Stampin' Unicorns with Elizabeth Giles: Painted Pumpkins

Recently I made these adorable treat bag & tag for my 2 Day Creative Retreat! It may look like there’s a lot going on with all those layers and texture, but it’s actually super easy to make in multiples.

And here’s the really fun part… did you know it’s SCRATCH & SNIFF?! Yep! Give those pumpkins a little scratch and enjoy the scent of fall! 🎃🍂

To start, stamp your pumpkins in Secret Sea. I love using this color because it really pops against the orange and other warm shades that look amazing with pumpkins.

Next, use the first mask from the Painted Pumpkin Mask Set to add your color. I started with a light pink—either Petal Pink or Blushing Bride works great—and then layered Pumpkin Pie over the top. For a little extra dimension, add more ink toward the centers of the pumpkins to create a beautiful shaded look.

In the photo above, the top pumpkins show the first layer of shading, while the bottom pumpkins show how they look after the second color is layered over the top.

After coloring the pumpkins, it’s time to emboss them!

I mixed 2 parts Clear Embossing Powder with 1 part Pumpkin Spice mix to give the pumpkins a fun fall scent. You could also try Kool-Aid, cinnamon, or another scented powder of your choice.

Keep the mask over the pumpkins and apply VersaMark ink. Carefully remove the mask, then cover the pumpkins with the embossing mixture.

IMPORTANT: Heat the embossing powder FROM THE BACKSIDE of the paper until all of the powder is completely melted.

This picture shows the difference between using a mask and not using a mask when adding the VersaMark.

On the left, I added VersaMark over the entire area around the pumpkins before adding the embossing mixture. You can see some of the speckled Pumpkin Spice remains around the outside edges after die cutting.

On the right, I applied the VersaMark while the mask was still in place. This keeps the embossing mixture right where you want it, leaving nice, clean edges around the pumpkins once they’re die cut.

It’s a small extra step, but it definitely makes a difference!

Once the tags were finished, it was time to put everything together! I stuffed the iridescent treat bags, tied them closed, and added the finished tags.

Of course, as you can see, Ms. Xena thought I needed a little help! 🐾😹

It ended up being the perfect Sunday afternoon project—stuffing treat bags, adding tags, and watching football. Not a bad way to spend the day!

Look at all those amazing goodie bags! 🎃✨ The proof is in the details!

From the dry embossing and layered ribbons to the embellishments and finishing touches, there’s so much to love. And, of course, each one gets that extra personal touch with a handwritten name.

Sometimes it’s those little details that make a project feel extra special!

Every attendee received one of the iridescent goodie bags, filled with a roll of mints, a drink mix packet, chapstick, and a piece of sugar-free Russell Stover candy.

My Gold Level attendees received an additional goodie packet filled with a chapstick holder, metal magnetic bookmarks, and a fun retro keychain—all branded with the Stampin’ Up! logo.

And now I’m already looking forward to the next one! 🎉

My next 2 Day Creative Retreat is December 11–12, and we’re celebrating with a Birthday Bash theme! 🥳🎂

Check out all the event details and register here:
Birthday Bash 2 Day Creative Retreat Event Details

Register soon—there are only a few spots left before I start a waiting list! If we reach 25 attendees, I’ll rent a larger room so we can bring even more crafty friends along for the fun!