December Case Files - Mid-month Reveal | Deadline: January 4 (and Beyond)

Well, we're halfway through December, and Christmas is nearly here! We're delighted to share inspiration for our second December Case File.

Both of our challenges are open through the 4th of the next month (and beyond--see explanation below).

PRIZES

CSI has been running our challenges for 11 years, since 2012, and our savings have dwindled over the years, so we no longer have the ability to provide a monthly gift certificate, but we do have enough to give away a prize every 4 months this year, so we'll be awarding a $20 (U.S. dollars) gift certificate to your favorite online craft store (must take Paypal) to one lucky player according to the following schedule--so the more you play, the more chances you'll have.

January - April Case Files will be awarded on or after May 4

May - August Case Files will be awarded in on or after September 4

October - December Case Files will be awarded on or after next January 4

You will see the customary due date on the Case Files because I'll check those for guest designers, but feel free to go back and play with Case Files that have expired. As long as they're in the albums by the May, September, and January dates listed above, you'll be eligible for the prize.

We'll also be inviting some players whose work catches our eye to serve as Guest Detectives along the way.

CASE FILES 

Christmas is just around the corner, so we're celebrating the holiday season with our Case Files. As always, you don't have to scrap these topics. Draw your own inspiration from The Scene on the Case File, or you can use the traditional clues, which can be found at the bottom of this blog post.

Image credit:  Tonia Tkach

Image credit: Everyday Wholesome

The traditional CSI clues can be found on our Facebook page in the first entry under the album. Just click on the Case File images above. They are also posted at the bottom of this reveal.

To submit your layouts, click on the Case Files in our sidebar, which will bring you to the individual albums in our Facebook group.

INSPIRATION 

And now, are you ready for some serious inspiration? A reminder of our first Case File...

GUEST DETECTIVES

We're pleased to have Guest Detectives this month! These ladies' work caught our eye in the CSI album galleries.

We present Guest Detective is Nelya Lutsyuk.

Nelya Lutsyuk

Hi, everyone! I’m delighted to be a Guest Designer (thanks so much, Debbi). My name is Nelya Lutsyuk. I get to be a stay at home mommy to 4 kiddos. My oldest is almost 8, and my youngest is 6 months (he was born around Christmastime!). I enjoy crafting, scrapbooking in particular. I love how broad this craft is - you could include mixed media, fabric, collaging, doodling, painting, stamping, and more! It’s so much fun to be inspired and pushed out of my comfort zone by various challenges. Everyday/random stories are my favorite to document - hearing funny stories from my childhood is something I’ve always enjoyed, and I want my kids to know theirs (such as the time when my kindergartener refused to have her school picture taken). Thankfully, I have an amazing husband who totally enables me and my scrapbooking. 😁

Here's how Nelya solved the Case: My evidence: Dots, stripes, Christmas-themed items, car, leaves, wreath, circular elements (enamel dots). The testimony also documents a negative Christmas memory that I can laugh about now.

Next up, we have Leslie Williams guest designing.

Leslie Williams

Hello! I'm Leslie Williams! I'm a speech language pathologist, but I've put my career on hold for the past 4.5 years to be home with my girls, Gwendolyn ("Gwen") and Catherine ("Kitty"). They are spirited little creatures with advanced senses of humor and sharp intellects! I love them with every ounce of my being, even when they make me want to scream! I live in Philadelphia, in a row home that was built in 1837! I live on a cobblestone street and everything! Happy to be a guest DT member at CSI!

The case file inspired my color choices as well as my layout topic. I love baking with my girls, so I had plenty of photos to choose from. The texture of the house motivated me to dry emboss my hearts. I also included dots, stripes, Christmas sweets, scallops, sparkly Thickers, and a solid, white background. I finished it off by sprinkling some splatters!

CSI  DETECTIVES

Here's what our design team created with this month's second Case File. 

CASE FILE CLUES 

Choose as many or as few as you are inspired to use! You don't have to use all of the categories of clues. Use what inspires you, or challenge yourself to use as many clues as you can. Or just use the image to inspire you as you wish!

Testimony Link: December Prompts 

Testimony Link: Photo a Day Challenge

We trust we've provided enough clues for you to solve the Cases! You have until January 4, 2023 (and beyond--read about this in the Prizes section), to solve both cases. We can't wait to see what you'll create! Upload your creations in our Facebook Group (album links in sidebar).