mason jar thanks {CSS release in review}

My final day in a string of CSS posts brings on the mason jar love.

I used the smallest mason jar images and the "alpha duo" set to create a fun little thank you card set.  I strung up the jars, plunked the letters inside (and outside!) and called it done.

I love the little detail of that heart (from "taglines: critters") in each jar...

And, why not add some jar-shaped stickers?  I ran die-cut-and-stamped-jars through my xyron sticker maker.  How fun would it be to seal the envelopes with these?

Click over to see what the other canned goodness the designers have cooked up:

Jen ♥ Amber ♥ CSS

plaid for the holidays {CSS release in review}

 I am telling you: plaid is it for cozy holiday projects.  I promise to lay off of it for awhile (like, maybe a week) but I'm having too much fun...

Today's post is to help review a few sets released by Clear and Simple stamps last month.  Like the apothecary holidays set, a great follow-up to apothecary sweets.

But, let's face it:  I'm not that fancy of a gal.  I only own 1 apothecary jar.... on the other hand, I have mason jars in all kinds of sizes... and it seems so much more natural for me to grab the holiday apothecary fillers (along with some of the original apothecary sweets images) and pop them into the smallest mason jars (from the well preserved line.)

I mixed ornaments and sweets, colored them in traditional red, green, and white (mostly because I'm such a Christmas purist, and this is what you'll find in my home come the holidays...)

I placed the jars onto a kraft flag, stamped with a water-marked "merry christmas" (found in sweet sentiments: holidays) and placed that over my plaid creation (from create a plaid.)

The plaid and kraft flag elements were repeated in the making of this little treat box:

I tucked some chocolates inside a party favors 4 box, and finished it off with a holiday-appropriate red satin bow.

Hope you like that I created!

More inspiration is a-waiting:  Lori ♥ Jen ♥ CSS blog

CSS release day 6 {well preserved}

Another day of new Clear and Simple Stamps releases: get ready for some pretty mason jars!  They work oh-so-well with the perfect harvest line that was released yesterday.  I raided my friend's pantry to be able to show you how to pretty up your canning for gifting... and, in exchange for her loan, I've created a set of cards as a thank you.

The cards feature the "well preserved jars: large" stamp set, as well as the "fruit of the spirit" background set, fruit from "perfect harvest," and fruit labels from "perfect harvest sentiments."

I stamped the two sizes of large jars onto a white cardstock mat, and then created masks for each jar before stamping the "fruit of the spirit" background over-top.  I also used my distress tool to blend ink over the entire mat, before removing the jar masks.  I then stamped both the fruit outlines and the fillers (perfect for when you don't feel like coloring!) and also the fruit names.  I then die-cut and stamped the label that reads "from my heart to yours" and added some beautifully-homey gingham ribbon.  

With a bit of fabric, and a simple jar tag, these preserves would make sweet gifts for neighbors and friends.  The tags were die-cut from kraft cardstock, and stamped with the coordinating jar images.  I stamped the fruit names to indicate the jars' contents, and gave the coordinating images a coat of glossy accents to finish off... (in passing, there is a "pie filling" sentiment, but I goofed and used the wrong font for "apple."  I should have used the script-y "apple" and then finished off with the all-caps "pie filling," but in any case, I'm never one to shy away from making my projects look more homemade, so I think it all worked out...)

After that confession, I feel the need to distract you with another image:

mmmmm.....jarred pears...

hee.

Now click over and see what the other designers have "cooked up" to show you:

Kim

Stephany

Denise

Laura

Laurie

Dana

Lori

CSS