Welcome, Investigators, to the very first reveal of 2026—and a milestone moment for CSI: Color, Stories, Inspiration, as we celebrate 14 years of creative sleuthing together! 🎂✨
We’re kicking off the year with two brand-new Case Files, each designed to spark your storytelling and invite you to explore inspiration in your own unique way. Whether you’re feeling cozy and nostalgic or artsy and expressive, January’s Cases have you covered.
In this first reveal, we’ll share the design team’s inspiration for Case File No. 468. And don’t forget—Case File No. 467 will have you putting on your detective hat later this month! Both cases close on December 4, 2025, so grab your magnifying glass, follow the clues, and start sleuthing through your stash before the deadline!
Our Detective Squad is always hot on the trail of standout scrappers! If your layout leaves us awestruck, you just might get deputized as a Guest Detective. We’ll be combing through the case files on the 4th of each month, so make sure your evidence—er, layout—is filed in the album by then. And don’t worry—our cold cases are always open, so feel free to revisit old clues whenever inspiration strikes. Crack enough crafty cases and leave a trail of wow-worthy work… and you could find yourself recruited to our elite Design Team Task Force!
At CSI, we love giving our Case Files a playful twist, and January’s investigations set the stage for a year full of creativity as we celebrate both winter magic and artful inspiration.
Case File No. 468 invites you into a charming winter scene filled with seasonal wonder. With its festive details and cozy color palette, this Case is perfect for documenting Christmas memories, winter traditions, or any story that sparkles with joy and nostalgia.
Case File No. 469 shifts the focus to creativity itself, inspired by Inspire Your Heart With Art Day. This Case encourages layered textures, expressive details, and stories that celebrate the joy of making and the heart behind your art.
And remember—you’re never limited to the theme itself. Let the Scenes spark your imagination, or follow the traditional clues at the bottom of this post to guide your investigation. However you interpret the evidence, we can’t wait to see how you solve the Case!
Looking for the traditional CSI clues? You’ll find them at the bottom of this post and on our Facebook page—just head to the first entry under the Case File album (click the Case File images above to go straight there).
Ready to submit your layout? Click on the Case Files in our sidebar to be taken to the corresponding Facebook album, where you can upload your evidence for all to see!
For our first Case File of the year, we’re leaning into the beauty of winter—twinkling lights, soft snowfall, and the kind of scenes that feel like they belong in a storybook. I chose this Scene intentionally to give our community the option to scrap Christmas or winter photos if they’d like—because sometimes those favorite holiday memories deserve just a little more time on our craft tables.
This charming carousel scene is filled with movement, wonder, and festive detail, making it rich with inspiration. From the soft blush and cream tones to the deep reds, olive greens, and warm browns, the color palette feels both classic and cozy. The Evidence list is overflowing with possibilities—trees, banners, people, stars, circular elements, ribbons, sparkle, and even a touch of whimsy if that’s your style.
For the Testimony, you might feel drawn to celebrating winter traditions, holiday gatherings, or seasonal joy. Whether your journaling reflects quiet moments or joyful celebrations, this Case invites you to capture the wonder, cheer, and sparkle of the season.
Our Design Team has once again cracked the Cases wide open with layouts that showcase a wide range of interpretations—from festive holiday pages to layered, art-inspired designs. We love seeing how each Detective pulls different clues and tells a completely unique story.
Be sure to scroll through the reveal and take a closer look at how the team used color, Evidence, and Testimony to bring these January Cases to life. And don’t forget to visit our Detectives on Instagram—those close-up shots reveal the layered details and clever clues you might miss at first glance.
And be sure to check back later this month when our Detectives dive into Case File No. 469, inspired by Inspire Your Heart With Art Day. You won’t want to miss the creative layers, expressive details, and heart-led storytelling they bring to this artful investigation!
We’re sure the clues tucked inside these January Case Files will give you everything you need to crack the Cases wide open. You’ve got until February 4—and beyond (check the Guest Detective briefing for details)—to file your own “reports.”
We can’t wait to see how you follow the evidence—whether you’re capturing holiday magic or everyday winter moments. Be sure to share your finished layouts in our Facebook Group (album links are waiting for you in the sidebar).
The clues are set, the frost is in the air, and the January Case is officially open! ❄️🔍
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