wildrose

(I edited the topic title just to make it a little clearer...no hard feelings I hope!)

Though it's been rare for me, I've had cracking on folds too. What I did after was to take some shoe polish (matching the leather stain color) to the cracking and rub it in. As to preventing it from happening, I think the "working the fold while the leather is wet" is your best bet.

I have a slicker. It is a chunk of glass with a wood handle, and part of the glass is smoothed/rounded. It works great for smoothing the rough side. Mine was custom made but I can't for the life of me remember by who!

Great job! I'd be afraid to wear them in some faire (as in not FAIR) weather!

When my English saddle had been sitting a while and was looking a little worse for wear, a friend recommended Aussie Wax. I used it and WOW is it great. My mom used it on several of her Western saddles, and she was also pleased. Works nicely on boots too. In fact, I use it alot on most everything I make.

Well, Peter, that's sure a story! Someone is hopefully enjoying it somewhere...

Nice work! I'd also like info/help on how to do that braided effect on the leash?

Nice work! I'd better not let my hubby see the Leatherman one, or he'll want one next!

Very nice work on all of them!

Very nice! I've done Tandy's single head kit a few times. They're tricky, but a well done job always gets lots of compliments!

Your work is very beautiful! We have people from all over here, so don't worry about skill in English.

I'm not Luke, but I'll pop in with a reply: usually here butter or margarine is available in boxes of 4 "sticks". Each stick is equivalent to 1/2 cup, if I recall correctly, and has the measurements (i.e. by tablespoon) marked out on the wrapper. I usually buy Parkay brand margarine, in stick form, when I want to make cookies. I'll buy it "soft" in small tubs when I want to use it on bread or such.

Easy mistake, Ray, as I re-read my post I realized I'd not mentioned how mini the box was. Kowboyboots: love that idea!

That is really great work. I know what you mean about lessons learned!

It's REALLY little though: this concho is maybe an inch.

Thanks bunches

I imagine you can also find these at AC Moore or Hobby Lobby, or other such stores. They are $1.00 each at Michael's here in Virginia. The ones on display had little fake flowers behind the glass. Basically, the lid is thick, and has a removable panel on the back of it, inside which you can put whatever you want - then seal it up (folding prongs hold the panel in place) and voila: a simple and easy project. The toughest part of the whole thing was cleaning the glass after the wood stain got on it. I used MinWax gel for the wood stain, Feibings blue for the leather, and a new concho I got from Tandy. I was thinking over a reasonable asking price, and am going to start them at 15.00.

This is a whole family favorite. We make it for all our get togethers. My husband loves it! ECLAIR PIE Recipe from the kitchen of Sylvia Atkinson (Hints from Holly Atkinson Moore) Crust: 1/4 c margarine 1 c water 1 c flour 4 eggs Combine margarine and water in a saucepan and heat until boiling. Remove from heat, add flour and stir. Beat in eggs one at a time. Spread mixture on greased pan, bake 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees Filling: 2 1/2 c milk 8 oz cream cheese 2 small (+/- 5 oz.) boxes instant vanilla pudding 8 oz Cool Whip 1 small bottle chocolate syrup Combine cream cheese and milk, and beat until smooth. (Hint: you can use a blender to mix them more quickly – and it’s easier on the hands!) Add the pudding and stir until thick. (Hint: if you’ve used the blender to mix the cream cheese and milk, be certain you’ve put them back in a bowl before adding the pudding – otherwise it can be hard to get everything out of the blender) Spread filling on cooled crust. Top with Cool Whip and sprinkle with chocolate syrup. (Hint: You can refrigerate the crust, filling and Cool Whip separately, then combine before taking it with you; I usually keep the syrup on the side for people to add as wanted)

Very nice! If you're willing to share the Cross pattern, would you send it to me? I'd love to have it.

When I was using att.net for my email account, a few of my friends told me their providers considered it spam automatically. Very frustrating!

WHOA! That's cool! I just love dolphins anyhow.

That was an incredibly well written essay. I skimmed the first page or so of readers' comments. I too feel that people are being pushed into college and certain jobs that they simply are not meant for. I worked at a community college with open admissions in NJ, and there were even people there who were not "college material". Did that mean they were stupid? NO! They were simply trying to fit in with society's thinking that college is necessary for "real" jobs.

Thank you for the great tips! You've all given me some things to ponder I'd not thought of before... Others feel free to jump in too. The space is technically 10x16 - but my tent is 10x10. Weather can be iffy, of course, so I plan on also picking up some clear plastic sheeting I can put over things. Nothing worse than drippy wet spots on a nice project! I always plan for space to "work". I always bring things to make, even if they're small things (i.e. rounders). Otherwise, it's kinda hard to answer the "how'd you do this?" question. It also shows that I really am the one who did it (people sometimes assume it's my husband when he's there with me!)

I am signing up for my biggest event yet: Steppin' Out in Blacksburg, VA in early August. It draws thousands of people and is home to some really nice quality work from a variety of vendors. I want my display to really be fantastic. I have a 10x10 EZ Up tent, several folding tables of various sizes, and some shelving options (my mom is loaning me some stand alone A-frame shelving she uses for her pottery shows). I'm looking for: pics and suggestions on displays AND suggestions on quantity of stock. I make a variety of items, but primarily keepsake/jewelry boxes and small things like wristbands and keyrings.

We remembered them in prayer tonight; and everyone got flag ribbons at church this morning.