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I started on this project before Christmas. I knew it would take me a while to finish it, and it's not finished yet. Consider this a progress report. I figured that if I tell you all about it, you will hold my feet to the fire and make sure it gets done someday. It's the outside of a triple-fold tool pouch. The design is two scenes from Rocky Mountain National Park, a lot of Colorado wildflowers, and some basketweave, all held together by some vinework which I wouldn't exactly call Western Floral, but it leans in that direction. You've seen a photo of the wild roses on the flap before. Every blossom is from a photograph, either one I took or one I swiped from the Web. The first panel (sorry, the photos are out of order and I can't fix it) is a collection of some of my favorite Rocky Mountain wildflowers. Starting at one o'clock, and going clockwise, I have: Common western wallflower Indian paintbrush Forget-me-nots (they are tucked into several little corners) Wild strawberry Heartleaf arnica Blue flax White geranium Wild geranium Potentilla or cinquefoil Aspen daisies above the heartleaf arnica Jacob's Ladder to the left of the aspen daisies Wild iris to the left of Jacob's Ladder The second panel is a tryptich, with basketweave on the left and right, and Ouzel Falls in the center. The third panel will be finished last. It's Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds, framed by columbine on the left and larkspur on the right. You may recognize the mountains from the Colorado state quarter. It's difficult to keep the moisture content consistent on this huge piece of leather, especially in the dry Colorado winter. You will notice differences in the burnishing from spot to spot. Feedback is welcome. I can't go back and change anything, but I can make improvements going forward, and I can use your advice in future projects. EDITED TO ADD: I hate doing scrolls. I always messed them up when I was a kid. I don't know what possessed me to include six (SIX?!) scrolls in the vines, but there they are. I would appreciate pointers to resources on doing scrolls.

Trying to figure out what the younger generations want. It about killed my soul when I covered up all the shading that you take so much time to get right. Will see how this is received.

So I got it in my head a couple weeks ago that I want to "master" western floral / Sheridan style. Here's my first real attempt at an original pattern for a woman's headband. Critiquing is welcome. I have already noticed some areas I can redo. The red is just to help separate background from foreground. Drawn first in my sketchbook, then doubled and reversed on tracing paper to make the final pattern.