Fresh Preserves

Hi crafty friends!  I'm slowly starting to get inky again... it feels good to "exercise" the right side of my brain and to relax into crafting.  Plus, I've still indulged in "retail therapy" so I have a pile of stampy goodies just waiting to be used. (There was also chocolate therapy and shoe shopping, but you come here for the cards. ;) 

This card is was inspired by the current Mood Board over at WPlus9 and is for my Granny.  As a child, I vividly remember the fig tree in her backyard.  We would gather the figs and then make the best jelly using strawberry Jello as flavoring.  The jam jar from Fresh Preserves seemed like a perfect way to acknowledge those memories and wish my Granny a "sweet" birthday.

One of my favorite recent purchases is the Chantilly Trim set from WPlus9.  Lace = Love.  The background is subtle because I stamped it tone-on-tone in Harvest Gold, but it is a really pretty accent and helps tie all the elements together.  In addition, I shaded the heart banner with a white pencil to give it a little boost.  Cute, right?

I'm happy to pop in here and catch up with you, friends.  I have a little list of spring treats I'm looking forward to making.  What are y'all making?  I'd love to hear from you!

All stamps WPlus9: Chantilly Trim, Banner Love, Fresh Preserves (+ coordinating dies)

Paper: PTI Rustic Cream & Harvest Gold

Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, & Harvest Gold; Amuse Studio Grass

Tools: PTI Parisian Lace Doily die & Limitless Layers Circles (large)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, friends!  I'm popping in today to do a little bit of maintenance and to let you know that I hope to be back to blogging and creating very soon!  Life happens... the two littles that I devote my days to are the most important things, and we've been spending some great time together as a family throughout the holiday season.  I hope the same was true for you and yours.

I will be focusing on my family more in the coming months... we have some fun (and BIG) goals for this New Year.  With those dreams in mind, I have stepped away from my DT commitments.  I'm looking forward to less deadlines and a bit more creative freedom... I'm most excited about all the things I get to focus on making special for the kiddos and important people in my life.

I hope you will join me on this part of the creative journey - it's going to be a lot more personal. Preserving memories, special touches for celebrations, heartfelt creations for people I love... I'm so excited for 2013.

A few things I'm parting with to make more space and feel more organized:

All items are from Clear & Simple Stamps and have little-to-no staining.  They come in labeled DVD cases.  Shipping is included in the quoted price for US/Canada residents.

Please email me at de35nise@aol.com with inquiries.

Flower Garden (background builder set) - $14

Butterfly Garden (and coordinating dies) - $20

All Occasions 1 - $14

All Occasions 2 - $14

(buy both sets - save $3 = $25) 

Imprints 1 (double-sided impression plate) - $10

Little Critters Too - $14 

Damask (no case) - $12

Au Naturel + Au Naturel Extras - $20

Labels 11 (outline stamps + dies) - $20

Party Favor 1 (die-cuts) - $20

And... my top 3 favorite projects from 2012... 

because we needed something pretty to look at! :)

Special Bundle and Flowers from CSS.  

I love the little scene and fresh color scheme.

Cicely at Halloween from WaltzingMouse Stamps.

Paper piecing is one of my favorite techniques.

Rose Posie from Papertrey Ink.  Colors inspired by the Play Date Cafe.

Trendy blooms and hexagons... even graphic images look pretty layered. ;)

See you soon!!  

CSS - Color Release

click to download

There is GREAT news over at the Clear & Simple Stamps blog this morning... the unveiling of some beautiful new colored cardstock and coordinating items... envelopes, gift wrap, etc.  It's GORGEOUS!

I had hoped to join in on the fun today but it's been one thing after another here... I'll be around very soon with a wrapped project... can't wait to share with you! Until then, visit the CSS blog for lots of inspiration from the team.

CSS {App} Sneak Peek

Today, the CSS {App} is buzzing with cuteness...

and lots of Seasonal Inspiration can be found over at the CSS Blog.

{Click on the graphic above to learn more and download the CSS Daily App.}

CSS {App} Sneak Peek

Are you getting daily inspiration from the CSS iPhone App yet?  

It's an awesome resource for design ideas and to get your "creative mojo" flowing!

Today on the {App}, I'm sharing a "Fall Harvest" card... 

hope you get a chance to check it out.

{Click on the graphic above to learn more and download the CSS Daily App.}

CSS Release Recap & Recipes

Hi friends!  I'm popping in today to recap the Clear & Simple Stamps Collection 5 release.  I'll also be sharing recipes for the treats I made through the week... prepare to make 2 lists: one for groceries, and one for shopping at CSS. ;)

But first things first, I want to wish Nicki, (owner extraordinaire at CSS) and dear friend, a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  She is all things fabulous... even though she doesn't eat chocolate cake. ;)  I raise my coffee cup to you, lady... cheers!!

Pretzels Treats Recipe:

• Place square/"grid" pretzels onto cookie sheet.
• Top with Mini Rolos or Hershey's Kisses. (both can be found already unwrapped)
• Heat in preheated oven at 275 degrees for 3 minutes.
• Smoosh (that's a technical term) M&Ms or Peanut M&Ms into softened candy.
• Refrigerate for about an hour before gently removing from cookie sheet and packaging.

My cute packaging used the CSS Topper die-cut combo and these newly release products:

Leaflets stamp set:

 Also be sure to check out the coordinating Leaflet dies:

Next up: Pumpkin Pie Dip and Well Preserved

Pumpkin Pie Dip Recipe:

8 oz pkg Cream Cheese

2 cups Powdered Sugar

15 oz can Pumpkin (not pie filling)

1tsp ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground Ginger

• Soften cream cheese.  Mix with sugar with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth.
• Add pumpkin and spices, beating well.
• Cover and chill for at least 8 hours.
• Serve with gingersnap cookies, apple slices, or graham crackers.

The new Well Preserved Collection is perfect for cards and tags on homemade treats:

Well Preserved Jars: Large

Well Preserved Jars: Extras 

(coordinate with the large jar stamp set)

 Mason Jars Large - dies

Be sure to visit the other DT ladies for more Collection 5 inspiration.  

Clear & Simple Stamps blog

Elena Roussakis, Laurie Willison, Jennifer Rzasa,

Jaclyn Miller, Tracy Schultz, Dana Grothaus, Laura Bassen, & Audrey Tokach

Thanks so much for joining me over the last few days.  

These are products I know I'll be using and sharing a lot. :)

Homemade in a Jar: CSS Release Day 6

Hey-hey crafty friends!  It is the final day for the Collection 5 product debuts at Clear & Simple Stamps.  Today's sets just may be my favorites because they focus on such a sweet trend: Mason Jars.  Well Preserved is an extensive collection of jars in a variety of sizes with chic fillers, sentiments, and coordinating dies.

I worked with the large set of Well Preserved Jars.  I stamped and paper-pieced to create my goodie jar.  Some things to note:

• "Our House": I love that some of the sentiments are geared towards being "from us".  
• The cutie bow is from the Well Preserved Jars: Extras set.  You do not want to miss the "extras" set if you choose the large jars... bouquets, thread bobbins, and bows are just a few of the things included.
• I used the Toppers (die-cut combo) on each side of my card.  The coordinating dashed stamp gave it a nice faux stitched look ('cause this girl can't sew).  So when you're not topping treat bags with these great dies, try them on your cards! 

The theme for my post today was "Homemade" so I decided to fancy up a Rag Doll House for my treats.  I attached my happy home to the front of a Favor 3 box and added some gingersnap cookies. 

Now, I know you are all wondering... "What's in the jar?"  It's Pumpkin Pie dip, and it.is.yummy.  I'm inclined to eat it with a spoon and skip the cookies when the kids aren't looking. I used the large jar dies to create a tag... I think the size is perfect and they don't need a lot of fussing to be cute. (aka: quick & easy)

I also want to mention that my color combo for today was not only inspired by the orange-ness of the pumpkin dip, but also by the Play Date Cafe Challenge.  Their inspiration board is beautiful:

I hope you love the Well Preserved Jars as much as I do... 

I'll be back tomorrow to recap some of the products I've used over the last week and to share the recipes  you've seen featured.  Until then, go visit the DT gals for lots more "inspiration in a jar".  Ha!

Clear & Simple Stamps blog

Kim Duran, Stephany Zerbe, Elena Roussakis, Laura Bassen, 

Laurie Willison, Dana Grothaus, Lori Tecler

Additional products used:

Tools: Rag Doll House (die cut), Shapes: Hearts (die-cut combo)

Paper: My Mind's Eye - Vanity Fair 6x6

Sassy Somethings: Prima trim