The Gentleman Crafter

Floral Valentine Stationery Box Part 2

Good Morning!

Hope everyone is having a great morning.  The new products everyone is reporting on from CHA are very exciting.  I know I can't wait to get my hands on quite a few.  Thank you all for posting the new goodies...

Ok, Back to the box.  The Finishing touches...

Just as the bottom of the box I cut my patterned paper 1/8-inch narrower to show the painted black border.  I just measured, cut and matted.

Next, I added a little Tim Holtz keyplate and hitch post to the front of the box.

 

 

I cut a 1 1/2-inch piece of card stock and used a Martha Stewart border punch to make a hinge for the back side of the box.  I scored it down the middle and used 1/8-inch Scor-Tape on each side of the score line.

 

 

I then applied the hinge piece to the back of the box.  Starting with just one side first and then moving to the other side to finish it off.

 

 

 

I then cut all my flower pieces from the Monster cans.  See my post under Monster Flowers.  I hot glued these to the top.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I used the Tim Holtz Lock and Key die and cut out a lock from chip and another from the aluminum  can. 

 

 

I layered the metal piece on top of the chipboard piece and glued with Glossy Accents.

 

 

Ink the lock with a little Ginger and Raisin alcohol ink.

 

 

Tie a bow around your notecards and envelopes.  I designed this to fit A6 cards and envelopes.

 

 

Place the cards into the box and you are done!!!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for following this project!

Have an excellent day!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

OK! Floral Valentines Stationery Box For Real!

OK HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

LOL!  So who knew that this would take exactly 4 hours and 28 minutes to post!  Good Grief!  Some may call me crazy!  That's ok!  Even if just one of you take something away from this project as helpful, to me, that's where I get my blessing!

Below, please find Part 1 of the Floral Valentines Stationery Box.

You may download the PDF file here. Download FLORAL VALENTINE BOX Part 1

Thanks for your patience!!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

Floral Valentine Stationery Box NOT!

ARRRRGGGG!

Typepad and my laptop are not getting along tonight! 

Good Heavens!  I think I'm going to try a PDF file for this as either my laptop or the internet is not liking all the pictures.  It froze up on me and wouldn't let go!!!!!  I've had to re-write, re-upload all the photos twice now!  Still not working!  Sorry Gang.  Will try and repost this in a bit.  I will need to make this a multiple part project as I've spent too many hours trying to get this posted correctly.

As you may guess, I said a few choice words, left it for awhile.  OK, Calmly now back to the project in PDF.  See Ya Soon! 

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

 

 

Monster Flowers!

Hello Gang!

OK, here's a question for you?  What do Monster Drinks and Alcohol Inks have in common?

 

 

One would be the "ink"...but, I'm sure there will be a hundred clever answers,  I'm talking aluminum FLOWERS! LOL!

I've been having the best time with alcohol inks!  I find it fascinating how these inks work.  You can get so many different variations by using different applicators or just dropping the ink onto the object.  Ok, maybe I've had too much caffeine!!

So here's what I've been doing in the studio today.  They will be for a project I will share with you tomorrow.

!!!CAUTION!!!  Cut Aluminum is SHARP!  Please be careful!!!

First I cut the top and bottom off the aluminum can with a serated knife.  I then used scisoors to cut the can down the middle to form an aluminum sheet.

 

 

I then ran the aluminum through the Vagabond using Tim Holtz's Tattered Florals die and the mini Tattered Florals Die.

 

 

I then scored them with a few different McGill stylus.

 

 

Next I used Alchol Inks to color the metal.

 

 

The last step was to stack several of the petals together and pierce the flower in the center and add a brad to hold it together.  A Monster Flower Bouquet...Check back tomorrow to see the project that these go on....

 

 

 

 

Thanks For Looking!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

Silver Wings Tutorial

I'm Back!

Ok, let's get crackin'....

Here is the tutorial as promised.  My most awesome friend Barb, always keeps me in check when I say it's inexpensive...She laughed and said there was about $20.00 in  Tim Holtz Jewelry on this frame.  Thanks Barb!  LOL! Let me do the break down for ya...

Supplies:

• The Wangs (as we say in Texas)- 1 package Regal Adornments.  I used 2 large and 2 small.  I got them at Joann's on sale at 30% off, as all paper goods were on sale this week.  So that was $6.99 (reg. 9.99)
• I did use the Sizzix Angel Wing die.  But hello... coupon folks! :) around $15.99
• Chipboard scraps for the wangs
• 1- small Round 4" base- 2 for .99 cents
• 1- large 5" Round -.99 cents
• 1- 5/16 x36" Dowel- .59 cents
• Chipboard scraps for the wangs
• 3 Vials -Tim Holtz Idea-ology Corked vials $5.99 pkg. 
• 1- Clock Face - Tim Holtz Idea-ology Timepieces -$4.99 pkg.
• 1- #2 -Tim Holtz Idea-ology Numerals $5.99
• 1- Soaring Bird - Tim Holtz Idea-ology Charms 8.99
• 1- "S", "O", "A", "R" -Tim Holtz Alpha Parts- Ransom - $7.99
• 1 - #14 Tim Holtz Idea-ology - Plaquettes

 See, if you had these in your stash... Inexpensive to make!  LOL!  

WARNING!!!  Lots of pictures folks!  But it's my understanding you like them....

 

Details:

The wood pieces were found at Hobby Lobby.

 

 

Paint all the pieces with Adirondack's Pitch Black Dabber.

 

 

I call this candleing but I;m sure it has a formal name.  I use a candle and go over all the edges.  The wax sits on top of the paint and when another coat of paint is applied, you sand it off and the bottom coat shows through.

 

 

 

 

Now paint your pieces with Adirondack Snow Cap.

 

 

Sand the pieces with a fine grit sand paper.  I used Tim's sanding block.

 

 

You can see in the picture above how the wax keeps the white paint from adhering to the undercoat.

Distress all pieces with your choice of Distress ink.  I used Brushed Corduroy.

 

 

Now the pieces are aged...

 

 

 

 

Drill a whole underneath the frame to accept the dowel.  Use a ruler to center the hole.

 

 

 

Insert the dowel.

Finished with the frame prep....

 

Take some leftover chipboard and cut the wings from the Angel Wing Die.  Paint with Pitch Black just as you did the wood pieces. (Can you tell I'm a messy painter!  HAHAHA!)

 

 

Candle the wings.

 

 

Next, paint the wings white with Adirondack Snow Cap.

 

 

Sand off the paint to distress and age the wings.

 

 

 

You are done with that step....

 

 

Now you know me, I can't just add one wing to the wing!  Does that sound crazy?  LOL!  I had to add three.  I think it looks cool!  I used Glossy Accents to adhere the pieces together.

 

 

Now take a smaller piece of dowel and use your craft knife to notch out a flat area about 3/4 inch.  This will hold the wing when glued to the frame and dowel.

 

The dowel inserted and glued into the frame.

You will glue the wing to the flat part of the dowel.  Done!

Now for the fun part!  Add all that Tim Goodness!

The Wings....

Viola!!!!  Done!  See easy huh?

Once again, I can't tell you enough how much I  appreciate you all!  Your comments are what keeps me going!  You all ROCK!!

Thanks for checking this out!  Con Te Partiro!

 

 

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

 

Soar on Silver Wings, Valentines Frame Done!

To Soar on Silver Wings!  How wonderful that would be!

Hey Gang!  I took a blog breather for a few days!  It is strange how you can become so addicted to blogging and really miss it!

Obviously, I love to make things!  I mean have a passion to create!  It's in my blood!  My Dad was the same way!  Dad was a Civil Engineer, so I was raised with graph paper diagrams and hour long lectures on how things worked.  He could do anything!  He made silver jewelry, furniture and even solar collectors just to name a very few... you name it he could make it!  I will never be my Dad, but how awesome is it to try to emulate him! 

Yep, I was going somewhere with the paragraph above, not exactly the segway I was intending but, when I was working on this frame project, I completely lost time and was so in the zone.  Which basically translates to, I really enjoyed making this.  I think it turned out pretty cool. 

It is simple, not expensive to make and I feel very effective when it was completed.  But once again,  In the eye of the maker may be completely different to others! LOL!  The idea, totally lifted from the frames I saw at market in Dallas.  I believe the awesome winged frames were by Kelly Rae Roberts.  See my Market photos for the inspiration pieces.

OK, OK, enough rattlin' on and on!  Here is the Soar On Silver Wings Valentines Frame for your perusal.  I will put the tutorial up tonight if you are interested!

From this...

To this....

 

Thanks for looking and check back later for the tut.

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

 

 

 

 

 

Expanding File Folder Project!

Hello All! 

It's rainy and cold here in Texas tonight.  Boy, we got the rain last night and this morning!  It's such a blessing.  The flooding not so much.  It's a great night to craft!

Speaking of crafting, here is a project made with expanding files.  I use this Traveling Expand-a-File everyday and it comes in and out of my satchel continuously and has held up beautifully.  I thought I would share it with you!  It keeps me organized and hope that it will do the same for you...

Click here to Download Traveling Expanding File.

 

Hope you give it a shot!  Have a GREAT evening!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

Key To My Heart Frame

Key To My Heart...

Here's a Valentine's Day frame that would be good as a gift.  It is quick and easy and I think looks kinda cool.

Grab a piece of chipboard that is 6 1/2 x 8.  On the 6 1/2 inch side take a mug from the kitchen and lay it on the top edge of the chip and trace around the top.  Do this twice forming the archs or half circle of the heart.

Next, mark the center of the bottom.  Should be 4 inches.  Grab your ruler and mark up from the center point to each side of the half circles.  Cut on the marked lined with a craft knife or scissors.

Now to add a place for a photo.  I made my cut out for the frame around 2.5 x 3.  I marked this and cut out the rectangle with my craft knife.

Next, I used my heart frame as a template to cut out the patterned paper.  One for the front and one for the back.  I cut this with scissors and then glued the front and back papers to the chipboard heart.  I then sanded the edges and distressed them with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.

I then took a piece of acetate and cut it down to fit over the baskside of the opening and glued in place.  The blue film was pulled off the front of the actetate and I left it on the back as long as I could to prevent scratches, etc.

I took three strips of 1/4 inch chip and glued these onto a piece a chip that was the same size as my frame opening.

Glue the frame piece to the back of the heart.

 

Here's the opening for your picture.....

Next, you can use anything you would like to cover the front of the frame.  I chose to use Tim Holtz Movers and Shapers Mini Heart Set Die.  I took a piece of 12x12 chipboard and glued a sheet of Tim's valentine paper from his Season Stash.  To make things easier, I cut 6 strips and then cut each strip into 2 inch squares.  I used the smaller of the two hearts and placed each square of patterned paper squares on the die and cut.

You can see from the picture above that I embossed a few extra hearts with embossing powder and heat tool.  Just for an added pop of something.

Now here's the fun.  Just dab some glue on the back of a mini heart and glue to the frame.  Continue until you can't place another heart on the frame.  This is your first layer of hearts.

 

Continue with a second and third layer until you use all the die cut hearts.  DON'T be perfect!!  I think it's more fun to place them at all angles.

The Stand...

I took a scrap piece of chipboard and cut it down to fit behind the fame.  I then measured off and marked an inch across the top.  I ran my craft knife over the mark, being careful NOT to go all the way through.  Just a score.  Then I bent it open.  Next I took some of Tim's Tissue Tape and wrapped the stand completely because I wanted to keep this easy.

 

Glue the 1 inch folded side of the stand to the frame.

 

Added a piece of ribbon between the stand and the frame.  This will hold the frame up.

That's it!  See easy huh?  Here is the completed frame....

Thanks For Looking Y'all!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

 

 

Market Day Seven and Home!

HOME SWEET HOME!!

There is nothing better than being home. I know each and everyone of you know exactly what I mean.  Being away is fun and I enjoy getting out and away... but I love my home.  It's cozy and comfortable and so familiar.  No escalator tragedies, no food stain dramas and yet there always will be clothing issues,  there will not be any maids to tell me what I should/shouldn't wear!  LOL!

Here are a couple of photos taken right before we left...

 

Thought this was such a cool display!  Love how they used the galvanized steal as the background.  You all know how much I love gears!  Yep pretty cool!  Kudos to the designers at UMA!

Ahhhhhh!  Totally done and ready to go home!  Can you tell?

 

 

 

Thank you all for following me this week.  It was so good to get everyones view on Market.  I appreciate all the comments!  Well, let get cracking on some paper goodies tomorrow...Y'all ready?

Thanks Again,

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

 

Market Day Six

 

 

Hello Everybody!

I'm not going to go into how I fell UP the DOWN escalator!  I'm just not going to go there.  I dont want you all to think I'm just a disaster!  So instead I will say how I feel really great about all the cool things we found and cant wait to get them into the shops!  I would imagine by the time I get back to work, some things should have arrived already.

Fossil has decided to drop us as a customer as they are looking to brand their product as more exclusive.  I cannot tell you how many thousands...no tens of thousands of dollars we have purchased with them and for them to do that...I will not be sending happy thoughts their way anymore!  Oh well, business is business.  They will find out that the little guys are what was keeping them alive in the recessed economy!  Can I say this...Do yall remember Beanie Babies?  Yep...Enough said!

Well, we may get done tomorrow!  I hope!  If so I'm heading home and to my studio and on a BIG DIET!!  Yahoooo!

Here are a few shots from today's adventures....

Some jewelry that reminded me of idea-ology pieces.

 

 

 

I thought these frames were cute...

 

Here is Marsha doing her job and checking out the boxers in a Boxer booth.  Her husband must be so proud of her for really going beyond the call of duty to make sure they were quality...LOL!

 

After Dinner we drove to Highland Park Village to check out the shops and the displays.  Aren't the trees in the shot below incredible?

 

This is one of my favorite shops.  This shop is run by volunteers.  It's totally amazing!

 

A plaque on the outside of the shop.

Thanks for looking gang!  Have an awesome night!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter