Wrapping Up Summer with 4H, Leatherwork, and Gratitude

Hey friends! Another summer has come and gone, and wow—this one was a whirlwind. With my kids getting older, our calendar was packed tighter than ever. All of them were involved in 4H this year, diving into both horse and pig projects. They worked hard, learned a ton, and absolutely crushed it in the ring. I couldn’t be prouder!

After the market sale, we kept up our tradition of creating thank-you gifts for the generous buyers who support our kids. This year, we went all in on leather notebooks—each one hand tooled, hand painted, and packed with personality.

Notebook #1: Highland Cow for a Highland-Loving Business

The first notebook went to a fantastic local business that’s been a steady supporter. Their favorite animal? Highland cows. So naturally, I had a blast sketching, tooling, and painting a big shaggy beauty right onto the cover. It was one of those designs that just flowed—fun to draw, satisfying to tool, and a joy to finish.

Notebook #2: A Stained Glass Tribute

The second notebook was for another incredibly generous business. The owners had recently returned from a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I knew I wanted to make something truly special for them. That’s when inspiration struck: stained glass.

I’d never attempted stained glass-style leather tooling before, but this felt like the perfect moment to try. Let me tell you—it was a LOT of painting. Every little pane and border took time and patience, but the final result was worth every brushstroke. It turned out better than I imagined, and I couldn’t be happier with how it all came together.

--- Whether it's watching my kids grow through 4H or pushing my own artistic boundaries, these moments are what make the season unforgettable.

Thanks for following along—and if you’ve ever wanted to try stained glass leatherwork, I say go for it. Just be ready for a whole lot of paint!