Queens of Glitter

MariLynn DeGroot challenged us to create a glittery card in honor of our crafty sisters .. This was the perfect time for me to finally use my Suzi Blu "Queen of Glitter" stamp by Unity Stamp Company ... On a DCWV Inc. card base, I placed some October Afternoon patterned paper banners.. The glittered edge is a piece of double-sided tape that I poured the leftover glitter on from the stamped image... A bit of paper-piecing, several rhinestones, a red mini-clip and it's done .... Sheryl, Terri, Pam, Jennifer, MariLynn & Paula ••• I love you guys ••• You are my crafty sisters... We are Queens of Glitter !!  And to all of my creative friends, thank you so much for letting me share Meticulosity with you .... I appreciate your support and comments .... Leave a comment about this post and you have a chance to win a glittery surprise !! Also check out the Mountain Plains Crafters blog to see all of our creations ... And Happy Holidays to all of you ...

A Card, My Friends & Friends With Flair....

dEb here with a quick card AND a way to be green all at the same time.... I absolutely love the holidays.. Christmas patterned papers, holiday rubber stamps, my new Tim Holtz poinsettia die . I love holiday lights, classic Christmas movies ( Elf and A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim )  & quirky Christmas movies ( The Nightmare Before Christmas and The Family Stone ). I am also a hoarder of Christmas cards that I receive from my friends.. There, I admitted it !! I have cards from friends near and far; and I cherish each and every one of them.. I keep them year to year but eventually do send most to the recycle bin.. Some, however, I have kept for years. This year as I was heading to recycle with last year's cards, in anticipation of receiving new ones this year, I had a thought... Why not make cards out of them ???  I know I am not the first person to do this but I think my efforts might be a bit unique. 

I started with a kraft card, got out my 1" circle punch and went to town. I used a fun sentiment from Unity Stamp Company's "Stay Cozy" and finished with a doily half and half of a 2.5" circle. The dotted paper is from We R Memory Keeper's "Winter Frost" collection. Thanks to Brian, Bonnie, Lisa, Jacky, Donna and Meredith for helping me make memories - AND cards !!

I posted the first card on the Mountain Plains Crafters blog. I am a member of their Design Team and with that, I welcomed 7 new friends into my life... This post is for all of you - Pam, Sheryl, Terri, MariLynn, Paula, Christina & Jennifer. 

I also posted this card on Unity Stamp Company's Friends With Flair

Just for Fun - Trees

One of the wonderful things about being on a Design Team is always having someone to talk "shop" with. They are there to bounce ideas off of, to tell me when there is a great deal and where, to encourage each other when we are in a crafty funk and also to challenge each other. MariLyn came up with the theme-Trees.Lots of images came to mind - trees with brightly colored autumn leaves, bare branches, Christmas trees, a tiny Charlie Brown tree.. But when I thought of making a card, I immediately thought of my Impression Obsession tree line die. Hope you like what I came up with ! Also check the MPC blog for the other tree creations.

Supplies : Fancy Pants " Merry Little Christmas" Brag Pad page, Impression Obsession tree line die, Unity Stamp Company "Tiny Tags Vintage Christmas" sentiment, DCWV Cafe Mediterranean cardstock matstack  for die-cut image

Try a challenge like this with some of your creative friends. We have a list of themes that we can choose from for challenges, blog posts etc... The possibilities are endless..Thanks for visiting. I hope you will be back soon to see what Meticulosity is up to next.

And the Winner(s) is (are)....

Thank you so much to everyone who visited here and/or commented as I celebrated 6 months of Meticulosity... I will be forever  grateful to Crafter's Companion for providing my first "official" blog candy !! I had fun making the cards for this post and know that the winner will enjoy creating with her prize. The   comment chosen at random was from " heidiscollNovember 24, 2014 at 10:50 PM  Awesome cards! And many more blog posts too come! Love Crafters Companion! So great that they were able to sponsor your blog! :) "     Heidi, please send me your snail mail address and the goodies will be on their way !! 

