Friday, August 29, 2014

Labor Day Clean Up Sale!!

Happy Labor Day Weekend To You All!

If you haven't heard it by now... I have cleaned, organized and gone through each and every receptacle, bowl, niche, nook and crevice of my studio.  It's been a long time coming!  I kept threatening myself with this for months...who am I kiddin'...years... and it's finally done!  It feels so much better to have this HUGE burden off my shoulders and now to have a nice clean and organized space again!  Yahooo I say!

Here are some of the before and after shots....

Before...Looking a bit ratty....




After...Looking like I can finally find something or pull something out without starting an avalanche!




Anyway, I cleaned out so much paper and goodies that I decided to donate some and sale some!  So....This weekend I'm having a Labor Day Sale in my Etsy Shop.  All my tutorials will be 50% off and I have some cool mystery boxes packed and ready to go...The sale will last until Monday night and then go back to the original prices.  So grab some deals NOW!

Here's the details folks... Please note, when you go to my Etsy store, the price shown for the tutorials ARE THE MARKED DOWN PRICE.  I have already taken half off.  So the price you see is the price you pay plus the shipping...Remember the price goes back up on Monday night.

I also made up numerous Mystery Boxes. There are several kinds...Paper Mystery Boxes, where you will receive scrapbook paper pads.  These are the thick pads of lighter paper....Then we have Scrapbook Cardstock Pads, where you will receive pads of the thicker Scrapbook Cardstock.  You are receiving on both of these at least 9 to 10 pounds of  paper pads from various manufacturers.  Most of the pads are unused.  However, there are some that I have pulled several sheets out of a single pad.  You still will receive 9 to 10 pounds of mixed paper pads either way.  Last, I have some grab bag type mystery boxes that could contain cards, tools, inks, etc.  Please also note:  The Post Office will be closed on Monday, so the mystery boxes will be shipped Tuesday Morning Priority Mail.  Let's have some fun! Good Luck!

Here's a link to The Gentleman Crafter's Etsy Store.

Click HERE
 
Or-

Copy and paste the URL below in your browser's address bar:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheGentlemanCrafter?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Have an AWESOME LABOR DAY WEEKEND!  Relax and have fun crafting! 

Thanks Tons!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter


Friday, August 22, 2014

"Falling" for my Art Journal!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Friday has come and that means craft time around the farm!  Things to start and things to finish.  Yes, I guess there will be the laundry, trimming the grass, watering, a bit of dusting and other various chores to be done...but still craft time is an important part of the weekend for me and it has started!  Yahoooo!

I started a journal page last night and couldn't wait to get home to finish it up this afternoon.  With Fall around the corner or at least me wishing for cool crisp Fall weather (especially when it was 101 degrees outside today!), I picked out some autumnal shades from Dyan Reaveley's Range of Dylusions Ink Sprays, some of Dina Wakley's stencils, stamps from Tim Holtz collection from Stampers Anonymous and some spare Idea-ology metal pieces and went for it.

Here's what I came up with...










Things Used:
Dylusions Tangerine Dream Ink Spray
Dylusions Black Marble Ink Spray
Dylusions Dirty Martini Ink Spray
Dylusions Lemon Zest Ink Spray
Dylusions Melted Chocolate Ink Spray
Dina Wakley's Media Mask- Leaves
Dina Wakley's Media Stencil- Tracks
Stampers Anonymous-Tim Holtz Collection- Daydream Stamp
Assorted Idea-ology Metal Pieces
Black Fude Ball Pen
White Uniball Signo Pen

Well, off to finish up and start some new crafty projects!  Have an Awesome Weekend!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter




Monday, August 18, 2014

My Other Love: Punch Needle

Hello Everybody!

You know there are so many thing I love to do.  If it's using my hands to make something...I'M IN!  I absolutely love to try everything crafty...Some things I try...I hate. Some things I try... I fall in love with...

Before I started paper crafting, my biggest love of all was Punch Needle Embroidery...Yep, punch needle...t's like little mini rugs...Kinda!  There were many things that made me happy about it...It was fast, inexpensive, I could complete a project in a few hours and it's very tactile... Y'all I can honestly say that I have punched hundreds and hundreds of designs!  I was so into it...I have a great pal of mine to thank for this...Nancy Knight.  Nancy gave me a kit for Christmas... what eight years ago?  I looked at it for months thinking...Whenever I get time I'll try it.  The moment I sat down with it, I was sooo hooked. 

When paper crafting became my passion, I laid this amazing craft aside.  It wasn't until a few months ago in search of something to do while just sitting and  relaxing (I have to be doing something all the time!) I picked up this once again!  It really helps me just turn off at the end of the day...

So, tonight I thought I would share a couple pictures of some past projects and the tools that make it happen...

The Four Seasons In Hearts



  Sampler

 

The Tools

 
 
If you never tried this amazing craft and need to add something to your repertoire...Give it a try!  It's like I said above...fast, easy and oh so calming!!
 
Remember tomorrow is Take Out Tuesday!  We will finish up the Falling Photo Box Project...Come join us for fun and a good chat!
 
Here are the details again:
 
Click Here to go to my Ustream Channel-

Or... Copy and Paste this Address Into Your Browsers Address Bar:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-gentleman-crafter

Take Out Tuesday's Start at 7:00 p.m. CST
 
Have an awesome day!
 
Jim
The Gentleman Crafter
 


Sunday, August 17, 2014

Playtime: Art Journal Fun!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

It's been a wonderful weekend...Sometimes you just have to let everything go and get in some much needed PLAY TIME!  That's exactly what I did yesterday...

I purchased a HUGE roll of Kraft paper and a cutter from Uline to cover my work surface.  It works so well when using inks, paints and embossing powders.  It's an awesome way to keep over spray in control and such easy clean up!  That said, I rolled out a length and pulled out my Dylusions Ink Sprays, pens, pencils, markers, stamps...well you know...just about everything in the studio for a chance to play in my art journal.

First up was an aquatic journal page.  I have always loved Fred Mullet's fish stamps.  I purchased them a couple of years back at The Carolina Stamper while in Beaufort, S.C. on vacation.  Every time I'm even near there It's a must...it's one of my favorite stores for stamps...ever!  Here's what I came up with....



Next up was me just being me. Trying out new stamps, washi tape, and background techniques...I really like it...Full of color...




If you have a chance...Just let everything go and pull out your art journal and ....PLAY!  

Have an Awesome Weekend!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Friday, August 15, 2014

New Tutorial Up: The Vintage Trunk Desk Clock

Good Morning Everyone!

Happy Friday!  Just finished writing a tutorial on a fast and easy project... The Vintage Steamer Trunk Desk Clock all done up in Graphic 45's Come Away With Me paper collection. This is one of those projects that I personal love.  It sits on my desk at work and I get comments from each and every person that walks into my office.  Not only a decorative piece but a practical and functional one.  One side of the trunk holds three drawers and the other a cool clock.

If you are in need of a project this weekend, this is it!  It's going to be a great gift too!  Grab a copy of the tutorial in my Etsy shop...

You can find the tutorial by clicking HERE

or by copying and pasting the address below into your browsers address bar:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199977404/the-vintage-trunk-desk-clock?ref=shop_home_active_1


Oh yeah!  Pictures....Let me show you some pictures...

The Vintage Steamer Trunk Desk Clock

 

 





 
 
I hope you give it a try.  I'm going to make a few more and stash them away for upcoming holiday gifts before the craziness starts!
 
 
Have an AMAZING weekend y'all!
 
 
Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Monday, August 11, 2014

Take Out Tuesday...The Falling Photo Box

Good Evening Everyone!

Just a reminder that Take Out Tuesday Is Back in Session!  Come join me tomorrow night as we will start working on one of my most sold tutorials to date....And thank you all for that....The Falling Photo Box.

The Ustream Scoop:

Click Here to go to my Ustream Channel-

Or... Copy and Paste this Address Into Your Browsers Address Bar:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-gentleman-crafter

Take Out Tuesday's Start at 7:00 p.m. CST

If you need a tutorial, grab one here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/189648088/the-falling-photo-box-tutorial?ref=shop_home_active_1

Here's a few pictures of the project to refresh your memories....

 





See you tomorrow night!  Come hang out and chat!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Steampunk Soiree Sights...

Good Day To You All!

Feeling like I'm finally get back in the swing of things from my week in D.C.  Wanted to share the wonderful time we had at the Steampunk Soiree in Washington this last weekend! I had a total blast teaching the All Geared Up Project I designed for the Soiree...And thanks to Cesar for all his amazing help!  Couldn't have done it without him!  The Classic Graphic 45 Steampunk Debutante paper collection made every one's project ROCK!!  Thanks tons Graphic 45 for Sponsoring the Soiree!  Here's a few pictures of the project...

 

All Geared Up Project...







Then there was the Costume Ball...We all got geared up for this Stempunk Event!.....Please note:  If you are in one of the pictures below and  would not like your picture included in this post, please email me and I will remove it immediately.  Thank Tons!




















 And there we have it!  A wonderful Weekend of Steampunk Goodness!!!

A few special things to note on the blog this week...

Keep in mind that I will be streaming on Take Out Tuesday on Ustream at 7:00 p.m. CST.   We will begin the Falling Photo Box so grab your tutorial!

This week I will be posting pictures of our wonderful vacation after the Soiree was over...

Last, I will have a really cool project and tutorial up this week.  I just finished it and think it really came out cool!  So check back this week!

Thanks for coming by to visit!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter