Polka, Polka, Polka Dots!

We're hopping along with DeNami again, and this month it's all about polka dots! I think they're such a fun pattern; they're happy, cheerful, and fun to say. Polka dots. Polka. Dots.

Yeah, I need more coffee.

You should be arriving here from Amy's blog. Remember, if you get lost along the way you can always head back to the DeNami blog for directions. Be sure to comment on everyone's blog along the hop to try and win those lovely, lovely DeNami gift certificates!

So, what happens when you combine polka dots and coffee? In this case, I'm pleased to say the answer is massive cuteness:

DeNami Espresso Scene stamp

I stamped the Espresso Scene onto thick white card stock with black Memento ink then colored in the latte mugs with my Spectrum Noir markers. The background of the circles was lightly colored with a light latte color as well. While that dried, I sent my blue paper through the Big Shot in the polka dot embossing folder. A bit of sanding of the Core'dinations afterwards and we have instant texture (and polka dots!).

Side view to show the layers and coloring

I added a backer of coffee card stock to the blue then tied on my champagne chevron ribbon. The entire stack was then mounted to my card base with foam tape. Next came the latte mugs using more foam tape because, well, I love a good layer.

Close-up of the latte mugs; see the shimmer & shine?

Then came the fussy work; the polka dots around the cups got colored with a black Sakura gelly roller and the hearts and swirl of coffee got finished off with the clear Sakura pen. A bit of glitter via the clear Spica pen and my coffee was ready! A lovely espresso sequin in each corner finished off the card with a last bit of shimmer.

Looks good enough to drink!

Thanks for stopping by today! You're now off to the lovely Lisa's blog to see what she's done with the fun that is polka dots.

In case this is your first stop, here are the blog hop details:

When: The blog hop starts on February 9, 2014 at 6 AM, PST. However, you have until February 10, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).
Why: To be inspired by fun DeNami Design creations and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

Happy Crafting!

All About Valentine Card Kits and a Printable

Happy Thursday everyone! I hope your week is going well so far, I know I woke up to a snowstorm again this morning. Maybe we'll get to go out snowshoeing yet this year!

I've been hard at work on the online store, and I'm pleased to announce that I've copied over nearly everything from the Etsy store! I've also been adding in this year's valentines and have already sold out of one of the valentine kits. Fear not, though, I have three designs left that I'd like to share with you today.

But first, what's a valentine kit you ask? It's a wonderful DIY kit for the kiddos to make their own valentines with! If you're not a 'kiddo', go ahead and use it anyway - I won't judge you, and they're really, really cute!

 Each kit comes packed with:

• 30 flat cards in ivory, red, and pink (10 of each color)
• 30 ivory envelopes
• a nice, big tube of glitter glue in pink, red, or silver
• 30 pink and red paper hearts (15 of each color)
• 60 foam stickers in the theme of the kit

Add that all up and you have the materials to make 30 valentine cards, enough for the whole class and maybe even one for Mom & Dad. ;)

While the Love Bug kits are sold out, there are still 3 designs to choose from:

Conversation Hearts Kit

Ticket to Hug Kit

Sweet Hearts Kit

If you do pick one up, I'd love to see some finished products! You can post them to our Facebook page or tag #caffpapercuts on Instagram.

I did mention a printable, didn't I? Well congratulations on making it to the end of the post, here's your reward: a lovely free printable, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Just follow this link to start the download!

Feel free to print it out for use on a scrapbook page, Project Life album, use it on a card for a friend, or just frame it for yourself! Just one thing; this is for personal use only so no putting it on items for sale or selling it as your own. Enjoy!

So have you started your Valentine crafts yet?

Won't you be my DeNami Valentine?

Yay, it's blog hop with DeNami day! This month's theme is, of course, Valentine's Day! While I miss my Christmas stamps already, I'm ready to pull out the hearts and glitter to brighten things back up around here. (Can you tell we took down the decorations? It's so drab now!)

You should have arrived here from Tina's blog. It's such a pretty place, thanks for tearing yourself away to come here. ;) In case you just stumbled in the Sunday morning by accident, here's all the lovely details:

When: The blog hop starts on January 12, 2014 at 6 AM, PST. However, you have until January 13th, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).

Why: To be inspired by fun DeNami Design creations and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

Got it? Good! I did a classic 'stare at your craft supplies until something clicks' card (you know you've done it, too) and finally honed in on the pack of doilies I found in the Target dollar bin ages ago. I added some pink Perfect Pearls spray to it and while that dried the rest of the card started falling into place; some burgundy natural fiber paper I had in my scrap bin, kraft paper for the base, the ever-adorable DeNami chickie in a coffee cup stamp and the finishing touch of the Heirloom Gold Perfect Pearls gave me...

...a rustic Valentine with some shimmer, shine, and glitz. 

Admit it, you LOVE the photos with my fingers in them!

I used the metallic brass Distress Ink to give it those gilded edges. I have to say, I really love how it came out and will have to try these techniques again!

Hello, chickie! Colored with Distress Markers and glittered with the red Spica pen

Thanks for sharing part of your morning with me! You're now off to Greta's blog to see what Valentine treat she's cooked up for you!

Happy Crafting!

New Year, New Store for Caffeinated Papercuts!

One of my goals for 2014 was to finally open a second, larger online store for Caffeinated Papercuts. Etsy has been good, but I was among the many that fell victim to smaller views, less sales, and never getting found in search results in 2013. Between that and a good, hard look at just how much I pay them in fees (trust me, it hurts) it was time to branch out. I'll still list a few bestsellers in the Etsy shop like the printable wedding invitations and chevron gift tags, but the move to a new shop has begun.

I researched for weeks to find another site that would fit my needs, and learned all the buzzwords; shopping cart app vs. ecommerce site, SEO, relevancy...honestly, my head is still slightly spinning! In the end it came down to IndieMade and Storenvy for ease of use and the ability to import my existing Etsy listings. While I still like the look of IndieMade, I couldn't justify the $15/month right now, so in the end the entirely free (unless you choose to add extras) Storenvy won. What can I say, I like free and the thought of not being out any funds if this bombs.

So, you will now see at the top of my website two links; one for the Caffeinated Papercuts Storenvy store and one for the Caffeinated Papercuts Etsy shop.

So what's the difference?

Right now, the Etsy shop has more items while I work on importing everything into the Storenvy shop. They do both have our latest Valentine listings (like our adorable Valentine Card Kits for the kiddos!) but going forward all NEW items will be listed in the Storenvy shop.

Love Bugs Valentine Card Kit

As time goes on, the Storenvy shop will grow to be the main shop with the Etsy shop simply being a smaller, more specialized shop. Everything listed on Etsy will also be on Storenvy by the time I'm done.

This is a big leap leaving the relative safety of Etsy, and let me tell you, it's also scary. Pessimism and self-doubt easily works its way into my thoughts; what if I fail? What if no one buys anything ever again? What if, what if, what if? In sharing those doubts with a good friend of mine, her response gave me the kick in the pants I needed: "oh, that. Never mind about that, worry about it next month when you have more time."

Here's to putting off the worries, whatever they may be. Happy 2014 everyone, the year of hope and new beginnings!

New logo for a new shop and a new year!

Happy Crafting!