$25 Giveaway!

If I get 3 more Paper Pumpkin subscribers by midnight tonight (Mountain Time), I will do a $25 giveaway to my Stampin' Up! store! Click here to sign up for a month-to-month subscription, and here to purchase a prepaid subscription (must also be redeemed by midnight).

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Using Rhinestones and Pearls

I have a special treat for you today - a new video! This one is only a few minutes long, and I'm sharing some tips for using Stampin' Up!'s rhinestone and pearl embellishments.

During the video, you'll see this pretty card:

And check out these beautiful purple rhinestones!

Want to know how to do that? Check out the video!

Here's what I used to make the card:

Stamps: Big News
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pool Party, So Saffron Stampin' Write Markers, Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities (darkest shade)
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories & Tools: Lucky Stars EF, Big Shot, Thick White Baker's Twine (from Tag a Bag Accessory Pack), Rhinestones

I hope you enjoyed the video! Leave a comment and let me know what you'd like to see in my next video!

Don't forget! A lot of great promotions are ending tomorrow! Don't miss out!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Paper Pumpkin Sign-Up Link

I was just alerted by one of my customers that the link I've been sharing to sign up for Paper Pumpkin does not work. I'm so sorry if you've encountered this problem! Try this one, and please let me know if you are having problems signing up. I don't want you to miss out on my free product offer!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

And the Winner is...

Thank you to those of you who entered to win the set of cards. The winner is....

Rachel Nass

 

 

I will send you your cards later this week.

 

 

We're coming up on the end of October, so a few promotions will be ending.

 

If you like the Good Greetings stamp set, you can place a $300 order and get it for yourself! (A 12-month prepaid subscription to Paper Pumpkin will get you 2/3 of the way there! Add in a few Christmas gifts for the people on your list, and you've earned yourself an awesome FREE stamp set!) Here's a reminder of what that stamp set looks like:

  

The Pick a Pack of Paper promotion will also be ending. Join as a demonstrator and receive a FREE pack of Designer Series Paper for the next 6 months. That's over $60 in FREE paper! Plus, if you join my team, I will give you a past Paper Pumpkin kit for free also. Being a part of Stampin' Up! is so much fun, and I'd love to have you join me!

 

 

If you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by October 31, I will let you pick an item from my retired product grab bag. Try it out for a month and see if you like it - you can cancel at any time.

 

Finally, Stampin' Up! announced a giveaway today - the grand prize winner will receive every single Project Life by Stampin' Up! product available! 100 lucky people will also win a Project Life card and accessory pack of their choice. Enter, and share with your friends for extra entries! If you want to know more about Project Life, watch the short video below to learn more. Project Life is so easy - it's helped me start to document my photos and create lasting memories for my family. I think you'll love it too!

 

 

I'll be back on Thursday with my own new video, and a cute birthday card!

 

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

 



Weekly Deals ~ October 28-November 3

Here are this week's deals:

	Regals Designer Buttons Item # 130029 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$8.21 CAN
	Large Scallop Edgelits Die Item # 127019 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch Item # 119275 Regular Price: $15.95 US/$20.95 CAN Discounted Price: $11.96 US/$15.71 CAN
	Blue Ribbon Wood Stamp Set Item # 131964 Regular Price: $28.95 US/$35.95 CAN Discounted Price: $21.71 US/$26.96 CAN
	Word Bubbles Framelits Die Item # 132968 Regular Price: $24.95 US/$30.95 CAN Discounted Price: $18.71 US/$23.21 CAN
	1/16" Circle Handheld Punch Item # 134363 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$11.95 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$8.96 CAN
Happy Stamping! Rachel	Autumn Traditions Kit - Digital Download Item # 127600 Regular Price: $9.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.97 US/$6.57 CAN

What to Do When You Don't Love Your Paper Pumpkin Kit

Today is the last day of Paper Pumpkin Week on the blog! I hope you've enjoyed learning more about this great crafty kit, and that you'll consider subscribing yourself, or purchasing a prepaid subscription as a gift for someone on your list this holiday season.

My last post in this series is about one of the concerns that many people have when they sign up for Paper Pumpkin: what if I don't love (or even like) what comes in the kit each month? This is a good question, and hopefully my answers will help you out.

When you sign up for Paper Pumpkin, you go in knowing that the kit is a surprise each month. Even demonstrators do not get a sneak peek ahead of time (with the exception being a sneak peek at convention this year for 2 upcoming kits). Personally, I think the surprise is a part of the fun! I love surprises! If you think about your Paper Pumpkin subscription like a magazine subscription, you don't know exactly what you're going to get out of a magazine each month, but you keep your subscription going because you trust that the content will be something that is relevant to you each month. You can also trust that Stampin' Up! is going to provide you with a quality product each month in your kit (even if you don't use it in the way it was intended).

Some people see the value of the Paper Pumpkin kit in the project that is included. I see it differently. Each month, you get ink and stamps that can be used outside of the project. If you were buying ink and a stamp set, that would almost cover the cost of the kit right there. But then you get a lot of other products as well! My first suggestion if you don't like the project in the kit - do something else with the products in the box! You don't even have to be creative and think of things on your own - Pinterest has TONS of ideas, and I usually post a few on here too. If you think outside the box (pun intended) you can make some great projects!

Most of us make things to give to others, whether it be for a birthday, holiday, or just because. Paper Pumpkin projects are great for gift-giving! If you don't like the project in the kit yourself, make it and give it to someone else! It's sure to brighten their day. OR, give the entire kit to someone as a gift!

Ultimately, if you are really dissatisfied with your Paper Pumpkin kit, you can call Stampin' Up! and they will do what they can to make it right for you. How's that for a great company?!?

Don't forget, today is the last day to enter my giveaway. The winner will be announced tomorrow! I've decided to extend my subscribe and join deal through the end of this week. Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by Friday, October 31, and pick a FREE item from my retired product grab bag! Join my team as a demonstrator by Friday, October 31, and pick a past Paper Pumpkin kit for FREE! If you join as a demonstrator by Friday, you will also get in on the Pick a Pack of Paper deal, which is AWESOME!

I hope you have a great week - I'll have a new video to share later this week, so watch for that!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

October 2014 Paper Pumpkin

My Paper Pumpkin kit came at the end of last week, and I'm so excited to share the contents with you today! I always get excited when I see this box in my mailbox!

Let's see what's inside!

Everything is always wrapped up in pretty blue tissue paper, just like a present. Who doesn't like to get a present every month?!?

Inside the first layer, you'll find your new stamp set and ink spot. Here's a closer look:

I think the stamps are great this month! Several of them definitely have uses outside of the Thanksgiving holiday. And the Old Olive ink is a great green to use on Christmas projects too! Next are the instructions. Isn't the project cute?

The instructions are really helpful, but I also like to watch the video that Stampin' Up! provides on the Paper Pumpkin YouTube channel every month. It gives me a good idea of how to put the project together before I even look at the directions. (And, you can often view the video a few days before your kit comes in the mail, if you are terrible at waiting like I am!) Now for the best part - all of the amazing things that come in one little box! I was beyond impressed at the amount of product I received for $19.95 this month! Take a look:

Love it! I really like the colored polka dot boxes. (But of course, I like just about anything with polka dots.)

Gorgeous!

Now what do all of these supplies make? EIGHT of these adorable pie-shaped boxes!

If you make all 8, you can even put them together to form a full pie (see the picture on the instructions booklet above)! How cute is that?!? They're perfect for sending home Thanksgiving pie leftovers with your guests (they're food safe!) or filling with yummy treats to give a friend.

Some of you might be thinking that this kit makes a cute project, but what if you have no use for pie/treat boxes? I'll be back on Monday to share my ideas for what to do when your Paper Pumpkin kit is not something you like or would use. And when I finish my alternate ideas for this month's kit, I'll be sure to share them. I have lots of ideas floating around in my head!

Have a great weekend, and don't forget to sign up for Paper Pumpkin and earn a FREE gift, plus enter my giveaway (you only have until Monday!).

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Happy Birthday Bag Using September 2014 Paper Pumpkin Kit

When I saw the treat bags for last month's Paper Pumpkin, I thought they were really cute, but I'm not too big on Halloween, so I knew I wanted to use some of them for other occasions. Here's what I came up with:

My ink smudged a little, but other than that, I think this turned out really cute! Did you notice the purple rhinestones? This was my first attempt at using my Blendabilities to color them, and I LOVE it! I'll have another card using this technique for you next week, and I'll go into more detail then.

If you are stumped with what to do with the extra product in your Paper Pumpkin kits, Pinterest is a great place to look for ideas. There are so many great ideas that sometimes I buy a refill kit just to make some of them! Many of the ideas don't even take extra supplies, which is even better!

Here's what I added to the kit to make this little birthday bag:

Stamps: So Very Happy
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities (the darkest marker)
Accessories & Tools: 1/8" Basic Black Ribbon, Blackberry Bliss Ribbon, Rhinestones Basics Jewels

Don't forget to sign up for Paper Pumpkin this week to pick a FREE item from my retired products grab bag! I'm looking for 4 people to try it out by October 31. Can you help? I'm hoping for something Christmasy in next month's kit! You can always cancel after one month if it's not for you, but I'd love for you to give it try and let me know what you think! Sign up here!

You have a few days left to enter my giveaway for some beautiful cards from a past Paper Pumpkin kit. Do it today so you won't forget!

Check back tomorrow to see the amazing amount of product included in this month's kit. You won't want to miss it!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Paper Pumpkin: Framed Love

I spent a lot of my crafting time last week working on Paper Pumpkin kits. The kit I'm sharing with you today is from April 2014. I received it as an incentive prize a few weeks ago, and I was excited to have time to put it together! The kit is called Framed Love, and it makes a cute little home décor piece that you can either gift or keep for yourself. Take a look:

I really like this little frame, and one day, when my craft room is finished (or even started, haha) I think this little piece of art will make a great decoration.

Before I show you the extras that I made with this kit, here is the stamp set that came with it:

The Mother's Day stamp is my favorite. I didn't have one to use for cards this year, so I'm excited to add it to my collection!

Now for the extras! Here are a few things I made with extra pieces in the kit:

 

I made a card very similar to the design in the frame. Add a greeting inside, and you have a card for a variety of occasions!

There are also a lot of extra tags, so I added a few embellishments and other inks to show the endless possibilities of using the tags! Of course you could use other stamps to add even more variety. The extras I used included Calypso Coral and Basic Black ink, Rhinestones, Coastal Cabana Thick Baker's Twine, and 1/8" Black Ribbon.

After I was finished making my extras, this is what I still had left over:

Awesome, right?! One of the things I love most about Paper Pumpkin is the huge amount of product that comes in the kit. (Just wait until I show you this month's kit on Friday - it will blow your mind!)

Did you know that if you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you can order past kits and refills? Right now, the Framed Love kit is available to purchase if you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber. I love this perk of subscribing since I didn't become a subscriber until recently. It gives me a chance to get the things I missed!

If you don't want to miss out, what are you waiting for?!? It's easy to sign up, and if you sign up now, you'll get November's kit, and the opportunity to purchase past kits such as this one. Just click here to get started. Remember, if you sign up this week, you get to pick one of my retired items for FREE!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway this week and have the chance to win some of the beautiful cards from the August 2014 Paper Pumpkin kit. It's easy to enter, but you only have until Monday!

Make sure you come back tomorrow for more Paper Pumpkin goodness!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Weekly Deals ~ October 21-27.... and a GIVEAWAY!!!

Here are this week's deals:

	Settin’ Sail Photopolymer Stamp Set Item # 133453 Regular Price: $13.95 US/$16.95 CAN Discounted Price: $10.46 US/$12.71 CAN
	Jumbo Sticky Rounds Item # 127852 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$6.95 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$5.21 CAN
	Zig Zag Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Item # 133738 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Fun Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Item # 133727 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$10.95 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$8.21 CAN
	Soft Sky 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon Item # 131210 Regular Price: $6.95 US/$9.50 CAN Discounted Price: $5.21 US/$7.13 CAN
	Calypso Coral 3/4" Chevron Ribbon Item # 130018 Regular Price: $8.95 US/$12.50 CAN Discounted Price: $6.71 US/$9.38 CAN
	Little Buddy Birthday Wood-Mount Stamp Set Item # 133860 Regular Price: $21.95 US/$26.95 CAN Discounted Price: $16.46 US/$20.21 CAN
	Spook Central Designer Ensemble - Digital Download Item # 127589 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.77 US/$8.37 CAN

Also, as promised, here are details on this week's giveaway! Since I will be sharing all about Paper Pumpkin this week, I thought it was only fitting that the giveaway also has to do with Paper Pumpkin. So... the winner will receive 4 of the beautiful cards from the August 2014 kit.

 What do you have to do to win?

    1) Like my Facebook page.

    2) Comment on this post with

• Your favorite thing about Paper Pumpkin
• Your email address, so I can contact you if you win!

    3) Share this post with your friends on any form of social media or through
    email, and comment again that you did.

Don't forget - if you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin now through Monday, October 27, you will get to pick a FREE item from my retired products grab bag! This includes prepaid subscriptions, as long as you redeem the subscription by Monday. Go here to sign up or here to purchase a prepaid subscription. (Prepaid subscriptions also make great gifts!)

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

What I've Been Up To and... Paper Pumpkin Week!

Here are some snapshots of what I've been up to during my 'blog break'. Watch for posts later this week expanding on some of these things! And make sure you read to the end for some exciting news about this week's posts on the blog!

I spent a lot of my crafting time working on Paper Pumpkin kits this week. This is the kit from April 2014, Framed Love. I won this kit as an incentive recently, and I was excited to have time to put it together!

I also worked on the September 2014 kit, creating this alternate project.

Another project this week - addressing envelopes for my Christmas cards. I will get them out on time this year!

Proof that I started early - my stack of card bases, with the inside greeting stamped.

I received my preorder box for the Holiday Supplement, which is available TODAY! I had to stick to a budget, so I wasn't able to order the Stars kit, but I'm sure it's going to be a popular item. Products in this catalog are available only while supplies last, so make sure to get your order in as soon as possible! See this awesome little catalog here.

My family visited a wildlife sanctuary with friends on Saturday. It was neat to see so many lions and tigers up close!

I was hoping to show you pictures of my amazingly clean house as well, but that didn't happen. Apparently blogging isn't the thing that's preventing me from cleaning my house, haha!

I've been spending a lot of time with Paper Pumpkin lately, and that's because I've been working through some training on using and selling the kits. I decided to share my newfound love of Paper Pumpkin with all of you this week, so I'm declaring it Paper Pumpkin Week on the blog! What does this mean for you? First of all, I'll be sharing lots of projects and info on Paper Pumpkin now through next Monday. I will also be doing a giveaway - watch for more details on that tomorrow. AND... a few exciting perks for new subscribers and new demonstrator sign ups this week! If you subscribe to Paper Pumpkin by next Monday, not only will you get my welcome gifts, but you will also get to pick a product from my retired item grab bag (items include Designer Series Paper, ribbon, embellishments, and more!). If you join as a new demonstrator with me by next Monday, you can pick a past Paper Pumpkin kit from me for FREE! (Plus, join right now and get free paper for the next six months!)

Make sure to come back and visit every day this week for more fun stuff! I hope by the end, you'll love Paper Pumpkin as much as I do!

Happy Stamping!

Rachel

Weekly Deals ~ October 14-20

There are some more great items on the weekly deals this week! The Truly Grateful stamp set is a wonderful choice for Thanksgiving!

	Perfect Print Numbers Bigz Die Item # 133726 Regular Price: $24.95 US/$30.95 CAN Discounted Price: $18.71 US/$23.21 CAN
	Truly Grateful Wood Stamp Set Item # 131730 Regular Price: $27.95 US/$33.95 CAN Discounted Price: $20.96 US/$25.46 CAN
	Mustache Framelits Die Item # 133741 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Darling Doily Thinlits Die Item # 133736 Regular Price: $24.95 US/$30.95 CAN Discounted Price: $18.71 US/$23.21 CAN
	Tiny Triangles Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Item # 133740 Regular Price: $7.95 US/$9.95 CAN Discounted Price: $5.96 US/$7.46 CAN
	Decorative Window Gift Box Item # 132146 Regular Price: $4.95 US/$5.95 CAN Discounted Price: $3.71 US/$4.46 CAN
	Floral Frames Framelits Die Item # 127012 Regular Price: $26.95 US/$32.95 CAN Discounted Price: $20.21 US/$24.71 CAN
Happy Stamping! Rachel	Spooky Treats Designer Template - Digital Download Item # 127588 Regular Price: $12.95 US/$13.95 CAN Discounted Price: $7.77 US/$8.37 CAN