The August 2022 Paper Pumpkin was all about sunflowers which I love. I grow them every year -some for me to eat, some for the birds to eat, and some for their beauty in my garden. I just loved this kit. The card bases and envelopes are so gorgeous that it was a little hard to make alternatives. But I persevered and made 11. And, frankly, I could have made another 20 the kit was that beautiful!
I’m a little late in posting these – it’s time to post the September Paper Pumpkin. You know, sometimes life gets in the way. Not to get too personal, but when I was on vacation in July I had COVID and made what I thought was a great recovery. But about a week later, I had the most awful sinus infection that just wouldn’t go away despite the best efforts of my doctor and over-the-counter medicines. Yesterday, I saw the specialist. I was her 4th patient of the day with sinus issues after COVID. Apparently, it’s a thing. The worst part of this sinus issue was my ear was plugged and ringing. So I couldn’t hear and felt awful. So, she popped my eardrum, drained the ear, and today I have my energy back! YAAY!!!
Today’s Project – August 2022 Paper Pumpkin
The image above shows all the alternatives. I could barely fit them all in the frame! You’ll also notice that some are very similar. I was going to edit, but then I thought, let the viewer see them all and decide which ones they like!
For each alternative, you’ll see two images. The first image is the card with its decorated envelope. And let me tell you, the envelopes are so gorgeous! Really, really beautiful. And the second image shows the inside. I photographed them laying on a ‘styling’ towel. I’m not sure I like the styling, but I do like the content. Can you leave me a comment and tell me yay or nay on the towel? I’d love your feedback.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #1
The front for this card is actually the inside of one of the card bases. I just loved this watercolor wash. So pretty. I mounted it on a Blackberry Bliss card base. The other elements are from the kit, including the bees. I matted the mesh on a Blackberry Bliss square to set it off and then added some Solid Faceted Gems for some bling.
The inside uses a strip that I cut from one of the envelopes. The envelopes had designs on the front and back so it was easy to get a lot of material from them!
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #2
This alternative uses one of the envelopes cut up to make a card front. I added a MelonMambo butterfly cut from the Brilliant Wings dies and a sentiment from Go To Greetings. If you don’t have Go to Greetings, you need to get it! It has the same 4 common sentiments in different sizes and fonts. Even if it retires, it’s staying in my stash because it’s so versatile.
Fo this inside, I again used another strip from an envelope that matched the card front.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #3
This alternative is similar to one of the designs in the kit cards except I moved the sentiment to the bottom and used a different sentiment from the kit.
This inside is so elaborate it could almost be another card! I used a cut-up envelope, the mesh from the kit, and a couple of bees from the kit.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #4
For this alternative, I added a gold butterfly cut with the Brilliant Wings dies. The Iridescent Rhinestones add a little bling. The sentiment is from the stamp set included in the kit.
To go with the gold butterfly on the card front, I added as thin gold strip next to the ‘DSP’ cut from the envelope.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #5
Instead of using an included card base for this alternative, I used Crushed Curry as the base and a Blackberry Bliss mat to frame the kit’s card base. I love adding these little layers because they step it up just a bit without making it so much more complex.
For this inside, I used the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set to stamp an image in the lower right corner. Celebrate Sunflowers is the perfect companion stamp set for this kit. The images match well as do the sentiments.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #6
This is another alternative where I cut down the card base, matted it with Blackberry Bliss, and mounted it on a Crushed Curry card base. Although I like the one in the kit, I like this one just a little bit better. Again, adding a little extra cardstock really steps it up.
For the inside, I started with a Basic White layer on top of a Blackberry Bliss layer which I added to the inside. I also added a piece of an envelope as an accent on the left side.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #7
I went a little more dramatic on this alternative. I started with an Evening Evergreen card base which was topped with a Gold Foil layer. Then I added the trimmed-down card base from the kit. A few brushed brass butterflies finished off the card front.
Again I added a gold strip to the inside of the card to echo the gold on the front. I put it to the right of some ‘DSP’ cut from the envelope.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #8
I loved the water color wash on this one and used it for the base. The sunflower outline cut with the Sunflower dies looks great on top of it. I love the two bees crawling through the honey comb and those 3d flowers are to die for! I’d like more of those!
I like the watercolor wash so much that I used it on the inside. It’s soft enough to write on with black ink and looks so good. I matted it with Blackberry Bliss ink to really make it pop.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #9
I decided to get creative with the color, so I used my Melon Mambo blends to color one of the sunflowers. Then I added a little Cherry Cobbler to the sunflower to give it some depth. I just love the way this one turned out. So bright and cheerful! And the Evening Evergreen card base really makes it pop!
Again, another strip of DSP was either cut from the DSP or the back of a card base. Yes, in this kit even the backs of the cards look good. WOW!
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #10
Yes, another coloring job on the sunflower. This time colored with purple tones of Blackberry Bliss and a little Cherry Cobbler.
I think I mixed up the inside for this one since the card base on the alternative is Blackberry Bliss and the card base on this inside is Evening Evergreen. Anyway, you get the idea. Use a piece of pattern from either another card base, the back of a card base, or a cut-up envelope to add some interest to the inside.
August 2022 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #11
And finally, the last alternative is my favorite of all. it’s a full shaker card! I started with one of the included card fronts trimmed down a bit. I added a sentiment and a sunflower from the kit colored with Real Red & Cherry Cobbler blends. After assembling the card front, I matted it on a piece of Melon Mambo. Then I slid it into one of Stampin’ Up!’s clear envelopes and added some sequins. Then I closed the top and while doing so, sealed it farther down so it was tight against the card front.
Next, I put a piece of tear n tape down the side and folded over the excess. onto the sticky tape. Finally, I mounted the envelope on the Crushed Curry base and had a very cute shaker card!
The front is spectacular but the inside is the same as many others and that’s OK! You see, no one but me (and you if you’re reading this) will know they are all the same. They’ll see just theirs and love it and won’t even know that there are others with the same inside!
I hope you enjoyed today’s alternatives for the August 2022 Paper Pumpkin and that these inspire you to look at the kit and its contents in a different way! Happy Crafting!
I love this paper pumpkin. Your alternatives are beautiful.