Friday, May 31, 2013

It's Done! The Gentleman's Satchel Tutorial!

Good Afternoon Everybody!

I feel like a proud papa this afternoon!  I finally finished writing the tutorial for The Gentleman's Satchel and Mini!  Yahoooooo!  Why the fuss??? You may not know that I have the worst case of being distracted there ever was!  To sit down long enough to write a tutorial is like a miracle!  LOL! So I'm excited that I was able to fulfill my promise of getting this done by today!  Yahoooo!

This is the project we are beginning to work on in my Ustream Class.  We started with the pages Tuesday and the Stream for that can be found HERE.  I will also be doing a YouTube video in a moment showing the exact same process of how to fold and score the pages without the distraction of me chatting with the group. This will go hand and hand with the pattern.  Please check my YouTube Channel for this later tonight.  You can find my YouTube channel HERE...

So if you are interested, please visit my Etsy store HERE to download a digital file of the tutorial...So excited that Etsy brought back the digital downloads.  Now you don't have to wait for me to send it to you!  So cool!

Here are a few pictures of the satchel...A Great Father's Day Gift!!

 
 
 
 
 
 


Thank you as always for your support in my craziness!  Hope you like the project!  Well, I better get moving on the Traveling Wine Case...It's next! 

Have an awesome weekend! 

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Ustream Show Info

Good Morning All! 

I've received many emails this morning about the Ustream video from last night. I did record the show but forgot to make it public.

Out running errands this morning, but as soon as I get to a computer I will click the button. So sorry about that!

Have an awesome day and thanks tons for coming by last night. Appreciate it!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Starting Father's Day Satchel Tonight!

Good Morning Everybody!

Ahhhhh, renewed and rested!  That's all I have to say!  I had the most wonderful weekend!  I hope you all did too!  Rest, relaxation, movies, good food and a snake!  Makes for a wonderful holiday!

The tent miraculously stayed put and the weather was good!  I think I enjoyed the rain inside the tent more than anything!  Something so cozy and cool!  When I was inside the tent and saw the trees from the windows, I truly got a sense that I was somewhere other than my backyard...It was a blast!

Back to work this morning and I'm ready!  Ready to get busy both at home and work!  Which brings me to this....

I would like to start the Father's Day Satchel Tonight....Let me enlighten you.....LOL!  Taking the time off I didn't get the pattern finished for the project....I think by Friday I should have it up on Etsy.  So, tonight, I'm going to go backwards...Go Figure....First Come by and see the project and then let's get busy on the pages.

Tonight's Ustream will be on the mini's pages.  How they are folded....Pretty cool I think, but a bit complicated.  The page consists of a single 12 x 12 page... So it's a great thing we are doing these first as it's hard to explain how the folds are made in the pattern.  Please, come by tonight for the show.  Grab several sheets of plain 12 x 12 cardstock to make sure you get this down. There are four basic pages that will be repeated to make an eight page mini.  Once again, the instructions and diagrams will be in the pattern available Friday so don't worry with the measurements.  The pattern will be for the completed project.

Here's the info:

The Gentleman Crafter's Ustream Channel is Here....

or Copy and Paste the address below in your browsers address bar:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-gentleman-crafter

Class starts 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time....US

Thanks Tons and I will see you tonight!  It's going to be fun!  I've missed you all!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Friday, May 24, 2013

My Day Camping!

Good Day To Ya!

A blog post about my day....

Starting my holiday right now!  I just rolled out of bed at 9:28 a.m.  Yes, much later than norm.  I actually woke up from with my natural body alarm at 6:45 a.m. and rolled over and wished for more sleep.  Nothing!  LOL!  I tossed and turned and my mind whirled....I finally got up and headed for the kitchen to grab a cup of Joe and went back to bed just to watch Youtube videos.  I think I went through all the glass blowing videos there are on Youtube so what should it be....Well, if you surf YouTube, you know you can start with one subject and end up with something completely different....From T@B travel trailers to Tiny Houses!

Sipping on instant coffee because I am out of my beloved French Roast Pods for the Keurig, I slipped into a dream word of tiny cottages and micro houses on YouTube.  I honestly have always dreamed of having a tiny cabin in the backwoods of the Bastrop pines.  I have a dozen books on tiny houses, shelters and cabins and even dreamed of building a studio or small structure on my own land.  I think the furthest I got on that dream was converting an old outhouse, left here by the original owner, into a rain shed.  It sits abandoned and deteriorating in the shade garden as the spiders and other creatures have taken refuge in it.  LOL!  Here's a pic...





When I watch YouTube videos, I'm always amazed at the ingenuity of people.  How people take what they have and make it work for them.  Creating and forming ordinary objects into something beautiful, useful and meaningful to them.  So cool!  Watching these videos also stirs my imagination.  To be able to pull out paper and a pen and think...dream of the possibilities is so exciting and fascinating to me.  I may not have the knowledge to build the things I dream up, but again, how cool is it to try something new.  Just thinking and jabbering....Just inspired this morning.

The last couple of days I've tried to find a place to go to escape and create...The beach...all booked up, cabins at state parks...gone...even cottages and Bed and Breakfast...full!  Lesson learned...You gotta start early reserving these precious places of relaxation and respite during the holidays!

So to not be outdone by the hoards...camping it is!  In the shade garden at my house!  Why not right!  I may be crazy and God knows I know you probably think I am, but I am having the best time blogging, playing cards and taking a nap as the rain hits the top of the tent! 

OK, It says it takes two people to set this up...Can it be done my me alone????

Who made these instructions!  Really!!! 

OK, so maybe they were right.  The poles do need to go on the grommets!

OK, the throw pillow may be overkill!  Bahahahahahaha!

Only bringing the essentials!  So glad the wireless internet reaches out here!  Yahooooo!

Ready!  All I need is a campfire!  Or Not!

Buzzy wondering what in the name of Sister Mary Theresa I'm doing!

AHHHHHH, time to relax....Just in time for the rain storm!

 
 
Wish You Were Here!  Hope it doesn't flood!  LOL!
 
Jim
The Gentleman Crafter


Thursday, May 23, 2013

Quote-a-Vision!

Good Morning Everybody!

Thanks for the comments yesterday!  You Rock!  I enjoyed smelling the roses yesterday!  LOL!

OK, this morning, I wanted to share some pictures of one of my projects for Inspiration Emporium this month.  You may recall that this month's challenge...Quotes... so, I decided to whip up a project that allowed you to scroll between several quotes by turning the knobs at the top.

For complete project directions and more pictures, please head over to Inspiration Emporium's blog, Inspiration Journal....Click Here....where the project will be featured this week!  :)


 
Happy Thursday To You!  Holiday Weekend Coming!  Yahoooo!
 
Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

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

Monday, May 20, 2013

Thanks Susan Weckesser Tag!

Good Evening Everybody!

Tonight I wanted to share another tag that I completed tonight and also give you some Ustream info.....

First, let's start with the tag.  Let me give you some background info...I had the amazing opportunity to meet Susan Weckesser at Ranger U!  Yes, she was one of my class buddies!  LOL!  After class one night a group of us sat in the hotel lounge and had the best time talking about crafts, what we loved to do and so on.  Some of us had show and tell and pulled out our art journals.  When It came around to Susan, she quietly pulled out her wonderful pouch she made as we sat in awe as she explained how it was made.  Next, she gave us all her snowman stamp and showed us her La Mason stamp she had created through Unity.  Well, folks, I went nuts over La Mason!  So much so... she gave me the stamp.  I hated to beg, but I was on the verge!  LOL!  She was so sweet!  To say thanks to Susan and to settle the LUST I had to use the stamp, I made a tag with it.  Thank You So Much Susan!

If you get a chance, go by her site, Susan K, Weckesser Inc. HERE!  She's an AMAZING artist!  You can find the Le Mason stamp I used HERE!

So here we go... a few pictures....

 Rotating les Maisons Tag
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Last, Take out Tuesday is tomorrow.  Can you believe it's been a week already!...Tuesday, May 20th at 7:00 p.m. CST.

The Gentleman Crafter's Ustream Channel can be found HERE!

I'm putting a twist on a fun gift card-Father's Day card with a funky binding!  Does that make sense??? LOL!
 
Supplies Needed:

(1) Sheet 12 x 12 Chipboard (Of Course!)
Patterned Paper - I'm using Tim Holtz French Industrial
A Wee Bit of Ribbon
Natural Raffia
2 x2 Piece of Scrap Cardstock

Hope you can make it, if not please catch the Ustream recording...

See Ya Tomorrow!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter




Mixed Media Tag!

Good Morning Everybody!

Thank you for joining me yesterday for my quick Ustream on the Quote Sphere.  I told you it was fast!  LOL!  Hope you find a use for it in your busy life.  Quotes, To Do Lists or Photos to name a few....It makes a great fast and inexpensive gift.  Once again, Thanks For Coming By!

This mornin' I have a mixed media tag to share with you.  Maybe it's mixed media or maybe it's just all mixed up!  You can decide. Whichever, I had fun putting it together and trying different things on it.  Did I say it has a bunch of different things on it?  LOL!  It all started with a house and a quote.  The house was made with UTEE or Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, a house shaped cookie cutter and my melting pot.

Here we go....





Supplies Used May Be Found At Inspiration Emporium By Clicking On The Icon Below:





Well, I hope you all have an AMAZING Monday and a Wonderful Week!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Quote Sphere!

Good Morning Everybody!

Hope your weekend is off to an amazing start!  Mine has been really weird!  LOL!  Friday night I was crafting away like I was a factory!  Saturday, I had lunch with some friends and then decided to rest for awhile....Well, to be totally honest, I stepped into my studio to turn on the light last night and then once again to turn it off!  LOL!

I think I just needed the rest.  But let me tell you, I had the best time ever!  I sat and watched glass blowing on Youtube from 2:00 p.m. until about 12:00 p.m.  I have always loved to watch glass blowers at different places I have been and I have no idea why glass blowing today.  I just couldn't get enough of it!  Hahahaha.  It just amazes me.  I don't think I would ever really like to try it, but I so enjoy watching people do it.  LOL!

The rest from yesterday was just the thing I needed and I'm full of energy and ready to rock this morning ...kinda! But here we go.... I wanted to show you a project that really is probably one of the easiest I've done.  A great gift for someones desk or studio to keep them inspired...The Quote Sphere....





Supplies Used can be found at Inspiration Emporium by clicking the link below:



How it was made:

Beyond the supply list shown above, I purchased a 4-inch wooden plaque, a 6-inch wooden candlestick, a finial, a wood wheel for the finial to sit on and a 4-inch styrofoam ball.  I have added links for each in case you can't find them in your local craft store.

I nipped off the tenon (The peg like piece at the bottom) from the finial with my Tim Holtz Tonic Scissors and glued the finial to the little wheel and allowed to dry.  (You can skip this step and just insert the finials tenon directly into the styrofoam if you choose.)  I then painted the final piece with Ranger's Adirondack Pitch Black Paint.

Next, I painted the wooden plaque with the black paint. and allowed to dry.

I pulled out all my Tim Holtz Tissue Tapes and chose to cover the body of the candle stick with the black based tape.  I just went around the stick taping and tearing until I had covered it.  I used the lighter tapes for the top and bottom and accented them with the black tapes.  Once that was done, I added Glossy Accents to the wooden candlestick and adhered it to the base.

I then took the tape and went around the styro ball in full circles, overlapping as I went.  I did this until he ball was covered.  I glued this to the top of the candle stick.

I flattened out the top of the styro ball a bit for the finial.  once it was flat I adhered the finial piece to the top.

Next came the matte Glue 'n Seal.  I covered the entire piece with the Glue n' Seal to hold the tape in place as well as coating the wood for ease of dusting.

Once the Glue 'n Seal was dry, I went over the taped areas with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.

Last, I printed out some favorite quotes on the computer, cut them out and added them to the Quote Sphere with Tim Holtz Memo Pins...Done!

Hope you like it and give this project a try....

Thanks for coming by!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter