Make a Big Impact with a Little Blending & Sanding | Another July 2026 Paper Pumpkin Alternative

Welcome back to Paper Pumpkin Week here on Creative Chelsey! Today I’m sharing my sixth alternative card using the July 2026 Hooray for Birthdays Paper Pumpkin Kit. This card is packed with fun techniques that give the finished design lots of texture and dimension.

I love how all of these simple techniques work together to create a card that has so much texture and visual interest!

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Supplies

Paper Pumpkin Subscription

[166815]

Detailed Flora Dies (English)

[168664]

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

[159229]

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

[115320]

Petal Pink 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[146985]

Old Olive 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100702]

Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad

[147051]

Petal Pink Classic Stampin' Pad

[147108]

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

Linen Thread

[104199]

Small Blending Brushes

[160518]

Add All to Cart

———————— My Favorite Supplies ————————

• Stampin' Seal+ [149699] —— https://bit.ly/3Ibz8YK

• Multipurpose Liquid Glue [110755] —— https://bit.ly/3IaGF9S

• Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] —— https://bit.ly/3ajQSo5

• Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] —— https://bit.ly/3IbzezA

• Mini Glue Dots [103683] $7.25 —— https://bit.ly/3anAcw3

• Stampin' Pierce Mat [126199] —— https://bit.ly/3IjEq4d

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

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

• Take Your Pick [144107] —— https://bit.ly/3IeYxR9

• 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"

Melon Mambo - scraps for die cut flowers

Petal Pink - scraps for die cut flowers

Old Olive - scraps for die cut leaves

Linen thread - 10"

Pink with Light Grid Cardbase - 4-1/8" x 5-3/8"

Large Hexagon Label*

Label*

 

Card Assembly Instructions

1. Stamp on the Pink Grid Piece

Take the Pink Cardbase with the Light Pink Grid, and cut it to 4-1/8" x 5-3/8", from the side with the score line.

Using Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Ink, stamp the smaller, rounded flower image randomly across the pink grid piece.

Be sure to stamp some of the images along the edges so the pattern continues off the edges of the piece.

Adhere to the center of the Thick Basic White card base, leaving an even white border around the edges.

2. Add more stamping

Using Petal Pink Classic Stampin’ Ink, stamp both sizes of the circle images randomly over the background.

Keep the pattern loose and scattered rather than creating a perfectly even design.

3. Distress the stamped background

Use a piece of sandpaper or a sanding block to distress the stamped images and the printed paper.

Sand in different directions—horizontal, vertical, and circular—to remove some of the ink and expose the lighter paper underneath.

Continue sanding over the entire piece, including the edges, so the distressed texture looks intentional and consistent.

4. Add Wink of Stella splatter

Add a little Wink of Stella splatter over the background.

Allow the piece to dry before continuing.

5. Blend on the Hexagon Die Cut

Take the Large Elongated Hexagon piece from the kit.

Using a blending brush and Petal Pink Classic Stampin’ Ink, add ink primarily to the center of the hexagon.

Start by blending some of the ink onto scrap paper before applying it to the piece.

Build up the color gradually until you achieve the desired intensity.

Using Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Ink, blend around the outside edges of the hexagon.

Keep the center lighter and the edges darker to create a soft gradient.

Go back and forth between Petal Pink and Melon Mambo as needed to blend the colors together smoothly.

Use a tissue or paper towel to gently wipe along the white border of the hexagon.

This removes any ink sitting on top of the white edge and keeps the border bright and crisp.

6. Add the repeated sentiment

Using Petal Pink Classic Stampin’ Ink, stamp “It’s Your Day” repeatedly down the center of the hexagon.

The images do not need to line up perfectly. The goal is to create a subtle repeated background texture.

7. Add more Wink of Stella

Add another light layer of Wink of Stella splatter to the hexagon if desired.

Set the piece aside to dry.

8. Stamp “Hooray”

Using Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Ink, stamp the large “hooray” image near the lower portion of the blended hexagon.

Add Dimensionals to the back of the blended hexagon.

Center it on the card front, using the score line on the card base as a guide if needed.

The top and bottom points of the hexagon should line up vertically.

9. Add “Birthday Wishes”

Stamp “birthday wishes” onto the label from the kit using Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Ink.

Add Dimensionals to the back of the label.

Place it across the card just above the large “hooray” sentiment.

10. Prepare the leaves

Die cut approximately 6 leaves from Old Olive cardstock using the Detailed Flora Dies.

Add Dimensionals to the center of each leaf. Small pieces cut from the edges of a Dimensional sheet work especially well for this.

Place the six leaves across the card just above the “birthday wishes” greeting.

Overlap and stack some of the leaves to create a fuller arrangement.

Vary the sizes and directions of the leaves for a more natural look.

11. Add the flowers

Die cut flowers from Melon Mambo and Petal Pink cardstock using the Detailed Flora Dies.

Arrange the flowers above and around the leaves to create a small garden-like floral arrangement and adhere with dimensionals.

Use different flower sizes and colors throughout the arrangement.

You don't have to use every flower you cut—the final number can be adjusted based on your preferred arrangement.

12. Add the flower centers

Add a small dot of adhesive to the center of each flower.

Use a Take Your Pick tool to place the flower centers.

●      Melon Mambo centers → Melon Mambo flowers

●      Petal Pink centers → Petal Pink flowers

●      Use the smaller centers for the smaller, rounded flowers.

Press each center firmly so the adhesive makes good contact.

13. Add Wink of Stella to the flowers

Add a small amount of Wink of Stella to the center of each flower.

This gives the flower centers a subtle shimmer that coordinates with the splattered background and hexagon.

14. Add the Linen Thread

Cut a 10" piece of Linen Thread.

Tie a small bow, or create a faux bow if preferred.

Tuck the thread underneath the right side of the “birthday wishes” label.

Use a Glue Dot to hold the thread in place.

Trim the ends if necessary.

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Video Tutorial

If you’d like to see how all of these techniques come together, be sure to watch my YouTube tutorial! I’ll show you how I created the distressed stamped background, blended the two colors onto the hexagon, added the repeated sentiment, and built the floral arrangement.

There are lots of little details in this card that are much easier to see in action, so I hope you’ll watch the video and craft along with me. And if you enjoy Paper Pumpkin alternatives, be sure to check out the rest of my July 2026 Paper Pumpkin Week videos for even more ideas using the Hooray for Birthdays kit!

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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.

Have a creative day,
Chelsey