Featured Stamp Set – Coffee Cafe

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Anyone who knows me really well, knows that I LOVE coffee!  There is nothing like the first sip in the morning it makes me instantly happy.  I do have a few coffee rules; only hot coffee in the morning no matter the weather and in the afternoon hot if the temperature is below 50 and iced if it is over. There is a slight variation on this if it is raining I have hot in the afternoon no matter the temperature.  I know it’s a little quirky but that’s how I roll in the coffee department.

It was no surprise that as soon as I saw the Coffee Cafe stamp set, and the entire Coffee Break Suite it was a must have for me! I really like the sayings as well as the Designer Series Paper (“DSP”) and the super adorable Corrugated Elements.

The colors are very earthy which play nicely on the coffee theme.

Coffee Break Suite

It was the first set I chose to really play with when my first order arrived.  Here is what I came up with.

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First up a little gate fold card.  The card base is Pear Pizzazz cardstock 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ score at 2 1/8″ and 6 3/8″).  I used the polka dot DSP on the front of each panel (1 7/8 x 5 1/4″).  Then I stamped the large cup and lid using Early Espresso and the oval saying with Pear Pizzazz on Whisper White cardstock, then each image was cut out using the Coffee Cups Framelits.  I also cut the coffee collar from Early Espresso cardstock using the fluted framelit. Next I attached the lid and coffee collar to the cup with a small amount of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  The oval saying was adhered to the oval Corrugated Element and attached using a dimensional.  I tied a strand of linen thread around the top then into a small bow.  The coffee cup gets attached to the left side only, make sure you only apply adhesive to that side so the card can open and close.

I will be having a video how to on this card once my editor can help me with it.  And by editor I mean my daughter.  She is a tad busy the next few weeks moving into her first house, they closed on it this past week and are busy cleaning and painting.  They thought it best to get this done before all the furniture was moved in.  So production is on hold for a little while until she is settled in .

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Next I wanted to continue with the polka dot DSP but add a few new elements.  The Coffee Cups Framelits come with a teeny tiny coffee cup that fits perfectly on the cups of another sheet paper from the Coffee Break DSP pack.  I thought it would be fun having them stacked on top of one anther going along the inside of the card.  The card front is slightly smaller than the back allowing the cups to peek through.  The Soft Sky card base is 5 1/2″ x 7 1/2″, score at 4 1/4″.  I added a strip of the polka dots to the front panel (3″ x 5 1/4″.  Next I stamped the cup and lid in Early Espresso on Whisper White cardstock and the saying in Soft Sky, it fits perfectly in the cup! They were cut out using the framelits and attached as in the first card.  I took a small strip of burlap ribbon and attached using Tear & Tape adhesive, then the cup was attached on top using dimensionals.  Next I cut 5 little cups from the DSP and glued along inside of the card using Multipurpose Liquid Glue. I always try to use odd numbers in my “works of heart”. In high school my art teacher always told us odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye and that rule has stuck with me all these years.

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I decided to change-up the DSP for this card.  This time I used Early Espresso for the card base (5 1/2 x 8 1/2″ score at 4 1/4), with a Crumb Cake panel (4″ x 5 1/4″) on top of this.  I cut the DSP into 2 strips 1 3/4″ x 5″ with a small Early Espresso Strip 1/4″ x 5″, these were attached to the Crumb Cake panel then attached to the card base.  I stamped the cup and lid again in Early Espresso but this time on Soft Sky cardstock and cut out with the framelits. The coffee collar was cut this time using the plain framelit not the fluted one. The cup was assembled  as done previously and the heart Corrugated Element was added with a dimensional.  I stamped the saying on Whisper White cardstock in Crumb Cake then stamped the hearts in Soft Sky using the outline heart stamp and coloring in with the matching Stampin’ Write marker.  I added a touch of clear Wink of Stella for some sheen.  This was cut out using the Layering Ovals framelits and I cut a matching oval the next size up in Early Espresso,  then attached to the card using dimensionals.

