Composition notebook cover

Shane put in an order for a leather composition notebook, with a spot for index cards and a spot for business cards. Together we came up with a design, and he wanted to see pictures of the process.
So, first things first. I started started with gathering all my supplies. Here I have leather, of course, a block of scrap wood (the softer the better; this is a pine 2 x 4), a clear ruler, a pen, scizzors, my trusty Victorinox SwissTool (like a leatherman, only better) with a leather awl on it, the notebook to be covered, artificial sinew (waxed thread), leather sewing needles, a box cutter razor blade, hole punches, etc.

Then I took measurements and figured out a pattern,

drew it out on the wrong side of the leather (suede side, in this case),

and cut it out.


After I rounded the corners ever so slightly, I chatted with Shane for a few minutes on the computer about more details. While my attention was elsewhere,

McKay did this.

So I cut out a new piece.

My least favorite step is poking all the holes. I don't know why I don't like it, but I don't. It's a lot better with my SwissTool than it has been with any other awls I've used, though.

Then I measured out the designated spots for the index card and business card slits, marked it on the leather,

punched holes at each end so the slits can't possibly "run",

and cut the slits. (It's probably time to apologize for the poor quality photos. The lighting wasn't very good inside the house, and I wasn't about to do all this outside.)

Abram's least favorite part of leather working is the stitching. I kind of like it. And kind of don't. I don't know how to explain it. It's satisfying and enjoyable, yet it takes waaaay too long. So I love it at first, then hate it by the end, I guess.

When I get to the end of the line, I start stitching all the way back.

Then I tie a good knot, trim the threads and melt them so the knot can't come undone. Abram had to teach me how to tie a good knot, because my stuff used to come undone. Aaack! That's the last thing you want to have happen when you've put so much time into a project.

Now this was my favorite step. I put the notebook inside the cover, and... Blammo!

You go from UGLY notebook

to beautiful leatherbound journal that will last a lifetime (and completely refillable for under a buck).



Very satisfying.

I hope you enjoy it, Shane!

Our lovely Christmas

We started out the Christmas season by picking out a beautiful tree from the Ashley National Forest, now a Felsch family Christmas tradition.


Then we topped it off by eating naughty foods,

like pumpkin pie (made from a pumpkin from our garden), apple pie (made from apples from our orchard), and creamy pear pie (made from pears from our orchard),

decorating the tree and our home (how do you like this Christmas garland? Can you tell how I made it?),

dressing up as something different every day (okay, every hour)....

... and then dressing up baby sister,

(oh my!)

making Christmas cookies of all shapes and sizes (Abram arranged this plate of cookies.. isn't it beautiful!?),

spending quality time together as a family (this picture was 100% candid/not posed. They're always kissing Miss Heidi),

being rock stars,

reading together,

reliving the Nativity,

and playing with our toes!


And when the Christmas Angel came, oh! it was so magical!

(and, of course, it was so fun to open our presents!)


(Happy Holidays!)

Love,
Abram, Maggie, Elijah, McKay, and Heidi

Birthday boy!

The Brave Cowboy...

...turned 3!

McKay is all cowboy these days. He and his brother could hardly wait for his birthday, counting down for weeks! And when it finally arrived, the anticipation was so overwhelming...

...that even a bag of pretzels was thrilling!

But don't worry. That's not all he got. He got pretty spoiled with all his cowboy duds. And The Brave Cowboy book, which he reads every day.

It was a fun day for all of us.

......

Thanksgiving at the vacation house

We got to spend Thanksgiving in Ivins with Mol, Gompy, and Sam. What a cozy, enjoyable, fun, relaxing vacation that was! The food was delicious, the weather was lovely, the scenery was splendid, and the company was delightful!

(But if you want more pictures, you'll have to get Mol to upload her pictures from her camera.)

1 little, 2 little, 3 little Indians...

We had three extra little people at our house yesterday. So, six people 4 and under.

The boys loved playing (and constructing) with Sonny.

And Lala was just delightful and happy the whole time. What a darling girl.

And all of the "big kids" were excited to have Mac 'n Cheese and apple slices for lunch. Easy to please.

But the baby wasn't happy unless she was being held.

Thank goodness Heidi was so happy and easy all day.

Ann Dee pointed out that my blessing for helping out a friend was realizing how easy and nice my baby was. Very true!

I love my little family so much!

Bunny Slippers

Thanks, Aunt Bec!! Hee hee, these are too cute. And perfect for chilly mornings. And somehow she reminds me of her mother in these...

Siblings

Today marks 3 months since "baby sister" joined us. Wow. How can that be? Wasn't it just yesterday that Elijah was our baby?

And how did McKay change from "baby brother" into "tough cowboy"?

Now little sister is figuring out how to wrap each and every one of us around her finger. She's talking (gooing), smiling, even chuckling now and then.... and of course, she has figured out that we'll run to her every time she starts crying. With two smitten big brothers and two adoring parents, this one's gonna be spoiled.

Who does she look like? Elijah? McKay? A mix? Or is she just a brand new mold?

Either way, we love them all.