Happy May, Investigators!
A brand‑new month means a brand‑new pair of Cases to crack, and May’s clues are blooming with inspiration. In honor of Gifts From the Garden Month and National Stationery Week, we’re celebrating the beauty of things that grow — whether that’s in the soil, in our stories, or on our desks.
This first reveal shines the spotlight on Case File No. 476, a scene overflowing with color, growth, and gentle encouragement. Our second Case File, No. 477, joins the investigation with a cozy stationery‑themed twist — perfect for documenting the notes, lists, and analog treasures that shape our everyday lives. Both Cases are open all month long, and we can’t wait to see how you interpret them.
📢 ANNOUNCEMENT
Our second May Case File will be arriving a few days late — I’ll be out at sea on a cruise and away from my computer for a bit.
Thank you for your patience! The Case File will be posted as soon as I’m back on land and connected again.
In the meantime, keep those layouts coming for Case File No. 476 — the inspiration is already blooming.
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 this month’s investigations are blooming with inspiration. May’s challenges celebrate Gifts From the Garden Month and National Stationery Week, inviting you to explore stories of growth, creativity, and the beauty found in everyday details.
Case File No. 476 – Gifts From the Garden Month
There’s something magical about watching things grow — whether it’s a garden, a dream, or a relationship. This Scene is bursting with soft florals, leafy greens, and gentle encouragements that remind us to nurture what matters most. The palette blooms with teals, pinks, siennas, and greens, while the imagery whispers of sunlight, laughter, and renewal. Whether you’re inspired by the gardening motifs, the sense of flourishing, or the idea of transformation, this Case File invites you to tell stories about growth — literal or metaphorical — and the gifts that come from tending your world with care.
Case File No. 477 – National Stationery Week
If Case File 476 celebrates what grows, Case File 477 honors what we record — the notes, lists, and scribbles that capture our daily lives. This Scene is a love letter to the analog world: pens, paper, calendars, and creative clutter arranged in a tidy grid of inspiration. The palette mixes soft greens, pinks, and kraft tones with a hint of teal, evoking the cozy charm of a well-loved workspace. Whether you’re documenting your creative process, your routines, or the words that shaped your story, this Case File is all about celebrating the art of writing things down.
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!
Gifts From the Garden Month
This month’s lead Case invites you to step into a world of blossoms, seed packets, tender moments, and the quiet magic of things that grow. The Scene is filled with soft pastels, leafy greens, and whimsical signs that whisper encouragement — a perfect jumping‑off point for stories about nurturing, transformation, and the small joys that take root in our lives.
You’ll find a full set of traditional clues at the bottom of the reveal, but you’re also welcome to draw your own inspiration straight from the Scene. Whether it’s the color palette, the gardening motifs, the sense of gentle growth, or a title that jumps out at you, follow the clues wherever they lead.
Our Detectives took Case File No. 476 in beautifully varied directions — each layout blooming with its own interpretation of Gifts From the Garden Month.
Paula Davis captured the joy of shared moments outdoors, layering florals and butterflies around a windmill scene that feels fresh and full of movement. Her page radiates springtime energy and connection.
Lisa‑Marie Watling brought warmth and intimacy to her design, blending soft blues and corals with stitched textures and expressive florals. Her composition feels like a heartfelt snapshot of everyday happiness.
Ronda Ivens documented cozy weekend meals with friends, using woodgrain, lace, and floral accents to evoke the comfort of gathering around the table — a perfect nod to nurturing and growth.
Keely Lowe celebrated sunshine and childhood joy with bright colors, layered embellishments, and cheerful summer motifs — a reminder that growth can be as simple as chasing the sun.
Debbi Tehrani leaned into the garden theme with playful storytelling, mixing seed packets, tools, and whimsical text strips to create a collage that’s equal parts humor and horticulture.
Together, these layouts show how one Case File can sprout countless creative possibilities — from heartfelt storytelling to vibrant celebration. Scroll through the gallery and let their interpretations inspire your own investigation.
💡 NEED HELP GETTING STARTED?
Play with color: Use teals, pinks, siennas, and greens to echo the palette of the Scene. Try layering translucent elements or blending paint washes to mimic sunlight filtering through leaves.
Focus on texture: Combine soft florals, woodgrain, and fabric details to create a tactile, garden‑inspired feel.
Tell a story of growth: Document a “before and after” — a transformation, a milestone, or a moment of renewal.
Add a touch of whimsy: Include seed packets, tags, or handwritten notes as storytelling elements.
Cluster your clues: Build a bouquet‑style composition with layered embellishments, journaling tucked into pockets, or mini garden tags for your words.
Whether you interpret the theme literally or metaphorically, let your creativity flourish — this Case File is all about celebrating the beauty of things that grow.
Investigators, the clues are waiting to be uncovered — tucked between petals and paper layers, hidden in soft greens and blooming pinks, scattered among textures, tags, and tiny details just waiting for you to gather them up.
You might find yourself drawn to the gentle calm of the garden — the quiet beauty of leaves, blossoms, and sun‑washed colors that whisper of growth and renewal. Or perhaps you’ll follow the vibrant pull of bold florals, playful patterns, and joyful energy — where color radiates outward and creativity feels like it’s bursting into bloom.
One path or both — the choice is yours.
Let the Scene be your story. Let the details guide your design. Gather your supplies, layer your elements, and listen for the clues that speak loudest to you.
Will you document a moment of growth — in your garden, your life, or your heart? Will you capture the beauty of everyday rituals, the ones that nourish and ground you? Or will you blend whimsy and warmth into a story uniquely your own?
Use what sparks your imagination and challenge yourself to collect as many clues as you can carry.
Your mission: investigate the Scene, assemble the evidence, craft your layout, and tell the story only you can tell.
The case is open. The inspiration is blooming. Are you ready to solve it?
May’s Case Files are packed with clues — enough to spark a story, a memory, or a whole garden of ideas. You have until June 4 to file your layouts, with a little extra time if you’re aiming for that coveted Guest Detective badge.
Whether you’re inspired by things that grow or the cozy charm of stationery and everyday creativity, we can’t wait to see what you uncover.
When your case is complete, drop your layout into our Facebook Group. The albums are open and ready for your reports.
The colors are blooming, the inspiration is growing, and May’s Cases are officially open.
Let the crafting — and the investigating — begin.
