Friday, February 20, 2015

Crafty Scrapper Classes...Coming Soon!!

Good Morning Everyone!

Put on your spurs, garden gear and steampunk hats and join me at the Crafty Scrapper in Waxahachie, Texas February 27th and 28th!  I have two new classes I'm dying to teach you!  The Crafty Scrapper is the most amazing store with tons of cool paper crafting supplies... and the new classroom area is totally awesome!



Friday night we will be doing....

 The Seed Collector's Box

The Seed Collector's Box and Journal is a great way to collect or organize your heirloom seeds for this Spring.  The journal is a great to record planting time, how the seeds grew and the seeds success. If you are not a gardener, this box makes a perfect place to stash trinkets, beads and findings to be added to your craft projects...just change up the paper.



On Saturday morning we will be doing one of the coolest projects ever...

The Butterfly Automata...

Turn the handle of the Butterfly Automata and the flowers spin and go up and down.  This Automata has a side opening tag book for all the techniques that spin around in your head.



Please sign up now!  It's going to be a blast!

To reserve your seat, please call the Crafty Scrapper at 972-923-3151 or click on the link below...


Thanks for coming by!  Hope to see you soon!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter





Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Happy Birthday Mama Nell!!!

Good Morning Everyone!

Today is the birthday of the love of my life...My Mama!!  I love my mom and I am soooo a Mama's Boy!  Always have been!  I am NOT ashamed!  Mom has been such an inspiration to me not to mention the best advisor of life's continuous mysteries!




My mother has always been there for me through the right and the ohhhh so wrong.  She was always there to offer love, comfort and that sage advise that sometimes we don't want to hear...An avid reader, QVC shopper,  amazing piano player and the things she can do with needle and embroidery floss....WOW!  I'm so proud of her!



Today mama celebrates her 82nd birthday!  Can I say that?  (Better ask Mom whether that's appropriate.) If not, well.. guess I screwed that up!  But if I live to be 82...I'm gonna be proud of it and shout it from the mountains!  But that's me!!!   82 years of being a wonderful daughter, wife and amazing mother!! Wow! I was just thinking how bald I will be when I'm 82!!  OK, back to mama Jimbo!! Back to mama!

Mom, I just want to simply say,  Happy Birthday!  I think you are such a beautiful person inside and out and I thank you for everything you have given me!  Have an amazing day!  You so deserve it!  I love you!  ~Jimmy


Jim
The Gentleman Crafter
(Mama's Boy)


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

ABC Primer Day at Graphic 45!!

Good Morning Everyone!

Please join me over at Graphic 45's Blog today to see what the Graphic 45 Ambassadors have come up with using the ABC Primer Collection.

ABC Primer is a wonderful classic that dreams up school days of past...what to create with this awesome collection... A lunch pail of course...


Please come see what's inside the pail at Graphic 45 blog....HERE...If I made it, it's gotta have something inside right?

Thanks for coming by and have an AWESOME day!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter



Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good Morning Everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day To Ya!  Hope you have an amazing day full of love and CHOCOLATE!


I have all the brand spankin' NEW Dyan Reaveley Dylusions and Dina Wakley Media  Stamps and Stencils NOW in my shop!  Talk about LOVE!  I'm in love!  Treat yourself to some Valentines Goodness!






Again, Have an Wonderful Valentines Y'all!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter




Friday, February 13, 2015

The CHA Curious Cabinet Tutorial and Kits Are Finally Here!

Good Morning Everyone and Happy Friday!!!

I'm totally excited to announce that the wait is over...The CHA Curious Cabinet tutorial and kits are now available in my shop!  As you may recall, this is one of my favorite projects ever!  It's full of storage and curious compartments to stow anything from craft supplies to jewelry...It makes a beautiful statement in any room!  The CHA Curious Cabinet is perfect for your curiosities! Lift the lid and a hidden compartment is at the top.  Open the windowed cabinet doors and three large drawers are perfect for storage.  A great functional piece!



There's two ways to make this project.  As always there is a tutorial that you can download instantly or the kit with all the goodies to make the project from the knob on the top to the feet at the bottom... and of course an instant downloadable tutorial as well.   Grab either one!  It's really is a great project to create!  I also have a few pads of the 12 x 12 Artisan Style Paper Pad up for grabs in the store....

Kit Contents Include:
(1) Instant Download Tutorial
(1) NEW Graphic 45 Artisan Style Paper Collection Pad
(3) Sheets of Black 12 x 12  Heavy Cardstock (For Structure Strips)
(14) Pieces of 12 x 12 Heavy Weight Black Chipboard
(1) 6 x 12 Sheet of .20 Acrylic
(1) NEW Set Graphic 45 Door Knockers
(1) Set of Graphic 45 Label Pulls
(1) Idea-ology Knob
(1) Set Idea-ology Foundation Feet
(2) Idea-ology Hitch Fasteners
(1) 12-inch Piece of Ribbon
(1) Large Chipboard Scallop
(2) Small Chipboard Scallops
(1) Mini Bottle of Glossy Accents

I hope you give it a try...It's a great project and an excellent gift!  Thanks so much for coming over to look!  Have an AMAZING weekend!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter



Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Take Out Tuesday Ustream: You Light Up My Heart Project

Good Morning Everyone!

Beautiful sunny day here in Central Texas.  We are having the most amazing weather with temperatures in the high 70's...which is perfect weather as far as I'm concerned.  So fresh and not too humid.  I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts...grab my cuppa coffee and head outside to writing this quick post.

Well, it's Tuesday and we are fast approaching Valentine's Day!  So appropriately enough, tonight's Take Out Tuesday's Ustream show will be the You Light Up My Heart project.  It's  really a cool project for anytime of the year not just Valentines...A pretty "floating" heart silhouetted by a little flickering light.



So grab a tutorial from my shop tab above if you want to follow along and please join me tonight at 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on my Ustream Channel by clicking...


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

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

Thanks TONS!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter


Monday, February 9, 2015

A New Chapter...

To All-

Thank You for all your kind and thoughtful comments on Facebook and email.  You can't help but feel the love and concern which fills my heart with joy and gladness for having such an amazing online family.  Fur babies are really part of our lives and definitely part of our families.  It's so nice to know that so many of you totally understand this.

Last week was not one that I will ever really want to remember.  The week started out with Buzzy the cat being so sick from what I feel was something he consumed in the barn.  Next, it was Cooter who was off to the vet with an ear infection and strained neck.  Cooter is my oldest, so it was such a surprise when we found that Zanie (Cooter's son) passed away yesterday morning.  I think the saddest thing for me is that I wish I could have been with him as he passed...to let him know he was loved. Sometimes that is the grace of being with your pet when they are to be put down.  You are there and they know you are there with them.

When I moved out to the country some fourteen years ago, I thought how awesome it would to breed basset hounds.  I always loved any kind of hound because of their sweet faces and their loving and protective characteristics.  But soon I was to realize that I was not cut out to breed dogs.  My heart was too soft...I couldn't bare seeing all..."my"... puppies go to new homes.  It was tough and I made darn sure they all went to compassionate and caring families.

Mamie had two litters of puppies.  From each litter I kept three.  Crazy!  I know!  Let's see... there was Zanie, Bubbie and Otis from the first litter and then there was Willie, Bird and Bonnie from the second.  All have gone on now except for my Sweet Bonnie and her precious father Cooter.  The thing here is when they all are born around the same time, they all leave me around the same time.  It's kinda like getting a new chandelier and putting all new light bulbs in it.  The bulbs start out so bright, but after awhile they all start to dim and then finally burn out at the same time.  Each time one less light...one more broken heart...

I know, without a doubt, that my fondest memories of being out here in the country will always be... having all eight of my kiddos romping around my heels...playing with each other in the sun and of course...chasing after tennis balls.  There is nothing, to me, more joyful and sometimes scary to hear and see a pack of eight basset hounds coming for you... to give you what they do so well...slobbery love.


You know, I write this post not for dramas sake or to make the reader sad...but actually purely for me...For me to blog is a way to archive or document events that have occurred...capturing these ever changing chapters of what we call LIFE...

And now it's time for me to move on to the next chapter... holding dear to my heart the thoughts and memories that will shape the things to come.

Thanks Again Everybody!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Saturday, February 7, 2015

You Light Up My Heart: Valentine Tutorial DONE!

Hello Everybody!

I hope you all are having a marvelous weekend!  It's so beautiful in Central Texas this weekend!  It's AMAZING!  I had such a fun day with friends as we all played in our art journal.  I sure needed that.  A day to play and create.  When the pages where finished and it was time to return home, I so enjoyed the drive through the hill country.  Just Gorgeous!!

Once I was home, it was time to get back to business and finish up the You Light Up My Heart Box tutorial.  Finally it is done!  Yahooooo!  It a great romantic and illuminating project....


You Light Up My Heart Box

You Light Up My Heart Box is a beautiful project to give someone you love!  Pull open the lid and add a battery-operated tea light for a soft flickering light that silhouettes the heart shape and illuminates the pearls and glitter.  Mix in some soft music and a cozy dinner for two and a romantic night is made.






If you are interested, the tutorial is up in my shop.  Please click on the "SHOP" tab at the top of my site to purchase.  I will be showing you how to make this project on Tuesday's Take Out Tuesday Ustream Show, February 10, 2015.  So grab your tutorial and join me at 7:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on my Ustream channel HERE.....

Have an AWESOME weekend Y'ALL!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter


Thursday, February 5, 2015

Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Deluxe Collector's Edition Up!

Good Morning Everyone!

Well, the renovation has been put on the back burner at least until next week!  I seem to be busier than I thought!  Which is awesome...however, trying to carve out time to do other things seems to be impossible at times!  LOL!  But it will all be done in it's time.  Doing a bit of clean up this morning so that I can keep calm and carry on!

This morning, I finally had time to go through the paper's and kits and do a little inventory.  I know a few of you have asked for the Graphic 45 Once Upon A Springtime Deluxe Collector's Edition Packs alone.  The packs include, (2) of each of the (12) double-sided 12 x 12 papers, (1) chipboard die cut set, (1) 12 x 12 Cover-weight sticker sheet.    I have a VERY limited number like (4) I just put up in my shop.  I also have two CLASS KITS for the Springtime Lantern which means EVERYTHING is pre-cut for you, the structure strips are pre-taped, you will receive a downloadable tutorial, plus you get all the other goodies to make the lantern as well of course.



If you are interested, please click on the SHOP tab above to access my shop to purchase.

Thank you so much!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Shake Your Shimmy! No Take Out Tuesday..

Good Morning Everyone!

Don't you love mornings?  They are so full of promise and hope for the day ahead...It could also have something to do with breakfast which means BACON!  Yahooo!  But how do you get a caveman like me to get up and rolling?  Let's see..

I try really hard not to watch the morning news.  I may not have the latest current events to talk about with friends, but WOW it's so heavy and sad in the world.  Why not be in a bit of denial in the morning so I can deal with the days events of my own drama.  I'm think I'm much better at coping with the world news later in the day...So, to liven things up, I throw on a few YouTube tracks to get me going!

This morning it was some Sia Chandelier, Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass and of course Taylor Swift's Shake it Off!  I say I will never listen to that song again as I have heard it soon many times, but it always gets my tail feathers moving!  And I don't know about you, but when there is a bit of reggae mixed into the song like Magic's Rude I somehow find myself running to the hall tree for my new Disney dread locks hat and bust a move!  SCARY!

I can shake my shimmy like no one else...of course in the confines of my own bathroom...with the doors closed...locked...and the shades pulled! LOL!  It's a sight no one should EVER EVER see!  Scary I assure you!  Don't want anyone to haul me off to the nuthouse you see...However, it accomplishes so many things...Gets me going...Puts me in a great mood...I like to think of it as my exercise (that's a plus ehhh?) and mainly it gets my fur babies up and rolling!  Ellie and Sally sleep very deeply in the wintertime and DO NOT and WILL NOT get up!  But with me boot scooting' around in the bathroom, I soon find them joining in on the jig and it's so much easier to get them out the door.  It works!

So with all this energy, a bit of coffee and bacon of course I start my day!  Today, a few samples that MUST be completed before I start work on the wall of death!  Then it's time to pack up the shelving unit...OH LAWD Hep' me!!!  Probably by this time I will need some more music to get my Shimmy Shakin' again...

I think at this point, we will not have Take Out Tuesday's Ustream tonight.  I can only think that things are going to be in total disarray and chaos in my studio...Which I hate!  But the quicker I get this done the happier my life will be...

I will post the progress of my renovation.  It's actually just making an opening in my studio wall to add a bit of space.  But to get there...Good Grief Gertrude!  We shall see....

Better get going!  Shake your Shimmy My Friends!!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Monday, February 2, 2015

Bagging It Up: Renovations are coming!

Good Morning Everyone!

Thank you all for your amazing support in buying the Springtime Lantern Kits and tutorials and the Dylusional Paint and Applicator kits!  You guys ROCK!!!  I just dropped everything off in the mail!  Yahooooo!  It was a big task packing up, but it's done, I am thankful and I am on to the next big adventure....What is it you say?  Tearing out a wall in my studio.  A little remodel if you will.  This entails moving ALLL the stuff that is on a huge shelving unit in the studio.  I was having coffee earlier contemplating where and how I should store it all while I do the work...Fast Reno...Please God let it be fast!  What three days to pack up everything?  Good Gravy!  I will keep you posted!

I tell ya what's going to make it easier....I was at Craft Crossing last week and I was admiring a tote made from a dog food bag...You know the plastic kind that won't tear and are virtually indestructible? Those!  This sweet lady said she makes them and would like to give the bag to me!  Well HELLOOOOOOO!  I of course said yes!  This sweet lady's name is Carol Martin and she makes these amazingly STRONG bags out of different Feed Bags!  What a great way to upcycle what would normally go into our landfills!  I'm in!  And I'm sold!  I have used this bag to tote things from home to the post office, cart kits to and from classes, even move plants that I purchased from the nursery to the greenhouse! By the way, it cleaned up beautifully and allowed the carpet in my car to stay free of dirt.

So, I plan to use this handy bag to help tote load after load of craft goodness to and fro during the reno...Thank You So Much Carol!


Well, that said, I guess I will add another thing to my To Do list and get to toting all the things I some how seem to amass so very quickly!  I better get going!  Lots to do before I start!

Have an amazing day!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter