpkin contains exclusive stamp sets. And the stamp set and included ink spot are still valuable even after the consumable paper products are used up. In fact, you typically end up with extra consumables even after the entire kit is assembled. Refills of kits, when available, are also exclusive to subscribers.
Paper Pumpkin is delivered to your mailbox, you don’t need to add it to your purchase list for errands out and about. If you have a recurring subscription you don’t even have to remember to order it every month. It just shows up and provides you with happy mail! So cool, right?

Cons of Paper Pumpkin

Paper Pumpkin is a surprise. You never know what type of kit you are getting, the color of the ink spot, or the images of the stamp set. It is money spent without exact choice. There are no refunds or exchanges. You need to be able to make lemons out of lemonade, if need be. Thankfully, Pinterest and FaceBook provide lots of change-it-up inspiration.
Paper Pumpkin has some consumable pieces that are manufactured in nature, printed on thinner paper, that pop apart on perforations. If your intention is completely homemade and cardstock thick, you will need to do the work on your own. Granted, for “supermarket shortcut” or “half-homemade”, the images are lovely.
Paper Pumpkin provides you with an ink spot, or jackpot, sometimes two! However, you will end up with lots of duplicates in color. It is hard to get a rainbow assortment, so you may need to supplement your ink supply by other means. Ink spots also dry out quicker than traditional ink pads, so refills will be necessary with time.

What’s In It For You?

By now, you should have a great understanding of Paper Pumpkin, but the best way to make an informed opinion is to subscribe and try it for yourself!

Your happy mail will provide you with an amazing kit full of mystery and possibility. There is help galore on the internet to assemble or create alternatively. Spending time crafting will give you some relaxing alone time, or the opportunity to gather and share the experience with your friends, family or children.

The BEST time to subscribe to Paper Pumpkin is NOW. During Sale-A-Bration, which runs from January to March each year, pre-paid subscriptions earn you free Sale-A-Bration item(s). I encourage subscribers to renew during this event, because free is always a great benefit.

Pre-paid subscriptions may also be added to a party or event, where hosts earn free merchandise any time of the year. Contact me today regarding Paper Pumpkin, or sign up now at https://www.paperpumpkin.com/en-us/sign-up/?demoid=2116612. Let the pumpkin bring some magic into your life!

My Paper Pumpkin Addiction Part II

March 20, 2020

This 3 part series to discuss all things Paper Pumpkin continues with coordination and storage. Now that you know what Paper Pumpkin is, you need to know how to coordinate with it. And more importantly, suggestions on Paper Pumpkin storage options.

Paper Pumpkin Kit February 2020 — The glorious splendor of a Paper Pumpkin kit! PUMPKINHOWTO.com shows video assembly.

Coordinate Paper Pumpkin

Your Paper Pumpkin has arrived! Did you know the instruction sheet has more than instructions on it? Okay, besides the cool ruler at the bottom, the backside lists Stampin’ Up!’s coordinating colors. If you have items with those colors on hand, you can mix them in without fear of your project clashing like mud in March.

There is also a link, stampinup.com/paperpumpkin-coordination, that gives a list of coordinating products. If you have some of those products on hand, or want to purchase those particular products, you can expand your kit. In case you want to change it up a bit…

That’s right, you can follow directions or put your own super creative fun and fancy-free style on your kit. Want to do something different but need kick start ideas? Pinterest and FaceBook have you covered. You can see how to make a project kit into cards, or a card kit into projects. Versatile indeed.

Store Your Stuff!

Paper Pumpkin Storage Boxes — Paper Pumpkin boxes aren’t always orange. Specialty boxes make beautiful storage options.

So you’ve assembled your Paper Pumpkin and have left-over bits and pieces, or need to store your cards until they are sent out in the world to bring happiness to others. The box your kit arrived in is perfect for this! And, as a bonus, you can take that plain orange box and get crafty.

Get Crafty With That Orange Box:

Re-purpose everything from Paper Pumpkin, and save that pretty blue tissue paper as well!

First, inside-out your orange box. Take it apart, flip it around and reassemble. It is really easy, and the orange will be on the inside and the cardboard brown on the outside. Then, decorate with pretty paper.