I had so many nice comments about my blog and the cards I have made that I chose a second comment at random for a bit of blog candy to inspire your creativeness..   " creedalyssaNovember 23, 2014 at 7:54 PM   Happy 6 month Blogaversary to you!! Love seeing your creations and the ideas and tips you teach. Keeps me inspired. Want to go try the sequin in the snowflake idea right now. Keep the beautiful creations coming!! "   Send me your address and I will send you a bit of Happy Mail...

6 Months of Bliss

6 months ago today, I started this blog, Meticulosity. It had been a dream for several years but what got me started was the chance to try out for the Mountain Plains Crafters Design Team. Pam Kline Stang, Terri Albro Burson & Sheryl Dwyer Kemper are women I had met through our postings on Unity Stamp Company's Facebook pages. They formed Mountain Plains Crafters and put out a call for Design Team members.I applied without having a blog, but assured them I would have one soon.. I was lucky enough to be chosen, the blog was started and I guess that now the rest is history, as they say !!

I am honored to have a sponsor for this blog post. Crafters's Companion was kind enough to donate some of their amazing products for 1 lucky winner. All you have to do is comment on this post for a chance at some gorgeous stamps and an embossing folder. I learned about Crafter's Companion when I saw their set of Brambly Hedge stamps of the 4 seasons . I immediately purchased them and became hooked. Check out their web-site to see all of their wonderful products.

For this post, I made cards using 2 different holiday embossing folders.The first was made with the Vintage Christmas Wreath folder. I mounted it on some American Crafts paper, used some Tim Holtz Ideology tissue tape on the edge and placed a few rhinestones on the wreath. I used  Core'dinations Color Core from the Whitewash collection and sanded it after embossing it to show the color underneath.

The second card was made using the Vintage Snow Bells folder. I used Core'dinations Distress Collection cardstock along with a Tim Holtz sentiment. It was finished with some Martha Stewart twine and a few snowflake and round sequins..

My last card is a Happy Thanksgiving card to everyone involved in these last 6 months.. I am grateful for each and every one of you. Friends and family, who supported me all along the way. The wonderful gang at Mountain Plains Crafters, who took me out of my comfort zone and helped my creative side blossom. Unity Stamp Company for being the forum through which I met the MPC gals Pam, Terri & Sheryl ( and my fellow DT members MariLynn, Jennifer, Paula and Christina ). And especially to all of you who read this blog. Meticulosity is a part of me and I am so glad to be able to share it with all of you. Your support and comments mean so much to me. Let me know what you would like to see here over the next 6 months. Challenge me to try something different. Comment on this post and I will pick 1 person at random to receive an amazing prize from Crafter's Companion.

Stamp by Unity Stamp Company & paper by We R Memory Keepers

Thank you all again for traveling with me on this creative journey of mine for the past 6 months. I hope you continue to join me as I take Meticulosity through our first year.  And a big shout-out to Crafter's Companion for helping me - AND YOU - celebrate this 6 month milestone of mine !!

GIVING THANKS Winners...

Congratulations to Crystal from Crystal Amaris Creations... Her comment here during Mountain Plains Crafters GIVING THANKS Blog Hop was my giveaway WINNER !! On November 15, 2014 at 7:36 PM she wrote " Very pretty and such a fun way to re-use! " PM me your address and I will send you your goodies. Also a shout-out to MARY LOU HOLSHOUSER for winning the MPC Rafflecopter prize. Thank you all so much for visiting our blogs. And THANK YOU again to Unity Stamp Company & Tombow USA for being such wonderful sponsors !!

GIVING THANKS Design Team Blog Hop

It's that time of year when we focus on what we are grateful for. I know that all of us at Mountain Plains Crafters are thankful for the opportunity to show you more of our creative sides. As we share our projects with you, we also welcome Angeline Choo from Scrappy Scrappy as our first Guest Blogger. She has amazing ideas and makes such fun projects. We are so glad to have her here with us !! Our sponsors for this Blog Hop are Unity Stamp Company &  Tombow . There will be a prize package with great products from each company. You could receive these great Tombow adhesives along with 6 Itty Bittys from Unity !!

I decided to do a DIY project for this post. I received a Starbucks Coffee Sampler several years ago and kept the box to store stamps in. I have been keeping some of my Unity Stamp Company  Itty Bittys in it. The excellent adhesive qualities of Tombow were perfect for this DIY Stamp Box. And I have been wanting to try this Unity Stamp set. Check out my Snapguide tutorial....

Check out How to Make a DIY Stamp Box by Debra Davison on Snapguide.

It's been fun sharing my project with you. Up next in the Hop is MariLynn . Check out her project then please visit each of the other blogs and leave a comment, then enter the Rafflecopter giveaway on the MPC Blog. Thank you SO much for visiting Meticulosity and joining in this Blog Hop with all of us at Mountain Plains Crafters. A special thanks to Angeline for sharing her talents with us !! Leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win some Happy Mail from me !!  I am truly grateful to each and every one of you for your comments and support.

A Crafty Funk & Friends With Flair......

"I'm in a crafty funk" she said ...How many of you have felt this way ??  I know that challenging myself to create and/or share something creative every day of 2014 has given me many an opportunity to get into a crafty "funk".. And also how to get out of them.. My fellow Design Team member Paula was in a crafty funk... So I offered to challenge her.... I would give her 3 themes to choose from.. She would pick one and create something..The themes I decided on were 1. Pink Snowflakes  2. Retro Christmas or 3. Text Background. It started out between just the 2 of us but then some fellow DT members became interested, so I posted it for all of us to participate in. There is no deadline but 2 of us have completed it already so I wanted to share it with you here. I also am sharing my card on Unity Stamp Company's Friends With Flair , which is a Friday post on their blog.

My theme was Text Background.. I chose a new stamp "Tis the Season" by Unity Stamp Company . For my text background, I used American Crafts "Dear Lizzy" Christmas patterned paper.  The borders were by Paper Bouquet and the twine is from Whisker Graphics .I also used a bit of Snowflake Kraft washi..

Paula actually finished her card just a few hours after I challenged her. She used "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Unity Stamp Company .. Her theme was Pink Snowflakes.I think she did a fantastic job of getting out of her crafty funk.  And did you notice how similar our color schemes turned out to be ??

Hope you enjoyed our challenge results. When you get in a creative funk, choose a few themes or pick out a few supplies and work from there. It will help you start on a new project. It can be as simple as a color. Choose something out of your comfort zone. Ask a friend to join you. You will be creating something new in no time at all !! Comment and tell me what you do when you are in the midst of a crafty funk.. How do you get that creative spark back ??

TAGS --- You're it !!

Cards are my comfort zone....I create one almost every day.. I have made small gift tags, decorated several notebooks and made a few containers at the stamping groups I attend. But this year, I happened to see a Halloween Tag Swap sponsored by Jess Kinderstampo -- officially  the Kinderstampo Julie Nutting Halloween Tag Swap.. We were to use a Julie Nutting paper doll stamp and the theme, of course was Halloween.. I had to make 10 and send them in when I was finished.. I would then get 10 in return from others in the Swap... I do not like to make the same card twice - exactly the same way - so I ended up creating 10 different designs. I wanted to try something new and was also excited to be involved in it with a group.. After some initial hesitation ( because I had seen some of the previous gorgeous tag swap designs ), I had a blast making all of them.. I thought of them as cards and this lessened my nervousness at sharing them with 10 other designers..I used transparencies, flowers, washi, Distress markers, ribbon etc.... And I am now officially in love with Julie Nutting's paperdoll stamps..

Gathering my supplies, choosing paper for the dresses... Oh, and gotta have my coffee. I used some of my favorite Graphic 45 "Steampunk Spells" paper. It was perfect !!

My Julie Nutting Paper Doll gals

I really had so much fun making these tags. They were all colored using my 

Ranger Ink / Tim Holtz Distress Markers

I will admit that when I sent them out after completion, I had a little tear in my eye.. It was like sending 10 little children to kindergarten for the first time.... Below are the tags I received in return... All amazing works of art. I challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone... Sign up for a swap, make something different, try a new technique.. You will be so glad you did !!

Thanks to Jess Kinderstampo for hosting this Swap and to the amazing Julie Nutting for creating such amazing stamps. 

Look Forward with HOPE....

As we focus on Breast Cancer Awareness every October, there are also many fighting other cancer battles. Patients, their loved ones and caregivers are all on a journey together that is as difficult as any they will ever face. The Mountain Plains Crafters Design Team are all posting cards for Cancer Awareness today. Please go to their blog to see what we all have created.

 I used the Unity Stamp Company sets "...all about HOPE" and "Imperfection is Beauty" on this card. The lotus petals from left to right represent : Gold/ Childhood cancers, Dark Blue/ Colon cancer in memory of my brother, Teal/ Ovarian cancer, White/ Lung cancer in memory of my beloved mother, Plum honors caregivers who fight the battles alongside their loved ones, Periwinkle/ Esophageal cancer in honor of Dale Kemper, and Pink/ Breast cancer both in honor of and memory of many friends. The lavender card base represents all cancers. 

This card showcases one of my all-time favorite stamps by Paula Best . I also used My Mind's Eye washi and Queen & Company twine. It was made to honor several friends who are fighting breast cancer and also in memory of those who did not survive.. When I look at the writing on the image, I think that we need to have the DREAM that there will be a cure for cancer someday and BELIEVE with all of our hearts that it will happen... Support those you know who are battling any form of cancer. A small act of kindness will be greatly appreciated. Deliver lunch or dinner, drive someone to an appointment, listen if they need to vent or just be there with a smile or a hug. Thank you for visiting my blog . I always appreciate when you stop by and share in what I have created..

A Vintage Autumn

Our World Cardmaking Day sponsor is Graphic 45. They are known for their vintage-inspired paper and embellishments. For this reason, the Mountain Plains Crafters Design Team chose to make cards today with a vintage feel... We each posted a card throughout the day. I hope you had the opportunity to see the cards before mine. I love vintage and had many Graphic 45 supplies to choose from. I am loving the cooler weather that comes with autumn so when I saw the Place in Time G45 paper celebrating Autumn, my card idea was born.

I distressed some lace with a Tim Holtz Distress ink Pad in Wild,Honey, used the September Place in Time paper from Graphic 45, some Recollections flowers and a perfect sentiment from Inkadinkado Autumn Foliage.

Thank you for taking the time to celebrate this day with all of us at MPC. And don't forget to Tag-a-friend on the Mountain Plains Crafters FB page . Your friend will have a chance to win the amazing prizepack from our sponsor, Graphic 45... The contest closes at 10 PM ET..

Post a comment about your favorite Graphic 45 paper for a chance to win some goodies from me....

World Cardmaking Day 2014

I have always LOVED this day... I usually would go to a Stamp Group with friends or make some cards at home to celebrate....Always with a cup of coffee by my side.. This year, it has alot more meaning as I have accomplished some goals... One was to finally start a blog. Meticulosity is a wonderful way for me to share my creativity and has brought me in contact with many amazing people. Second, being chosen to be a member of the Design Team of Mountain Plains Crafters  has also brought more meaning to my cardmaking.. What an amazing group that I am so very lucky to be a part of. We are like family; they have encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone; they embrace my creativity; they are as obsessed with papercrafting supplies as I am !! They are the sisters I never had but always wanted ...

To celebrate World Cardmaking Day, we are hosting a Tag-a-Friend contest on our Mountain Plains Crafters FB page.. It is sponsored by the great team at Graphic 45. One person will win a prize pack of supplies from their amazing Raining Cats and Dogs collection. To enter, all you need to do is tag-a-friend in the comment section of the post on FB.. Tag as many Facebook friends as you like in separate comments ( but please don't tag the same person over and over and over ).. Check back throughout the day as our Design Team members will be posting their projects all day long. A winner from the Tag-a-friend contest will be chosen later tonight or tomorrow after the contest closes at 11:00 PM ET. Also please head over to the Graphic 45 Facebook page, Like them & thank then for sponsoring the MPC giveaway..  Wishing you all good luck... Please share and spread the word..Maybe if your friend wins, they will share some of the prize pack with you !!

And the Winner is .....

Thanks to everyone who visited  Meticulosity during the Coffee Lovers Bloghop.... A very special thanks to Amy Tsuruta & Chaitali Narla for such a wonderful event.. I am still looking at cards and LOVE each and every one of them... I feel like we are all connected by our loves of coffee and creativity and it felt amazing to be a part of it !! I have randomly chosen a winner from all of you who  commented during the Hop.. Congratulations to AJ Scrapbooking and Cards. I want to thank-you for all of your comments, starting with this one on September 30, 2014 at 10:25 AM --  "OMG this card is so cute and I love the sentiment!!"... Please send me your information and I will have some coffee goodies on their way to you in no time !!

Supplies : Perfect Blend" by Stampin' Up, glitter crown, origami leaf paper & a doily 

Gingerbread Latte

This is not a holiday card but it is probably my favorite of the coffee cards I have made for the Bloghop so I am naming it after my all-time favorite -- Gingerbread Latte.. I don't count the days until Pumpkin Spice Lattes return each year.. I am waiting patiently for the lovely aroma of gingerbread to return to my local coffee shops..The only thing that could make it better would be if they used Sugar-Free syrup.. Just the thought of it makes me wish it were time for them..

For this Coffee card, I used a great stamp by Unity Stamp Company - "Coffee Side By Side", amazing paper and cork cup icon from the Prima "Coffee Break" collection and some Stampin' Up Lace Doily adhesive ribbon.... Colored with Tim Holtz Distress markers....

GINGERBREAD LATTE

Thank you all so much for visiting my blog and especially those of you who commented... It's been so much fun... It's nice to know that there are many kindred spirits out there who LOVE coffee and cardmaking as much as I do....

Sugar-Free Vanilla Soy Latte

I know, I know...Sounds kind of blah--but it really is a yummy drink.. I always get mine extra-hot because it takes me forever to drink a cup of coffee.... I am usually too busy reading, crafting or talking to drink it fast.. I also try to be good and get half-decaf.. So when I saw this pic, I had to post it here...

This card for National Coffee Day was made using Taylored Expressions "Joe To Go" stamp & die set..The circle is from Prima's Coffee Break collection and the adhesive cork is from DCWV..

SUGAR-FREE VANILLA SOY LATTE

Skinny Caramel Macchiato

It was probably one of my first favorites at Starbucks... Skinny Caramel Macchiato.. And I usually get it in a mug, tastes better to me !! I feel like a grown-up or one of the cast of FRIENDS... Sitting on the couch at Central Perk...

This card uses some of my favorite supplies: buttons, sequins, washi.. I paper-pieced the cup and gave it a cute turquoise handle.. I used an Inkadinkado stamp, Stampin' Up buttons & a Project Life journal card...

What's your favorite drink ??

SKINNY CARAMEL MACCHIATO

Coffee & Friends: The Perfect Blend

Today is National Coffee Day !! I will be joining in the Coffee Lovers Bloghop at Cuts, Crops & Creativity. My coffee-themed cards will also be posted here throughout the day and each card will be named after one of my favorite coffee drinks !! Thanks to Amy Tsuruta & Chaitali Narla for your amazing Coffee Lovers Bloghop idea turned into a wonderful reality...

For those of you who comment on one of my coffee posts today, I will randomly choose a winner to receive some crafty coffee goodies..... Answer one of these questions if you would like. Here is some coffee trivia about me !!

1. When did you start drinking coffee?  I started about 30 years ago, as a new RN !!
2. What is your favorite brand (you can name up to three). Starbucks, Eight O'Clock, Dunkin Donuts
3. What is the most amazing coffee that you had? Remember where and when?  A Creme Brulee Latte from Cure Coffeehouse in Norfolk, VA a few months ago

4. If I don't drink my needed coffee, I will... get a Killer headache !!

CREME BRULEE LATTE

Supplies: Prima Coffee Break journaling card,  Stampin' Up Perfect Blend, glitter paper, 

My Mind's Eye base card

Surrender the Booty.....

Thank you to everyone who joined us in the Pirate fun over at the Mountain Plains Crafters blog and here at Meticulosity as well.. It's time for us to surrender the booty. The winner of my Pirate Gold is Angi Rankin. Her comment was : " This is really great Debra! I don't make many comments but I always think you have the cutest creations! "...  

Thank you to those who commented.. I always appreciate the visits you make to my blog and your comments are always welcome. Check out the MPC Blog for other winners. And last but not least, I couldn't resist sharing a pic of a great hot sauce. Seemed appropriate !!

Work Like a Captain, Play Like a Pirate

Ahoy there !! Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day !! The gang at Mountain Plains Crafters is joining in the fun with some Pirate creativity !! Check them out at the MPC Blog .. I will be giving away some Gold to one lucky pirate who comments on my post here. Then you can partake in some of the fun Pirate happenings today.... There are Pirate doughnuts at Krispy Kreme and  Etsy is all about the pirate booty. Have a great day & like my card say- Work Like a Captain, Play Like a Pirate"...

 Arrrgh, Matey !!

My Take on "The Shake"..

I have a confession to make..... I absolutely LOVE shaker cards... I watch how-to videos, collect pictures of them, find them on Pinterest etc.... I have everything I need to make them.. Just bought the foam mounting tape last week. Sat down to make one this morning and somehow got distracted by these cute little envelopes I have had for awhile...Does this happen to any of you ?? I call it my Creative ADD...  I sit down to make 1 thing that is all settled in my mind and end up with something completely different... Like today's Shaker card... I had some of my Project Life  journal cards on my desk and put it in the clear envelope..Perfect fit--even had enough room to fold the end back... Then I spotted the literally thousands of sequins I have and VOILA !! My card was born..  The supplies were meant to go together.. It was like peanut butter & jelly, Barnes & Noble, Ben & Jerry's ..... I am already thinking ahead to more of these cards... I have some fabulous metallic sequins. They would be great for beachy cards... I can envision autumn colors, Christmas -- the possibilities are endless.... I still want to try a traditional shaker card but I am thrilled with MY take on the "shake"....Now if only I could remember where I got those little envelopes... Google, here I come !!

dEb

My 1st Friends with Flair.....

Every Friday, Unity Stamp Company invites everyone to create something using their stamps and post it on their blog with a link to the crafter's blog as well.. I got started on some early Christmas cards using the stamp that began my addiction to their Stamp of the Month - Holiday Joy Christmas Tree.. So, this is my 1st Friends with Flair card...Check out everyone's FWF for some amazing inspiration this week..

Supplies : Unity Stamp Company "Holiday Joy Christmas Tree" , Crate Paper "Bundled Up" stitched borders , Stampin' Up wood-grain paper , Queen & Co. Twinkle Goosebumps , Stampin' Up Dazzling Diamonds , Tim Holtz Distress Markers

You Belong in a Zoo !!

"Let's all make an animal card", she said ..... "Just for fun"..... And that's how it started.. One of my fellow Design Team members at Mountain Plains Crafters threw it out there and we ran with it... We got a squirrel, a wolf, some kitties, an owl and some hedgehogs. The MPC blog now has its own zoo of cuddly critters -  plus one wolf, thanks to DT member MariLynn !! I always love seeing the variety of cards we come up with. I feel blessed everyday to have met such an amazing group of women.. Check out all of our critters here.

I got out a new stamp, my colored pencils, some blender pens, ribbon and twine and my Critter creation was born.. You gotta love this stamp-- I had fun doing some paper-piecing and then even added some rhinestones to the polka-dots on the card as a finishing touch. What are some of your favorite critters to stamp ?? I hope this inspires you to pull those stamps out and get creative.. 

Supplies : Stampin' Up " A Little Smile" stamp , 2Berry Creative Baker's twine,

rhinestones, My Mind's Eye card base, Derwent Inktense watercolor  & Metallic colored pencils, Stampin' Up Blender pen, Offray Hedgehog ribbon  

Let's FALL into a Challenge .....

Without any school-age children at my house, back-to-school doesn't have the same meaning it used to.. No frenzy of shopping for supplies or choosing first day clothes.. But the arrival of FALL in all its glory is a much welcomed time of year. Here in  Virginia Beach this summer, we have had many weeks of 90+ degree weather. It is humid, sticky and downright uncomfortable.. I am not a beach or pool person; cooling off in the water is not an option. So each year, I look forward to FALL and all it brings.. Sweater weather.. Salted Caramel Lattes.. Bonfires.. Multi-colored leaves.. And many options for cards during this Year of Creativity for me !! I have a whole drawer of Fall themed supplies, just waiting to inspire me..

Everyone over at Mountain Plains Crafters has also been inspired and we have another challenge for you. The theme is Leaves/Autumn. Go with leafy, autumn or combine them. Create a new project, link it to the blog post and you will have a chance to win an amazing prize from our sponsor, Pan Pastel - a Donna Downey Mixed Media Kit (colors may vary)...

Check out what I created below and then stop by the MPC Blog to see all of the creations by our Design Team members. The Challenge lasts until September 24.. Hope to see your new creations !!

Supplies :  Inkadinkado Pumpkin Girl stamp, Stampin' Up sentiment, Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells paper ( pleated into a border ), Martha Stewart Fire Opal Glitter

After stamping the Pumpkin Girl design on a dotted background paper, I stamped it a second time on Graphic 45 Steampunk Spells paper. I cut out the pumpkins and paper-pieced them onto the original design. I cut a strip of contrasting paper from the same collection and folded it back and forth onto itself to make pleats. You can do this either free-hand or by using a scoring tool. I used Mini Glue-Dots to adhere each section. A Stampin' Up sentiment completed the card.. I absolutely love the rich colors on this card and was especially happy to find that glitter in my stash. It was perfectly pumpkin !! 

Also, anyone who comments on this blog post of mine during this challenge will be entered in a drawing to win an Autumn themed card from me in addition to a few other goodies... So comment and tell me what you like most about Autumn.. 

Reading, Writing, 'Rithmetic.....

On  the Mountain Plains Crafters blog this weekend, we were inspired to create projects with an End of Summer / Back to School theme. I thought about my all-time favorite teacher and created this card below. I am always reminded of Miss Igo at the start of each school year. The ABC's, the ruler, the stacks of books and the apple for a favorite teacher all bring back wonderful memories of my time in her class. The words on the tissue tape -- Journey, Artful, Imagination -- were by chance at the end of the tape when I tore it off. Perfect words as I reflected back to first grade and created a card to remind me of my adventures in Reading, Writing & 'Rithmetic.... Tell me about your favorite End of Summer / Back to School memory in the comment section . And be sure to check out all of the Design Team Members' cards in the MPC blog .

Supplies: Darice embossing folder, Graphic 45 ABC Primer stamps, 2 Berry Creative twine, Tim Holtz tissue tape, ruler washi tape, Core'dinations Whitewash cardstock . Cardstock was embossed then sanded to reveal the color underneath.

Go with the FLOW.........

On a very normal day, I made a visit to the Barnes & Noble right down the road from my house... I hang out there a few times a month ( okay, maybe more than that sometimes ), reading or even working on cards.. I sometimes sit there for hours, coloring stamped images; most recently, I tried out my new Neon Pitt markers there one rainy afternoon....

One day this past May, while looking at the card-making / scrapbooking section of magazines, I came across a magazine called FLOW... Made in the Netherlands, it also has an English language edition and after one look inside, I fell in love.... The Flow I had found was a special edition called a "Book for Paper Lovers"... It included papers to create with, a banner, articles, stickers, postcards ( some glittery ), gorgeous pictures etc.........

If you are a paper-addict like me, you must have some amazing papers that you could never ever think of using because.....  well, then they would be gone !! I often buy 2 sheets of a paper that I really love so that I have one left over after using one.. Could get a bit costly to do that very often, but I am obsessed--what more can I say !!

But this time, I happened upon someone who felt the same way about FLOW as I did... I met Faith online in a Facebook group for Art Supply Junkies !!  We chatted after she found her copy in Florida and both commented that we could never see ourselves using any of the gorgeous contents of the magazine.... So I challenged her---I said I would make her a card with some element from FLOW and she would have to do the same.... Faith is an amazing artist & Zentangler but unbeknownst to me, she had never made a card before !!  Knowing that she was as in love with FLOW as I was, it made it easier somehow to cut the book and create something for her....

My card for Faith

Faith's AMAZING card for me .....

I just bought the latest edition of FLOW this evening ...... I see another challenge coming on !! Check out this fantastic magazine here... But be careful, the contents are highly addictive !!  FLOW magazine

Mountain Plains Crafters Christmas in July Blog Hop

Welcome to our FIRST  ever Blog Hop sponsored by Mountain Plains Crafters !! The theme is Christmas in July.. How fun is that ?? To play along, you need to visit all of the blogs listed below and comment on each one. Once you do this, you will be entered in the drawing for a Clearsnap prize pack. Clearsnap makes wonderful products, including Colorbox Ink Pads, Smooch, Smooch Glitz and Smooch Spritz. Clearsnap products were used on all of the cards in each of our blogs that you will visit.  So grab a cup of tea or coffee, relax and visit each one. Get some early Christmas card ideas and leave a comment on each one for a chance to win some great products. The hop will last for 2 days - Friday the 25 and Saturday the 26. I will also be giving away a prize pack for those who follow and comment on my blog. The winner of my giveaway will be announced here and on my Facebook page on Sunday, July 27 so be sure to check back. I hope that my card gets you in the Holiday Spirit..... I used Smooch "Spruce" to color the holly leaves-it is so much fun to "paint" with and has a great brush for detailed work, The Smooch Spritz "Cashmere" is a fine spray that is shimmery and amazing !! And I'll admit I was a bit intimidated by the Colorbox Ink Pad in "Saddle". Wasn't quite sure I could do that gorgeous color justice on a Christmas card. But I used a favorite Inkadinkado stamp, popped up some of the collage elements with dimensionals and really love how it turned out.. A bit of  May Arts Twisted Burlap Ribbon was the perfect finishing touch !!

Supplies:Colorbox Ink Pad "Saddle", Smooch "Spruce" , Smooch Spritz "Cashmere" , 

Inkadinkado "Christmas Collage" , May Arts Twisted Burlap Ribbon

Next up in the Blog Hop is Jennifer Leamy Loftfield. She is an amazing crafter and one of my new "sisters" from another mother !! Check out  Caffeinated Papercuts - leave a comment about her Christmas in July project and she will then direct you to the next stop in the hop !! Clearsnap was so nice  to sponsor the prizes for this hop, so be sure to "like" them on Facebook. Also Hydrangea Hippo does publicity for Clearsnap and will be promoting our Blog Hop so be sure to go and "like" her Facebook page too.. Listed below are all of the blogs of  the Mountain Plains Crafters team... I hope you will follow each of them as we take this creative journey together, not only with our first ever Blog Hop but throughout the year.


Pam Stang- http://www.mustangcreations.blogspot.com

Terri Burson - http://wavingmywand.blogspot.com

Sheryl Dwyer Kemper- http://igottacraft.blogspot.com

MariLynn DeGroot- http://mississippi-mcgyver.blogspot.com
Debra Davison- http://meticulosity.blogspot.com   ( YOU ARE HERE )

Jennifer Leamy Loftfield-http://www.caffeinatedpapercuts.com

Christina Ramon- http://christinascreations1.blogspot.com

Paula McClane- http://scrapaddictsattic.blogspot.com