Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / August 2025

Here we are about to say good-bye to summer and hello to Sweater Weather !! Christmas will be just around the corner so Michael, Lisa and I are continuing to show you our holiday cards each month on the 25th to inspire you to get started on your own . It's a great way to beat the holiday rush and decrease your holiday stress level .

For my card today, I used the Photoplay stamp set - I Love Christmas . I also used the matching dies.  The cute holiday ephemera is from Aall & Create - Warm Wishes .

• I stamped the girl and tree images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then die-cut them with the matching dies .
• The images were colored with my OLO Markers .
• I adhered a piece of green patterned paper to a white card base.
• I cut some Glitter Zig-zag paper and adhered it to the bottom of the card base for a snowy background.
• The red border at the top of the card was found in my scrap drawer . I'm pretty sure it was from a Tim Holtz die. ( one of my favorites ) .
• The tree the girl is holding is popped up with a foam tab . It is one of 5 designs that can be stamped and die-cut for her to hold . There are also a cup of cocoa, a stocking, a present and candy canes. 
• I adhered the girl onto the left side of the card base .
• The presents were placed on the bottom right of the card base - the 2 on each end were adhered with mono adhesive and the center one was popped up with a foam tab.
• I adhered the Warm Wishes tag at the top right of the card then popped up a bird with another foam tab.

There was absolutely no reason for me to procrastinate on making this card since I have been off all week. But I did !! However, I did have the stamp set picked out. And from start to finish on this card, it took me exactly 2 hours . To stamp, die-cut, color and also come up with a layout !! Not too shabby, if I must say so myself. AND I'm happy with the finished product ..

Please take a look at Michael and Lisa's cards at the links below. I know that they both always inspire me with the cards they create .

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you for stopping by to see our latest cards . We hope we inspired you to make some of your own before the holiday begins. Until next time, stay creative .. 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / August 2025

Our theme for August is TRAVEL .. My post will be short and sweet since I am having laptop issues and want to get this written before I have more problems. 

I used the Colorado Craft Company stamp set Wanderlust and the Tim Holtz stamp set Noteworthy . I was so excited with the first card that I made that I quickly created 2 more !! The map and Air Mail papers that I used are from my stash - I have had them forever .. I stamped all of the images with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .  On two of the cards, I matted the main stamped image with brown cardstock. The travel labels were stamped and fussy-cut, then popped up on each card with foam tabs. 

I will also be entering this card in the Color Throwdown Challenge . Thanks to Celeste for telling me about it . It is #839 . Be sure to check out all the info at the link .. The colors for the challenge are Aqua, Red & White .  . #ctd839    #colorthrowdown 

Be sure to check out Celeste's card over at her blog - Crafting Junky . She likes to travel so I'm excited to see how she used our theme!! For my coffee this month,  I'm drinking Apple Cider Donut coffee from Dunkin' from my new Prescription Coffee cup that Brian just gave me for my birthday .

Thank you for stopping by .. I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of summer and looking forward to Fall and Sweater Weather !! I know I am .. Until next time, stay creative and drink good coffee.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / July 2025

There are only 5 months until Christmas !! Where has the time gone?? Lisa, Michael and I have been making our holiday cards all year long and will have a nice stash when it comes time to mail them off to family and friends .. 

   

When I think of the holidays, I always remember that it is also Hallmark movie season.  A new batch of movies to watch along with some older favorites .. They start showing them before Thanksgiving and I have to admit that I'm hooked . Are you ??  I made my card with a wood-mounted stamp from Impression Obsession  - Hallmark Movie Season, designed by Lindsey Waltman Ostrom .. IO is now closed but I definitely have a wonderful stash to use when I create. 

• I stamped the "Hallmark Movie Season" image on a piece of white watercolor cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• I trimmed the stamped image, leaving room at the top and bottom for some holiday washi .
• The image was colored with my COPICS.
• 2 strips of holiday washi were placed above the stamped image and 1 below.
• I adhered a piece of Cozy Christmas paper from My Mind's Eye to a tan card base. The paper reminded me of a cross-stitch pattern !!! I used to cross-stitch constantly and love that paper design . 
• The stamped image was matted with a piece of green cardstock, then adhered to the patterned paper with foam tabs.
• A gingerbread man was placed on the stamped panel under the N in season .

We are glad you stopped by to see our latest holiday creations. And we hope you are inspired to start on your holiday cards ahead of time too!! Check out the links below to see what Michael and Lisa have created.

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

 We will be back next month with some more holiday  cards to show you .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee and Cards with Deb & Celeste / July 2025

July is here . And that means a fun, summer theme from me and Celeste !! We are having crazy hot weather here in Virginia Beach . I keep waiting for it to cool down a bit for even a day, but that hasn't happened yet.  So sit back, relax with a nice iced coffee and enjoy our cards for this month .    

I am in love with stickers of all kinds and especially love the chipboard variety . I know that I have had these  from Crate Paper 's "The Pier" collection for years !!! So now seemed like the perfect time to use them.

• I adhered a piece of paper from the "Domestic Goddess" collection by Stampin' Up to a 5x7 pale turquoise card base. The design reminded me of a picnic tablecloth we had when I was a child. 
• Chipboard stickers from Crate Paper's "The Pier" collection were placed on the patterned paper . The Summer Days heading was perfect!!

This was such a fun, quick and easy card to make . Totally different from my original idea but I was really pleased with the outcome. I can't wait to see what Celeste's idea was for our Summer theme !! You can see her card over at her blog - Crafting Junky .  While I was making my card, I was drinking some Vanilla Caramel Iced coffee in my new SWIG Sunset Travel Mug . I am not affiliated with the company at all - just love that I can keep my coffee or water either cold or hot on my desk for hours !! And they also have such pretty straws !! It's my go-to cup at work now ( until I retire at the end of September ).

Thanks so much for dropping by to see our summery creations. I hope you are having a nice weekend doing something that you love - read a book, take a walk, call a friend.  Be kind to yourself and others.  We will see you next month .. Until then, Stay Creative .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / June 2025

We are halfway through the year - can you believe that already ?!?! Christmas is only 6 months away . Lisa, Michael and I post our holiday cards every month on the 25th to inspire you to make some of your own. You will be ahead of the game when it comes time to put your holiday cards in the mail !! 

And now it's confession time !! I totally forgot to make a card for today. I picked up an extra shift at the hospital and worked Sunday, Monday and Tuesday . Oops - completely slipped my mind. So today's card was quickly made this morning . I hope you like it !!

• I stamped the "Winter Cuppa" image from Little Darlings Rubber Stamps on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• The image was colored with my COPICS.
• I used a corner punch on the stamped panel.
• Candy Dots in various colors were placed on each corner .
• A red heart was adhered to the teapot.
• Several white glittery gems were placed on the stamped image .
• The completed stamped panel was placed on a striped card base by American Crafts with foam tabs.
• To finish my card, I placed a heart in the enter of the teapot.
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I'm very pleased with my quick card. I got the Winter Cuppa stamp on sale a few years ago. I think the company has closed or either rebranded itself.  Please take a look at Michael's and Lisa's creations at these links :

World of Michael Trent

Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you for stopping by to check out our cards for June. I am going to make my July card this weekend so I don't forget again !! Until then, Stay Creative !!

 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / June 2025

For the month of June, we've chosen a fun theme. Everyone who knows me knows that I am an avid reader - a bookworm from way back. Even before I could read, I can remember sitting next to my dad on the couch with a book in my hands, while he read his latest book. We took weekly walks to the library that was only a few blocks away. And as I got older, books continued to fascinate me - I read everything I could get my hands on. My library card was a prized possession.  I'm still in love with books and although a physical book is still my favorite, I do have several e-readers full of thousands of books/samples.  Books/Reading is our theme for June. I hope you enjoy what we have made as much as we have enjoyed making them !!

For my card today I pulled out a never-used stamp set by Ellen Hutson . Although she has since retired, she has placed some of their fabulous products on Amazon . I used the stamp/die set Bookworm Lady from their Leading Ladies series . 

• I stamped all the elements on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink  - the bookworm lady, book, bookstack, bookmark and cup.
• The matching dies were used to die-cut the images.
• I colored the images with a variety of markers, OLO, COPOC, Tombow.
• The background papers are from the CraftSmith "Book Club " paper pad.
• I adhered the word background paper to a pink card base.
• The book shelf border at the top was cut from another piece of Book Club paper  and adhered at the top of the card .
• The sentiment is a piece of a bookmark that I cut and adhered to the card .

If I must say so myself, I love this card !!  And I can't wait to see what Celeste has made using our theme.. Go to her blog - Crafting Junky - to check out her card . For my coffee this month,  I am having Cafe Bustelo Dulce le Leche . I found the K-cups at Target on sale and just had to try them . Believe me when I say that the coffee is delicious !! And in keeping with our theme, I am using a fabulous cup given to me by a good friend for my birthday a few years ago . 

Thank you for stopping by to see our June creations. We are having a heat wave here and temps will be in the 90's all next week ( with heat indexes over 100 ) .. I think next month I will be drinking iced coffee !! Until then, stay creative AND cool. And drink some good coffee ..

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

My Growing In Unity Week

Today is the last day of my Growing in Unity Week with Unity Stamp Company . I've had so much fun making cards with some of my favorite Unity stamps !! I'm surprised I didn't make a coffee-themed card because they are some of my favorite kinds to create .. But I do have a holiday card and also a few with cats - 2 of my other favorite themes ..  I wanted to post them all here as I wind up my week . Thanks so much to Unity for giving me this opportunity.

Crafty Pissy Kitty - I Made This

Wildflower Critters

Pooh's List

Windowsill

Totally Have This {sassy girl }

Thanks so much for stopping by to see all of my creations. Comment for a chance to be selected to win a $20 Unity gift credit. I will choose 2 people at random and post the winners next week . Be sure I have your contact info in case you are a winner .. 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / May 2025

Where does the time go ?!?!?! 2025 is almost halfway over and it's time for the May Crafty Elf cards !! I  shopped a fabulous sale over at Deep Red Rubber and got the cutest holiday stamp that combines my love of Christmas AND coffee . In fact, I bought several for friends and will also be sending one to someone who comments on this post . I will choose someone at random in the evening on Tuesday, June 27 . Are you feeling lucky ??

I chose the Noel Elf  image for my card this month.  That elf is just the sweetest and I envisioned him taking a nap in one of my many holiday coffee cups after helping Santa deliver presents ALL night long ..

 

• The Noel Elf  image was stamped twice - once on white cardstock and once on cream. I used Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• I fussy-cut the cup from the white cardstock.
• The stamped images were colored with my OLO markers.
• The elf on cream cardstock was die-cut with a 
• I adhered a piece of Stampin' Up "Sleigh Bells Ribbon" to a piece of DCWV  Joyeux Noel paper .
• The ribboned panel was adhered to a green card base.
• I placed small light and dark green pearls across the top of the fussy-cut cup.
• That cup was then adhered on top of the same image on the cream panel with foam tabs.
• The completed stamped panel was then placed on the card base with foam tabs.

I hope you like my latest card . Please take a look at what Michael and Lisa have created to inspire you to get started on your holiday cards also . You can find them at these links -

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you for stopping by . Remember if you comment here or on my Facebook post, you just might get a Noel Elf  stamp of your very own to play with . Until next month, enjoy some beautiful Spring weather and Stay Creative.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee and Cards with Deb & Celeste / May 2025

May is here and we are back with a theme that got us started in the first place.. Our love of card-making AND coffee was the beginning of these blog posts . So here is a fabulous inspiration photo for our theme this month - COFFEE .

I used a fun stamp from Emerald Creek - Coffee Sign Board  by Pam Bray Designs . I bought the whole set of her coffee stamps many years ago - they are based in Canada. So, I don't know how the tariff insanity could impact ordering them !!

• I stamped the Coffee Sign Board on ivory cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• The image was cut out with a Big and Little Chain rectangle die  from Gina Marie Designs.
• I colored the cup and coffee rings with my OLO markers .
• A piece of Prima "Coffee Break" paper was adhered to a turquoise card base.
• The completed stamped image was adhered to the card base using foam tabs.

I'm excited to see Celeste's card - she makes beautiful cards, especially coffee-themed ones . You can see what she's created over at her blog - Crafting Junky .

My cup today is actually a tea cup - a vintage Lefton "Miss Dainty"  -  from the 1950's . I know my mom had a set of these when I was a child. And when I saw that a friend online had found one in a thrift store, I commented on it . She was going to be selling it in her eBay shop . I told her I'd love to buy it and now it has a new home on a shelf in my craft room. I did drink a cup of tea out of it before placing it on the shelf . For today's blog post, I'm drinking a cup of Kona coffee with Sweet Cream creamer from a reusable Starbucks cup .Nothing fancy, just practical . 

If you'd like to check out my friend Sandi's eBay shop, you can go to Fun Funky Florida Finds . She has a variety of cool stuff, including some Starbucks destination cups . I love my new ( vintage ) Miss Dainty cup - it's a sweet reminder of my mom .

Thank you for stopping by for our May cards . 

We will see you again next month . 

Until then, Stay Creative .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / April 2025

We are 4 months into 2025 and it's time for the Crafty Elves to show off their holiday cards once again . Michael, Lisa and I post our cards each month on the 25th to inspire you to start on your holiday cards too and beat the rush .  I also start to address my envelopes , which puts me even that much more ahead of the game !!

For my card this month, I used a fantastic stamp set with matching dies from Picket Fence Studios - A Cup of Christmas Cheer . They were having a great sale that I couldn't resist . 

• I stamped the coffee cup gingerbread man and holly leaf on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• The images were cut out with the matching dies.
• I colored the images with my OLO markers .
• I used a "vintage" piece of double-sided scrap paper from Stampin' Up on my Kraft card base and also to mat the Christmas Cheer image. I love the 2 patterns on this piece of paper !!
• I adhered the Cup image to the green snowflake panel with Stampin' Up foam dimensionals .
• The snowman and holly images were also adhered with foam dimensionals.
• I placed some clear glitter on the windowsill and at the end of the pathway.

I'm excited to see what Michael and Lisa made for April . Here are links to their blog posts.

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds-Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

Thanks again for stopping by as we share our holiday inspiration . Have you started on your holiday cards yet ?? I'm always so glad that the three of us have continued to do this. It's so nice to have a stash of cards ready to send, most of them already addressed . Take some time to be creative and pull out some of your holiday stamp sets . You'll be happy you did !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / April 2025

Spring is in the air as we are nearly at the end of April . We've had some crazy weather  - a freeze one morning last week and 85 degrees today !! The pollen is crazy and I'm looking forward to that going away .. For our theme this month, we chose embossing folders. If you're like me, you have a stash of embossing folders that you have never used !! So we decided to create a card with one.

My card took a completely different turn than the one I was planning to make .  I was going to use a coffee cup folder but decided at the last minute to switch to tea !! I have had this Darice Tea Pot folder for many years - it was still in the package. I also used a Hero Arts Tea Kettle Die that I recently got on clearance.  

• I used a 12x12 Pastel Cardstock Recollections paper pad  for this card.
• The embossing folder design was made with pastel blue cardstock.
• The tea kettle, lid and cup were die cut with yellow and pink cardstock.
• I used a scrap of gray cardstock for the handle .
• I adhered the teapot panel to a green card base .
• The teapot pieces were adhered to the embossed panel .
• I popped up the cup with a foam tab.
• Stickers by  Paige Evans - applied to kettle, cup and also banners .
• I stapled a Tim Holtz Ticket on the upper right side of the embossed panel. 

This card was so much fun to work on . And since I loved the finished product so much, I made another one. They will be sent to people in my Coffee Card Swap group.Have I inspired you to get out an embossing folder and create a card ?? I sure hope so ..

Say Hello To a New Day 

Take a look at Celeste's card over at her blog - Crafting Junky .I'm excited to see what she makes ! While I was making my cards, I was drinking a nice cup of Kona Coffee with some Sweet Cream creamer. My cup is one I've had for many years and it reminds me of all the beautiful flowers that are coming up in Brian's garden ..

Thanks so much for hanging out with me and Celeste for another month of Coffee & Cards.  We look forward to seeing you again next month. Until the, Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison 

Meticulosity

 

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / March 2025

Once again the Crafty Elves are here with some holiday inspiration !! Each month on the 25th, Michael,Lisa and I post holiday cards to get you in the mood for some card-making of your own.  You can get ahead of the holiday rush by having a stash of cards all ready to mail .

I have been doing a whole lot of cleaning, destashing and donating lately and came across many amazing Tim Holtz goodies that I even forgot I had !!  This card is an expression of my love for all things Christmas and especially my love for all things created by Tim Holtz.

 

• On a white card base, I adhered a piece of red/white checkered paper.
• I used Tim Holtz idea-ology supplies on the card front -  a Christmas Noel Paper Doll was popped up on a Pocket Card, using foam tabs.  
• The Pocket Card was adhered to the card front.
• Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlit dies - Christmas Cookies were used to make the heart, star and candy cane. They were adhered to the upper right corner of the pocket card .
• I placed a red candy heart on the die-cut heart.
• A Tim Holtz Label sticker was adhered in the bottom corner of the card.

Going through my craft supplies to destash and donate is like going shopping . I find so many great things I can't even remember buying !! I even got my desk cleaned off enough to be able to create there. I still have much more to do but it's a start .. There are links below for you to check out what Michael and Lisa have made. I hope you will take a look .

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Thanks so much for stopping by . I hope the weather is starting to warm up where you are . Brian has been busy with the garden and there are flowers blooming already .. Take some time for yourself and enjoy a beautiful Spring day

Until next time -

Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / March 2025

Celeste and I are here with our Coffee & Cards post for March .. We decided on a Kid's card and I'll admit that I was originally at a loss for ideas. I looked through my many stamp sets but nothing inspired me or came to me.. Then I saw The Gang Christmas from Ink Road and a card idea was born !!! 

When I was a child, my favorite holiday movie was "A Charlie Brown Christmas" . I can still remember how excited I was to watch it . It came out in 1965 - I was 7 years old .. It seemed like the perfect idea for my card !!  

• I stamped the image on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink . 
• It was die cut with a Sizzix "Tim Holtz Stitched Square" die.
• The stamped image was colored with my OLO markers  .
• A piece of Catherine Pooler "Cookies for Santa" patterned paper was adhered to a 5x7 red card base. I chose this pattern because it reminded me of the shirts that Charlie Brown wore.
• The completed stamped image was adhered to the card base with foam tabs.
• A Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas sticker was adhered below the stamped image.
• I stamped several of these images and will make a few holiday cards . They are easy to color and remind me so much of my childhood !! 

To see what Celeste has made for her Kid's card, check out her blog - Crafting Junky . My drink of choice today is King Cake coffee by Community Coffee . It is flavored with cinnamon and vanilla and is delicious . I'm drinking it from a holiday cup found online at Macy's at an after Christmas sale .. Reminds me of the cross-stitch I used to do regularly before card-making took over!! I also have to say that I actually made today's card at the desk in my craft room . It has been covered with craft supplies and I have begun to destash . I started with my desk so I could get in my room - my sanctuary - again .. I will now tackle the kitchen table so we can once again sit there to eat . It had become my crafty spot while my desk was inundated with supplies !! A bit of progress at a time feels good. Let's hope the momentum continues ..

Thank you for stopping by . We will be back next month with more Coffee & Cards .. Until then, Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / February 2025

It seems like I blinked and it's already the end of February !!! I've been doing some destashing/donating and have come across some fabulous stamps I haven't seen in awhile . Some I don't even remember buying ! Lisa, Michael and I are bringing you holiday inspiration every month on the 25th to inspire you . Get those cards started early and you will have 1 less thing to stress about when the holidays roll around !!

I used a fun Wendy Vecchi stamp set - Doodle Christmas - for my card today . I love all of the stamps in this set . There are so many cute ways to create holiday cards with all the images ..

• I stamped the wreath from Doodle Christmas with Memento Olive Green ink on white cardstock and then die cut it with a Big and Little Pierced Chain round die .
•  The ornaments were stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink inside the wreath.
• The bow was stamped on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and then fussy-cut . 
• I adhered a piece of holiday plaid paper from my scrap drawer to a green card base .
• The ornaments and bow were colored with my OLO Markers.
• I placed red candy dots around the wreath.
• The red bow was adhered at the bottom of the wreath with foam tabs.
• I adhered the completed stamped panel to the holiday plaid paper.
• Stickers from the Simple Stories "Dear Santa" collection were placed at the bottom right .

You can get more ideas for your holiday cards by following the links to Lisa's and Michaels's blogs.

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

Michael; Trent  - World of Michael Trent

Thank you for stopping by to see our latest cards. We look forward to seeing you next month with more Crafty Elf inspiration . 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity