I can’t say I enjoy punching all these little holes one-at-a-time, but it certainly makes a pretty top band!

I can’t say I enjoy punching all these little holes one-at-a-time, but it certainly makes a pretty top band!

I’ve been doing a lot of rearranging in my shop recently, and you know what the very best thing is about having a wood floor? I can make sure each piece of furniture is EXACTLY straight by lining it up with the wooden boards. I’ve run through the shop before, in a tearing hurry to get somewhere, only to come to a sliding stop and straighten something before dashing off again.
This stitch pattern can feel monotonous–endless rows up and down, up and down. It’s actually a challenge because straight lines are much more difficult than curves. I like to do this design every now and then just to make sure I’ve still got the skills.

I created a Memory card game using my cowboy boots! There are 24 pairs of boots in the deck. Here’s a link if you’d like one for your very own.
Yesterday afternoon, I bought another small business! I’m now the proud owner of http://www.bootlast.com. I’ve been working VERY hard to prepare my shop for this acquisition and now I’m so far behind on my boot making I can’t see daylight. But I sold my very first pair of lasts this morning!


I just received my copy of the European Leather, Shoe, and Hide Journal, and am pleased to announce that I’m a famous lady! My friend Carina is too!

Over on Sorrell Notions and Findings, I now have pegging awl hafts, pegging awls, and wooden pegs in stock. Also, I finally updated the thread page with all of the size 33 thread and colors I have available.
This is a pair of boots I made for a client in 2002, and they’ve come back for new soles and heels. I finished up several pairs of boots in September, and after that it was France, Texas, North Carolina, Oregon, and sick kid. It felt good to inseam a pair of boots today, although I was a little surprised (and relieved) that I still remembered how to do it.

Here’s a link to my newsletter for November: