How to Create a "Paper Hug" that Warms the Soul

Looking to send a creative and warm “paper hug” to a friend? This card is packed full of techniques and love and is sure to show your thanks in a way that truly warms the soul.

Today we have a truly beautiful card from our designer, Christine, who had packed this handmade “hug” with many techniques and creative elements. Christine said this card is for those moments you wish to sit and enjoy a sip of your favorite brew, whether that be tea or coffee. She suggests adding a sweet floral and a card filled with gratitude and that moment has now provided a paper hug! Christine said, “This card is quick and oh so satisfying …..good to the last drop!”

Key: Card stock is CS. Heavy weight card stock is HWCS. Paper pad is PP.
Start by die cutting all coffee mug pieces from choice colors of CS. Blend ink onto edges of mug, masking off the top (inner part of cup). Stencil Circled Paver stencil onto mug AND shadow piece of mug using a matte paste to appear to be ceramic or pottery. Set aside to thoroughly dry.
Taking Wood Plank Panel die, add ink (black soot oxide) to die, itself. Carefully lay onto CS w/o shifting. Tape down. Run through die cutting machine. Put in splatter box and spray w/Vintage Photo & water to desired color. Dry w/heat tool or allow to air dry thoroughly. Ink edges LIGHTLY w/same black and or dark brown ink.
Die cut floral pieces from The Scenic Route 6×6 PP. Gently sand all edges and add brown ink, just along edges. (Ground Espresso oxide)
Using Java Good Time 6×6 PP stamp coffee ring stain from Splatter Stains stamp set using black Staz-on ink or preferred black. Heat set. Create sentiment using Thank you stamp set. Wet emboss using versamark and white embossing powder over preferred area of coffee stain. Die cut sentiment out using Swanky Ovals die and sand edges.
Take “coffee cup interior” die piece and coffee/tea die piece and color w/alcohol markers. Layer carefully these and the coffee rim piece together. Assemble remainder of mug, if paste is completely dry.
Die cut yellow green leaf print paper from The Scenic Route 6×6 PP to border the wood panel piece. If desiring saving awesome paper- use Nested Rectangle Small Stitch dies to cut out desired middle of paper. See photo. Adhere this to backside of wood panel piece.
Add Walnut Stain oxide or dark brown ink directly to Nested Woodgrain Sign die and carefully w/o shifting, place onto a light colored CS-run through die cutting machine. Cut to desired table shape w/detail scissors. I recommend adhering to another piece of CS for stability. Ink edges w/same brown.
Using thin foam assemble card as shown in photos. I glued the gray mug “saucer/oval” directly to the “table”.