Today I will show you how to make your own postcards with the July 2020 Paper Pumpkin Summer Nights. I will even show you how to mail postcards with a postcard backing you can address and write a message on!

How to make your own postcards

The July 2020 Paper Pumpkin Summer Nights come with precut postcards that are almost ready to go. The only thing they need is the postcard style back. So I had my sweetie make us some. I will tell you exactly how to print, cut, and attach them and get your postcard ready to mail to that special person.

Postcards Video Tutorial

I have created a video tutorial for the postcards, or you can scroll down and read the instructions.

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Creating the Postcards

• I chose to use one of the precut postcards from the Paper Pumpkin Kit. Then I cut 2 of the card fronts from the July 2020 Add-on to 5-3/8 X 4-1/8.
• Print the PDF (below) on a regular piece of Whisper White Cardstock. I had no issue running this through my printer.
• Then cut the sheet of cardstock (landscape style) at 5-1/2. This will give you 2 sheets with 2 postcards on each. Again, placing the pieces landscape style, cut at 4-1/4. Now you have 4 postcard backs.
• For the postcard in the Paper Pumpkin Kit, trim one of the postcard backs to 3-15/16 X 5-3/16. You may need to round the corners with your snips once you glue it to the back of the postcard.
• For the postcards made from the card fronts in the addon trim the postcard backs to 5-3/8 X 4-1/8.

Designing the Postcards

• The designs are pretty straightforward. If you have the July 2020 Paper Pumpkin Summer Nights kits you already have a lot of that you need.
• Use palm trees from the Timeless Tropical Cling Stamps on one of the postcards. Stamp it in black, then cut the bottom of the card with the die from the Freezin’ Friends Dies (Available Aug 4th) to create some dimension. I found it ended up looking like a mound of sand and gave the postcard more interest. Then emboss the sentiment of choice and the stars in Glittered Silver Embossing Powder by Stampin’ Up! (retired).
• Now add a firefly.

• The postcard with the Ferris wheel was very easy. This is the one that comes pre-cut on your kit. Add the elements from the kit then emboss a sentiment and the shooting stars stamp.
• Again, I chose to use the Glittered Silver Embossing Powder by Stampin’ Up! but I find it didn’t show up on the lighter background. If you use the same postcard background I did, I recommend using the gold embossing powder I will talk about in a moment.
• For the last postcard I created, I also cut a card front from the July 2020 Addon the same size as the one above. Using the branch stamp from the Tasteful Touches Stamps I stamped it twice in versamark ink to extend the branch further into the postcard.
• Chose the sentiment you would like on the postcard and emboss that it in the matching gold glitter embossing powder.
• Glue down your fireflies and lanterns. You can draw little upside-down teardrops to resemble the string the lanterns hang from.

Embossing Details & Mixtures

• No Glittered Silver Embossing Powder? You can get a similar effect combining Silver & White Embossing Powder with some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (retired). Or any other glitter of choice.
• I recommend combining 2 parts white, to one part glitter with a half part of silver. If your glitter had a lot of silver in it omit the half part silver embossing powder.
• For the gold embossing, I mixed 2 parts of Gold Stampin’ Emboss Powder with 1 part of the long-ago retired Gold Glitz by Stampin’ Up! You can use any gold glitter you like.

Laminating your postcards

• The Amazon Basics Laminating Pouches are very easy to use. They are sealed on the top portrait side. The will open at the bottom. Place 4 postcards evenly into the pouch then run through a laminator. I use the Scotch Thermal Laminator.
• TIP: You may find it easier to cut your laminating pouch in half and run 2 postcards through at a time. This will allow you to hold them easier so they don’t shift around when placing in your laminator.
• Once laminated (I always run mine through twice for good measure) trim the laminated pouch so that approx 1/4 inch remains all the way around your postcard. Do not trim it too closely or you risk having the laminated pouch open around your postcard.

Addressing & Mailing your Postcards

• Be sure to write on the postcard back BEFORE you laminate it. Add your message and address. There is enough space to add a stamped image or small item, like a firefly to the back of the postcard. Then laminate your postcard
• IMPORTANT: Do NOT place the stamp inside the laminating pouch. The stamp must go on the outside on top of the lamination. If a stamp is deemed “non-cancelable” your postal service will not process the item to be mailed. The stamp must appear on top so that the postal machine can print on it.

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Until I see you again,

Take Care & Happy Stamping! <3

Until I see you again,

Take Care & Happy Stamping! <3