Sunday, September 23, 2007

Java 101

Inspiration can come from the funniest places. Mine came from my daily ritual of a morning latte. When I made this card I thought it would be fun to share my coffee process with you. You know that I found a lot of similarities between my paper crafting and my latte making. It was pretty funny. Anyway, about the card. The stamps are Crafty Secrets, colored with my copics. The dp is by Cosmo Cricket and the lush velvet ribbon is fancy pants. Love the hardware by SU. I did a little paper piercing too. Hope you enjoy my coffee post. For those of you who don't like coffee, hopefully you can just enjoy the card and disregard the rest of the post.

See any similarities? I was inspired this morning by my coffee. I love the dark rich ring of the coffee with the silky white center of my milk foam. I tried to achieve this on my card using liquid pearls. I colored my liquid pearls with a drop of burnt umber reinker then added a dollop of white to the center. I topped it off with some glitter (sprinkles) ...who doesn't love some sprinkles!








Like paper crafting, it is all about the tools! I have over the years invested in this area in order to have a wonderful latte. It has turned out WAY less expensive than running to starbucks daily (and it is a much better coffee). I have a Rancillio machine, LOVE IT! It has commercial grade parts so when things break down (and they do over time), I can replace parts instead of a whole machine. I learned this one the hard way the first time around. Now the beans....this will determine how good your latte is. I have found ordering straight from a roasting house is the best way to get fresh beans roasted correctly. These beans are sold at Artigiano (a coffee house in Vancouver).
Tamping is an important part of the process. You need to grind your grounds as fine as your machine will allow, this will create a rich deep flavor. My brother bought me a heavy tamper to tamp my grinds down with. It is important that you have no grounds on the rim to cause spaces in the seal you create with your machine. Be picky!
The brewing should be a rich caramel color and have "creme" on the surface, this is a sign of a good shot. You should be brewing anywhere between 25-30 seconds. I had to act fast with my camera! LOL!
One little last tip about the foam. The goal is silky, dense foam. In order to achieve this I start foaming my milk with the tip of the nozzle just above the milk level, till the milk reaches about 100 degrees, then I bury the nozzle for the remainder of time until the milk is about 170degrees. I then scrape off the really light and fluffy foam off the top and discard. Swish the milk around a little so that it looks smooth. Last step is to pour and then sit back and enjoy. This is the "my time" part of the day for me. I look forward to it every morning!

25 comments:

Charlene said...

I'm drooling reading your post lol and very jealous of your beautiful machine. I love my coffee! Your card is gorgeous and I love the effect you got with the liquid pearls, looks just like a latte..yum!

Monica-FC said...

I love your cards and yes I could relate to coffee at one time, but I went cold turkey 5 years and do not drink it anymore. But that doesn't bother me anymore. lol. :) I love the stamps still and have been considering some myself. :) they are gorgeous. just love how your cards turned out with them.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous card. I love the colors and paper you used!
I am not a coffee drinker. But I LOVE the smell.

Marlou McAlees said...

this looks good enough to drink {lol} excellent card!!! i love my coffee xx

Alhambra Club said...

This is fantastic, I don't drink coffee but could sure go for a cappucino about now.

My Paper World said...

So very beautiful!

Julie Campbell said...

Oh My Gosh! What an awesome post! I am a HUGE coffee fan, so this is really an eye-catching card! So cool how you made your foam! Wish I had your coffee machine!

Lauren (mytime) said...

Oh WOW! I need a machine like that! Love the "my time" you get to have. Looks yummy! And that card is gorgeous, and your ornaments are as well!

Alli Miles said...

I hope that cuppa joe is for me! LOL It looks SOOOO good. Love the card!

Anonymous said...

Once you can pour a perfect rosette my work will be complete, grasshopper.

Tammy B said...

holy guacamole! 170 degrees?! you must have an asbestos mouth!

Amy said...

Hmmm sounds heavenly! I too enjoy a latte in the morning! Glad to find your blog and see you wonderful creations again. You give so much inspiration! (Amy aka: Silly Stamper)

Lisa C. said...

the card is stunning, and I simply love reading your post about making your wonderful drink of choice!

June Houck said...

Your card, as always, is beautiful. It looks so real! I am a big fan of your blog.

Michele Kovack said...

What an amazing little card! I absolutely love your coffee! Too clever!

So Sonya said...

Wow... gorgoeus card and loving that machine!

Theresa said...

What a great post!!! Your coffee is some of the best out there! Thanks for the cup this morning!!!!

Rose Ann said...

I'm not a coffee girl, but your card looks perfect!! Awesome, Sherrie!

sophia landry said...

Love this post! I am a huge coffee fanatic, and can't survive without my morning brew! I use the traditional Italian Expresso maker on my Stovetop. I have 3 sizes: personal, couple and company. If there is anything I take seriously it is coffee. Love your card by the way, especially the realistic foam and ring!

Sara said...

Love it!!! The card and the info about making the latte. So very true! My husband and I met working together serving coffee at church and it is all about the technique of getting the right grind, the right brewing consistency, and the foam in the milk just right. Practice makes perfect and I am so glad for the time we both had brewing coffee!!! Thanks!

Deborah said...

I'll take a double! Love it! Wondeful cards, love the hardware on top one. TFS- Deb

Kelly said...

Love your card. It's gorgeous! I'd trade my cup of coffee for yours...or maybe just beg for one of yours!! =0)

Charmaine (CharmWarm) said...

Your card look delicious, Sherrie! Wonderful!

Anonymous said...

I'm a huge Latte drinker and also have an espresso machine which is slowly dying, so I am interested in know what kind yours is???
Mine is a starbucks.

Jody L.
lars@granite.mb.ca

lindsalita said...

Everything on your blog is seriously creamy- love it, and I must say I would rather grab a latte from your house with the perfect little cups and saucers than a cardboard cup from SB anyday!!