whimsically framed {CSS new release}

It's day 4 of the Clear and Simple Stamps new releases!  Today, we're introducing tags, labels, ovals, new background stamps, and my favorite of the bunch: the curly label frames 1 stamp set.  I already used it *here* but you will see it pop up too many times in the next little while.  I absolutely love it.

A handmade doll and his matching card - hilarious, non?  (the bow-tie is making me switch to french, and give it a snooty accent to go along with...)

I stamped the gingham background with just one image from our large create a plaid stamp set.  I then stamped the new curly label in black on top of the gingham, and then again onto a piece of white cardstock.  Once the rag doll was stamped and colored, I fussy cut the oval and pieced it onto the gingham mat.



Lookit his matching bow-tie.  hee hee.  And, the sentiment is from an upcoming new set!

You already saw the little lady I sewed for Maia's tea party, and you'll find out more about these handmade rag dolls from CSS on the weekend, but for now...

He's not perfect.  I know it.  I am such an amateur with my sewing machine... but he sure is sweet.





Here are the rest of the clicks for today: Jen ♥ CSS blog

a little bit woodsy for Jessika's 11th.

This past weekend, I set up decorations at Marlyn's house (of Montreal Confections) for her daughter's 11th birthday.  I also provided the party entertainment: the kids made altered notebooks and bookmarks with lawn fawn stamps that matched the party decor and my collection of copic markers.  I hope you enjoy the party:



You may remember that wood backdrop from *this party* - it pays to keep party things!

Forest tree drink labels - they were so excited to drink out of these mason jars!

Do you see who the lawn fawn fox is checking out?



It's our foxy, in cookie form.  I was so excited when I saw these!  And, the frame too!

Isn't the owl adorable?  I love that Marlyn didn't cover the whole thing in fondant - the texture from the buttercream matches the whimsical feel of the party so much better...

woodgrain wings!





Marlyn's sweets are just so beautiful:

The party craft was to alter a notebook.  Here's my original:

The birthday girl, holding her bookmarks.  I love that she painted her nails so fancy for the party.

I hope you enjoyed looking at our woodsy party pictures!  It's Jessika's actual birthday today - happy birthday, sweet girl! I hope you have a great day ♥.

round and around and around and around we go.

****If you're looking for my new-release-CSS post, just CLICK****

It's time for a new lawnscaping challenge:

I love that little inspiration thumbnail!

This is what I created to (hopefully) further inspire you:



I used "admit one" to create a card that is full of dimension.

There's the pink ticket border,



The balloon, floating off the edge,



and, best of all, the merry-go-round:



I carefully cut and layered the different parts of the image, including the horses and the tiny flag at the top.  And I love that the horses are colored on the base layer as well - depending on the angle, it really looks like they're bopping up and down.

I hope you like it - and I hope you decide to play along!  You could win a prize from Lawn Fawn!

♥.

foodie fun {CSS new release}

It's new release day over at Clear and Simple Stamps!  I am so excited that we get to showcase my favorite sets first - the foodie fun series features all of my favorite junk foods and lovey phrases, some fun dies, and a very gorgeous apron...

I'm featuring foodie fun and foodie fun sentiments in my projects today (along with a whimsical little frame that you'll be introduced to later on in the week):



Nothing goes together like burgers and fries, right?  I was crafting with my 8 year old daughter, Sofia, and she saw the "bff" sentiment (from a new rag doll set!) and said "mom, I think the burger and fries are BFFs."  It's a big word in our home lately - everyone is Sofia's bff, but I thought it was such a cute idea, so I went with it.  The card is obviously hers now, and the biggest question is which one of her pint-sized bffs will be on the receiving end this week :)

A speedy how-to:  I masked the burger, then stamped the fries, then masked that too for a little sunburst action over-top.  It looks like fast-food on a card, with that bright red case base and yellow stripes. so fun.

My next card cools down the temperature a bit.  From a hot red to a cool argyle blue background, and from steamy burgers to a frozen treat...



This card is a smaller and cuter - at 3.5x5 inches...the perfect little notecard size.  I love the tall, skinny font of the "i love you more than" paired with the script "ice cream" - and with a glossy cherry on top, it's just adorable.



the tiny heart at the bottom doesn't hurt either.

My next card goes taller and skinnier:

The set has all kinds of fun combinations - I didn't use up half of them here.  We go together like...



burgers & fries...



mustard & pretzels (although, I'm not a mustard fan, truth be told... why mess up a perfectly good, buttery soft pretzel with mustard?  nuh-uh.  but it sure looks cute on the card.)



pb & j...



and pancakes & syrup.

I'll take one of each, please.... hee.  I hope you like what I've created today!

These designers are also showing off new CSS stuff today:  Audrey ♥ Lori ♥ Amber ♥ CSS blog

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ALSO, random.org picked comment no. 12 as the winner of the "tea for three" giveaway.  The recipient of 3 new tea party stamp sets and a tea tag die is... Kara!  Kara, I will be contacting you by email shortly - congratulations!

tea for three paperie.

First of all, thank you so much for all of your sweet comments on Maia's party post!  My heart swelled to read them all.  If you didn't catch yesterday's tea party, click *here* - there are a few new stamp sets up for grabs, but only until tonight!

Today, I thought I'd share some of the party paperie with you: invites, thank you cards, and some of the decorations.

The first thing I had for the party was that pretty fabric banner.  All of the party colors were pulled from the springy fabrics.  I went with mainly yellows and blues, and just a few touches of pink on the invite:



I love these images so much!  The slouchy stuffies, the "you're invited" banner, the spilled milk under the table - I'm so excited to have seen them come to life, just as I imagined.



I did some masking, and stamped all of the elements onto the table in one layer (only the banner was paper-pieced, for the tiniest bit of extra dimension.)  I then cut out the table and all of the toppers as one unit.  I think that makes it look like something out of a paperie store...

A few of my favorite decorations from yesterday's party:



I just love the little bear sitting next to his frothy drink!  I first printed the word "sweets" (and another with the word "sips" for the drinks) via computer, before die-cutting the label.  I then stamped the bear in the corner, and masked him to be able to nestle the drink "behind" in behind. so cute.

These little chair-back decorations were such a sweet touch.  Very pottery-barn-party, if you ask me.  I matted the tea pot image with 2 cupcake stand die-cuts, and layered ribbon to match the party.  Even thought you wouldn't have seen it if I didn't point it out, it was a hit at the party :)



tea for three. with steam escaping the three. it doesn't get sweeter than this.

And every good party host sends out thank you cards, right?  (let's pretend I always take my own advice):



Funny enough, the thank you card marks the first appearance of a rag doll at this tea party.  I know the little dolls are the stars of the stamp sets, but I wanted to show that these sets are so versatile - and also, no one upstages my Maia, hee hee.

Some creative masking allowed me to create this little scene, and I sponged some antique linen ink over-top to further the granny-chic vibe of our tea party.



From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all of your encouragements and beautiful comments on Maia's tea for three party!

♥.