Turner Syndrome Awareness Blog Hop / 2021

 

Hello Blogging Friends!!

Welcome to my project for the "It's A Girl Thing: Turner Syndrome Awareness 3rd Annual Blog Hop and for this year we have added a Card Challenge so that more people can play along with us! You can read all the details here at the main BLOG .

Turner Syndrome is a genetic disorder where a female is born missing partial or all of her second X chromosome leaving her with life-long medical issues and learning disabilities.  This condition occurs one in every 2,000 female births worldwide, but is more common among pregnancies that do not survive to full term.  That is why Turner Syndrome Females are considered MIRACLES!

Prize Winners will be announced on March 13th, 2021.

23 Caring and Generous Sponsors and 12 Design Team Members are offering prizes to a commenter and card makers and they are helping bring Turner Syndrome Awareness to the Public.  For details on how you might win any of these fabulous prizes, please see Lori's TS home page.  Thank you for learning about Turner Syndrome.

My Turner Syndrome project is inspired by this TSF Mood Board

When I was thinking about my project for this blog hop , I immediately thought of this stamp that I have had in my stash.. For me it represents not only the faces of those with Turner Syndrome, but also the creative community that is participating in this Blog Hop. Thank you to all of the Designers and also to all of our generous sponsors !!

• I stamped the Stampendous Whisper Wall image on Strathmore Marker Paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink .
• The image was colored with my COPIC markers.
• I glittered the fairy wings with Clearsnap Sugar Shimmer Fairydust Glitter .
• The sentiment by Ranger was also stamped on Marker Paper , trimmed around the edges and then highlighted with pink and mint green.
• The Whisper Wall image was adhered to a mint green card base near the bottom amd the sentiment placed above. 
• I made  butterflies with a Martha Stewart paper punch and adhered them around the stamped images. A few were folded to appear as if they are in flight.

I will also be offering a prize during this Blog Hop, along with all of the  other  Designers. You will have to leave a comment on each of the Designer's blog posts to be eligible for these prizes. You just might win at more than 1 blog.  I will be sending 1 commenter chosen at random a butterfly-themed prize package of stamps, washi and paper. 

To win a prize for the Card Challenge, you will need to create a card, write a blog post that includes the card's details/supplies and also tell us something that you have learned about Turner Syndrome. Link your post back to the "It's a Girl Thing" Turner Syndrome Awareness Card Challenge . Cards should be feminine and include an uplifting, encouraging message !!

As I read more about Turner Syndrome, I am fascinated by all there is to learn. This year, I have gotten information about the FDA approved treatments for Turner Syndrome, known as orphan product/drugs.  These are developed to treat medical conditions which, because they are so rare, would not be profitable to produce without government assistance . We hope that  you will learn something about this Syndrome as you participate in our  Hop .

Thank you so much for stopping by Meticulosity. Please be sure to visit the  "It's a Girl Thing" Turner Syndrome Awareness Blog Hop 2021 page to obtain more information and to see how you can be eligible for prizes.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

 

A Creative Bibliophile - January 2021

I have been a lover of books my whole life.. I'm sure I got it from my father who was also a book lover. Even before I could read, I would either sit next to him on the couch or in my own little chair and "read" my Little Golden Books or whatever else was handy. As I got older, there were weekly trips to the library in my hometown of Mahanoy City, PA.It was only several blocks from our house. The head librarian - Thelma Faust - was a friend of our family . After I devoured the entire Children's section,  I was allowed to take out any books that I wanted . There was even a note in my file so the other librarians were aware of this. I remember reading many books from the Encyclopedia Britannica - I might even have read them all from A-Z. Each year, I would impatiently wait for the yearbook to be released. I can't remember a time when I didn't carry a book with me - just in case.  I couldn't imagine being somewhere without a book to read if I had an extra few minutes. Fast forward to 2021 and I am just as much a bookworm as I ever was ! I also am a lover of bookmarks. I am not one to dog-ear pages ( the thought makes me cringe ) but I have been known to use the occasional receipt or piece of junk mail. But only when there is NOT a bookmark handy. Because as much as I love books, I am also a lover of bookmarks. So when I decided to start a monthly blog post about books, I instantly knew that bookmarks would play a part also. Each month I will review a book or 2 and also make a bookmark for the post. And that is how "A Creative Bibliophile" was born. 

My logo will be the gorgeous gal from a fabulous stamp set by Unity Stamp Company - Part of the Story . I made 2 bookmarks with these stamps and some washi tape.  I used Strathmore Watercolor Paper , Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink and my COPICs. The stamped images were adhered to a thick mixed-media paper and then lined ledger paper was placed on the back. You can keep track of books you're reading or keep a To-Be-Read list.  I sometimes use it to keep track of characters in a book. While making these bookmarks, I used a cool new tool - a Mini Stamping Bug . It glides across the MISTI that I use when I stamp,in order to apply pressure and get a clean crisp image. You hold it in  your hand and move it across the stamp platform  - takes the pressure off of your hand and wrist. There is also a larger original version of this Stamping Bug but this smaller one was perfect for my bookmark images. And to celebrate my new blog post, I will be giving away one of these Mini Stamping Bugs that Robin Hill - their creator - was kind enough to send me !! All you have to do is comment on this blog post if you would like one of your very own.. I will choose 1 person at random  and send them a Mini and also a bookmark !!

The Struggle is Part of the Story

The 2 books I'm reviewing today were the first 2 I read in 2021. Without knowing hardly anything about either book, I was pleasantly surprised that I absolutely loved both of them and their overall messages. 

Photo from Red Nose Studio

All I knew about this book  - The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune - was that it was about an orphanage with an odd bunch of orphans . And truth be told, I chose to read this book because I fell in love with the cover !!  In this wonderful book, a  man named Linus is sent to investigate to make sure the caretaker, Arthur is providing a safe home for the strange group of orphans . What Linus discovers about Arthur, the orphans and also himself creates a magical story about putting aside our ideas about people being "different" and also letting people into our lives that we really never would have dreamed of. I fell in love with every character in this book . There are gnomes and sprites and other surprising characters in this book . I do highly recommend it !! 

Have you ever wondered what your life would be like if you had done something different, made different choices ?? I think that we all have had these  thoughts  about one decision or another. From the big decisions like your career, a big move or who you married to the smaller ones like which route you would drive or store you'd go into , The Midnight Library by Matthew Haig introduces us to Nora, who is terribly depressed and decides to end it all. But that is not the end of the story, it is just the beginning. She finds herself in the Midnight Library, where every regret she's ever had lives and the bookshelves are filled with books about how her life would have been different if she had made another choice at that time.  Having had some of those regrets myself and wondering what things would be like if I'd made other choices, this book intrigued me and I wasn't disappointed.  I think that I also chose this book initially because of the cover. Have you ever done that ?? 

Thank you for joining me for my first book-themed blog post .. I am definitely "A Creative Bibliophile" and look forward to sharing more books and also bookmarks with you .. Is there a particular book you would like to recommend to me ?? Next time I will talk a bit about my To-Be-Read list and my favorite types of books. Don't forget to comment if you would like a chance at some blog candy -- a fun Mini Stamping Bug along with a bookmark. Thank you to Robin Hill for sending me an extra Mini Stamping Bug  to share with someone !!

Mini Stamping Bugs

Until next time, Read a Book & Stay Creative !!

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

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / January 2021

I was really hoping to wake up on January 1 and COVID would be a big blur in my rear-view mirror. But it's still rearing its ugly head, is getting worse and just might be around for awhile .. So Celeste and I are trying to stay positive AND stay crafty as we have coffee & cards with you all again each month this year !! We are both healthcare workers and I know that getting creative helps keep us sane in these crazy times.. Celeste was running low on her stash of birthday cards so that is our theme to start off the year ..

I found a page of sweet sentiments in a paper pad and decided to use it for my card - The Best Is Yet To Come. Don't you think that's perfect for a birthday card, especially this year ?!?!?! The paper pad is Turn the Page  by Pink Paislee for American Crafts. 

The Best Is Yet To Come

• On a patterned card base, I adhered a strip of wood-grain paper across the bottom. 
• The cat, chairs, cup and books were stamped on watercolor paper and a blue polka-dot paper. They were then fussy-cut. They are from the fun  Waffle Flower "Hello Stampurr" stamp set .
• I colored the images with my COPICS . 
• A gold doily was folded to fit in the left upper corner of the card base.
• I added 2 strips of washi tape to the doily, stapled them to add some texture, then adhered the doily. 
• The chair, cup and books were adhered to the card base with Tombow Mono Aqua Liquid Glue.
• I popped  up the cat on the chair and the sentiment with foam tabs.

This card has 3 of my all time favorite things - cats, coffee and books !! I love them all . I am actually going to be doing a book-themed blog post each month so I hope that you will join me for that -- there will be a handmade bookmark with each post !! Please take a look at Celeste's first project of ours for 2021 over at her blog - Crafting Junky .

I guess I'm kind of not over the holidays yet because the coffee I am drinking today is in a cup that I got on sale after Christmas.. And it was just too pretty to wait until next year to use it !! I have some Toasted Almond Caramel coffee in the Get Toasty cup .. 

Thank you for stopping by to enjoy some coffee and cards with us. We hope to see you each month as we get creative .. Until next time, stay safe ..

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Happy New Year 2021

It's strange to be saying Happy New Year when we are all still dealing with COVID..  I guess it's our way of hoping for a happier, healthier, safer 2021 .. I think we will be off to a rocky start but I know that I am ready for things to start getting better. On December 29, I was able to get the first dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine and for that I am grateful. My cards to start off the New Year are a bit edgy but my feelings are mixed and they convey a New Year's message to all - COVID is still with us and we need to take control of it.. Do your part to keep yourself and others safe ..

 

• I used the Banksy Gas Mask Flower Girl  on both cards and stamped them on Strathmore Marker Paper with Close To My Heart Intense Black ink .
• The sentiment  from  Close To My Heart "Quarantine Christmas" was stamped next to the girl with Memento Dew Drop Ladybug ink .
• The stamped panels were adhered to the card fronts - 1 white and 1 dark gray.
• A strip of COVID virus paper was placed vertically down the left side of each card base . 
• On one card I placed several red rhinestones on the virus images and on the other, I used red candy dots.
• I created the dates with my Pink DYMO Label Maker. 

If you aren't familiar with Banksy, you can learn about him at this link . Last year, he paid tribute to healthcare workers with a  painting that was gifted to a hospital in England. He is a favorite artist of mine. 

I'm looking forward to sharing my creativity with you all again this year. In addition to my regular blog posts with Celeste & the Crafty Elves, I have also joined the Paper House Productions  Creative Team. I am also going to start posting about books I am reading and hope to make some bookmarks / cards to go along with them.  Thank you for stopping by and also for leaving comments. You are all very much appreciated!! Please take care and stay safe. Let's all have a healthy and safe 2021 !

Until next time ...

Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / December 2020

It is so hard to believe that Christmas is here !! This is our last post of 2020 And then it is on to 2021. I don't think anyone will be sorry to see this year in our rear-view mirror . On to bigger and better AND happier and healthier !! Michael and Lisa and I will all be back for another year of Crafty Elves . But for this month, we are each posting 1 card and then choosing our favorites from each other.  And believe me, that was a hard task because all of their cards were amazing !!

If you know me at all, you know that I love to read.. I have been a bookworm my entire life !! I am in several book groups on Facebook and love keeping up with everyone's latest reading list.. I actually met several like-minded readers in one group and we actually created our own group - Novel Characters . Last year we started a Christmas Book Exchange and my card today is the one I sent with my book to my fellow reader this year ..

• I stamped the READ Bookshelf onto watercolor paper with  Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink  and trimmed it, leaving room on the right side and the bottom.
• The image was colored with my COPICs  and Faber-Castell Pitt Artist pens.
• A thin strip of gold washi was placed at the bottom of the watercolor panel and then a strip of book washi above that, ending near the bottom of the book shelf.
• I used planner stickers to add the 2020 to the panel.
• A piece of pale green patterned paper was adhered to a light green card base.
• The completed panel was adhered near the top of the card and a Tim Holtz sentiment sticker finished the card perfectly.

I also made a bookmark to send with the card - using a great stamp set by A Jillian Vance Design - Coffee and Books . The bookmark is backed with thick cardstock and then a piece of lined ledger paper  so the reader can take notes or keep a book list. I love this card and bookmark and can't wait to see what the recipient thinks !! Hopefully  the USPS won't let me down and the card will delivered safely ..

What can I say about Michael's cards ?? They are always colorful - they are beautiful - they are always amazing !! I actually chose one of his more "subdued" cards as my favorite . It is absolutely beautiful and you can read all about it here in his July 2020 post . When I look at this card, the word I think of is "SERENE" - something that this year was sorely lacking.. This card is perfect !!

Lisa has a knack for creating the most intricate scenes in many of her cards !! I am envious of her talents .. But for my favorite, I chose a slimline card that she created that just explodes with Christmas Spirit !! The colors POP and the glitter washi along the bottom adds just the right touch of shimmer. You can read all about her card in her October 2020 post .

I have a few more to send but otherwise, I am done with my Holiday cards.. I am working a 12 hour shift at the hospital this year so we will be celebrating  Christmas on the 26 with  a spiral ham and all the fixins !!! And sometime during the first week of 2021, I will be starting on my Christmas cards oncc again !! I hope that you will join us throughout the New Year, But for the last posts of 2020, please take a look at what Lisa and Michael have created for December and also their favorites of their fellow Crafty Elves..

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Until next time ( in 2021 ), Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards With Deb & Celeste / December 2020

Another year is coming to a close and Celeste and I are having our coffee once again !! To ring out the old year, we are getting Snowy .. Luckily we don't get much snow here in Virginia Beach, but that doesn't stop me from loving snowy cards !! Celeste chose this fun mood board as our inspiration ..

I decided to use the Snowy theme and also the colors blue and green for my card today ..  I had so many stamps to choose from but decided on Scarf Kitty from Stampendous . The sweet kitty reminded me of our Pixie .. 

• I cut a piece of glittery snowflake paper from a Classic Vintage paper pad  by Craftsmart and adhered it to a white card base.
• The Scarf Kitty was stamped on watercolor paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black Ink . 
• I used my Copics to color the image, using mainly shades of blue and green.
• The stamped image was trimmed and adhered near the top of the card.
• A Paper House Productions sticker was placed below the stamped image.

I really love the sticker on the card paired with the stamped image.. I have enjoyed stickers since childhood and love that I can continue using them in my card-making.. I am also a member of the  2021 Paper House Productions Creative Team so I will be playing with their stickers in my card-making and planner layouts throughout the year..

For my coffee today, I am having a Creme Brulee' Latte in Starbuck's Candy Cane Color-Changing cup.  When hot liquid is placed in the cup, it changes colors. I'm using an online picture to show the cool color changes !!

I can't wait to see what Celeste has come up with for this month's card .. Take a look over at her blog - Crafting Junky . Thanks so much for stopping by again to see our cards and also what we are drinking this month. I hope that you are all staying safe -- what a strange year it has been !! Who would have thought that we would still be worried about COVID 8 months later ..  I'm looking forward to a happier and healthier 2021 and hope that you will continue to stop by to see what Celeste and I are up to in the New Year.

 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity