Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Father's Day Gift Card...Card!

Good Morning Everybody!

You know I miss blogging to just blog.  Sharing my tall tales and goofy life experiences.  Well, I'm going to blog for a second and then show you what we did last night on Ustream....

I guess you get to a point in your life when you just need change. Maybe, it's me going through a midlife crisis!  LOL!  Actually, I think I may be past midlife, but I wont go there.  However, loosing hair, things moving that used to be firmly in place, and aches and pains that never used to be there can make you feel like you need a change! 

I may not be talking going out and buying a new convertible, or actually getting that hair transplant as men my age often do when in this life changing mode.  (Honesty, I sure have watched those 2:00 a.m. hair restoration infomercials...I think I may have even picked up the phone a time or two, just to lay it back down and think later...later!) However, I sure do want to make my days count for something.  Change is weird isn't it.  Sometimes it's scary and sometimes it's a bowl full of bacon happiness!  But....I know that change is good!  I love to run, run and run some more.  I love to be busy.  Just do.  The more things I have the better.  However, I need to change this a bit and stop and smell the roses from time to time.  Bald is beautiful!  Walks at dusk are Amazing!  Unfinished projects are OK!  Taking the time to breathe....priceless!  Change is really pretty cool!

I'm off today  enjoying the morning that slipped away magically...but it's OK!  LOL!  Changing remember!  I'm doing things I enjoy today....The first thing was to blog.  I had no idea, what, a year and a half ago, that I would love this so much!  Through all the misspelled words, and weird use of phrases and sentences...I still love it!  Why?  Totally because of you guys!   I have no idea why you keep coming back, but I am so truly and totally honored!  Please allow me to take a second and thank you!  Thank you all for following my blog, for coming by when you can and for commenting.  I don't think I have said that in awhile.  I may not comment back and I really want to change that!  Slowing down and taking the time!  CHANGE!  Once again...Thanks Y'all!

When I get up from this oh so comfy chair, I'm off to the studio to clean it up!  I need to clean things out...AGAIN!  I guess this will just be an endless duty from here on out....  Next, I wanted to get a few YouTube videos done and then to work on the Father's Day Project Tutorial, water the plants and when it gets a bit cooler, a nice walk...or bicycle ride!  CHANGE!

OK, on to crafty news...Last night on Ustream, we worked on a Father's Day Gift Card.  When you open the card there is a ribbon pull that when lifted upward exposes the gift card.  If you missed the show and want to learn how to make the card please click HERE to go to my Ustream Channel.  The photos below show a not so finished card, but gives you an idea of how it was made....Hope you give it a shot!





Well, off to get busy smelling the roses!  Thank you once again for being a truly amazing group of friends!  I so appreciate you all!  Have an awesome day!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

26 comments:

  1. Change is good...go smell those roses! Take your time, it is all good. Good for the soul!

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  2. Fantastic card! I was just telling my daughter how far you'd come from merely blogging to integrating it all to social media. She has just graduated college and has some down time before she goes to Virginia for training, so she too wants to start blogging. You are truly an inspiration. Keep it up!

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    1. Thanks Barb! Yahoo on the graduation with your daughter! I know you are proud of her accomplishments. Congrats! You all are my inspiration and I appreciate you taking the time to come over and read my shenanigans!! Good luck to her blogging...Tell her I said it's addictive! Thanks Again!

      Jim

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  3. I think everyone keeps coming back because you share so generously - not just your huge talent and the how-to but also just the everyday. You blog like you are visiting with good friends and family. It leaves a wonderful feeling in our hearts.
    When you start to feel like you're getting a bit older, make sure your day always includes doing things that you love. Large and small. Most of all, enjoy these things when you're doing them. So go smell those roses for all they're worth.
    I love the Ustream card. I have to go back and watch the recording since I was too busy yakking on chat. Thanks a bunch!
    Hugs
    Mo(Mor49)

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    1. Thanks Tons Mo! So glad you feel that way. I am definitely writing to my friends and family when I blog. So thank you for saying that! Thanks about the card! You Rock!

      Hugs,
      J.

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  4. I watched the Ustream show last night but kept missing parts when it went black (which was quite often). I like the idea of having a pop up gift card - so many possibilities! You are quite right to slow down a bit and smell the roses Jim. It's all been happening so quickly for you over the last year or so - you need to take care of yourself and not get burned out. I think it's the right decision for you not to do the Sunday Ustream for a while - Sunday should be a day of rest and you need some time to yourself when you are working full time, I'd hate for you to end up like your Kathy did. Also you need some quality time with Cesar and your animals. We will all still be here when you are ready to play again. Take care my friend, Lynn x

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    1. Howdy Lynn! You know I loved my Sunday shows. It's sad to give them up. Sometimes its tough having a full time job and having two days to do all the things I need to do to keep my life running. I so want to do more, but have to be realistic. Crafting is my love, I live to walk into the studio and create...anything really. Just to be there puts a huge smile on my face. But, I have to remember that the buzz from the dryer means...Clothes to fold! LOL!

      Thanks Lynn as always for your kindness to me!

      Huge hugs to ya!

      J.

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  5. I'm a happy camper when you blog!! You will find as you grow older gracefully the days go by much faster even when you might do nothing all day. Now how would I know that?? Take some YOU time and enjoy it. Whatever you have to do today will still be there tomorrow, but by tomorrow it may not be such a big deal. I love morning or evening walks. Its a time to talk and walk with God. You will find it very relaxing and enlightening. Thanks for sharing all of your talents with all of us!!!

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    1. Thanks Diane! Well put! I love my walks! I think sometimes I get so caught up in all the things I need to do and that is exactly the time I need to push myself outside for a stroll! :)

      Thanks Again!

      Jim

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  6. Appreciate you and love your bogging just to blog. You are such a wonderful story teller and it's fun to see what you are up to. Just like we are sitting on the porch with a cuppa and chatting. Change is good. Glad to hear you are taking some more me time. Take time to take care of you everyday and you will be able to tackle anything. Thanks so much.

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    1. So right Sharon Thanks!! Change for me will be defined as balance. I think for awhile now I knew that I just needed to find a nice even balance. My new personal word to live by....Balance. :)

      Thanks Lamb! Hugs to ya!

      J.

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  7. Jim, I was impressed when I first saw you online, in chat rooms of other artist/teachers and finally when we met in person at the Crafty Scrapper booth at the Scrapbook Expo. You are really blessed with great talent, a great personality and obviously a great heritage ( your mom ). You have really good taste in friends ie. Cesar and the scrapbook people. I feel privileged when I get to see your stream and read your blog and know that you are my friend and you recognize me even with a strange online moniker. You are a very special gentleman and your name really says it all.

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    1. Oh that is so nice Annette! When I met you, I knew you were a true treasure. Thank you so much for your kind words! That means so much to me! Thank you!

      Hugs!

      J.

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  8. Well, Jim, we love your quirkiness.....your sense of fun....you great stories....and most of all, your wonderful creativity! I hope the change you are anticipating is not leaving us behind. You are a true friend....and very special to me!
    Yes, take time to smell the roses...but take us along on your travels.....we would miss ya
    Hugs
    K

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    1. Sweet Kay!

      I'm not going anywhere and if I were, I would certainly take you all with me...to the grocery store, on a trip (hehehehehe), or a blog post! Thank you for coming along for an adventure...

      Hugs my friend!

      J.

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  9. Alignment across the universe!I have a post to go caused by a huge internal rebellion this week. "The why am I doing this and do I really want to internal stream of questioning that woke me in the night."
    Funnily Jim apart from the art my hair issue is quite the opposite as mine now reaches to my waist and I have this intense desire to cut it really short and make it blazing red or purple or ......Change is such an interesting process.
    We like to think we are in charge of our decision making but oft times it is just the opposite.
    I am very new to your blog - via Susan Weckesser (DT) and am uplifted by the wonderful warm and insightful comments that appear before mine.
    Your comment about the roses is so spot on. Yesterday a big list of must dos and all of a sudden I waylaid my husband and we ran away for the day - to walk in the rain and buy gorgeous bright plants - not roses too warm here:) Then a long leisurely lunch. RESULT - my world feels a little brighter - I saw colours, textures and images that will fuel my art practice for a while.
    RE Blogging - it can feel lonely and uncaring. The bigger people appear to get the less regard.
    Like the man said - I will be back. Who knows those roses just might spark a whole new creative direction for you.
    Julie - at a tiny locality not recognised by Google in Australia
    PS - IGNORE the infomercials - they lie:)

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    1. Bahahahaha Julie! Thanks for coming over... The next chapter to, "Taking Time to Smell the Roses" will inevitably be..."How I Got Stung By A Bee When Smelling The Roses!" :)

      I love that you just pulled up the roots and went out and found bright plants on an amazing rainy day! That just makes me smile right here and now. Good for you!

      Thanks my friend!

      Jim

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  10. Jim, just wanted to stop by to say Hi...I'm so happy to have found your blog and ustream channel...but I'm so glad you are taking the time to smell the roses and enjoy life...all of us appreciate you sharing all your creativity with us but you and your family come first...so enjoy your Sundays with your family...PS...I was able to watch your ustream recording from last night....oh my I was so happy to see your Doxie....I know I liked all your pups on fb but it was so awesome to see one sort of in person...Thanks again all you do Jim....Mary Ann

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    1. Mary Ann, Thanks tons! You are talking about Ellie. I call her LL! Or for some strange reason...Jelly Cat! Don't ask! LOL! She is my baby! She will probably be the one that sends me to the hospital too... as every move I make, she is right there! I cannot count how many times I have tripped over her. Hahahaha! Maybe I should be more worried that having a full grown and growing man falling on her could send her to the hospital...:)

      Thanks for coming over!

      Jim

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  11. Good on you, Jim! Change is, indeed, excellent for all the healths -- you know, mental, emotional, physical, & so on. I look forward to hearing how you feel with the blogging, biking, breathing. As for your hair, let me tell you, while you may not think you're a fiercely handsome just the way you are, YOU ARE! I tell my balding husband this often. Because its true. How dull life would be w/o change; even the balding kind, or the sagging boobs kind. It's life & as long we're breathing & creating, really it's pretty dang fabulous! Enjoy your fabulousness & thank you so much for sharing with all of us.

    Elisa Michele

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  12. Jim, your blogs are always full of interesting, funny stories and I really enjoy reading them. It sort of makes me feel like I know you (which of course I don't as the US is a long way from Australia), so thanks for letting us peak into your life. I think your creativeness is inspirational, so THANK YOU! And enjoy the roses!!!

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  13. Well, I have stalked you, I mean followed you, since the beginning and watched you grow. I could tell things were getting out of control for you and I am glad you realized it. YOU are the only one that can make the decisions for change. Yes some people will be upset, but those who are your friends will always be there to support you. I have a little idea for you. I came across a journal I started/stopped a few years ago (okay 2007). Every night I would write a list, big or small of things that made me happy that day. Simple things like smelling coffee brewing or big things like when my son passed his state test in 3rd grade. It was fun to go back and read it and it made me happy. I am going to incorporate this into my art journal that you inspired me to do! Jim, we love you, you no doubt will show up on my "happy list".

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    1. Lori, amen sister! Well said and great idea on the journal. Remember Jim we love you and will support what you need to do to take care of yourself.

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  14. Ahhhh... totally understand about needing some "Change" in your life! Things really do past by at the speed of light! I am glad that you are taking a step back to re-access what you are doing and what you need to be doing! I hope that you know; we ALL need to do this! Kudo's to you for starting this much need "Life Style Change"! Michael and I will still be around, stalking (visiting) your blog. Have a fabulous week!

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