Happy Birthday To Me!!!

Today is not just a 'Happy Hellos" kind of day. TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY! Once again I am celebrating my forty-ish birthday. Last year approximately 20 of my friends and I got together and celebrated my birthday in Washington, D.C. at Zola's. The resturant was fabulous and we looked good. Everyone was adorned from head to toe in classic black with a hint of purple.

Today, approximately 30 of my friends are meeting me at one of my favorite local craft stores to crop until mid-night. The best part about this birthday crop is half of them are not scrappers or cardmakers; at best they have been recipients of cards I have sent. They haven't cut paper since the third grade (LOL). So, I'm so looking forward to this afternoon. I'm thinking today should be a lot of fun. This year, I asked everyone to where the color purple. I have a few more things planned for the crop, but I'm opting not to share it until tomorrow tommorow. I want it to be a suprise. Beside, I never know who's out there reading my blog.

In honor of my birthday, and the lack of time before the crop I have decided to highlight a card I made months ago.

I hope to have more to share with you tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery.

The Birthday Girl

A Bird & His Song

Happy Hellos Everyone:

What a day...What a day...What a day...All kinds of things were going on and this evening was no different. You know who it can be when you make plans. Well, this evening was no different. I planned to come home and unwine a littel before heading to the the craft room to complete a card for a challenge. To put it mildly, that didn't happen. My plans went down the drain. It's been raining all day in Baltimore and is expected to continue into the morning. It appears as though we're experiencing our April showers in March and all at once. When I arrived home, I discovered the basement was flooded and yes, my craft room is located in the basement. Fortunately, I didn't have much on the floor. However, I wasn't able to work in the craft room because all the electrical cords were submerged in water. Hopefully, all will be try by tomorrow this time.

Enough of that... I completed a card last night that I planned to share it with you earlier today. However, time didn't permit me to post this morning. I made this card for the challenge over at CR84FN. I like it and I hope you like it to.

Just below is the color palette provided by CR84FN...

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

I hope you like what you see and I hope it inspires you too. If you're wondering what I used to create this springy card, well, wonder no more. I used SU cardstock, My Mind's Eye designer paper, Tim Holtz's die, Tim Holtz's distressing inks, Stickle: Rock Candy,Spellbinder circle and scallop dies, Verve sentiment stamp, ribbon, button, and pearls.

Again, I hope you like what you've and were able to draw some inspiration too. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Sew What

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I realize Monday is just about over, but it appears as though I'll get my post in before Tuesday arrives. Once again it was another busy weekend. I sat down to accomplish a few things yesterday evening; and wouldn't you know it... I couldn't find anything that I needed until early this morning. Of course it was time to go to work, so I couldn't do any thing until I returned home this evening.

I had a nice suprise...okay, it wasn't a suprise. I knew it was coming. My PTI arrived today and it felt like Christmas. I can't wait to show you what I recieved. Today, I created with my stamps from Mark's Finest Paper. I shared a little with you a few postings back When I saw this set for first time, I immediately thought of my mom. Prior what she does for a living now, she was a seamtress and a tailor. Below are the two cards I created.

Believe it or not, I really love colors other than purple. I love when they all come together. If you're wondering what I used to create this effect, well, the Sew What Stamp Set is from Mark's Finest Papers, SU cardstock, Memento Ink, piercing tool, ribbon, scraps of DP, a little bling and a few buttons. Well, that's it. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Make A Wish

Happy Hello Everyone:

...and T.G.I.F. too.

I wanted to share a card I made a few weeks back. I purchased this Tim Holtz's die just after the Christmas holiday and I didn't want to wait another year or at least six months to use it. After I finished making the card, I thought it was a nice card to give to a male or female recipient celebrating a birthday--specifically during the month of March--having the green background supports that Irish springy kind-of-feel too. Although the BasicGrey Curio designer series paper's base color is green, it does not put me in mind of the Christmas holiday. Of course if you to change the paper theme...'WALLA' it could easily be associated with the Christmas holidays. Having this die is almost like having a two-for-one. I actually thought made a wonderful birthday card using Tim's die sentiment. In addition to the papers and the die, I used  SU dimensionals, Tim Holtz's distressing inks, a few brads, and ribbon to create this effect. I hope you like my'Make A Wish' card. I also hope my card provided a little inspiration for using products associated with specific holidays. Share your discoveries. What products do you use aside from it is intended for?

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

Challenge Entry

Happy Hellos Everyone:

That's right! I'm participating in another challenge over at CR8. I'm so glad to participate in the challenge over there. You wouldn't believe what or how many things happen while life's taking place. So many, that there are times when I want to participate in the challenges, but again, life is taking place at those times, which prevents me from participating in some of my favorite challenges.

When you see this week's challenge colors, instantly, you may think spring. Fair enough....My initial though was AKA...Alpha Kappa Alpha. Nevertheless, I was extremely happy with the color selection.

Don't you just love it? In keeping with the birthday them and trying to increase my birthday greeting card stash, I was able to draw this from this week's inspirational photo:

This was a fun card to create because I got a chance to use some of my new pennant stamps from Hero Arts and PTI. I covered the chip board numbers in glue and sprinkled MS glitter over them before I applied a coat of Glossy Accents over top. I love that technique. I used BasicGrey DP and SU cardstock. I'm not so sure you can see, but I threw in some baker's twine to. I love that ribbon. I can remember my grandfather bring home patreies bound with the red & white twine. It's funny how what's old is new again. Okay, I digressed for a moment. I'm back. I adorned the card with a couple of buttons and a couple of brad from my stash and finished it off with some silk ribbon.

As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery.

Hanging Up the Boots

Happy Hellos Everyone:

As promised, here I am with my second card of the month on March 2nd. I know technically, it's my third card. I fat-fingered.

I was inspired to create this card by a family member that will retire in a few weeks. This is another style of card I do get to create often enough. So, when the opportunity arose, I was glad to do so. I didn't want to showcase the card I'm making for Linda, instead I'm sharing another retirement card with you. I have titled it: 'Hanging Up the Boots.' It's an sentiment often repeated in the military community when solider retires or finishes his/her commitment. So, for all of you soon to be retirees, this one is for you.

I used my new stamp set from Stamping With Markie's Mom. I have been eyeing several of Faith's stamps for some time and I'm so glad I ordered the two sets that I selected. I thought this theme was perfect for a retirement card. In addition to my new stamp set I used designer paper series from My Minds Eye. I love the colors in the papers. They're so warm. It puts you right there on the island. I also used SU cardstock, MS glitter, Spellbinder dies, Copic markers,  Memento ink, ribbon and SU dimensionals. 

I'm not sure if you can tell from this photo, but I placed dimensional under the Spellbinder die shape to add volume and in between the paper ribbon so the 'Happy Retirement' sentiment would bow forward. 

I hope this card provided you with a little inspiration or at least made you want to set back and relax if not for a moment. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and don't forget to come back and visit tomorrow.

Hang'n With My Peeps

Happy Hellos Everyone:





A couple weeks ago my friend, Kisha and I got together after work for a crop. It appears as though every time she, Renee, and/or I come together to crop, very little is accomplished. Please understand me. We have fun. We learn by sharing information; however, I think so much talking occurs and the simple fact that we cannot bring every thing we think we'll need for our crop.  Well, at our most recent crop we were able to complete one card.

I love this little card!

To created this card I used Kisha's Stampendous Stamp (Thanks Kisha!!!); Canford & SU cardstocks; designer series paper by BasicGrey; PTI cloud die; Copic markers, Spelllbinder die, and SU dimensionals. I haven't found a sentiment for the front of the card and I'm not very sure I want to put a sentiment on the front. I think this stamp could say any thing from 'Love Being With You' to 'Hang In There.'

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

It's My Birthday Month

Happy Hellos Everyone:

That's Right!!! It's my birthday month and I have decided to kicked this month off on a good note. I have decided that I will try my best to post everyday this month. Yes, I'm shooting for the moon, but should I fall short, I'll land amongst the stars. As the month progresses, I'll try to post specials cards for friends and family that celebrate birthdays during the month of March. If you too, celebrate a birthday during the month of March be sure to let us know by leaving a comment.

Today's featured card is just below. I hope you like it as much as I do and I hope it inspires you too.

I received my first stamp set from Stamping w/Markie's Mom. I love this one too. There were so many cute images included in this set. The first thing I thought was my mom and her love for sewing. I also this would be a great set to create Mother's Day card with. I know, May appears to be a long way off, but it isn't. Anyway, I purchased some Wilton dollies from Wal-Mart and I think they enhanced the card. The various ribbons tied in with the sewing theme. The scissors were colored with Copic markers and the flower buds were accented in Glossy Accents.

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

Pink + Violet + Gray = Beautiful

Happy Hellos Everyone:


I don't know about you, but for me today feels like Ground Hog's Day. Yesterday, many were off from 's work do to President's Day (YEAH!) and today was yet another day off for me--thanks to Mother Nature herself. I'm lov'n it. I managed to carve out a little time to participate in my first challenge over at CR8FN Color Challenge. Just like the weather, I'm lov'n the color selection for this week's challenge. You know I'm a purple girl. 

You can't help not to love this cool color palette. I love the softness and can only hope to have translated this in my card below.

Sometimes it's funny how a card may turn out. That is, I have an idea when I begin, but that idea takes on a whole other journey of its own. I think I can safe say, 'This is one of those times.' It borders on being a little baroque, but I'm liking it. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

I'm Back

Happy Hellos Everyone!

It's so nice to be back with you on my blog again. As you may know it's been a minute since my last post, at lease it feels that way.  Between time and life itself, I've been busy. Its been a good busy, but never the less busy. On top of that, I've been having problems with my new computer and camera. I hate to admit it, but the more I'm learning about my laptop and my camera, it appears as though I am the one with the problem--go figure. I am so accustom to using my old laptop and software--well, lets just say I knew it like the back of my hand.

So, anyway, today I decided to try posting a card. It's the same card I posted over at SOC. So, if you haven't has an opportunity to visit lately, now would be a good time to check out some of the SOC Design Team February posting.

To create this card I used Hero Arts flower stamp, Hero Arts background stamp, SU sentiment stamp, SU cardstock, SU classic ink, Tim Holtz distressing inks, Ranger Ink embossing powder, pearl spritz, Glossy Accents, pearls and dimenisionals.

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

Papertrey Contest Entry

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I hope your Thursday morning is off to a fantastic beginning. The last set of stamp sets arrived in today's mail. I'm so happy. I'm hoping to have a terriffic weeknd filled with stamping new images. That's what I get for visiting other peoples blogs. When I arrived home after work, I notice many of the bloggers I visit were participating in the contest over at PTI, so I decided to throw my name in the hat for an opportunity to win the wonderful prize being offered. If you're interested , there's PTI link to the right of the blog. The only PTI stamps I currently have are sentiments and that's what I used. There was no inspirational photo. The only require was to select from the color selection posted on the PTI site. I selected one of the warmer color families. I didn't have much time to ponder over the layout of the card. I was exhausted anyaway. I think my entry turned out well barring how exhaused I am.  You can't tell from this photo, but I used dimesisionals to achieve a raised effect on two different levels. I also used dimenission to make the tag bow outward. Because of the warm hues and the limited frills, I consided this to be a unisex card. I would send it to a male recipient. As always, thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Just For You

Happy Hellos Everyone:

Happy Hump Day and all that wonderful stuff! Some of you may have noticed that I have had a time posting lately. That is I go to post something and you may have clicked on it and it wasn't there. I'm testing this post out so, it's slightly abbreviated. I have a few cards I would like to share with you this evening; however, in the meantime, I made this card a few weeks ago and I'm just getting around to posting it. It appears as though it would be appropriate for this time of the year--that is it's colors are red and white--right on time for Valentines Day.

You wouldn't believe how long it took this card to up-load. You can't tell by this photo, but I think I have a learned a few new tricks regarding light and shadows, so the photos in upcoming post should look a lot better. Well, I better not push my luck. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.

Kick'n Off the Week at WMS

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I cannot believe we're seven days of the month of February and I am just getting around to my first post of the month. This past week has been a blur for me. My programs weren'y cooperating with me last week. With me not being able to post, I took time to visit a few blogs and boy did I see some nice things out there. In between my regular day-to-day activities, Kevin caught the flu and no sooner he recovers, I caught something. It's not the flu--perhaps it the cousin to the flu. :) Whatever it is, it's not over just yet. Which is too bad because there is so many happenings going on this--birthdays, anniversary, wedding stuff, etc. Aside from all that, I still have not installed PhotoShop onto my new computer, so I finally broke down to begin to learn this new program. It's truely not Adobe PhotoShop, but I figure by the time I learn enough, I will have found my PhotoShop software. That's how it works normally--right???

With all that said, I managed to make a few cards this weekend. Some are for the next issue of SOC E:spire Magazine. By the way, I hope you were able to take some time to view the premiere issue. It's full of lots of information and plenty of inspiration.

The first challenge of the week I'm participating in is over at WMS. Below is the inspirational sketch.

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

Thanks for taking time to stop by The Peddler's Gallery.

It's Here!!!

Happy Hellos Everyone:

SOC E:spire Magazine is finally here! There's 70 pages of pure inspiration waiting for you. If you like what you see, and I'm sure you will, be sure to leave a comment for the SOC creator and Design Team.

I hope you Monday kicked-off to a great start. I was so elated when I returned home from work and discovered my Papertrey order and Flourishes order arrived in the mail. I'm so excited. I've been wanting to place an order with Papertrey like forever and it appears as though forever has finally arrived. I hope to have something to share with you as soon as tomorrow.  As for Flouishes, well, I just love them too. I can't wait to try my new stamp sets out.

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

...More Bleu Monday....

Happy Hellos Everyone:

I want you to know I recieved several comments regarding the mini debute of Bleu Monday. Many of you experienced difficulities trying to leave comments for the January 10th posting. Nevertheless, I received several comments via e-mail. I was so elated to discover you enjoyed the very beginnings of Bleu Monday. Well, today I have a little more of the story to share with you. However, before I do I wanted to share today's card with you and of course there's a correlation to today's card. You guessed it. The primary color is blue!

Today, I'm participating in a challenge over at WMS Challenge. To me, this card depicts much of how many of us living on the east coast have been feeling over the past 72 hours if not longer. Below is this week's inspirational sketch...

 ...and this is what I created...

I used BoBunny's Midnight Frost designer papers. I just love this paper. I also used Spellbinder Nestabilities, Sizzix snowflakes, Ranger Ink embossing powder, StazOn Midnight Blue ink, ribbon, pearl spritz, sewing machine, Impression Obsession: sentiment stamp, Inkadinkado: snowman, and a button.

If you need to catch-up, please feel free to visit the January 10th post entitled My Book-Bleu Monday. Now, on with Bleu Monday...

...Clarke placed her mug of 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 memoirs 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.

There was no need to whisper when she excused herself; however, in her soft voice she said, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

“Sure baby and I’ll be waiting for you right here when you return.”

The tone of his voice was reassuring. It created a sound that traveled from a place unfathomable between his stomach and his soul; both hungered for her. His voice substantiate everything would work out and when tomorrow came, there wouldn’t be any ‘what ifs.’ Now that her decision was clear, Clarke rose from her seat with control of her emotions and ready to pickup where misfortune left her. All she had to do was take care of one last detail; making him aware of her decision. She walked towards the entrance, but before she could make it there, he’d already met her half way. Clarke found it anomalous meeting the only men in her life that had known her so intimately at the same place and time. Then she thought, at this point it was irrelevant. He was already here. Clarke immediately suppressed her thoughts and smiled when she greeted him.

Still a little surprised to see him, she asked with a sly smile, “Hey, Hey, you. What are you doing here so early?”

He thought Clarke looked as she did the last time he saw her. She was still on a high—the kind of high you couldn’t by your way to. It was natural “Hey yourself.” He sensed his surprise made Clarke a little uncomfortable. He leaned forward before bending down to greet Clarke with a kiss. “I know you said the teahouse is your favorite place to relax and meditate. Under the present circumstances, I figured here is where you would be. So, I took the chance you’d arrive earlier than we planned. And I guessed right.” He took a deep breath and said, “Look, something unexpected popped up and I need to take care of it now.”

With a look of concern that seemed to appear from nowhere Clarke asked, “Is there anything I can help with?”

I hope you enjoyed the second little tidbit. Know I'm always interested in what you think. Feel free to leave your much appreciated comments. Thanks for stopping by The Peddler's Gallery and come back real soon.