Stamping A Latte

Ever since my blog last week using the Simply Said stamp set and discussing all the possibilities for the long stemmed flowers, I have been thinking about using it to make “steam” come out of a coffee cup.  When my Pun Fun set (new 2008 release) arrived I knew I needed to get stamping.

Want to see more coffee themed card ideas? See my post showcasing 13 simple coffee themed cards here.

I layered Berry Bliss Designer Series Paper on Pretty in Pink and a Whisper White card stock base.  I then used my corner rounder punch to create a scalloped border on both sides of the horizontal layer (also Berry Bliss).  I then layered the seriously sexy and silky Cocoa Ribbon from the Ribbon Originals Theater on top.

The coffee mug is created using Close to Cocoa and Regal Rose markers directly on the stamp.  I was able to use two colors on one stamp and eliminate the existing “steam” and the sentiment.  I then inked up only the “Love you a Latte!” part of the stamp with Close to Cocoa and stamped it on Pretty in Pink.  It’s simply fab to be able to isolate and/or use multiple colors with these versatile Stampin’ Up! markers.

My Stamp-a-ma-jig became my new best friend forever (BFF) when I needed to add the Simply Said flowers to the coffee cup (as my “replacement” steam).  It allows for perfect placement by creating a stamped overlay of the flowers on a transparent sheet first, then placing the overlay on top of the image (in this case the coffee mug), lining up the stamped flowers, removing the overlay and then stamping the aligned image.  I welcome your email questions or a click of my on-line chat button any time if you want a more detailed explanation.  Sounds far more complicated that it is . . . it’s incredibly easy.

Bead Duos in an array of pink and white beads, were the perfect touch to pump up the volume of the individual flowers.  Here’s a little trick that worked for me when adhering them. I put a dot of glue on each flower center and then used my paper piercer to “jab” the center of the bead.  I then moved the bead to the center of the flower and carefully worked off the bead onto the glue, holding it for just a second to let it grab.  Just as carefully, I eased the paper piercer out of the bead, with a little pressure still on the bead.  Let’s just say this did not go well before I started using the paper piercer and my craft room floor is littered with little bead “escapees.”

To wrap up, I punched out the “latte” sentiment with the Word Window Punch and mounted it with Stampin’ Dimensionals for a snippet of 3-D.   The flower accent on the ribbon is a combination of Pretty in Pink, punched with  my new Boho Flowers punch (very cool), a little brown felt flower that I have no idea of it’s origin and a Rhinestone Brad (Fire).

OK, that almost wrapped things up.  I was quite happy with my little project until I went to take photos.  I then discovered that the large Cocoa layer of the Berry Bliss paper had the eensy weensy “stampin’ up!” trademark on it.  This isn’t the first time I have done this and I get so unnerved by it.  When am I going to learn?  I hope there are a few readers who are laughing right now because they have done it, too?   I tried to play with some photo corners to cover it up and eventually the entire project went in the “bin.”  The photos you are seeing are the “instant replay.”

Hugs & Pretties
(and may you never create an entire card and not realize the trademark is showing, Hah!). . . M

Stamp Set:  Pun Fun (111028), Simply Said (106598)
Paper:  Berry Bliss Designer (110749), Pretty in Pink (100459), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Close to Cocoa (marker 100072, ink pad 103139), Regal Rose (marker 105108)
Cool Tools:  Word Window (105090), Corner Rounder (109047)and Boho Flowers (110711) Punches, Paper Piercer (to set beads, Crafter’s Tool Kit 104310)
Perfect Touches:  Bead Duos (pink 110752), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Ribbon Originals Theater Collection (109186), Rhinestone Brad (fire 109110)