Build a Pumpkin by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

Need to whip up some fall cards in a jiffy? These are easy, easy, easy:

1. Punch, die- or hand-cut five ovals.

2. Add texture with an embossing folder plus paint or use rubber stamps. If stamping, allow inks to blend here and there. Optional: Edge each oval with a dark ink. (Shown - Black and white inks for orange pumpkin, copper paint for black pumpkin.)

3. Stamp squares and rectangles, sized in the appropriate scale in proportion fo the ovals, to use for the background pieces. Use the same inks as for the ovals. Allow the inks to blend. (Shown - squares, rectangles). Stamp with a mix of patterns, large and small sizes. Optional: Edge the background pieces with a dark ink.

4. Glue the background layers to a top-fold card base or add an easel.

5. Adhere the ovals, overlapping as shown to create a pumpkin. Add foam squares beneath the center-front oval for a bit of dimension.

6. Add a stem made from tree bark. (Substitute a flat hand-cut stem to mail for standard postage.)

Options:

• Make a 2-sided pumpkin and hang as an ornament.
• Frame in a shadow box.
• For a more realistic pumpkin, hand-cut misshapen ovals instead of using dies; blend and shade instead of stamping or embossing.

Supplies:

• Ink pad - RubberMoon Moonlight White and Eclipse Black
• Stamps - kp7612h Imperfect Wheels by Kae Pea (RubberMoon); Es7633k Eccentric Concentric by Elizabeth St. Hilaire (RubberMoon)
• Other - Adhesives of choice, Oval dies or punches, Acrylic paint in copper metallic, Embossing folder with allover pattern, Cardstock or heavyweight paper in black, orange, copper, mustard, or color(s) of choice