And that's a wrap! Prize Winner Announcement

Whew!  What a hop!  Another record!  WOWEE!  Thanks to all those who participated in the Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Hop! 

Today I'm here to share the winner of the blog candy prize I shared the other day.  There were ten comments- Soooo I played random-number-generator game and look who it picked!

Congratulations Karen!  I'll contact you for address information.  If you wish to pass on this prize (it may not be your cup of tea), I'll select another winner.  

Karen will receive this sweet little treat (and another surprise too. 

Woud you like to see how these beans roasted up?  Well, here you go!  I roasted up a batch this Sunday evening for my morning coffee.  It should make my work week much more fabulous!  

 PERFECTION.  You should smell me...I smell like I've bathed in a batch of coffee grounds.  MMMM... My kind of perfume! 

Thanks for poppin' in to check and see if you won...Sorry if you didn't but now you know how to make your own!  LOL

Cool Beans!

Hey there coffee loving cardmakers!  I'm back with another fun card for the coffee-lovers hop!  This time, I created a yummy card using the June Bloom Box for Fun Stampers Journey. Don't know what a Bloom Box is?  Well, it's a monthly kit that arrives at my door and includes a full size red rubber stamp set, four kitted card projects and a full color instruction booklet.  This month's kit includes a fun "punny" set with this cool beans sentiment box.

As a Creative Coach for Fun Stampers Journey, I have the opportunity to sell these kits and provide little perks to my Bloom Box Subscribers.  I create four additional (possibly more) card kits each month to send to my Bloom Box subscribers. They include tutorials too!  SO fun!  It's a great way to maximize the potential of each bloom box stamp set!

I think this set was made just for me!  hee hee.  I wonder if Richard planned the perfect timing for our hop too???

To create the card, I did a little masking of the images.  I stamped the "Cool Beans" block stamp with just an outline, then stamped the sentiments on the edges.  After that, I stamped the image in its actual design and cut it out.  Next, I distressed the edges using some deeeelish Dark Roast ink and a Dauber Dowel blending tool.  I added some Bronze and Dark Roast Silk as well as a few splashes of Journey Glaze then assembled the card.  SO FUN!

Whip Cream Cardstock, Pomegranate Splash Cardstock and Oatmeal Cookie Cardstock were a perfect combination!  Using the little freebie tags from the Spring into Summer mini just set the card off too.  Black Journey twine is also a must,  don't you think?!  Licorice Sparkle Washi and a piece of a coffee filter finish it off!

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you enjoyed this little perk-you-up!  See you tomorrow for another yummy creation!

Coffee....Coffee....all the days!

Hello there Coffee-Tea-Hot Cocoa loving creators!  Today is the day!

I'm excited to announce that I'm a Super Sponsor again! As an Independent Fun Stampers Journey Coach,  I'm fresh off the plane from Convention and I have the AMAZING new Inspiration Book and Catalog in my possession.  I also have the yummy Holiday Mini that will go live on Aug. 1!  So many new products, lots and lots of pages to drool over.  My wish list is massive! Take a look at this gorgeous cover!

You can order a catalog on my site by clicking on the image below or contact me to receive it FREE with a $100 order.  It is 335 pages of AWESOME!  The catalog is available for online viewing so make sure to check it out (click on the photo above to go to the link).

We are currently hosting a Clearance Sale! This sale will end July 1 and is "While Supplies Last" so make sure to check it out and pick up anything you really love.

To make room for new products in our 2017-18 catalog, several items are being retired.  These items are available at 30% off and will be available until July 1.  Check 'em out!

One lucky hopper (FSJ is currently available in USA and Puerto Rico) will receive a fun FSJ Coffee-Loving Gift Pack valued at $25.00.  Good Luck and happy hopping!

PS...If you're in the Northern VA, DC Metro Area, please stop by the Scrapbook Expo in Chantilly, VA this weekend.  I'm sharing FUN STAMPERS JOURNEY fun in my booth.

My free Make-and-Take features use of our newest products:  Gel Press, Liquid Color, Flower Swirls Stamp Set, Bubble Wrap Embossing Folder and much loved tool the Press Punch!  

Sunday Sip...Tea Time!

Hello there coffee loving friends!  It’s Kerry here and I’m back to share a TEA creation for you.  I'm sharing this from my Sunday Sip and Share feature over at the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog! 

I’ve been very busy creating swaps for my Fun Stampers Journey Convention this week and you know what?  I’ve set my electric teapot (I have one right near my craft station!) four times today and I FINALLY stopped working to pour myself a cup!  LOL… When I’m on a roll, I just roll right on! HA HA!

My creating time has not just been limited to Convention swaps.  I've got Expo Booth projects in the works as well as other card making projects.   It's definitely a busy time of year!   I took a break to make this pretty coffee card that is being mailed out to a coffee-loving friend this week. Take a peek, won’t you?!

I created this card using the Tea Time stamp set from Fun Stampers Journey.  I also stamped and silver embossed the background using the stamp set Create-a-Dot. It’s a fun set with a linked circle and some added “fill in the dot” stamps.  So fun! The simple layout was made more “fancy” by adding some paper ruffles and some Twinkle Trim!

For an added touch, I stitched the tag element using my sewing machine and attached a little wooden Forever Heart Chips to the Glazed-up and Sparkle Dusted cup. Since this cup image came unfilled, I decided to add a little tea to the cup by doodling a tea line and watercoloring some of that yummy liquid.

The sequins were added because I just can’t seem to make a card without some sort of ribbon/bling!  LOL  Isn’t that silver embossing luscious?!

You bet I created a sketch to go along with this card!  If you’re interested in playing along with it, the JUNE #clcsipandshare gallery is OPEN FOR ENTRIES!  Please share your creation with us by adding it to our inlinkz below.  We’d love to see how you incorporate this sketch into your yummy creations! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Sunday Sip...Keep Calm!

Hello there coffee lovers! Today is my Sunday Sip and Share day on the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog and I've got a fun little tag and sketch for you!  I hope you find inspiration in my creation and take a leap to join the fun in playing in the challenge!  The tag above features the yummy but retired set called "Enjoy Coffee".  It is currently in the Clearance Sale going on right now and you can pick up this awesome set for less than 9 (while supply lasts).   Once this set is gone, it's gone FOREVER!

Have you noticed that I have a bit of a coffee mug addiction?  It’s true!  I’m not only hooked on coffee, I’m hooked on their vessels.  I particularly enjoy collecting handmade and handcrafted mugs. The mug/cup in the photo above is one of my most recent acquisitions from an art show.  It’s a mug by ceramic artist and educator Steve Hanson.  I totally adore his work!  He incorporates unique transfer images from the past into his ceramic works.  You can check him out on Instagram (@clayprofessor) or on etsy.
I created the tag using a simple Tag Elements tag diecut from Fun Stampers Journey.  This pierced die makes for awesome stitched tags, but I opted to leave them HOLeY…hee hee…  I selected the retired (but now on Clearance for a super cheap price of $8.48 while supplies last) stamp set called Enjoy Coffee.  It’s a fun set that I will NEVER let go as I LOVE the beans, the fonts and the sentiments.  The mugs aren’t too shabby either.I stamped the tag using the coffee sentiment with Hazelnut Blend Fusion ink then distressed the edges with a Dauber Dowel and Oatmeal Cookie Fusion ink.  After that, I punched a Tag This punch out of Kraft Cardstock.  I stamped the “Stay Calm” sentiment onto Whip Cream cardstock using Hazelnut Blend Fusion ink then attached it and the tag with a Foam Square.  I tied a little Black Journey twine and Banana Cream ribbon onto the tag to finish it off.
 Just a little Journey Glaze to gloss up the coffee beans was the icing on the coffee tag!

Now let’s take a look at this week’s challenge sketch, shall we?!  

