Stretch Your April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit with This Easy Design!

Today I’m sharing my fourth alternative card idea using the April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Lakeside Retreat!

This card is all about simple layering and clean design. I love how the watercolor blues paired with the fishing elements create such a calm lakeside feel while still keeping the card masculine and easy to recreate.

Sometimes the simplest designs really let the beautiful kit artwork shine!

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About This Card

For this design, I focused on:

●     Clean layered rectangles

●     Soft watercolor textures

●     Masculine outdoor elements

●     A quick and easy layout anyone can recreate

The layered strips give this card depth without making it complicated, and the baker’s twine adds the perfect rustic finishing touch.

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Have You Joined the Paper Pumpkin Cut Club Yet?

If you love making alternatives each month and want exclusive perks, make sure you join my Paper Pumpkin Cut Club on YouTube! For only $4.99/month, members receive:

✨ Loyalty badges & custom emojis

✨ Early access to all my Paper Pumpkin alternative videos

✨ Member shout-outs

✨ The Exclusive Monthly Cutting Guide

✨ Members-only livestreams & behind-the-scenes sneak peeks

The Cutting Guide is one of the most requested resources I create—it shows exactly how to cut your cardbases/gift boxes to make all of my alternatives. Cut Club members get it EVERY MONTH.

You can join here → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCszCS397ptot3vJdvLCirTg/join

 

Want to Subscribe to Paper Pumpkin?

If you’re not already receiving Paper Pumpkin, now is a great time to join! My subscribers receive:

🎁 A FREE exclusive card kit designed by me each month

🎁 The Exclusive Monthly Cutting Guide

🎁 A monthly live crafting session

🎁 A multi-demonstrator PDF tutorial packed with 7–10 alternate ideas

🎁 And of course—my support, tips, and creative inspiration!

 Subscribe here and select me as your demonstrator (Chelsey Christensen–CO):

https://www.stampinup.com/products/paper-pumpkin-subscription/?demoid=2042902

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Supplies

Paper Pumpkin Subscription

[166815]

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

[159229]

Baker's Twine Essentials Pack

[155475]

Pecan Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[161665]

Pecan Pie Stampin’ Blends Combo Pack

[161674]

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

[147114]

Add All to Cart

 

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• Simply Shammy [147042] —— https://bit.ly/3bQH7hE

• Paper Snips [103579] —— https://bit.ly/3ulT6tV

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• Bone Folder [102300] —— https://bit.ly/3uhErzZ

• Clear Block D [118485] —— https://bit.ly/3uuabSs

• Paper Trimmer [152392] —— https://bit.ly/3abvykH

• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine [149653] —— https://bit.ly/3ujz8zU

Measurements

Thick Basic White Cardbase – 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"

Vanilla Twine – 10"

Envelope* – 1-3/4" x 4-1/4"

Dark Blue Rectangle* – 2-1/2" x 3-3/4"

Blue Stripe Cardbase* – 2” x 4-1/4"

Orange Label*

Oar & Life Vest Die Cuts*

Card Assembly Instructions

1. Cardbase
Splatter ink over the front of the cardbase. I used Dark Pecan Pie Blend Marker.

Stamp the Flying Birds image in Pecan Pie ink in the top right corner.

2. Create the Layered Rectangle Focal Point
Layer the Blue Stripe piece behind the Envelope piece with about 1/8" showing on top and bottom.

Add to the center of the  Blue Rectangle piece with dimensionals. You should have about 1/4" on top and bottom with 1/4" overhang on the left & right sides.

Attach to the center of the cardbase.

3. Faux Bow
Create a Faux Bow with 10” of Vanilla Baker’s Twine to the left of center.

4. Add Greeting & Die Cuts
Stamp your greeting in Early Espresso ink to the right on the Orange Label. Attach over the Faux Bow with dimensionals.

Add one Oar & Lifevest with dimensionals to the left of the greeting over the label & faux bow.

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Why I Love This Card

I love how easy this card is to recreate while still looking polished and detailed.

The layered watercolor pieces paired with the outdoor images make this card perfect for:

●     Masculine birthdays

●     Father’s Day

●     Thank you cards

●     Encouragement cards

●     Retirement cards

This is also a great design for using leftover kit pieces because the layout works with almost any focal image or sentiment.

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Video Tutorial

Be sure to watch my YouTube tutorial where I’ll show you:

●     How to create balanced layered card designs

●     Tips for simple masculine cards

●     Easy ways to stretch your Paper Pumpkin supplies

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If this project inspires you to create something, I would love for you to tag me on social media using @creativechelsey | #creativechelsey or email me at chelsey@creativechelsey.com.

Make sure to come back tomorrow for even more Alternative Ideas you can make with the April 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit.

Have a creative day,
Chelsey