Geek Is Chic

Happy Hellos Everyone:

For the past five or six years, I have sent my son off to school accompanied with a back-to-school note card wishing him the best school year ever. This year was no different. Last year, I discovered my son has come to really appreciate my little first day of school note cards. Boy did that make me feel good. I usually place the note card some where in his back-pack or notebook where I am sure he will discover it before the end of the school day.

This year was no different. If any thing, this year's card was most important. Kevin entered the eight grade this year. Every thing is changing and the most important thing I wanted him to remember is being a 'Geek' is truely chic. I wanted him to remember that geek is not a dirty word, but a compliment to his academic discipline.

Now, that you know what it is I have done for that special student in my life, what is it that you do for the special student in your life?



Peace & Blessings to
You & Yours

Lorie

It's All About the Ribbon

Happy Hellos Everyone:

Today's card is less about the card and more about the ribbon. A  while back, I was fortunate enough to be hopping from blog-to-blog when I stumbled upon Claire and the beautiful card she created. In turn, I replicated her ribbon technique.

To create this wonderful technique, cut 2-8" strips of grogaine ribbon and 2-5" strips of grogaine ribbon. Tie a knot in the center of each piece of ribbon. Thread each ribbon through the close-end slit from corner-to-corner; trim excess; and secure remaining ribbon with adhesive. Continue creating your card as desired.

Note: When using this technique it is best to use a heavy weight paper.

Now, tell me, what's your favorite ribbon technique?


Peace & Blessings
To You & Yours

Lorie

Looking Through the Window

Happy Hellos Everyone!

It's hard to believe summer half of the summer has already passed us by. For me, reality hit yesterday evening as I sat attentively along with other 7th and 8th grade parents at the student, parent and teacher night my son's school held. For the 8th graders and their parents, the meeting was all about, 'what to aspect' for this coming school year--preparing for high school was the theme. In comparison to what I remember about being an 8th grader there is so much more to accomplish  just in the first 45 days of the school year, not to mention the days to follow. It was as if the teacher andschool administrator had provided the students and parents an open window of what is to come and that is where my card comes in to play.

Today's card is all about windows and using those large pieces of scraps that are too small for some things and not large enough for others. I decide to showcase a window pane card. It's a pretty simple card to create that will leave the recipient thinking you spent more time than what you actually did to make this card.

Take a look below...

To achieve this effective, you will need to assemble your favorite cardstock and two different designer papers, transparent cardstock, selected die cuts, hold punch, CuttleBug, ribbon, stamps, and adhesive.  To begin cut the cardstock to the desired size; at the same time cut the front of the card and one of the desire designer papers; cut the transparent cardstock to the same size as you have cut the cardstock base; adhere adhesive to the corners of both sides of the transparent cardstock; place the transparent cardstock in between the cardstock and designer paper; apply the second designer paper inside the card; now embellish your center window and any other part of the outside of the card. That's it! 

Now, you try it and tell us all about how easy it  was to make your window pane card.

Peace & Blessing

to you and yours.

Our 1st Independence Day

Happy Hellos All:

As I began to create something to represent a sign of summer, the first thing that came to mind was independence day. It probably wasn't the independence day that many would initially think of. Although, this celebration comes on the heals of the beginning of summer, I could not help but to think of the Juneteenth celebration. Being a Marylander, I did not learn about Juneteenth until I was an adult living in Europe. A few of my friends that grew up in the south educated me on the observance and its significance. From that point, I mentally decided when I started a family my child(ren) would learn about Juneteenth well before adulthood. I invite you. I challenge you, to take a moment or two to learn something about the significance of this celebration and then share what you have learned with a friend. Go one step further, and return to this post to tell us one thing you learned (i.e. who, when, what, etc.) or may already know. Just below is a card I created for the occasion....

I'm looking forward to discover what you know or learned about the Juneteenth celebration.

Peace & Blessings,


Lorie

Glad You're In My Corner

Happy Hellos Everyone:

Have you ever experienced a moment when you just wanted to keep things simple? I can attest, there are times when I want to put a little bit of everything on my card including the cherry on top and then there are times when I just want to keep things simple. I love a CAS card and that's what I have to share with you. Often this type of card says so much before you attempt open the card to read the sentiment. Today's card is perfect for when you want to convey the gratitude of thanks. More specific, I thought this was a terrific card for graduation. For me it wasn't so much about the graduate; however, more about that special person or persons that ensured the student would one day be referred to as "graduate." Parents, relatives, and friends are the first to hit the mall for the perfect gift or the bank for that matter. I believe we need to train our graduates that they too should have a little something to give on their special day--something as little as a greeting card can often, have a tremendous impact. My CAS card simply  conveys the sentiment, 'Glad You're In My Corner.' I'm sure it would bring a smile to the face of any recipient.

As mentioned earlier, I love a CAS card. If you share my sentiments, what is it that you love about creating CAS cards and how often do you make them?  Thanks for leaving a comment.

Peace & Blessings to

  You & yours,

  Lorie

Do You Know What Today Is?

Happy Hellos Everyone:

Many of you may not be aware, but today is a special day. It's probably even more special to that little person in your life--more specifically, that kindergarten. Today is National Kindergarten's Day and it's not too late to celebrate this much over looked occasion. Consider making that special kindergartner his or her favorite dinner or have a book ready to read to him or her just before they go off to dreamland and don't forget to cap it off by telling them what makes today extra special.

Now, I know many of you may be quick to acknowledge, 'I don't have a kindergartner.' Well, consider that special niece or nefew, godchild, or a close family friend, consider acknowledging that little one. Our children are in desperate need of a little encouragement and TLC from the right people, so why not you. Now, if that doesn't work remember, there was a time when you were a kindergartener. Compare what was required of you to what today's kindergartner must know before moving on. That alone should bring on the "WOW" factor.

I don't have a kindergartnet to highlight, but I made a card in celebration of the occasion. SHARE: If you have a kindergartner in your life, what do you plan to do?

Peace, Love & Blessings,

Lorie

What A Weekend!

Happy Hellos!!!

What a weekend! What a great weekend! This weekend was a weekend of new beginnings. Friday commenced our wonderful blog hop and Sunday was the beginning of a new season---Spring. I'm sure a lot of wonderful first took place in between. Although the weekend has come to an end, National Craft Month continues and we're one day closer to the second edition of E:spire Magazine.

As I began to think about the type of card I wanted to share with you, I was led back to a floral design. Only this floral card differs from the card many of you saw during the blog hop. I pulled out one of my favorite stamps, Flowers & Swirls from Hero Arts and began to create. It's a perfect cluster of flowers to celebrate the season, Mother's Day or a birthday.

With a SU die, cut a piece of craft paper, stamp the image on both the craft die cut paper and white paper; color both images with desired markers (I used Copic markers.); distress the edge of the die cut paper with Tim Holtz's distressing ink; spritz with desire glimmer mist; apply to hold punches to the bottom center of the craft paper and insert ribbon; cut selected flowers from the white card stock; apply dimensionals and place on top of the craft image stamp; add a little bling and gel ink; using dimensionals place the craft die cut onto the burlap and adhere to the colored cardstock; and you're done.

Now that you know what I have done, that leads me to my question for you. There are stamp companies I simply L.O.V.E. I love Hero Arts, Waltzing Mouse, Impression Obsession, PaperTrey, The Artful Stamper, Verve Stamps, and Flourishes just to name a few.  When it comes to stamping what's the stamp company you wouldn't want to live without?

Peace & Blessings,

Lorie

Writing Us Into History

Happy President's Day Everyone:

As we begin to wrap up the month of February, I'm reminded of all the things that make this month, pardon the pun, so lovely. Of course there is Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, American Heart Association Awareness, President's Day, Mardi Gras, and more. What I'm most reminded about the month (as well as previous years gone by) of February is the contributions African Americans have made to better conditions here and abroad. Somehow, each contribution has managed to achieve the same effect whether it was the speeches Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. delivered, the traffic light Garret Morgan created or the way Vivien Thomas adapted a surgical procedures to oxygenate blood to allow blue babies life beyond the primary stages of adolescence. Well, their contributions managed to bring us closer together--making this world appear a little smaller than before.

This year, the founder of Scraps of Color E:spire Magazine, Tiare Smith, has been added to the long list of contributors. She has not only created SOC E:spire Magazine, Tiare has made the world of African American scrappers, card makers, and altered artists that much smaller and brought each of us a closer. A year ago, I had no idea as many African Americans shared the love of paper crafting as I do. I am so happy to know I can log-on or e-mail a fellow blogger or call a friend to discuss techniques, upcoming conventions and/or classes and know that the topic is far from being foreign. Thanks Tiare, for writing us all into history.

I achieve this effect by using SU cardstock, Hero Art flower & background stamps, SU classic inks, SU sentiment stamp, embossing powder, pearl spritz, Tim Holtz distressing ink, Glossy Accents, and pearls.

Peace & Blessings,

Lorie

Happy Hellos

Happy Hellos Everyone!

I hope today greets you at a point where joy and laughter begins and peace and tranquility never ends. It’s hard to believe over half of January 2011 has already come and gone. Before you know it, March will be here—at least that’s what I’ve been thinking. So, this year I decided to celebrate my birthday doing something I would really enjoy. I decided to have a ‘Birthday Crop.’ So, I choose a date, secured a venue, and selected a theme & a menu. The only thing I was missing were my guests. I pondered and pondered and pondered and for as much as I pondered, I came up with three people I was able to invite. Did I mention each person lives at least 40 miles away?  I thought, ‘That’s not a party. That’s a regular crop.’  I decided to throw caution to the wind and invite my non-crafting friends. Well, I sent out the save-the-date notices and was I ever surprised. The first five responses I received were from my non-crafting friends. Their responses warranted telephone calls and sure enough, there was sincerity in the voices I heard. They genuinely had an interest in the process and not just the finished product.

That led me to think, "Will I convert any of my non-crafting friends at my Birthday Crop?" Who knows? What I do know is, in my small area, more and more people that look like me have become more receptive to the idea of scrapbooking and cardmaking. I hear less and less of this wonderful hobby being only an interest for our lighter sisters.

That prompts my question to you. Would you consider inviting your non-crafting friends to paper crafting event? Do you think they would show? How many of your family and friends have found interest in your hobby? When you’re shopping at your local craft store, are you beginning to find more people that look like you in the scrap aisles? Now that I’ve shared my thoughts, I’m curious to know yours.

Peace & Blessings,

Lorie

Happy Hellos

Happy Hellos and Merry Christmas Everyone:

This is truly an exciting time. With the holidays upon us and the launch of E:spire Magazine just around the corner; and all the things that will fall in between, I feel as though Christmas will be making two appearances instead on one this winter.

My name is Lorie a.k.a. ThePeddler and I am a Creative Team Member for SOC E:spire Magazine. Before I continue with my introduction, I would like to use this platform to thank Tiare Smith, E:spire Founder, for the opportunity to be a part of this awesome journey. Like many of you, I’m looking forward to a year overflowing in shear inspiration and creativity.

Currently, I live in Baltimore, Maryland with my soon to be (48 hours away) pre-teen son, Kevin whom you will probably hear me refer to from time to time. Kevin plays a big part in where my inspiration is drawn from.

I began crafting at eight years old. My mom was and remains a crafter—just not as much. From as far as I can recall, my hand were always moving whether I was learning how to macramé (Chinese Knotting), pour slip for ceramic pieces, latch hook, crochet, decorating specialty cakes, etc. I was always doing something on the creative side. After the birth of my son, I took up scrapping as a hobby. I would attend crop nights. I love it and how my friends responded to my scrapbook(s).  Then one evening I sat down next to Linda—a lady I did not know.  She was making greeting cards—lots of them too. By the end of the crop, Linda had hooked me and she wasn’t even aware. I left the crop that night with one and half completed pages (probably because I was too busy watching what she was doing) and she walked out with more cards than I could count.  The next time I returned to the crop, I spent half of my time scrapping and the other half making cards. By the time I returned again, I deemed myself a card maker. I loved the idea of creating smaller completed projects in a shorter period of time.

Looking back, I have learned many techniques, as a result my style has evolved. If I had to describe my style, it would be truly eclectic. There are many facets to art that I love to bring to my craft and though you may not see it in one card or layout, it is evident when you visit  my blog. I love the art of collage, lots of color, clear & simple lines, layers and cards that border being slightly baroque. My favorite embellishment is ribbon. My biggest challenge is creating for a male recipient. So, whenever a challenge presents itself, I make sure I participate. Now that you are aware of my Achilles heel, when it comes to paper crafting, what’s yours and how do you handle it?

Thanks for taking a little time to get to know me! I encourage you to leave your comments so, I may get to know you too.


Peace & Blessings,

Lorie