Sheilajeanne

I scan some patterns to my computer as PDFs, if they are 8 1/2 x 11 or smaller. It's quite easy to resize PDF's if you want to change the dimensions of a pattern. I also have plastic project cases that I store them in. They are just a little bigger than 8 1/2 x 11 and are about 2" thick, and can be put on a shelf like a book. There's a spot on the spine for a label, so you can have all your wallet patterns in one, purse patterns in another, etc.

Hi, another Ontario resident checking in ! Welcome to the forum! I am about an hour northwest of Toronto, near Alliston, Ontario.

Lowe's only has marble tiles, but HD has both, at least in my neck of the woods. Personally, I'd go with the granite, as marble is a much softer stone, and could chip or break. https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.absolute-nero-12-inch-x-12-inch-polished-granite.1000488451.html https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.12-inch-x-12-inch-arctic-marble-5-sqftcase.1001007201.html https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.12-inch-x-24-inch-arctic-marble-8-sqftcase.1001006813.html A search of the Lowe's U.S. website turned up this: https://www.lowes.com/search?searchTerm=granite+floor+tiles So, they do sell them, and either your clerk wasn't knowledgeable, or the store just doesn't stock them. If you want a thicker, bigger slab, I'd ask them who their contractors are for installation of sinks and counter tops, and see if you can get scrap from them. The cutout for a sink would make a really nice leather tooling slab!

I can't see a store of this type (Rona, Lowe's, Home Depot) NOT selling these tiles! And I really don't think the tiles have to be an inch thick in order to be useful for leather work.

Thank you, Ferg! I think there's a sewing shop somewhere nearby. I'll look into buying one.

Nice work for someone so new to the craft! Question: that blue pad you have on your work table - I've noticed many leather workers have something similar. What are they called, and where can I get one?

OMG - can't - stop - laughing! [wipes morning coffee off the screen...]

Two of the four edges will be visible, so I guess I could try cutting the liner smaller for the two edges that will be hidden by a seam. The liner is very thin pigskin, which just happens to have come pre-dyed a colour that is very close to that of my project. Weight/thickness isn't a problem for sewing the edges, but I don't think it's going to burnish very well. I am just pricking through the Tandy holes with an awl to make my sewing holes.

I've decided to put a lining in a Tandy project that has pre-punched holes, and I'm having a real problem with the glue leaking through the holes and staining the grain side of the leather. I suppose one solution would be to just not put glue where the holes are, but then when you are trying to finish your edges, the two layers of leather aren't sticking together, so you can't get a nice clean edge. Anyone have suggestions other than just NOT lining Tandy kits with their large pre-punched holes?

I will turn 65 this year. Half the time, I think, 'how did I ever get to be SO OLD? I don't FEEL like I'm ready for retirement. The other half of the time, I'm thinking, 'well, you're getting too old for this s**t!'

Wow. Wiz, where would this board be without people like you?

Okay, just for fun, I was browsing on E-bay, and found this listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftool-Leather-Craft-Stamp-Tools-12-Lot-Vintage-343-701-702-707-709-710-716/173015941666?hash=item28488dc222:g:AdcAAOSw0wRaJbNl 3 of the last 4 tools at the end of the row may be just what you are looking for!!

Here are some Tandy flower stamps that are pretty close to the one in the center of the flower: The J820, which is still available, likely comes the closest. https://www.google.ca/search?q=tandy+flower+stamps&rlz=1C1GGGE_enCA377&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjVp8TGtozZAhVGs1kKHSPcAX0QsAQIMA&biw=1236&bih=611#imgrc=FafGprwiJHtKWM:

Wow, that's a LOT of stitching! No wonder you've got sore fingers! Very, very nice work! I am curious as to why there look to be two bumps at the top and bottom of the arm guard. Is that where the edging strips begin and end?

So THAT'S what triggered it! I've been scratching my head, trying to figure it out! Thanks, Bikermutt! Edited to add: and I'm no longer being moderated! This post showed up right away! :D

Hi, when I went to post earlier this afternoon, I was told my post needed moderator approval. That was a shock: I have been a member here for several years, and have never done anything to tick anyone off (that I'm aware of!) As a matter of fact, my most recent post was saying what a GREAT resource this place was to people who are new to the craft. What's going on? A spam attack? ('Twern't me, that's for sure!)

Maybe it is all in what you learn on and get used to. Very true, I have an el cheapo from Tandy, and it works just fine! I can see having to replace the blade sometime down the road, but that will be cheap and simple to do.

[Patiently waiting for pictures...] Psst, if picture size is a problem, go to MS Paint, and choose the 'resize' option from the top menu, and use that to scale down the size of the picture!

Wow, that was a quick response! Thank you, Halitech! What would us noobs ever do without this site!?

Hi, Bob, Back a couple of pages you mention that Bear Man makes an edge burnishing attachment for a dremel. I do have a dremel, and would like to be able to use it, but Bear Man hasn' been here since 2015. Can you help me find an attachment?

I've been using Fiebing's dye reducer for diluting my dyes, but it really has a strong smell, and I'm wondering if there are harmful chemicals in it. I know a lot of you use denatured alcohol instead. Is there much of a difference between the two? Is the alcohol better/safer? Need to know, because I need to replenish my supply really soon!

I was not willing to pay what Tandy was asking for their slabs, so I went to Home Depot and bought a 12x12x 3/16" granite floor tile. It works just great for tooling, and if it ever breaks, it's only about $10.00 to replace it!

Yeah, that serpentine is cool! Like it a lot! Oh, and punctuation IS important....

Thank you very much! :D

Maybe another time. I was already chatting with someone on FB Messenger.