Friday 20 April 2012

Coffee any one?

I love the antique effect card and papers but what do you do when you don't have any to hand when you need it? Well you make your own don't you...
All you need is normal white card, a stamp and ink pad (I used memento, distress inks might bleed to much so you will lose most of the image) a spritzer bottle of water, and a pinch of coffee (instant any brand, but I find the granules better than the powder!) So simply stamp your image on to your card, I then spritz well with water, don't worry if the ink runs a little it adds to the effect. When the card is really wet, sprinkle a few grains of coffee on to it, let the coffee disolve and spread (you may find warm water helps the coffee spread) Let it all dry naturally (this adds to the effect with the real water marks)
It looks fabulous just left like this but if you want to take it further this lends itself to crackle glazing it. Although there are crackle glazes available on the market, I love to use my ultra thick embossing powder to do it, as it is so easy and it uses stuff I always have to hand! When fully dry apply versamark or similar clear ink all over the image, and apply a layer of clear embossing powder, heat and repeat for a couple of layers so you have a good even glaze finish. Then pop your topper in the freezer!! 10 mins should do the trick. This makes the surface brittle and you can then bend the card and cracks will appear. The background is a piece of industrial wrapping embossed and inked, then torn around the edges, then you carefully make small inward tears about every half ink, allowing you to roll them inwards. The more you fiddle with these edges the better they look, so I often will make up the card and then continue to ruffle them!
So why not wake up and smell the coffee, or even better craft with it!

Happy Crafting

Ali xxx

13 comments:

  1. Another super creation love it. Love Cynthia x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love it! The granules of coffee really add to the effect, now I know what to do with that jar thats been open for too long :) Thanks Ali xx

    ReplyDelete
  3. I absolutely love it Ali. Another genius creation, keep them coming! X

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just brilliant as always

    ReplyDelete
  5. More great hints and tips..
    Trying to work out what my next one will be
    Keep having fun
    Fran x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great card Ali, I love the crackled effect

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this technique although when the coffee jar is running low i prefer to drink it. Your doing great with your blog Ali keep it up.
    Kath x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love this card Ali, always watch you on tv, you do amazing things with so little expense

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love all your techniques as all the ideas you are always coming up with. Every time I see you on TV I get new ideas to have fun with crafting. I just wish I had a fraction of you talent. Cor Blimey - you are looking amazing. Congrats on you brilliant weight loss!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just love all your work, you really are my kind of crafter.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You really have put the fun into crafting. I now love searching around the house for different things to use on my cards. You truly are an inspirational crafting guru. Xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I cant believe how you can make cards out of bits and bobs. it's fun learning tho thanks Ali Joan xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Wonderful work, Ali, I never tire of looking at it and watching your demos. You have opened my eyes to messy! x

    ReplyDelete