Double U Leather

Thanks for the compliments ya'll. I've gotta another one just about finished that will have a tooled strap with it. It's really turning out good. I can't wait to get it done. Thanks again for the compliment. Be Blessed.

Thanks John. And thank you for the time you took yesterday to talk to me about that Ipad cover. It's next in line. Got one more rope can to get finished up first, then it's Ipad time. Thanks again. Peter....thank you also for the kind words.

Would love to see a close up of it. I can't make out the details. But, knowing the kind of work you do, I know it's top shelf.

Here's the latest from the shop. It's a Christmas present for a customer's son who is a high school calf roper. I think it turned out pretty sweet. There is one major oops in it (well two actually with the mirror image sides) that I hate. But, I doubt the customer will ever see it. Only leather guru's will catch it. Anyway, thanks for looking and, as always any comments are welcome. Be blessed.

Thanks Bob. I really appreciate it. My work is still a long ways from being considered "master" level though. I'll look into a change of screen names....LOL

Dadgum......as my college age son says...."That's rank". I'd go so far as to say double rank. Amazing work as always.

Again, thanks for the kind words everyone. I really appreciate them. Winter....I'm not sure what to say about your leather, not being able to see it. I do know that poor quality leather will turn into a poor quality finished product. No matter how awesome someone tools or stamps, if the quality of the leather isn't good, it will really take away from the expertise and time a person puts into it. I tried to take a shortcut this past winter on a wallet and bought a kit. I figured I was way behind in the shop, a kit with everything pre-cut and pre-punched would save me at least several hours, and the fact that it was only a small project, I went for it. BAD MISTAKE. The leather wasn't good, the holes didn't line up right, just a bad deal all the way around. Lesson learned. I really like the web special sides of Hermann Oak from Springfield Leather. Clean, good leather. And, as I make things from scratch, I gain a better understanding of construction. I learn along the way, and am able to keep tweeking things to get exactly what I want, not what somebody running the computer or die cutting machine thinks I want. Just my 2 cents. New leather.....Yes. The olive oil I use is right off the shelf at my local grocery store. I can't tell you the brand name, but it's extra virgin olive oil.

Quick update on this notebook...I delivered it to the customer at the AQHA World Show this past week, and he was over the top thrilled with it. And, in a matter of a couple days, 3 other people who saw it wanted one also. Hopefully, they will follow through and really order them. Anyway, all is good.

Thanks Terry. I probably let it dry for an hour or so after I wiped off all the excess antique. I put a double coat of Clear Lac on it knowing that I was going to really rub on it trying to get up all of the excess. Then I suppose it was an hour give or take before I put the Tan Kote on. There was some that came off with the Tan Kote but not alot because I had gotten a bunch off when I was getting the excess off initially. Hope that makes sense. Thanks again for the compliment.

Dragon....I put 2 coats of olive oil on it, followed by Clear Lac, followed by dark brown antique, the a coat of Tan Coat. I talked with a friend of mine who does some awesome work about how to make the antique lighter than what I've done in the past. He simply said lots of elbow grease when you wipe off the excess. The finish part turned out exactly like I wanted it to. Bob....thanks for the compliments. I've thought about changing my name to "Dead Cow Molester", but that just doesn't sound quite right...LOL.

Thanks for the kind words. I appreciate them. Casey....don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you....LOL Drphil....I use a 2-3 oz. Royal something or other from Tandy for my liner material.

Here's one more floral portfolio notebook. This is the last one on order for a while. I think it turned out pretty good minus the boo boo's. There's one sure enough oops that a customer will never see, but is glaring to me. Now it's 3 rope cans and a saddle. As always, any critiques or comments are welcome. Be blessed gang.

almac....I don't have any interior shots of this one. However, I posted another floral portfolio not too long ago that had some interior pics. This one and the other have the same insides. Hilly.....leatherguru? That doesn't really fit near as well as Dead Cow Molester!! LOL. I'm quite aways from guru status. Maybe someday.

Thanks for the kind words ya'll. Hilly...I've thought about changing my name. How about "Dead Cow Molester'? LOL

Here's another floral portfolio. Seems like I've had a bunch of these ordered. Still hate my camera and the lighting, but oh well. This one turned out pretty nice. Not as nice as the last one I don't think, but sure a long stretch from some of the first ones!! I have some of my first items I ever tried with Sheridan in the shop. Holy cats!! I can't believe I even carried 'em out of the shop, let alone had anybody see them. Anyway, any critiques are always glady accepted. I want to go to the next level. Be blesses ya'll.

I cast my vote for double thick packing tape. The tape I use does leave a sticky residue on the back side, but I line everything I do so that isn't much of a problem. I kinda see it as making my Barge last longer....LOL.

Sorry it took a while to reply, but I been on the road announcing. Wood, thanks for the compliment. I agree, repeat customers are always the best. cstephens....I got the clip at Office Depot. Bought a cheap clip board with that type of clip and stole the clip off it.

Holy electric book cover Batman!!! That rocks. Again, between you and Hidepounder, I feel like beating my tools into sinkers and going fishing! Dadgum, that's nice work. Maybe someday I'll get semi-close to that level. Very nicely done.One question....is that a dyed background, or just antiqued?

Thanks for the compliments. I just delievered it to the customer yesterday, and he was ecstatic (sp). He shook my hand 3 or 4 times and just kept saying how wonderful it was. Kinda gave me a complex knowing the little mistakes that were in there...LOL. But, he also ordered a rope can for his son for Christmas!! I give thanks to God for the unknown ability I have in leather. And to think, all I ever thought I was supposed to do was announce rodeos...LOL

Here's another notebook I just got done. I really like the way it turned out. There are some mistakes that I learned from, but they're mistakes that a customer would never notice. Please take a look and give me your feedback. Thanks and stay blessed.

I agree Electra. It did turn out a bit streaky. I can say the picture doesn't help it, but it sure enough does have some streak to it. I tried to damp sponge the antique to make it even, but alas, no dice. Thanks for looking.

Here's the latest order. Aside from the fact that my camera bites and the lighting wasn't good, the project turned out pretty well. I tried some new stuff on this one and kinda liked how it worked. As always, any comments or constructive criticism is welcome. Thanks for looking. Stay blessed.

Thanks for the kind words gang. As always, there's still things that I need to fix, but it feels like I'm getting there. Bob, the finished size was 9 3/4" wide by 14" tall I think. It's to hold judges sheets which are typically regular paper size.

Just got this done. Let me know what ya'll think. Between announcing rodeos and horse shows, I'm way backed up in the shop. I can think of much worse problems to have though. Be blessed.

I actually have had very similar experiences (and I'm sure most have) with transfer film and/or paper. My first question would be do you draw your own patterns? If you do, I've got a suggestion that an old timer shared with me. If you draw your own patterns, and then put them on transfer film, and then trace them onto leather, you may be working too hard. The old timer suggested to me (I draw my own patterns) that if I could draw them free hand on paper, then I should be able to draw them free hand on the leather with my swivel knife. I practiced dilligently on scrap until I felt comfortable, but every Sheridan type floral pattern I do now, I do freehand with my swivel knife right to the leather. Granted, any "oops" that happen can't be erased, but I've drawn a zillion patterns on paper and feel confident when I grab my swivel knife. I will lay out the pattern in my mind, use a wing divider for my circles and then get after it. Just a suggestion that works for me.