Sylvia

I agree with Allen for the most part. I would add that you google "Tandyleather Coupon Code" for additional savings. I just placed an order a week or so ago and got $10 off (paid for shipping basically) Finding buckles and the right watch band punch might be fun. If you like black... I would side step all the issues some of us have had with black and start brewing your own Vinegaroon right away.

That sounds nice. I've been tempted to try nail polish on a couple things that don't flex much, since it's acrylic enamel. Have you ever done that? Also have you ever put acrylic paints over vinegaroon? I've searched the forum but found no answer...

Glad you did Suicide. Bison/Buffalo can be spendy for the first pair ... but I think as long as he's willing to make the prototype from canvas, etc. I think he'll be ok with a more valuable leather. You should direct John to your photos. I bet he would love to see your work.

It's called a split skirt. You are talking about the gaucho like skirt Barbara Stanwick wore in Big Valley right? It looks something like this? http://www.ecrater.c...it-skirt-cowboy Here's a couple patterns.. http://www.amazon.co...n/dp/B0073YMCMK http://www.amazon.co...f=cm_cr_pr_pb_t there's also a nice pattern here for a split skirt. Scroll about 1/3 of the way down... to LAF109........$16.00 and a little farther down BB-WRS.........$13.95 http://www.longago.c...sternwomen.html hope that helps.

Are these colors acrylic? and what color did you use to get the "hot rod yellow?"

It depends a lot on the leather too, I think If it's "iffy" cheap leather that can be an issue.

I've been coveting this for a while now. http://www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-x-36-inch-belt-6-inch-disc-sander-97181.html be sure to search online for the 20% discount code. I apologize... I didn't realize you were talking about cutting pieces out. I thought you were speaking of carving. I would use a metal straight edge, stand as Dwight says, and make sure I cut deep and smoothly. As for corners and jagged edges... That tells me your blade isn't sharp enough. When I get that kind of stuff, I use a pair of razor sharp dress shears and snip those ragged bits away before I sand. (and go sharpen the knife) The scissors I have are Fiskars Razor Edged dress shears. I've had them for years so I don't know how much it will cost to get a pair. ,

That's not a bald head...that's solar panel for a love machine! At least that's what my husband tells me.

if my thumb ever heals I'll post something too

I have a splint on my thumb so typing is a bit difficult so please forgive the blunt nature of my sentences. Make sure your knife is sharp. Make sure your knife is vertical when you cut Make sure you cuts release as you end the stroke. Make sure you don't connect points. Just leave a millimeter or 2 between the ends. Practice a lot on scrap.

Mudruck: As far as I can tell from what I have read, you want your blade to glide with no drag when you cut. That's pretty dang sharp.

LOL Good for you Kevin! Now repeat after me. "A Dull knife is a Dangerous Knife. A Dull knife is a Dangerous Knife. A Dull Knife is a Dangerous Knife."

While there is no way to puff up the stamping... you can use a back-grounding tool, and camouflage the name. I've done this a few times. The issue I've found is that if the leather is cut you will always see the cut in some manner. I've solved that so varying degrees by opening the cuts with a very pointy stylus and putting some leather bond in the cut and pressing it down well prior to trying to back-grounding. Allow the glue to dry, then dampen with a sponge, wait until it's ready to be worked and go to town with your backgrounding tool. I've also used a pear shader to help with the process. The idea is to create a panel with texture where the name or initials were. Now, everything I've done like this didn't have a final coat of sealer or finish. They were pieces from an old kit that someone didn't complete... or did poorly or they were pieces where something went horribly wrong during dyeing. (Like the wrong color) You won't be able to re-stamp the area with another name... but you can buy silver conchos and place them in the panel. It's up to you if you want to try to salvage this. If you need it perfect... do replace the piece. If you just need a working piece of tack... background that baby... redye it... and get on with life. :D

That doesn't surprise me too much the Leather guy and some others on ebay buy odd lots and always have some variance in their inventory. Try this place. When you arrive on the page scroll down until you see the"bark Mulch colored" hide. It's 6-6.5oz so they say, (I think it's thicker) Says it's chrome tanned. http://www.brettunsvillage.com/leather/sides.htm $80 shipped. As for tooling leather? Well, I imagine you could if you have some leather that is more soft... then oiled the bejeezers out of it and worked it until it was supple. But by the time you did that it would be much easier to just buy a good hide.

There's also an old technique that might work for you. Wrap a cloth around a block of wood. Apply your dye to the cloth, blot excess off, then attack your project. The block and blot makes the dye stay on the surface of the piece rather then into the stamping/carving.

Hey StitchWiz.... Do you play guitar? The reason I ask is it would be much easier for the guitarist to pull and use the pouch if it were at the other end of the strap. S

I think I sense a Dr. Who fan. Well done.

I think he means the side leg fringe. So the fringe is already angled towards the ground and it won't have to fight gravity to lay nicely. I like what you've done I think someone would pay a nice price for those.

Sweet dreams, Cloe. Sorry for your loss Spinner. ((hugs)) You have some great photos of her. We can tell she had a sense of humor and have you many hours of laughter. That photo of Otto? in the big bed and Cloe in the tiny bed is priceless. It made me laugh through the tears.

Hi there: I found a lot of interesting and good information here. http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/forums/5/Leather-Hides-amp-Tanning#.T33mWNVdVlc One fellow actually does a nice photo tutorial on how to veg tan his hide at home.

I don't get bummed out. I get a feeling of satisfaction and then I start thinking about what is next.

LOL old money!! What tools did you end up using?

Hey Brian: The link didn't work. I returned a 500 page "internal server error" I did look up PJ's Custom tools and found it though. http://khww.net/emall/vendors/pjs-custom-tools

Beauty like many things in life is in the eye of the beholder. I personally can't stand abstract art but others find it intriguing and beautiful. Go figure!