Bouquet of Hope: A Paper Pumpkin Thing

It's the most wonderful time of the month--it's time for A Paper Pumpkin Thing Blog Hop!!  This month's kit is titled Bouquet of Hope and it's jam packed with tons of elements to create nine cards designed with grace and style.

I've used lots of kit pieces to make this alternative, Up!STYLED, card along with a half sheet of Merry Merlot Cardstock, a scrap of Mossy Meadow Cardstock, and the Banner Builder Punch.  To start I cut the Merry Merlot to 4 1/4" x 11" and scored along the long side at 2 1/5" and 8" to create a gate fold.  To secure the gate fold I made a "slide and lock" or as I like to call it a "friction buckle."

In the set of stamps there is a gorgeous bouquet image that is top notch as a stand alone focal piece or it also makes a quick and beautiful background.  I stamped the image several times in Merry Merlot Ink and then spritzed the entire card base with Frost White Shimmer Paint mixed in rubbing alcohol.

For the buckle I cut 2 3/4" off of one of the cards from the kit and then cut it along the scoreline. The back of the buckle, which you can't see, is the solid side of the card.  The two pieces, which measure 2 3/4" x 4 1/4", are held together with two pieces of folded DSP.  You could use any DSP that you might have on hand, but I cut up one of the envelopes for the two inner pieces.

If you haven't ever made a "slide and lock/friction buckle" join me next week for a Facebook Live Class filled with lots of Up!STYLED projects featuring this month's kit.  Just go to Seeinginkspots on FB at 10:00 a.m. PDT.  Can't make the class, then catch the replay.

Here's a closer look at the buckle.  Also, if you want to add a layer like I did with the Mossy Meadow arrow, be sure to adhere it right behind the front layer of the buckle and then add the inner folder pieces of DSP.

Don't miss out on any of the alternative Bouquet of Hope Paper Pumpkin projects.  Just keep clicking through each of the hoppers!