Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / October 2024

Can you believe that it is October already ?? Christmas is only 2 months away and the Crafty Elves are here with their latest cards for your inspiration. Michael Trent is joining us again this month so you will have triple the creativity..

For my card this month, I used the Avery Elle "Dear Santa" stamp set. I recently purchased several stamp sets from a friend at her "Crafty Garage Sale" online and decided to ink up this set and use it for my card . I actually made 6 cards, using different patterned papers, But I was interrupted by something and didn't get to take my pictures in good light, so you will only see 1 here.  I will post the others in my Facebook group and on IG. The cat reminds me of our sweet Pixie !! She would NOT be caught dead wearing a Santa hat, but she would definitely go for that beautiful bow !!

• I positioned the cat, holly and sentiment images on my MISTI and stamped them on white cardstock. I used Tuxedo Black Memento ink for the cat and holly and Ruby Impression Obsession ink for the sentiment.
• The stamped image was die cut with a scalloped oval die by Stampendous.
• I colored the images with my OLO markers .
• A piece of Miss Mary Christmas  glittered holiday striped paper was adhered to a Kraft card base. This is a fun paper pad from Hobby Lobby.
• A strip of the holiday striped paper was adhered across the top of the card.
• Several enamel dots of various sizes were placed above the sentiment.
• A Santa hat dimensional sticker was placed on the cat's head.
• The completed stamped panel was adhered to the card base with foam tabs.

Thank you so much for stopping by to see what the Crafty Elves have been up to .. Take a look at what Lisa and Michael have created at their links :

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Have you started on your holiday cards yet ?? Lisa and I will be back next month with more inspiration for you . It feels nice when I have a stash of cards to use when holiday mail time rolls around. See you in November. Until then, stay creative and enjoy some beautiful Autumn weather.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / October 2024

It's that spooky time of year and Celeste and I are back with our posts for October. We also have a scary guest this month - Michael Trent is joining us . I'm sure he will be showing us a fab-BOO-lous card .So get a cup of your favorite witch's brew and check out what we have created .. Our inspiration photo has fun Halloween vibes .

For my card, I used 2 Halloween stamps from Impression Obsession . They are having a Closing Sale with 50% off all supplies . My stamps are no longer available but I just had to use them - it's the first time I've inked them up !!

• I adhered a piece of Halloween Fun paper from Impression Obsession to a kraft card base.
• The witch image was stamped on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• I used an oval die to cut out the image.
• I stamped the sentiment on a piece of orange designer paper and die cut it with a scalloped rectangle die.
• The witch panel was colored with my OLO markers .
• I adhered the witchy panel to the Halloween paper with foam tabs.
• The sentiment was placed on the left upper side of the witchy panel - also with foam tabs.

I must admit that I love this card !!! That witch is just too cute. I can't wait to see what Celeste and Michael have come up with . Michael is a lover of all things googly-eyes and I am NOT a fan so we forbade him from using any ... However, Michael is known to be a bit of a rebel, so I wouldn't be surprised if several show up in his design ! Here are the links to their cards -

Celeste - Crafting Junky

Michael - World of Michael Trent

For some spookiness this Halloween season, I started watching The Walking Dead : Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol . I was a HUGE Walking Dead fan then just moved on to other television. But I was always intrigued by the Daryl/Carol relationship and decided to try out this season. So of course, I needed a cup that matched .. I think I have posted this one before but it seemed perfect for this post . I am drinking Pecan Praline coffee in my Walking Dead Zombie Head cup!! What is your coffee of the moment as we enjoy some Fall weather??

So glad you stopped by to have coffee with me, Celeste and Michael ( who is joining us all the way from Brazil ) . I have a few more Halloween card ideas swirling around in my head so I'd better make another cup of coffee and get started !! Until next time, stay creative !! And enjoy some fab-BOO-lous coffee !! See you in November ..

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Technique Junkies Stamp Release / October 2024

The latest release from Technique Junkies is full of 10 fabulous holiday designs. They will all be 15% off through October 8th - no code required. And using my code - TJ10Deb - will get you10% off all other stamps/supplies .

For my card today, I used the Cozy Polar Bears image, This is such a sweet, fun design and so easily colored. I'll probably be maby several of these cards to send out - I'd like to try some other color combinations. Maybe pink / mint green,  red / green and shades of red, blue and green

•  The image was stamped on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• I trimmed the image and colored it with my OLO Markers .
• The completed polar bear image was matted with maroon cardstock.
• I adhered the completed stamped panel to a piece of blue plaid patterned paper.
• A strip of green glitter washi was placed in the upper left corner from side to top.
• A large red rhinestone was adhered in the middle of the strip of washi .
• The stamped panel was adhered to a Kraft card base.

