Musie!
I just finished your order, and I like it! Thus the exclamation points. But Eureka! (Look, there’s another.) I should have made it length-wise, the opening that is, with the envelope-style closure. It would have been a lot easier to construct… Wait, did you order it this way? With the opening on the end? I just checked your specs again: 15” x 8” x 3”—Check. Semi-waterproof—Check. With padded and armored sides—Check. And I made the armor invisible; it’s sewn into the lining! Shoot. You mentioned nothing of the closure in your order. I could have made it easier on myself. Well, Live & Learn. This is the first armored case I’ve ever made and I’ve yet to make anything from an existing pattern. This whole process is R&D. Heck, my entire life is R&D. I’ll be making more of these for the shop, maybe a bullet-proof version. And I’ll make the next one another way. So yours may be one of a kind with the opening on the end.
Whatever are you storing/protecting in here anyhow?
Don’t tell anyone but I used a wee bit of Magic, just a thimbleful, nothing extravagant. In fact, it’s very old and familiar Magic that GrandMa taught me when I was a kid. So don’t worry, nothing can go wrong this time. I had to implement a little hand-sewing in order to close up one of the corners, the good ol’ lockstitch. And I’m barely even bleeding. If there’s any blood it’s on the inside, well-hidden. The liner’s a dark, chocolate brown so it’ll hide the stain. I really like the way this turned out!
Lilly said that if I put a shoulder strap on it it would make an excellent wine carrier. I’m ordering some steel D-rings today. I’ll add it to my lineup of Picnic Gear. (“Picnic Gear,” I’ll have to toss that one down the chute to the punks in Marketing. Maybe they could use it for something.)
Okay, so I’ll bring it with me to Art Class next week. Remember, Cash Only, please. We’ll make it a round number, no tax. Until I figure out how to set up this shop, cash or some kind of material trade is the only payment I can accept. I will consider certain art supplies as well. Last month was all about Death & Taxes. I’m good with Death, we’re pretty tight, and I try to have as little to do with taxes as possible. I must pay more than my share because my accountant says I’m not a very good cheater. I’ve been told so before. I’m way too honest (and efficient for that matter, and happy, and productive,…) to be considered “successful” (And you should see their low-grade concept of “efficiency” around here. They put their most extravagantly wasteful twits in charge of that. I could live a few thousand long, happy lifetimes with what they waste in jet-fuel! Efficiency–Pfffft! Whose dictionary are they using?).
So remember, hush hush about the Magic!
Blood, Tears, & Love,
(And just a little whining…but really, it stopped throbbing)
PSL
P.S. — The Skunkwerks Department currently have their hands full putting the finishing touches on the prototype of what is certainly the fastest writing machine on the planet. It is the most efficient anyhow, if you work in ink and have nimble fingers; ink to paper, directly, as fast as you can think it– no delays, no interruptions, no algorithmic programming/indoctrinating, no reprogramming/distractions, no batteries to charge, no barrage of marketing, no onslaught of headlines, no software updates, no overpriced ink, no planned obsolescence. It just writes. And it’s always ready to go, always waiting, right where you left off last. I can’t wait to get back to it! (This needy laptop doesn’t even have its own ink onboard.) We have only to source some ceramic bearings for the paper-feed system. I may cannibalize a skateboard. But once they have their bearings Skunkwerks will be tasked with figuring out how to package and ship these softgoods completely free of cat hair. Then we’ll be back in business!