Crafty Elves' Coundown to Christmas / January 2022

Here we are with another year of Crafty Elves !! Michael, Lisa and I will each be bringing you 4 holiday cards every month on the 25th. We aim to be ready for the Christmas / holiday rush and have at least  44 cards made to address and send. We hope that we inspire you to make some along with us . 

My post will be short and sweet. All of the papers that I used were in my scrap stash. I used a variety of my favorite stamps - digi, and clear . Two of the cards were made with stamp/die sets . I usually fussy-cut but these were too cute to resist ( and I got them on sale !! ) All coloring was done with my Copics and Flair pens .

Stamp used -

Holiday Jar 

Angie Blom Digital Designs

Disney Magical Memories

American Crafts

Gnome for Christmas

Close To My Heart

The Jubilee Crew

Close To My Heart

As always, I am sure that Michael and Lisa have created beautiful cards . And this month we also have a Guest Crafty Elf . My friend Liz McGuire is joining us all the way from Scotland !! She is a fabulous mixed-media artist who makes cards, junk journals, tags, altered playing cards etc. . You can find her at Buttons For Brains on both Instagram and You Tube. I am thrilled that she is here with us to start   off  2022 !!

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Liz McGuire - Buttons For Brains

Thank you to everyone for joining us as we start our holiday card stash for 2022 !! Let us know if you will be adding to your stash each month .. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy and also Creative ...

Debra Davison

Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / December 2021

Of course, I am hustling to get a few presents wrapped and some cards finished for my guy. So this post will be very short and sweet... Am I the only one that makes many cards for others but then doesn't have one for my own family member ?!?! I think a good New Year's Resolution would be to keep a box of cards just for Brian so I can have one when needed. Thank you all for joining us each month as we bring you our holiday inspiration. I hope that you will come back each month next year as Lisa, Michael and I continue our Crafty Elf tradition . 

My first mini-slimline card is my take on the Ugly Christmas Sweater theme !! I love these sweaters but cannot for the life of me find the stamp set I used... So I can't remember who makes it . But the cute Holly Jolly sticker is from Paper House Productions .

Next is a card made with an image from A Winter Hello, Girl from Angie Blom Digital Designs .This is also a mini-slimline card and was so easy to color for a quick card !!

The Christmas Patchwork collection from Stamperia was used to make this next card and I absolutely love it !! There is no stamping on this card  - just paper and chipboard die-cuts. 

My last card features a new stamp from Unity Stamp Company - Joy, Peace & Comfort Mug .This is a sweet stamp that is so easy to color .. I absolutely love it !!

I wanted to show my favorite cards again that Michael and Lisa made this past year. It goes without saying that I LOVE all of them but these 2 stand out for me.

From Michael in March 2021

From Lisa in June 2021

Be sure to take a look at Michael and Lisa's cards for December .. Thanks so much for letting us inspire you all year long.  Have you been making your cards throughout the year ?? Or is there a mad dash at the beginning of December ??? Please everyone have a safe, happy and healthy holiday .. We hope you will join us back here in 2022 ..

  Lisa Reynolds-Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

 

  Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves Countdown to Christmas / November 2021

Just think -- this time next month, we will be celebrating Christmas .. I'm so glad that Lisa, Michael and I have continued making our cards all year long. I've been addressing mine too and that really does  helps me stay organized and on track  .. I randomly chose Sue D from the October Crafty Elf comments and will be sending her some holiday happy mail !! 

My first card features a really sweet stamp from Unity Stamp Company - Lillith Whimsy { Magic Happens }  She is so cute and I had fun making her into a Christmas Fairy !!

• I stamped ( with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink  ) and fussy-cut Lillith .
• The fairy was colored with my COPICS,
• I adhered a piece of patterned paper from the North Pole Gazette paper pad by Recollections onto a Kraft card base.
• The fairy was adhered on the right side of the card.
• Her wings and skirt ruffle were glittered with fine, white glitter .
• A gold metallic square was placed at the top left of the  patterned paper. 
• A Christmas postmark, cut from the patterned paper I used, was popped up on the gold square with a foam tab.

This next card was made with one of my favorite new stamps !!  A free digi stamp from Not 2 Shabby - Have a Cup of Cheer . I have made so many cards with this stamp - traditional holiday colors, non-traditional colors, with tinsel added and without .. I love this stamp and hope you do too !! You can create so many different ways with this stamp !!

• I printed the digi image onto an 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of cardstock - with 4 images on the page - then trimmed it to fit my A2 card .
• The image was colored with my COPICS .
• I adhered the image to a scrap piece of blue paper with glittered highlights.
• I used a Kraft card base for this card .

I absolutely love this next card . Deer always remind me of growing up in Pennsylvania - snowy winters with my family . This stamp from Red Lead Paperworks - 2 Deer - is just beautiful . 

• The 2 Deer image from Red Lead Paperworks was stamped on Mixed Media paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink .
• I matted the stamped panel with a rose colored paper and then adhered that to a pink snowflake-patterned paper .
• The 2 Deer image was colored with my COPICS.
• I adhered a piece of pastel brush tree paper to a Kraft card base . Tree and snowflake paper were from a Recollections Sugarplum paperpad .
• The deer panel was then adhered onto the Kraft card base .

This next image from Angie Blom Digital Designs is included in a fabulous new set called  A Winter Hello, Girl . It has images for regular and slimline cards, as well as several sentiments . I loved coloring these images  and making this mini-slimline with a sheet of 6 x 6 paper. 

• I printed the A Winter Hello, Girl image on Mixed Media paper and then colored it with my COPICS .
• The completed stamped panel was adhered to a piece of 6 x 6 plaid patterned paper . I have many 6 x 6 paper pads and they are perfect for making many quick mini slimline cards !!
• A Tim Holtz sticker sentiment was adhered on the upper left of the panel.
• Several Tim Holtz Holiday Stars were placed on the card panel .

I want to thank everyone who has followed the Crafty Elves this year as we've worked on our holiday cards. Take a look at what Michael and Lisa have created this and let them know which cards are your favorites .. 

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Bzibziak-Reynolds - Life of a BZ Scrapper

I hope that you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving and that even in this crazy time of COVID, you can find something to be thankful for . I look forward to seeing you here next month with my wrap-up post for the year !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / November 2021

I really cannot believe that it is November !! Time for another collaboration post with Celeste  AND also the Fall/Winter 2021 Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Hop .Check out the link for all of the amazing inspiration, the rules for linking and also to see all of the wonderful Sponsors . Link up a card of your own and you just might win a prize .. Celeste and I chose this Winter Coffee theme to coincide with the Hop !! 

I am in the midst of NO BUY NOVEMBER with my friend, Xenia. We are both trying to destash and organize so we are not adding to our already extensive craft collection this month .. But digi stamps are not included, which was fabulous because I just had to have this new digi by Angie Blom Digital Designs  - A Winter Hello, Girl . I hope that you like her as much as I do !!

• I printed one of the images from the A Winter Hello, Girl digi stamp set and trimmed it to fit on an A2 card base. This image already included a sentiment .
• The image was colored with my COPICS and Flair Pens.
• The completed panel was adhered to a bright red card base .
• Several large sequins were adhered around the girl to fill in some of the empty space.

This stamp was a dream to color and I cannot wait to make several more with the other images in this set. Included are a slimline image and several other images with and without sentiments, as well as several  individual sentiments.  Celeste always makes beautiful cards and her coffee cards have always been some of my favorites. Take a look at hers over at her blog - Crafting Junky . I am drinking some Starbucks Blonde coffee with a bit of Baily's Irish Cream added to get me in the holiday spirit as I make cards !! And I'm using a cup bought on clearance last year with the perfect sentiment !!

Let's Get Toasty 

Also remember to check out all of the fun over at the Coffee Loving Cardmakers Blog Hop  ... There is always so much inspiration AND a chance at some fantastic prizes !! A big shout-out to Amy Tsuruta for always hosting such fabulous Hops .. She is a Coffee Lover Extraordinaire !!

 2021 Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Until next time ..

Have some coffee and stay creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / July 2021

It's hard for me to believe that it is already July and half of 2021 is just about over !! No that I'm upset by that - this year has been filled with many ups and downs and I might just be looking forward to 2022 .. But until then, who doesn't like a Christmas in July celebration ??? Many crafty companies celebrate with sales to help us get ready for the holidays .. Of curse, the Crafty Elves have been getting ready all year long, hoping to inspire all of you along with us. And we are thrilled to have an amazingly talented Guest Elf with us this month who inspires us year round. Angie Blom, the creative mind behind Angie Blom Digital Designs is joining in on the fun for Christmas in July !! You might know her from her line of Angie Girl stamps ( and other designs ) with Unity Stamp Company She was kind enough to share some new digital images with us ahead of time so we could get you in the holiday spirit. She is also having a Christmas in July sale at her website - 40% off all Christmas images. A great big thank you to Angie for being a Crafty Elf with us this month !!

I am really trying to go through all of my many crafty supplies and destash. I actually gave one rather large shoe box full of goodies to a friend last week. I also have a habit of wanting to keep every little scrap of paper until I am inundated with them !! So for all of my cards this month, I used scraps of paper from my cart .. I have a solid drawer and a patterned drawer. And I had the perfect papers !! Hope you think so too ..

This first card is made with a brand new digital image from Angie. As soon as I saw it, I knew that I had to paper-piece it !! Let's Be Merry  is a fun Santa digi !!

• I printed the digital image on Mixed Media paper and trimmed it to make rectangular card . 
• The image was also printed on a red patterned paper and a text-patterned paper. His robe was fussy-cut from the red and his mustache from the text.
• The hat and face were colored with my COPICS.
• Art Glitter Glue was used to adhere the robe and mustache.
  
•  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter added shine to the hat trim and the pom-pom.
• After adhering the completed digital image to a piece of red wood-grain paper, I completed the card with a cream card base.

Joy Stocking is such a fun image. I chose to use the upper part of the design and think it turned out well. Those 3 snow people are just the cutest !!

• The image was printed on Mixed Media paer and I cut it it so that the 2 snow people at the bottom were included in the design.
• I colored the image with my COPICS, Flair pens & Sharpie markers.
• The completed digi panel was adhered to a piece of red snowflake-patterned paper with a boder around all sides.
• A cream card base completed the card.

Who could resist this next digital stamp - Home For The Holidays ?? I know that I couldn't !! I had the idea to print it out on patterned paper and love how it turned out !!

• I chose a vintage text paper from my stash nd printed the digital image. I made sure that the text was not upside down or sideways - that would have driven me crazy !!
• The image was colored with my COPICS .
• The completed digi panel was adhered to a piece of green cardstock.
• That panel was then adhered to a piece of gold accented patterned paper.
• Dazzling Diamonds was used on the roof and over the front door and a window.
• A teal blue card base completed this card.

I've saved my favorite card for last !! I have loved this digi ever since I first saw it !! I love her outfir ( especially her apron ) and that wonderful gingerbread house. It was a dream to color and  has to be one of my favorite Angie girls !! Sugar & Spice Girl is fabulous ...

 

• The digi was printed on MixedMedia paper and trimmed.
• I colored the image with my COPICS, Sharpies & Flair pens.
• At the bottom of the digi panel, I placed a strip of white glitter washi.
• A piece of red scalloped washi was applied at the bottom of the white glitter strip.
• I used my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher stapler to make 5 X patterns across the washi.
• The completed digi panel was adhered to a gingerbread patterned piece of paper.
• The card was completed with a cream card base.

I hope that you like what I created with these fun digi stamps by Angie Blom.  I cannot wait to see what she has designed as our Guest Crafty Elf !!  Take a look at her blog and also Michael and Lisa's... I am sure that there will be some amazing holiday inspiration from them all !!

Angie Blom - AB Digital Designs Blog

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds-Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

I addition to our Crafty Elf fun this month, the Facebook group Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers is having a Christmas in July Hop  Check them out for all the information about inspiration, fun and prizes . You can link up a project of your own for a chance at some fabulous prizes from awesome sponsors, including Angie Blom Digital Designs.

Thank you again to Angle Blom for joining us and also for sharing some of her new designs with us. Be sure to check out her sale at Angie Blom Digital Designs for some great holiday images .. You will save 40% off !! To celebrate Christmas in July, I will be sending some holiday goodies to one commenter, either from here or in my Facebook post .. You too can get started on your holday cards and beat the holiday rush and stress !!

Until next time, HO HO HO 

and Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

A Creative Bibliophile - June 2021

This month I have a book review, a bookmark, a new Book Club to tell you about AND a bit of Happy Mail to show you !! I hope that you have been reading some good books lately .. I chose a random commenter to send a bookmark to from previous posts, so Julie Blackburn will be getting something in the mail soon.. 

I recently purchased some digi stamps  from Angie Blom Digital Designs with a gift card that I had won in a Blog Hop . One of the stamp sets was just what I needed for this post - A Warm Hug . I can't think of anything more perfect than being snuggled up in a blanket with a cup of coffee and a good book .. The DCWV Humble Abode paper pad was used to paper-piece the blanket, to mat the stamped image and also on the back of the bookmark .

My book this month is another "domestic thriller" and also a newly published quick read .     The Serial Killer's Wife by Alice Hunter . I really couldn't put this one down and it surprised me until the very end. Beth and Tom Hardcstle are the perfect couple - or are they ??  Tom is wanted for questioning about a former girlfriend's disappearance and this sets into motion a twisted story about how well we really know those we love and what we would do to protect them and ourselves . The characters drew me in and I stayed interested in the developing storylines, which included nosy neighbors, a widower and involved police officers. I'm hesitant to say more so I don't give things away - I hope you will pick this one up and try it. 

Last week I went to a meet-up of the Silent Book Club, sponsored by a local bookstore Read Books .This independent bookstore is located at our local Museum of Contemporary Art . Everyone brings their own books that they are reading,  we introduce ourselves and tell about our books . Then we find a cozy spot, read for an hour and head home. Of course, we had to look around the wonderful Read Books before we left . Its owner, Kristin couldn't have been  more friendly and welcoming. When COVID first hit our area, I had ordered a book from Read Books and things were starting to close down along with a crazy hospital schedule for me. They actually drove to my house and delivered the book to me, which I thought was so nice and I will never forget their kindness !! The Silent Book Club will meet om Tuesday mornings through the summer . It is "the book club for introverts" and I am their newest fan !!

The Atrium at MOCA

Read Books

You can also read in the Chihuly room

Last but not least, I have to show you a card sent to me by my friend, Crystal O, Minkler.. It's no secret that I love books and she was sweet enough to send me this card that she made recently !!  I love it .. 

I'm reading a few more books now so will have fun picking one to review next month . I'm already thinking of bookmark designs too .. It's good to plan ahead. I hope you liked hearing about my new book club that I attended. Do you meet up with any groups ?? I'd love to hear about them if you do .. 

Until next time, stay safe and read a good book !!