Be sure to check out all of the creations from my fellow Design Team members at the links below .

TJ Blog

Jeanette

Debra - YOU ARE HERE

Michael

 Darlene

Pat

Until next time, Stay Creative ...

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Deb and Terri Color with OLO

I bought myself some OLO markers for my birthday and have been trying them out . They are alcohol markers, like COPICS or Ohuhu, but the similarity ends there. Check out the fantastic OLO website  for all the information on these markers. I love to color and wanted to challenge myself, so I asked a friend to do a blog post with me, each using our OLO markers. Terri Burson of Waving My Wand is a fantastic paper-crafter with amazing coloring skills . So we each made a Fall-themed card with our OLOs. Thanks to Terri for our fun graphic !!

 

I chose 2 cute stamp sets from Impression Obsession  that gave me the opportunity to use lots of OLO colors . These are no longer available but I knew I absolutely had to use these stamp for this post today.I have definitely been feeling the Fall vibes lately and wanted to reflect this in my card !!

• I stamped the image on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• The sentiment was stamped below the friends with Catherine Pooler "Peppermint Scrub" ink.
• I colored the image with a variety of OLO markers - shown below .
• The completed stamped panel was matted with a piece of deep red cardstock.
• I adhered a piece of Autumn-patterned paper to a Kraft card base.
• The matted panel was adhered to the card base.

I'm so excited that Terri could join me as I begin my OLO coloring journey. I know she is a very busy papercrafter, working with a variety of companies and was thrilled she could take the time to show off her artistic skills. Please check out her blog post  - Waving My Wand  - to see what she has created with her OLO markers -. You can also find her  @wavingmywand on IG and on Facebook .

Thank you so much for taking a look at this fun blog collab with Terri.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / September 2024

Can you believe that Christmas is only 3 months away ?!?!?! Lisa and I have been posting holiday cards each month on the 25th to inspire you to get started on yours along with us. Take some of the stress out of the holidays by getting your holiday snail mail ready early.We hope you like our creations for September.

For my card this month, I used a sweet Penny Black stamp set - Balancing Act. I don't think it was meant as a holiday stamp but I immediately got the idea to use it with holiday colors . I also made some cards with Fall colors .

• For both cards, I stamped the Girl with Cat image on pieces of white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• The stamped panels were die-cut with a Big and Little Chain Rectangle Die.
• I colored the images with my new OLO Markers .
• I matted each of the stamped panels with dark green cardstock.
• Scraps from my patterned paper drawer were adhered to A2 card bases - 1 Kraft and 1 white.
• The completed panels were adhered to the card bases with foam tabs for added dimension .
• Tim Holtz sticker sentiments were adhered to each card.

My new OLO markers were a birthday present to myself in August, Check out their website at the link to learn all about them. I love the way they color and the ability to have 2 brush colors in 1 marker. I never have used the chisel tip of my other alcohol markers so I was thrilled with this feature, I am not affiliated with OLO - I purchased all  my markers. I just love them already and wanted to share my honest opinion. Have you tried them ?? I'd love to know what you think of them if you have. 

You can see Lisa's September cards over at her blog -Life of a BZscrapper . Thank you for stopping by to see our holiday inspiration. We really do appreciate it. Are you getting a head start on your holiday cards ?? Enjoy the start of Fall and cooler weather and we will see you in October with more of our creations.

Until next time,

Stay Creative

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / September 2024

September is here and I am grateful that cooler temps are on the way !! I am definitely a fan of the Autumn months and everything they bring - Pumpkin Spice Lattes, cool breezes, sweaters, colorful leaves, Halloween. Celeste found an amazing Mood Board inspiration photo for us that definitely embodies AUTUMN.We hope you like what we have created .

My card idea went in a whole different direction this month. I had a stamp set picked out and then decided to look for some sunflower digi paper on Etsy. I wasn't even planning on using it for my card - just taking a look . But then I found the most gorgeous paper from Fabi Art Studio and went in another direction.  The card was so easy to make that I made 4 . I am not a big fan of digital stamping .I mostly just print paper or images and use them "as is". I don't have a fancy program to resize or move images around. But I absolutely fell in love with this beautiful paper !!

• I printed the Sunflower Vintage Junk Journal images to fit on A2 card bases. 
• The images were matted and then adhered on a deep green cardstock .
• I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock with Catherine Pooler Juniper Mist ink.  It is from a retired Unity Stamp Company set - Turn Toward the Light.
• The sentiments were die cut with a Big and Little Chain Round die and a Stitched Square die.
• I adhered the sentiments to each of the 4 cards with foam tabs.
• The completed stamped/matted panels were adhered to black card bases.

I'm excited to see what Celeste has made this month. You can check her card out over at her blog -Crafting Junky . I decided to try some new K-cups and found Eggo Waffle coffee . I bought a variety pack and this month I'm drinking Maple Syrup Eggo coffee from a fun new cup. I hope you are enjoying the start of Fall and getting some crafting done. There are some very cute new Fall-themed stamp sets available. Or you can always get started on some holiday cards !!! 

Until next time, Stay Creative ...

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Technique Junkies Friday the 13th Halloween Inspiration Hop

Ahead of Halloween next month, September has a Friday the 13th !! According to Western superstition, it is considered an unlucky day . Many people avoid their regular routines, do not fly or take trips and are extra careful to avoid accidents on that day. You can read more about it online here . The Technique Junkies Design Team decided to make this Friday the 13th your LUCKY day with a card hop of their Halloween creations . It's  safer than walking under a ladder or risking breaking a mirror and getting 7 years of bad luck !! You can check out all of our creations from the safety & comfort of your own home . 

Each Design Team Member has made a Halloween card using Halloween stamps - new and previously released - with the hope that we inspire you to start making your own Halloween cards. Links to their cards are below and we hope you can hop on over to each one and check them out. Each Design Team Member also has a code on their posts that you can use to save 10% on the Technique Junkies website.

I used 2 of my favorite new Halloween stamps for my card today -Resting Witch Face  and Halloween Paintstroke .

• I stamped the Resting Witch Face image on white Mixed-Media paper  using Memento Dew Drop inks - Tuxedo Black, Tangelo and Grape Jelly .
• The image was cut with a Big and Little Pierced Chain Round Die.
• I adhered a scrap piece of fun Halloween paper to a Kraft card base.
• The completed stamped panel was adhered to the patterned paper with foam tabs.
• The Halloween Paintstroke image was stamped with Tangelo ink. on the inside of the card - see picture below .
• 3D Bat stickers were placed on the front of the card and inside for added dimension.

Use the links below to check out all of the Halloween inspiration from my fellow Design Team members .

TJ Blog 0800

TJ Blog

Debra - you are here

Michael

Pam

Jeanette

Christine

Pat

Patti

Faith

Shalana

We hope you enjoyed all of our Halloween card inspiration !! All of the Halloween stamps at Technique Junkies are 13% off September 13-15 with no code needed.  And if you use my cde TJ10Deb, you can save an extra 10% . Thanks to Michael Trent for coming up with this fabulous Friday the 13th Inspiration Hop idea. Until next time, stay creative AND stay safe today !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

There's Boos Inside

My friend Michael Trent is doing 30 Days of Halloween/Autumn Cards for the month of September . I decided to surprise him today and join in on the fun with him . And since he frequently tortures me by using googly eyes on his cards ( which I am not too fond of ), I decided to make a card with them - just to show how much I value our friendship !! And if I am being honest, I'm actually really thrilled with  the card I made.I think my love of all things coffee has made me more tolerant of the googly eyes on this card ..

• I stamped the 3 Coffee cup images from the Ellen Hutson stamp set - Boos Inside -  ( now retired ) on white, yellow and orange designer paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• The cups were cut out with matching dies.
• On Kraft card bases, I adhered strips of Halloween Fun Designer paper from Impression Obsession .
• I stamped the sentiment from the Boos Inside stamp set with green inks on scraps of paper from my stash.
• I adhered the sentiment panel next to the Halloween paper on the card base,
• The coffee cups were adhered in a stack above the sentiment.
• And last, but definitely NOT least, I placed glow-in-the-dark googly eyes on the ghost and cat coffee cups !!

You can follow along with Michael's month long Halloween inspiration at his blog - World of Michael Trent . Thanks for stopping by today ... Stay tuned for more Halloween fun tomorrow from the Technique Junkies Design Team.. It's getting spooky around here !!

Technique Junkies Stamp Release / September 2024

It's time for the new release from Technique Junkies - 14 new stamps to celebrate Fall, Halloween and Nature . And of course, a few fun,snarky images too !! All new release stamps are 15% off through September 8. I know you will definitely find a few to add to your collection .

I'm doing an ATC coin swap with a friend so I decided to use the Bare Branches stamp for today . It's a large background stamp that I paper punched into 2 ATC coins - each 2 1/2 inches.

• I stamped the Bare Branches image on Toned Tan Mixed-Media paper with Memento Espresso ink  and again on Toned Grey Mixed Media paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• I paper-punched the 2 1/2 inch circles for my ATC coins .
• The  3-D stickers on each coin are from PaperHouse Productions .
• These ATC coins are so fun and easy to make and a great way to swap with your creative friends !!

I hope you will take some time to see the projects from my teammates at their links below .

TJ Blog

Jeanette

Debra - you are here

Michael

Pam

Christine

Darlene

Pat

Patti

I will be posting new projects in the coming weeks with the fabulous September Release stamps . You can use my code - TJ10Deb - to save 10% off all other stamps/supplies .The new releases are 15% off through September 8 - no code required. Thank you for stopping by to check out the new release stamps !! 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / August 2024

It's hard to believe that September is almost here and hopefully some Autumn weather with it !! I promise not to complain about cold weather after the extremely hot summer we've had. Last year right after Christmas, our HVAC system decided that 20 years of work was enough and broke down. It was time for a new one and as hard as it was to spend so much money on it, the house hasn't felt so comfortable in years. The kitchen hadn't cooled down or warmed up in a long time but new duct work took care of that also .. Sooooo, I am looking forward to cooler temps, sweater weather, falling leaves and a nice,cozy house !! Remind me of that when we have our first snowfall. 

Lisa and I are back this month with our Crafty Elf creations to inspire you and help you get ready to send your holiday cards !! I used a retired stamp from Penny Black Inc.  - Paris Packages. I also colored the stamped image with my new OLO markers .

• I stamped the Eiffel Tower image on white cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento ink .
• The stamped image was die cut with a Big and Little Chain Rectangle die from Gina Marie Designs .
• The stamped image waa colored with my new OLO markers. I was so excited to use them that I forgot to write down which colors I used.But I will next time.
• I adhered a piece of Paris Junk Journal digital paper  - from Trendy Travel Digital on Etsy - to a Sky Blue 5x7 card base.
• The stamped panel was matted on a piece of teal cardstock and adhered to the card base with foam tabs.
• A Merry Christmas wood-mounted stamp from My Sentiments Exactly was used  for the sentiment. I stamped it with Rose IO ink on white cardstock, then trimmed it.
• I adhered the sentiment to the left of the Eiffel Tower with foam tabs.

I also colored it in a more traditional color scheme.for another card.

Please take a look at Lisa's August inspiration over at her blog - Life of a BZscrapper . She continuously creates fabulous cards each and every month .. I appreciate you stopping by to visit the Crafty Elves. We will be back  in September with more holiday creations!!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

It's Okay Not To Be Okay

I've learned over the years that it's okay not to be okay. When something tragic happens, we need to acknowledge it and understand that we are allowed to be sad .. Grief is not a problem to be solved - we learn to navigate through it. I certainly learned that when my son was killed in a car accident in 2023 by an impaired driver. We had a close but complicated relationship and all of a sudden he was gone. No more time to wonder what the future would bring . I had guilt over the should haves and could haves. And I definitely wasn't okay. But with the help of an amazing grief counselor, a support group, family and friends, I am learning that when I'm not okay, I have people to turn to .. This card is for a dear friend who is going through her own grief . I can't fix it for her but I can be there for her when she needs a friend. We've spent an afternoon playing with paper and many times just meeting up for a quick coffee . It's okay to not be okay but you don't have to do it alone . 

• I stamped the sentiment from Technique Junkies with Nautical Blue Memento ink on a piece of nautical patterned paper .
• The stamped panel was adhered to a Kraft card base.

Thank you for stopping by to see my card using the It's Okay stamp from the latest Technique Junkies release. Reach out to someone you know who is having a hard time. You don't have to fix it for them - you just need to be there.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / August 2024

It's time for my August collaboration with Celeste .. Each month we choose a theme and make a card .. We also talk about our latest coffee favorite - and often share a new cup !!  This time our theme is TWINE.  I have several rolls of Baker's Twine that I've been using for years . All I had to do was come up with a card idea !!

I am not a big Taylor Swift fan but do love one of her songs and especially 1 line in that song . I saw it in a stamp set by Erin Lee Creative - Me and Karma - and just had to have it !! Then I just had to find the perfect image for it . I think that I hit the jackpot with a set of stamps by Technique Junkie - Vamps and Vixens . This set is retired but there are many fun images that could be used with this sentiment.

• I stamped the Woman image on white cardstock with Tuxedo Black Memento ink .
• Below the woman I stamped the sentiment with Cranberry Fizz ink from Catherine Pooler .
• I wrapped a piece of Pink Lemonade twine around the stamped panel .
• The stamped panel was trimmed and mounted on a piece of turquoise cardstock.
• I adhered the completed panel to a multi-color plaid card base .

I'm looking forward to seeing what Celeste comes up with for this twine theme. Check out her blog - Crafting Junky  - for her card .  I was lucky enough to get a new coffee cup for my birthday from a dear friend . And I absolutely love it - my friend Donna knows me well !! I am drinking IHOP Buttery Syrup coffee as I write this post and admire my new cup . We are finally cooling down here a bit and by that I mean we are only in the high 80's, instead of the high 90's . I am very much looking forward to Fall weather - sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes and autumn colors .. 

Thank you for visiting Meticulosity again !! Celeste and I will be back to help you with some Autumn inspiration next month. Until then, Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Calm is a Super Power

Sometimes you just want to make a quick card for a friend. Grab the perfect paper and a sentiment and get to work. And that is absolutely what I did when I sat down to make this card for you today . I used the Contemporary Inspiration stamp set  from the latest Technique Junkies release.  

• On a piece of Palm Tree paper from the fun Park Lane " Summer Beach Resort" paper pad,  I stamped Calm is a Super Power, using Teal Zeal and Nautical Blue Memento Dew Drop inks,
• Calm is a Super Power is one of 4 stamps included in the Contemporary Inspiration stamp set .
• The paper pad is 6" x 8" so all I had to do to make a card was fold it in half !! How quick and easy was that ?!?!?!

There are 12 fabulous stamps/stamp sets in the latest Technique Junkies Release .Check them all out - there's a wide variety of different themes. And always remember to use my code - TJ10Deb - to save 10% on your order. Take some time to look at what my teammates have also created - you can find their inspiration at the Design Team Blog . Thank you for stopping by ....

Until next time-

Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / July 2024

Here we are in July, posting our Crafty Elf cards !! Michael Trent is once again joining us to bring you some holiday inspiration .. Our weather has been brutal here but certainly not as bad as other areas of the country. As I made my card, I thought of cooler temperatures, hot cocoa with whipped cream and holiday snail mail.

For my slimline card today, I chose a sweet design from Stampendous - Mini Holiday Wheels  . It even has our sweet cat Pixie looking out the window as we drive off on an adventure.

It's the most wonderful tie of the year

• I stamped the Mini Holiday Wheels stamp on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored it with my COPICS .
• I trimmed the stamped image and then matted it with bright green cardstock.
• The plaid patterned paper was adhered to a Kraft card base.
• I adhered the completed stamped panel to the plaid paper.
• A Tim Holtz Idea-Ology sentiment was placed above the stamped image.
• A dark red glitter candy dot was placed on either side of the sentiment.
• Small colored pearls were placed on the wreath.

I'm so glad that Michael has joined us today. He always creates such fabulous cards and I'm sure today will be no exception. You can follow the links below to see what he and Lisa have made to inspire us.

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

There are now only 5 months until Christmas !! Have you started your holiday cards ?? It's a good feeling to have a nice stash when the time comes to start on your Christmas card list ..  I look forward to seeing you again next month ..

Debra Davison

Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb and Celeste / July 2024

It's time for summer vibes as Celeste and I get together for Coffee & Cards this month.  We are having a heat wave here but I'm grateful for our new heat pump that keeps our house so much cooler than our old one. And of course, lots of iced coffee !! Celeste chose our inspiration photo for July - and it's absolutely perfect !!

For my card, I used the Bold Summer collection from Joann's . The paper pad and dimensional stickers were exactly what I needed  !! And believe it or not, I didn't even do any stamping on this project.

• I adhered a piece of watermelon patterned paper onto an A2 card base.
• My Big and Little Chain Rectangle die was used to cut out a mat for the Sweet Summer Time sticker.
• After adhering the sticker to the dark green die cut, I placed it in the center of the card base.
• A dimensional Watermelon Mojito sticker was adhered to the right lower corner of the matted sticker.

What a quick and easy card to capture summer !! To see what Celeste has made, check out her blog post  - Crafting Junky . To keep cool on these hot summer days, I love to  drink iced coffee . Today I'm drinking an Iced Toasted Coconut Mocha and using one of my fun coffee sleeves . Are you a fan of Iced Coffee ?? I'll admit that sometimes my morning cup of coffee sits while I putter around the house doing chores, making a card etc...  And lately instead of reheating it one more time in the microwave, I will just add some ice and turn it into a fabulous iced version !! 

Thank you for stopping by to see our summery cards. Have you been creating seasonal cards lately ?? Although I am enjoying summer so far, I know that Fall ( and cooler temps )  are right around the corner. We will see you next month - until then, Stay Creative.. 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity