It is All Well and Good Until Someone Loses an Eye

Wallace has been despondent ever since he lost an eye. He is getting old for a sock monkey (don't tell him I said that) and he was showing his age. So today he got brand new eyes. His hat was looking frumpy, so I made him a new top hat with buttons on it. And his felt vest got lost long ago. So I crocheted him a spiffy new vest with 3 buttons. Then he got to go outside for his photo shoot. He is happy now. He is watching me type this because he can't wait to see the photos.

Wallace lost an eye.

Wallace and his new blue eyes.

Wallace gets a new top hat and vest.

Wallace is watching the sunset.

Top hat close-up.

Crocheted Vest.

Wallace takes a spin in the wagon.

Repairing Purse Straps

 

 

Here you can see the poor condition of the original strap and the new braided strap.

 My model asked me to repair a Mexican style leather purse that she found used somewhere. The straps had already broken once, been glued again, and torn again. I thought it would be a quick fix but ended up having to discard the original strap. A friend had given me a bunch of leather cords, so I decided to try braiding a strap instead. My first solution didn't work, because the glue from the last person's repair was in the way and the loop tore when I tried to remove the glue. You can see in the photos the solution I finally came up with. Then it seemed the braid would be a bit rough on the hands, so I sewed some suede leather tubes where the handle is. If she likes the purse I'll see if I can get her to pose for a few photos. She's not home from school today yet I guess. Hopefully we'll get to take the photos today before it gets dark.

Both interior zippers were sticking too, so I put some beeswax on them. It helped a bit, but I wouldn't put anything important in those pockets.

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New straps

Back of purse.

Creative strap solution to handbag or purse.

Back of purse.