YinTx

Thanks for the youtube version, I was able to speed it up and watch the thing to the end! Great set up you all have! YinTx

Nice! Looks a bit like what I was trying to sketch in my previous post, yours is better I'd say! YinTx http://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/82325-did-a-floral-drawing-for-a-strap-is-it-worth-tooling-help-me-improve-it/

Dude, wth? and OMG! awesome piece! and 6 sides of leather? how much does this thing weigh? YinTx

Thank you. That was a bit of a challenge on the thin leather, I think it did ok! YinTx

Awesome new skill! YinTx

Thanks! I am glad you see an improvement. YinTx

Nice work! I believe that one should last a long time, and not fall apart! YinTx

In my younger days studying agriculture, I learned that Nature abhors a vacuum. And that, my friend, is a vacuum. Best secure the bank account and credit cards, stay away from leather goods sales and tools... and desks... and tables... and machines....it will be filled. Fantastic work space for sure, all it needs is a lot of light! and all the aforementioned items.... YinTx

Some realism in that one! Nicely done. YinTx

Man alive, thats a lot of work in that rig! came out fantastic YinTx

Yeah, I did the first version like you suggested, it did not come out well at all, and I fussed with it until it was a disaster. I think the illusion on this flower is it "sinks" into the center of the flower, and I think it came out looking better when I did it this way around. If you look at F.O. Baird's image, there is pretty much no shading on the petals. Just another of those things I had to rethink in order to tool his design. I'll put a comparison photo of the two pieces now that I've antiqued em both. Probably a personal preference on this flower. Thank you sir! Glad you like em! I keep tryin to get better each time... First version on 7.5 oz Hermann Oak leather: Second version on 3 oz Hermann Oak leather: (I think I got the front petals better than the rear.. but)

That is a whole lotta work! Awesome! YinTx

Wow those look great. I am really liking the maple bird's eye look, but the contrasting end caps from the walnut looks really good too. Seeing this gave me ideas for tooling along the top, then along the sides. I'll probably need a paper template of the final dimensions before I draw out the design. This is going to be awesome when it is done! YinTx

The smiles on the last photo say it all. Absolutely great work, from design to completion! YinTx

Not to worry, I have lots of work lined up that I have been putting off, glad to hear you are feeling better, the creepin cruds are the worst. I found a piece of grape vine about 1.5" in diameter, really light and seemed strong. How do you know what will work as a good walking stick? I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do with the tooling bit... YinTx

You guys are absolutely stunning with these realistic portraits in leather. My hat is off to you. YinTx

Yes indeed, spent 20 somethin years in NM, so green chile it is. The only way to spell it, the only one to eat. I do get Hatch shipped to me once a year, and I have started making Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas as a Christmas meal tradition. Done with the turkey by Thanksgiving. Love tamales, never learned to make them tho. Happy Holidays to you as well!

Eddie Q, Best of luck to you! I'm sure the card swiper will help out some. Not much time before Dec. 1! I'll be trying my hand again on Dec. 2 I think. Enjoy a green chile cheeseburger for me, they don't make 'em here! YinTx

Soo many choices out there. You asked about the Blanchard, decent blade, but you have to put some work into it as well. Barry King blades are pretty much Blanchards that have been worked over. It depends on what I am stitching as to which awl I pick up. My favorite by far is a 100 year old Racche blade. The round blade top dead center with the blueing is a Racche. YinTx

Appreciate that, I still have a ways to go I think. Looked through my tools, I do have that one! wonder what it is intended for... YinTx

Awesome! I like the border tooling. What is that stamp, anyhow? Not sure I have one... or if I've seen one. YinTx

Hahah, yeah, and it isn't even centered! I've tried many times with just the seeder, and the results are always hit and miss for me. Watched plenty of videos, looked at photos, read instructions, so far I just kinda suck at it. I imagine I'll eventually get that one down too. Thanks for the previous tips and the complement! YinTx

Thanks much! Lots of help from those on this forum to get me this far, along with a bit of practice! YinTx Thank you!

I'm hoping a stitch line will cover it up, if not, no big deal, I intend to use it as a tooling weight bag decoration. Thanks, I'm usually making wreckerative cuts, so slowly but surely improving on them. Long ways to go though. YinTx

That is awesome! Look forward to seeing the finished item. YinTx