Colman

Rawhide, Thanks for posting. Back to studying the pic. Johnny

Clay, Thanks for posting. I can imagine you were kind of in awe looking at the "originals" I wonder how many more items are out there that only the owner knows of there exsistance? Johnny

Another great piece of art!

David, That is some really nice work on both the address book and pen! You are going to have to add another link on your website for everything other than seats. Johnny

First, Welcome to the forum. There is a lot that can be learned by reading the post on the site. You can also use the SEARCH function at the top right of the page. As for a spur strap pattern, Dan pointed you to a good starting point. As for drawing your own, it depends on what you can make fit the area. I recently built a pair with a design that I came up with that took ideas from multiple sources. The initial drawing is included in the post. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?s...amp;#entry64938 Hope this helps, Johnny

Very nice work! The unfinished cuts give it the illusion of coming out of the leather. Johnny

Tim, That is some nice work! I like the scale and rattler addition to the straps. Johnny

Tom, It is 8-9 oz. JC

Tom, Crystal, Thanks for the comments. Annie, The straps are from a single layer of leather. The pattern is one I came up with, It is attached for all to use or modify as needed. I did add a few additional leaves on the final pattern. Johnny

Congrats Dave! Was the "flat" art out of your comfort zone because it wasn't a seat? Great work on all 3 pieces. Johnny

This is the first for me, the spur straps and coming up with a design that fit the space and transistioned from one area to another. It started out Sheridan stlye and then just kind of kept adding and tweaking until most of the areas were covered. I may just try basket weave on the next ones. Johnny

Along the central Texas Coast, I have only seen one station go up .10 so far. In our area, we were was lucky and only received 40 to 50 mph winds from Hurricane Ike, a 100 miles up the road in Houston, they weren't as lucky. Galveston is a mess. Back to the gas issue, from the tv reports a lot of tankers were being filled and stationed along the evec routes. One report showed 21 tanker trucks waiting to be filled at the refinery before the storm hit. With 20% of the gasoline being produce in the Houston area, some of the wholesalers may have been trying to buy as much fuel as possible before the refineries shut down for the storm??? A link to gas prices across the US. http://www.houstongasprices.com/price_by_county.aspx Hope all the Houston area members are safe and well. Johnny

Crystal, Good looking photo album! Did it take longer to carve or to lace?? Just looking at the lacing makes my fingers ache. Johnny

OUTSTANDING!! Johnny

Just a Reminder, the 31st will be here soon. If you can, donate and get a chance to win! jc

One more before this month is over. I saw a picture of a dove in the newspaper advertisment and had to give it a leather interpatation, with a coat of antique stain. Johnny

That is one nice pick gaurd!! I think your friend will be extremely pleased. no orential skull??? Johnny

Tom, Nice check book. Really like the way the color makes the celtic pattern stand out. Johnny

Dave, Nice Work and plenty of smiles from the staff! Johnny

Here is my version of this months challenge. The bird does not really meet the "scroll cut" but I wanted to give it a try. Still need to add some shading to the leaf side but have to give my eyes a rest before I attempt that. Maybe I something bigger than a check book cover. Johnny

WOW! What a combination and the color is great also. Johnny

Crystal, WOW! That is a great example of delicate knifework and using cuts to create shading and detail. Is the 1/4" blade now your blade of choice? What is the name of the book? Johnny

Tom, Nice cigar case and neat press. Is the top of the cover glued or sewn? Johnny

Biil, Nice work! Like the way the pattern is on both the flap and the underside of the flap. Johnny

Roger, Some thoughts on the sand would be to use sand paper as an impression. The texture would depend on grit. A torn irregular edge could be overlapped to acheive different effects. The pointed end of the modeling spoon can be used to leave the rippled effect when used to push the sand paper into the leather. This pic might help http://www.wildnatureimages.com/pictures_of_sand_dunes.htm for the rippled effect. Hope this helps Johnny