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

Rag Dolls: CSS Release Day 4

Welcome back to the Clear & Simple Stamps release festivities!  Are you enjoying all the cuteness? Critters, Uglies, and now Rag Dolls.  I know that several of the DT gals are going to focus on fall today with the Rag Dolls... there are lots of adorable things perfect for Halloween and Thanksgiving,  but I decided to jump ahead, crank up the Christmas tunes, crank down the AC (because in Texas it's still 90 degrees), and go for the merry.  Falala!

There is some masking involved in making the scene for the card.  I'll chat you through it:

• Stamp body/outfit from Rag Doll: Coats for Emma onto cardstock and again onto a Post-It.  Trim out image from Post-It to create a mask.
• You are going to use the mask twice. Adhere it on top of your cardstock and then stamp the head from Rag Doll Emma: Happy.
• Leaving your mask in place, stamp the ornament from Rag Doll: Scenes 1.

I paper-pieced Emma's outfit and the ornament using Glitz Design: Joyeux Noel paper.  How cute is her polka-dot trench coat?  I added finishing touches with Copic markers.

If you're like me then you're always looking for a little treat for teachers or neighbors.  I love to bake, but I'm better at eating the treats than I am about delivering them.  I decided on yummy hand soap instead.  This is an inexpensive and useful gift... and it was so easy to dress up using the Bottle Tag die.

The CSS Bottle Tag is unique because it has an adorable pocket that makes it perfect for tucking a gift card or small note with your treat.  I opted to trim off the pocket and decorate the base.  I love the items from Rag Doll: Scenes 1 because they combine with the leaning Rag Doll collection but are also a perfect size to stand alone on tags, etc.  I gave the ornament dimension by cutting 5 small circles, folding them in half, and adhering the folds together.  It was a quick treatment but provides a lot of 'wow'!

Visit the other gals for lots of Rag Doll sweetness:

Clear & Simple Stamps blog

Audrey Tokach 

(leave some love for my friend, and this month's guest designer!)

Stephany Zerbe, Kim Duran, Elena Roussakis, 

Lori Tecler, Jennifer Rzasa, Amber Kemp-Gerstel, Laurie Willison

For more Sassy Stampin' inspiration, check out the CSS App:

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

Happy Fall - Clear & Simple Stamps Release

Happy fall, y'all!  Today begins the Collection 5 Release for Clear & Simple Stamps.  There is something for everyone... fall, halloween, Rag Dolls, and more.  Settle in for the next few days and join us as we introduce you to these fabulous new products.

My card and treats today highlight the new Leaflets stamp set.  The set is full of the sweetest distressed leaves.  I inked them up in fall colors to create a focal point and Topper for my treats.  When combined with other CSS sets: Sunburst and woodgrain from Background Basics 1, I was able to make an outdoor 'scene'.

My sentiment was put together by selectively inking the 'Happy' from All Occasions 1 (happy birthday) and then using the Lowercase Alphabet dies to spell 'fall'.  I like the mix of fonts and emphasis on 'fall'.

To add dimension, I cut a small heart using the Shapes: Hearts dies, stamped it with woodgrain, and added it to a chipboard backer.  I love that it echoes the woodgrain card base and helps to unify the elements together.

I look forward to sharing more projects with you in a few days... falala. ;)

Join these participating designers to see more of Day 1 from the Collection 5 release:

Clear & Simple Stamps blog

Laurie Willison, Kim Duran, Stephanie Zerbe, Jaclyn Miller, Laura Bassen

Tracy Schultz, Jennifer Rzasa, Lori Tecler, Dana Grothaus, Amber Kemp-Gerstel

For You: Sweater Sweet

Sweater prints: I am currently obsessed.  Nordic sweater prints: better still.  What's not to love about giving cards the cozy feel of a favorite sweater?  Nordic Spring from WaltzingMouse is a great set... it perfectly captures the essence of classic hand-knit patterns. Pair it with houndstooth and doilies for a shabby chic card with a touch of winter charm.

The WaltzingMouse Sketch Challenge inspired my design... 

... thanks for popping in.  Happy Columbus Day! ;)

WMS: Nordic Spring, Heirloom Patterns, Dainty Doilies Large, Cameo to Go (sentiment)
Cardstock: PTI Rustic Cream, Dark Chocolate, & Kraft
Ink: PTI Autumn Rose, Kraft, Dark Chocolate, & Simply Chartreuse
Trim: PTI Autumn Rose saddle stitch ribbon, Prima trim
Sassy Somethings: Webster's Pages trinket pin

Gift Card Kit - CSS Group Post

Happy October!  The Clear & Simple Stamps gals are sharing some fun card kits today. You do not want to miss all the ideas for creating these fun sets that your recipient can use to assemble their own cards.  It's the gift that keeps on giving. ;)

I chose to use the Mini Tri-Fold die to create some sweet gift card holders.  The inside of the Tri-Fold cards are perfectly sized for adhering a gift card.... Starbucks or iTunes anyone?

I stamped the different cakes using Cake Decorating & Extras then embellished them with buttons and brads for a little sass.  Next, I used foam dimensional squares to adhere the finished cakes to a sheet of clear cardstock.  (I only pulled the backing from one of the squares to adhere it to the sheet and left the rest covered therefore making it easy to remove the cakes later.)

Also included in the kit are patterned paper labels and sentiment banners.  I included "birthday", "celebrate", and "love"... perfect for lots of occasions including showers, weddings, promotions/special achievements, or b-day wishes.  

For an added bit of cuteness, I stamped a "note" on the front flap and topped it with a scalloped border. Five little notes ready for gifting... ready for gift cards... ready for brightening someone's day.

Please stop by the other designer's blogs for more inspiration:

Clear & Simple blog

Elena Roussakis, Laurie Willison, Jennifer Rzasa, Lori Tecler, Laura Bassen

Kim Duran, Jaclyn Miller, Dana Grothaus, Amber Kemp-Gerstel, Tracy Schultz

CSS Stamps: Cake Decorating, Cake Decorating Too, Cake Decorating Extras, All Occasions 1 & 2, Party Elements: Baby (label outline)

Paper: PTI Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist, Kraft, & Vintage Cream; My Mind's Eye - The Sweetest Thing" Lavender 6x6

CSS Die-Cuts: Mini Tri-Fold, Cake, Favor Flags, Borders: Scallops

Sassy Somethings: Crate Paper buttons and brads, Jenni Bowlin enamel bows