July 2026 Paper Pumpkin Alternative #2 – A Simple Cut Creates This Modern Design!

Welcome back to Paper Pumpkin Week here on Creative Chelsey! Today I’m sharing my second alternative card using the July 2026 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Hooray for Birthdays. For this card, I wanted to create a more modern look by taking one of the kit’s pieces and giving it a simple but unexpected cut.

I love how different this card looks from the original designs in the kit! The soft blue, pink, peach, and green floral pieces work beautifully against the pink grid background, while the curved white panels help draw your eye toward the center of the card. The loose thread tucked behind the flowers adds a little softness and movement, and the scattered sequins provide the perfect 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

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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

 

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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

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

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

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Supplies

Product List

Paper Pumpkin Subscription

[166815]

Melon Mambo 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[115320]

Melon Mambo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[153112]

Sunset Sparkle Sequins

[167785]

Linen Thread

[104199]

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Measurements

Melon Mambo Cardbase - 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored at 4-1/4"

Pink with Pink Plaid Cardbase* - 4” x 5-1/4"

Large Half Circle Die Cut*

Flowers & Leaves Die Cuts*

Linen Thread - 12"

Label*

 

Card Assembly Instructions

1. Prepare the Pink Grid Background

Cut one of the pink grid-patterned cardbases from the Paper Pumpkin kit to 4" × 5¼".

Add some splatters to the patterned paper using a Melon Mambo Stampin' Blend Marker.

Adhere this piece to the center of the Melon Mambo cardbase, leaving an even border.

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2. Create the Modern Curved Panels

Cut the Half Circle Die Cut in half at 2-3/8".

Position one piece in the upper-left corner of the card lining up the straight edges with the edge of the pattern piece leaving a little space.

Position the other in the lower-right corner, rotating it so the curved edges face inward toward the center.

Once you like the spacing, adhere both pieces to the card with dimensionals.

This is the simple cut that creates the modern, flowing design.

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3. Create the Greeting

Stamp “birthday wishes” using the Timid Tiger Ink Spot from the Paper Pumpkin kit on one Label from the kit.

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4. Add the Thread

Separate the 10” of Linen Thread into three strands. Create several loose loops and adhere to the back of the greeting.

Adhere “birthday wishes” across the center of the card with dimensionals, overlapping the two white panels and the thread. This becomes the visual connection between the two floral clusters.

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5. Prepare the Leaves

Select the green leaf die cut from the Paper Pumpkin kit.

Trim and separate the leaf pieces as needed so you can create two floral groupings—one toward the upper portion of the card and another toward the lower portion.

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6. Create the Floral Clusters

Arrange the Paper Pumpkin flowers and leaves around the two curved panels.

For the upper cluster, use the pink flower as the main focal flower and surround it with green leaves.

For the lower cluster, use the large blue flower as the focal point and add the smaller peach and pale pink flowers with coordinating leaves.

Use Dimensionals where you want the flowers to stand up from the card.

Add the Yellow Flower Center Stickers to each flower.

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7. Add the Sequins

Finish the card with the Sunset Sequins.

Place several orange sequins around the floral clusters and in the open areas of the card.

A Take Your Pick makes it easy to pick up and position the small sequins.

Your modern floral birthday card is complete!

The combination of the pink grid background, white curved panels, loose thread, floral clusters, and Timid Tiger greeting creates a completely different look from the original Paper Pumpkin card design.

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Video Tutorial

Want to see exactly how I created this modern design? Be sure to watch my YouTube tutorial! In the video, I walk you through how I cut the Basic White panel to create the curved pieces, arrange the modern layout, build the floral clusters, and add all of the finishing details. Seeing the cutting and placement in action makes this design especially easy to recreate.

I hope this alternative inspires you to look at your Paper Pumpkin supplies in a new way and try some unexpected cuts with your kit pieces. There are so many possibilities when you start experimenting!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by and creating with me!

Have a creative day! 💕

Chelsey