Coffee The Vodka of Mornings Happy Pride!

Have you ever made a card that made you smile the entire time you were working on it? That was exactly how I felt when I sat down to create today’s card. It started with coffee (naturally), took a delightful detour through rainbow ink blending, and ended with a sassy little reindeer who is clearly not a morning person. With Pride Month in full swing, I wanted to create something joyful, cheeky, and just plain fun—and this caffeinated cutie totally delivered.

This card features some fabulous products from The Rabbit Hole Designs, including the Caffeinated Critters Bundle, Sentimentally Speaking Holidays Bundle, Sip Sip Ahh! Stencil, and the always handy Blended Sentiment A2 Sheets. Whether you’re a die-hard coffee lover or just enjoy sending cards with a little humor and a lot of heart, this project might just perk you up.

Coffee The Vodka of Mornings Happy Pride!:

A Background With Personality

One thing I love doing is playing with contrasting textures and moods. For this card, I created two very different ink blended panels that work together like cream and sugar.

The first is a bold, bright rainbow background using Distress Oxide Inks. I blended mine onto Bristol Smooth Cardstock, which takes ink beautifully and really lets the colors sing. This panel becomes the peekaboo surprise behind the die-cut sentiment, adding a splash of celebration and color that feels just right for Pride Month.

The second panel has a completely different feel—vintage, warm, and a little grungy in the best way. I used Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap, and Walnut Stain Distress Oxides to blend the edges and center of another Bristol panel. Then I pulled out the Sip Sip Ahh! Stencil, which is full of little coffee cups, beans, and rings. It’s only 3x4 inches, but it’s one of those small-but-mighty stencils that packs a punch. I used Walnut Stain and Ground Espresso to layer on some texture and give the whole thing that cozy coffee shop vibe.

Pro Tip: When you’re working with stencils that have small, detailed images, try ink blending with a small domed blender or mini brush. It gives you more control and helps keep your edges crisp.

Big Words & Bold Cuts

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I love a good die-cut word moment. For this card, I used my Bold Uppercase Alphabet Dies (mine are from Scrapbook.com) to cut out the word “COFFEE” right from the vintage-style panel. Then I trimmed the panel slightly to 4" x 5 1/4" and popped it up on foam adhesive over the rainbow background.

It’s one of those simple techniques that looks so impactful. That bright color shining through the letters makes the sentiment feel alive—like it’s practically buzzing from its first cup.

I also made sure to save the inside of the “O” and popped it back in with foam tape. It’s a tiny detail, but it really helps polish the whole look.

That Reindeer Is Me Before Caffeine

Now let’s talk about the star of the show: the grumpy little reindeer from the Caffeinated Critters Bundle. I stamped him in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink onto Hammermill Smooth Cardstock (a go-to for alcohol marker blending) and colored him in with my OLO Markers. His expression says everything, doesn’t it?

Once he was colored, I used the coordinating die to cut him out and added him to the lower right of the card front, nestling him next to the sentiment like he’s guarding his coffee stash.

Pro Tip: To give your critters a little extra life, go over the eyes and nose with a Black Gelly Roll Pen after coloring. It gives them shine and makes them pop off the page, even in photos.

The Perfect Sassy Sentiment

When I saw the Blended Sentiment Sheets  from The Rabbit Hole Designs, I knew I had to use the phrase “The Vodka of Mornings”. It was just too perfect. I added it right below the two ee's in “COFFEE” on the card front.

But it needed a little something more. That’s when I grabbed the Sentimentally Speaking Holidays Bundle, found the “Happy Pride” sentiment, and stamped it in Versafine Clair Nocturne Ink onto a scrap of Hammermill. I used the coordinating die to cut it out and layered it below the first sentiment to build this fun, layered phrase:

“COFFEE – The Vodka of Mornings – Happy Pride”

It’s silly, celebratory, and just a little bit sassy—exactly what I was going for.

Finishing Details

To wrap it all up, I added a bit of bling from my stash—because even a grumpy reindeer deserves a little sparkle. A few white gel pen highlights helped add movement and shine, especially around the coffee stains and beans.

Then I mounted everything onto a top-folding A2 card base made from Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock to give it that sturdy, finished feel.

Wrapping Up

This card was such a joy to make, and I hope it inspires you to play with contrast, texture, and bold sentiments. Pride Month is a beautiful time to celebrate love, identity, and joy—and what better way to do that than with a rainbow, a little humor, and a whole lot of heart?

If you give this card a try or are inspired to create your own sassy, caffeinated critter card, I’d love to see it. Don’t be afraid to mix styles, pair bright colors with earthy tones, and add a little unexpected sparkle. After all, that’s where the magic happens.

Let’s keep crafting cards that make people smile—and maybe laugh out loud before they’ve even had their morning coffee.

Thanks for dropping by today I hope that you found a little spark of creative inspiration with my project today. Wondering what I used in this project? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails in the Materials Used section, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible.

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

Affiliate Disclaimer:

Just a friendly reminder, as part of my commitment to transparency, please note that some of the links provided maybe affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is truly appreciated!

Additionally, I kindly ask that you always accept the tracking cookie for the affiliate websites. Rest assured, this will not in any way expose your computer to viruses or compromise your information. It's simply necessary for the company to attribute the sale to the affiliate, ensuring creators like myself receive their rightful commissions.

Your trust and support enable me to continue sharing creativity through my email lists, blog, and YouTube channel. Thank you for being a valued part of our crafting community!