Magic! CSI February Guest Designer Reveal

This month I was privileged to be a guest designer at CSI! Needless to say, I had a blast solving this case.

Here's the case file I used. Fun, right? I was inspired to jump out of my norm and go bold. I was inspired by the picnic theme in the photo, and I happened to have a photo of my mom and Zae when we were having a picnic at a friend's farm. Plus, I love gingham almost as much as I love polka dots.

I also had this photo of Zae with his training wand: Yew, with a dragon heartstring core {no dragons were harmed in the creation of this wand}. So that set me on a subtle Harry Potter theme with a twist--the magic of the wonders of the outdoors. I was raised in a valley miles from town, and now that I live in town, I miss the scent of the forest, especially after a rain. There is no fresher scent, and one that can't be replicated; the only way to experience it is to get out into the woods and experience it yourself.

I used my We R Memory Keepers - Alphabet Punch Board - Mini to create the title. I love the ability to create customized titles without a second thought. My early work usually lacked titles, and what a difference it makes. People love stories, and a title gives the hint of the story you're trying to tell. And it's just plain fun to develop an overall theme. Sometimes it develops on its own. By creating a title you're giving yourself something to work with and it spiderwebs from there.

For instance, because of the magic theme, I wanted to make my letters feel like they are floating {wingardium leviosa!} I inked the edges, added a little hint of Ranger Ink - Stickles Glitter Glue - Christmas Red, and for a touch of whimsy, I added some washi tape, bakers twine, and gems.

I used some Mini Prills (from the Spring Bling collection) as "magic dust." 

Distressing was also part of the evidence, so you know I had to break out the Prima - Ingvild Bolme - Distressing Tool (whenever possible!). After years of using myriad random tools (distressing myself more than the papers!), I finally invested in a distressing tool. And OMG it was the best investment into scrapping I've ever made {I keep investing, just in case}.

Something curly or loopy was another clue I used, which inspired these wavy stitches (I also looped the string on the banner at the top, to be more technically accurate).

As for the journaling...I think Hermione would approve. I found this font, Parry Hotter, which was a play on the Harry title font, so I used that as the top of my "invitation."

This invitation isn't to Hogwarts (he'll get that when he's 11!), but to take in the outdoors. I've begun to shift my journaling to two major themes: one capturing special memories, of course, and the other is a little more abstract, as I want to teach him life lessons that I've learned or guide him to be the best little human he can be. This one is of the latter:


Dear Zae,

You're invited to find the magic in the outdoors. Give yourself the time to stare up at the clouds. Smell the warm earth and the green grass. Meander through the woods. Learn the names of the oak and poplar and elm. See the world beyond the pavement, where the wind whispers secrets only those with the gift can hear. Listen to the tales sung by the birds for the wisdom of the world. And always see the magic all around you.

Deputy [Head]Mistress, Mama


I hope you all get a chance to get into the woods and listen to the wind; we all have the gift, you just have to let it loose.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you back here on the 15th when my second guest designer layout will be revealed!