Show & Tell — Gobble, Gobble! A Sneak Peek From My Kitchen Table

 Hello Friends!

Can you believe Halloween is over already? 

Each year the Hubby and I stock up on Halloween treats in the hopes that a sweet little visitor will ring our bell.  But still after 10 years, no trick-or-treaters.  This year, instead of eating all the candy ourselves, we were able to ship it off to Pumpkin's dorm and she is sharing with her floor mates. I so love being able to do that.

And now my brain has gone straight to pumpkin pies and everything fall. 🥧

I've been up to something, and I'm SO excited I can hardly keep it a secret... I made my very first card kit! YAY!

Here's the thing: I'm not a fancy, been-crafting-forever kind of crafter. I'm a crafter who loves pretty paper, bright colors and that happy feeling when someone opens a card you made just for them. 

So I put together the kit I'd want: The type of kit that takes less than an hour to put together 6 cards, no need for a bunch of supplies or special tools, everything cut and ready to assemble.

Just you, a little glue, and maybe a mug of something warm.

And by the time you finish that warm mug of goodness, your done with 6 cards to give to the special people in your life.

Perfect for Thanksgiving greetings, gratitude notes, or simply sharing a little kindness during the most colorful season of the year.

Here is a sneak peek,

 

I'm picturing making these on a kitchen table on a chilly evening: with your family, your best friend, or just you and a good playlist. 

Whoever opens one of these treasures made by you - is going to LOVE it.

The kit goes live in my Etsy shop this Thursday! I put together a small batch of kits, so I'll share the link the minute it's ready!

Who's on your Thanksgiving card list this year? Tell me in the comments. I'd love to know who you're thankful for!

Find your sunshine today,

PumpkinSpice Hugs 🧡

From My Craft Room — Why I Keep Every Retired Paper Line

Hi Friends!

Okay, I have a confession, and I'm just going to say it out loud: 

I cannot let go of paper!!

I have been that way since childhood - I still have stickers and notepad pages from when I was 7 yrs (let me say - that was a very long time ago.)

And retired paper - well that talks to me! The collections that came and went, the ones you can't find in any store anymore. My darling husband just shakes his head and raises an eyebrow when I walk in the door with a new paper stack - 'hubby - I can't used the retired stuff, I can't replace it' - That gets another head shake and an 'eye roll'.  Then I mossy off to google over my pretty papers.

Back in the early days of this blog, every new release from Echo Park, Doodlebug, My Mind's Eye and Carta Bella felt like Christmas morning. Sneak peeks! Pre-orders! Happy dances! And when a line retired? I kept a pad. Or two. Or... well, let's not count. 😉

And guess what I found this week, just in time for Halloween? One of my all-time favorites: My Mind's Eye Blackbird, all the way from 2010! Little trick-or-treaters in homemade costumes, a crooked little neighborhood of houses, crows against an orange sky... WOWZERS, I still love every single sheet.

Here's the best part about retired paper: nobody else's card will look like yours. And there are collectors out there (hi, my Doodlebug friends!) who light up when they find a line they thought was gone forever.

If Blackbird makes your heart skip like it does mine, there is a collection is in my Etsy shop. (And Doodlebug friends, the very last Lovebugs pack is waiting for Valentine's!)

Psst... coming next week: I've been cooking up something brand new at the kitchen table. Think pumpkins, leaves and a whole lot of THANKFUL. 🍂 Stay tuned!

So tell me: what's the one retired collection you wish you'd bought more of? 

Mine is Traditions from Carta Bella, well one of them, I have so many favorites.  

Let's reminisce together in the comments!
Find your sunshine today,

PumpkinSpice Hugs 🧡