I'm Back

Happy Hellos!

Happy Hump Day EVERYONE! It's so nice to be blogging again. I feel as though there is so much to catch up on. Although, I am back, I'm not quiet 100%. If you've never had pneumonia, it takes a minute to recover. I returned to work yesterday and boy was it a long day. I was glad to be back; however, by the afternoon I was beginning to tire. Well, enough of that. I will continue to get better.

I haven't participated in a challenge in a while and I wanted to do so. This week I decided to participate in the challenge over at Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge--one of my favorites. Of course I could have done more with this sketch. I know. It's very basic. 'Simplicity' is truly the word of the day and perhaps tomorrow too, but this was all I had in me. 

Here is the sketch ...

...and just below is my card....

To achieve this effect, I used a WMS stamp, an Impression Obsession sentiment stamp, PTI cardstock, In Bloom DP from Reminisce, Softees Collection Bonnet by Prima Flowers, CuttleBug embossing plate, and some beautiful ribbon.

Well, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Creating An Unusual Background

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I hope your day has kicked-off to a fantastic beginning. All is well over here. I picked up some nasty little bug on Sunday and this morning it let me know just how nasty it is. I'm feeling a bit under...okay a lot under the weather this morning, but I'm not going to let that bug get me down. However, I have to admit it's putting me to the test.

Anyway, this past weekend I had the opportunity to peruse through blogland. I love doing that too. In doing so, I stumbled upon some really nice sites. Each site appeared to have something to offer--no matter what level you're on or you think you're on. Sometimes we under estimate ourselves. Well, one of the neat things I happened upon was another way to create a background. Let me for warn you. You know when you see a technique you like and you want to try it out and after trying it you know you can do better, if only you continue to practice. Well, that happened to me after reviewing this technique using Copic markers. With that being said, don't be suprise if you see this technique a few times over the next couple of weeks or perhaps even months. Now, immediately your first thoughts maybe...what technique...looks simple enough...easy peasy...Right? I'm sure I had at least one of those. Rest assured profection and practice goes hand-n-hand. This was my second attempt. I believe the first one looked better than the image here; however, a large drop of ink dripped from my Copic marker and that was all she wrote. I had to begin all over again. Just like many other techniques I have learned, this one was no different. This technique reminded me of the Copic markers I still do not have.

As you can see, I didn't put much effort into the card itself--it was late. I was focused more on the image. Well, without further ado, here's my background...

I just love love love Stamping Bella's new image, Patsy Pixie. I thinks she simply adorable. Of course I colored my image with Copic markers, accented it with a little dab of stickle here and there and there you have it. I'll add a sentiment later. To learn more about the 'Dotted' background technique click here.

As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Something to Share

Happy Hellos Everyone!

I hope your Monday has kicked-off to a fantastic beginning. This week, I hope to have a few cards to share with you. Over the past few days, I have had an opportunty to create a couple of greeting cards. The card I wold like to share with you today was not created for a challenge, though it could have been. I suppose the creative vibes were just were just flowing.  Before I share my card with you, I wanted to share a card and a scrapbook page made by my eleven year old niece, Shayla. This past Christmas, I purchased scrapbook/cardmaking kits for both of my nieces, Shayla and Taylor (age 10). Over the holidays we came together along with a few other little people for a day of little people scrapping. They had a good time and I had a good time as well. The neat thing about the it is, their stil using the gifts I gave them. Anyway, just below are four photos of Shayla's most recent creations....

I thought Shayla did a terrific job on both projects. She felt pretty good as well because sheShayla informed me she was in need of more cardstock when she and me sister stopped by on Saturday. Shayla also mentioned to me that the stamps she recieved in her kit were too small. Hint. Hint. ;-)

Below is a 'Thank You' card I made.... For who, I have not a clue. As you can see, I used a little bling; some pearls; Basic Grey DP; dimensionals; Spellbinder die; PTI cardstock & die; SU classic ink; an eyelet; and a Hero Arts sentiment stamp.

Well, once again, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Add A Little Wood to Your Next Project - PPCC

Happy Hellos:

I hope your weekend is going great for you. Even with all the rain we're getting here on the east coast, it still has managed to be a wonder weekend. I was able to steal a few moments away to make a couple of cards. I hadn't been able to participate in the PDCC in what feels like forever, but guess what, forever has finally arrived. I love this week's challenge color. I mean, it's not purple, but it is a wonderful combination. In some ways this card was a truely first for me. That is, this was the first time I actually incorporated wood into my greeting card. I'm some of you have done this already time and time again. I purchured years ago with a mind set to create an anniversary card for a family member that had an upcoming first anniversary, but a couple anniversaries have come and gone since I had that wonderful inspiration. Well, this weekend I pulled it out and used. Just below is the color combination participants were provided...

...and this is what I created....

As I previously mentioned, I used wood, but not before embossing it with a CB folder; Baker's Twine; PinkPaislee and Basic Grey designer paper; PTI: Turning A New Leaf stamps and die; SU classic inks; Tim Holtz's die cut, dressing ink, and Distress Stickles; satin ribbon; and dimenissionals.

I hope you like what you see and perhaps it inspires you to try something new in some way. As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

CR84FN Challenge

Happy Hellos Everyone:

Something Old -- Something New  -- Something Borrowed -- Something Pink??? Well, actually, something black, pink, and cream. It's been a while, at least it feels that  way. I hope all is well with you. Things have been ongoing for me. During the past couple of weeks I have created a few card, but I just have not had an opportunity to load them up for you to see. Life seems to always get in the way of the fun stuff. ;) Today, I am submitting the card below in this week's challenge over at CR84FN and I wanted to share it with you.

Below is the inspiration photo... Isn't it just fabulous? The color combination has a classic feel to it. Perhaps something from the fifties or the sixities. Whatever it is, I love it!

...and this is what I drew from the inspirational photo....



Okay, let me tell you what I did and what I used to achieve this effect. My stamped image and text are from PTI. Also from PTI is my medium scallop die. A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a little bling and some pearls by Recollections from Micheals Arts & Crafts with my gift cards I recieved at my birthday crop last month and the fabulous studded ribbon. As you can see I highlighted the Volkswagon headlights with a little bling. The rhinstone on your right gives the illusion that the headlights are on. I'm not sure whether you noticed the 'congratulations' sentiment has been popped out with the use of dimenissionals. I guest you can assume the happy couple is driving off into an what looks like a baked Alaskan. I love the white embossed paper from ANW Crestwood, but to keep in-line with the challenge criteria, I highlighted the embossed DP with a Copic marker.
I hope you liked what you saw and perhaps it has inspired you in some way. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Building Up My Birthday Stacsh

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I hope every thing is progressing along for you on this fine 'Hump Day.' What a difference a day makes. The weather here in the Baltimore-Washington-Virginia corridor has experienced all four seasons in a matter of a week. Today's weather is beautiful. I hope your experiencing the same wherever you are. I mentioned in the previous post, I managed to make a few cards this past weekend and I  wanted to share them with you. You may notice over the next couple of days there is a theme that ties the cards together. I'm hoping to take some time between now and the weekend to dable with this die again. You may have noticed I have updated a few of my photos from the my more recent postings. There's more clarity in pictures.

I came across this wonder penant paper from Basic Grey. I just love it! It's very festive. Immediately, I thought this would be teriffic for an adolencent's birthday celebration, but as the card was coming together, I imaged the DP was great for celebrating any birthday. Included in this series is a sheet cover with nothing but presents, so I cut out a couple and raised them with dimenissionals. I used a couple of my Spellbinder dies along with coordinating papers and raised them too. I brushed the smaller die cut with a little Cherry Cobbler (I absolutely love this color!!!) from Stampin Up to separate the papers. I added some ribbons and buttons and I was done.

Well, what do you think?

As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Blue + Orange=Whimsical

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I have truely missed you guys. My last seven days have been soooooooooo busy and that's putting it mildly. I'm working on several different projects and I'm having a great time doing so. But, I'm going to have to learn how to just say, "No (Thank you)" In between all I had to do this past weekend , I managed to create a few of cards to share with you. A couple of cards were to be entered into a challenge or two, but I missed the submission time. It happens. Right???

Just below is a whimsical card I had a lot of fun making.

Initially, I thought this stamp was perfect for all those that fell under sign of Pisces. Then I began to think this image would be wonderful for several occasions. I have forgotten who DP this belongs to.  Purchased it last summer, but the image is from Impression Obession. I absolutely love it! Of course I used my Copic Markers to bring this little whale to life. I also highlighted selected areas with Stickle to make the water sparkle. I hope you like and I hope I have inspired you in some way.

Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

It's Here - SOC April/May Issue

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I just want to let you know the SOC April/May issue is available to you here. I'm sure your discover some inspiration in this issue. I just love love love the cover of this issue.!!! Don't forget to come back to visit. I'll have more to share with you this weekend.