Thursday, October 24, 2013

Awaiting Blew Monday's Arrival

Happy Happy Hellos Everyone!!!

I hope all is well with you. It's hard to believe so much time has gone by since I last posted. The summer is over. The  2013-2014 school has begun. The football season has commenced and the holidays are on the way. In the mist of all of those exciting events, I have not only been able to created a few wonderful keepsake boxes and greeting cards (just haven't managed time to photograph them), I finished my book...Blew Monday.

I will have my first book signing on Saturday, November 9th at The Secret On Main Street Artsy Boutique, 214 Main Street in Reisterstown, Maryland from 1:00 PM until 5PM. If you live in the commuting area I invite you to come out and join me and a few others as they get acquainted with a few of my fictitious friends.

If you are unable to come to the book signing and would like to purchase a book go to: www.thepeddlersgallery.com and pre-order a copy. All pre-orders will ship on November 1st. Below is a brief except from Blew Monday. I hope you enjoy it enough to want to read more.

ALthough he was standing in the center of the doorway, Clarke didn’t spot him at first. She was drinking her preferred gourmet tea, French Vanilla Blend, when she raised her eyes above the rim of the hearty tea-mug she held onto so firmly. Her petite hands gave an impression they were even smaller when she interlocked her fingers snugly around her favorite mug. However, she immediately noticed him when he entered the room. It was discernible for anyone to assume this was his first visit to Bigelow’s. His eyes gazed around the room like a feline on the prowl for mischief only he was searching for some familiarity.

Almost in a whisper she asked, “What’s he doing here?” She glanced at her wristwatch. “He’s not supposed to be here for another hour.” God, he looks good! Clarke thought.

He looked as though he’d just stepped out of Essence’s Sexiest Man of the Year Issue. His locks, that gently swept his shoulders when they were loose, were pulled back in a neat ponytail that now hung slightly above his shoulders. The colors he wore weren’t just for the season; it was as if God created those colors with him in mind. He was casually dressed in a pair of pleated platinum suede slacks that anyone could see were tailor-made to fit him and him alone. His baby blue powered ribbed turtleneck clung to his body like the color blue clings to the sky. A silver crucifix hung down his chest—not too big, but not too small. Amazingly, the crucifix matched his ego—it was just large enough to indicate, he was one of God’s children. Clarke always heard people say, “Clothes make the man!” but she thought, “Uhn! Uhn! Not in his case.” In this case, he definitely made the clothes. He always looked like he was dressed for any occasion. To Clarke, he could have entered the room after pumping iron for hours and he would have still smelled amazing, like the first time she brushed up against him.

Clarke placed her mug of French Vanilla Tea back on the table. She positioned her unusually warm hand over the right hand of the man she cared for, so dearly.  He liked that. He liked her gentle touch. It always soothed him. Thinking back Clarke couldn’t believe how time had allowed them to stock-up on treasured memories only to be robbed of them later. The memories they shared were as fresh as when they were conceived. No matter who would become a part of her tomorrow, her reminiscences of their time together would forever remain a part of her, a part of her history.

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

 

Monday, August 12, 2013

Football's Back in Baltimore

Happy Hellos Everyone!!!

Or should I have greeted you with one of my, 'Are you  ready for some FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!' I'm so happy to have another season of football and it doesn't hurt that your home team is the 2013 Super Bowl Champion. A couple of weeks ago, I began creating new Ravens cards for the new football season.

If I were to be honest, I would have to admit I didn't create many Ravens cards--only 12. There have been so many changes on my team this off season. For a moment, I wasn't sure who would be on my team when we arrive at Mile High this September. Now, that time has past and I have had an opportunity to observe the Baltimore Ravens, I have to say, 'I think we're going back to the dance.' That's all I'm saying on that matter. We'll talk again in February.


I pulled out a number of supplies to create this card. To begin, I pulled out
my Cuttlebug and dies from both Spellbinder and PTI to create circles
and numbers.
 
I also dug out one of Tim Holtz's Halloween stamps
 that I very seldom have a chance to use now
 that my son is in high school.
 

I stamped the image using craft ink and embossed it using both a transparent
 powder and Fran-tage Embossing Powder from Stampendous.

I used the same technique on the number, but not before inking
 them with Dylusions from Ranger Ink. As a final step, I coated the
 part of the number that was not embossed with a thin layer of Glossy
 Accents. The sentiment was generated by a computer. Note: The
 numbers can be interpreted as the recipient's age and/or the player's number.
 
Inside Sentiment Reads: ...and so are you
 
 
As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery
 and come back real soon.
 

Friday, August 2, 2013

August Birthdays

Happy Hellos Everyone:

Is there a month that you know of where you send the most birthday cards out? I send the most cards out during the month of December--Christmas cards of course. However, I send the most birthday cards during the month of August. All I'll say is the months of December and January must be rather cold. I'll probably send my first set of birthday cards today. Needless to say, there are birthday celebrations every week this month. So, in celebration of those celebrations to come, I decided to kick-off this month of paper creations with what else--a birthday card. Today's card is one that I have revisited time-after-time, but I love it and I hope you can appreciate it too.  Take a look....


Same card, different embellishments and designer papers. Once again, I used
my very first stamp purchase  from Stampin' Up. I think I will forever
love this stamp set.


I should have taken one additional photo
 so, you could see this card could lay flat or be free standing.


I'm not sure whether or not you can see if from
 any of these photos, but I topped-off both the
 candles and the cake with Glossy Accents and
 complimented with a smoky bow that can
 remain tied or untied.


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

Thursday, August 1, 2013

I've Got Happy Mail

Happy Hellos Everyone!!!

I have happy mail to share with you. Not only is it August 1st, but it's official. I am the featured artist of the month (for the month of August) at the Secret on Main Street Artsy Boutique. !!!YIPPEE!!! So if you are in the local commuting area, please stop by to take a look at this wonderful boutique and let them know I sent you.

The Secret on Main Street Artsy Boutique
is located on
214 Main Street
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
410.833.5235


Below are photos of my display and following those photos are pictures of the store.
 
My items are located in the center of boutique. There is a wonderful assortment
 of my handmade greeting cards and keepsake boxes.
 

Here's a close up of one of my three card
racks to peruse through.


I tried to create a nice display to showcase both the cards and the boxes.
I provided a little instruction regarding the handling of the keepsake boxes.
 
 
Just an angle shot


It was very important to me to create as much signage without going overboard
 as possible. I want people to be able to recall The Peddler's Gallery's name.


This is just signage introducing myself and my products
 to potential customers since I am not able to be there to do so.


Close-up

 
Boutique Photos

Travel down Main Street.

Until you reach The Secret on Main Street Artsy Boutique.

Come right in. 

Don't forget to close the door.

Take a look inside.

You'll discover all kind of arty surprises.

Look a little closer and you'll see the things you didn't know you needed or had to have.

 Turn around and you'll discover something you missed before.

Take a minute to explore some on the wonderful
 crafty goodness just above the floor.

Crafty things are everywhere.

There's jewelry here too.

 Before you go, be sure to take a look at the...

Craft Room


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

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Just Saying Hello

Happy Hello Everyone:

It's the last day of July 2013 and I can hardly wait to welcome in the month of August. I do not have much to tell you today. However, I wanted to share another card with all of you. Today's card is all about an image I have been wanting to work with for quite some time, but for some reason I have put it on the back burner for far too long. I think I was a little intimidated. Not so much of the image itself, but I have to admit I have seen this image so many time and each one was colored so beautifully. Anyway here is my take. Take a look...
 


I love my Bling Girl image from KennyK and how she turned out. I especially
love her hair that I colored with COPIC Markers and topped off with a little
Glossy Accents.  I tried to bling her out as much as possible with Stickles.


 The sentiment is from Hero Arts Stamps. I'm not sure if you're
 able to tell I used Glossy Accents to make her eye glasses pop.


 I hope you like her as much as I do.


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




Tuesday, July 30, 2013

July Wedding

Happy Hellos Everyone:
I hope all is well with you in your part of the globe. Summer is just racing by from where I stand. It is hard to believe July is almost but a memory. What’s even harder to fathom is I am a parent of a rising sophomore.  Wow!!! Some point soon, I’ll need to begin to purchase textbooks, supplies, and school clothes.
Before the month of July gets away, I wanted to share another card with you.  Traditionally, the month of June has been associated with weddings and lots of folks tie the knot in July and August too. So, I decided today’s card would center around that that theme—nuptials.  Take a look….

 I love using the traditional/classic wedding colors. Of a splash of color could
 be added in the mix, but I just the cream and black combination. The stamp
 I used is from Impression Obsession and I cannot begin to image where
 I picked up the ribbon treatment.

 I'm not sure whether you recall, I have used nest in several of my baby
 shower/congratulations on you baby style cards. For me, just like a baby, the
nest just represents new beginnings.

Perhaps I'm a bit impartial, but I just love it!!!

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

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Coming Full Circle

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I hope all is well with you and yours. Lets just get right into it. Today's post is all about coming full circle. Before I share my card with you, I just wanted to bring some understanding regarding the title of today's post. I have so many irons in the fire right now--hoping at least one of them will strike. To my surprise it appears as though a good number of them are heating up to a point where I may burst with joy and excitement. However, I have made a promise to keep a few things under my hat for just a little while longer. Just know there are a couple of things that I can hardly wait to share. Perhaps in the meantime, I'll just dig a hole and share my news with whatever little critter that will listen.

Okay, on with today's card, take a look....


To begin, I absolutely love love love this DP from CTMH. The colors
 are wonderful. The ring out spring is here and summer is on the way.


I wanted to use each and ever pattern and I think I achieve my goal.


I know this was a simple card to create,
 but I have to admit, I love how it turned out. 


I couldn't use CTMH papers without complementing it by using this
 wonderful CTMH stamp set. The sentiments are terrific. This by far isn't the best
 photo, but I hope you're able to read some of the sentiments in the other photos I posted.


I attempted to provide the illusion that the entire note card was patterned
 front to back, when in fact it is only the front panel that is covered using DP.


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

Thursday, July 18, 2013

College Bound

Happy Hellos Everyone!!!

It's hard to believe the summer of 2013 is almost over. Before you know it, our children will have returned to school and will be deeply immersed in their routine, while this season as we know it will have become a distant memory.

Traditionally, I have made my son a card to encourage and excite him on his first day of school. I believe he looks forward to receiving his cards as much as I look forward to making those special cards. This year, I wanted to make a special card for those students headed off to college. Yes, they may have received a graduation card, but this card is different. I would image this card will be filled with the hopes and dreams and countless possibility wishes a student may require as he  or she begins to prepare to leave the nest and those things that bring them comfort. So, I made this cute card  encouraging him or her to 'enjoy the ride' because you and I know how brief of a ride it is. Take a look...

This is another one of my favorite stamp sets from PTI--Enjoy the Ride.
 I used mapped DP to create the little bug car. I thought that was perfect
 since most college bound students I know drive instead of fly-off to school.
 
 
I tried to enhance the rearview lights and license tag by topping them off with
 Glossy Accents--of which can be seen better in the photo above and/or below.
 

  
As you can see, I used cloud DP and die cuts to bring more attention to the
 clouds. In this case, I also darken the background to make the clouds pop.


If you haven't figured out what's different about this photo and the first couple
 of photos,  I'll tell you.Instead of the sentiment coming out of the car window,
it's under the car.
 
 
Here's hoping the college bound students in your life
"Enjoy the Ride."
 
 
As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.
 
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