I was so excited to attend a weekend of classes this past weekend from The Gentleman Crafter (oh, and his sidekick, Cesar)!  I just absolutely LOVE his work!  His is so talented!  Now I can make boxes in my sleep, thanks to him!

The classes were held at Scrap Addicts in Edmonton, Alberta.  I love that store!  Ivy and Cori-Lyn greeted me as I came in the door.  It was like we were long lost friends!  I was so overwhelmed by the amazing ladies that attended.  Everyone was so nice and generous, and creative!  It was wonderful seeing all the different ways the projects were done.

Our first class was the Wallet.  It was a fairly quick project.  We used the totally drool-worthy Archivist collection by Prima/Frank Garcia.  I really loved the design of this project!  It would make such an awesome Father’s Day gift…

The next project was a Seed Box.  Loved it!  What a fantastic idea!  Perfect gift for any gardener in your life.  I love the grape vine branch that we added to the front.  It just gives it that outdoorsy feel.  And to make the box so it would fit the little round seed containers, AND a journal….pure genius!  The papers Jim (The Gentleman Crafter) chose were perfect for the project!  It was the Home Sweet Home collection!  Love it!  It’s Graphic 45…what else can I say?

We used a scallop corner punch for the front flap of the box.  I love that punch!  Then we were informed that We R Memory Keepers will no longer be making it.  Well, I just had to have it, so I trolled the web til I found one!  I can’t wait til it gets here (let’s hope it gets here)!  It is the We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile Scallop/Cloud Corner Chomper (just in case you were wondering).  It’s definitely a must-have tool!  (**SIDE NOTE:  The store that had it was mistaken…I haven’t been able to find one.  🙁  So if anyone is willing to sell me theirs, let me know!)

I wasn’t able to finish my box in the class, but the rest is just adding the paper to cover the box.  Easily I can do that at home.

The class in the afternoon was a Lantern!  Just gorgeous! And it has a tea light in it to light it up.  It was a little finicky to put together, but I think after doing this once, it would be easier on the next one.  I adore the lions feet on the bottom!  Jim is so fantastic at making boxes!  They are so solid and sturdy!  I wasn’t able to finish the inside of my lantern because I just couldn’t decide how I wanted to decorate it.  So, that will be in an up-and-coming post.

The final day of class was making a Curio Cabinet!  Wow!….Wow!….did I say wow!?!  OMG!  What an amazing project!  It was also quite finicky to put together.  But I think after doing this project, I can build just about anything with chipboard now!  I love how it turned out!  I have a few extra things to add to it, but most of this one is done.  You could make this cabinet in so many different ways using different papers….the possibilities are endless!  The attention to detail on the drawer fronts….LOVE!  I love the door knobs on the front doors, too!    I didn’t know there were such a thing!  I NEED some more door knobs!  I am so proud of this piece!  I actually made it!  Wow (there I go again)!!!

Thank you so much, Jim, for teaching us some totally amazing projects!  Can’t wait to see what projects you will be teaching us next time!  You are a fantastic teacher!  So fun to listen to, so patient, so helpful…so awesome!  And I can’t forget Cesar!  You couldn’t ask for a better “side-kick”!  So nice and helpful, and funny!

Scrap Addicts….thank you so much for bringing such a talented crafter all the way to our little neck of the woods!  I just can’t say enough wonderful things about Jim!  Please, please, please….keep bringing these talented crafters to us!  It’s almost like being in Hollywood…in a crafter sort of way!  They are our crafting celebrities!  Sign me up for next year!