Final run of panels for bags/purses.....

So, this and the next post will be pics of the latest panels and such. The bags will hopefully be ready sometime next week, just in time for 'guys night out' shopping here in The Ham. So, in this post we'll have the Green Catiki, Martini Time, Cherry Bomb, and White Lines.

More Persnickety Panels.........

Yep, so here are s few more panels for future bags to be sewn up just in time for Christmas, Kwanza, Chanukah, Festivus, whatever. So, there's "Double Vision", "Eye of the Heart", "Swingin' Tiki" and "Flying 11 Ball".

Have a few more drying up. Just spoke with someone that wants some stripes on his groundup resto of his scooter. nice.

Finally, some new Persnickety panels....

Yep, got rollin' on these panels during various bouts of Turkey-itis. Just a little cleanup work and these will be ready for messenger bags and clutch purses. Tried out a 'new' style for me after reviewing some Von Franco and SHAG work, OBVIOUS influences there. I'm really stoked about the purple tiki, that one came out so good. Toot Toot my own horn. That is going to make a stellar bag for a very fancy lady. I think I like this one better than the Toro Tiki.....yeah, I DO like this one a lot.

Newly striped shoes......

Just some simple orange stripes on a pair of brown shoes. Fu Fu might like these. Need to get crackin' on her other stuff too.

Finally The Bench is done.....

yep, it's done, did some green stripes around the orange flames, bolted it down to the black frame with some nice stainless steel bolts (it will be outside after all) and there it sits, even weathered it's first Northwestern 60+mph windstorm on the back deck. While our fence was being blown over, the bench sat there quite comfortably.

As any depressed artist would do....

I started in striping to take my mind off stuff, that really didn't happen, but this is the result of just not paying much attention to what you're doing. Finally figured it was time to stripe my 'striping' box, a classic metal Craftsman black tool box. I had put the stickers on when I first got it a few years ago. Time to add some lines.

Vintage Motorcycle Jacket

Well, I've been looking for a vintage motorcycle jacket, found this one at a local shop, but once I'm on the bike it's a little to small. So, I was waiting for some design ideas and remembered seeing some Evel Kenievel type stunt rider with a skeleton style leather suit. So, I took that idea and just did the arm bones, but added the grey barbed wire woven though them. Added the skull and spiderweb on the front then waited for another design idea for the back. I wanted room for the future owner to add a back patch if they wanted, but if not, then the design would stand alone. Pretty darn pleased with this one. Wish I could keep it, but there's another one out there......this one will also got to FuFu's ETSY Store.

Motocycle Helmet

Got this helmet for my 40th B-day, it's been sitting around (I'm not into 'skid lids'), so figured I would dress it up a bit. The purple might not sure up to well in the photos, but it's actually pretty nice blended in with the red and orange. Might even put this one on FuFu LeDuex's ETSY Store or ebay and see what happens.

My turn this time....

While I was working the clutch purse, my Boeri snowboard helmet looked like it could use some help. So, laid on the white stripes, with the White Stripes playing, mixed up a dirty green and surrounded the Deep Cove and Pay Up Sucker stickers. Come on Mt Baker!!! Bring us some magic this year!!!! Just need to finish the liner for "Blew By You" and pad that helmet.

New Persnickety purse

Finally back from 'island time' and back into the brushes. Still working with the Persnickety folks and they've been ultra-supportive and great to work with in designs and ideas. This one is a start on one of their clutch purses. Hope to have some ready by Christmas, but on 'special order' only.

Few more pics of my new home....

Surfing at The Cove, Mai Tai at Voodoo Lounge, Hibiscus at Garden of Eden.

Paradise found......on Maui

So, haven't been here in quite awhile. Been spending some time on Maui. First time to any of the Hawaii'an islands and this one was amazing. First feeling, rather smell, off the plane in Kahului was the warm, sweet, salty air. It was mind stunning. I knew I had found 'home'. Everyone we met was friendly, the sand was warm, the water was warm and blue, the mai tai's always had a float of dark rhum and a slice of THE BEST pineapple the mainland has never seen.

Jeff and his wife at Big Kahuna Adventures were great with renting me a 10'2" longboard and even though the waves were small, it was still great to ride waves in the place surfing was invented. Something to be said about 10 days in shorts/surfshorts and flipflops.

The Hana Hwy was fun, great views and very lush on the wideward side. Also, NEVER drink a whole coconut full of milk. Just trust me, you don't want to know the details. We had a little swim on a 'red sand' beach complete with a nudist lady doing tai chi.

Kihei was the placed we stayed and Kam 2 beach was the main beach for us. A morning walk across the street lead to warm sand, warm water and the best way to start a morning with kona coffee and a nice swim. Then down to grab a board, have a morning session, then late breakfast of pineapple/coconut waffles, POG, coffee and warm eastern breezes.

Then off to whereever for snorkling, more beach and more mai tai's.........Kaanapli/Kapaula area was like entering Bellevue, WA or Rochester Hills, MI......just a bunch of rich snooty people. Lahaina was cool, but stay away when the cruise ships roll in and give birth to their young that roam the streets in plaid shorts and mumu's. The HUGE bayan tree is simply amazing.

Wish we would have snorkled at Black Rock with the sea turtles, but the phrase becames "There's something to do next time!!" Molokini crater was great and the crew/captain on Fourwinds 2 was fantastic. The Old Lahaina lua was really great and the roasted pig was melt in your mouth fabulous.

All I can say is I'm saving my vacation and next Oct I'm going back, even if I have to camp on the beach.....wow....that sounds harsh doesn't it. The people at Maui Built/Tropix were also great to talk with and they have some killer gear. Bought a longboard skate deck and LOVE it, had the guys at Edge here in Bellingham, WA put the trucks, wheels and tape on. Lots of fun.

Man, I miss Maui with a passion. It was EVERYTHING I imaged a hawaiian island to be.....I can't wait to try Tahiti or Fiji.

Handbags for Persnickety Design

So, working collaberatively with Persnickety Design I've been striping some bag panels and now some bags. Here's a few starters.......

Vintage Motorcycle Helmet "Blew By You"

Found this nifty lil jobber at the Style Shack, in Waco, TX. Thanks Ralph!!! And to Rob at Rob's Chop Shop in Dallas, TX for telling me about the Style Shack. Found a few 40's ties too. Anyway, spent the weekend gold leafing this one and adding the white and my own color "Blue Tar". Working on stitching up new fabric for the inside. I'll post that when it's done.