Handstitched

Out of general interest, is that sting ray leather? Nice texture whatever it is. HS

Well done on that friend ' If you can't buy it, make it ' HS

Just have a common sense approach to all the chemicals we all use HS

Cant wait for our summer to end , I'm over it. Next week, hot hot hot . 40c + , about 102, 105 + F, you get the idea. However, recently in Victoria, (east Oz) they had snow....lots of it , in February , go figure,? and we're frying our a***ses off in the west . "Beam me to....Victoria Scotty " One bit of good news though, theres a vintage vehicle swap meet coming up on the 19th , car, tractor, parts etc....AND, a clearing sale on the 25th , lots of lovely 'stuff' to buy...AND I have both of those days off...woo hoo...ME time @Frodo whats ' grits' ? HS

ahhhhh, so THATS where jigsaw puzzles are made Sorry,, off topic, couldn't help myself HS

@chuck123wapati Howdy friend , how's your gut health? All better hopefully. I picked up a nearly 8kg lump of beef rump today from an indy supermarket . About $11.00 per kg . Not sure how that compares to your $$ , quite ex$y I'm guessing, everything is ex$y in Oz atm . I cut it up into some rump steaks and x4 rump roasts, they have a good layer of fat. Fat = flavour...mmmm Some of which are going on a spit or my Weber . But too hot & dangerous atm for hot coals....doh!!! Patience is a virtue. Take care HS

I bet you feel like a kid on Christmas Day by now . Now its time to have some fun I bought a guide ( mainly for belts) with my 441 clone back in 2005, but to this day I haven't used it . I go a lil 'off course occasionally , but so what. I call those ' humanity stitches', lets me know I still human HS

Thats a beauty and a great set up too ...and how dare you be so neat & tidy HS

Many moons ago , a fresh newbie to leather , I got a piece of granite from a stone mason not far from me. I told him what I did, and paid $20 for this chunk of granite off cut, a good 14" square, and a good 3" thick. Now, the fun part was getting it from his yard to my station wagon........it weighed a ton. The mason must of had a good laugh at me carrying, fumbling and nearly dropping it . He could at least given me a hand...nup. I never used it, too damn heavy, my bench would have collapsed under the weight , lol . But then someone gave me a nice piece of marble almost the same as the big piece pictured, I cut it in half, just perfect size. I have a spare piece that I once used for leather demos. HS

Thats a lot of basket weaving , and very well done too . HS

The colours are stunning , goes well with the bass I don't know why I don't do much inlay work myself , looks great. HS

Happy Birthday to her Enjoy your fiesta ....and yes, have a few gut pills on standby ...I do HS

No, theres a bottom in the foam insert, its about 10-15mm thick and quite easily hold the weight of cans or stubbys , but you may need one if you're using foam rubber. HS

I had all my "holiday" plans set, I tidied the workshop, put up some shelves, but I ended up doing a bit of a rush job for a friend...then another customer job came along...and another. So much for my plans.Not knocking the work or the money, but I just like a bit of ' me' time . Its also been damn hot, so hot the front tyre on my grey Fergie exploded . I was in my workshop at the time, scared the crap out of me. I'm not a hunter, but people do hunt roo's , not sure about rules & regs. But I think its a bit of a 'no no' to hunt the 'doe's' in case they're carrying joeys ( babies) . Take care of that ulcer, if it is that. A bit too much spicy food perhaps. I love a bit of spicy food, but makes my belly ache a bit sometimes. I didn't know there are roo farms in the US. I wonder if there are any Emu farms as well. ( pronounced eemyoo) . Emu meat is an acquired taste , strong game flavour. Roo's are all muscle , hardly any fat at all. The big reds are the roo equivalent of a 'condom full of walnuts' . Take care & good health HS

I get my supplies from them too, mostly roo hides, but I also get some lace from them too . But I find Birdsall lace seems to ' sit' or lay down better . They also have both ' classic' ( matt) or glazed lace, but just a quick rub over with some super shene after lacing does the same thing Thats interesting, run by ' Aussie ex-pats perhaps. HS

Yes, I make 'stubby holders' , ' coozies' . I use a polystyrene foam stubby insert to accommodate 375ml cans or stubbies , but they can also be made using foam rubber, similar to what is used in wet suits. Craft shops or leather suppliers may have it. Some may even have an adhesive backing , or use contact adhesive. I have a set measurement for mine , but when cutting the leather piece , allow enough for the thickness of the foam rubber in your measurements so the bottle or can slides in . Hope this helps HS

@Danotriglide Its no good to you , but all my roo lace comes from ' Birdsall Leather' NSW Australia . The freight will be ex$y to the US . But I wonder where US suppliers get their roo lace from,there aren't any kangaroos in the US? HS

We had that as well ....and , a very mild turkey curry( its summer here atm) ...and ham stir fry's etc. HS

Off topic , the ham & turkey left overs are now in the freezer to make soups in winter. HS

I think the company you're referring to is ' Sewing Machines Australia ' in Queensland. They do parts and accessories for just about every industrial machine. They also supply my threads A good used 132k6 is hard to find as they have been snapped up, but SMA supply the newer equivalent of the K6 . HS

Is the needle hitting the needle plate? Leather too thick for the machine? HS

I know currencies are different, but that would be around $750 + in Australia .It looks to be in great condition, and well looked after . I'd snap that up in a second Buy It !!!! Just the machines alone are worth more than that without the stand. HS

Great work , goes great with the background....and the Goldie Were you able to fit a piping foot to your machine? Never had creases as bad as that before. Perhaps stretch the hide somehow, moisten it and put it in a warm ( not hot) sun? Leave it for a day or so?? HS

Howdy friend Hope you're all safe & well in your part of the universe. Sure wish Mother Nature would give us all a break eh ? Floods in the south east ( of Oz) floods in the north west, and north east , the south west has been spared...at this point . Just hot weather. Floods, storms etc. in the US , when will it end? On a much happier note....food Had these tonight: Kangaroo burgers . Tender , juicy, an inch thick . Low in fat for those on low fat diets....not me lol *. Just a bit of cracked pepper and a pinch of salt, and thats it. No fancy herbs or marinades. Buy round, when cooked, they go all ' oval shaped' . Science, physics ?? Don't care , they were delish . Stay safe HS *Roo meat is naturally low in fat, high in protein.

I second chuck & dwight, belt/ disc sander. A bit noisy, but it works and I can still get the drive belts . I use a vintage vacuum cleaner as a dust extractor . And if I can't get the adhesive sanding discs, I make my own. HS