A Creative Bibliophile - February 2021

I loved the wonderful response to my first Creative Bibliophile post !! I've learned that there are many lovers of books AND bookmarks out there . Thank you to those who have come here to share my creativity with me .. I hope that you are inspired to get creative and maybe to also pick up one of the books I've reviewed. You also just might become the recipient of one of my bookmarks .. For my first Creative Bibliophile post, I used a Mini Stampin Bug made by my friend Robin Hill of the Etsy Store - Creations By Coco . The winner of the bookmark and Mini Stamping Bug from that  post is Brianna J for her comment  -- "  These are awesome!! I like to make bookmarks, too. Thank you for sharing! I'm always looking for something new to read and looking forward to seeing your reading journey this year!! " 

The bookmarks I've created this month  were fun to stamp and color.. They are also from a Unity Stamp Company stamp set - I love BIG books .I stamped the images on watercolor paper, colored with my COPICS, then trimmed them to make the bookmark. I then cut a slightly larger piece of Toned Mixed Media paper to back the bookmark. A piece of lined ledger paper was adhered to the back of the Mixed Media paper in order for you to write your book list or To-Read list etc..

I like BIG books and I cannot lie

The books I am reviewing today are in the true-crime genre. I am a pretty normal person, love to read and create with paper, but I am also a lover of true crime. I think in the back of my mind, I had an idea once of becoming an FBI agent . Instead I became an RN, mainly working in Critical Care. But the interest in true crime never went away. I always remember that at the heart of the stories I read, there  are many victims and their families. They are looking for justice for their loved ones.. The books I am reviewing are amazing stories, amazingly written and tell the stories of 2 cases solved and 1 still hoping to be solved many years later.

The ultimate book about serial-killer Ted Bundy is this book by Ann Rule. His murders in the 1970's have been written about many times and there has even been a movie starring Zac Efron. But this book is a chilling account of his life and crimes and was written by someone who knew him, was a friend of his. She was covering the story as a local crime reporter and also worked with Bundy at a suicide hotline. I have reread this book many times since it was written in 1980, as recently as last year. I highly recommend it to all readers, not just those interested in true crime. On a personal note, I corresponded with Ann Rule for a few years, sending notes and holiday cards - she responded after I reached out to her after reading this book. 

When I first started reading about this book, I felt like the Golden State Killer was Michelle McNamara's Ted Bundy. She researched him for many years and hoped to assist investigators in identifying him. She lived and breathed this story, these cases, these victims .. And the sad part is that she did not live to see the book published or the arrest a few years later of the Golden State Killer himself !! I hung on every word in this book and could not put it down - but will admit that it scared me so much sometimes that I couldn't read it before bed. All those interested in true crime should read this book and see how modern technology was finally able to crack this case after many long years .

In the late 1980s, there were 8 murders in the Tidewater region of Virginia ( where I live ), 2 of which occurred on the Colonial Parkway. They have been unsolved since then and this book attempts to figure out who could have been responsible and why these murders stopped. Since living here in Virginia Beach since 1987, I have always been interested in these cases and had hoped that one day there would be a resolution for the families. Lately, there has been renewed interest in the cases. with the airing of The Lover's Lane Murders on Oxygen. These father -daughter true crime authors interview many key players and provide a very complete look at these murders. 

I hope that you like today's bookmarks and reviews. I know that this genre is not for everyone, but would love if you would comment on this post. I will randomly choose 1 person to get one of my handmade bookmarks. Thank you for stopping by .. What are your latest reads ?? I have an entire TBR list and it keeps growing !! Let me know your latest favorite and I just might read and review it !!  See you next month .. 

Debra Davison/Meticulosity

A Creative Bibliophile

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / February 2021

It's so hard to believe that February is almost over -- time seems to be dragging and flying by all at the same time.. We just heard that our COVID-19 restrictions will be eased as of March 1, which is good news.. Still have to wear masks, but some restrictions have been modified. Work at the hospital has still been busy and some days I am in a crafty mood, others not so much . For this month's Crafty Elf cards, I  chose a fun 12x12 paper pad I got on clearance after the holidays .. It has soft, pastel shades that are just beautiful !! My first order of business, though, is to name the commenter from my January post, who will get some Christmas supplies to help with her holiday card-making. Vannessa Osbourn - you are the lucky one and I have e-mailed you !!

For my first 2 cards, I used images from Rubber Moon . These stamps were part of their Stamp-of-the-Month offerings and I absolutely adore them. You can have access to all of the fabulous Rubber Moon stamps  and products by joining Kae Pea on Patreon.  You can get all of the details HERE .. 

• I stamped the Holiday Moon image on watercolor paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black Ink .
• The image was colored with a variety of my favorite markers and pens - COPICS, Faber-Castell PITT Artist pens & TUL pens.
• I trimmed the stamped image and adhered it in a Polaroid-style snowflake frame.
• Several shiny gold stars were scattered around the noon.
• I placed some green snowflake paper on a Kraft card base and then adhered the Polaroid frame to that paper near the top .
• A Tim Holtz Idea-ology sticker sentiment was placed at the bottom right corner of the Polaroid frame.

• I stamped the Tweet Santa image on Marker paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink .
• COPICS & Flair pens were used to color the image.
• I trimmed the Marker paper and placed a piece of Whipped Cream glitter washi at the bottom ..
• The Santa image was matted on a dark rose designer paper.
• A green snowflake-patterned paper was adhered to a pale green card base .
• The Santa panel was then adhered on top of the snowflake paper.
• A JOY ephemera circle was placed at the top right of the Santa .

• The stack of cups from the Brutus Monroe "Tea Time" stamp set was stamped on  Watercolor paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink .
• I colored the cups with my COPICS.
• The image was trimmed and then 3 rhinestones were adhered - a red, green and clear .
• I adhered the stamped panel to a piece of the green snowflake paper 
• A dark pink card base completed the card .

• On a Kraft card base, I adhered a piece of green snowflake paper.
• The Stampendous Whisper Friends Reindeer was stamped on Marker paper with Gina K Amalgam Jet Black ink .
• I trimmed the Marker paper and colored the image with my COPICS.
• The stamped panel was adhered to the snowflake paper and a Greetings banner was placed at the top left corner.

I hope that you are inspired by my cards for February !! Now it's time to check out the projects of the other Crafty Elves - Michael and Lisa. 

World of Michael Trent

Life of a BZScrapper

Are you making your holiday cards yet ?? I'm even addressing envelopes already, which will greatly help my stress levels in December !! I had addressed a few last year but plan to have almost all addressed early for those who sent me a card in 2020.  Until next time, stay creative and warm and we will see you next month !!

 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / February 2021

Celeste and I are back for our February Coffee & Cards post !! We all know that this is the month for Valentines and love but we chose to go with an overall Hearts theme .. Didn't have to be a Valentine .. So what better inspiration photo to use than some beautiful, delicious cookies !!

I get together with a group of paper-crafters on ZOOM a few times a month on Sundays. For our Christmas party, we played a Bingo game and I won a prize !! I received this fun Close To My Heart Operation Smile stamp set - True Love.  I had also just purchased a package of Kraft card/envelope sets at Michaels AND the cards already had a heart border. How perfect is that !?!?!?

• I lined up the stamps on my MISTI to create my card panel - the cute girl, the sentiment and the XOXO.
• I used my Mini Stamping Bug to get crisp, clear images !!
• Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink  was stamped for the girl and the sentiment. Lady Bug Memento Dew Drop Ink was used for the XOXO.
• The image was colored with my COPICS . 
• I trimmed the stamped panel of  to fit on the front of my card .
• At the bottom of the stamped panel, I placed a piece of Mary Engelbreit washi tape .

Over at Celeste's blog - Crafting Junky -  you can see her Heart-themed card !! Hearts have always been a favorite image of mine. My guy Brian gave me a heart-shaped sapphire ring for our first Christmas together in 2001. And today we will be celebrating Valentines Day together with dinner cooked by him and dessert made by me . There isn't anyone else I'd rather be sharing my COVID-19 bubble with ..

For my coffee today, I am drinking a Gingerbread brew with Sweet Cream creamer. I got the coffee K-cups at Aldi's and it has flavors of molasses, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla icing. Who could resist ??  And after a long day at work and being rear-ended on my way home one day this week, I came home to a delivery of a coffee cup I had bought online on clearance from Michaels. NO, I didn't need another coffee cup and YES, I get rid of an old one for each new one I get - but you will have to admit that this one is amazing !!!! 

Running on Coffee & Glitter

inside of cup on bottom...

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate Hearts for our blog posts !! We love having coffee with you every month !! Please take care, stay safe and wear your mask .. Let's get together again in March ..

Debra Davison

Meticulosity.blogspot

Turner Syndrome Awareness Month - Card Challenge

February is Turner Syndrome Awareness Month and I am one of the designers participating in a Blog Hop to support that worthy cause. You can find all of the info HERE . They are also having a Card Challenge with 23 sponsors who are offering amazing prizes. I posted a card already for the Hop and have also made this one to enter in the Challenge. I used the colors from the Turner Syndrome Mood Board. 

For my card today, I used a stamp set from the Coffee Lovers Kit from Erin Lee Creative. It was colored with my COPICS  and the actual cup was paper-pieced. 

• I stamped the design twice, once on a tan panel and also on a piece of Marker paper.  
• The cup on the Marker paper was colored, fussy-cut and then adhered over the image stamped on the tan panel. 
• A Tim Holtz Idea-ology sentiment  was placed at the top of the stamped panel . 
• The panel was then adhered to a pale green card base. 
• Several pink and green rhinestones were placed at the bottom of the image. 

I hope that you will go to the main blog HERE to learn all of the details about the Blog Hop and Card Challenge. You will also raise your own awareness about Turner Syndrome. Thanks so much for stopping by . I will be posting another card next week. You have until noon EST on February 28 to enter a card in the Challenge. 

Thank you for visiting Meticulosity !

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Valentines For You

It's not a surprise to anyone who knows me that I send alot of Happy Mail !! I'm in several snail mail groups and also receive lots of mail from all over the USA and around the world.  As a member of the Paper House Productions Creative Team,  I literally feel like I've hit the jackpot by having access to so many fabulous supplies. It's a paper-crafter's dream !! 

For the following cards, I used these supplies from Paper House  - Everyday Moments Rice Paper Borders, Rose Garden Tags Double-sided Paper   &  Vintage Romance Snapshot Stickers .  I cut the tags from the 12x12 paper, chose the 5 designs I wanted to use and then picked out the stickers & borders for the 5 cards. At first, I was going to also do some rubber-stamping  but quickly decided that these cards needed nothing more than what I already had. The papers are absolutely gorgeous and when paired with Kraft card bases, they have a vintage look that I love !!

A True Love Story Never Ends

My Heart Is Wherever You Go

Collect Moments Not Things

Do you send Valentines ?? I will probably give several of these to my guy Brian and send the others to friends. I'm sure I'll use the remaining tags for a few more cards.  You can check out the Paper House Productions Valentine products HERE . And don't forget to use my code -  PH20DEBRA -  to get 20% off of your order, even sale prices.  

Thank you for stopping by to see my Valentines !! 

Until next time, Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

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