Beans, Beans, Beautiful Beans...

Helloooo there coffee lovers!  Today I'm sharing a fun little giftie for one lucky hopper!  I created a mix of my favorite RAW coffee beans and tucked them into this adorable little matchbox.  Have you ever roasted your own coffee beans?  It's pretty easy and depending on how "tart" you want your coffee, you can roast them as dark as you want.  I purchase my RAW "Green" beans from a roaster nearby and they are very economical.  The good thing about green beans is that they never go rancid.  Unlike roasted beans you get from the store, these beans allow you to make the freshest of the freshest coffee around.  All you need is a stove, a pan (or popcorn popper) to roast them in and a little patience!

My box contains a mix of three delish beans:  Brazilian Estancia Lecy, Costa Rica Minte Brisas, (White Honey),  Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.  All are small beans with a variety of flavors so when mixed, they provide a nice and tasty blend.  

Here's a little video to show you how you can roast your beans when you get them:  

Now, let's get back to the box itself.  How was it made?  Well, first, I started off by cutting a matchbook die (this is a Steel Rule Die called "Matchbox" that fits in my Platinum Machine).  It's a must-have die and is very handy for making a variety of fun treat boxes.  I used one Corrugated Stock Sheet to create my box and folded on the score lines/taped with White Liner Tape.  

After that, I moved on to cutting a little piece of Cocoa Powder cardstock and a piece of Whip Cream Cardstock.  Then I used the Blooming Details Dies to create the flower for the top of the box.  I wanted a pretty floral, so I used two shades of purple (Pretty Amethyst and Pretty Pansy) for the flower and some yummy Kiwi Slice green for the leaves.  

After making the flower, I attached a little green Candy Dot to the center and tied some Natural Twine around the lid.  Then it was time to move on to the surprise  sentiment on the inside...

I stamped the "Life Begins after Coffee" sentiment from Coffee Helps set (This is the super sponsor prize Elaine is awarding one lucky hopper).  I used Cocoa Powder, Oatmeal Cookie and Lemon Grass True Fusion Inks).  I glued this image onto the cocoa powder panel and glued it into the bottom inside portion of the box before adding the beans.  

Take a peek inside...Pretty deeelish, right?  

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you were inspired by this little creation and I hope you've enjoyed the coffee lovers hop.  If you haven't had a chance to hop with us yet, make sure you do...Only a few days left before prize winners are picked!  Get your entries in today!  

Hop Deets:  

When:  Friday, May 25-June 1

Theme:  Spring and Summer

Use:  Coffee/Tea/Cocoa images

Prizes Galore!

 SUPER GENEROUS SUPER SPONSORS 

Check out the lead blog post from Coffee Loving Cardmakers HERE

Direct link to the Hop post is here:  POST YOUR PROJECTS HERE 

Coffee Lovers Spring/Summer Hop: It's Tea Time!

Hello there crafty peeps!  It's Itchin' Inker Kerry here and I'm poping in to share a card I created for the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Spring/Summer Hop that is in full swing!  Did you know that my fellow Itchin' Inker Elaine is a SUPER SPONSOR for this hop?  She is offering a fabulous prize to one lucky hopper?  Yes!  Elaine is offering THIS bundle to one lucky winner!

Coffee Helps Bundle:  Value:  $30.50 USD

How do you have a chance to win the prize?  Well, just play along with us and create a coffee/tea/cocoa loving card inspired by SPRING/SUMMER and you'll have a chance at winning!  Amy Tsuruta will choose a winner from all entries at the end of the hop.  Yes, there are over 80 Super Sponsors ready and waiting to award prizes, so get to stamping!  Scroll down to the bottom of the post to see all the deets for the hop!

To create this card, I used a few of my favorite things from Fun Stampers Journey.  Here's a link to everything:

Journey Gel Press

Shimmer Gold Color Splash

Watermelon Color Splash

Sparkle Silk

Denim Days True Fusion Ink

Black Licorice True Fusion Ink

Bubble Gum True Fusion Ink

Large Dauber Dowels

Embossing Folder (incentive folder)

Tea Time Stamp Set/Die Bundle

Treat Label Die

Black Licorice Twine

Rock Candy Organza Bow

Sweet Candy Dots

Fashion Silver Pearls

Washi Tape (incentive washi tape)

Small Foam Squares

Journey Glaze (adhesive for bow)

This was such a fun card to create.  I enjoyed lifting the impression of the Embossing Folder from the Gel Plate! Adding color was the second step!  After that, it was stamping the teapot and distressing it with denim ink and my dauber.  I also distressed the treat label die with bubble gum ink before stamping the sentiment with black licorice ink.

To finish the card off, I tucked some kraft colored paper under the label to add a bit more texture.

I hope you are inspired by this card.  it is totally fun to create with the Gel Press and I encourage you to get yours out (if you have one) and get inky!  PS...If you don't have one, hop over to Elaine's shop and grab one today!

Coffee Lovers Spring/Summer Blog Hop Details:  

When:  Friday, May 25-June 1

Theme:  Spring and Summer

Use:  Coffee/Tea/Cocoa images

Prizes Galore!

 SUPER GENEROUS SUPER SPONSORS 

Check out the lead blog post from Coffee Loving Cardmakers HERE

Direct link to the Hop post is here:  POST YOUR PROJECTS HERE 

The end has come...

To all who have followed my journey here and elsewhere,  I am sad to announce that I have submitted my resignation as an FSJ Coach.  As the new Coach Handbook was released yesterday, so did the exclusivity clause.  I contacted home office to share my current status as a design team member for Joy Clair (faith based clear photopolymer stamps) and Coffee Loving Cardmakers.  I was given an ultimatum "Choose us or Joy Clair". 

I am a stamper.  I love stamping PERIOD.  I will NEVER choose exclusivity over support for the many fabulous stamp companies who work tirelessly to make their business a success.  I choose to support the companies and products I love. 

I never became an FSJ Coach with the goal of having a business.  I chose to join the coach community at FSJ for the fine products, the supportive and like-hearted community and for the joy of stamping.  It was a nice perk to get a discount on products too.

Unfortunately, whether I like the product or not, I love the stamping community and ALL of the companies that work so hard to design, create and sell their fabulous products to stampers and crafters all over the world.  I cannot find it anywhere in my soul to be exclusive to one company.  That just cannot happen for me.  I love to create and make beautiful projects and share them with others.  When given the opportunity to create projects for a specific company, I want to be able to and not have to justify myself to anyone. 

I want to apologize to my entire Itchin' Inkers team.  I'm sorry I have to leave you without a direct upline but I will continue to help and support you in any way I can.  This blog will now become a place I will share my FSJ creations and will be a place where you, the readers can be inspired or perhaps help support my team with a purchase or two. 

If and when I share FSJ creations, I will refer you to one of my 'former' downline for product purchases.  You can find a list of my downline on the sidebar to the right.  Please contact them or shop through their sites if you wish.  <3

CREATE, STAMP, INSPIRE...