Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / October 2026

It seems like we were just in the middle of a heat wave here in Virginia and now it's Autumn, with beautiful cooler days. In no time at all, it will be Christmas - so Lisa, Mchael and I are back to show you our holiday cards for October. Have you started yours yet or are you one of those last minute crafters?

For my card today, I used the Simon Says Stamp Limited Edition Kit - Cozy and Bright. It was the final release for Stamptember, which is a month of fabulous releases each day during the month of September . Many great stamp companies come out with limited edition sets and a different company is announced each day . I was a very good girl and did not even look until the last day !! But I couldn't resist the Cozy and Bright kit - it had papers, cardstock, ephemera, an embossing folder, rhinestones, adhesive, inks and a fabulous stamp set. I also ordered the matching dies. The kit is absolutely beautiful !!

• I stamped the Window image with my go-to Memento Tuxedo Black ink  ( from my own stash ) on white cardstock .
• The image was die cut with the matching die .
• I colored the image with my Ohuhu markers.
• I used the embossing folder and red cardstock from the kit and embossed a front panel for my card.
• The sentiment was stamped with an Apple mini ink cube on white cardstock and die cut .
• I adhered the embossed panel to a white card base.
• I did use an Impression Obsession Scalloped Rectangle die for the frame and a piece of seafoam cardstock.
• The stamped Window was adhered to the embossed panel inside the scalloped frame.
• I popped up the sentiment with foam tabs below the frame.
• I used some rhinestones from my stash on the Christmas tree.

Stamptember Cozy and Bright Kit

Simon Says Stamp

To see what Michael and Lisa have made, you can check out their blog posts at these links -

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

As the countdown to Christmas continues, we will keep making cards and be back November 25 .. Until then, stay creative and enjoy some beautiful Autumn weather wherever you are !!  

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / October 2026 ( and Michael )

Celeste and I are back with our blog collaboration for October. We are also being joined by our friend Michael Trent This month we are highlighting Breast Cancer Awareness Month .  1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Fewer than 1% of breast cancers occur in men . Approximately 380,000 women will be diagnosed this year . The importance of monthly breast self-exams and yearly mammograms cannot be emphasized enough. There are probably many of you whose lives have been touched by this disease - either as a patient or  in someone you know . We are thinking about our friends and family members who have been affected by breast cancer . Show your support with a phone call, a random act of kindness or a sweet card in the mail .

I have always loved this stamp from Unity Stamp Company - Badass Every Day .  It was the first stamp I thought of when we decided to choose Breast Cancer Awareness as our theme this month . It is unfortunately retired, but they have  a few other wonderful cancer support sets/supplies  available HERE .

• I stamped the Badass image on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• The image was die-cut with a Big and Little Pierced Rectangle Die. 
• I colored the image with my Ohuhu markers.
• I adhered a piece of floral paper to a pale pink A2 card base.
• The border at the top of the card was made with a very vintage Martha Stweart border punch . I used a dusty pink cardstock .
• I adhered the completed stamped panel to the patterned paper with foam tabs.
• The cancer ribbon is from a stamp set and matching die by Amuse Studio - Fight Like a Girl .

I happened to see a retired Stampin' Up stamp set on my desk and thought it would be nice to use for a few more cards - using just a pop of pink . Happy Watercolor can still be found on Etsy and eBay. 

with brave wings she flies

be you, bravely

Thank you for stopping by to see our cards this month. And a big shout-out to Michael for joining us .. Take a look at what Michael and Celeste created at the following links -

Michael - World of Michael Trent 

Celeste - Crafting Junky

For more information about Breast Cancer ( including support for patients and caregivers ), you can check out Susan G. Komen , and the National Breast Cancer Foundation . 

For my coffee this month, I'm drinking a delicious Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte in my latest Peanuts + Starbucks cup . I happened to be at the grocery store - that has a small Starbucks inside - on the day that all the Peanuts merch was released .  A friend of mine loves loves  loves Peanuts so I immediately Facetimed her to show her. And needless to say, we each got a cup . I did leave the glass Snoopy cups for someone else .. LOL  This post - and my coffee and cup choice - are for her.. You know who you are  💝  I love you, my friend . 

