Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / March 2026

March is here and it's time for the Crafty Elves to bring you our holiday inspiration. We post each month on the 25th to get you in the holiday spirit and encourage you to start on your cards too . This month it will be me and Lisa - Michael is taking a break. 

As I was going through my craft supplies to do a major cleaning/destash, I found the Vicki Boutin Peppermint Kisses Collection . For my card today, I used the paper pad, Thickers and sticker book . No stamping this time, which is rare for me .

• I adhered a piece of patterned paper from the Peppermint Kisses Collection  to an A2 card base.
•  The bow banner and car stickers were placed on the pattered paper.
• I adhered the numbers to the upper left corner.
• The Sweet Memories Thickers was adhered to the card.
• I placed several Thickers snowflakes and then added Thickers dots to the center of each flake .

This Vicki Boutin collection is amazing!! I just might sit down soon and see how many cards I can make with it in an afternoon.  Might throw in some stamped images with it too . Be sure to check out Lisa's post over at Life of a BZscrapper . Thanks for checking us out once again . We will be back in April with more holiday inspiration . 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / December 2025

Who can believe that Christmas is here  !?!?!? I'm looking forward to all the holidays off now that I'm retired. It feels surreal that after 38 years at the same hospital, I'm now sleeping most nights without a 0430 alarm, don't have to worry about driving into work in bad weather AND best of all, I can enjoy my morning coffee quietly without any telemetry alarms or phone calls !!

I made a few cards and will just be posting which stamp I used .. There are holiday movies to be watched and a few more gifts to wrap so this post will be short and sweet .. I hope you are all ready for the holidays- no matter how you celebrate. I also know from experience that the holidays are not happy for everyone . Reach out to someone who needs a little support. It will mean the world to them.

Jubilee Crew Reindeer stamp & sentiment by Close To My Heart

Sleigh sticker from Papyrus

Dasher stamp/die set by Catherine Pooler

Decorate My Life stamp by Unity Stamp Company

I didn't send or receive as many holiday cards this year as last year . Not sure exactly why people weren't sending them. I just honestly ran out of steam and made a few last-minute cards and called it quits. But luckily, I make holiday cards all year long !!

To see what Michael and Lisa have created, check out their links -

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds- Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you for stopping by. I hope that you enjoyed our latest creations and we look forward to making many more for you every month in 2026.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / November 2025

I really cannot believe that it is already November and Christmas is only 30 days away.. I have been retired since 0ctober 1 and still have a hard time remembering what day of the week it is or if I have to work tomorrow or on the weekend. It's taken some getting used to but I sure will be glad to not have to work any holidays this season.

For my card this month, I used Aubree Girl by Angie Blom , This is such a fun holiday design and easy to color . I hope you like it as much as I do .

• I stamped the Aubree Girl image on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• Aubree was colored with my COPICS .
• I cut the image panel with a Rectangle Big and Little Pierced Chain Die .
• On a bright green card base, I adhered a piece of vertical striped holiday paper .
• I popped up the completed stamped panel with White Dimensionals .

Grab a cup of coffee or tea or even cocoa and take a look at what Michael and Lisaa have made for November. You can find their cards at the links below -

Michael Trent -  World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you find some time for yourself to be creative this week in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle.  

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / August 2025

Here we are about to say good-bye to summer and hello to Sweater Weather !! Christmas will be just around the corner so Michael, Lisa and I are continuing to show you our holiday cards each month on the 25th to inspire you to get started on your own . It's a great way to beat the holiday rush and decrease your holiday stress level .

For my card today, I used the Photoplay stamp set - I Love Christmas . I also used the matching dies.  The cute holiday ephemera is from Aall & Create - Warm Wishes .

• I stamped the girl and tree images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then die-cut them with the matching dies .
• The images were colored with my OLO Markers .
• I adhered a piece of green patterned paper to a white card base.
• I cut some Glitter Zig-zag paper and adhered it to the bottom of the card base for a snowy background.
• The red border at the top of the card was found in my scrap drawer . I'm pretty sure it was from a Tim Holtz die. ( one of my favorites ) .
• The tree the girl is holding is popped up with a foam tab . It is one of 5 designs that can be stamped and die-cut for her to hold . There are also a cup of cocoa, a stocking, a present and candy canes. 
• I adhered the girl onto the left side of the card base .
• The presents were placed on the bottom right of the card base - the 2 on each end were adhered with mono adhesive and the center one was popped up with a foam tab.
• I adhered the Warm Wishes tag at the top right of the card then popped up a bird with another foam tab.

There was absolutely no reason for me to procrastinate on making this card since I have been off all week. But I did !! However, I did have the stamp set picked out. And from start to finish on this card, it took me exactly 2 hours . To stamp, die-cut, color and also come up with a layout !! Not too shabby, if I must say so myself. AND I'm happy with the finished product ..

Please take a look at Michael and Lisa's cards at the links below. I know that they both always inspire me with the cards they create .

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you for stopping by to see our latest cards . We hope we inspired you to make some of your own before the holiday begins. Until next time, stay creative .. 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / October 2024

Can you believe that it is October already ?? Christmas is only 2 months away and the Crafty Elves are here with their latest cards for your inspiration. Michael Trent is joining us again this month so you will have triple the creativity..

For my card this month, I used the Avery Elle "Dear Santa" stamp set. I recently purchased several stamp sets from a friend at her "Crafty Garage Sale" online and decided to ink up this set and use it for my card . I actually made 6 cards, using different patterned papers, But I was interrupted by something and didn't get to take my pictures in good light, so you will only see 1 here.  I will post the others in my Facebook group and on IG. The cat reminds me of our sweet Pixie !! She would NOT be caught dead wearing a Santa hat, but she would definitely go for that beautiful bow !!

• I positioned the cat, holly and sentiment images on my MISTI and stamped them on white cardstock. I used Tuxedo Black Memento ink for the cat and holly and Ruby Impression Obsession ink for the sentiment.
• The stamped image was die cut with a scalloped oval die by Stampendous.
• I colored the images with my OLO markers .
• A piece of Miss Mary Christmas  glittered holiday striped paper was adhered to a Kraft card base. This is a fun paper pad from Hobby Lobby.
• A strip of the holiday striped paper was adhered across the top of the card.
• Several enamel dots of various sizes were placed above the sentiment.
• A Santa hat dimensional sticker was placed on the cat's head.
• The completed stamped panel was adhered to the card base with foam tabs.

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what the Crafty Elves have been up to .. Take a look at what Lisa and Michael have created at their links :

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Have you started on your holiday cards yet ?? Lisa and I will be back next month with more inspiration for you . It feels nice when I have a stash of cards to use when holiday mail time rolls around. See you in November. Until then, stay creative and enjoy some beautiful Autumn weather.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / September 2024

Can you believe that Christmas is only 3 months away ?!?!?! Lisa and I have been posting holiday cards each month on the 25th to inspire you to get started on yours along with us. Take some of the stress out of the holidays by getting your holiday snail mail ready early.We hope you like our creations for September.

For my card this month, I used a sweet Penny Black stamp set - Balancing Act. I don't think it was meant as a holiday stamp but I immediately got the idea to use it with holiday colors . I also made some cards with Fall colors .

• For both cards, I stamped the Girl with Cat image on pieces of white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• The stamped panels were die-cut with a Big and Little Chain Rectangle Die.
• I colored the images with my new OLO Markers .
• I matted each of the stamped panels with dark green cardstock.
• Scraps from my patterned paper drawer were adhered to A2 card bases - 1 Kraft and 1 white.
• The completed panels were adhered to the card bases with foam tabs for added dimension .
• Tim Holtz sticker sentiments were adhered to each card.

My new OLO markers were a birthday present to myself in August, Check out their website at the link to learn all about them. I love the way they color and the ability to have 2 brush colors in 1 marker. I never have used the chisel tip of my other alcohol markers so I was thrilled with this feature, I am not affiliated with OLO - I purchased all  my markers. I just love them already and wanted to share my honest opinion. Have you tried them ?? I'd love to know what you think of them if you have. 

You can see Lisa's September cards over at her blog -Life of a BZscrapper . Thank you for stopping by to see our holiday inspiration. We really do appreciate it. Are you getting a head start on your holiday cards ?? Enjoy the start of Fall and cooler weather and we will see you in October with more of our creations.

Until next time,

Stay Creative

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / July 2024

Here we are in July, posting our Crafty Elf cards !! Michael Trent is once again joining us to bring you some holiday inspiration .. Our weather has been brutal here but certainly not as bad as other areas of the country. As I made my card, I thought of cooler temperatures, hot cocoa with whipped cream and holiday snail mail.

For my slimline card today, I chose a sweet design from Stampendous - Mini Holiday Wheels  . It even has our sweet cat Pixie looking out the window as we drive off on an adventure.

It's the most wonderful tie of the year

• I stamped the Mini Holiday Wheels stamp on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with my COPICS .
• I trimmed the stamped image and then matted it with bright green cardstock.
• The plaid patterned paper was adhered to a Kraft card base.
• I adhered the completed stamped panel to the plaid paper.
• A Tim Holtz Idea-Ology sentiment was placed above the stamped image.
• A dark red glitter candy dot was placed on either side of the sentiment.
• Small colored pearls were placed on the wreath.

I'm so glad that Michael has joined us today. He always creates such fabulous cards and I'm sure today will be no exception. You can follow the links below to see what he and Lisa have made to inspire us.

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

There are now only 5 months until Christmas !! Have you started your holiday cards ?? It's a good feeling to have a nice stash when the time comes to start on your Christmas card list ..  I look forward to seeing you again next month ..

Debra Davison

Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / March 2024

Spring is in the air and the Crafty Elves are back with their March cards. We create holiday cards every month and post them on the 25th - giving you some inspiration to start on your  own stash . This month, Michael  Trent is back for a visit . He joined us as a Crafty Elf in January 2020 but recently stepped away . Luckily for us though, he's back as our Guest Elf for March. 

For my card this month, I used a sweet set from Art Impressions - Sledding Window Set . These stamps can also be used with their Shadowbox Window Die  I have many of their Window stamps and absolutely love them !! Several of these sets now also come with a matching accent stamp/die.

• I stamped the window & snowman images on white cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento ink .
• The window image was die cut with a Stitched Square die and the snowman was cut with the matching die that came with the stamp set .
• I colored the images with COPICS.
• I cut a piece of Sizzix "Winter Greetings" paper and adhered it to a Kraft card base.
• The completed window was adhered to the patterned paper with foam tabs.
• I used 2 foam tabs to adhere the Sledding Snowman to the window for some extra dimension .

I hope you will take a look at the cards from Lisa and Michael .

Life of a BZscrapper

World of Michael Trent

Thanks to Michael for joining us this month . It's just like old times !! I hope you are having some Spring temperatures where you are and if not, stay warm, grab a cup of coffee and do some stamping  !!   We will be back next month with more inspiration. I'd love to know if you've started your holiday stash yet .. Until next time.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / December 2023

It's time for the Crafty Elves to share their last cards of 2023 .. I'll admit that I'm running a little late this year  - I had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which seriously put me behind on a bit of holiday spirit !! But now I'm thrilled to have 3 days off , I'm drinking an uninterrupted cup of coffee and can finally finish this post !! Michael isn't joining us this month and also has decided to take a break for 2024, but he definitely has an open invitation as a Guest Elf whenever he'd like to join us..

I made 2 cards this month with some of my favorite new stamp sets ..  The first was made with the Pooh''s List stamp set from Unity Stamp Company. This set is so sweet and I loved making this card and coloring the images .

My next card was created with the latest Stamp of the Month from Close To My Heart -Christmas Snow Globes .These are fabulous images to fussy-cut but you can also buy a stamp/die set .  There are 4 snow globes, 2 sentiments and a border included in this set . 

Since I'm running late, I won't bore you with instructions !! Grab some pretty paper, ink , your stamp , some markers and adhesive and VOILA !!! Oh - and a bit of Stickles for the headlights ..

Take a look at Lisa's December creation over at her blog - Life of a BZscrapper . Her cards are always masterpieces !! It's hard to believe that 2024 will be our 6th year posting as the Crafty Elves !! It's always nice to have that stash of cards to use when the holidays roll around.. If you'd like to be a Guest Elf with us one month, please get in touch with me or Lisa and let us know .. We'd love to have you join in !!

We will see you again on January 25 as we begin another year.

Until then, Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / November 2023

I don't know where the time went .. This past year has flown by !!  4 weeks until Christmas and here we are again - the Crafty Elves - AND we have a very special Guest Elf. Amy Tsuruta is an amazing papeecrafter and the force behind the Coffee Loving Papercrafters page on Facebook !! She just finished up the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and was gracious enough to agree to join us . I really can't say enough nice things about her .. I'm excited to see what she creates for us this month .

There are so many new Christmas stamps in my stash .. I had a hard time deciding which ones to use for this post .. But finally Tim Holz's Christmas Cartoons won . I love these stamps . They remind me of the Jetsons !!

• I stamped the images on white Mixed Media paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• The sentiments were stamped last, using my MISTI for proper placement.
• The images were colored in with my COPICS.
• I adhered pieces of some hoarded Tim Holtz Christmas patterned paper to a powder blue and a bright green card base,
• I matted each of the completed stamped panels with green cardstock 
• The stamped panels were popped up on the card bases with foam tabs.
• I placed a silver glitter mini clothes pin at the top of the stamped panel on the powder blue card base .

These images were so quick and easy to color !! I know I will be making many more this holiday season. Now it's time to see what the rest of the Crafty Elves have created .. You can find them at the links below -

 Amy Tsuruta - Craftee 1

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

We hope that you like our creations for November. Thanks so much to Amy for joining us  I will be sending some holiday blog candy to 1 commeter on this post .. I'll choose someone at random .. Let me know if you've started on your holiday cards yet. If you haven't, you might want to make a resolution for 2024 to follow us each month for inspiration !!

Until next time, Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / September 2023

It's time for the Crafty Elves to show you our creations for September.   There are only 3 months until Christmas and every month on the  25th, Michael, Lisa and I  show you our holiday cards to inspire you to start on your own .. This month we have a Guest Elf - Pam Stang  of Mustang Creations .

 I used the Happy Gnomes Bundle from Hero Arts to make my card, I recently won a prize of  a gift card from Hero Arts and this stamp/die set was one of my purchases.  I am really not on the gnome bandwagon like many are lately, but I did love this set .

 

• I stamped the 2 gnomes on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and used the matching dies to cut them .
• The sentiment was also stamped on white cardstock with Tuxedo Black ink.
• The images were colored with my COPICS.
• On a pink card base, I adhered a piece of patterned paper from the Miss Mary Christmas paper pad.
• I used the Dashes and Frills Heart Die Set from Unity Stamp Company to die cut a heart from pale pink polka-dot paper.
• The heart was adhered to the center of the patterned paper near the top.
• The gnomes were positioned on either side of the heart .
• I trimmed around the sentiment and adhered it to a piece of the same pin polka-dot paper.
• The sentiment was popped up on the card front with foam tabss.

You can check out the other creations at the links below :

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Pam - Mustang Creations

Thank you to Pam for joining us this month !! We hope that you are now ready to make a few holiday cards. I look forward to having you check us out again next month.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste 6/2023 - and a few Crafty Elves

This month's edition of Coffee & Cards has a few guests tagging along with us !! Today is also the day for Crafty Elves so I'm combining my posts .. And it seems like the elves have brought over some of their holiday spirit because I've created a Christmas card !! Celeste and I   decided to each make a card with supplies that we have but have forgotten about, like the supplies I recently found while cleaning out the garage !! I even found my very first Cuttlebug machine,  along with the plates - how cool is that ?!?!

So as I said above, we are cleaning our garage.. A new garage is being installed shortly so we had to get a few things moved away from the present door . Once we got started, we figured we might as well just clean the entire garage.  To give you an idea of what it looked like, let me say this - we can now see the floor !! I found lots of great craft supplies - paper,  stickers, rubber stamps etc.. And most in excellent shape.. So I decided to use a paper collection kit that I found - Crate Paper "Peppermint" .

• This one is easy-peasy !! On a pastel card base, I layered paper, stickers and die-cuts from the Peppermint collection  by Crate Paper .
• The stocking banner, snowflakes and Christmas sign were popped up with foam tabs.
• Several rhinestones in shades of blue were placed on the snow globe.
• The card is finished !!

Since this is being posted on the 25th of the month, the Crafty Elves are also joining us with their holiday creations. And I'm sure Celeste has found something wonderful in her crafty stash for her card too .. I'm hoping she created something different than a holiday card - LOL

Follow these links to see what Celeste, Michael, Lisa and Misty have created this month..

Celeste - Crafting Junky

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Misty - Jolly Fay Elf You Tube

My coffee this month is giving me Christmas vibes - it's Starbucks Gingerbread   I could drink this coffee all year long and usually buy several boxes on sale after the holidays. My coffee cup was recently given to me by a dear friend. Life has been tough these past 18 months since my son was killed but this cup reminded me that I am indeed tough too !! It sits on my desk so I can see it every day ..

Thank you all for stopping by to see what we have been up to this month. We are at the halfway mark to Christmas - can you believe that ?!?!?! Have you started your holiday cards yet ? The Crafty Elves will be back next month with more holiday inspiration for you .. Until then, stay creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / May 2023

Here we are at the end of May and another edition of Crafty Elves !! Michael, Lisa, Misty and I bring you holiday inspiration every month on the 25th to help you get ready for the holiday season. We hope that you are joining along with us . This month we have a guest elf - AJ Vander Ende . We met recently as new members to the Technique Junkies Design Team. She is an amazing papercrafter and I'm looking forward to seeing what she creates 

For my card this month, I used a stamp set from Pink Fresh Studio - Happy Hugs . I actually bought it from a friend's destash !! There is also a matching die . 

• I stamped the night sky background on white cardstock with Teal Zeal Memento Dew Drop ink and then cut it out .
• The bear hug image was stamped on white cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento Dew Drop ink  and then cut out with the matching die .
• I colored the bear hug image with my COPICS.
• The sentiment was stamped on white cardstock with Memento Dew Drop inks - Cottage Ivy and Lady Bug.
• I matted the sentiment with some green cardstock .
• On a blue card base, I adhered a piece of pale blue dotted paper.
• I adhered the night sky near the top of the completed card base and image then the bear hugs image on top of the night sky.
• The matted sentiment was adhered below .
• I used some Stampendous Shaved Ice for the pom-pom on the hat.

This was really a fun card to create and I am sure I will be making several more for my holiday stash . It was also very quick and easy to color. I hope you are inspired to make a few holiday projects of your own . Take a look at the other cards our elves have created . You can find them at the links below  -

Michael -  World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZScrapper

 Misty Lavigne -  Jolly Fat Elf You Tube

AJ Vander Ende - Technique Junkies Blog

Thank you again for visiting as we continue to make holiday cards throughout 2023. I'd especially like to thank AJ for joining us this month as our Guest Elf. Please leave a comment and let us know if you've been making your holiday cards early also . It sure is a great way to decrease some of the holiday stress and get your holiday happy mail ready ahead of time.

Until next time, Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / February 2023

Hard to believe that it is the end of February. The Crafty Elves are getting started on their holiday cards for 2023 and bringing you inspiration each month to create some of your own.  I have been a fan of Art Impressions for years, especially their Windows to the World series. This month, I used the Christmas Drive Window stamp and created 2 cards - one with a traditional color scheme and one non-traditional. 

For both of my cards I used the beautiful Noel paper pad by Craft Consortium. This pad has such beautiful papers that I just wanted to hoard it but I finally broke down and decided to use it this month.  This pad has 40 double-sided sheets of heavyweight cardstock.

• I stamped the image onto a piece of mixed-media paper and a piece of watercolor paper and trimmed around the design.
• The images were colored with COPIC markers.
• Fine glitter was used for snow on the red truck image.
• Holographic glitter was used for snow on the turquoise truck image .
• The completed red truck image was matted on a piece of gold glitter paper and then adhered to a piece of floral patterned paper with foam tabs. It was then placed on a green card base.
• The completed turquoise truck image was matted on a piece of silver glitter paper and then adhered to a piece of holiday patterned paper. It was then placed on a turquoise card base . 

Do you like traditional colors for your holiday cards ?? Or do you create with non-traditional colors ?? I guess I am a fan of both, depending  on which stamp I am using . Let's take a look at what the other Crafty Elves have created for February,

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Misty Lavigne - Jolly Fat Elf

Lisa Reynolds-Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Thanks so much for stopping by .. We will be here every month to share our holiday ideas with you and get you ready to create some of your own. 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / December 2022

Once again,  I'm not quite sure how it is Christmas already !!  At first, it seems like it is so far away and then, it sneaks up on you and is here before you know it .. Michael, Lisa and I are back with our last minute Christmas cards for 2022 .. Enjoy !! Misty is taking a much-needed break this month. 

I'm a bit under the weather as I write this so I will only be listing the stamps I use .And then I will be settling down for a small winter's nap .. I hope that our cards have inspired you this past year and that you will continue to follow us in 2023.

Snowman to Go - Unity Stamp Company

Simple Little Joys - Unity Stamp Company

 Cuppa Christmas and Calm & Bright Printable -

 Mandy Ford Art & Illustration

Both cards are from :

October 2022 Stamp of the Month -

Close To My Heart

To see what my fellow elves have come up with for out last post of 2022, check them out here -

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak -  Life of a BZscrapper

I hope that you all are staying safe and healthy and warm.. It is 21 lovely degrees here today and will be staying there overnight ..  We look forward to seeing you back here with the Crafty Elves in 2023 !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity