Monochromatic Hop | Early Espresso 🤎

February 09, 2026

Monochromatic Hop | Early Espresso 🤎

This week’s Monochromatic Hop was all about Early Espresso, and honestly… this rich, cozy brown never disappoints. It’s warm, classic, and perfect for masculine or nature-inspired cards. I leaned right into those outdoorsy vibes using the Great Outdoor Adventure stamp set to create a clean, layered design with lots of texture and contrast.Sadly, this stamp set is on the Last Chance list, which means it’s heading off into the retired wilderness soon. I’m glad I gave it one last crafty adventure before it packed its backpack 🦌🌲

Basic Steps

Start with an Early Espresso card base and add a lighter neutral layer for contrast.
Create a patchwork-style background using Early Espresso DSP and stamped patterns, mixing solids and cut them out with Stylish Shapes dies
Layer the background panels on a diagonal to add movement while keeping the colour palette simple.
Stamp the deer image in Early Espresso and die cut or fussy cut it out.
Mount the deer onto a Velum square to help it stand out from the darker background.
Add a simple “Thank You” sentiment across the focal image.
Finish with a few embellishments for a touch of shine without stealing the spotlight.

Final Thoughts

Monochromatic projects really shine when you play with layers, texture, and pattern, and Early Espresso gives such a cozy, timeless look. If this set is on your wish list, now’s the time to grab it before it disappears into the retired forest forever 🌲🐾

Thanks so much for hopping along with us this week. Be sure to check out the rest of the hop for more amazing monochromatic inspiration!