What A Weekend,It Was

Happy Monday Fellow Bloggers:

What a weekend I had. It was busy from the start and now that's it has come and gone, I can say, 'It was a good busy.'  The weekend began like a racehorse out of the starting gate. Friday marked the last day of summer camp. It went out with a big bang. I took off from work to participate in the day's festivities. The last day of camp was spent at the Maryland State Fair. It was the first time I had attended the fair in nearly 30 years. We saw the cows; and the pigs; and the horses; and the sheep; and the lamas; and the goats; and a few other four legged friends. We also visited the indoor happenings of the 4H. That is, we veiwed the various items (i.e. canned foods, baked goods, crafts, quilts, ect.) that had been judged or was scheduled for judging. We had lunch. Then it was off to riding as many rides as one could before someone said it was time to go home or should I say to the next event. After the fair Kevin and I  rushed across town to attend footbal practice--three hours worth. (Keep in mind, these are just the highlights.) Are you tired yet?  I was so, I went home and went to sleep as fast as I could.

The next day took off just as fast as the day before. I got up early Saturday morning to get to the Maryland Renasiance Festivial by 10AM. This is a festivial Kevin and I attend annually. He usually invites 1-2 of his friends to come along on the journey. This year he invited his cousin Kendal and his friend Darien to come along.  For one day the four of us travel back to the 1500s and spend the day with King Henry and his court. Here are a few pictures (I plan to add to my scrapbook). We had a ball. Not long after it was time to go. I had to get ready to go the the stadium--the Ravens vs. the Gaints.

Sunday was the Triple Crown so-to-speak. I was off again. This time I was headed to Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston, Virginia to attend Jennifer McGuire's, (from HEROS Art) A.M. and P.M. classes. It was a day full of inking and stamping. OMG, I have to thank Cindy for giving me the heads-up on Jennifer's classes. I had so much fun and I learned alot to. There was only one downside--just one. You know there's a downside to everything and this situation is no different.  I wanted to purchase more products. I think we made 16 cards. Plus I won one of the raffle prizes. Not a bad day at all. I haven't taken pictures of any of the cards I made in class yesterday; however, I do have a few photos from the class. By the time I returned home, I was too pooped to do anything, but I have alot of ideas. As my ideas become a reality, I'll be sure to share them with you. Until then, please enjoy the remaining photos.

Above: Jennifer Mcguire in the process of teaching the second class of the afternoon. Believe it or not, I barely had an opportunity to snap this photo. The class move soooooooooooooo fast.

Below: Cindy and Tina from Photo Scraps
in  Eldersburg, Maryland--one of my favorite card/scrapping stores in my area. Thanks again Cindy.

Below:  One minute I looked up and was pleasantly suprise to see

Ashley Newell. I follow her daily on her blog. So, I had to get a picture with her.

I hope you enjoyed the photos and thanks for visiting The Peddler's Gallery.

It's a Purple Card

Hello All:

I hope your Sunday has been an enjoyable one. Mine was and I'll share my weekend hightlights tomorrow. What other way should one begin the week, but with a PURPLE card? I mean, is their any other way. Come on, the sky is blue. The water is clear and the Baltimore Ravens are looking pretty good. I mean, what more could you ask for?

Okay, the card. I made this card sometime last week; however, I didn't want to share it until my good friend recieved it. You see, Sharon is one of my good non-crafting friends that frequents my blog rather often. I learned she recieved my card this past Friday so, now I can unveil it with all of you. This was my first time incorporating metal into a card project and I loved the results. I know it's pretty basic, but I love it nevertheless. I stained the metal with purple and blue alcohol inks and embossed it using my CuttleBug, embellished my project with ribbon, flowers, pearls & a tag and there you have it. I hope you like it.

Thanks for visiting The Peddler's Gallery!

My Order Arrived

T.G.I.F. Blog Family:

My Stampin' Up order arrived a few days prior! Thanks Nanc. :) I was so  happy to learn my order had arrived and although my mojo was not up to the standard I would have liked, I pressed on until I came up with a card.  I wanted to share with you a card I sent to a special young lady that just started her first semester at th University of Philadelphia. A gift card was enclosed too. You know, it's always nice to recieve a card--especially a handmade card, but as a college student living in a dormitory, well,  it's even nicer to recieve an unexpected card with a gift card included.

