Granddaughter's Christmas

[Brokenolmarine]

Have been working on the new shoulder strap.  Played with the tooling design and settled on the layout.  I am using a squared basketweave stamp down the center in a single pass, and the same border as on the pouch.  I put some wording on the strap instead of her name.  "ALL" the grandkids call me the same thing.  "Grumpy."  Once we ordered the snap links for the end of the strap I knew the width and I could finish the ends... so I was able to dye, resist and antique the strap as well.  The snap links should be here by the 13th and I can sew them into the loops at the ends.  I am happy so far.

The new strap on the right, old on the left:

 

The end stepped down to one inch for the snap link:

Before antiquing, I rubbed the entire strap down with mink oil to restore flexibility.  It had hardened up from the dying overnight.  Front, back and sides were all liberally coated and the mink oil rubbed/massaged into the leather. Then I buffed with a soft cloth.  Then... and only then, antiqued.

Antiquing the strap, note the lettering.  In lettering the strap I used a light center pencil line, and a small woodworking square to insure the placement of EACH letter before striking the stamp.  Slow and sure.

 

 

Edited December 7, 2022 by Brokenolmarine
Clarified the post...

[Brokenolmarine]

In working the pattern, I made sure to rotate the Basketweave stamp between each strike.  To help insure this was done, I had marked the shaft of the stamp on four sides with the reference for the location of the orientation of the center accent line.  horizontal or vertical.  Forget to rotate ninety degrees and you throw off the entire effect.  Don't ask me how I know this. 

In addition, I set up that woodworking square for the offset reference from the side of the strap.  This insured that the spacing was as accurate as I could get it.  I checked, and rechecked placement before EACH strike.

I then was CAREFUL before the border stamps, so I didn't ruin the line of the edges.  I think it paid off.  Miss T pronounced the strap "Beautiful."  She is not free with compliments.  We have been married 30 years, she doesn't have to be. 

 

Still have to burnish the edges and apply several coats of finish after the antique dries.  No rush.

After I finish the strap, I have to start on Miss T's Christmas Presents.  Two Knives, Two Sheaths, and a presentation box.  That will be a labor of love.

[Wild Bill46]

great insticts, with your mind to hands ideas. Lucky girl as receiver .