Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / July 2022

There are 154 days until Christmas !! Can you believe we are over halfway there ?? It's been fun sharing our holiday cards with you all year . This month, Michael is taking a break so Lisa and I  are holding down the fort and posting our cards for your crafty inspiration !! He will be back with us next month .. 

First order of business is to announce the winner of some holiday blog candy for commenting on June's post .. Karen Ladd left a sweet comment and especially loved the kitty cards !! I will be contacting her .. Thank you to all who commented - I appreciate each and every one !!!

Our weather is brutal here in Virginia Beach , with temps close to 100 many days and my crafty energy seems to dwindle as the month comes to a close. So for my cards this month, I will only list the stamp /stamps that I use . If you have any other questions about supplies,  please feel free to ask .

Enerson Girl by Angie Blom from Unity Stamp Company

Cozy Wishes from Fun Stampers Journey

Fall Gal by Jeanie Hays from Unity Stamp Company

 Stamp from 2010 - Cuddle Season by Stampendous  

I'm actually happy with my cards this time -- I think that sometimes we can be very self-critical but this time, I am satisfied with the outcome .. I hope that you are inspired to create some holiday cards ahead of the rush too . Please take a look at Lisa's cards .. They are always masterpieces !!!

Lisa Reynolds Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

There is a Christmas in July Linky Party sponsored by Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers . They have fabulous sponsors, amazing prizes and tons of holiday inspiration. I will be linking these cards up to join in on the fun !!  I hope that you will visit them and maybe even consider linking up a card of your own !!  #christmasinjuly2022byshclp

Thank you again for visiting Meticulosity and watching as we get ahead of the holiday happy mail rush each month.. I'm looking forward to having Michael back in August .. Until next time., stay creative !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb and Celeste / July 2022

I am really having a difficult time believing that it is July already !! And it is even harder to think about Christmas in a month where our temperatures have often  been close to 100 degrees. But that is our theme this month - Christmas in July .. Celeste and I will bring you some creative inspiration to give you some ideas for your holiday happy mail ..

I used Cozy Wishes by Fun Stampers Journey for my card this month .. It's a great set and can be used with fall or winter colors for different looks .. It's also a excellent set for a teacher gift, using the apple stamp . It's on sale now and very easy to fussy-cut !!

• I stamped the cup image on white cardstock and the heart on a pale blue patterned paper with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink .
• The cup and heart were fussy-cut. These images are so easy to cut .
• I colored the knitted lines with various shades of blue COPIC markers.
• The holes in the heart "button" were made with my Crop-a-dile ..
• A piece of silver gift patterned paper  - from the Studio Calico "Magical" collection - was adhered to a silver card base.
• The cup was popped up on the patterned paper with foam tabs.
• The heart "button" was also adhered to the cup handle with foam.
• A sentiment from my stash was placed above the cup - also with foam tabs for dimension .

This card was so easy to make and a breeze to color !! Perfect for some Christmas in July projects .. I'm excited to see what Celeste has designed - please take a look at it over at her blog - Crafting Junky . We hope that you have been inspired to start on some holiday cards of your own..

 I'm also posting this card to the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Linky Party - Christmas in July 2022 . There are some amazing sponsors and prizes and tons of fabulous inspiration for your holiday cards !!  #christmasinjuly2022byshclp

For my coffee this month , I thought that Gingerbread would be very appropriate !! I am drinking it from a a holiday mug I found on clearance at Barnes & Noble in January .. It's always a good time to find holiday sales !! The hard part is remembering that you bought them when the holidays roll around ...

Thank you for visiting us this month ... Until next time, Stay Creative ...

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / June 2022

June is here and we are halfway to Christmas. That calls for some blog candy, so comment on this post and you just might be chosen to receive some holiday supplies for your card stash !! I recently shopped online at the Close To My Heart  Stamptacular Sale  and all of my cards this month were made with stamp sets from those purchases. You can shop the sale through June 30 !!

My first 2 cards were made with A Furry Merry Christmas . These are such cute stamps and the cat reminded me of Pixie so I couldn't resist them !! I wanted to do a Clean & Simple design also and these were easily stamped and colored .

• On a piece of white cardstock, I stamped the Cat with Lights image with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink and the sentiment in a bold blue .
• The image was colored with my COPICS.
• I used some Echo Park paper and an older ( vintage -  LOL ) Martha Stewart border punch to make the border and then adhered it to the top of the stamped panel.
• A piece of thin black glitter washi was placed across the middle of the snowflake border for contrast .
• The stamped panel was adhered to a white card base .

• I stamped the Cat in Box image and the ornament on white cardstock with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink and the sentiment with a Rose Bud Dew Drop ink pad.  .  
• The image was colored with COPICS.
• I used Echo Park borders at the top of the stamped panel - a woodgrain and a scalloped button pattern.
• Red and golden rhinestones were alternated between the scallops.
• The completed panel was adhered to a green card base.

My last 2 cards were made with the Wonderland - Scrapbooking stamp and die set . I used Memento Dew Drop inks for these cards because it is so easy to stamp designs in multiple colors .. I went with traditional colors for one and shades pf blue for the other. 

• The stamped image was inked with Memento Dew Drop ink pads - Rhubarb Stalk for the sentiment and Bamboo Leaves for the trees .  It was then cut out with the matching die .
• I adhered a piece of holiday snowflake Spellbinders to a pale green card base .
• The stamped image was placed on the completed card base with foam tabs.
• Several small pearls were adhered around the sentiment .

• I stamped the Cocoa Day image with Paris Dusk ink for the sentiment and Summer Sky for the cup . It was then cut out with the matching die.
• A piece of blue patterned Spellbinders holiday paper was adhered to a navy card base . It reminded me of a Swedish pattern, maybe a sweater !!
• The stamped image was adhered with foam tabs to the stamped card base .
• I think that this is my favorite card this month !!

Have you begun your holiday cards yet ?? Did you know that Hallmark Movie Channel will soon be starting their Countdown to Christmas ?? I've also been addressing my cards to get even a bit more ahead of the holiday rush !! Take a look at Michael's and Lisa's blog posts to see what they've done this month  -- I am sure their cards will be fabulous as always !!

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Reynolds-Bzibziak - Life of a BZscrapper

Thanks so much for stopping by again as we show you our holiday creations . Be sure to comment here on this blog post for a chance at some fun blog candy - a few holiday goodies to help you make some  cards for your stash !!

Until next time, Stay Creative !!

Debra Davison /  Meticulosity

Coffee and Cards with Deb & Celeste / June 2022

Celeste and I are getting together again for our blog collaboration and having some coffee while we create . It was a cool 80 degrees here in Virginia Beach, which was 20 degrees cooler than yesterday !! Quick, where's my sweater ?!?!?! Our theme this month is perfect for summery weather, especially if you have a garden. Bees !! This was such a fun theme !!

I used a sweet stamp/die set for my cards today . Yes, I made 2 .. Same design but different papers !! I really loved how they turned out.  The Queen Bee set is from Close To My Heart . They have amazing deals right now during their Stamptacular Sale . My friend Chris Franco is a consultant and she knows how much I love this sale each year during the month of June !! My package of sale items just arrived yesterday and I can't wait to get inky with them all ... I hope that you like my cards for June. 

• I made mini-slimline cards this time, using a 6x6 paper pad - Basic Grey "Urban Prairie" .This collection was released in 2008 and I have been hoarding 2 of these pads ever since !! I used a green-patterned piece and a shaded yellow for my cards . Folded in half, they make a perfect mini-slimline.
• The bee and wreath images were stamped with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink on white cardstock ,then cut out with the matching dies .
• I stamped the curvy line directly on each card base after placing my die-cut images down to see exactly where the line should be.
• The bees and wreaths were colored with my COPICS.
• I popped up the stamped die-cuts with foam tabs .
• I paper-punched 2 crowns from bronze glittery paper and turned my sweet bees into Queen bees !!
• A strip of  Honeybees Washi from Paper House Productions was placed along the bottom of each card base and also inside each card at the bottom. The set includes a thin black roll with gold dots and a hand-painted honeybees roll.

Don't you think these cards are just the cutest  ?!?! And that washi couldn't be more perfect !! I'm on the Creative Team for Paper House Productions as well as being a Brand Ambassador. You can always use my code  - Debra22 - for a 15% discount. I will earn a commission from any sales ( at no cost to you ). Always remember to do a bit of decorating on the inside of your cards too ... A strip of washi or a sticker or even a stamped design can be a nice surprise when your card is opened, along with whatever you write or stamp  inside ..

Please be sure to take a look at Celeste's bee card over at her blog - Crafting Junky .I know that she has created something to inspire all of us..

I'm having a wonderful cup of Brown Sugar Crumble coffee in a fun new cup. My dear friend , Michelle just returned from a cruise and I watered her outdoor plants while she was gone. She knew she was really trusting me with their lives, since I do NOT have a green thumb !! But all turned out well and on her return, she gave me a few gifts. One was this cute coffee cup . And appropriately enough, the other was a lovely pair of bee earrings !! 

I hope that you are all staying cool and  getting creative. And of course, enjoying your favorite beverage .. I'm already thinking about what new stamp set I will use first from my recent purchase from Close To My Heart .. If you are feeling the need for a new stamp set or stamp/die set at fabulous prices, take a look at the Stamptacular Sale . You won't be sorry !! 

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Crafty Elves' Countdown to Christmas / May 2022

It's been hard to focus on Christmas cards here in Virginia Beach when we have had weather in the 90's !! But we are getting a bit of a break today with 70 degrees as I write this post .. I can't believe that June will be here in a matter of days. Time is flying ..

My first card was made with aa stamp that was sent to me by a lovely friend last year right before the holidays. She said that as soon as she saw it she had to get it for me. I love Laurel Burch AND cats so I was thrilled to receive it !! 

• I stamped Feline Candle from Stampendous on white cardstock with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam ink and then fussy-cut it .
• I also stamped the image on a piece of snowflake patterned paper and cut out the dress .
• The image was colored with my COPICS .
• The snowflake dress was adhered to the Feline Candle image .
• On a navy blue card base, I adhered a piece of patterned paper with gold highlights.
• A holiday tag from my paper stash was adhered to the left side of the card base with foam tabs.
• The stamped image was adhered on the right side of the patterned paper .

My next 3 cards were created with Echo Park Paper Co. products. They had a great sale recently and I was able to get a variety of paper, stickers, die-cuts and chipboard . There is no stamping on these cards, which is unusual for me. But I love how they turned out .

• These 2 cards used products entirely from the Christmas Cheer collection.  I added 3 buttons to the garland card .

• My fourth card was created with the A Very Merry Christmas Collection Kit. It has a retro feel, which I love !!            

How are you doing with your holiday cards ?? Are you an early starter ?? I know that the holidays will be here before I know it and I will be thrilled to have my stash ready to sign, address and send. Be sure to check out Michael and Lisa's cards for May . I know that they will be fabulous as usual.

Michael Trent - World of Michael Trent

Lisa Bzibziak-Reynolds - Life of a BZScrapper

We hope that the Crafty Elves continue to inspire you throughout the year . We will be back next month at the 6 month mark when we are halfway to Christmas. Until then, Stay crafty !!

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

Coffee & Cards with Deb & Celeste / May 2022

May is here and the weather is already summery !! In the 90's this weekend .. We went from winter to summer in the space of a few days, it seems .. I hope we get some cooler temps soon - I am not a fan of sweaty, humid weather. Celeste and I are back with some fun inspiration for you - our theme this month is Gnomes !! I will admit that I have not hopped on the gnome bandwagon .  But I did find this garden gnome for our inspiration photo and would not mind having one of those !!

I do have a very cute gnome stamp/die set that I have used a few times but for today's card I am using the Gnome Sweet Gnome stamp from Impression Obsession Stamps . My first thought was to only color some red highlights, but I did not like how that looked .. So I kept adding more and more colors..  Then I felt like I had overdone it so I stopped .. But now I feel like I have more coloring to do .. So, I am just second-guessing my process .I decided to be happy and post what I've completed and maybe overthink it some more later !!

• I stamped the Gnome Sweet Gnome image on white cardstock with Gina K Jet Black Amalgam Ink . All individual red rubber stamps were retired at Impression Obsession on 4-30-22 . I am lucky to have an amazing collection and was also able to get a few more before the deadline. So this gnome stamp is no longer available but they are still carrying a variety of other stamps / dies that you can check out HERE .
• I colored the image with my COPICS.
• On a yellow card base, I adhered a piece of pale green patterned paper.
• Gnome Sweet Gnome was then adhered to the patterned paper.
• Large sequins in a variety of colors were adhered to the bottom right and top left of the stamped image.

I know that Celeste is going to come up with an absolutely amazing gnome card that you can check out at her blog - Crafting Junky .  For my coffee this time , I am drinking Iced Pecan Praline in the sweetest cup I found at Target . It was only $10 so I couldn't resist (of course, when all was said and done, I actually spent a total of $145 that visit ) --- but who's keeping track anyway !!! The little white cat reminds me of our sweet Pixie !!

Thank you for stopping by for some crafty inspiration ... I hope that you are staying busy, staying creative and most of all, staying healthy .. Let me know if you are a gnome fan - I know there are many out there in the creative universe .. Until next time --------

Deb Davison / Meticulosity

Mother's Day 2022

As a member of the PaperHouse Productions Creative Team and also a Brand Ambassador, I received the most beautiful box of their products recently . I wanted to use some to create a few Mother's Day cards and especially  to show you how quick and easy it can be  .  I first chose 2 sheets of 12x12 paper - one with an overall pattern and another with 12 tags .

Beloved scrapbook paper

Best Mom Ever scrapbook paper

Using my paper cutter, I cut the 12 tag images first . I then cut 6 card fronts from the gold floral paper - each measuring approx. 4 x 5 1/4 inches. I wanted to leave a bit of my A2 card base showing .

I chose some stickers and die-cuts to use as embellishments. I used foam tabs on a few cards to add some dimension .

Best Mom Ever sticker pack

Best Mom Ever Die-cuts

I adhered the gold floral paper to A2 card bases - a variety of black, kraft and turquoise. The hardest part was choosing which of the stickers and die-cuts to use since I loved all of them.

The tags were also adhered to  a variety of colors of card bases, I used foam tabs with a few of the die-cuts and also used staples on the Best Grandma tag.  

The gold floral cards were so easy to put together with just a few embellishments on each that really created an elegant card. 

I will be taking some of  these Mother's Day cards to work to offer for free to co-workers for their mothers and grandmothers . My mom has been gone since 1994, but I will send cards to 2 aunts . I hope you were inspired to use your 12x12 papers to make some quick and easy cards . You can find some gorgeous cards and embellishments at PaperHouse Productions to get you started.

Debra Davison / Meticulosity

FTC Disclosure - As a Brand Ambassador with PaperHouse Productions , I will receive a small commission for purchases made through my convenient link or for using my Referral Code - Debra22 - at checkout.. You will also receive a 15% discount . This will be at no additional cost to you .