Have you ever looked at your Paper Pumpkin kit and wondered, “What else can I create with these beautiful supplies?” In this week’s tutorial, I’m sharing several creative alternative card designs using the May 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Sparkling Celebrations. These projects take the kit elements beyond the original designs and show how versatile this month’s gorgeous lantern-themed papers and embellishments can be!
The rich twilight skies, glowing lanterns, and elegant color palette make this kit perfect for birthdays, celebrations, sympathy cards, encouragement cards, and more.
Project #1 – Elegant Gatefold Celebration Card
This sophisticated gatefold design features dramatic black cardstock paired with the stunning lantern designer paper from the kit.
Card Base
- Basic Black Cardstock: 11″ x 8-1/2″
- Score at 2-1/8″ and 4-1/4″
Front Panels
- Designer Paper: 5-1/2″ x 2-1/2″
- Designer Paper: 5-1/2″ x 1-3/4″
Inside Panel
- Basic White: 5-1/2″ x 2″
The contrasting black cardstock creates a beautiful frame that allows the glowing lantern imagery and embellishments to take center stage.
Project #2 – Moonlit Celebration Card
This clean and elegant card showcases the beautiful night-sky patterns included in the kit.
Card Base
- Misty Moonlight Cardstock: 11″ x 8-1/2″
- Score at 4-1/4″
Layers
- Silver Foil: 5-1/4″ x 4″
- Designer Paper Card Front: 5″ x 3-3/4″
Inside Layer
- Basic White: 5-1/4″ x 4″
The silver foil layer adds just the right amount of sparkle and perfectly complements the celebratory theme. I also added WINK OF STELLA and IRIDESCENT FOIL GEMS.
Project #3 – Triple Panel Fold Card
My favorite. This unique fold creates visual interest while maximizing the beautiful card stock and starburst embellishments.
Card Base
- Use 11″ x 8.5 Night of Navy Card Stock.
- Score at 4.25″
- Cut 1-1/2″ from each side edge of the card front to the CENTER FOLD line.
- Score the center panel at 2-1/8″ which creates an easel fold.
Front Panels
- Using the card stock, cut
- Two side panels: 1-3/8″ x 4-1/8″
- Two center panels: 2-1/4″ x 2″
- Using SILVER and HOLOGRAPHIC Embossing Powder — add stars and fire bursts to the patterns as demonstrated.
Inside Panel
- Basic White: 2-1/4″ x 4-1/8″
- I used SPECIAL MOMENTS & BLOSSOMS IN BLOOM stamp sets for the sentiments.
The layered design provides multiple opportunities to showcase sentiments, focal images, and decorative elements from the kit.
Why I Love This Kit
The Sparkling Celebrations kit offers so much more than the original projects. The sparkling imagery works beautifully for:
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- Sympathy cards
- Thinking of You cards
- Wedding celebrations
- Encouragement cards
- Retirement cards
The gorgeous sunset and evening sky backgrounds create instant drama with very little effort, making these projects perfect for both beginner and experienced crafters.
Tips for Creating Alternatives
When working with your Paper Pumpkin kits, don’t feel limited to the instructions included in the box!
Try:
- Changing the card orientation
- Creating gatefolds and specialty folds
- Adding metallic foil layers
- Mixing kit supplies with coordinating cardstock
- Using leftover die-cuts as focal points
- Combining multiple card fronts into one project
These simple changes can dramatically expand the number of projects you create from a single kit.
Watch the Full Video Tutorial
In the video, I’ll walk you through each project step-by-step, sharing scoring measurements, cutting guides, assembly tips, and finishing touches to help you recreate these alternative designs.
I’d love to know which card is your favorite! Leave a comment below and let me know which Sparkling Celebrations alternative you’ll be trying first.
PROJECT GALLERY
Card #1
Card #2
Card #3
