Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / March 2026

Well, Celeste has gotten me out of my comfort zone again with another sketch challenge for this month's blog collab . I'm not sure why I have a hard time with these, but this time it was relatively easy for me . How do you feel about sketch designs ??? Here's what we used for our March cards .

I saw an old favorite Rubber Moon stamp - Journal Girl - and thought she would be perfect for my card.  I was so sad when Rubber Moon closed but luckily, I have a nice collection of their stamps. I used the Cool Girl paper pad by Pebbles, American Crafts for the patterned papers on my card .

• I stamped the Journal Girl with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock and die cut it with a  Big and Little Chain Rectangle Die .
• I used the next larger die in the set and cut a mat from a piece of plum cardstock.
• The image was colored with my COPICS.
• A red clay heart was placed in her hair - like the barrettes I used to wear as a child .
• 3 mint green sequins were placed down the left side of the stamped image .
• I placed coordinating papers on a mint green card base to follow the sketch design.
• The stamped image was adhered to the plum mat and then to the floral-patterned paper.
• A chipboard flower from the Good Life Thickers collection from American Crafts was adhered to the bottom right corner of the stamped/matted panel .
• A Tim Holtz Small Talk sentiment completed my card .

Celeste is a pro at these sketch challenges, and I can't wait to see what she has made. Please take a look at her card over at Crafting Junky . Today my drink of choice is an Iced Matcha Latte . I'm using a fun cup I bought awhile ago and have had sitting on my desk. It's never been used so I figured now was the perfect time.  It even has a cool tea bag holder in the bottom that I will use next time for some hot tea. I just love the cat/sushi pattern on the cup !!

Thank you again for taking time out of your busy day to see what Celeste and I are up to this month . I'm feeling a little bit better about sketch challenges now and have Celeste to thank for that !! We will see you again in April .I hope Spring is bringing some beautiful weather to you, wherever you are .. Until nest time, stay creative.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

 

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / March 2021

I know that I'm not the only one who is ready for cold weather to be over and a new season to begin !! Celeste and I are so thrilled for Spring to get here  and that is our theme for our blog posts this month. My guy is anxious to get outside and work in the raised beds that he built last year. And I look forward to spending time on the deck with my planner or a good book !

I had this stamp in mind from Rubber Moon as soon as I found out the March theme. Designed by Dave Brethauer, Whistle While You Work is a whimsical take on Spring. 

A New Beginning

• On a white card base, I layered a thin strip of pink gingham paper over a floral-patterned piece, creating a border at the top ..
• I stamped the Whistle While You Work image on a lined journal card with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink .
• The stamped image was colored with my COPIC markers.
• I stapled a thin strip of pale blue paper to the upper left side of the journal card, using 2 staples.
• The journal card was popped up at an angle on the floral paper with foam tabs.
• Fine glitter was placed on the water sprinkles coming from the watering can.
• A Tim Holtz Idea-ology sticker sentiment was placed at the lower right corner of the journal card. 
• Rhinestones were placed along the gingham strip at the top of the card .

Thank you for visiting Meticulosity and checking out my March card .. Now head on over to Celeste's blog - Crafting Junky - for a look at her take on our Spring theme !! Has Spring arrived where you live ?? We have a few daffodils blooming near our mailbox and they are an absolutely beautiful sight !! I'm looking forward to our COVID lockdown lessening and maybe having coffee with  a friend soon .. For my coffee with this post, I am using a colorful cup from the Philippines that a friend brought me back from her visit with her family . I'm drinking Blueberry Coffee-cake coffee and it is delicious !!

Until next time, Stay Creative

and Stay safe !!!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

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

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / November 2020

I think that every year we ask ourselves where the time has gone. In the blink of an eye, it's November and holiday season is here. We are down to the wire with holiday cards. I just received my first Christmas card from England yesterday !! Plus we are all still living with COVID-19 and that has changed how our holidays are looking this year. I know that I am so ready for 2020 to be over and hope that 2021 is a better  - and healthier - year for everyone !!

I used a variety of stamps this month - both old and new favorites !! My first card uses a fun new stamp from Anthony's Paper Craft -  Snowball Stand - and also a new sentiment set  - Christmas Greetings 3 . This stamp will be sent to you for free if you spend  $30 or more from Black Friday through Cyber Monday at. Anthony's Paper Craft.  All stamps will be 25% off and US customers will get free shipping if you spend $50 or more. 

• I stamped the  Snowball Stand on a piece of Strathmore Marker paper and also on a piece of wood-grain paper.
• The stand was cut out of the wood-grain paper  and adhered on top of the marker paper image. 
• The snowman and snow outlines were colored with my COPIC markers. 
• I stamped the sentiment in ColorBox Scuba Distress ink  onto a piece of pale wood-grain paper and adhered it to the top of the stamped panel .
• I had also stamped an extra sign on marker paper and popped that up on top of the snowball stand.
• I placed some glitter highlights on the snow and on several snowballs.
• The completed panel was adhered to a blue card base. 

• The Christmas Clothesline  and sentiment were stamped on a piece of Strathmore Marker paper and then  colored with my COPICS.
• I cut the paper to fit on the front of a pale green card base .
• A piece of thin silver metallic washi was placed between the clothesline and sentiment.
• I love the simplicity of this card.

• I stamped the Xmas Mitten onto a piece of Marker paper and also on a piece of watercolor paper.
• I cut the mitten out of the watercolor paper and colored it with my COPICS.
• The contents of the stocking on the Marker paper were colored with my COPICS .
• The sentiment was stamped on watercolor paper and then trimmed .
• I adhered the sentiment next to the Mitten and the watercolor Mitten over the matching stamped image. They were popped up with foam tabs.
• The stamped panel was adhered to a pale green card base.
• Sequins were adhered around the Xmas Mitten.

• I stamped the Koko Girl and sentiment from the Erin Lee Creative Koko Girl Cocoa Stamp & Die Set on watercolor paper.
• The girl was cut out with the matching die .
• I colored the girl with my COPICS .
• I cut the sentiment to fit at the top left of the card.
• The sentiment was matted with a piece of dark green scrap paper.
• A piece of glittery snow scene paper was adhered to a pink card base.
• The girl was popped up with foam tabs towards the lower right side of the card.
• The sentiment was popped up with foam tabs at the top left.

I'm sure that the other Crafty Elves  - Michael and Lisa -  have created some fabulous cards for November !! You can check out their blogs here  -

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZScrapper

Have you started your holiday cards yet ? Are you even sending cards this year ?? What a crazy year it has been !! I will be happy to put this year behind me and get on with 2021. It just has to be a better year .. Thank you for visiting Meticulosity once again .. We will be back on Christmas Day for our 2020 wrap-up  and hope that you will join us.  Until then, stay safe and creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

October Cookies / Take 2

Our latest Challenge at If You Give a Crafter a Cookie  is perfect for this time of year and might be the most fun I have this Halloween, since COVID seems to be putting a damper on trick or treating !! And the colors would also be a fun combination for a project !!

I had such a good time making this card ..  I used supplies from a few of my favorite companies - Rubber Moon , Paper House Productions and Recollections at Michaels . It was a quick card to put together with minimal coloring.. I hope you like it as much as I do ..

Things That Go Bump In The Night

• On a gray card base, I adhered a piece of  orange paper from the Paper House pad - Color Washed. This is a gorgeous paper pad and even though the pad is sold out, you can still find some gorgeous single sheets over at Paper House .
• I stamped the String o' Jacks from Rubber Moon on watercolor paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink . This stamp was designed by Marylinn Kelly - take a look at all of her designs for Rubber Moon HERE .
• The image was colored with my Copics .
• I adhered a strip of pumpkin washi along the top of the pumpkin image.
• I popped the pumpkin image up on the orange paper with foam tabs .
• 2 strips of narrow Halloween washi from Recollections were placed above and below the popped up pumpkins.
• A sentiment from Idea-ology Small Talk was adhered on the bottom right corner of the orange paper.

This Challenge will be the last one for 2020. We've had a fabulous year bringing you some amazing Inspiration photos and have had wonderful projects linked up by our followers.  But we will be taking a break to regroup and hope to be back next year .. 2021 can only be better -- am I right ?!?!?! We would still love for you to link up a project with us this time !!

Thank you for visiting Meticulosity ..

Stay Creative...

Debra Davison

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - July 2020

Here we are in July --- we are still staying home  for the most part here in Virginia and also wearing mandated masks when we go out.. It has also been near 100 degrees for most of the week AND we just had a power outage while I was starting to work on this post !!  But I am not complaining . I have much to be grateful for .. And that includes all of the holiday cards that I have been making each week along with the other Crafty Elves - Michael, Lisa and Jessica !! 

No big descriptions again this month - just a quick list of supplies .. I did have fun with some favorite Rubber Moon stamps !! And my last card used some cute chipboard die-cuts that I have been hoarding .  If you have any questions about any of my cards for this month, just ask ..

Cardinal Sled with Snowman - Rubber Moon

Strathmore Toned Tan Mixed Media paper

Small Talk sentiment - Tim Holtz Ideaology

Tumbled Glass Distress Glitter

Copic Markers

Bird with Star and Tree - Rubber Moon

Moonlighting - Rubber Moon

Small Talk sentiment - Tim Holtz Ideaology

Watercolor Words washi- Rubber Moon

Give Me Paper  - Rubber Moon

Lots of patterned paper !!

Merry Everything paper pad - Recollections

Christmas paper pad - Carta Bella

Small Talk sentiment - Tim Holtz Ideaology

Copic Markers

I changed the words from " my next birthday" to Christmas !!

I loved this so much that I had to make 2 !!

Chipboard Die Cuts

To My Bestie stamp set - Close To My Heart

Copic Marker

The other Crafty Elves have been busy all month too and I can't wait to see what they have created !! You can check them out on their blogs here :

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Jessica Pickeral -  Polka Dot Orchard Blog

Thanks so much for following us all these past 7 months as we create our holiday cards each week for our monthly post !! I've already started addressing envelopes so I will be even more ready when Christmas season arrives ..

There is a also fun holiday blog hop right now - hosted by my crafty friend, Crystal Minkler and her team.  She has a Facebook page - Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers . Check out their Hop HERE for all of the info . I will be linking up these 5 cards of  mine throughout today.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - May 2020

Well, we're still staying home here in Virginia but slowly re-opening. It's hard to believe we have been doing this since March . I wear a mask at work at the hospital and also when I have to go out. I'm playing it safe and so is Brian, but I see many who haven't gotten the mask/social distance message. I've had lots of time at home to read, relax on the deck and get creative. My creative mojo comes and goes, but I enjoyed making  the cards for this month . I hope that you enjoy them too !! For this month's post,  we have another Crafty Elf joining us - Amy Tsuruta is an amazing papercrafter and the  host of the amazing Coffee Loving Papercrafters page on Facebook . She is also a creator of the Coffee Lovers Hops, one of which is going on right now  ( May 22-29 ) . So of course, I had to include a hot cocoa card in May's line-up !!

I decided to use bright green card bases for all of my cards this time. Sometimes I spend lots of time figuring out what color /pattern of card base to use. So this time I made it easy on myself and chose one color. I also used my favorite Versafine Clair Nocturne ink to stamp all the images. 

Stamp ; Gretta by Lindsay Ostrom for Impression Obsession

Ephemera Sentiment ; Crate Paper

Stamps : Snowman by Rubber Moon

Joyous Christmas by Rubber Moon

This stamp is retired but they have many more fabulous snowman stamps

Stamps : Christmas Cookie stamp set with matching dies by Stampendous
This card will also be linked up at the current Spring/Summer Coffee Lovers Hop

Stamps: Holiday Cookies by Fun Stampers Journey
For the cookie jar card, I stamped, colored and fussy-cut all of the cookies.

No long detailed instruction lists again this time.  The images were colored with a variety of my favorite markers - Stabilo, Faber-Castell, Sharpies and Pilot pens. I then just chose some coordinating washi, patterned paper, ephemera and sequins to complete these cards. And I realize that I have 5 cards this time but the last 2 just went together so well that I posted both !! Take some time now to look at the other Crafty Elf projects -- I'm excited to see them also. And a big thank-you to Amy for putting on an elf hat and joining us for this month's countdown !!

Amy Tsuruta - Tsuruta Designs

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZ Scrapper

Jessica Pickeral - Polka Dot Orchard Blog

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas - March 2020

Well, last month I had the flu and now this month, we are all in the midst of  the COVID-19 pandemic. In Virginia where I live, our Governor just cancelled school for the remainder of the school year. We are asked to not gather in groups over 10 and to social distance when out, but I'm afraid we will be asked not to leave our homes unless absolutely necessary if  the cases continue to rise as quickly as they have been. I'm an RN and considered "essential" personnel at the hospital so I am expected to be at work when scheduled.  I hope that all of you are staying safe and can get the necessary supplies. I know that in times like this, I create to decrease my stress level.  Our Crafty Elves' Countdown has me looking forward to December and the holidays and that is nice. Thinking about the future one card at a time. 

I chose  the stamps Moonstruck by Marylinn Kelly and 5 Trees  by Kae Pea for Rubber Moon for my first card . They have so many fun stamps for Christmas AND all year long !!

• I stamped the Moonstruck image on watercolor paper and the 5 Trees on a multi-colored patterned paper.
• The images were then colored and fussy-cut.
• I adhered the images to some fun journal cards. I have an addiction to journal cards and know that I must have thousands !! 
• On the journal card with only the Santa image, I placed a strip of Watercolor Words washi below Santa.
• The completed journal cards were adhered to red card bases.

• I stamped that sweet kitten from a Recollections stamp set from Michaels on a piece of watercolor paper.
• The image was colored with my favorite markers.
• A sentiment from Small Talk Stickers by Tim Holtz Idea-ology was placed below the stocking.
• I adhered the stamped image to a black striped card base.
•  A sliver glitter heart fit perfectly in the space on the left side of the stocking.
• I placed a piece of Animal Christmas washi from Michaels along the bottom of the card.

• I am absolutely in love with this Posh Planters stamp set from Paper Smooches. I stamped the VW image on watercolor paper and fussy-cut it.
• The image was colored with a variety of my favorite markers.
• On a white card base, I adhered a piece of black patterned paper ( it has the word "merry' all over it ).
• The Christmas Exhibition and Special Delivery die -cuts are from a  Tim Holtz Christmas Ephemera Pack. I adhered them to the black patterned paper.
• The VW image was popped up on the bottom right corner of the card with foam tabs.
• The joy on the license plate is also from Small Talk stickers.

• This cute little penguin was in the same Recollections stamp set as the kitten in the stocking. I stamped it and the sentiment on a piece of watercolor paper, then cut the image to fit my red card base.
• I colored the image with a variety of markers.
• The stamped image was mounted on a piece of silver glitter paper and then that was adhered to my card base.
• I'll admit that this was my last card made and my mind was elsewhere. I'm not entirely happy with my coloring but he is starting to grow on me !!

The other Crafty Elves have also been busy and I hope that you will check out their holiday goodies over at their blogs .

Michael Trent - https://worldofmichaeltrent.blogspot.com/

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - https://bzscrapper66.blogspot.com/
Jessica from Polka Dot Orchard is taking a break this month but will be back soon

I also want to give a shout-out to my friend Vannessa Osbourn . She has been following our Crafty Elves' posts from the beginning and was inspired to start creating  along with us. You can see many of her cards on the Unity ( show & tell ) page on Facebook . She is also on  Instagram @ VCLAIREO . This is just one of her many fabulous cards !!  I love the patterned paper she used  and you all know that any stamp with a coffee cup is a favorite of mine !!

I hope that all of you stay safe and have everything that you need. Take some time to call a friend or check on a neighbor . Today I found eggs at the grocery store  ( finally ) and bought a dozen for my next-door neighbor. When I took them over, she gave me 2 small bottles of hand sanitizer ( cranberry, my favorite scent ). As we practice social distancing , we still need to connect with others. We are doing that with our Countdown to Christmas and are so happy that you have come to visit this month.

Until next time -

Stay Creative

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

October Cookies- Take 2

It's time for Challenge # 128 at If You Give a Crafter a Cookie and this time we are in a Halloween  frame of mind.. You have the next 2 weeks to link up a card based on our Inspiration Photo - challenge yourself with the images, the colors or the theme !!

I wanted to use some of my favorite stamps from Rubber Moon and had fun putting this card together. I liked using some non-traditional colors and was pretty pleased with how this turned out.. I'll admit that my first idea with a digi stamp from another company did not work out, so I tore it up  and started over. And this is what I came up with on my second try !!

• I adhered a piece of yellow/gold patterned paper to a black card base.
• The graveyard  border is from  a Martha Stewart  punch and I placed it across the bottom of the card . I used a bright blue metallic paper. 
• The String o' Jacks image from Rubber Moon  was stamped onto watercolor paper using Versafine Clair Nocturne ink.  It was then colored with a variety of my favorite markers.
• I left room above the pumpkins to adhere a strip of Midnight washi tape also from Rubber Moon. This panel was then adhered at the top of the card.
• The Millie & Pamela image  ( pumpkin woman with black cat ) was then stamped, cut and also colored. I adhered it below the pumpkin panel.
• Several coordinating sequins were placed the card base for some added shimmer.

You have from now through October 30 to link up a project for this Challenge.  You can find the projects of the other Design Team members HERE . I hope that you will take a look at all of them.

Until next time, Stay Creative...

 Debra Davison / Meticulosity