sorry I'm overdue {25 days of CSS inspiration}

CSS is doing things a little differently this month!  It's been three years since the CSS daily app first made an appearance on the crafting scene.  Each day the app features a new project, complete with instructions and photos.  You can save to your favorites for quick reference, and search through past months for even more inspiration.

In celebration of the CSS daily app, we are giving you 25 days of inspiration.  Each day, a DT member will bring you a fun new project, and as an added bonus, will showcase a coordinating project on the app.  yay!

Since it is teacher appreciation week, I automatically reached for school-themed images and dies.  But, if you're like me, you might have the best intentions and none of the follow-through.  This is a great project to give your child's teacher, even if you can't manage to get to it until next week *wink*

I printed the card sentiment via computer (the font I used is called traveling typewriter) and paired it with images from airmail, and that perfect apple.  The notebook edge die worked perfectly to accent the top of the card.  And, of course, a glossy apple.  I can't help it.  I stamp an apple and I just have to gloss it up.

To match the card, I created a little backpack - it can be filled with treats, a gift card, or tiny notecards.  I stamped the same notebook page image on the front of the backpack, and brought in some alpha love on the red accent piece.




Moral of the story: better late than never. hee.

Oscars-inspired! {CSS group project}

Today, some of the CSS designers are rolling out the red carpet to bring you cards inspired by oscar-nominated movies.

It is beyond embarrassing to admit that I have only watched a handful of these movies, and that handful includes "Brave."  Because, I have kids.  And also: I loved it.

But that isn't the movie that inspired my card today.  I was inspired by "life of Pi."



In the trailer, when he is alone, on the still waters after the storm, the colors of the sky were incredible.  I took my cue from there and created this card:

I stamped and masked a trio of clouds, and sponged inks in yellow, orange, red, and had it fade to a blue ocean at the bottom.  I also die-cut a few of the clouds and stamped a soft grid pattern (from "airmail") behind for some added texture.  

I thought the sentiment, (from "across the miles") was the perfect fit to represent the movie and Pi's amazing and fantastical journey... (I may not have seen the movie, but I have read the novel.)

And, more fringe fun:  I used the same Martha Stewart scissors that I did *here* to create yet another fringe, but this one is a double!  I worked the cardstock with my hands to break down its fibers and to make it more pliable, and then created a ruffle.  Once the ruffle was secured with a row of stitches, I used the MS scissors to create a fringe on either side.  They underline the sentiment, and also stand for a whimsical ocean.  I love it.

The little liquid pearls were created based on a different inspiration point:  I love collaborating with my friend Marlyn, from "montreal confections" and she was inspired to create cookies based on the same movie.  I love that we can inspire each other, across different mediums!

Aren't they just the most beautiful works of art??  I squealed when I saw them.

There are other oscars-inspired cards waiting for you here: Tracy ♥ Audrey ♥ Laura ♥ Jennifer ♥ JJ (guest designer) ♥ CSS blog

smarty pants bookmarks & an invitation for you (yes, you!)

Hi friends!

I am so excited to share my projects today - I have a set of valentine bookmarks, and an invitation to something special right here on the blog!

As soon as I saw the CSS "airmail" set, and the pile of books images, I knew what I wanted to create:



Hey smartie!  happy valentine's day!

I used rag doll Jake, taglines: critters, and the airmail set to create my bookish valentines.



I first stamped Jake, the selectively inked up only some of the books.  I colored, added elements from the critter set (the speech bubble and "hey smartie" sentiment) and added a notebook paper background.  Where the rag doll and the books meet made for a sloppy edge, so a printed sentiment was placed to cover that up.  For fun, they all fit perfectly inside the party favor 7 box.

NOW.  I started this blog 2 years ago.  The encouragement, friendships, and creativity that I have experienced thanks to this blog deserves to be celebrated!  And, I'm getting a little help from my favorite companies to make it extra special!

You are invited TWO (get it?  to? two? I'm so witty) my blog's 2nd birthday party!

I created a fun invite for the occasion, which perfectly sets the tone for my upcoming party!  I hope you'll come back on Saturday, February 9th and celebrate along with me!

Supplies for the invitation include:
- designer lines to create the gingham
- birch trees for the wooded background
- alpha duo for the t-w-o
- rag doll scene 1 for the adorable mushroom image on the invitation details
- taglines: critters for the tiny heart images

These designers have created things for you today too:  Lori ♥ Laurie ♥ Kim ♥ Laura ♥ CSS