Coffee Time

     Welcome to the Monday project for Creative Expressions, another blackboard style stamp this week but with a slight twist. I'm often asked for card ideas for men, I think this one would do very nicely for a man or a woman.

      I have used Cosmic Shimmer Flake and glitter glue to stamp using the Espresso Yourself single stamp. CS flake glue is very easy to use, easier than I thought it would be. Put a little of the glue on your craft mat and use it to 'ink' up a small square of Cut -n-dry Foam, then use the foam to 'ink' up your stamp. Stamp firmly but DO NOT press down hard (you may stick your stamp to the card), remove and clean the stamp immediately, I use Grime Buster wipes, they're very good at removing anything and last for ages as they don't dry out quickly like baby wipes. Don't worry about the glue, it is ready as soon as the blueish bloom has gone and it will stay tacky for hours.
     Place CS Gilding Flakes over the stamped image, I have used Persian Dawn. Gently rub over with your finger making sure all sticky areas are covered, brush off the excess. I use a small piece of coarse foam, like the Ranger Rub It Scrub It pad, to remove any tiny extras and smooth down what is stuck.

      The card I have used is a chocolate brown pearl card from my stash. I would suggest stamping first then die cutting, I find it easier to get the die centred rather than the stamp.  Die cut with Spellbinder Labels One, the second largest die fits quite well with this stamp.
     I also wanted to make a matting layer with the same card and flakes, as well as using it as a base layer for the whole card. To save on card I cut the mat layer from the centre of the base layer, the hole won't show because it to is being covered up.

      Leaving the die on the card I used the CS Flake Glue again to 'ink' around the edge of the card, taking care not to get glue under the die, you don't need to cover the whole card as the centre will not be seen, once done I wiped the die immediately to clean it.
     Spread CS Persian Dawn across the glued area and work in again with your finger, use the rough foam to finish off. I collect all 'waste' in a separate jar, it can be used on smaller projects later.
   

     For the next layer I have used Foundations Card Taupe, it has a real Latte like colour to it. I have stamped across this with the background stamp Cafe Au Lait and Distress Ink Old Paper. I have trimmed my stamp right to the edge taking care not to undercut, I have then marked the edges where the coffee pot it so I can line it up and get a continuous run across the page.
     I have rounded two opposite corners on this layer and left the other two square.

     The extra coffee cup if stamped on Foundations Card Cream in Archival Coffee and clear embossed with CS embossing powder. Once cool it was fussy cut, the spoon is a brad from my stash that fits perfectly over the stamped spoon.
     The extra cup is mounted on foam pads and stuck in the corner, there is also a dark brown button in the opposite corner, it was the closest thing I could find to a coffee bean without having to make a clay one.

     If you make this card for a woman you could add a bow or even a flower but I rather like it as it is, it's also quite thin so it will go through the post without extra cost, it measures 5 3/4 inches square.

Materials used
Espresso Yourself single stamp
Cafe Au Lait single stamp
Gilding Flakes Persian Dawn
Cosmic Shimmer Flake and Glitter Glue
Foundations card - Taupe
CS Embossing powder Clear
Distress Ink Old Paper
CS PVA Glue Dries Clear
Spellbinder Labels One

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:
Top Tip Tuesday - Buttons or Bows (2 tips in italics by second photo)
Inkspirational - Anything Goes With Gold
Sister Act - Anything Goes