You have two options for this challenge so why not just go for it!  Make a CARD that incorporates the tag sketch or simply make a TAG.  Whatever you choose, we hope you have a ball creating and we would love to see what you make! Please make sure to include the hashtag #clcsipandshare in your social media post so we can find it easily!  Please add your link to the inlinkz below!

An InLinkz Link-up

PS...If you're interested, Check out our amazing CLEARANCE RACK that is almost sold out!

While you're at it, you might be interested in our BREAKING UP SALE.  SIX PAGES OF current products that will retire on June 30.  We've gotta make room for NEW goodies in our MASSIVE inspiration book!  

Waaaahhhhhhhh!

Hello there Coffee-Loving friends!  Today's the last day of the Spring Coffee Lovers Hop and it's also a sad day in the coloring world.  Crayola just announced they will retire one of my most used and most favorite colors in the 24 pack!  Dandelion is OUT and another BLUE is in!  WAAAHHHHH!!!  

Dandelion is the most fabulous and sunshiny color!  It just doesn't compare to the generic yellow.  In my opinion, they should have removed the color Yellow Green if they wanted to get rid of a color...WAAAHHH...I'm so sad.   So...To end this hop with a last hoo-rah, I decided to create a few cards using that fabulous 24 pack of Crayolas...and the gorgeous color dandelion.  Hope you enjoy!   

Take a look at my process shots:  

So the first thing I did was color some Whip Cream cardstock with Dandelion, Yellow Orange, Yellow Green and Cerulean colors.  After that, I heat the colors with my heat gun and rubbed the wax off.

I did a few drippy action attempts too but the heat gun blew the wax in directions that I didn't want it to go!  So I stopped after a few drippy attempts.  I then pressed the main page against another Whip Cream cardstock layer and heated them up like a grilled-cheese sandwich.  This allowed the remaining wax to transfer to the other paper.  I rubbed this "second generation" paper onto the first paper to add a bit more color.

After finishing the backgrounds, I quickly colored the cups (from the Hey Sugar stamp set)- not worrying about going out of the lines! One last Hoo-rah for Dandelion, right?! I cut out the cups, assembled them onto the card panels and added a few embellishing touches. I also rubbed my Black Licorice ink pad onto the edges of the panels so that the panel would stand out against the white card base.  

And here are the final results:  

This is a fun technique!  Of course, I had to give the cups some sparkle with Journey Glaze and Sparkle Dust and a fun Black Journey Twine treatment!

Yummy, Yummy...So long my sunshine!  

You deserve a bit o' bling!  Sparkle Drops will do the trick!

Here's the second version...I think I'm going to give these cards to the two art teachers at school. They will appreciate this Crayola tribute... and just might join me in my sorrow session :)

Thanks for joining me (and the Coffee Loving Papercrafters team as we close up this record breaking hop!  I'll be back soon to announce the winner that Amy and randomnumbergenerator selects.  :)

Spring Coffee Hop Day 2: Espresso FUN...

Hello there Coffee Loving hoppers!  It's Day 2 of the Spring Hop and I've got a cheery treat to share with you today.  I'm having a ball creating non-traditional projects for this hop and this little cardmaking treat bag is just the ticket!  

Inside this decorated bag are an assortment of cardfronts, card bases and envelopes that are perfect for any crafty treat!  Let me tell you about how I created this happy little treat!  

I selected the black stripe bag from the Romance Treat Bag collection. I love this pack of 25 treat bags and they're perfect for decorating! To make the black-and-white stripe bag a bit more "springy", I watercolored the white space with a few swipes of pink, green and yellow watercolor pencil (006, 0019, 0016). After that, I splattered a bit of Electric Lime Silk onto the panel.

After that, I stamped the espresso sentiment from the Hey Sugar set using Dark Roast ink and then the espresso pot with Black Licorice Ink onto Whip Cream cardstock.   I diecut the circle tab from the Tab Clips Die Set using some Eggcellent Prints festive paper.  Next, I diecut the Fun Triangles Die Set onto some Pool Play cardstock and attached a bit of Whip Cream Sparkle Tape to the edge.  The remaining pieces (including the spring bloom mini flower diecuts) were scraps leftover from previous projects.

To finish things off, I attached a few pearls to the flowers (colored with the Electric Lime Silk) and the little gift bag was DONE!  :)  

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you're enjoying the hop and I can't wait to see you back here soon!   Happy Hopping and good luck with my Super Sponsor prize drawing!  :)

Coffeeeeee! I'm Hoppin!

Hey there Coffee Loving friends!  Today is the first day of the Spring Coffee Lovers Hop and I'm excited to be back hopping and being a Super Sponsor again this season!  I've got several projects to share with you this hop, so please make sure to stop back again and again to see what I've created!

As a Super Sponsor, I'm donating a special prize to one lucky hopper!  I'll be awarding a $25.00 gift certificate to my online shop (Fun Stampers Journey is only available in the USA at this time). International friends, don't worry ! I won't forget about you!  I will also select an international friend to win a special prize from RG's retail line.  

So let's check out today's creation, shall we?!  

One of my most favorite coffee sets in the Fun Stampers Journey Inspiration Catalog has to be the Le Cafe' set.  I just love the artsy gorgeous images that make up this Ooh la la fabulous set.  From the fun bistro/cafe images to the gorgeous scripty font, this set is a HIT!  I hope it stays around a LONG TIME!  

To create the card,  I stamped the spoon image repeatedly onto Whip Cream cardstock using Huckleberry Fusion ink (and my stamp positioner tool).  After the spoons were stamped, I colored them with my FSJ Watercolor Color Splash Pencils (# 0028, 0031 and shadowing of 0023 and 0048). After they were colored, I splattered some Journey Silver Silk onto the panel then stamped my sentiment. I tied some Black Licorice Journey Twine around this panel and then added (a watercolored) Forever Heart Chip onto the ribbon with some Journey Glaze. I also added a layer of Journey Glaze and a sprinkling of Sparkle Dust to the heart chip.  

Before mounting this panel onto Huckleberry Fusion cardstock using Foam Squares, I applied a light rubbing of Journey Brush Silver and Huckleberry Fusion PanPastel (found in the Rich Sorbet collection) to the edges.  I then attached this panel to a Whip Cream card base (with a topfold).  Adding a trio of Pearls finished this card off.  

I love the simple elegance that blue and white provide and it was such a joy creating this card.  I hope you like it too!  :)

Please stop back for another YUMMY coffee/tea/cocoa loving creation!  

Kisses and Hugs...Winter Coffee Lovers Hop

Hello there coffee loving friends!  Today is Day 2 of the Winter Coffee Lovers Hop and as promised, I have two new projects to share with you!  As a Super Sponsor for the hop, I'm excited to again be sharing my love for Fun Stampers Journey Products with my coffee-loving friends.  This time, I'm sharing some of our amazing dies, punches and embossing folders (with an itty bitty sentiment set too).  You can find my second project over on my NON FSJ blog HERE.  

To create my card, I first embossed my Whip Cream cardstock using the Petals Wall embossing folder.  I love the texture it provides to understated elegance cards.  I also diecut Kiwi Slice and Lemongrass Cardstock using the Summer Branch die.  Today, it wanted to be Mistletoe (hee hee).  I also punched the little tag out of Oatmeal Cookie cardstock using the Tag This punch and handle. The itty bitty sentiment comes from the ATS stamp set called Tag Elements.  To add a few red berries to the mix, I used my Press Punch and a few Cranberry Bliss scraps.  I mounted the card panel onto Lemongrass Cardstock and then onto a Rich Coral card base.

As a coordinating gift, I added more "Mistletoe", Candy Apple Red ribbon, Black Licorice twine and a little Sparkle Drop to tie off a bag of fresh green coffee beans.  This is a special blend of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Costa Rica Monte Brisas (White Honey) and Brazil Estancia Lecy.  I love roasting my own green coffee beans and I hope the recipient of this special gift will too!

Thanks so much for stopping by and for leaving some love.  I appreciate you visiting and wish you luck in the sponsorship prize draws!  Hope you have a fabulous time hopping along.  See you again tomorrow!  :)

Sunday Sip and Share: Le Cafe'

Hello there coffee-loving friend!  It's Kerry here with another Sunday Sip-and-Share at the Coffee Loving Cardmakers blog!  I hope you've been enjoying my yummy Sunday creations over there and this week...I'm featuring YUMMY FSJ Products!  WAHOO!!!

Check out my card that inspired the sketch this week!  If you like the sketch, please feel free to join us in creating a fun COFFEE LOVING card with the sketch layout.  Add your creations to the inlinkz below and when sharing to social media, make sure to add the hashtag #clcsipandshare!  We would love to see your creations!  

YUUMMMY!!!  I love to create artsy backgrounds and this one was just too fun!  I pulled out my Fun Stampers Journey acrylic paints and a stencil and got to work.  It's fun using our acrylic paints to create card backgrounds so I encourage you to have some fun with this medium!  It's not JUST for canvas work!  

For today's background, I used the following acrylic paint colors:  Butter Cream, Pineapple Smoothie, Sweet Berry, Cool Pool and Blue Lagoon.  I also used the Vintage Screen 6x6 stencil.  

I wanted the hexie pattern and the paint to show up bold and beautiful so I selected some Black Licorice cardstock as my base layer.  After applying acrylic paint in a random dabbing pattern with my paintbrush, I peeled the stencil off and let it dry with my heat gun a bit.  After it was dry, I trimmed this layer down and added some silver polka dot vellum in an asymmetrical design.  I like how the vellum allows the stenciled design to peek through.  After that layer, I attached some Cool Pool Satin Ribbon and started working on the tag.  

My tag was created using the Tag Steel Rule Die and some Color Splash watercolor sheets.  I used my stamp positioner tool to apply the stamps in the Le Cafe' set.  The steamy coffee cup image in the background was stamped using Oatmeal Cookie ink.  I applied the coffee press and the sentiment using Versafine Onyx ink and Journey Clear Embossing Powder so that I could apply some acrylic paint wash to the tag.  After embossing and coloring the image with a few Copic Markers, I used watered-down acrylic paints as a wash over the whole tag.  I added a bit more stenciling on the tag to tie the design in with the card base.  

Once the tag was dry, I added some Black Journey Twine and Whip Cream Journey Thread to the tag. I attached the tag to the card using small foam squares.  A little Cool Mint Stickles was added over some of the stenciled background to add some fun and sparkle.  Gotta love my sparkles!!!  

To finish the card off, I stamped the spoon with Black Licorice ink, colored with some Copic markers and added some Liquitex Metallic Silver Ink over the top.  I also applied some Journey Glaze to give it a fun glossy shine.  I mounted the inked and stamped panel onto Whip Cream cardstock then attached it "wonky style" to an A2 top-fold card base in Blue Lagoon.  

What a fun card this was to create!  I can't wait to send this card to a special someone this month!  If you haven't explored the use of acrylic paints in cardmaking and stenciling, I recommend you give it a try!  You'll fall in LOVE!!!  

Now let's take a peek at this week's sketch.  Yes, I work backwards in creating sketches...First the card, then the sketch it inspires...

If you decide to join us and create a card using my sketch, please add it to the inlinkz below!  It'll automatically load onto the coffee-loving cardmakers blog post and will be added to this month's collection of fab cards!  The Coffee Loving Cardmaking Designers will be watching social media too...so make sure to add the #clcsipandshare hashtag to all your coffee-loving creations.  You never know, one lucky coffee-lover just might receive some happy mail for participating!  :)

If you're interested in any of the products featured in this card, please click on the links...You'll be directed to my shop and you can go to town!  WOO!  

An InLinkz Link-up