Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / July 2026

The Crafty Elves are bringing you their Christmas in July posts !! Although to be honest, every month is Christmas for us .. I am celebrating our new kitten with 2 of my cards this month. We adopted a sweet Siamese Mix kitten on June 16 and she is the Princess of our household. 

I raided my scrap paper drawer for 2 of my cards and used some Recollections holiday card bases for the other 2. The stamp set I used is Christmas Kitties by Simon Says Stamp! .  And my go-to black ink as always - Memento Tuxedo Black .

NO PEEKING Tim Holtz Small Talk sentiment

Kraft Cardboard box fussy cut and popped up with foam tabs

Paper Studio Holiday Foam Sticker

Tim Holtz sticker sentiment

Tim Holtz sticker sentiment

I hope you like the 4 cards I've added to my stash this month . Check out what Michael and Lisa have created over at their blogs.

World of Michael Trent

Life of a BZscrapper

We will be back next month with more holiday inspiration for you !! Take care, keep cool and stay creative.

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 / September 2020

Celeste and I are here once again to have our coffee with you and share our latest cards .. I chose this inspiration photo because I have been seeing pumpkins everywhere !! We have had a cool-down in our weather here and it is  such a welcome change .. Although we did have some 80 degree temps this weekend, that is even a nice change from the 100 degree weather we had over the summer .

I have quite a few stamp sets with pumpkins !! Many are pumpkin spice latte designs !! As soon as I saw the Not 2 Shabby Designs image Pumpkin Spice Everything , I bought it, printed it and colored it for this card !! 

• I printed the Pumpkin Spice Everything image from Not 2 Shabby Designs on Strathmore Marker Paper.
• I adhered a piece of Autumn-patterned paper from a fabulous Recollections Paper Pad - Fall At The Park - to a bright yellow card base. This paper has glossy accents on the leaves.
• I colored the image with my Copic Markers and added some Wink of Stella Clear Glitter highlights to the red cup and the foam .
• The stamped image was popped up at the top of the patterned paper with foam tabs.

I really really love this design so much and have already printed several more to make cards with. I know I will be sending several to friends during the Fall Season. 

I can't wait to see what Celeste has created for our pumpkin theme !! Since we are both coffee lovers, I wonder if hers will have a PSL vibe too ?!?! Check out her blog at Crafting Junky and get inspired to make a Pumpkiny card of your own !! For my coffee this  month, I am using another Hobby Lobby clearance mug. It was $1 last year after the holidays. I used one last month and this is a different version of the owl mug.  I am drinking Blonde Roast coffee with Caramel Waffle Cookie creamer -- it is so delicious... And the creamer is inspired by one of my favorite holiday movies Elf. Are you enjoying a nice cup of coffee or tea today ??

Take a few minutes out of your busy day and do something nice for yourself.. Read a book, create something, write a letter to a friend.. Or just sit with your favorite coffee and relax.. Thank you for joining us again and until next time - - - -  Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

September Cookies / Take 2

The inspiration photo for the latest If You Give a Crafter a Cookie Challenge made me want to make a nice cup of tea and nibble on those gorgeous gem cookies !! And the jewel tones are absolutely beautiful !! We hope that you will also be inspired and join in on this Challenge with us - you have through Wednesday, Sept. 30 to link up a project of your own.

It took me a few days to figure out what I wanted to do for this Challenge but then I saw the mason jar stamp and envisioned it full of brightly-colored gemstones.. 

• I stamped the mason jar and string tie onto a piece of pink ledger paper that I had cut to fit on the front of a dotted Kraft card base. The stamp set is by Recollections from Michaels and I recently purchased it on clearance for $1.47. 
• The label was stamped on a cream piece of scrap paper. and then fussy-cut All were stamped with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black Ink .
• I printed the Digi Gem images, which I had sized to fit in the jar, colored them with my Copics  and then fussy-cut them. They are from Scrapster by MHdesigns on Etsy . 
• The gems were adhered inside the jar with Tombow MONO Aqua Liquid Adhesive.
• I paper-punched the hole for the tag then adhered it to the string tie.
• I placed 2 strips of washi tape down the left side of the stamped piece.
• The entire stamped image was popped up on the Kraft card base with foam tabs.

The same week I was working on this card, my guy bought our cat, Pixie a new collar. I did not see it until the card was complete and it was so perfect that I had to include a picture !! Coincidence  ?? I think not !!

I hope you will take a look at all of the team member's projects over at the Challenge Blog . As we enter a Fall season that is still dealing with COVID, I hope that you all are staying safe and happy and creative !!

Until next time ......

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - April 2020

Well, we have been staying at home since my March post due to COVID-19. I will admit that I'm not feeling too creative these days but if I set my mind to it and get started, I find that it really does relax me and takes my mind off of the craziness we are all dealing with. This post will be short since I am finishing it up after 2 long shifts at the hospital - nothing like waiting until the last minute !! I hope that you are all doing well and dealing with this pandemic as best you can. Are you finding that you are as creative ?? What are you doing to de-stress ?? I'm sure that my Crafty Elf teammates have been very creative and I can't wait for you to see what they have made.

The stamp I used on this first card was purchased at Michaels after Christmas for $1.00 . I don't even have a dog but have many friends who do. And I just couldn't resist this stamp !!

be good for goodness sake

• Stamp - Recollections Christmas Noel
• Brutus Monroe washi
• Tim Holtz Idea-ology Small Talk sticker
• Kraft card base
• Red rhinestones

• Stampers Anonymous Winter Wonder "Noel" stamp
• Recollections washi
• Multi-colored rhinestones

My last 2 cards turned into 6 cards. I wanted to make a bookmark card to send to friends along with a book as a Christmas gift . I copied the design from a set of bookmarks I found at the Dollar Spot in Target !! It fits over the corner of a page of your book to hold your place.  I also backed it with paper that you can write a book list on.  Either books that you have read or a list of books you'd like to read.  After I made the first one, I liked them so much that I wanted to make more. And then when I was sitting down to make my last card for this post, I decided to use others stamps in the set to make more. I think they look different enough that it's not considered "cheating" .. What do you think ??

• Stampers Anonymous Seasonal Scribbles stamp set was used on all remaining cards
• Recollections washi
• Removable Double-sided tape to adhere bookmark to card base

Bookmark placed over edge of card showing book list

Please be sure to check out the other Crafty Elf creations.. Links below -

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds- Bzibziak - Life of a BZScrapper

Jessica Pickeral - Polka Dot Orchard Blog

Thanks so much for following along with us as we continue to make a Christmas card each week throughout 2020. Have you started your holiday cards yet ?? Take care, wear a mask in public and stay safe .. Do something each day just for you .. Create a Christmas card along with us. And we will see you next month on May 25 with more Crafty Elf shenanigans !!

Debra Davison - Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - March 2020

Well, last month I had the flu and now this month, we are all in the midst of  the COVID-19 pandemic. In Virginia where I live, our Governor just cancelled school for the remainder of the school year. We are asked to not gather in groups over 10 and to social distance when out, but I'm afraid we will be asked not to leave our homes unless absolutely necessary if  the cases continue to rise as quickly as they have been. I'm an RN and considered "essential" personnel at the hospital so I am expected to be at work when scheduled.  I hope that all of you are staying safe and can get the necessary supplies. I know that in times like this, I create to decrease my stress level.  Our Crafty Elves' Countdown has me looking forward to December and the holidays and that is nice. Thinking about the future one card at a time. 

I chose  the stamps Moonstruck by Marylinn Kelly and 5 Trees  by Kae Pea for Rubber Moon for my first card . They have so many fun stamps for Christmas AND all year long !!

• I stamped the Moonstruck image on watercolor paper and the 5 Trees on a multi-colored patterned paper.
• The images were then colored and fussy-cut.
• I adhered the images to some fun journal cards. I have an addiction to journal cards and know that I must have thousands !! 
• On the journal card with only the Santa image, I placed a strip of Watercolor Words washi below Santa.
• The completed journal cards were adhered to red card bases.

• I stamped that sweet kitten from a Recollections stamp set from Michaels on a piece of watercolor paper.
• The image was colored with my favorite markers.
• A sentiment from Small Talk Stickers by Tim Holtz Idea-ology was placed below the stocking.
• I adhered the stamped image to a black striped card base.
•  A sliver glitter heart fit perfectly in the space on the left side of the stocking.
• I placed a piece of Animal Christmas washi from Michaels along the bottom of the card.

• I am absolutely in love with this Posh Planters stamp set from Paper Smooches. I stamped the VW image on watercolor paper and fussy-cut it.
• The image was colored with a variety of my favorite markers.
• On a white card base, I adhered a piece of black patterned paper ( it has the word "merry' all over it ).
• The Christmas Exhibition and Special Delivery die -cuts are from a  Tim Holtz Christmas Ephemera Pack. I adhered them to the black patterned paper.
• The VW image was popped up on the bottom right corner of the card with foam tabs.
• The joy on the license plate is also from Small Talk stickers.

• This cute little penguin was in the same Recollections stamp set as the kitten in the stocking. I stamped it and the sentiment on a piece of watercolor paper, then cut the image to fit my red card base.
• I colored the image with a variety of markers.
• The stamped image was mounted on a piece of silver glitter paper and then that was adhered to my card base.
• I'll admit that this was my last card made and my mind was elsewhere. I'm not entirely happy with my coloring but he is starting to grow on me !!

The other Crafty Elves have also been busy and I hope that you will check out their holiday goodies over at their blogs .

Michael Trent - https://worldofmichaeltrent.blogspot.com/

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - https://bzscrapper66.blogspot.com/
Jessica from Polka Dot Orchard is taking a break this month but will be back soon

I also want to give a shout-out to my friend Vannessa Osbourn . She has been following our Crafty Elves' posts from the beginning and was inspired to start creating  along with us. You can see many of her cards on the Unity ( show & tell ) page on Facebook . She is also on  Instagram @ VCLAIREO . This is just one of her many fabulous cards !!  I love the patterned paper she used  and you all know that any stamp with a coffee cup is a favorite of mine !!

I hope that all of you stay safe and have everything that you need. Take some time to call a friend or check on a neighbor . Today I found eggs at the grocery store  ( finally ) and bought a dozen for my next-door neighbor. When I took them over, she gave me 2 small bottles of hand sanitizer ( cranberry, my favorite scent ). As we practice social distancing , we still need to connect with others. We are doing that with our Countdown to Christmas and are so happy that you have come to visit this month.

Until next time -

Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

August Cookies- Take 1

Our first August Challenge at If You Give a Crafter a Cookie is all about shells and beachy colors. I knew exactly what I wanted to use for my card this time and it came together quite nicely. If you have some stamps/supplies that would work well with this challenge, please link a project up before August 23. Our sponsor this time is Pattie's Creations and you could be the lucky person to win some  of their fun digital images. 

 

I used Tim Holtz "Nautical" Mini-Blueprint stamps and a Recollections Mermaid die for this card.  I have had these supplies in my stash - unused - for quite some time so this was the perfect theme for them !!

.

• On my favorite Neenah Stardust White cardstock, I stamped the 4 images from the "Nautical" set,  using Ranger Adirondack inks in Viridian, Espresso, Mountain Rose and Stream.
• Each image was made into a square with a 1 3/8 inch paper punch. I mage the 4 images into 1 large square and taped them to each other on the backs, for ease of placement on my card. 
• I cut a piece of white glitter cardstock slightly larger than the nautical square and adhered these to a pale gray-blue dotted card base with Tombow MONO Adhesive+ .
• The mermaid was die-cut and embossed  on a piece of turquoise cardstock using my old faithful Cuttlebug machine.
• I used a paper punch to create the silver glittered crab.
• The mermaid and crab were popped up on the card with Tombow Foam Tabs .

This was a fun challenge and I absolutely love that little mermaid. I die-cut/embossed several and will probably have them on a few cards in the near future !! Be sure to visit the main challenge page  HERE to see all of my teammate's creations. We'd love for you to leave comments and follow each of our pages. Challenges run for 2 weeks and I hope you will get beachy/nautical and share something with us !!

Thank you so much for visiting Meticulosity for this first challenge of August !!

Debra Davison

Christmas in July - GIU Day 5

For those of you who know me well, my love of ALL things Christmas is no secret. Patterned paper, stamps, washi, embellishments. You name it and I love it !! So I couldn't let my last GIU day pass by without a holiday card. And because I can be a bit quirky at times, it's not a traditional red & green card.  

Ever since I saw the Imagine Only stamp by Angie Blom, I have thought of making a holiday card with it.  This has been a fabulous GIU week for me and all of you are the reason why !! I could never thank you enough for all of your visits to Meticulosity and also your comments. They made me excited for each of my 5 posts !!

• Once again, I stamped on patterned paper - this time, I used Crate Paper's Peppermint collection. I cut the paper  to include the pretty scalloped border. I also stamped the image again on a doily-patterned piece of Peppermint collection paper and fussy-cut the headband and dress . All images were stamped with Memories India Black ink.
• The image was colored with my favorite Distress markers and Faber-Castell PITT Artist pens . A Zig Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush pen added a bit of shimmer. A silver glitter pen by Kaiser gave her eyelashes a little "pop"..
• A bit of fine glitter was added to the areas around the girl. To me, Christmas + card-making = glitter  ( to the horror of my guy, who ends up wearing it most days !! )  
• I placed a variety of washi across the bottom of the of the card. The teal washi strip under the girl is from My Mind's Eye, the snowflake washi with a hint of red is by Docrafts and the last 2 snowflake washi are from Recollections @ Michaels.
• I just couldn't find  the perfect saying for this card so I decided to use a die-cut from the Graphic 45 "Christmas Past" collection. I adhered it to a piece of slightly larger silver glitter paper.
• I adhered paper and elements with Tombow adhesive - the permanent adhesive runner for larger areas and the MONO Aqua Liquid adhesive for smaller areas. 
• AND because it is a holiday card especially, I could not say enough was enough. Soooooooo, I added a few Basic Grey Opaline half-pearls along the top scalloped border. 

It's hard to believe my week is at an end. Please comment on each post this week for a chance for 2 lucky winners to receive a grab bag of 25 Unity stamps. Winners will be chosen at random.  Comment by midnight EST on Sunday, July 30. I hope you will continue to support all of the GIU girls. There will be 2 more next week who will share their creativity with us. And again, a big thank-you to Unity Stamp Company for allowing me to be a GIU gal !! I hope all of you were inspired and  I would love to see what you create with your fabulous Unity stamps. 

Thank you for visiting Meticulosity.

Debra Davison

CASE Challenge for a Creative Chick

Happy Blogiversary to Jenn Shurkus.. She is celebrating 10 years as the Creative Chick of Shurkus.com and I am playing along with her CASE Challenge.. We were challenged to find a project in her blog archive and get inspired by it.. The card that inspired me can be found HERE... It is from 2009 and features her cat, Mister Harley. I am a cat lover too, so it was fun to CASE this card. Happy 10th Anniversary, Jenn... Thank you for inviting us to create for your celebration !! Check out her blog here..

I started my card off with a wood-grain stamp by Recollections @ Michaels.. I placed double-sided tape down the left side of the card and poured Stampin' Up Chanpagne Glass glitter on it. I punched a round hole in the wood-grain panel and mounted it on the Kraft card front with dimensionals. A piece of Maya Road"Sweet Candy" twine was tied around the wood-grain panel and a Stampin' Up image "4 You" was placed below it.. Three We R Memory Keepers self-adhesive sequins were lined up on the left side of the circle. An All Night Media image that reminds me a bit of Mister Harley was placed behind the window formed by the circle punch-out.. Hope you like this card as much as I do..

Thanks so much to Jenn Shurkus for inspiring me to play along with her as she celebrates her 10th anniversary of blogging.. What a milestone !! Wishing her many more !!

And I couldn't end this post without a cute pic of my sweetheart, Andromeda Cassini --- aka Anna....