Thursday, August 18, 2016

Safari Collectors Case- Done!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

It's been CRAZY around here...So much seems to be going on lately and I'ma runnin'!  I am sure everyone else is the same way with getting the kids Back to School goodies ready,  last minute summer vacations or just busy day-to-day things that seem to take so much of our time.  But...It always seems to get done, doesn't it?    All I have to say is Thank God for Centrum Silver!  LOL!

Today I wanted to share my newest project.  I honestly love this project...Let me tell you about it...

The Safari Collectors Case

The Safari Collectors Case is so much fun to make.  It totally reminds me of younger years when I had a GI Joe RV.  It was a compact RV, but you could open it all up and spread it out to have fun.  The collector’s case isn’t far from that. It folds out from a small case to a large fun space to collect your thoughts and memories… You open up the left side to reveal three large drawers for all your keepsakes and treasures.  Open up the right side and it has a journal or a mini for pictures, thoughts, inspiration and memorabilia…I just love this piece, Hope you do too.





Please Note: I am PRE-SELLING this project.  That means I am basically taking orders at the moment as I am waiting for the latch to come in.  I am also taking  these pre-sell orders to see how many paper pads I will need to order. I would surely think this will go out by next Friday, August 27th and the latest Monday, August 29th,

This time around, there are three ways to purchase the project...the Instant Download Tutorial, the Complete Kit with Paper, and the Kit Without Paper.

The Safari Collectors Case Instant Download Tutorial-
Includes:
(1) Instant Download Tutorial

If you would like to order the Instant Download Tutorial please CLICK HERE!

Or follow the link here:
http://thegentlemancrafter.bigcartel.com/product/the-safari-collectors-case-instant-download-tutorial

The Safari Collectors Case Complete Kit-
Kit Contents:
Precut Chipboard Pieces
Graphic 45 Safari Adventures Paper Collection
Sticky Back Canvas
Brads
Idea-ology Ring Binder
(9) 12 x 12 Black and/or Kraft Cardstock
Glossy Accents Glue
Latch for Front
Instant Download Tutorial

If you would like to order this kit please CLICK HERE!

Or follow the link here:
http://thegentlemancrafter.bigcartel.com/product/the-safari-collectors-case-complete-kit-instant-download-tutorial

The Safari Collectors Case No Paper Kit-
Kit Includes:
Precut Chipboard Pieces
Sticky Back Canvas
Brads
Idea-ology Ring Binder
(9) 12 x 12 Black and/or Kraft Cardstock
Glossy Accents Glue
Latch for Front
Instant Download Tutorial

If you would like to order this kit please CLICK HERE!

Or follow the link here:
http://thegentlemancrafter.bigcartel.com/product/the-safari-collectors-case-no-paper-kit-instant-download-tutorial

I hope you give this case a try.  Will be awesome for your summer vacation pictures and memorabilia!

Please enjoys these last HOT days of Summer.  Be safe and have fun!

Thanks for looking!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter

Wednesday, August 10, 2016

Honoring My Sister... Kathy Sue Hankins

Hello Everyone!

I wish this could be an uplifting post, but some will find it sad...For me, it's so very bittersweet...It's meant to remember a beautiful, kind and so very sweet person...My Big Sister...Kathy Sue Hankins, who died so very unexpectedly one morning in May 2009 at 49 years of age.  On that unforgettable day, in May, I was the only one who was able to see her laying there on her sofa, in her house, her hand under her head sleeping so peacefully for eternity.  She was so pretty, so at peace...No grimace of pain, just peaceful sleep... What an amazing way to go. She passed away from a massive heart attack while taking a nap.

I wipe the tears that have not been evaporated by the Texas summer air from my eyes as I am out on my studio porch embarrassed of the emotions that seem to pour from me...I feel so guilty that as time has passed I have forgotten her birthday of August 4th.  I tell myself I was so busy and try to justify my forgetfulness...However, I will stand as her messenger, her spokesman if you will... to a life that cannot be forgotten and scribe now of the wonders that was  my big Sister, "Sue Belle".

To be honest, I'm so afraid that people will forget how wonderful Kathy was.  Maybe quite personally and selfishly it's because I am so afraid that I haven't left any legacy behind and I'm the one who is scared to be forgotten... I have nothing to leave this world, no children, nothing to carry on.  Just like Kathy, we would have loved to have had children, and would have been wonderful parents... but it just wasn't in the cards or seriously...God's will.  In my mind it's a terrible thought to be forgotten, so today, I honor Kathy Sue Hankins as I will every year that I am able...

I was honored to go through her house when she passed and pack away all of her possessions,  It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  What would she want me to keep...Was I throwing away something that she thought was valuable... It was a monumental and honestly humbling experience.  She kept everything!  Kathy WAS the family archivist...small things that my nephews and nieces made, things that I had made her that were meant for the trash...she kept...

I came across a huge box of photos of fun times she had with her friends and family and came to the realization that  this was a small part of the legacy she left behind.    I wanted to share  a few of these photos so that we, her family and friends could take a moment to remember Kathy Sue Hankins on her birthday month...
















Kathy Sue Hankins

August 4, 1959 - May 11, 2009

Never Forgotten and Always Loved



Thanks for helping me to remember this remarkable woman...

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter