Heather Nichols has been one of our most well-received stamp designers, and it is no wonder why. Here viewpoint in stamp design is so fresh and unique. I am already giddy with anticipation as I think about what she may create for us next year!
Her second release for this month is one that I fell in love with the instant I saw the illustrations on my computer screen when I opened her files. An adorable mug, with several different ways to decorate it. A heartfelt sentiment with interchangeable key words that can be included, depending on what the recipients hot beverage of choice is! You had me at *coffee*!
I've always wanted a really great coffee set, not because I personally like coffee (actually, I cannot stand it!), but because both my best friend,Wendy, and my husband, David, love it so much. As I got to thinking about what I wanted to create for my post tonight, I couldn't help but dwell on the fact that I missed Wendy's birthday last week. I know! Aren't I a terrible excuse for a friend! I've been thinking a lot about how everyone has so much trouble nowadays, making time to connect with friends. Everyone is always so busy, that it's difficult to have chats or get together in person without scheduling it in advance. And that's when it hit me!
Wendy and I used to go out for coffee ALL the time at this little local cafe called The Looking Glass. Those are some of our fondest memories now that she has moved several states away. Why not rekindle the fun we had in that coffee shop by having long-distance coffee dates?
Coffee Date defined:
Cof-fee
- Function: noun
- a beverage made by percolation, infusion, or decoction from the roasted and ground seeds of a coffee plan
Date
- Function: noun
- an appointment to meet at a specified time
I first designed the main invitation I would send her. This card will announce that permanent arrangements have been made for the first Saturday of each month to be our special day. We'll brew a pot of coffee (or tea in my case) in our respective homes at the designated time and call each other on the telephone. We can get caught up on each others news, reminisce about the old times and make plans for the future.
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Note the bottom half of the card front. I used the Scor-pal to create a grouping of horizontal lines at the bottom of the card front. I just love this layout and may have to do it again soemtime soon!
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Now, I knew with both of us being busy working moms that scheduling these special coffee dates in advance would be the only way to ensure that they happened! So I took the liberty of making Coffee Date Reminder cards.
The little postcards can easily be prepared to mail. Just fill in the time & place in the appropriate area on the cards. I scheduled a reminder to go off on my iPhone a week in advance of our coffee date, allowing me to drop one of the reminder cards in the mail. With the envelopes addressed & stamped, there will be no excuses for not sending them out.
And guess what, here's the FREE download that I put together for you to re-create this same project! Once printed you just need to cut the sheet into quarters (5.5 x 4.25) and you have your completed cards. No trimming necessary!
Download coffee_date_reminder_cards.pdf
Here's the completed ensemble. I plan on giving her the main card to announce the coffee dates in conjunction with a tea tin full of chocolate-covered espresso beans! Her favorite! I will obviously keep the reminder postcards in a prominent place on my own desk, so I can send them out punctually as needed.
The "Coffee Date" sentiment was created by combining Heather's "coffee" image from this set , with "Date" being formed using Simple Alphabet. All letters can be combined on a single block for easy repeat stamping.
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Keep in mind that this type of gift offering can be suitable for any friend, near or far. Do you get the opportunity to see your best friend regularly? If not, then I challenge you to whip up a similar set and put your own Coffee Date on the calender for a full year! I don't think there is anything more inspiring than the love and support of a true friend, and this gift set makes it easy to pass on that blessing to someone else. Please be sure to let me know if you able to get started.
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Don't forget to check out the blogs of these Design Team members to see what they've been up to for this release....
Heather Nichols
Melissa Bickford
Michelle Wooderson
Lauren Meader
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Stamps: Snowfall (available for sale beginning October 15th), Polka Dot Basics.
Ink: Ocean Tides & Dark Chocolate Palette inks. Vanilla pigment ink.
Paper: Ocean Tides, Vintage Cream & Classic Kraft
Other: Dark Chcolate satin ribbon, pinking sheers
