Paper Pumpkin Alternatives: How to Stretch Your Kit and Create Stunning Cards

If you’ve been curious about Stampin’ Up! Paper Pumpkin Kit, this is such a great time to dive in—especially now that it’s finally available in Australia. And if you’re anything like me, you’re not just going to make the cards as-is… you’re going to want to stretch that kit as far as possible.

That’s exactly what we did in this week’s Thursday Live—taking the elements from the kit and turning them into something completely different (and honestly, this is where the magic happens).

What You Get in a Paper Pumpkin Kit

One of the things I love most about Paper Pumpkin is how truly all-inclusive it is.

Inside your first kit, you’ll find:

A clear stamping block (first month only—keep it!)
Exclusive stamp set
Ink spot
Pre-cut card bases and layers
Adhesive, dimensionals, and embellishments
Step-by-step instructions

Everything is designed to make nine cards (three of each design), but here’s the thing…

You don’t have to follow the instructions.

And that’s where you can really start to elevate your cardmaking.

Turn Kit Pieces into Custom Card Bases

Instead of using the card bases as intended, I cut one in half and completely reworked it into a tent fold card.

This is such a simple tweak, but it changes the entire look and feel of the card.

Here’s what I did:

Cut the original card base in half
Scored at ½” and again at the centre (2½”)
Created a dimensional “tent fold” design
Used a small panel as a stopper so the card stands

This gives you a card that feels more interactive and dimensional—without needing any extra supplies.

Why You’ll Love Creating Alternatives

Because everything is pre-designed and coordinated, you can:

Mix and match elements across designs
Use leftover layers for new layouts
Add just a small amount of your own cardstock to extend the kit

For this card, I only added:

Misty Moonlight Cardstock for the base
Basic White for layering

Everything else came straight from the kit.

Add Depth with Simple Stamping

One of the easiest ways to take your card from “kit” to “custom” is by adding extra stamping.

In this case:

I stamped grasses and seagulls over the printed background
Kept the ink colour consistent for a cohesive look
Followed the original design loosely—but added my own placement

It instantly added more depth and made the card feel less flat.

Stretch Your Kit Even Further

By the end of the session, I had:

Created multiple alternative cards
Used both front and back of card bases
Still had plenty of elements left to play with

And that’s the real value of Paper Pumpkin.

It’s not just nine cards… it’s a starting point for so many more.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about trying Paper Pumpkin, this is your sign.

Whether you’re short on time, feeling a bit creatively stuck, or just want something easy to get started… this kit gives you structure and flexibility.

And if you’re an intermediate crafter like many of us—you’ll absolutely love pushing it beyond the instructions.

Because that’s where your style really starts to come through.