Lisa Sorrell, cowboy boot maker

Begin stitching these today.

I may not be feeling well today, but who could fail to feel better at the thought of starting a pair of boots with this design?

I have a fever and I feel terrible, but I have far too much work to stay home. I’m wearing sweats and athletic shoes in protest.

Sorrell newsletter for February

Here’s a link to my February newsletter. I wrote it while I was in Japan, but I couldn’t upload or send it while I was there.

We arrived home at midnight after a looooong day of traveling.

Dale and I are in Tokyo, Japan right now, and we’re having a great time. I’m teaching a leather inlay/overlay class and Dale is keeping me company.

Here’s a skyline shot of Tokyo, taken from a ferris wheel.

Yesterday, I wore the red shoes that Paige made for me.

This is my classroom with all of my students. They are so skilled already that teaching is easy.

I’m having my first-ever solo gallery show here!

I’m in Japan this week, and it’s already Monday here, so I’m going to go ahead and post a link to “It’s a Boot Life” for February!

It’s a Boot Life

The United States flag/eagle boot tops are stitched. I am most proud of the fact that the entire boot top, with the exception of the lettered banner (different color of thread) and the tail feathers (will be stitched later), was done as one continuous line of stitching. I started at the bottom of the flag pole, worked my way through the complete design, and finished back at the bottom of the flag pole.

Whoops! I made it around this design to the arrows, and realized that the overlay piece for the bottom of the arrows had fallen off. I checked the usual spots–floor, sole of my boots, clothing… and didn’t find it, so I’m cutting and skiving a new one. The fastest way to find the old one is to create a new one.

AAAAGGGGGHHHH! I have been sitting at the sewing machine all day long and now I’m tired and sore. And, I’ve only gotten both of the back panels done. It’ll be another fun day in the studio tomorrow!

Isn’t it cool that this little pile of oddly-shaped leather pieces can come together to create this beautiful boot top?