Until next time, Stay Creative ..

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / September 2026

Fall is finally here and with it comes cooler weather.  Hard to believe that the holidays will be here soon. It's time to start on your holiday cards, if you haven't already.

I've been destashing and found some great older wood mounted stamps. Today I'm using Tinsel Tree from Stampendous.

• I stamped the Tinsel Tree on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• The tree was colored with my Ohuhu markers.
• I used a stitched edge rectangle die to cut out my image .
• A piece of scrap patterned paper was trimmed and adhered to a 5x7 white card base.
• The stamped panel was adhered to the patterned paper with foam tabs.
• I placed some yellow rhinestones on the stars and some light blue and turquoise rhinestones on the snowflake.
• A Tim Holtz sentiment was placed in the lower right corner of the card .

Michael and Lisa are also adding to their holiday stash and you can check out their cards over at their blogs - 

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you for stopping by to see our holiday inspiration . I hoe you are having some cool Autumn weather where you are . It's been pretty rainy and windy here but at least the temps are cooler. We will see you next month for our October cards .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / August 2026

It's time for the August edition of Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste . Celeste chose a theme near and dear to my heart - CATS . Brian and I recently adopted a rescue kitten and to say she has taken over our household is an understatement.  Serafina had an undiagnosed health issue that we are now treating but it's been a rough few months. We are halfway through her treatment, and she is doing remarkably well !! So this card is for all those fur babies out there and the parents who love them unconditionally .  And a shout-out to our amazing new vet - Dr. Sara Elliott - who had a suspicion and acted on it .  I will be forever grateful to her and the entire team at Bay Beach Veterinary Hospital in Virginia Beach . I don't know what the future holds but they gave our little Sassy a fighting chance  .

For my card today, I used a 2014 paper stack from DCWV  - The Pets Stack . I am sure it's no longer available, but  I'll bet many of you have some sort of pet paper in your stash. The rubber stamp I used is a "vintage" wood-mounted stamp from JudiKins . It was designed by Paula Best and is # 9541G .  I haven't seen any recent stamps from her but I do own quite a few and they are prized possessions .

Every Life Should Have Nine Cats

• I stamped the Cat image on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• A pierced circle die was used to cut out the stamped image .
• I used a one size larger circle die and cut out a rust cardstock circle.
• The stamped image was colored with my Ohuhu markers.
• I adhered the stamped image to the rust cardstock circle.
• Foam tabs were used to adhere the completed circle panel to the paw patterned paper.
• I used a cream card base for this card .

I hope you like this card .. I actually made 6 using different patterned pet papers from the same stack . I'll be sending them to cat loving friends and to my vet , I can't wait to see what Celeste made for our theme - check her card out over at Crafting Junky .

For my coffee this month, I'm drinking Caramel Vanilla coffee with a delicious Coffee Mate Toffee Cauldron Creamer . We have had a crazy couple of months here - new kitten, car stuff, house stuff etc ..  - so my cup today is the Things Could Be Worse Mug from Calamityware . It appears to be just a pretty blue patterned mug until you look closer.  There are giant frogs, sea monsters, aggressive pterodactyls, zombie poodles, a Sasquatch and pirates ( among other things .. )  They are a reminder that no matter how bad things seem for you, they could always be worse..  It put a smile on my face after a very long week .. My fabulous friend Carmelita sent me that cup many years ago and it is kept on the desk in my craft room !!

And just in case you wanted to see our new addition, here she is helping me with my card .

Serafina - aka Sassy 

Thank you so much for stopping by . We will see you next month when we will hopefully be celebrating the start of Sweater Weather !!  Until then, drink good coffee and stay creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / June 2026

Michael, Lisa and I are back with our holiday inspiration for the month  . Hard to believe we are half-way to Christmas. My post will be short and sweet because we adopted a rescue kitten a week ago and she is keeping us busy. Serafina is a 4 month old Siamese kitten that was abandoned on the side of a road with 3 siblings. She is so teeny and we are smitten. We lost our 6 year old cat Pixie to Cardiomyopathy almost 1 year ago and just recently felt ready to give another kitty a forever home. The idea for my cards came to me last night and I think that for a last-minute creation, I did good !!

I will include the supplies I used under each picture. I have had the Tim Holtz Layer Frames since 2023 and this is my first time using them !!  The Impression Obsession sentiments I used were from Christmas Coffee Sayings . And my Go-To ink - Memento Tuxedo Black .

Tim Holtz Holiday Layers Frame 

Coffee Cup / Stampers Anonymous for Stamptember 2024

Impression Obsession sentiment

Pink Fresh Studio Holiday Dreams paper

Tim Holtz Holiday Layers Frame

Coffee Cup / Stampers Anonymous set from  Stamptember 2024 

Impression Obsession sentiment 

Pink Fresh Studio Holiday Dreams paper

I used my Ohuhu Honolulu B markers to color the coffee cuos. These cards were so simple and easy to make . I popped each of the frames up with Stampin' Up Dimensionals.

Michael and Lisa have also made something to inspire you to get started on your holiday cards . I always send out close to 50 cards each holiday so it's nice to have a little stash on hand when December rolls around .

Michael - World of Michae; Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you so  much for stopping by . We hope you are inspired by our creativity . We hope to see you next month .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / May 2026

The Crafty Elves are back with their May holiday inspiration for you !! Michael, Lisa and I post each month on the 25th to get you in the mood to start on your holiday card-making along with us.

I got out an embossing folder I have been wanting to try, along with a favorite Impression Obsession stamp designed by my friend Nola. The image was colored with my new sets of  Ohuhu markers .I got a 48 count Honolulu B bright set and a pastel set .These have a brush and a fine tip and I am really enjoying them already !!

• I stamped the IO image on a piece of white cardstock .
• The image was colored with my Ohuhu markers.
• I die-cut the stamped image with a stitched border die.
• I used the Sizzix "Texture Fades" Holiday Knit embossing folder by Tim Holtz  on a piece of red cardstock .
• The embossed panel was adhered to a white card base,
• The stamped panel was popped up on the embossed panel with foam tabs.
• A Tim Holtz sentiment strip was adhered at the bottom of the card .

This was a fairly simple card to make and I love it .. I even stamped out a few more images to color . You can see what Michael and Lisa made over at their blogs -

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

We are having some cooler weather here thankfully. But with it came rain !! We did need it but maybe not on a long holiday weekend.  Thank you for stopping by . We will see you next month, when we will be at the halfway mark to Christmas 2026 .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

She Made It / He Made It - May 2026

Michael Trent and I are just 2 crafty friends who bonded online over paper and coffee !! He's in Brazil and I'm in the USA. We have very different styles and like to challenge each other every so often .. We choose a theme, technique, stamp or in this case, a date  and each create a card .  Here is our latest  collab for today - May 21 - International Tea Day .

I chose to use a Close To My Heart set - Tea-rrific . It was a Stamp of the Month . I colored it with my new Ohuhu Honolulu markers. My COPICs are slowly drying out ( I have had them about 10 years ) and I have also had splatter problems with them and also my OLOs.... So I decided to try Ohuhu since the price was excellent. So far I am really enjoying them ..  Time will tell - I'll report back in about a month and let you know how it's going .

• I stamped all of the tea cup images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• The sentiments were stamped in a variety of colors of Impression Obsession inks.
• I die cut each stamped panel .
• The images were all colored with my new Ohuhu markers.
• I fussy-cut the tea bag papers and popped them up on each card with foam tabs.
• The completed stamped panels were adhered to pre-made patterned card bases.

I feel like a bit of an overachiever this time because I actually made 4 cards . I spotted an older wood-mount stamp by Judikins of a tea pot and just had to use it . It was designed by Paula Best, a favorite artist of mine .. The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company . I thought the embossed star background was perfect for the card ( found in my scrap drawer !! )

International Tea Day is all about celebrating the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of tea. Grab a favorite cup, choose a lovely variety of tea and enjoy some quiet time today .  And don't forget to check out Michael's card ( or cards ) at his blog - World of Michael Trent . He is usually the overachiever in this relationship, so let's see what happens !!

Thank you for stopping by our latest She Made It / He Made It  posts  . Let us know if you have a favorite card that we've made. Until next time, stay creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity