This week’s featured product is the April Paper Pumpkin kit — Lakeside Retreat, and after creating one of each of the three card designs, I couldn’t resist diving into the leftovers to create an alternate project. Scrapbook pages are one of my favorite ways to stretch a kit, and this layout came together with that peaceful, rustic cabin vibe I love.
The Inspiration
I have fond memories of when my family would unwind by heading to a cabin in the mountains. Quiet mornings, pine trees, fishing, campfires, boating and time to breathe — this page captures that feeling for me. When I saw the kit’s imagery, I knew it would be perfect for a memory‑keeping project.
What I Used
Along with the Paper Pumpkin supplies, I pulled in a few extras from my craft room:
- Country Woods DSP for soft, weathered texture
- Ephemera from the kit — oars, life vest, fish, bicycle, and the circular cabin image
- Stamped elements using the kit’s stamp set and Peaceful Pines (one of the new In Colors) ink spot
- Additional ink colors: Night of Navy + Pecan Pie
- Retired favorites: “What Fun” sentiment and the tree images
- Linen Thread for a natural, tactile finish
- Sketch inspiration: A layout designed by Kelly Holifield
- Custom title + boat graphic created with help fro Chatgbt and my Cricuit Joy
The Finished Page
The layered strips, the soft blues and browns, and the mix of kit pieces with DSP gave this layout a cozy, outdoorsy feel. It’s ready for two photos — one square, one rectangular — and I have those pictures ready to adhere.
Paper Pumpkin kits are wonderful on their own, but they really shine when you let yourself play, stretch, and mix them with what you already have. This project reminded me just how versatile these kits can be.
If you’d like to see more alternates or want to craft along with me, keep visiting me here on my blog.
