Caffeinate & Create: A Fun Card Idea with a Dragon Twist

Hey, crafty friends! Do you ever have one of those days where you need a little extra creative spark—and maybe an extra cup of coffee, too? That was me the other day. I was sitting at my craft desk with a steaming mug of coffee in hand, wondering what kind of card to make, when I spotted the Caffeinated Critters Bundle from The Rabbit Hole Designs. The adorable dragon holding a coffee cup instantly made me smile, and I knew exactly what I wanted to create—a playful, coffee-themed card with a bit of mixed media magic thrown in for good measure.

If you love experimenting with textures and layers while keeping things light hearted and fun, this card is for you. I mixed some stenciling, ink blending, and a touch of vellum to create a background that’s full of depth without overpowering the main focal point—the cutest little coffee-loving dragon. Let me walk you through the process and share some tips along the way!

Caffeinate & Create A Fun Card Idea with a Dragon Twist:

Creating a Mixed Media Background

When it comes to mixed media backgrounds, I always remind myself to trust the process. It can look like a hot mess at first, but as you build up layers and textures, it all comes together beautifully.

I started with a piece of Mixed Media Cardstock cut to A2 size (4 1/4” x 5 1/2”). Mixed media paper is fantastic for ink blending and layering because it holds up well to water and multiple layers of product. I pulled out some of my favorite Distress Inks and started blending directly onto the panel.

To add some texture, I used the Sip, Sip, Ahh! Stencil from The Rabbit Hole Designs. I love how subtle the coffee cup pattern is—it adds interest without overwhelming the card. I applied ink through the stencil in random areas, not worrying too much about perfection. The goal here is to create an organic, layered look.

Pro Tip: After stenciling, I spritzed the panel with water and blotted it with a paper towel. This lifts some of the ink and creates that dreamy, watercolor-like effect. If you want more texture, try smooshing some ink onto a glass mat, spraying it with water, and dipping your panel into it. Let it dry between layers to avoid muddying the colors.

Once I was happy with the background, I trimmed it down slightly and used the smallest rectangle die from the You've Been Framed Dies to create a framed focal panel. This helps define the space and makes the focal point pop.

Coloring and Adding the Dragon

The dragon from the Caffeinated Critters Bundle is seriously cute. I stamped him onto a scrap of Hammermill Smooth Cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black Ink—my go-to for working with alcohol markers because it doesn’t bleed.

I used my OLO Markers to color the dragon, going for soft shades of green and teal with hints of pink to give him a playful, whimsical vibe. When coloring critters like this, I like to add a little blush to the cheeks and some white gel pen highlights to give them more personality.

Once he was colored, I used the coordinating die to cut him out. Having a die that matches the stamp so perfectly is such a time saver—it gives you a crisp, clean edge every time.

Softening the Background with Vellum

To help the dragon stand out against the busy background, I cut a heart from Vellum Cardstock using my Nested Heart Dies. Vellum is one of those supplies I reach for all the time because it softens whatever is behind it while still letting some of the color and pattern show through. It creates a natural focal point without adding bulk.

I attached the dragon to the vellum heart using foam adhesive to give it some lift and dimension. Layering elements like this helps create a balanced design and keeps the eye focused on the main image.

Pro Tip: When working with vellum, apply adhesive strategically behind the elements you’re adding on top (like the dragon) so the adhesive doesn’t show through.

Finishing Touches and Sentiment

For the sentiment, I pulled out the Blended Sentiment A2 Sheets from The Rabbit Hole Designs and chose "Caffeinate & Create." It felt like the perfect phrase for this card! I cut it out using one of the banner dies from the You've Been Framed Dies and popped it up with foam adhesive just below the dragon.

To finish things off, I added a few clear embellishments and some white gel pen details on the dragon and the background. A little shine and texture can really elevate a card and make it feel finished.

Final Thoughts

I had so much fun making this card! Combining mixed media techniques with cute stamped images is one of my favorite ways to stretch my supplies and create something unique. If you’ve never tried a layered background like this, give it a go—it’s so forgiving, and the results are always a little bit magical.

The Caffeinated Critters Bundle and Sip, Sip, Ahh! Stencil made it easy to create a fun, coffee-themed card with a playful twist. And honestly, who doesn’t need a dragon holding a coffee cup in their life? I hope this inspired you to pull out your inks, stencils, and critters and get creating!

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

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