SENDING SUNSHINE

Do you subscribe to the Stampin' Up! monthly papercrafting kit Paper Pumpkin? If not, you should really consider doing so. 

I've been a member of Paper Pumpkin almost from the start. I have to admit that the kits in the beginning were nothing to brag about. I often thought of discontinuing my participation in this program because the projects were anything but exciting.

I am truly glad I stuck with the program though because each month the kits just keep getting better and better. As each month's kit arrives in my mailbox, I wonder how much more wonderful they can actually get. I am never disappointed.

The May kit, Box of Sunshine, was certainly not a disappointment. In fact, it is simply scrumptious. The colors are breathtaking, the exclusive stamps are wonderful and include some really great sentiments that I will use often. Everything in that bright yellow box was welcome and so much fun to work with.

As you probably already know about me though, I rarely follow the directions, and almost always do something to make a project uniquely my own. This kit was no exception. In fact, not one of the eight cards I made followed the included instructions. Don't get me wrong, however. The cards as directed in the kit are wonderful. I just wanted to make them "Linda Unique".

An example of things that I changed include stamping directly onto some of the diecut fruits, snipping the labels and stickers into smaller pieces to fit more with what I intended to do, using part of the sticky portions that are meant to be tossed in the garbage. Even though all of the cards were meant to have a handful of the adhesive-backed sequins on them as per the instructions, I used only one sequin on one of the cards. Now I have lots left to use on future projects! 

Speaking of having lots of supplies left, that's another of the yummy things about the Paper Pumpkin kits: Stampin' Up! is very very generous with the supplies they include in the kits. Plus you always have the exclusive stamp set and the ink spot that come in each month's kit. So, the very reasonable $22 per month for this kit is indeed a good value.

Check out below how I did each of my eight cards. 

And the next photo shows what the eight cards are meant to look like if you follow the directions in the kit. 

Oh! One more thing: look closely at the photo and notice the cool metallic gold decorated envelopes that are included in the kit! Win-win!

One more thing I should mention: I completed all eight of these cards out on my deck yesterday afternoon. All I had to grab to complete the cards was the clear block (one of which comes in your first Paper Pumpkin kit). 

That is another beautiful thing about these kits -- they are completely portable. Every single item you need to complete the kit (as instructed) comes within the fun Paper Pumpkin box. It is conducive to tossing into a bag to take with you wherever you go and want to stay occupied -- and maybe impress some onlookers! -- and creative. Time to get started!

If you don't already subscribe to Paper Pumpkin, you can do so HERE. And don't forget to name me as your Demonstrator! I would so appreciate that!

As an added bonus, you can witness Stampin' Up! CEO Sara Douglass in her excitement about this Box of Sunshine in this video. She is so full of high spirits and such fun to watch. Enjoy!

Oh! And while you're on the signup page, be sure to check out the unboxing videos on the bottom of the page! Always fun to watch!

A photo I took of my mess while making this kit on my deck:

Sunshine-y

Smiles.