wildrose

as a Star Trek fan, I found that last bit REALLY hysterical.

I'm going to add my comments here: My husband and I both are well over 200 lbs, and neither of us has broken one of these chairs. They are comfortable, and I've made about a dozen of them. I first bought the kit Tandy used to sell, and when they stopped I was able to get a couple tri-bolts and made some more. With those, I used thick (shoe sole?) leather. I punched the holes with a round punch, and then stitched them with rawhide (aka latigo) lace which Tandy still sells I believe. I actually have a cut out I'd made of the pattern, if you'd like I'll trace it and (postal) mail it to you.

Heck, if you're really not 50 yet, you're young in this "industry"...I was finding myself to be one of the youngest for quite a while at shows, and I'm 41 now! Happy birthday no matter the age!

TwinOaks was reading my mind...I'm with him!

That's beautiful! Many people have told me it's addictive. At first I didn't think I'd want that kind of pain again, but even that has it's own kind of pleasure!

That is wonderful news! I still remember when Ethan was born, Tim and I cried almost as much as he did...it's such an amazing thing.

WOW! doesn't even come close to how I feel about mine from MADMAX22. This beautiful piece will be hanging by my front door in no time. I want to know, though, what did you use for the backgrounding? Some kind of "pebbler" that I don't have, but I think I'm going to buy it.

I find that carving is the nemesis of a lot of beginners. However, that said, I find stamping (i.e. 3D and letters and such) can actually be harder. Stamps can wiggle all over the place! (I teach alot of youth classes) I was fortunate because I didn't really have a choice: when I learned leatherwork at Camp Cherith in the Pocono Mtns of PA, our teacher started straight off with the knife, and she was REALLY nitpicky!

Oh yeah, I had a male cat that was just nuts for the end of waxed thread...

weeping now...God bless soldiers who serve their country selflessly.

Actually, the peanut/salmonella thing is coming out of good ol' Virginia here. Dogs can handle alot of naturally yucky things (like eating cat poo from the litter box, which I HAVE seen...and horse manure...I've seen that too), but diseases are obviously something else entirely.

I'dve said swivel knife too, honestly.

Great job on the coloring!

I can't claim credit for starting it...but I was happy to pick up the reins and keep it going. Mike has been a huge help on this one. I'm really glad he stepped up to take on this round. I agree it is something we need to keep going regularly.

I am grateful for the shared pet stories. It tells me there are others who know just how special a pet can be in someone's life. Last night I imagined I could still feel the weight of her press against my side in bed, while I would stroke her belly and she would purr. She would do that every night 'til Tim came in (I was always first to bed). I find myself having to remember there is no food to put out, no begging at the door to go out and enjoy the weather, and no litter to scoop (yup, I'd even catch myself on that one). I know she is in a better place, but grieving still happens.

I wouldn't mind "fishing" for loose change in that!

That's not corny at all. I was really p.o.'d about press around here arguing against a funeral held for a police dog killed in action. Officers from several areas attended the funeral, and some of the public wrote the paper to say how pathetic that was, and how a "mere dog" didn't deserve all that. I say: that dog was doing his duty and deserved the honor. Tashabear, I enjoyed hearing the naming stories. In our family, we've had: Tuffy, Jet-seena, Marshmallow, Peanut (yup!), Rum Tum Tugger, Mr.Mistoffelees, and the rest of the CATS play crew, Fritti Tailchaser, Bailey, Misty, Spot, Whiskers, Yoda, and many more. Oh, and Patches, that's a real original one for a calico, huh? I swore I'd not name her that, but it kinda stuck.

Thanks for the sympathies...tashabear I'm fascinated by your cat names! We've had an interesting time over the years naming cats, as we had a horse farm and had alot of barn cats (as well as a few house cats).

I like it! Looks great for a "scrapper"

I had to make the difficult and heart breaking decision to put our 18 yr old cat, Dark Shadow, whom we called Shmoo, to sleep this morning. She'd been ailing for a short time, and was not responding to treatments for an infection and hyperthyroidism. While I know she had a long and loved life, it is still hard to come home to an "empty house" and not have any pets here to greet us. I keep looking out the back window expecting to see her leaping across the yard at my whistle, or to be on the back of the sofa when I come in the front door. I know how much she loved it here at our new house: she could play outdoors safely in our fenced yard, and since the house is one level (not counting the basement), it was easier for her old legs to handle than all the split levels we've lived in. I will miss her 'til my dying day, and then I hope to see her again. Ethan is devastated as well, but I'm trying not to cry much in front of him.

LOL! Night before, for sure!!! Honestly though, I spent 4 years at Grove City College, with a group of friends who were really into Medieval/Renaissance stuff, and NONE of us heard of Pennsic. I heard of it for the first time years AFTER I graduated and left the area...

My thought on the subject line was: only here can I read about a gift such as that...my second thought was: lucky lady!!!

Very nice work! (I'm not really a skull fan, but I still think it's great looking) And I don't think there is such a thing as posting too much...

Thanks Ethan insisted on helping when he saw the station logo had a train on it. I told him I'd do the shift logo if he wanted to do the train stamp...