Need Coffee?

Since I started working at Starbucks, I've developed a taste for coffee. Naturally, when I saw the new set called Morning Cup I ordered it immediately.

For once, I had no preconceived notion of how I wanted the card to look. I just started experimenting with the different elements. I stamped the percolator and stack of cups and saucers using one acrylic block onto Watercolor Paper. Using my Aqua Painter with the fine tip, I colored the images. It was a bit tricky, since the ink I'd used to stamp the images, Soft Suede, is not waterproof, and SU! no longer carries Brown Staz-On. I used Basic Grey and Garden Green, the closest green in any of the color collections to Starbucks green. I grounded the images using Crumb Cake.

Then it began to get interesting. I wanted a coffee ring as part of the design so that the sentiment didn't look lost above the images. I experimented with an actual cup, but wasn't pleased with the result. So I pulled out a small metal lid from a tin of espresso cookies--how appropriate--and inked it using Early Espresso, which is a shade or two darker than Soft Suede. Once I'd stamped it, I applied water with my Aqua Painter and achieved the look I desired. I even created some drops off to the side!

I inked the sentiment using my EE and GG Markers and stamped it in between the visuals. Isn't it hilarious? Since I drink coffee solely for the taste--caffeine does not effect my alertness at all--I can't relate, but I know many who do.

Then I got the idea to play off the sentiment by anchoring the whole card with some z's. I ran some tiny scraps of EE through my Big Shot multiple times and punched out some 1/8" circles. It helped to use tweezers to apply glue to each letter and position it.

This set also comes with a single cup and saucer and a mug, as well as a tea kettle and a tea bag, so you can make cards for both kinds of caffeine addicts in your life. If you'd like to order it, click here!