I used a 12″x12″ sheet of designer series paper, cut a 6″x9″ for the top, 2 @ 1.5″ x 6″ for the short sides and 2 @ 1.5″ x 9″ for the long sides. Tape or glue to adhere. If you want to use more than one pattern, mix it up!

Keep the kids busy and let them decorate boxes too. Instead of pattern paper, you could have them draw, color or stamp on cardstock. If you have magazines or want to print images from the internet, let them cut and paste a collage collection. Put the imagination to use. From my experience, kids have lots of bits and pieces to store too.

Paper Pumpkin Stamp Storage

In part one of this series, I spoke of the exclusive, limited stamp sets that come with Paper Pumpkin (and my FOMO issues). When you receive stamp sets from a Stampin’ Up! order, they arrive in a sturdy plastic case with a lovely insert, neat and tidy, ready to hit your craft room shelf.

When you get your Paper Pumpkin stamp set, it’s a different story altogether. There are lots of thoughts on what to do with those loose, unlabeled photopolymer sets.

Julie’s Paper Pumpkin Stamp Set Storage and Indexing:

My stamp sets are placed in clear envelopes (item # 102619) with a piece of white cardstock that labels the name of the set, the kit # and date. Next, I file them in a photo-keeper style box, under the coordinating year in chronological order. I can easily fit 6 years worth of stamps in one box!

The white cardstock is useful in many ways. It serves as a background so the “see-thru” stamps are easier to view/read. It allows me to quickly and inexpensively catalog each stamp set. Furthermore, an empty envelope lets me know a stamp set is missing and needs to be returned to its proper place.

A box full of stamps is like finding a needle in a haystack….without indexing. Paper Pumpkin Fan Club has files on FaceBook that allow you to print colorful pages of kit contents and stamp images.

Each index page covers the contents of 2 Paper Pumpkin Kits.

This goldmine of info goes into an 8×11″ binder and makes my search for just the right stamp as easy as turning a page. (Highly recommended in case of power or internet outages for those who prefer evernote, excel, etc!)

Excessive Use Of Binders

Confession #598,632. I love using binders.

I keep my Paper Pumpkin assembly instructions in…you guessed it, binders. The early directions fit into a 5×7″ binder, but in June of 2016, the instruction pamphlets grew in size. So to accommodate, I started another binder in 8×11″ variety. Good thing clear hole-punched sleeves come in multi sizes too!

See Spot Run

See Spot Store-age

Ink spots are a beautiful thing to have. With each Paper Pumpkin kit you receive a new ink spot, and sometimes (happy day!) even two. But how do you organize and store those spots to keep them secured safely and at your fingertips when needed?

If you guessed binder….then I am sorry to disappoint. I would if I could, but since that is not possible… moving on.

Ink spots should be stored upside down. Let me repeat…upside down.

The spots are designed very differently from Stampin’ Up!s regular ink pads. In this case, you want the ink to be stored closer to the surface, and upside down storage makes it happen. Spots also have tendency to dry out quicker, so proper storage, mini rubberbands to keep lids tight, and ink refills will combat that issue.

Since the spots are stored upside down, the label isn’t easily viewed. How do you know at a glance what color the spot is? I “label” my spots with a small circle of coordinating paper glued to the base. Don’t have coordinating color cardstock? Use the ink to make your own sample on white paper. The effect is the same.

After years of collecting Paper Pumpkin (I did disclose my addiction via the series title), I have collected lots of ink spots! At one time, Stampin’ Up! even sold ink spots individually, but that may be a different story for a different day. Regardless, I am able to sort my spots into color families, separating them into see-thru containers for ease of grab and go use.

And yes, I do store all of the containers upside down in my cabinet. I often listen to my own advice and words of wisdom. Sometimes learned the hard way, but still…

I hope I have inspired you to think about the benefits of Paper Pumpkin. In case you are still on the fence, catch the third installment of this series, where I will dive into the pros and cons of having a Paper Pumpkin subscription.

In the meantime, if you have Paper Pumpkin guts stacking up all over your craft room, consider some of my organizing tips. Let me know if my methods are helpful, or if you have your own Paper Pumpkin storage system in place, feel free to share your ideas. I am open to suggestions, just let me keep my binders!

The Maine Stamper

Julie Makson Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Month: March 2020