Design 1: Coffee Mug Collage ATC

This first ATC design uses a collage technique. 

1. Create the Background: Start with a 2.5" x 3.5" piece of Strathmore Mixed Media paper. Use a coffee cup stencil and texture paste to add a raised design. Add teal and aqua spray inks and blend with water until colors are achieved. 

2. Add a decorative layer: Tear a scrap of the to-go cup pattern from the Pumpkin Spice Latte paper pad. When you tear the paper, tear it towards you to get that clean white edge. This white edge creates a great contrast against the grungy brown background. 

3.  Color and cut the images: Stamp a coffee mug image onto white cardstock. Color it with Copic markers and then carefully cut it out. Stamp another mug image onto a print from the #coffeeandbooks Vol. 2 paper pad. Layer your colored, cut-out mug on top to create a unique paper-pieced look. Stamp sentiment onto white cardstock, cut out, and distress edges.

5. Assemble the card: Cut the mug image in a circle shape and mat on another piece of paper. Pop it up on the edge of your ATC with adhesive foam, cutting off any excess that hangs over the edge. To tie the design together, add a bit of brown ink to the side of the circle to match the grungy vibe. Finish with the distressed sentiment.

Design 2: Grungy Coffee Cup ATC

This second ATC design uses an emboss resist technique.

1. Create the background: Heat emboss the Latte Love Fall Background stamp with clear ink and clear embossing powder onto a 6 x 6" piece of mixed media paper. Once it's dry, spray the paper with aqua and teal distress inks. Splatter and blend the inks with water until you achieve your desired look. Cut panel into three 2.25 x 3.25" panels. For a vintage, worn-out feel, sponge the edges with brown ink. 

2. Stamp, color, and cut the images: Stamp the to go cup, leaves, and acorn images from the Box of the Month onto white cardstock. Color with Copic markers and cut it out. Stamp sentiment on 3.8" x 2.5" panel. 

3. Assemble the card: Glue leaves behind to go cup and adhere foam tape to the back to add dimension and add to the center of your card panel about a 1/2" from the bottom. Cut a 2.5 x 3.5" panel of white cardstock and glue to the back of your card. Add your sentiment strip about a 1/4" from the top of your grungy panel and adorn with the acorn. Finish off with some sparkly enamel dots.

These small projects are a fun way to use up scraps and try out new ideas. I'll have a video on my YouTube channel soon with the full process if you'd like to see these cards come to life!

- Julee

Blog Post Link: https://www.not2shabbyshop.com/September-Box-of-the-Month-Inspiration-with-Julee_b_270.html