A Creative Bibliophile - July 2021

This has been a month of amazing books for me, but one stands out among the others and I'm excited to tell you about it ... I actually spotted this in the New Book section at my local library and looked at it from just seeing the cover.  Do you ever do this ?? I have found some of my favorite books by being attracted to the cover. That just might be a future blog post topic !! 

My bookmark this month actually has no stamping on it !! I recently purchased a Public Library  kit by October Afternoon from Peachy Cheap. This website has a deal a day - stamps, cardstock, scrapbook kits, etc.... This kit was absolutely made for me and was perfect for my latest bookmark !! The pretty gold letters are from Pink Paislee. 

The Holdout by Graham Moore is my book for July . It's about a reality tv show that is bringing back the jurors from a sensational murder trial after 10 years. There was one holdout on that jury and the rest of the jurors ultimately were persuaded to return a verdict of Not Guilty. The book explores how this decision impacts all of their lives. And to complicate matters, on the eve of the reality show, one of the jurors is found dead in the room of the holdout - who is now a defense attorney herself. The plot thickens as she attempts to prove her innocence. 

The story has many twists and turns and great characters.  And I'm pretty good at  guessing the ending of a book, but this one was a surprise to me.  The author has talked about his own experience on a jury and how it has affected him and in turn, helped shape this book. I had never heard of this author before but learned a great deal about him after finishing this book . He won an Academy Award for screenwriting for the movie The Imitation Game, that I am already planning on watching with Brian.  He is well-known as a historical fiction writer and you can learn more about his books HERE . I highly recommend The Holdout and plan on reading his other books. 

Thank you for visiting me again this month to see what has been on my reading list .. Do you have any recommendations for me ?? What are you currently reading ?? Do you have a favorite bookmark ?? I've been known to use receipts, granola bar wrappers, dollar bills etc... Anything is fair game, except I do NOT ever dog ear pages !! I have so many bookmarks that I usually can find one pretty quickly.. And it helps that I love to make them too !!

See you again next month..

Until then, please stay safe and read a good book !! 

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

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / July 2021

I have always loved Christmas so our theme for this month was easy - Christmas in July !! We are halfway to the holidays  Many crafty companies have sales this time of year to help you get ready  . And Celeste and I are here with our creative holiday inspiration to help you too ..

For my card this week, I made an ATC Coin with products from Paper House Productions . I wanted to show that you do not have to do lots of elaborate, stamping, cutting etc.  when making your holiday cards. I love this card and will probably create many of this layout for Christmas. In fact, I have already made 6 !! ATC coins are like Artist Trading Cards  ( which are rectangular ) and are a 2.5" circle that you decorate any way you'd like . People make them, swap them, use them on cards etc...

• All supplies to decorate the ATC coin are from Paper House Productions .
• I used a 2.5 " paper punch to create several circles with Strathmore Watercolor Paper.
• Red Wood Double-sided paper was also used to make some 2.5" circles. 
  
• I adhered the wood paper to a watercolor paper circle.
• Merry & Bright II 3D Stickers were placed on the wood paper to create a scene. I love that car sticker with the Christmas tree !! I also used the word JOY and a star.
  
• A snowflake and snow dot from   Snowmen Puffy Stickers were placed on the ATC coin. 
• I adhered the completed ATC coin to a ready-made Christmas card base that I have been hoarding for years. It looks like layers of patterned papers, borders and ribbon !! I think it was from DCWV.

Celeste has also created some Christmas in July inspiration for you and you can see her card over at her blog - Crafting Junky . For my coffee this month, I thought I would have my favorite holiday coffee - Gingerbread .. And drink it from a Holiday Mail cup I bought on clearance last year.   All I need is a bit of Christmas music and I can make several more holiday cards !!

Thank you for stopping by for some  Christmas in July inspiration. Please take care and stay safe wherever you are .. We will see you next month !!

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 !!

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / June 2021

Since June is the month of Father's Day, we decided to do a card with a masculine theme .Usually when I think of masculine cards, I envision either nautical or cars !! So I really wanted something different than those 2 ideas. I remembered that I had bought a Tim Holtz Light Bulb stamp on clearance and decided to use that for a card . I also got out my long-hoarded Graphic 45 Typography paper pad. This 12x12 pad is amazing and I had never even used 1 sheet, even though I've had it for years !! I hope you like the card as much as I do ..

 

• I stamped the Hampton Art Inc. Dirt background onto a piece of Mixed Media paper with Ranger Wendy Vecchi Sunflower Archival Ink .
• The lightbulb was stamped over the Dirt background with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink.
• On a piece of the Typography text paper, I adhered a piece of numbers paper on the left side .
• I then adhered the lightbulb panel over the numbers paper, towards the right side of the text panel.
• Using my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher , I attached several Tim Holtz Idea-ology Snippets  - using 2 staples in an  X pattern for each.
• The completed panel was adhered to a card base made from Strathmore Toned Tan Mixed Media paper .

I was pretty pleased with this card - project time from idea to the card being finished was about 30 minutes !! Don't you just love it when a project comes together like that ?!?!?! I'm looking forward to seeing what Celeste came up with - you can see her card here at her blog - Crafting Junky . For my coffee today, I am drinking Starbucks Blonde Coffee with Oatmeal Creme Pie Creamer .It really is delicious. And I'm drinking it from an insulated travel cup that I won during Nurses' Week at my hospital !! It's made by S'ip By S'well , it's Rose Gold and I absolutely love it !!

I'm glad you stopped by to see our June creations. Do you like creating cards with a masculine theme ?? I hope we have inspired you !! 

Take care and until next time, Stay Creative ..

 Debra Davison 

Meticulosity

 

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / June 2021

Can you believe that it is June already ?!?! We are halfway through the year  - and what a year it's been  I hope that all of you have been safe and healthy . As Michael, Lisa and I show you our holiday cards for June, we also have a guest again to show you hers !! Have you been working on your cards along with us ?? I know I'll be so happy when December rolls around and my cards are ready to be signed and sent.  I have been addressing envelopes each month too, which is also a big help when the season rolls around ..

My first card is made with a Lil' inker Designs stamp set. This company is no longer in business, but I just had to ink this stamp set up for this  post !!  I know I have had it for a few years so it was about time to get creative with it ...

• I stamped the image with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink on Mixed Media paper and also on a piece of pastel shaded paper .
• I fussy-cut the bird and the banner from the shaded paper.
• The Mixed Media stamped image was colored with my COPIC markers. 
• The shaded bird's body and banner were adhered on top of the stamped panel image.
• The panel was trimmed and then adhered to a piece of red glitter cardstock.
• The red glitter panel was then adhered to a piece of red/black plaid patterned paper.
• The completed panel was adhered to a cream card base.

This next card uses one of my favorite Angie girl images by Unity Stamp Company - Pure and Simple . It was inspired by the latest sketch challenge over at the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Group on Facebook . My friend, Crystal Minkler is an Admin of that group and she is also our special guest this month . Her group has a new Sketch Challenge each month and encourages us to get an early start on our holiday cards .

• The Pure and Simple image was stamped on watercolor paper, punched out with a 2.5 inch circle punch and then colored with my  COPICS.
• I placed a strip of my favorite Tim Holtz Noel washi tape  across a piece of plaid patterned paper - just a bit above the center of the paper. This paper already had that splatter pattern that is so cool !!!
• On a black card base, I adhered the plaid paper..
• I adhered the stamped image to the right side over the washi tape.
• A sentiment cut from a paper pad was popped up to the left of the stamped circle.

I absolutely love this Santa's List stamp set from Essentials by Ellen . I purchased it at a recent sale that they had and was excited to use it for one of my cards !The finished product was nothing like what I had imagined creating, but I'm overall happy with the card ..

• I stamped the Santa, tree, and sled with bag on Mixed Media paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink . I cut the paper to fit an A2 card and created a scene with the stamped elements .
• The tree was also stamped on a piece of green patterned paper and fussy-cut .
• The bag was also stamped on Kraft and fussy-cut .
• The list was stamped on a scrap of Mixed Media paper and fussy-cut.
• Tim Holtz Christmas/Noel washi was placed at the bottom of the stamped panel and also under the tree and Santa. 
• The stars were stamped with Memento Dew Drop Dandelion and the sentiment with Memento Dew Drop LadyBug.
• I fussy-cut the list and popped it up with foam tabs near Santa's hand.
• The glittery red border at the top was creates with a Martha Stewart punch.
• I placed a strip of Tim Holtz washi across the top of the border .
• The completed stamped panel was adhered to  a piece of the same paper that I had used to fussy-cut the tree.
• A cream card base was used for this card.

My final card was made with an older stamp/die set from Erin Lee Creative . It is.  n longer available but they have many more fabulous products to choose from .

• The Vintage Postcard panel was cut from a piece of 12x12 paper in a CraftSmith Classic Vintage Paper Pad. 
• I adhered the postcard panel to a tan card base.
• The girl and snowman were stamped in Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink  on Mixed Media paper and then die-cut.
• I colored the images with my COPICS.
• The images were adhered to the postcard panel - the girl was popped up with foam tabs.
• A Tim Holtz sentiment completed the card .

We are lucky to have the very talented Crystal Minkler joining us this month. Her cards are always fabulous and I have no doubt that this one will be just as amazing. You can check out her card and also Michael and Lisa's at their links below :

Crystal Minkler - Tawny Owl Paperie

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Bzibziak Reynolds - Life of a BZScrapper

As always , we hope that we have inspired you to begin your holiday cards and decrease some of the stress that the season can hold. There are 5 months left so you still have time to join in on the fun and get yours started !! We will be back next month for our Christmas in July posts and we just might have an extra special guest elf . Until then, please take care, stay happy and healthy and also stay creative !!

Debra Davison 

Meticulosity.blogspot

A Creative Bibliophile - May 2021

I've started a few books lately that I just couldn't finish - I give myself at least a few chapters before putting it down for good.  I also just put the nook app on my iPhone so I now have over 1200 books/samples with me wherever I go .  I hate being somewhere with time on my hands, but no book to read ! What are your latest favorite reads ?? Do you have any recommendations for my To-Read list ?? 

This month I have a "domestic thriller" to review. I guess that is the latest genre of books to capture our attention . Gone Girl, The Woman on the Train, The Wife Between Us, The Silent Patient . Well you get the picture. The cover of this one caught my eye and I got the sample on my nook .. It drew me in and the price was fabulous so - the rest is history !!

I had already finished this book when I read that it was a contemporary retelling of the classic Jane Eyre . I will confess that I have never read that book - or many other classic novels. But I can tell you that this book kept me interested and had many great twists and turns that I did not figure out . The book centers around Jane & Eddie . Jane is a dog-walker in a gated community, who has many secrets in her past ( and present ) . Eddie lives in the gated community . He is handsome, wealthy and recently widowed, after his wife and her best friend drown in a tragic accident.  When Jane and Eddie meet, their stories become intertwined and a twisted tale begins.

This book has many great plot twists and gives you a glimpse into both Jane and Eddie's backgrounds. As you read this book, you find yourself asking just what is the truth ?? And is anyone being honest about their lives ?? The story is told from a few perspectives - beginning with Jane. I liked this aspect of the book because we find out much more of the character's stories . In the past, this manner of writing has confused me and made the story harder to follow. But in The Wife Upstairs, it enhances the book.

You can probably tell that I highly recommend this book.  The author Rachel Hawkins has written many Young Adult books,  including several series . This is her first adult novel . I hope that you will pick up this book and enjoy it as much as I did .

My bookmark for this post was made with the Start Something New stamp set from Unity Stamp Company . There's nothing I love more than a big stack of books !!

Start Something New

• I stamped the images onto a piece of Mixed- Media paper  (the girl ) and a piece of ledger paper ( the sentiment ) .
• I colored the girl image with my COPICS.
• Recollections washi tape was applied to the top and bottom of the book stack panel .
• That panel was then adhered to a piece of Strathmore Toned Blue Mixed Media Paper .
• The sentiment was adhered to a piece of ledger paper. I made it as large as the completed book stack panel so there would be room to write.
• On the back of the bookmark, I adhered the sentiment panel. 

Well, it's a gloomy and rainy day here at the beach .. A wash-out for the Memorial Day weekend so far, but perfect reading weather.. I have a few domestic thriller samples to try out - I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh and What You Don't Know by Joann Chaney . Have you read either of those ?? I'll keep you posted !! 

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

Debra Davison / Meticulosity