pepin1948

That is gorgeous! I really love the coloring too.

"Estas son las mananitas..." that's the beginning of the b'day song my best friend sings to me each year... Hope it's a great day for you

Yes, I'll help

"Like that's possible being a mom." EXACTLY! My chiropractor told me to rest it, so I've been trying to carry him on my left side, but it's sooooo uncomfortable - plus my right arm has always been stronger.

Johanna said: "Carpel tunnel and other injuries kind of go with the leatherworker lifestyle. I smashed all the little bones in my right (dominant hand) wrist a few years ago, and it has forced me to learn to do things new ways, since "my right hand does not work like it used to. I'm struggling with tendonitis (spelling?) in my right elbow - and I'm not certain if it's related to leatherwork or lugging around a 35 lb kid on that arm. Have any of you gotten tendonitis in the arm that you hold the tools with?

Like Pete, I'm up for travel. But I can understand the point of view of those who can't/choose not to as well. I think having an online contest is a great idea, and it's been done by an online guild before, with good success. I'd suggest at this stage setting the guidelines (as others are asking about: i.e. who will judge, is the project to be stained/finished, prizes, etc etc). Take names of who is willing to be on a "committe" to do this, and go from there. Once the committee has made the rules up, send a post out with the details and deadlines.

Wow! Look at all the lefties! I'm so thrilled The only time I hold the mallet in my right hand is if I'm "helping" Ethan, because he usually is sitting on my right knee, with my right arm around him, so balance-wise it's easier to do. (The tool then would be in my "free"/left hand) He's right handed (boo!) thus far.

This little guy is probably my favorite to take pictures of at Cabela's. He's just in a perfect spot, and is posed there so nicely. I hope someone can make a nice carving of him - he's just so handsome!

...without a powerful gun in my hand! Anyhow, here are some pics from a new display at our local Cabela's Outfitters. I thought some might appreciate them as useful in pictorial carving. As for me, standing in front of a particular moose left me thinking: how can they WALK with that much weight on their head???

A get together is still a nice idea. Not necessarily a "take time off, get a hotel room" kinda thing, but if we could make a series of events that were within a day's travel of a good sized group - like to an area Tandy - that could work. Baltimore is about 3 hrs for me, but Allentown is less than 1. Harrisburg's Leather Factory warehouse would be an option for me too. Heck, I'd even throw in a trip to my folks' in VA or inlaws in OH, if there were people 'round there wanting to get together.

I would enter no matter what. I'd rather the pics be judged "in person", since it's sometimes hard to get good enough pictures.

I'll take 'em with great pleasure! I'm at: Wild Rose Creations 292 Chestnut St Hamburg, PA 19526 Thank you, and the kids will make great use of it all, I guarantee it!

Thanks I think he's cute too, but obviously I'm rather partial... I have thoroughly enjoyed the braiding classes I've had with Tom Hall at IFoLG shows, but I found I don't put it into practice. Tim (my hubby) used to tease me that it would be the only thing I'd be allowed to do when/if I was pregnant. I wish I did do more of it, because it always look so nice and is very useful. It's just a matter of getting into the mindset I guess.

PittPounders, in Pennsylvania, also accepts people even when they can't make meetings. Also, there are shows you can compete in without being a guild member - I know the one in Indianapolis coming up doesn't require membership.

Sounds great! I love the color, but I haven't been able to apply it evenly in ages.

He is 2-1/2 ... his b'day is in August. He would hear me pounding...since my shop is off our family room/tv area, I'd leave the door open while he was watching cartoons. He'd wander in wondering what all the noise was and want to hammer away too. I'm hoping his interest continues. Here are some examples from a few months back. You can also find him goofing around at our new Tandy in a post called "New Tandy Employee"

I'm going to say British Tan or Saddle Tan.

Okay, so he's early, but he was early getting here too It being the Sunday before, I made sure he was in the "wearin' of the green" spirit for church this morning. He's reaching the stage where every time he goes by my workbench he mentions what he'd like to stamp (I want to make pumpkin mommy, I want to make kitty mommy...) And he calls rounders "picnics"...don't know why? Maybe because we put glasses on 'em and use 'em as coasters?

I wish the green showed up more in the pics, but it was just enough to set the hilt off from the background. I didn't want to make it too bright or it would look cartoonish. The fellow got it this morning and really liked it. His wife is hoping it will encourage him to play more!

Finished and ready to go to the customer tomorrow. Hard to get good pics of a (mostly) black piece. I had to laugh: I asked the customer's wife what his favorite color was (to put on the hilt of the sword), and she said..."Camo!" Sure enough, in walks the guy in a camouflage shirt! It was just too funny. Anyhow, he said it was green, and he didn't mind if I added color to the sword. At least it's not unrelieving black now...I mean, that's okay with some projects, but I prefer a little color!

I wanted to add in my post (couldn't edit it anymore) that I'd never thought of using rivets that way - did you see it mentioned on a pattern/in a book, or was that something you came up with?

Looks nice! Clean stitching, nice coloring job, and the basketweave is alot better than I can get

I've never heard of a plastic bevel blade, would you explain more please? I agree with Johanna about the wood grain effect.

You also talked about sewing it on your home machine: I've sewn suede on mine, but I wouldn't try leather. I know you can buy special needles for it though, so perhaps it's worth a try...

You are sooooo right in your assessment of many of the pros. The very first show I went to was the IFoLG show in Denver a couple of years back. I remember when I first laid eyes on Peter Main, I thought I should fall down and worship at his feet Since then, I've met several of the "big names" in the craft, and they have been very down to earth and friendly. I've appreciated how willing they are to share their knowledge as well.