Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop - Day 8 - Warm Wishes

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 8, the final day, of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop.  

Well, this week went by super fast.  I cannot believe that I got a coffee-themed post for each of the 8 days of the hop.  It's like Hanukkah!  LOL  I actually made 13 cards in the past week.  Crazy!!  

Today I have a very easy and short post as my final card for the hop.  

• I started with a top folding A2 card base of dark brown cardstock.  
• Then I printed one of the papers from the Coffee Lovers Digital Paper Pack from Graciellie Design which I then die cut using a stitched rectangle die.
• Using a double stitched rectangle die, I cut a piece of white cardstock.
• I stamped the coffee cup and the sentiment from the Warm Wishes stamp set from Waffle Flower. Then I colored it in using BIC Intensity markers.  
• I layered the white cardstock to a piece of dark brown cardstock and then to the card front.  
• Lastly, I adhered 3 light blue dew drops that matched the cups in the paper as well as 2 small googly eyes to the cup.

Done!

I hope you enjoyed all the cards I made this week.  It was fun to get a blog post done each day.  Today I spent most of the day working on a small photo mini album/folio using digital papers and stamps from Graciellie Design.  I will be posting the book and a step by step next week.  But here's a sneak peek at the cover.

I'll be back again soon with another card or project.  Until then...

~Hugs from Brasil

Michael

Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop - Day 7 - Graciellie Design Coffee Card Ideas

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 7 of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop.  

Today I am back with some more ideas on how to use just a sentiment on your card front.  I really believe that sentiments, especially in many digital stamp sets, go unloved.  The cool thing about digital stamps is they can be printed in any size you want. And, sometimes, you just don't want to pull out the watercolors or the markers and want an easy peasy card. 

Let me show you! 

All of the papers and stamps used for these cards are from Graciellie Design.  The first thing I did was to print each of the papers from the Coffee Lovers Digital Paper Pack.  You get 13 designs and, again, you can print them in any size you want.  For these cards, I printed two of each design on an A4 sheet of cardstock.  They print 5.75" x 5.75" so they are even perfect for a small mini-album. 

I also went thru the digital stamp sets I own to look at all the sentiments.  Then I printed the ones I wanted to use all on another sheet of A4 white cardstock.  I also pulled out some of the dies I would use.

For my first card -

 

• I made a top folding A2 card base to which I adhered one of the papers.  
• Using a double stitched rectangle die, I die cut the sentiment "sending extra caffeinated wishes", which is from the Coffee & Flowers Digital Stamp set.  
• I layered the sentiment on a piece of dark blue cardstock, just to give a slight border, and then I adhered this to the card front.  
• Lastly, I adhered 3 small crystals to the card front.

For my second card -

• I started with a top folding A2 card base of dark brown cardstock.  
• Then I used a stitched rectangle die to die cut the paper with the donuts on it and a piece of white cardstock to be used inside the card.  
• I adhered the donut paper to a piece of fun foam which I then adhered to the card front.  
• Then I die cut the sentiment "HELLO beautiful" from the Hey Lovely Digital Stamp Set using a rectangle die, which I adhered to a piece of the same brown cardstock and then to the card front.
• I wanted a little shimmer on the card so I ran Glam Pink Stickles (Ranger) over the icing on the donuts and then added 3 small round sequins to the card front since they look like donuts too.  

For my third card - 

• I made a 5.5" square card base and adhered a piece of the decorative paper to it.  I used the image of all the coffee cups with the heart in the center.
• I used a stitched square die to cut the sentiment "Sending A Cozy Hello" from the Coffee & Love Digital Stamp Set and then I used the next size up to die cut a piece of dark brown cardstock.
• I adhered the sentiment to the brown cardstock and then to the card front. 
• Lastly, I adhered 3 small coffee beans using Glossy Accents to two of the corners as an accent.

I really hope you enjoyed these card ideas of using just a sentiment and a piece of decorative coffee themed paper for the card.  I have many more ideas and might have to do another post or two. 

I also hope you are participating in the coffee hop.  All you need to do is leave comments.  It ends tomorrow.  I'll be back tomorrow with another coffee themed card or project.  Until then...

~Hugs from Brasil

Michael

For The Best Dad I Ever Saw...

Hello everyone!  How are y'all doing?  If you don't already know this, I live in the countryside of Sao Paulo, Brasil, where Covid-19 is now the worst in the world.  Just to let you know, we are fine, have food, flour, yeast, meat, and even toilet paper.  Other than going to the supermarket, we are staying indoors where the 7 dogs keep me busy.      

Today's Design Team project is for Challenge No. 143 on the If You Give A Crafter A Cookie Challenge Blog and it's all about tools.  If you wish to play along with us, which I hope you do, below is the inspiration photo that the Design Team had to work with when making their projects.  

When I see a toolbox I immediately think of my dad. When I was growing up we lived in a house without a finished basement and I remember working with him to finish it.  Sheetrock, spackle, nails, and his toolbox.  Happy to say that I now own many of his tools.   And nothing makes me happier than going into a home improvement store.  

I used Best Dad from Vera Lane Studio on Etsy along with some other materials.  I am using 3 sheets from Sugar Rush paper pad from Basic Grey, a double stitched rectangle die set, some BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip markers, and some glossy accents. 

I printed the dad and his toolbox, along with the sentiment, on white cardstock and die cut them with a double stitched rectangle die.   I then printed him again using pieces of the designer papers for his shirt and jeans and fussy cut the images.  

• I adhered a piece of the paper to the card front and the sentiment to the inside of the card.  
• Then I layered the image on to a piece of black cardstock and adhered this to the card front.  
• I colored in the images and glued down the shirt and jeans.  
• It was looking a little naked so I printed the sentiment "To The Best Dad I Ever Saw" on to white cardstock, cut it out with a rectangle die, and adhered it to the card front using foam tape.
• Lastly, I applied glossy accents on the glasses and the level so they would look like glass.

I'm really happy with how this card came out.  Very easy to make and I loved paper piecing, something I hardly ever do.  

As always, thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  Remember, you can also follow me on my Instagram page by clicking HERE with photos of my crafty stuff, dogs, food, Brasil...normal stuff.  

Stay safe everyone and until next time, hugs from Brasil - 

~Michael

Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop - Day 6 - I Don't Do Mornings

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 6 of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop.  

I am running late today so I decided to make a pretty quick and easy card for the coffee hop.  

• I started by making a top-folding A2 card base to which I adhered a piece of Kraft paper.  
• I cut another piece of white cardstock using a stitched rectangle die, which I placed into my Mistii and then I stamped the Coffee Bean Background by Rubbernecker Stamps using Vintage Photo Distress ink.  

• Next, I die cut a piece of white cardstock using a double stitched rectangle die and a piece of dark brown metallic paper using the next size up.  
• I stamped the cat and sentiment from the Safety First set by AALL & CREATE on to the white cardstock and colored it in using BIC Intensity Markers and adhered it to the brown cardstock.
• Then I adhered the brown cardstock to the card front using foam tape.

• Lastly, I adhered some True Blue stickles to the edges of the robe.  Cuz this man needs a little shimmer to go with his colorful clothing.  LOL

I hope you've enjoyed these cards and that it inspires you to look at the sentiments in some of your digital stamp sets.  I also hope you are participating in the coffee hop since there are a lot of prizes to be won. I'll be back tomorrow with another coffee themed card.  Until then...

~Hugs from Brasil

Michael

Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop - Day 5 - Using Sentiments For Cards

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 5 of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop.  

Today I want to talk about something that is overlooked with many digital stamp sets - the sentiments.  Sentiments are not just for the inside of a card.  Let me show you what I mean.

For all these cards I used the Coffee Lovers Digital Paper Pack by Graciellie Designs, one of the coolest paper packs out there, and for the sentiments, I used 3 digital stamp sets from Polka Dot Orchard.

I started by making 3 top folding A2 cards using white cardstock to which I adhered a different paper, from the Coffee Lovers Digital Paper Pack to the front of each card.

For this card - 

I used a sentiment from the Happiness In A Cup digital stamp set from Polka Dot Orchard.  I printed out the sentiment on a piece of white cardstock. Then I die cut it using a double-stitched rectangle die, adhered it to a piece of the same light blue cardstock I used for the card base, adhered it to a piece of white fun foam, and then adhered it to the card front.  Lastly, I added some dark blue crystals that I had in my stash.

If you need more inspiration for this set, you can check out a card I made using the image, HERE.

For this card - 

I used one of the sentiments from the Gnome Talkie Before Coffee digital stamp set from Polka Dot Orchard.  I printed out the sentiment on to a piece of white cardstock, cut it out using a double-stitched rectangle die, layered it on white fun foam, and then adhered it to the card front.  Lastly, I added some light blue dew drops that I had in my stash.

For this card - 

I used one of the sentiments from the Flowers In Bloom digital stamp set from Polka Dot Orchard. I printed out the sentiment on to a piece of white cardstock and then die cut it using a double-stitched rectangle die.  Then I adhered it to a piece of dark brown cardstock, then to a piece of fun foam, and then to the card front. Lastly, I added some light and dark sequins that I had in my stash.

I hope you've enjoyed these cards and that it inspires you to look at the sentiments in some of your digital stamp sets.  I also hope you are participating in the coffee hop since there are a lot of prizes to be won. I'll be back tomorrow with another coffee themed card.  Until then...

~Hugs from Brasil

Michael

Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop - Day 4 - Poinsettia in a Cup

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 4 of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop.  

You might have already seen this card because it's part of my earlier post today called Crafty Elves Countdown to Christmas - May 2020 Edition.  But I wanted to make a stand-alone post for the Coffee Hop also.  Today's card uses two stamps from Anthony's Paper Craft and a retired cup/mug die from Memory Box.

• I made a top folding A2 card to which I adhered a piece of red cardstock and then a piece of decorative holiday paper that I cut with a stitched rectangle die.  
• Using the Cozy Mugs set from Memory Box, I cut the middle-sized mug out of decorative paper and adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  
• Then I stamped the Poinsettia image from Anthony's Paper Craft on to white cardstock, cut it with my Scan N Cut, colored it using Copic markers, and adhered it to the card front using foam tape.
• I die cut a banner die and stamped "Merry Christmas" from the Christmas Sentiments 1 set, also from Anthony's Paper Craft, and adhered this to the card front covering part of the mug.
• Lastly, I adhered 3 small red crystals to the card front and some Yellow Stickles to the center of the poinsettia.  

Anthony's Paper Craft is one of the Super Sponsors of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop and he is offering a 25% discount on his site when you use the code COFFEELOVER at checkout.  

I hope you enjoyed this card and I hope you are participating in the coffee hop.  All you need to do is leave comments.  There are lots of prizes to be won.  I'll be back tomorrow with another coffee themed card.  Until then...

~Hugs from Brasil

Michael

Crafty Elves Countdown to Christmas - May 2020 Edition

Hello everyone and welcome to the May 2020 Edition of the Crafty Elves Countdown to Chrismas.  I hope everyone is doing okay...staying safe...wearing masks...keeping sane. The elves,  (Debra, Lisa, Jessica, and myself), have a Special Crafty Elf joining us this month - Amy Tsuruta.  You might know her blog, Tsuruta Designs, or from Coffee Loving Cardmakers or from Facebook, Coffee Loving Papercrafters.   

Now, on to my 4 Crafty Elf cards for May.  Links to the other Crafty Elves' cards are at the end of this post.

Card No. 1 

Today also happens to be during the Spring|Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop so I had to make a coffee-themed Christmas card!  

• I started with a top folding A2 card to which I adhered a piece of red cardstock.  Then a piece of decorative holiday paper that I cut with a stitched rectangle die.  
• Using the Cozy Mugs set from Memory Box, I cut the middle-sized mug out of decorative paper and adhered it to the card front with foam tape.  
• I then stamped the Poinsettia image from Anthony's Paper Craft on to white cardstock, cut it with my Scan N Cut, colored it using Copic markers, and adhered it to the card front using foam tape.
• I die cut a banner die and stamped "Merry Christmas" from the Christmas Sentiments 1 set, also from Anthony's Paper Craft, and adhered this to the card front covering part of the mug.
• Lastly, I adhered 3 small red crystals to the card front and some Yellow Stickles too the center of the poinsettia.  

Card No. 2

Nothing makes me happier than a stamp with whimsical birds on a branch.  I used the Tweet Kindness stamp from Your Next Stamp. There are several sentiments in the set and you can pop out a bunch of cards in an hour.  

• I started with a top folding A2 white card base to which I adhered a piece of decorative paper.  
• I used a stitched rectangle die set to cut two pieces of cardstock, one in red and the other in white.  The red I adhered to the center of the card.
• I stamped my image and a sentiment on the white cardstock and colored it in with BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip markers.
• Lastly, I added some Firefly, True Blue, and Red Stickles (Ranger) to the berries, leaves, scarf, and the hat.

Card No. 3

I am in love with this card.  It's not for everyone but I think this image, "Face In Fir" from Viva Las Vegas Stamps, is very cool.  

• I stamped the image on to a piece of white cardstock using Vintage Green ink from Clearsnap and embossed with clear embossing powder. Sadly, Clearsnap has gone out of business but you can use any Christmas green you have.  
• I trimmed the image and adhered a piece of red fun foam under it and then to a piece of red cardstock.  
• I made a 5.5" square card base to which I adhered a piece of decorative Christmas paper. Then I adhered the image piece to the center. Since the paper already had a "Tis The Season" on it, I did not add any sentiment to the card front.   

Card No. 4

This card has been burning a hole in my head to get done!  I had to make a slimline type of card to fit the two images together and it will fit nicely in a No. 9 envelope. 

• I made a white card base, 7.25" x 8 5/8", and scored in the center and adhered a piece of red cardstock to the front of the card. 
• I cut a piece of cream cardstock, 3 3/8" x 8.25" and I stamped the Pinecones with Branch at the top of the cardstock.  Then I stamped the Round Ornament so it was hanging off the branch.  Both of these images are from Anthony's Paper Craft.
• Using my BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip Markers, I colored in the images.  Then I adhered this to a piece of red fun foam.  Then I adhered it to the card front.
• To add some shimmer to the card front, I used Firefly Stickles on the fir branches and Frosted Lace Stickles on the pinecones.  Just lightly.
• Lastly, I adhered tiny crystals to the chain and in various places on the ornament itself.  And I applied some Clear Wink of Stella to the bow. 

I hope these cards have inspired you to start making some holiday cards if you have yet to start.  Even though some areas are re-opening, most of us probably have a lot of time on our hands right now.  I know I do!

Please remember to check out what the other Crafty Elves have up their sleeves this month - 

Debra (Meticulosity)

Lisa (Life of a BZ Scrapper)

Jessica (Polka Dot Orchard)
Amy (Tsuruta Designs)

I'd love to know which of my projects was your favorite!  As always, thanks so much for stopping by my blog today!  You can also follow me on my Instagram page by clicking HERE!

Until next month, hugs from Brasil - 

~Michael

Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop - Day 3 - Thankful For You Every Day

Hello everyone and welcome to Day 3 of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop.  Today I am working with a beautiful stamp set called Happiness In A Cup from Polka Dot Orchard.     

I'm also going to enter this card in two card challenges - 

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-perfect-time-to-craft-open-challenge.html

http://crafterscastle.blogspot.com/2020/05/may-challenge-29-april-winner.html

I started by printing the image of the flowers in the coffee cup twice.  I used my Scan N Cut by Brother to cut one of the images and I colored the image using BIC Intensity Markers - both the Ultra Fine Tip and the Fine Tip.   I also made a top-folding A2 card base to which I adhered a piece of decorative paper from my stash (Botanical by Prima Marketing #842130/Retired).

With the 2nd image, I fussy cut the 4 flowers and colored them using the same markers.  I also printed the sentiment "Thankful for YOU every day" at 40% on to white cardstock and die cut it using a stitched rectangle die.  This will be the inside of the card. 

I adhered the first, fully colored image to my card front and the sentiment to the inside.  I have to admit, I should have cut the white part where the cup handle is but I can't do anything about it now. 

I adhered the flowers with foam tape and used Yellow Stickles (Ranger) on the petals and Orange Flower-Soft in the center of the flowers. Flower-Soft it seems is no longer being made, which shows how long I have been crafting!  LOL  And, lastly, 3 yellow Robin's Nest Dew Drops that I had in my stash.

I hope you enjoyed this card and I hope you are taking part in the coffee hop or the card challenges above.  I will be back tomorrow with another coffee card and the next edition of the Crafty Elves Countdown to Christmas.

Stay safe and, until then - 

Hugs from Brasil -

Michael

Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop - Day 2 - Homemade Coffee Backgrounds

Hello everyone and welcome to day 2 of the Spring | Summer Coffee Lovers Hop!  

Today's card is an idea that I have had in my head for some time now...to make large backgrounds using some smaller coffee images from Coffee 2 from Anthony's Paper Craft.  And today I got to play and I really love how they turned out. 

For both cards, I started by making a top folding A2 card base of white cardstock.  Then I adhered a piece of decorative paper to the front of each one.  

For the first card, I die cut a piece of white cardstock using a stitched rectangle die.  Then I randomly stamped the "to go" cup from Coffee 2.  I colored all the cups using BIC Intensity Ultra Fine Tip Markers, adhered a piece of fun foam to the back and then I adhered this to the card front.  Lastly, I stamped "coffee" from the set several times, used my Scan N Cut to cut the words out, glued them together and adhered it to the card front with a sticker that says "there is no real substitute" under the word Coffee. 

  

For my second card, I basically did the same as the first card but I stamped the ceramic mug around the white cardstock instead of the "to go" cup.  After coloring the mugs,  I applied Glossy Accents to the mugs so that they really looked like ceramic.  Once dry, I adhered the Coffee sentiment to the card front with another sticker that says "you make my world happy".  LOL

I have one more idea but that will have to wait for another time. 

I'm also going to enter these cards into two card challenges going on - 

https://aperfecttimetocraft.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-perfect-time-to-craft-open-challenge.html

http://crafterscastle.blogspot.com/2020/05/may-challenge-29-april-winner.html

I hope you enjoyed these ideas to make your own coffee backgrounds.  And I hope you are taking part in the Coffee Hop.  There are a lot of prizes to be won!!  You can check out all the info over at coffeelovingcardmakers.com.

Anthony's Paper Craft is also offering a 25% discount on the whole site if you use the code COFFEELOVER at checkout.  This discount is good thru the end of the blog hop. 

I'll be back tomorrow with another coffee themed card.  Enjoy the rest of your day and, until tomorrow - 

Hugs from Brasil.

Michael