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I do love the occasional iced latte with whipped cream so that is what inspired this card.  I used Garden Green for the card base, standard size 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ score at 4 1/4″.  I took a Crumb Cake panel (4″ x 5 1/4″) and stamped it using the Burlap Background Stamp in Crumb Cake ink then attached to the card base.  Then I took a 2 1/2″ x 4″ piece of DSP and tore the edges.  To get the white inside to show tear the paper toward you not away.  This was attached to the Crumb Cake panel.  Next I stamped the saying on Whisper White using Garden Green ink.  I tore the saying out then using a sponge dauber I inked the edges with Soft Suede, this was attached to the DSP using dimensionals.  The cup was cut from Crumb Cake and sponged with Soft Suede.  I stamped the straw using the small striped stamp on a scrap of Whisper White using Garden Green.  With the photopolymer stamps you can line up each section with ease to create one long strip which was then cut with the framelit.  The whipped cream was stamped using Crumb Cake and cut out along with the coffee collar in the matching DSP.  To give the whipped cream a little something extra I added a little Wink of Stella in clear. After assembling the coffee cup, it was attached to the card with dimensionals.

This card will be featured in a video, as it has many elements that people always ask me about such as getting a clear image with a background stamp and tearing to get those nice feathered edges.

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Now to show you the versatility of this set, I made a birthday card with a cupcake using the coffee collar and whipped cream.  I also played with my other must have the Embossing Paste! The card base is Early Espresso, 4 1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5 1/2″, on top of this I added a Pear Pizzazz panel (4″ x 5 1/4″). I took a piece of striped DSP (3 3/4″ x 5″) and cut the center using the largest oval framelit from Layering Ovals.  I cut another oval from the polka dot DSP, (I told you I loved the polka dot DSP!) and inserted it in the center of the striped panel.  Now comes the fun part….I cut whipped cream out of a piece of thick Whisper White cardstock.  I took a small amount of the Embossing Paste and put it on my Silicone Craft Sheet with a palette knife. I added a few drops of Early Espresso reinker and mixed it up to make the yummy chocolate frosting, I swear it looked just like real frosting I was very impressed! Then I frosted the little whipped cream piece, just like a real cupcake. While the embossing paste dries pretty quick when used in a thin layer, since this was so thick I hit it with a hairdryer on low to speed drying time. Then using Crumb Cake card stock I cut my cupcake using the fluted coffee collar.  I found it a little large so I trimmed it down with my Paper Snips to a perfect cupcake size.  The edges were sponged with Soft Suede and a dauber.  I cut out the banners using the Duet Banner punch after I stamped the sayings from the Happy Birthday Gorgeous set in Early Espresso ink.  These edges were also sponged with Soft Suede ink.  Then the banners and cupcake were attached with dimensionals.

Supplies Used:

I hope you enjoyed these projects using the Coffee Break Suite.  If you have any questions about any of the featured cards, please let me know I would be happy to help!

If you would like to get a notification each time I post a project share, specials from Stampin’ Up! or myself, class schedules or video tutorials, please make sure you click “Follow By Email” at the top of this post.  That way you won’t miss a thing!  As always, please feel free to share any post on Pinterest or Facebook!

If you are interested in attending classes or any of my all day events be sure to visit my events page for a current schedule.

Happy Stamping!

~Jo
Making the world a happier place, one card at a time!

June Specials

From Stampin’ Up!:

Earn an Extra $35 in Stampin’ Rewards with a Qualifying Workshop or Order!

From June 1 – June 30, 2017 earn an extra $35 in Stampin Rewards with a workshop or order totaling $350 or more! Call me to book your workshop now before my calendar fills up!!  This is a perfect chance to get some of items on your Wish List from the new catalog for FREE!!

For more information [CLICK HERE]

From Me:

As a thank you for supporting my business, with any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) you will receive a FREE Sampler of Assorted Ribbons, Embellishments and Designer Series Paper !

Just enter Hostess Code 9KXHCYBD when you place your order online. I will send your gift to the address used for your order. If your order is $150 or more DO NOT enter the code. If you enter the code you won’t get your Stampin’ Rewards for FREE goodies and I wouldn’t want you to lose out on those! I will automatically send your gift when the order is placed.

This offer is only available only through Joanne Mulligan, an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.  At this time I can only accept orders in the United States.  

To shop with me [CLICK HERE]

Featured Stamp Set – Eastern Beauty

Welcome!  This is going to be the first installment of my new series that will feature one particular stamp set from any of our current catalogs.   I always find there are sets in the catalog I might not like or I just turned the page not giving them a second glance UNTIL I see what others have done with it, then it becomes a must have.  Or maybe you have a set that hasn’t been loved in a while, all you might need is a little inspiration to make some fabulous works of heart.  I hope you enjoy this series and if you have a particular set you would like me to feature, please send me an email and I will do my best to use it in future posts. Enjoy!

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This week’s set is Eastern Beauty and the entire Eastern Palace Suite.  When I first saw this set I thought to myself it’s OK, just not my cup of tea.  But I knew it was going to be a special for the month of May so I decided to order the bundle.  Once I started playing with it all I can say is WOW!!  This is one versatile set!

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For this card I used the colors Tranquil Tide, Fresh Fig and Very Vanilla.  To create the doily in the middle I used the two of the medallion dies and the largest circle from the Layering Circles framelits.  The fun thing about the Eastern Medallions Thinlets is how all the parts work together,  You can mix and match the rings to make all types of designs.

See how well they fit together!  You can run it through your Big Shot using all three at once, just make sure to use the Precision Plate and roll it through several times to get a nice cut.

I stamped a few accents and the greeting then mounted on a large circle of Fresh Fig. Add a strip of Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper and you are all set!

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Next up I decided to used the adorable notecards that are available as a FREE gift with the Eastern Palace Starter Bundle.

I again used the medallions but changed up the middle ring and added a third ring to create  delicate cut out on the front of the card.  I placed a piece of Lemon Lime Twist DSP and stamped accents in Dapper Denim and Lemon Lime Twist Ink.  To give it a little bling , a few small pearl accents were added.

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This card is super easy and super quick!  There is no stamping involved, instead it uses the new Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers!  All I did was peel and place on the Tranquil Tide card.  It creates an elegant look with no effort!  So next time you need a card in a hurry reach for these stickers and you can have a card in minutes!

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This card uses all the elements I have shown you so far but adds a cute little gold tassel! The colors used are Tranquil Tide, Dapper Denim and Very Vanilla with accents of gold.

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For this card I used the new Oh My Stars Textured Embossing Folder (available 6/1/17). Colors used are Fresh Fig, Dapper Denim and Very Vanilla.  The border on either side of the center panel was made with Fresh Fig ink to create the tone on tone look.

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For the final card I decided to stray slightly from the colors in the suite and use Lemon Lime Twist and another new In Color, Berry Burst. To me this card says summer with the bright color combo!

I just love how every card is different yet uses the same stamps and accessories.  The little accent stamps can be used is so many ways, you can sit and play with this set all day long and not run out of ideas!  I am so glad I bought this set, it is sure to be one of my favorites and once you play with it I know it will become one of yours too!

For the month of May you can purchase two different bundles, each with a FREE gift from Stampin’ Up! See below for all the details!

Supplies Used:

Oh My  Stars TIEF Folder, Tranquil Tide Finely Woven Ribbon, Berry Burst Stampin’ Ink and Cardstock will be available June 1,2017.

If you would like to get a notification each time I post a project share, specials from Stampin’ Up! or myself, class schedules or video tutorials, please make sure you click “Follow By Email” at the top of this post.  That way you won’t miss a thing!  As always, please feel free to share any post on Pinterest or Facebook!

If you are interested in attending classes or any of my all day events be sure to visit my events page for a current schedule.

Happy Stamping!

~Jo
Making the world a happier place, one card at a time!

May Specials

From Stampin’ Up!:

Out with the old….in with the new!!

Yes it’s that time of year again!  While we are always sad to see our favorites go, it is the perfect time to complete your wish list from the 2016-2017 Annual Catalog and the 2017 Occasions Catalog! And as a bonus many items are on sale at reduced prices!  What could be better!!!

Be sure to check out the entire list as items are selling out quickly and once they are gone they are gone forever!

To see all the items on sale and shop now at my online store [CLICK HERE]

Eastern Palace Bundle:

During May you will be able to purchase items from the Eastern Palace Suite, a full month before the 2017-2018 Annual catalog goes live!  And as an added bonus these bundles offer free items as a thank you!  This promotion is only available for the bundle pricing, a la carte items will be available when the catalog goes live in June.   This promotion runs May 1, 2017 – May 31, 2017

To view the available bundles please [CLICK HERE]

To shop now at my online store [CLICK HERE]

From Me:

As a thank you for supporting my business, with any order of $35 or more (before shipping and tax) you will receive a FREE Sampler of Designer Series paper!

Just enter the Hostess Code FWYFSKEF when you place your order online. This code is good until May 19, 2017.  I  will send your gift to the address used for your order. If your order is $150 or more DO NOT enter the code. If you enter the code you won’t get your Stampin’ Rewards for FREE goodies and I wouldn’t want you to lose out on those! I will automatically send your gift when the order is placed.

This offer is only available only through Joanne Mulligan, an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.  At this time I can only accept orders in the United States.  

To shop with me [CLICK HERE]