Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween Memories...

Happy Halloween Y'all!

Sorry, no projects to show you.... just fond memories to share.

I may be writing this so that I will have some record of past memories to refer back to, who knows.  Things that I thought I would never forget, seem now to be inevitably lost to time and age.

I guess I'm feeling a bit sentimental this afternoon.  I drove to my Mom's to drop off some Halloween treats for her.  Mom still lives in the house I grew up in, in Austin, Texas so driving past the houses I had seen so many times before made me think of Halloweens past....

As a kidlet, Halloween was all about the candy.  Trick or Treating and the candy.  It wasn't slasher movies, devil worship, or whatever...simply getting all decked out in a costume and going from house to house and snagging all the candy we could.

I had two older sisters Kathy and Kim.  Of course I was the baby and only boy, so I always followed orders from my sisters.  WELL KINDA....They had done the Halloween thing before and knew how to score the treats!  We would by this time have adorned the dining room window with our die cut full color witch, that lived in the hall closet during the rest of the year.  Other artistic creations that were made by my sister's and I in school were also plastered on the dining room windows with Scotch Tape.  Thinking back, I'm sure all the teachers didn't know what to do with us excited kids on Halloween, hence the need to have us make things Halloweenie to keep us quiet!  LOL!  All we wanted was to hear that school bell ring so we could done the costume and wait for dark.

Our costumes and paper trick-or treat bags came from a wonderful-wonderful store that is no longer around, Winn's Five and Dime.  Sure miss that store.  Toys, school supplies, trinkets, objects, cloth, medicine...you name it, it could be found at Winn's.  I cannot tell you a single costumed character I was.  I just remember the costume being some kind of silky material that went over your clothes and it came with a plastic molded full face mask that was held in place by elastic cording.

Dad was the one who walked with us, so we had to wait for dad to get home.  I remember waiting for those EXCRUCIATINGLY LONG hours to pass until his arrival home from work!  We would run out and grab his hand and literally drag him into the house so we could get going.  I'm sure there was dinner in there somewhere, but for the life of me cannot remember eating dinner on Halloween.

Finally, we were off.  There were three rules.  You could only go to houses with the lights on, you had to say Trick-or-Treat and last, you had to say, Thank you after you received your treat.  Now that the trick or treat bags were loaded with the mother lode of all candy and we were exhausted from the walk, the real fun came....Sorting!  LOL

First off, let me say there is an unforgettable smell to a bag of Halloween candy, scents of bazooka gum mixed with aromas of sugar, mint and chocolate....Ahhhh those were the days!  OK, back to the tale....Once home, the three of us would sit in totally glee on the den floor, dump out our bag of goodies and sort them into types.  Each type had their own pile.  Hershey bars, Mr. Goodbars, Dubble Bubble Gum, Milk Duds, Sweet Tarts, peppermints, Cracker Jacks, butterscotch, little Life Saver rolls, homemade popcorn balls, lollipops and my all time favorite mentioned above, Bazooka bubble gum.  Not only was this the most delicious gum, but you got a little comic strip inside the wrapper...Remember that?  For a kid, Willy Wonka had nothing on us!  We were in heaven!  I have no idea why we sorted the candy, to be totally honest, we just did.  We filled our mouths full of candy, popping one after the other until bedtime.  I have no idea again, with such a sugar high, how we even went to bed.   That folks is how I remember Halloween.    A candy filled fun holiday with my sisters.

I hope you have a wonderful Halloween and an awesome safe night filled with sweet memories.

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter


Happy Halloween!



To All My Friends,
                                

Happy Halloween Y'all!




Image from magicmoonlightfreeimages.blogspot.com


Have A Safe And Happy Day!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

The Dowel Dilemma

Hello My Friends....

Wanted to answer a quick question about the dowel for the Carriage Clock.  Thanks Jill for asking for better clarification.

I mentioned the 1/2-inch half round dowel in yesterday's post.  For the tutorial, I used a 1/2-inch dowel for the Carriage Clock.  A suggestion was made to use a 1/2-inch half round, I guess trim piece would be the appropriate term as an option.

A 1/2-inch half round would be just like the 1/2-inch dowel but split in half.  It looks like this....



This would be a bit easier to cut, possibly with some of Tim Holtz shears and then you could sand the ends down with a sanding block.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Again Y'all!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Monday, October 29, 2012

A Few Notes....From Acetate to Nachos!

Good Evening Everybody!

Tonight I have a mixed bag of things I wanted to mention....

First Off... Carriage Clock Info...

Thank you so much for purchasing the Carriage Clock Tutorial!  As always I'm so incredibly honored!  Unbelievable!  Thanks Gang!

Some notes on the pattern....

Yes, I did have a big typo on the front cover of the Tutorial!  LOL!  I believe I put blogsot instead of blogspot.  I was just trying to be unique you know?  LOL!

Next, I've received several emails asking about where I buy my acetate for the clock face, so I thought I would post it here for all.  I have found the best heavy weight acetate from Scrapadabadoo.com!  Here is the link:  9x12 Acrylic Sheets.  You won't be disappointed!

Another tip.... A fellow paper crafter, Katina sent this one to me.   Katina found it easier to use a 1/2 inch -half round piece she found from the hardware store.  Probably in the Trim Department- Lumber section.  What's awesome about this is, it would truly be easier to cut and sometimes you can catch one of the sales folks and have them cut it for you.  Thanks Tons Katina!  Awesome Idea!

Last, I want to blow y'all away!  Ready!  I'm not a cook!  I mean NOT A COOK!  I try so hard at it, but gave it up when I tried to make a birthday torte for a friend that ended up being a paperweight I still use today on my desk!!  LOL!  I'm going to be honest here, I do have occasional moments of frustration.  :) However, when I even get near the kitchen my frustration level immediately grows and a bright red rash that spells out "Loser" shows up on my forehead!  LOL!  I even burn the hellations out of a microwave dinner for God's sake!  Just not my forte!  Hate it!  LOL!  I've gotten to the point where I'd rather go to bed hungry than to burn, over-salt, boil to long, forget to add ingredients, you name it to food!

But tonight, I found something simple!  It's one of those, Oh My Gosh, I actually made this moments!  OK, don't laugh at me!  (I'm sure it wasn't the healthiest meal around, but I did go for a nice long walk tonight to offset some of the calories!)  The recipe came from the Campbell's Kitchen Quick and Easy recipe thing online.  Go figure!  You can find it here...Quick & Easy Dinner Nacho Supreme.

For the seasoning packet I used McCormick's Taco Seasoning packet and used Ground Sirloin instead of plain old ground beef.  On a bed of lettuce, as a taco salad, on a nippy night like tonight...TOOLICIOUS! Y'all!  If you eat beef that is.  It came out great!  Yahooo!

See, I told you about my A-D-D! Only I can blog about Acetate and Nacho's in a single post!  LOL!

Y'all have an awesome night!  Back to the studio...

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter





Sunday, October 28, 2012

Uncle Bubba's Mask Making!

Good Afternoon All!

Gosh, I've been busy crafting today!  First up was a mask for my niece that needed to be sent last week!  But since Halloween is Wednesday, I think she will have it in time...She is going to be Super "L"! Super Liya!  There were just a few requests from Sweet Cheeks....Pink, Purple, and lots of bling!  I hope I succeeded!  This will be her first or second Halloween in this country (Uncle Bubba's brains are going and can't recall!) and I'm so excited to see she and Finny, my sweet little nephew, all dressed up for Halloween!  I so wish I could be there to go trick-or-treating with them!

I was trying to find a picture my sister took of Super L in her cape on Facebook, but can't... so as any proud uncle would do...I found another cute picture!  LOL!

Here are my two Love Bunnies.....


So, my first attempt at the mask was a bit dark and NOT kiddish, so I ditched it and started another....Here's the first attempt...



And here is the one I finished this morning...A bit more fun, bright and kid friendly!  I hope anyway!  I think it looks like her.


Fast and easy to make, I actually found some Valentine paper that I never used this year.  I don't keep a lot of pink or purple paper in my stash....Hmmmm...I used a mask template I found on the internet and cut it out on my digi cutter from some Grungepaper.  I sprayed it with Dyan's Bubblegum Pink Dylusions spray and then covered it with some punched ovals and circles.  Next,  I die cut a snowflake piece from chipboard and card stock and glued it to the center of the mask.  I cut the "L" from some scrap chipboard, sprayed it with Dylusions Crushed Grape and applied the pearl bling.  Last I applied more sparklin' blingage and added some ribbon for ties.  Super L's Mask DONE!  Hope she likes it...

Well, back to the studio...Break Time Is Over!  I'm working on THE COOLEST Sizzix project!  I am so excited.  It's one of those things where you can't wait to get back to it, because it's getting to the point where it's actually looking like something!  LOL!  I'll show you all sometime in November.  LOL!

Have an awesome Sunday Gang!  BTW, still cool and crisp here in Texas Land!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Saturday, October 27, 2012

I've Been Dylusioned!

Good Afternoon Everybody!

I wanted to share some really, really cool news!  Are ya ready?  I'm sure you guessed it already!  I will be joining my awesome pal, Dyan Reaveley and The Dylusions Design Team!  Yahooo!  I cannot tell you what an honor it is for me to be able to work with Dyan, Dylusions and her amazingly talented Design Team!!!





You all might have noticed that I've found another new passion to add to my resume....Stamping, stenciling and spray inks using Dyan's amazing fun and imaginative goodness...Dylusions!  Now,  I love, love, love creating 3-Dimensional art right?  God knows I will continue doing it...but, when I first sprayed a couple of the Dylusions inks on a piece of Manilla Cardstock and saw the awesome magic that happens when they meld together, I fell head over heels and wanted  more.

I'm so honored to wear a few new hats and explore some new avenues on this amazing journey into the wonderful world of paper crafting.  Did I say hats...Here is one I created this morning to mark the Dylusional Occasion.....








Thank You Dyan for this awesome opportunity!  Thank you all for joining me on the fantabulous journey!


Y'all Have an awesome day!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter




Friday, October 26, 2012

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday Morning Everybody!

A nice little cold front came through this morning!  But the rain they promised would come with...NOT!  But I'll truly take the cooler weather.  LOVE IT!

This is just a crazy Friday Morning Post...But what can I say!

I have some very exciting news coming this weekend and needed a new picture of my ugly mug for a headshot!   So outside with my babies and a wooden pitchfork!  Go figure....Give me a pitchfork and for some reason I go into japanese warlord mode.  How a pitchfork can become nunchucks I don't know... but I sure tried!

Thought I would give you all a Friday Chuckle....





 Y'all Have a wonderful-wonderful Friday!  Craft Time Is Coming!  Yahooo!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter






Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Carriage Clock Tutorial Is Up!

Good Evening Everybody!

Well, The Carriage Clock Tutorial is FINALLY up on my Etsy Shop.  If you are interested, you can find it here:




You know, every time I think I can breeze through getting a tutorial out there, It just ain't so folks!  There is no breezing to it!  LOL!  What time is now?  11:33 p.m. and I started it as soon as I got home from work!  LOL! 

Well, there was about 30 minutes there that I treated myself to a nice walk, so it wasn't exactly all pattern writing!  I was really good tonight, actually the last few nights and went for a walk!  I gotta get some of this poundage off or I'm really going to need to sell patterns to buy some new clothes!  I also got my haircut and that always makes me look a bit plump.  Hahahaha!  Short hair round face!  I'm working on it though!  I even listened tonight when my body said,  "Whoa Boy! Do you really want all that...aren't you full?"  Yes, I came from the same generation alot of us did, where we needed to clean the plate...Where the difference comes in is that I lick the plate clean!  That's an extra few calories! :)  At least I'm trying!  Vacation poundage is the hardest to take off!  Rephrase that, Fried Low Country Cooking is the hardest to take off!  But so far 5 pounds!  Gotta keep it up! 

Well, I'm seriously exhausted! I better hit the hay and pray the sandman comes early tonight!

Thank you all!  Have an awesome night and beautiful tomorrow!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Gone Cuckoo of Carriage Clocks!

Hello Everybody!  Hola Mi Amigos!

Did I say I'm going cuckoo over carriage clocks?  Well, I mean it!  LOL!  I've been trying to finish up the carriage clock pattern, working on carriage clocks for gifts, uploading carriage clock pictures and now blogging about carriage clocks!  I think one of my gears is missing and my winder is over-wound!

Haven't blogged in a couple of days and just wanted to stop in real quick and say I'm still ticking! I'm hoping to have the carriage clock pattern done soon.  Need to insert the photos and give it a going over and it will be ready.  Thanks for being patient with me.

OK, you know how my ADD kicks in right...Completely changing subjects on ya here!  Hats!  Top hats to be exact!  My other love!  Had to add this one to the collection today.  For some reason it looks like the shape of a Beefeater's Hat...you know the Tower of London Beefeaters... Like I know what one looks like...NOT!  But it does.  Love how it's done up in the Halloween style.....

Am I the only one that sits looking at this picture trying to figure out how to make one!  Get me?  We need to figure it out and create one!  :)





Well, back to the tick tock of the carriage clock! (Whatever!  LOL!)  Just taking a quick breather and saying hello!

Thank you, Thank You! for your kind words today on Graphic 45's blog and on my YouTube channel for the Mini In A Box Project!  You All ROCK my world!  :)

Have an awesome night y'all!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter





Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dylusions Challenge - Done!

Good Afternoon All!

Thanks for your kind words.  So cool!  Appreciate you all!  I'm looking forward to designing projects for Tim.  Please know, I will still be crafting away in my studio doing my thing as always, but will have the cool opportunity to do things for Tim Holtz as needed.  So it is very exciting indeed and I once again thank you for your comments.

OK, Onwards....

As you know I've been a bit under the weather lately!  Feeling so much better!  Still have that same old cough and stuffy nose, but the main thing is the pounding headache is gone!!!  Yahoooo!  It's amazing how something like a headache can really bring you down.  I am so happy to be back getting my hands inky and having projects all over the house.  This is just the way I like it!  LOL!  The kitchen counter is full of carriage clocks waiting to be assembled for presents.  My laptop is in the bedroom where I go and type out the steps to make the carriage clock for a pattern and the studio has been full of Dylusions ink sprays and stamps all day. 

Yes, there is a point to this post....I just finished the Dylusional challenge that Dyan Reaveley offered...To open a page from a journal...(Just not the first one) and use the orange ink spray, the spider stamp and the words "New Beginnings"....

Here's what I came up with....


Why do I want to name this project "Bone Daddy"?  LOL!

Hope you all are enjoying your Sunday!  Better get back to the carriage clocks! 

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

A New Beginning....

Hello Everybody!

Hope the weekend has found you crafting up some Fall goodness!  God knows that I'm finally feeling tons better and have managed to find my way back to the studio this morning! So good to be back amongst the inks, stains and paper..Which didn't take long to find it's way all over the floor!

I wanted to take a second and share some really cool and very exciting news.  You all know how much I've always loved Idea-ology and anything Tim Holtz right?  He's always been my hero...Well, I am so honored to announce that I will be designing projects for the Tim Holtz brand.   I am so looking forward to getting crafty and finding new ways to use all that goodness!

On the flip side, It is with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign from the Graphic 45 Team.  I was so blessed to have been able to design projects for this amazing company.   The G45 family has always been so kind to me, even through this hard decision and I will always hold them dear to my heart. I will never forget the honor they bestowed upon me to be chosen as a Design Team member.  It truly has been an amazing adventure... Thank You Graphic 45!

So...I'm starting a new chapter in my life and look forward to seeing what challenges and projects are ahead.  I hope you will continue to join me on my journey into the crazy world of a southern gent  paper crafting as I continue to be apart of the Inspiration Emporium design team as well as open to future opportunities with other companies.  Here's to the future....

Thank you as always for your support and kindness.

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter




Friday, October 19, 2012

The Silver Skull Crypt Techniques and Video

Happy Friday Everybody!

Hope your morning is off to a GREAT start.  Thank you all for the wonderful comments on my Carriage Clock.  I cannot wait to get y'all started on that because it really isn't that hard to do and it's really fairly quick to make.  So, I will start writing that this weekend. Actually I'll be making some for thank you gifts!  Can't wait to use different papers to see the different effects I can get.  Why do things like that excite me?  LOL!

This morning I wanted to share with those who had emailed me, the technique I used on the Silver Skull Crypt side panels.  I did a little video on it last night and uploaded it to YouTube.  Please note that  I'm still feeling a bit....sickly so accept my apologies for sounding crummy.....Grab a kleenex!  :)




Thanks for coming by this morning!  Have an awesome Friday!  Yahoooo!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Thursday, October 18, 2012

A Ladies Diary Carriage Clock! Revealed!

Good Morning Everyone!

Thank you for joining me over at Graphic 45's blog to check out, A Ladies Diary Carriage Clock.  If you haven't gone over, please go!!!!  By now, you surely must know how much I love Kristin Wilson of Kristin Wilson Handmade...She has created the coolest things on the G45 blog today!  Gotta see 'em!

What I have created you ask?  A Carriage Clock from the lovely and beautiful Graphic 45's,  A Ladies Diary paper collection.  I simply love this little clock.  So many designers are making fabulous big clocks.  God knows I love them and have done them, but this time I went small and simple.  I think that is why I love it so much.  I hope you do too!

Here is, A Ladies Diary Carriage Clock....









This clock would make a wonderful gift for the upcoming holidays and there will be a pattern for it soon.  I know, you've heard that before!  LOL!  But, I love this little clock so much I want to make it in other papers as well.  So a pattern is inevitable...It really is so easy and fast....I promise....I may do my first kit...what do you think?

Thanks for looking and have an awesome day!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Dylusion Winner Announced!

Hello Everybody!

Sorry about leaving y'all in the lurch the last couple of days!  Simply just not feeling up to par!  Being in the car while having a cold hasn't helped either, but I'm not complaining, just wanted to explain my absence and lack of wanting to do really anything but veg!

We "landed" in Vicksburg, Mississippi sometime around 7:45 p.m. Monday night.  Got up yesterday morning and drove through Vicksburg National Military Park.  Oh My Gosh y'all!  Totally the most amazing thing to do in the morning.  It was beautiful and very peaceful. (I'll blog pictures of this later...) I really want to plan a trip to go back to Vicksburg and dig into all that history.  I was so rushed this time around.  I hate that!  But better planning next time will solve this.

I got home around 7:30 p.m. last night, took a shower, ate a little something and fell into bed asleep!  I was out until 6:30 a.m. Can you imagine?  I'm not the best sleeper in the world but I slept for 10 whole hours!!!!  By my sleep standards...That's a whole lotta sleepin'!!  I got up still feeling yucky but a bit better.  The more I thought about how I felt, the worse it was.  So today, I just tried not to think about it.  How's that!  By the way everybody, thank you for all you kind thoughts you sent my way!  I appreciate you all!

OK, enough about me!  Let's get on to the good stuff!  The Winner of My Favorite Things Dylusioned! 

I think you all did an awesome job and a ton of you guessed it correctly! I printed out each email and went through them all.  Then I took the ones that had all 17 correct answers, folded them in half and numbered them.  I then went online and used a random number generator to pick a number and the number picked was 2.  Number 2 was.......SUSAN PRICE!!!!!  Congratulations Susan!  Please email me you mailing information and I will get your Dylusional Prize to you.  A special THANKS to my friend Dyan Reaveley for being so kind to sign her book and donate a tag!  She's a sweetheart Y'all!  Thanks again Lady Dy!

DRIVING THROUGH FLORIDA
ESCAMBIA BAY BRIDGE
SAYING TALLAHASSEE
BIG STATELY PINES
WALK AROUND HARBORS AT DUSK
ITALIAN FOOD
PIX OF DYAN WITH THE FUNNY GLASSES ON
DYAN'S NEW CREATIVE JOURNAL
WENDY'S HAMBURGER
THE AREA NEXT TO HUB OF HILTON HEAD, HARBOR TOWN...DEER ISLAND (PLACE TO STAY)
CAROLINA STAMPER
FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN BEAUFORT- WREN
FAVORITE STAMP STORE-THE CAROLINA STAMPER
BLUEBERRY MUFFINS AT HARBOUR TOWN BAKERY AND CAFE
CRAFTING
FAVORITE TIME TO WALK ON BEACH IS DUSK
A FAVORITE CITY IN SOUTH - ATLANTA

Thank you all so much for playing along with me!  Thank you also for joining me on my vacation.  It was so much fun and I hope that you weren't too bored with all my posts! Back to the routine today.  In a way, I'm glad to have some normality and structure back.  Time to work and craft.....

Please take a moment tomorrow and join me over at Graphic 45's blog for another reveal of a Ladies Diary Project.  I love this one.  It's simple, small and sweet.  Hope you like it too...

Here's a sneak peek....LOL!



Have an awesome night and thank you all once again for everything!

Yours,

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter
 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Graphic 45 Ladies Diary Tray

Please join me over at Graphic 45' s blog today to check out a fast and easy altered tray I did using A Ladies Diary Paper Collection. 

Hope you like it!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Monday, October 15, 2012

Birmingham, Alabama!

Hello from beautiful Birmingham, AL.

Jim


Atlanta, GA!

I love Atlanta!  One of my favorite cities of the south!  Now onward to Birmingham...

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter




,Macon/Forsyth, Georgia!

Just passed through Macon and Forsyth.  Continuing north up to the outskirts of Atlanta, GA.   (Hi Donna aka DWD!!) Then west onto I-20 towards Birmingham, Alabama.

Totally getting a cold blast it!  Sore throat, cough!  Ugggg!  But doing fine and enjoying the beautiful drive.

See y'all later!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter


Sunday, October 14, 2012

The Guts of The Silver Skull Crypt! DONE!

Howdy All!

Well, I thought I better get out and do some walking.  I finished matting the inside if the Silver Skull Crypt.  So, a walk I took...on the beach. To me, my favorite time to walk on the beach is at dusk. It just so beautiful!  The sunset was just glorious! So please allow me to share some last beach shots before I go to the crypt....

The Atlantic Ocean






Tons Of Bikes At South Beach!


South Beach!


If you want The Best Hamburger and Grits...Don't miss The Salty Dog on South Beach!  Amazingly Good!

Watching the waves come in and wash away the footprints, sand castles and shells, cleaning the beach for the next day, made me think how cool our lives are. We go to sleep and wash away the fatigue.and problems to wake up to a new fresh day. Relaxed and ready to go. I am so thankful for the opportunity to come back to this wonderful Island and will always remember the wonderful memories made.

Thanks for baring with me on my photo tour of the beach!  LOL!

OK, now on to the Guts Of The Silver Skull Crypt.....


The cat feet slide under the crypt when open.





























Well, That's All Folks!  Hope you liked the inside of the Silver Skull Crypt!

Tomorrow, I start out on the first leg of the journey back home.  I will be taking the northern route this time to see some mountains action...Tomorrow night, historic Vicksburg, Mississippi....


View Larger Map

See ya on the road!  Have an awesome night Y'all!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter