Double U Leather

Just a quick update on this album. I delivered on Tuesday, and I talked to them again today. They said they've had a zillion compliments on it, and I've gotten one order from it already!! Woohoo!

Thanks Bruce. That does help some. The border may be the easy part. I'm havin a heckuva time finding a steer tripper silouette now. I figured with the internet, that wouldn't be too difficult. WRONG!! I guess I'll figure something out. Thanks for the help.

I've been hired to make a daytimer for a customer, and he wants a rope border around the edge. I'm not real sure how to run a rope border tool. If any of you have any helpful hints, I'm all ears. Thanks in advance for the input.

Thanks for the comments guys. I'll let you know what they think of it. I'm supposed to deliver it today. Harvey....I noticed the meander legs weren't even when I got it finished. I thought I was being real careful to space them the same. Apparently I wasn't. I'm not sure what you mean by the meander line not being even. Are you talking about the area where the meander tool was used? Thanks again for the input.

Dadgum......sounds like he's a bit on the handy side. Good for him. I'm a rodeo dad as well. My son is 17, and after beginning his career as a calf/steer rider, he now just ropes calves and steers. He had a bad wreck when he was 7 and I took his bullrope away from him!! But the transition was good and he wins a bunch in the roping. Anyway, tell you son congratulations and to keep up the good work.

Someone else posted something about this a while back. They said to backstitch a few stitches, and then clip the threads and put just a tiny drop of super glue on the cut ends. I've also heard, and use, clear fingernail polish. I used to tie knots and then melt, but as was mentioned, it either left a black smoke mark, or it left a sharp point. I haven't used the fingernail polish method for long, but so far it seems to work.

Here's another photo album I just finished for a local feed store's grand opening. I really need to invest in a better camera. The pics don't really do this thing justice. Anyway, let me know what you think. I'd appreciate any constructive criticism and/or advise to make things better. Thanks for looking.

Good work. I bet he's proud of 'em. Now the real question....did he get to the whistle? He looks like he has a pretty good seat on that one. Tell him to ride hard and run fast!!

Here's the latest. It's not really my forte, but it turned out okay. I much prefer tooling. And, I can tell you, trying to sew the little insides of the P and the R are a royal pain in the neck!!! Let me know what you think.

Here's a daytimer I whipped up for a silent auction this weekend in conjunction with a benefit calf roping for a buddy who got seriously hurt roping steers. I'm going to donate a rope can to the champion calf roper, but didn't want to start it until the roping was done in case the winner wanted something customized. This daytimer will not only be in the silent auction, but will also show participants and spectators some of my leatherwork. Anyway, it turned out pretty nice I think, and thank goodness it doesn't have zippers like the last couple. If ya'll would, keep my friend Tim Malm in your prayers. He's been in a coma for several months after the wreck. He is showing improvement, but very slow.

Thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure though how good doggie drool is on leather!!! LOL. Thanks again for the compliment.

Well thanks for that tip. Those knots do get ugly.

I've also heard of using clear finger nail polish. I've tried it, and it doesn't do too bad. Do any of you tie the ends of the thread on the underside? Or does the back stitching take care of that?

I've got one of Jeff's stamps too. I'm real pleased with it. I'd never had one before, and I really like it. It makes me feel like more of a "pro" to mark my work.....even though I am a "rookie"!!

Thanks Dragon......and yes, the customer did like it quite a bit. I delivered it yesterday on the way home from a rodeo. In fact, I carried it into the motel at the rodeo so it wouldn't get ruined in the sun and truck, and the gal at the front desk seemed pretty interested. I gave her a card. Who knows. Anywho.....thanks for the compliment.

Thanks guys. I'll deliver it Sunday on the way home from a rodeo in Utah. I guess we'll see what the customer has to say about it. Hopefully they will like it as much as the first one I did for 'em.

Here's another floral daytime I just finished. The first one I made was seen by someone else, and they decided they couldn't live without one. The same theory applies here as it did on the first one.........I HATE ZIPPERS!!!. Anyway, let me know what you think. I think it turned out pretty well.

As was already mentioned, I got my slab at the local cemetary. It's about 4 x 24 and I inlaid into my workbench. It was actually an old military marker so it was pretty square. I told 'em what I was doing, and they said if you can lift it into your truck, it's yours!!

Mike, I know what you''re talking about. I think the stitcher is alright, I just need to grind down the foot so I can get by the dots. It generally sews good.

Here's some new bronc halters I've had ordered. Nothin' special, but they are a paycheck!!! I kinda liked the way the "Vegas" one turned out. Give me you feedback. Thanks for lookin'.

LOL Bob...........yes they are long drawn out affairs. And listening to "yeeaaahh" all day for 5 or 6 days is a bit taxing. But, I sure do get to draw alot of circles and flowers at them horse shows! I don't have near as much time to do that when I'm announcing rodeos!

Bobby, Thanks for the encouragement. Yours is the level I strive for. Maybe someday. By the way, knowing that you're a reiner, I just got home from announcing a big reining in Syracuse, NY a couple weeks ago! Might even turn into some future gigs on that front. Particle, no offense taken at all. I just sometimes think I OD on flowers...LOL.

Thanks for the compliments. As for a mentor, I honestly have just kept drawing circles and experimenting. I've learned a ton by looking at the work on here. As for wondering "only 16 more flowers", I probably need to ease up on the flowers. I really enjoy Sheridan style, and sometimes I do too many flowers. I really like doin' 'em. The one thing I'm kinda proud of is the fact that, other than the circles and a quick drawn in flower and stem, everything else is free hand with a swivel knife. Anyway, I appreciate the input and if anyone else has any suggestions on how I can improve, I'm all ears.

Hey gang.....I've been extra busy in the shop lately. Lots of orders . Anyway, here is one project that I just finished. I really liked how it turned out. I haven't been at this all that long, but I think this is the best piece I've turned out. I even got the construction items dialed in on this one, including hiding the rivets that attached the insides. Let me know what ya'll think, and how I can improve. Thanks.

Here's a 3 legged stool I just finished. I really like the way it turned out. Hopefully, the team roper's parents will like it too. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.