Collaboration halter #1

Model horse tackmaking is, for me, a mostly solitary pursuit.  

That's one of the reasons why I so enjoy collaborating with Erin Corbett.

Even though twelve hundred miles separate our studios, it's kind of like we're working together.

Yay!  This was a fun project.  Can't wait to make another one!

Horsey holiday

Although I didn't ask for any horse themed gifts this year, Santa - and my friends - know me pretty well. Here's a look at some of the things that made this a most horsey holiday.

My friend, Carol, gave me two Appaloosa ponies...

and a brand new saddle rat. Unlike our other saddle rats, this one actually sits still for photos. 

My new doll from Anne Field didn't arrive empty handed.

She came with an assortment of mini food, made by Anne herself.

I love Anne's food almost as much as I love her dolls, and I am happy to have these new additions to my 1:9 scale world. 

This adorable Kristina Lucas-Francis Little Kisses resin came from Janna Shepherd. 

I was pleased to discover she's completely three dimensional - no flat bottom here!

And look! She already has a mama to call her own.

Erin Corbett sent a donkey, two chocolate bars and a bunch of little leather pieces.

Hmmmmmm. I wonder what these are for?

Finally, I got a catalog and a Christmas card from Breyer. Probably a lot of hobbyists got catalogs, but the card made me feel pretty special. Thanks, Breyer! 

And thanks also to Carol, Anne, Janna, Erin and all my other friends and hobbyists. I appreciate each and everyone of you. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve ride

I am not the most organized person, so a lot of my Christmas Eves have been filled with painful last minute shopping.

Not this year!

Instead of fighting crowds at the mall, James, Mary Jo and I hit the trail.

It was a beautiful day to be outside...

and I couldn't have asked for better riding companions. 

Best Christmas Eve ever?  Maybe!

Post parade

After the conclusion of last weekend's Christmas Carriage Parade, Carol, James and I decided that our day would not be complete until we had actually touched a horse.  The pony ride ponies were busy...

so we drifted across the parking lot to a small cluster of horses and trailers. 

Santa's team was there for the petting... 

along with this nice team of grey Percherons. 

They were friendly... 

so we took turns... 

taking pictures of one another. 

James' face says this is one picture too many. 

Another trailer had three black Percherons tied to it. 

(Never pass up a chance to take reference photos!) 

The blacks were bigger...

and pushier than the greys.

At first James was a little intimidated...

 but not for long!

I enjoyed the post parade horse petting almost as much as the parade itself.  What a fun way to spend a day!

Octavia

Nearly ten years ago, I asked my friend, Heather Downing, to make a show-ring style Arabian costume for my customized Eden resin.  She created a lovely green and brown set, that fit around Eden's gigantic mane and forelock and flattered her dull brown coat.  I loved the costume, but unfortunately, I never really warmed up to Eden herself.  Eventually, I sold her and the costume went into a box.

This was a waste of a perfectly good costume, so earlier this year, I pulled it out and tried it on a few horses.  It looked great on Rune, but I couldn't help but think it was missing something...

 Yep, that's what it needed!

I asked Anne Field to create an over the top Hollywood style Arabian doll and she delivered big time.  This girl has so many neat details--earrings,

rings, 

jeweled boots... the list just goes on and on!

She matches the costume perfectly, both in color and style.

And like all my other Massachusetts dolls, she's a little bit rowdy.

I am so pleased with my old/new Arabian costume.  I can't wait to get this back in the show ring. 

Thank you so much, I may be biased, but I think your eight hundredth doll is your best one yet!

Happy hobbidays

Most of my interactions with other hobbyists happen online.  That's par for the course in this day and age, and not entirely a bad thing for an introvert like myself.  

Still, words on a screen can never replace actual human interaction, so I was really happy to host a little "hobby day" with my friend, Teresa, yesterday.

Teresa brought her brand new Croi Damhsa.   

This was my first time seeing her in person, and I wasn't disappointed.

This is an outstanding sculpture...

filled with detail and personality.

She's a nice big girl, too.  Pony sized, but big pony sized.   

Of course, we tried on some tack.  Snickers' halter is a touch too big...

as is this medium traditional scale BCS saddle. 

Here she is again with an old (2005) traditional scale pony saddle.  Much better!

Teresa also brought some of her sales items... 

Arab Costume by Jennifer Wilson of Jennifer's Imagination - fits PSA, has helped NAN Q'd horses, missing some small decorations, comes with documentation, $150PPD
Shown on Saba, not for sale

including this awesome Native American set. 

Sioux Indian Warrior Costume by Lynda Gillette - fits ISHs, LPs and others of that size. Rider a bit "sticky" in the hip, can be made to ride. Comes with everything shown plus some feathers to put in the mane/tail. Documentation included. $400 PPD
Shown on OOAK Stone ISH - flea bit grey stallion with minor customization. Made in 2012. LSQ, current NAN cards in halter and collectiblity. $200 + postage

Will somebody please buy this so I won't be tempted?

Please contact Teresa (flicksmom@yahoo.com) for more information about her sales items!

 Thanks for playing ponies with me, Teresa.

That was so much more fun than chatting over Facebook!