CitizenKate

Glad to see you back with some new work, Vera and Michael! It is amazement to my eyes, as all your other work. Kate

I'll put that on my list of clever things to try next time. Thanks for sharing that! I will have to mention that I only do a cut groove on heavy leather. I've experienced problems with cutting grooves on some projects that use lighter weights of leather, in that the cut grooves weakened the leather and resulted in tearing at the seams. In those cases, I prefer just a modeled groove, which I do only on the "top" or "front" side, and cut the sewn pieces flush after stitching. Another factor to consider (besides weight) is how much abrasion you think the stitching will be exposed to. For a seam that will receive much abrasion, the biggest risk of failure is having the thread wear out and break. In that case, get the stitching as recessed as possible without compromising the strength of the leather at the seam. If the seam will not receive much rubbing or abrasion, I prefer a modeled groove, which recesses the stitching somewhat less, but preserves more of the top grain, and thus the strength of the leather where the seam is. Kate

Same to you, Peter, but more of it... thanks for the good wishes! (...and for a nice photo of your usually impressive work.) Kate

There's beef in lasagna, so we're covered there. Plus, I'm simmering up a huge pot of chili for my crew to have for their Christmas lunch tomorrow, which includes copious amounts of that wondrous substance! Merry Christmas - Hanukkah - Kwanzaa - Holidays to you all! Thanks so much for helping to make this place so great! Kate

This site may be of some help... http://www.kurokawa96.com/seisaku.htm The text is not in English, but the photos really tell the story. My biker wallet pattern is a little different, but this shows a cluster of credit card pockets that may be of some help to you. The construction details are shown very well. Hope this will give you some ideas... Kate

That's clever! Thanks for showing us that. Kate

Hi Fred, There will probably be several different opinions, so be prepared to do some experimenting. I'm not sure why anyone would say the daubers shouldn't be used for water-based dyes. I have used them on numerous occasions with water-based dyes (including Eco-Flo) for color washes with no problems. I use the brushes when I am more particular about exactly where I want the color to go. Kate

I also would commend to you K.C. Kreger and Barbara at the Oklahoma City store. Both very knowledgeable and helpful to the max! Kate

Although Thanksgiving is a national holiday, for many of us, it's a time just to reflect on anything in our own lives we are grateful for... our families, friends, livelihoods, homes, making it through a difficult life experience and suddenly finding that something really good came out of it, good food, and great times. Now THAT is a holiday I wouldn't mind having go year 'round. (Except maybe for the eating part! ) Kate

That's a great first attempt - I gather you did the design, as well? You already know what to improve on the next project, so you're already better than you were when you started. Kate

I've had dies made by Texas Custom Dies, and have been very pleased with the quality and price. They are also very nice people to do business with. Call 888-755-9025 and ask for Heather or Kirk. Kate

Glad you found us, David, and it sounds like you're off to a great start and finding some great opportunities. The bit about the backyard forge cracked me up. Can't wait to see some of your work! Kate

For most leathers, a ball-point or gel pen on the flesh side works great. For leathers that are impossible to make any kind of mark on (especially black leather), I cover the back with clear packing tape, then trace the pattern onto the back with a tracing stylus. The stylus makes an impression in the tape, just like a piece of cased veg-tan, and the line "darkens" as a result of the tape making better contact with the flesh side of the leather from the pressure of the stylus. If it's a really big part, just put tape around where the lines will go. The tape also makes cutting out the part easier. Then after the part is cut, just peel the tape off. Kate

What does it look like after you apply a sealing finish over it? Kate

In my family, all the guests (men and women, anyone outside the immediate family) are served upon by members of the family (men and women). Of course this is all powered by liberal quantities of board and card games, movies, wine, and ale. Holidays are outrageous fun at our place! Kate

My family eats... LASAGNA, of all things. And it's always my job to bring a big bottle of Chianti to have with it. (Plus a jug of a nice brown ale from the local micro-brewery for my bro-in-law.) Are we Italian? No. Polish/German, actually. <shrug> Go figure. I think we started this tradition when my mom (who was of German and Austrian descent) decided to have something, anything, other than turkey after one Thanksgiving when we OD'd on it for two weeks. Lasagna just seemed the right thing for that particular moment, and it became a family tradition that we still carry on today. I'll hunt around for my Santa hat and post a photo later on... Kate

Well deserved, my friend. <nod of approval> Kate

Nice work, Schno... great job salvaging that roper wallet kit. That turned out very nice! Kate

Had to put my shades on to look at that one! Nice work, as always... should look great under stadium lights. Kate

Mike! ...I never knew! LOL

Yeah, I could only imagine what kind of story is behind that name! LOL "Pour me another, bartender!" Kate

That's interesting... you have both the same Hobbit and Elven surnames. Kate

Oh, this put a grin on my face... In Hobbiton, I would be Tigerlily Hardbottle. In Rivendell, I would be known as Tári Elanessë Kate

That looks like the Craftool 4-in-1 awl set. The blade I use is closest to the smaller of the two awl blades you have shown, although mine is smaller/thinner. The other two blades are a scratch awl for marking, and a lacing fid, for making holes for lacing. Kate

Just my own two-bits of trial-and-error... I tried drilling my holes, and they ended up looking very blown-out and chewed-up, regardless of which direction I drilled from. A stitching awl makes nice clean, tight holes, and in my experience is much more convenient to use than a power drill or even a dremel tool. Kate