I also made a couple other cards using the same sketch. I tried to make them look a little different by using different ribbon. I could change the buttons because I just love the buttons in this shade of blue. I purchased the buttons from Clear Stamps. Shhhhhhh don't tell anyone, but I purchased them in green, orange, brown, and of course purple too at the CK Convention. I'm not sure whether you noticed; however, the two designer papers I used are layered. I also scalloped the top designer paper by cutting along side the pattern. I embossed the solid blue background paper with a Cuttlebug template and sponged over the embossed image with Stampin Up's Midnight Blue. Stamping over the embossed paper enriched the original color of the cardstock 10x over. If you get a chance, try it. I added a sentiment, ribbon treatment, and a button and I was done. Well, almost done. As you can see, I made two more coordinating cards. I hope your weekend has pleasant suprises instore for you. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery.

Chocolate Mint for WMS & The Treehouse Challenges

Good Morning All:

Just wanted share my submission to this week's Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and The Treehouse Stamp Challenge. I liked how it turned out and I hope you do too. I must be feeling the richness of the color brown because I used it again today. Perhaps that's a sign letting us know Autumn is on its way. I know at the very least, the weather here in  Baltimore has changed, that is, for the moment. So much so, that many people I know have colds or cold symtoms. Normally, people try to relate their early seasonal colds to children returning to school from summer break, but that's not the case. School doesn't begin until next week.

Anyway, below is the sketch provided for this week's challenge at WMS and The Treehouse required their participants to use fall colors. I forgot to mention...this is my first time participating in a challenge over at The Treehouse and thanks to Princess Heather a.k.a Heather Prince for inviting me to participate in this week's Treehouse Challenge. I love it when I'm able to kill two birds with one stone. Don't you :)

I'm not sure about those of you that particpate in challenges, more so WMS challenges. Often times the sketch seems so simple, but OMG. When sit down to begin to create, I get creators-block (I know that's not a real word or is it being as though I just created it??? hhmmmm :) before my tush hits the chair. LOL What's up with that. I think it's because I really like WMS and because of that I have this slight phobia of wanting to excel at the challenge. Who knows? If nothing else, the DT at WMS sure does challenge me and I like that.

Enough said... This is what I was inspired to create...

Okay, don't keep me waiting too long. Tell me, what you think and I'll tell you what I did. I'll go first! The card was cut using Spellbinder's Nestabilities I used SU's brown cardstock, but I sponged over it with Memento's Rich Cocoa to enhance the original color. I layered four mint and chocolate designer papers (some textures) from various paper companies. I loved how they all came together. I stamped a sentiment and a bird--colored her using my COPIC markers and out lining her in Stickle. I also colored the silk ribbon with coordinating COPIC markers.

Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery. Come back to visit real soon.

Lavendar & Chocolates

Happy Hump Day Everyone:

I know I mentioned just a couple of post ago I was going to relax on some of the challenges, but what can I say. I was pleasantly suprised when I discovered this week's color combination over at Cupcake Inspiration is purple and brown. Of course, I immediately thought lavendar and chocolates. What a wonderful combination. I love the scent of lavendar and although I am not a fan of chocolate, I do love to bake with it. I hope that doesn't sound too strange.

This card has a little bit of everything going on with it. I used my Nesties--of course; the Cuttlebug to emboss the background and to cut out the stem to form the flower; a Stampin' Up hold punch  and a few pearls to create the flower bud; I used my COPICS markers for a little airbrushing; and of course a (sentiment) stamp. Once again, I used my latest fun technique.  I sponged Memento, Rich Cocoa over brown card stock to achieve a richer shade of brown. Once again, it worked.


Below is the inspiration photo that was provided...

Don't you just love it? I know I do.

...and this is my interpretation....

Thanks for taking time to visit The Peddler's Gallery

and as always, your comments are always appreciated.

Peace & Blessing to each one of you,

Play Date Cafe Challenge

Hello:

I hope your work week got off to a great start. I know I can't complain. I just wanted to share with you a card I made for The Play Date Cafe Challenge. Just below is the inspiration photo:

....and this is my interpretation.... I apologize for showing such a dark picture. Sometimes I'm on target and then there are times when you're totally off. I'm having one of those days with the camera.

This is one of those, I want to participate in the challenge, but what can I do in such a short period of time. Please leave me a note and let me know what you think. Until next time, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and Peace and Blessings to everyone.

Butterfly Wings

Good Afternoon:

Thanks for not only popping in, but here's a big THANK YOUs for leaving all the wonderful comments that you do. Your thoughts are so inspirational to a novice such as myself. It's like Christmas when I discover you have left a message for me. I don't know about you, but happy mail beats bill mail any day of the week. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. 

 Let me just say, 'This is not a challenge card. I repeat this is not a challenge card.'  :) This is strickly a card CAS card I put together after I posted last night. I thought about putting aside some of the challenges I participate in weekly, so I might create cards without limitations. At least that's what I am thinking at this moment. :) Besides, there are a few other cards I would like to recreate (or at least something close to it) to send to family and friends. I like when I am able to go into my little box of cards and pull out one at any given time to mail to a friend or family member in a timely manner.

This stamp is just one of the beautiful big, bold, fresh stamps I purchased at the CK Convention in King of Prussia, Pennsylvannia. I set my sewing machine aside and opted for my dryer so,  I could do some embossing. I embossed  the image onto black cardstock. Then I embossed the image a second time. This time I embosed the image on white paper and cut out the butterflies and a leaf. I used COPIC markers to fill-in the images and dimensionals to give the illusion the butterflies were just landing or were in flight. I embellished the rest of the card with ribbon, pearls, and a splash of Smoochies.  I suprised myself in regards to the amount of time it took to make this card. I'm happy how the card turned out and I hope you like it too.

Before I wrap up, I would like to welcome Da Shawnna. She is the newest Follower (#21) here at the gallery. As a follower, your comments, suggestions, and ideas are always appreciated.

Thanks for visiting The Peddler's Gallery.

My Craft & Youth Football

Hello Everyone:

I think I some of my mojo is gone. I won't say, 'I'm losing it.' because I feel like I know where it is. I tell where it is. I believe my mojo is at the C.C. Jackson Recreation. Apparently, it doesn't follow my son and I home after football practice. It was my 11 year old son's idea to join a football team. He had been asking for the last couple of years, but I would come up with other things he could do aside from playing football. Well, this year I agreed to let him play. I had absolutly nooooooooooo idea practices are held almost everyday during the week. By the time practice is over, it's late and I'm tired. From my understanding, the number of practices will decrease once school begins.

All that leads me to this week's challenge over at Waltzing Mouse Sketch. I tried to create something that was eye catching and unique. Based on the sketch you would have thought this was a walk in the park. Right??? Not. I asked my son what he thought about my card. He said it was nice. Just nice. He also said it wasn't my best. Ask a little person and they will tell you the truth. I thought about starting over again, but my mojo is still at the rec center. So, I've decided to submit what I have. This particular card is intend for a male child. Of course I didn't want to over dress the card with too many embellishments; however, since I have a limited number of Waltzing Mouse Stamps, I opted to use I sentitment I created a few years. It has been recieved rather well, so I use it often for new arrivals.

My interpretation....

Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery.

Come back real soon.

SOC & Inspiration Cupcake Challenge

Hello All:

I hope your weekend was full of all kinds of wonderful things to see and do. I also hope you were able to relax if that's what you wanted to do. My weekend was full of plenty of things to see and do, but I'll just share the highlights with you.

A few weeks ago, I came across a really neat site--Scraps of Color a.k.a SOC. Since I joined the site it seems as though I log onto SOC at least once a day. Last week I was invited to join the ladies (Camille,  Joy, Pat, Lisa, etc.) of NYC&Me (smaller group within the Maryland group of SOC) for a crop in Glen Burnie. Learning of another place to shop was a benefit, but hanging out with the ladies of NYC&Me was best of all. They were just so nice and a pleasure to be with. On top of that, they are excellent scrappers. Ladies: I look forward to hanging out with all of you in September. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon.

Have you ever volunteered for something with nothing but good intensions? And then, it happens. It's time to carry out the task. Well I did. I volunteered to bring cake to my church's annual summer picnic today. Of course I could just bring a regular 9"x13" cake in. No, I had to take it to the next level. I had this great idea to make cake pops for the children. No problem, right?  Yes, there was a problem. I was suppose to begin this little project Friday night. Then, that was pushed back until Saturday evening. That didn't happen either because I stayed at the mall way to late. By the time I returned, I was exhausted. So, I got up early (way before the chickens) this morning to make these cake purple cake pops. The pops went over well with the children. (I'll post a copy of the cake pop recipe tomorrow.)

One of my very dear friends recently purchased a home in Virginia. I tied the card I made for Angela with this week's Cupcake Inspiration Challenge. I love the colors we were given to work with.  Below is the inspiration photo.

My interpretation...

The DP is from a Provo product. The houses were created with a SU wheel I purchased some time ago. The images were colored using COPIC markers. With the use of dimenisionals, one house stands out from the rest. The windows in the homes are glazed over with Glossy Accents. I embossed the sentiment from Clear Stamps We've Moved stamp set and I finished off the card with a ribbon treatment. Oh, how I love ribbon. I think it's my favorite embellishment.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by The Peddler's Gallery. Come back real soon.

Another PDCC

T.G.I.F. Everyone:

I wanted to share my latest Play Date Cafe Challenge submission with all of you. In my mind my card had a masculine feel, but somewhere between the beginning and the end a strand of pearls found a place on the card; and the masculine feel went right out the window. Since I have a few more birthday cards to make for the month of August, I hope, I'll get another crack at it tomorrow.

This weeks's inspiration photo at the PDCC was pretty nice. Take a look at the photo below.

Below is my interpretation...

I have to apologize for the dark photo. I really need to invest in a white backdrop. The smaller photo has better coloring. The paper I used is from Basic Grey's Cappella line. I actually used four of the numberous patterns from this line. I pulled out the sewing machine to tie the patterns together. I love a zig-zag stitch. The ribbon is one of the ribbons I purchased in Montreal earlier this summer. As you can see, I pulled out my spellbinders and in keeping with the color theme, I stamped a sentiment from SU's Three Little Words stamp set; and topped it off witha a strand of pearls.  Well...you know I'm going to ask. What do you think?

Two other things, I want to mention before I sign-off...

It's been a minute since I said anything pertaining to my Followers. Two new Followers have joined The Peddler's Gallery. Welcome Chauntelle and Stella. It's nice to have you here.

Today marks the six month anniversary of the gallery. It's been six months since I've been actively blogging. I feel like I want to do something in honor of this brief milestone. Be sure to check the blog over the next day or so. Perhaps, I'll have something to give away that you may want.

Until the next time, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery's.

How to Send Christmas Cards

Happy Hello Everyone:

Or should I say, 'Merry Christmas or Seasons Greetings.'

Can't believe the second week of August has almost come to an end and for some reason I have Christmas cards on the brain. Perhaps it's because I generally send 75-80 cards or maybe it's because I've purchased a few holiday stamps for this Christmas season. I don't know. I know I'm feeling a little Christmasy.

I began sending Christmas cards decades ago. I think I was seventeen...maybe eighteen. It was the very next Christmas season when I learn how to give Christmas cards. My very first, tax paying employer taught me how. As the wife to a promenate man in Baltimore and owner of her own business, she would send hundred of Christmas cards both personal and professional. I remembered asking something like, 'What are you going to do with the cards you have left over for last year?' She responded,'Well, you never throw them away. You always send your new friends your old Christmas cards and you send your new old friends your new Christmas cards. This way, you're sure to get rid of all your cards.' Since then, that is how I send my Christmas cards. I hope this little tid bit of information can be of use to you.

Before I go, I wanted to share the two cards I sent to my family and friends last year. Both cards were great for me for mass production. I hope it makes you feel a little Christmasy too.

Card #1

Card #2

As always, thanks for visiting The Peddler's Gallery.

I Love This Stamp!!!

Hi Everyone:

I'm just going to begin by saying , 'I love this stamp!' It's such a girly kinda stamp.

I am entered this card in this week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.

Now, back to the stamp set...

I have wanted it every since I first saw it on SCS. I waited a bit before I ordered it, just to be sure I really wanted it. And, I did, really want it. So, I finally ordered it only to learn the stamp was on back order. So, I had to wait, and wait, and wait, and then wait a little bit longer before my package arrived. When it finally I arrived, I didn't have any mo in my jo to make a card using my new stamp set. Go figure. So, the stamps sat, and sat, and sat probably just as long as I had to wait for them to come before I finally decided to use them. Then just last night, I was thinking. '..what stamps I could use...' to make a card for a friend that will celebrate her birthday next week. As I was looking through my stamps, I was reminded I had this wonderful stamp set. I thought the stamps went well with my paper selection. I purchased the papers I used for this card in July while vacationing in Montreal. I think my friend will like this card. Actually, I have a couple of friends that will celebrate their forty-something birthdays over the next few months. So, I decided a few of them would recieve simular cards. The set, Oo la La, Corset Stamp & Sentiments is from Paper Make-up Stamps. The set  includes three different styles of corsets and several sentiments.  I'll try to post a couple other corset cards over the next month or so.

Within the next few days, I am hoping to share with you one of my Christmas cards for the coming season. I picked up a wonderful holiday stamp during the CK Convention earlier this month.

Thanks for taking time to stop by The Peddler's Gallery and for leaving such heart warming comments. I really appreciate your kind words. As always come back and visit real soon.

An Invitation to Dinner

Happy Hellos Everyone:


I'm extending an invitation to dinner to you. I hope you will be able to attend. No, I'm just kidding :) Oh, how I would love to take all of my family, friends and crafting buddies out to dinner. Perhaps one of you at a time--that way I won't break my piggy bank.

Today's entry is all about the challenge over at the Play Date Cafe & Cupcake Inspiration. Of all the places were I participate in weekly challenges, I think they are my favorite. I love the fact I am able to use my stamps and design teams challenges me to use colors I may not ordinarily use together. I was just as happy to discover I had the colors needed to play along. Has that ever happened to you?

I think it's funny how this week's color palate  at PDCC was inspired by an Italian photo. Well, that's not the funny part. The funny part is I took the colors inspired by the Italian photo and ran away with it--all the way to The Orient.  Go figure.

Well, to your right is the photo provided for the PDCC and to the left is the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge. Pretty nice. A little further down is my interpretation of the colors participants had to create from.

Well, what do you think? Your comments are always welcome and greatly appreciated.

If you're wondering about the wording--it's computer generated; squares were cut and embossed using Nestabilities; the cardstock is SU and designer papers are from Best Creations (top paper) & Frances Myers (bottom papers);  and the chopsticks (I had to cut the chopsticks to fit the card.) were dressed in designer paper and topped off with ribbon. As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery.

WMS & Moxie FAB World Challenges

Greetings Everyone:

I hope your Sunday has jumped-off to a splendid start. It looks like it's going to be a nice day in Baltimore. Instead of waiting until that latter part of the day to post, I thought I would do so this morning. Today's post is about this week's challenge over at Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge and Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie FAB World Challenge. You can get to both places in a flash. There's a link in the column list located to the right of the screen. Love the inspirational photo that was provided for the challenge. The gold tones in the picture are as soft as all the other hues. I tried to capture the very same tones for my card. The gold on my card shines, but not too bright. I love how the gold does over power the other hues. Very lady like, don't you think? I think what I manged to come up with was indicative of just that. Don't take my word for it . You be the judge. You've seen my inspiration, now you can see my interpretation....

Thanks for taking the time to visit The Peddler's Gallery.

As always, your comments are always welcome here.