Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / July 2026

The Crafty Elves are bringing you their Christmas in July posts !! Although to be honest, every month is Christmas for us .. I am celebrating our new kitten with 2 of my cards this month. We adopted a sweet Siamese Mix kitten on June 16 and she is the Princess of our household. 

I raided my scrap paper drawer for 2 of my cards and used some Recollections holiday card bases for the other 2. The stamp set I used is Christmas Kitties by Simon Says Stamp! .  And my go-to black ink as always - Memento Tuxedo Black .

NO PEEKING Tim Holtz Small Talk sentiment

Kraft Cardboard box fussy cut and popped up with foam tabs

Paper Studio Holiday Foam Sticker

Tim Holtz sticker sentiment

Tim Holtz sticker sentiment

I hope you like the 4 cards I've added to my stash this month . Check out what Michael and Lisa have created over at their blogs.

World of Michael Trent

Life of a BZscrapper

We will be back next month with more holiday inspiration for you !! Take care, keep cool and stay creative.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / June 2026

Michael, Lisa and I are back with our holiday inspiration for the month  . Hard to believe we are half-way to Christmas. My post will be short and sweet because we adopted a rescue kitten a week ago and she is keeping us busy. Serafina is a 4 month old Siamese kitten that was abandoned on the side of a road with 3 siblings. She is so teeny and we are smitten. We lost our 6 year old cat Pixie to Cardiomyopathy almost 1 year ago and just recently felt ready to give another kitty a forever home. The idea for my cards came to me last night and I think that for a last-minute creation, I did good !!

I will include the supplies I used under each picture. I have had the Tim Holtz Layer Frames since 2023 and this is my first time using them !!  The Impression Obsession sentiments I used were from Christmas Coffee Sayings . And my Go-To ink - Memento Tuxedo Black .

Tim Holtz Holiday Layers Frame 

Coffee Cup / Stampers Anonymous for Stamptember 2024

Impression Obsession sentiment

Pink Fresh Studio Holiday Dreams paper

Tim Holtz Holiday Layers Frame

Coffee Cup / Stampers Anonymous set from  Stamptember 2024 

Impression Obsession sentiment 

Pink Fresh Studio Holiday Dreams paper

I used my Ohuhu Honolulu B markers to color the coffee cuos. These cards were so simple and easy to make . I popped each of the frames up with Stampin' Up Dimensionals.

Michael and Lisa have also made something to inspire you to get started on your holiday cards . I always send out close to 50 cards each holiday so it's nice to have a little stash on hand when December rolls around .

Michael - World of Michae; Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you so  much for stopping by . We hope you are inspired by our creativity . We hope to see you next month .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / May 2026

The Crafty Elves are back with their May holiday inspiration for you !! Michael, Lisa and I post each month on the 25th to get you in the mood to start on your holiday card-making along with us.

I got out an embossing folder I have been wanting to try, along with a favorite Impression Obsession stamp designed by my friend Nola. The image was colored with my new sets of  Ohuhu markers .I got a 48 count Honolulu B bright set and a pastel set .These have a brush and a fine tip and I am really enjoying them already !!

• I stamped the IO image on a piece of white cardstock .
• The image was colored with my Ohuhu markers.
• I die-cut the stamped image with a stitched border die.
• I used the Sizzix "Texture Fades" Holiday Knit embossing folder by Tim Holtz  on a piece of red cardstock .
• The embossed panel was adhered to a white card base,
• The stamped panel was popped up on the embossed panel with foam tabs.
• A Tim Holtz sentiment strip was adhered at the bottom of the card .

This was a fairly simple card to make and I love it .. I even stamped out a few more images to color . You can see what Michael and Lisa made over at their blogs -

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

We are having some cooler weather here thankfully. But with it came rain !! We did need it but maybe not on a long holiday weekend.  Thank you for stopping by . We will see you next month, when we will be at the halfway mark to Christmas 2026 .

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / December 2025

Who can believe that Christmas is here  !?!?!? I'm looking forward to all the holidays off now that I'm retired. It feels surreal that after 38 years at the same hospital, I'm now sleeping most nights without a 0430 alarm, don't have to worry about driving into work in bad weather AND best of all, I can enjoy my morning coffee quietly without any telemetry alarms or phone calls !!

I made a few cards and will just be posting which stamp I used .. There are holiday movies to be watched and a few more gifts to wrap so this post will be short and sweet .. I hope you are all ready for the holidays- no matter how you celebrate. I also know from experience that the holidays are not happy for everyone . Reach out to someone who needs a little support. It will mean the world to them.

Jubilee Crew Reindeer stamp & sentiment by Close To My Heart

Sleigh sticker from Papyrus

Dasher stamp/die set by Catherine Pooler

Decorate My Life stamp by Unity Stamp Company

I didn't send or receive as many holiday cards this year as last year . Not sure exactly why people weren't sending them. I just honestly ran out of steam and made a few last-minute cards and called it quits. But luckily, I make holiday cards all year long !!

To see what Michael and Lisa have created, check out their links -

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds- Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

Thank you for stopping by. I hope that you enjoyed our latest creations and we look forward to making many more for you every month in 2026.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / November 2025

I really cannot believe that it is already November and Christmas is only 30 days away.. I have been retired since 0ctober 1 and still have a hard time remembering what day of the week it is or if I have to work tomorrow or on the weekend. It's taken some getting used to but I sure will be glad to not have to work any holidays this season.

For my card this month, I used Aubree Girl by Angie Blom , This is such a fun holiday design and easy to color . I hope you like it as much as I do .

• I stamped the Aubree Girl image on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
• Aubree was colored with my COPICS .
• I cut the image panel with a Rectangle Big and Little Pierced Chain Die .
• On a bright green card base, I adhered a piece of vertical striped holiday paper .
• I popped up the completed stamped panel with White Dimensionals .

Grab a cup of coffee or tea or even cocoa and take a look at what Michael and Lisaa have made for November. You can find their cards at the links below -

Michael Trent -  World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you find some time for yourself to be creative this week in the midst of all the holiday hustle and bustle.  

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / October 2025

The Countdown to Christmas is on !!! Michael, Lisa and I are creating holiday cards each month to inspire you . Having a stash of cards to send out helps you beat some of the holiday rush . Every little bit helps - whether you make 1 card or many cards . I try to address the envelopes as I make the cards which saves additional time. 

Today -  October 25 - is also World Fussy-Cutting Day . It honors Sharon Klima, a beloved papercrafter who died of a heart attack . It's a day to focus on the joy of papercrafting and mindfulness and raising awareness for women's heart health  - reminding us to pause, connect and take care of our hearts (both literally and figuratively). I love to fussy-cut and used the beautiful Hero Arts - Christmas Robins stamp set for my cards today . The digital background paper is from KCS Designs by Kim - Christmas Gingham Journal Papers. You can find so many amazing digi designs in her ETSY shop and they are all 35% off .

• The birdhouses, bells and birds were stamped on white cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink .
• I colored the images with my OLO markers.
• All images were then fussy-cut .
• I printed & then adhered the Christmas Gingham paper to 2 card bases .
• The birdhouses were adhered to the patterned paper .
• I placed the bells  and birds on each birdhouse with foam tabs for added dimension .
• I used Tim Holtz Small Talk stickers for my sentiments. They are always perfect for a finishing touch .

Please be sure to take aa look at what Michael and Lisa have made . They always inspire me to create more cards !! 

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Thanks so much for joining us as we get ready for the holiday season .. We hope you are enjoying some beautiful Fall weather wherever you are . I look forward to seeing you next month as we get even closer to Christmas . I recently retired October 1 and this year I will have every holiday off !! As an RN, I worked weekends and holidays for the past 40 years so I will thoroughly enjoy this year's as a free woman !!

Until next time, Stay Creative 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / September 2025

Lisa, Michael and I are bringing you our holiday cards as we continue to count down to Christmas !! I had every intention of making my card early in the month and somehow it was time to write up my post and the card wasn't even stated. I really didn't even have  a card idea in my head except maybe for a stamp set to use. But after working a 12 hour shift today, I decided to make it easy on myself and use some fabulous Pink Fresh Studio supplies  I had in my stash !!! I actually got them at one of their clearance sales a few years ago .

All of my supplies are from the Pink Fresh "Holiday Dreams" collection . The paper, stickers, ephemera etc.. are absolutely beautiful 

•  I adhered a piece of green plaid paper to a white card base.
• The red scalloped border at the top of the card was a strip from another piece of paper in the Holiday Dreams collection .
• I adhered 4 of the Wood Accent Stickers below the border .
• A Puffy Sticker sentiment was placed near the bottom of the card .

Easy Peasy !! How quick this card came together and I could have made many more with all of the elements . In fact, I probably will next week . Tuesday, Sept. 30 is my last shift at the hospital . I am retiring after 38 years there .My creative time will be on my own schedule !!

Take a look at what Michael abd Lisa created over at their blogs -

Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 3 short months away . Have you started on your holiday cards ?? I love having a stash all ready to go when the season rolls around.  Thank you for stopping by . We hope we inspired you with our creations this month and we will see you again in October !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

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

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

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.
• 
  

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

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

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

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / January 2025

The Crafty Elves are back to bring you another year of inspiration. We will work our way through 2025, posting each month on the 25th to help you get ready for the holiday snail mail rush !! AND I'm thrilled to let you know that Michael Trent  will be joining us again !! He took some time off but of course, he couldn't stay away from us .. Show him some love and comment on his post.

For my first card, I used an old snowglobe Starbucks gift card and a gingerbread chipboard sticker from my Spellbinders Holiday Advent Calendar. A Tim Holtz sentiment was perfect to  complete my card !! This card came together in about 5 minutes  - now I have something to do with all those Starbucks cards !!

May Your Days Be Merry & Bright

My next 4 cards were also so quick and easy !! I stamped the Christmas Snow Globe images from Close To My Heart , colored them with my OLO Markers and fussy-cut them. I adhered each snow globe to a bright red card base, popping them up with foam tabs. I added some glitter to each snowglobe also. A Tim Holtz Label Sticker was adhered at the bottom right of each card . 

Thank you for stopping by to begin a new year with us !! Check out the links to Lisa and Michael's cards for January .. I hope you find lots of inspiration and start your holiday cards with us .. It's so nice to have a stash to use when you're getting ready to send your holiday mail .

 Michael - World of Michael Trent

Lisa - Life of a BZscrapper

Until next month, Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / December 2024

Christmas is finally here and it was so nice to have my stash of cards ready to send to friends and family . Lisa and I are looking forward to continuing the tradition in 2025 so you will continue to see us each month on the 25th with our holiday inspiration.. 

For my cards this month, I used the "EDGY" line from Unity Stamp Company.  I have been known to have a sarcastic side and just love these stamps. I know they aren't for everyone so you can just skip to another post if you'd like.

• On a pale pink A2 card base, I adhered an ephemera  notebook page from the 2023 Spellbinders Holiday Fun Crafty Advent calendar. .
• I stamped the sentiment from the Snarky Holiday set onto cream cardstock with IO mini imks - Turf and Deep Rose.
• The stars were  attached to the completed sentiment panel with staples.
• I adhered the sentiment panel to the notecard page with foam tabs.
• Twinkle was placed in the lower right corner with foam tabs.
• All ephemera was from the 2023 Spellbinders Holiday Fun Crafty Advent calendar. 

I also made a New Year card for a friend. I used another stamp set from the "EDGY" line .This card has such a vintage look with that woman and the snarky sentiment just puts a smile on my face !!! The Festive As F***  set is one of my favorites !!

• The vintage woman was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on cream cardstock.
• The sentiment was stamped with  a Peacock IO mini ink pad.
• I used a circle die to cut out the completed stamped image.
• A piece of patterned paper from the Simple Stories "Simple Vintage Fresh Snow" paper pad was adhered to the front of an pale blue A2 card base.
• I placed the completed stam[ed panel on the front of the card with foam tabs.
• Pale blue pearls were placed on the coat buttons.
• I highlighted some of the stamped areas with my OLO markers.

I hope you like my end-of-year creations . Be sure to take a look at what Lisa has made over at her blog - Life of a BZscrapper . We will be back in January to start off the year with some more holiday designs to get you started on your stash of cards for Christmas 2025 !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity