Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / February 2025

It seems like I blinked and it's already the end of February !!! I've been doing some destashing/donating and have come across some fabulous stamps I haven't seen in awhile . Some I don't even remember buying ! Lisa, Michael and I are bringing you holiday inspiration every month on the 25th to inspire you . Get those cards started early and you will have 1 less thing to stress about when the holidays roll around !!

I used a fun Wendy Vecchi stamp set - Doodle Christmas - for my card today . I love all of the stamps in this set . There are so many cute ways to create holiday cards with all the images ..

• I stamped the wreath from Doodle Christmas with Memento Olive Green ink on white cardstock and then die cut it with a Big and Little Pierced Chain round die .
•  The ornaments were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink inside the wreath.
• The bow was stamped on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then fussy-cut . 
• I adhered a piece of holiday plaid paper from my scrap drawer to a green card base .
• The ornaments and bow were colored with my OLO Markers.
• I placed red candy dots around the wreath.
• The red bow was adhered at the bottom of the wreath with foam tabs.
• I adhered the completed stamped panel to the holiday plaid paper.
• Stickers from the Simple Stories "Dear Santa" collection were placed at the bottom right .

You can get more ideas for your holiday cards by following the links to Lisa's and Michaels's blogs.

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

Michael; Trent  - World of Michael Trent

Thank you for stopping by to see our latest cards. We look forward to seeing you next month with more Crafty Elf inspiration . 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / May 2022

It's been hard to focus on Christmas cards here in Virginia Beach when we have had weather in the 90's !! But we are getting a bit of a break today with 70 degrees as I write this post .. I can't believe that June will be here in a matter of days. Time is flying ..

My first card was made with aa stamp that was sent to me by a lovely friend last year right before the holidays. She said that as soon as she saw it she had to get it for me. I love Laurel Burch AND cats so I was thrilled to receive it !! 

• I stamped Feline Candle from Stampendous on white cardstock with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink and then fussy-cut it .
• I also stamped the image on a piece of snowflake patterned paper and cut out the dress .
• The image was colored with my COPICS .
• The snowflake dress was adhered to the Feline Candle image .
• On a navy blue card base, I adhered a piece of patterned paper with gold highlights.
• A holiday tag from my paper stash was adhered to the left side of the card base with foam tabs.
• The stamped image was adhered on the right side of the patterned paper .

My next 3 cards were created with Echo Park Paper Co. products. They had a great sale recently and I was able to get a variety of paper, stickers, die-cuts and chipboard . There is no stamping on these cards, which is unusual for me. But I love how they turned out .

• These 2 cards used products entirely from the Christmas Cheer collection.  I added 3 buttons to the garland card .

• My fourth card was created with the A Very Merry Christmas Collection Kit. It has a retro feel, which I love !!            

How are you doing with your holiday cards ?? Are you an early starter ?? I know that the holidays will be here before I know it and I will be thrilled to have my stash ready to sign, address and send. Be sure to check out Michael and Lisa's cards for May . I know that they will be fabulous as usual.

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Bzibziak-Reynolds - Life of a BZScrapper

We hope that the Crafty Elves continue to inspire you throughout the year . We will be back next month at the 6 month mark when we are halfway to Christmas. Until then, Stay crafty !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / March 2022

After a bit of a break last month, all of the Crafty Elves are back. Thank you to Lisa for posting one card in February .. As always, it was adorable and her coloring was out of this world !!  This month, I got a bit behind and only made 3 cards but I do have 9 months to catch up with myself !!

For my first card, I used the Simple Stories - Winter Cottage collection . I rarely make cards without any stamping on them, but for a quick card, you can't go wrong with the amazing supplies from Simple Stories.

At one of the latest Unity Stamp Company sales, I picked up some great Christmas stamps.  This next card was created with the Heart Be Light stamp . 

• I stamped the image with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink.
• I die cut the image with a die that also cuts a small edge around the outside . I diecut the stamped image and also one from olive green cardstock. The green outer edge was then placed around the diecut .
• The image was colored with my COPICS .
• Stampin' Up Silver Glass Glitter was  adhered at the bottom of the lamppost .
• I adhered the completed stamped panel onto a piece of My Mind's Eye  "Oh What Fun" holiday paper.
• The sentiment from the stamp set was stamped with Ladybug Memento Dew Drop ink, then paper-punched.
• I popped up the sentiment next to the lamppost with foam tabs. 
• A rhinestone was placed on each side of the sentiment.

Another favorite stamp of mine from Unity Stamp Company is All That Sparkle . It is such an easy image to color . I didn't even feel like it needed a sentiment. It seemed perfect without one.

I can't wait to see what my fellow Crafty Elves have made for March .  Are you making your holiday cards along with us  ??  It's so nice to have a stash of cards to use when the holidays roll around. I have even started addressing envelopes and even stashing some stamps away for Christmas 2022 !!

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

I hope that Spring is bringing you some warmer weather wherever you are .  Although I think that Michael is heading into Fall in Brazil !!  Until next time, stay creative and we look forward to seeing you back here in April .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / May 2021

May is finally here and in Virginia we are seeing some relief from COVID-19.  Brian and I just went to a restaurant to actually sit down and eat lunch for the first time in over a year. I was a bit nervous at first but we had a great time !! I hope that you have all been staying healthy and can start to get back to a bit of normality soon wherever you live. Michael, Lisa and I are excited to show you our cards and we have a guest again this month to show you some more holiday inspiration !!

My first 2 cards are again made with Close To My Heart stamps. I am still working my way through all of the great sets I bought during a recent fabulous sale !! You can always find great supplies here at my friend, Chris Franco's site - https://chrisfranco.closetomyheart.com/default.aspx ..

• I adhered a piece of  Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas Worn Wallpaper onto a cream card base. I love this vintage ornament design ..
• A piece of plaid washi was  placed down the left side of the card.
• The Merry & Bright image was stamped on a piece of patterned ledger paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink . This specific stamp is no longer available but this Merry Christmas stamp would work just as well.
• I trimmed the stamped image, matted it with red cardstock and then applied it to the wallpaper .
• I used a metallic green pen to highlight some of the leaves on the stamped image .
• Red, blue and green rhinestones were then placed for added shimmer .

• I stamped several of the images from the Jolly Characters stamp set by Close To My Heart onto a bookmark-sized piece of Mixed Media paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink.
• Holiday washi was placed between the jolly characters and also at the top and bottom .
• I colored the images with my COPICS.
• The completed stamped panel was adhered to a piece of green-dotted designer paper. My idea was to adhere that bookmark to the card base with removable tape but I got carried away and used my Scotch ATG so it is now permanent !! 
• I used a fun glittery candy-cane paper from Recollections for my card base  .

Santa Baby from Unity Stamp Company is the image on this next card. I have had it for years and never used it until this month. I was so careful stamping it and then realized that I used my Grape Jelly Memento Dew Drop instead of Jet Black .I almost stamped over it ( because I was using my MISTI, of course ) but then just decided to throw it away. So I stamped it again in Jet Black, finished the card and then saw the other image still on the desk. I really hate wasting paper so I decided to try and make a card with that image too . I was pleasantly surprised how it turned out. I do love non-traditional holiday colors but purple was never even on my list ... LOL

December Twinkle Merry / Festive Wish Merriment

• I stamped the 2 images and colored them with my COPICS.
• Tim Holtz Small Talk stickers were adhered on the bottom right of the completed stamped images. Kraft on the red image and white on the pink/purple. 
• I matted the purple panel with a piece of dark pink cardstock and then adhered that to a pink candy cane card base.
• The red image was adhered to a red-dotted card base and rhinestones were placed at the upper left and bottom right corners. 
• These 2 cards are mini-slimlines . I cut the paper 6x6 and folded it in half to create my card bases.

My last card was made with ephemera from the Simple Stories "Simple Vintage Christmas" collection ..  It is an older collection that I have been hoarding .. I placed a piece of the patterned paper on a black card base then layered multiple ephemera pieces onto the paper. I completed the card with a few large holiday-colored sequins. I adhered several images with foam tabs or tiny staples. These cards without any stamping are fun to make when you want to sit down and create a quick project. Do you make many cards without any stamping on them ??

Please check out the other Crafty Elves' projects as well as our very special guest elf , Crystal O. Minkler .

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds-Bzibziak -  Life of a BZScrapper

Crystal O. Minkler - Tawny Owl Paperie

Thanks so much for joining us again as we create our holiday cards each month to beat the December rush !! Have you been inspired to start your holiday cards along with us ?? We'd love to hear from you if you have !! Please take care, stay safe and we will see you back here in June ..

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / February 2021

It's so hard to believe that February is almost over -- time seems to be dragging and flying by all at the same time.. We just heard that our COVID-19 restrictions will be eased as of March 1, which is good news.. Still have to wear masks, but some restrictions have been modified. Work at the hospital has still been busy and some days I am in a crafty mood, others not so much . For this month's Crafty Elf cards, I  chose a fun 12x12 paper pad I got on clearance after the holidays .. It has soft, pastel shades that are just beautiful !! My first order of business, though, is to name the commenter from my January post, who will get some Christmas supplies to help with her holiday card-making. Vannessa Osbourn - you are the lucky one and I have e-mailed you !!

For my first 2 cards, I used images from Rubber Moon . These stamps were part of their Stamp-of-the-Month offerings and I absolutely adore them. You can have access to all of the fabulous Rubber Moon stamps  and products by joining Kae Pea on Patreon.  You can get all of the details HERE .. 

• I stamped the Holiday Moon image on watercolor paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black Ink .
• The image was colored with a variety of my favorite markers and pens - COPICS, Faber-Castell PITT Artist pens & TUL pens.
• I trimmed the stamped image and adhered it in a Polaroid-style snowflake frame.
• Several shiny gold stars were scattered around the noon.
• I placed some green snowflake paper on a Kraft card base and then adhered the Polaroid frame to that paper near the top .
• A Tim Holtz Idea-ology sticker sentiment was placed at the bottom right corner of the Polaroid frame.

• I stamped the Tweet Santa image on Marker paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink .
• COPICS & Flair pens were used to color the image.
• I trimmed the Marker paper and placed a piece of Whipped Cream glitter washi at the bottom ..
• The Santa image was matted on a dark rose designer paper.
• A green snowflake-patterned paper was adhered to a pale green card base .
• The Santa panel was then adhered on top of the snowflake paper.
• A JOY ephemera circle was placed at the top right of the Santa .

• The stack of cups from the Brutus Monroe "Tea Time" stamp set was stamped on  Watercolor paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink .
• I colored the cups with my COPICS.
• The image was trimmed and then 3 rhinestones were adhered - a red, green and clear .
• I adhered the stamped panel to a piece of the green snowflake paper 
• A dark pink card base completed the card .

• On a Kraft card base, I adhered a piece of green snowflake paper.
• The Stampendous Whisper Friends Reindeer was stamped on Marker paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink .
• I trimmed the Marker paper and colored the image with my COPICS.
• The stamped panel was adhered to the snowflake paper and a Greetings banner was placed at the top left corner.

I hope that you are inspired by my cards for February !! Now it's time to check out the projects of the other Crafty Elves - Michael and Lisa. 

World of Michael Trent

Life of a BZScrapper

Are you making your holiday cards yet ?? I'm even addressing envelopes already, which will greatly help my stress levels in December !! I had addressed a few last year but plan to have almost all addressed early for those who sent me a card in 2020.  Until next time, stay creative and warm and we will see you next month !!

 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / January 2021

Lisa Reynolds- Bzibziak, Michael Trent and I are back again  - it is the 3rd year for the Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas !! We are each making 1 card ( or more ) each week and then blogging about it on the 25th of each month. Our goal is to decrease our stress when the holidays roll around by having a stash of holiday cards. We also hope to inspire you to do the same. I had also wanted to address my cards throughout the year but that did not actually get done. So I will try my best to do that this year .. Who would have ever thought that we would still be in the middle of this COVID-19 pandemic at the start of 2021 ?!?! It really is hard to believe... So each month, I hope that you will join us to see what we have created.. 

For 3 of my cards, I used an older set from Stampin' Up - Christmas in the Making . The images have a fun vintage look and were so much fun to color.  Plus the cat on the gift-wrapping stamp reminded me of Pixie, so how could I resist using this set ?!?!?!

• I used Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink to stamp all of the images onto Strathmore Watercolor paper.  Sentiments were stamped with Memento Ladybug ink .
• I colored all of the images with my COPIC markers. 
• For the ornament card, I stamped the sentiment on a separate piece of watercolor paper.and adhered it to a piece of floral Christmas paper. The retro image was adhered above the sentiment and then the entire panel to a green card base . 
• The other 2 stamped images were adhered to red and blue card bases.

Santa gave me these merry bells

While Christmas bells are ringing

• The Christmas bells were stamped on a cream-colored designer paper and fussy-cut. They are from the Unity Stamp Company stamp set - Happiest Season of All .
• I mounted the bells onto pieces of black patterned paper ( printed with the word "merry" ) .
• The stamped panels were adhered towards the top of white and blue card bases  .
• Tim Holtz sentiments were adhered underneath the stamped panels.

I cannot wait to see what Michael and Lisa have created for our first post of 2021. You can see their projects at their blog posts listed below. We hope that you will sign up to follow us all as we get ready for Christmas 2021 !! It seems so far away now but I know that soon we will be rushing around because it is right around the corner . 

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds-Bzibziak - Life of a BZScrapper

I was so excited to get started that I made 5 cards for my first Crafty Elf post !! Are you inspired to begin your cards now or will you wait until later this year ??  Leave a comment here and I will choose 1 commenter at random to receive a few holiday goodies to get you started.. Thanks so much for stopping by to see January's  projects .. Until next time, stay creative !! 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / October 2020

The Crafty Elves only have a few more months until the holiday is here !! I can't believe that it is almost the end of October AND we are still in the midst of COVID. I hope that you all are staying safe and healthy .. 

Spellbinders had an amazing clearance sale recently and I got some holidays dies for $2 and $3 !! I couldn't resist making several of my cards this month with those dies.  I'm also going to be giving away a bit of blog candy again this month so keep on reading and see how you can possibly be the winner.

• I used the Spellbinders Hanging Stockings die to cut out the image on a piece of black cardstock.
• A piece of scrap glittered holly paper was adhered to a green card base,
• The die-cut image was adhered to a piece of bright red cardstock with Art Glitter Glue . The fine tip makes placing the glue in the intricate cuts much easier !!
• The red panel was adhered to the holly paper.
• An Idea-ology Small Talk - Occasions sentiment was adhered on the bottom right of the holly paper.

• The Spellbinders For You  die was cut out using while glitter cardstock.  It's hard to see in the picture but it has a nice sparkle.
• The cookie paper, music paper and sentiment are all from the Sugar Cookie Christmas collection from Prima Marketing Inc.. This is an absolutely beautiful collection !!
• I adhered transparent pink and turquoise sequins to the sugar cookie background paper.
• I love how changing the background paper with these dies can create a totally different look .. 
• I will be sending 1 of these For You dies to someone who comments on this blog post . I will choose 1 person randomly.

• On a pink chalkboard card base, I adhered a piece of foiled birch paper .
• I stamped the  image from Own Wing from Unity Stamp Company , colored it with my Copics and then fussy-cut it.World
• The bird was popped up on the background paper using foam tabs.
• A sentiment from Idea-ology Small Talk - Occasions was adhered in the lower right corner.

• This might just be my favorite card this month, but I did love them all !! I used the Better Not Pout  stamp set from The Cat's Pajamas PaperArts .
• I adhered a piece of  Christmas text paper to a navy card base.
• The cat in stocking image was stamped on white cardstock, colored with my Copics and then fussy-cut. 
• The stocking was then popped up in the right corner with foam tabs.
• Transparent sequins were placed around the stocking.

I know that the other Crafty Elves have been busy making their cards for October. Lisa and I get together on ZOOM sometimes on Sundays with her crafty group. And Michael and I have plans to get creative together sometime soon also.  Take a look at their creations on their blogs ---

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZScrapper

Thanks to all of you for visiting Meticulosity and especially for your wonderful comments !! It means alot to me that you take the time to stop by my creative space.. Until next time, stay safe, healthy and creative !! And don't forget to comment here on this post for a chance to be selected to get that cute For You die to make some cards of your own..

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / September 2020

Another month has gone by - another month of COVID social-distancing and wearing masks. AND another month of the Crafty Elves inspiring you to get started on your holiday cards early .. I can't believe it is September and there are only 3 months until Christmas. We have all been busy and I can't wait for you to see what we all have created !!

I had fun with some of my favorite stamp companies and hope you are as pleased with these cards as I am.. Have you started your holiday cards yet ??  You still have time to join in with us for the next few months.

• The image Santa, Stockings, Candy Canes, etc..  from Unity Stamp Company was stamped on Strathmore Marker paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink. This is an older stamp from 2013 but is still available ,
• I had masked off the HO HO HO and then stamped that with a Memento Lady Bug Dew Drop. Using my MISITI  makes stamping so much easier !!
• A piece of glitter striped patterned paper was adhered to a white card base.
• A piece of blue snowflake patterned paper was adhered down the left side of the striped paper. 
• I colored in areas of the stamped image with my Copics, added a strip of washi to the top and then adhered the stamped panel to the snowflake paper with foam tabs.

• This Unity Stamp Company image is from 2014 - All is Calm, All is Bright . It was stamped on a piece of tan ledger paper with Close To My Heart Espresso Ink.
• The Sentiment was stamped on pink ledger paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink .
• I adhered a piece of metallic plaid paper to  pink card base.
• The deer image was adhered to the plaid paper and then the sentiment was popped up in the upper right hand corner of the stamped panel with foam tabs.

• I was so excited to finally ink up this  Caffeinated - Reindeer  from The Rabbit Hole Designs . I stamped it on Strathmore Marker paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink and then used the matching die to cut it.
• I colored the stamped image with my Copics.
• The sentiments were stamped on pink and gray ledger paper and trimmed.
• I adhered a piece of song lyric paper to a pink card base.
• The reindeer was popped up with foam tabs on the right side of the lyrics paper.
• The sentiments were adhered to the lyrics paper to the left and at the bottom of the reindeer.
• Several light and dark pink dots were placed underneath #reindeerfuel .
• Wink of Stella Clear Glitter marker was placed on the reindeer nose and the coffee cup .
• I just LOVE this reindeer and I want that candy-cane robe !!!

• Leave it to Stampendous to have the perfect stamp for the  2020 holidays !!
• I stamped the All For Christmas image with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink on Strathmore Marker paper.
• It was colored with my Copics, then adhered at an angle to a green card base.
• AND tied it with a toilet paper bow !!!   LOL

I was SO excited when I saw the All For Christmas stamp that I accidentally ordered it twice.. So, I decided to have a giveaway .Just comment on this blog post and tell me what YOU want for Christmas and you just might win this stamp .. I'll choose one person at random on October 3 from those that comment .

I hope that you will take a look at what the other Crafty Elves have been working on .. They always have the most fabulous cards made !!

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZScrapper

Once again , I appreciate you taking the time to visit me at Meticulosity . Please stay safe and healthy and wear your mask. And until next time - - - - - -

Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - July 2020

Here we are in July --- we are still staying home  for the most part here in Virginia and also wearing mandated masks when we go out.. It has also been near 100 degrees for most of the week AND we just had a power outage while I was starting to work on this post !!  But I am not complaining . I have much to be grateful for .. And that includes all of the holiday cards that I have been making each week along with the other Crafty Elves - Michael, Lisa and Jessica !! 

No big descriptions again this month - just a quick list of supplies .. I did have fun with some favorite Rubber Moon stamps !! And my last card used some cute chipboard die-cuts that I have been hoarding .  If you have any questions about any of my cards for this month, just ask ..

Cardinal Sled with Snowman - Rubber Moon

Strathmore Toned Tan Mixed Media paper

Small Talk sentiment - Tim Holtz Ideaology

Tumbled Glass Distress Glitter

Copic Markers

Bird with Star and Tree - Rubber Moon

Moonlighting - Rubber Moon

Small Talk sentiment - Tim Holtz Ideaology

Watercolor Words washi- Rubber Moon

Give Me Paper  - Rubber Moon

Lots of patterned paper !!

Merry Everything paper pad - Recollections

Christmas paper pad - Carta Bella

Small Talk sentiment - Tim Holtz Ideaology

Copic Markers

I changed the words from " my next birthday" to Christmas !!

I loved this so much that I had to make 2 !!

Chipboard Die Cuts

To My Bestie stamp set - Close To My Heart

Copic Marker

The other Crafty Elves have been busy all month too and I can't wait to see what they have created !! You can check them out on their blogs here :

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Jessica Pickeral -  Polka Dot Orchard Blog

Thanks so much for following us all these past 7 months as we create our holiday cards each week for our monthly post !! I've already started addressing envelopes so I will be even more ready when Christmas season arrives ..

There is a also fun holiday blog hop right now - hosted by my crafty friend, Crystal Minkler and her team.  She has a Facebook page - Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers . Check out their Hop HERE for all of the info . I will be linking up these 5 cards of  mine throughout today.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity