Butterflies

Every now and then I get an idea in my head, and I just can't rest until I see it to fruition. This is how I ended up making a kaleidoscope of tiny butterflies. 

The wings are paper, and the antennas and legs are made from hardened thread. 

I love them. 

I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with them... 

but I'm sure I'll think of something. 

Okay, that was fun. Now it's back to work!

NaMoPaiMo showcase - Mindy Berg

Twenty eight days is plenty of time to paint a model horse, unless the model horse looks like this.

This is Mindy Berg's 2018 NaMoPaiMo model, Tigara.

She is a customized Eberl Nizara resin.

Mindy started her in February, but wasn't able to get her finished by the February 28 deadline.

I'm sure this comes as a surprise to no one. 

The details on this model are insane!

Tigara is currently being offered for sale on MH$P.

She comes with this rug and presentation set by Dee Crawley.

Congratulations, Mindy. I don't care how long this horse took to paint. She is fantastic and you are a winner!

Wild horse hunting in TRNP, part one

I have always dreamed of photographing mustangs in the wild, so I was excited to discover that the North Dakota leg of our recent road trip would take us near Theodore Roosevelt National Park, which is home to one of this country's best known wild horse populations.

Finding six hundred and fifty mustangs at a fourteen thousand acre wild horse sanctuary is easy.

Finding less than two hundred mustangs in a seventy thousand acre national park is not. I was worried that it might actually be impossible, that we would drive all that way and not see a single horse. Fortunately, that didn't happen. Within half an hour of entering the park,  we spotted a pair of roans on a hillside in the Cottonwood Area.

Can you see them?

I was able to zoom in on them a little, but they were so far away.

"That's better than nothing," I told Carol as we climbed back into the car, "but I really hope we can find some a little closer."

We did!

Just a little further into the park, we crossed paths with a roan stallion who was grazing right next to the road. I was hyperventilating as I took this picture through the car window. He was so close!

He didn't stay that way, however. He moved off warily as soon as I got out of the car.

I really wanted to follow him...

but instead, I let him put some space between us.

That was a good strategy. He stopped almost right away and posed nicely for my camera.

So handsome!

"That was awesome," I told Carol as we said goodbye to the little roan (and his faraway friend). "I can go home happy now."

Little did I know, the best was yet to come!

To be continued.

Finally!

I've always wanted to own a sidesaddle, but like a lot of tack makers, I often find it difficult to make things for myself. Five years ago, I ordered a sidesaddle doll from my friend, Anne Field.

"Now I'll have to make myself a saddle," I thought.

It didn't work.

The doll found her way into a lot of photo shoots...

this one still cracks me up... 

but I never got around to making myself a saddle...

Until now!

Actually, I made two. One will be sold at BreyerFest, but the other is here to stay. 

Woo hoo! 

I am so glad to have that checked off my list. One personal project down, nine hundred and ninety nine to go!

Preaknesssssssss!

That looked really hard, but it got the job done.

Congratulations again, Justify, and good luck in New York!

Pictures from today's ride

It's been a stressful week at the Buxton house. Ryan and James have each had four AP tests this week. Seth has work problems, Emma has health problems and I am working on a harness that just might kill me.

Oh, yeah. We're also down a car.

I had a little bit of a meltdown last night, so I decided a visit to the therapist was in order. 

Santana came out of the field a little bit stiff and creaky, so we started out up top. 

He warmed up nicely, however, and we were able to drop down into the trees for the ride home. 

It was absolutely glorious along the river bottom. 

So green... 

and so much water! 

Thank you, Dr. Santana. I feel a million times better and am once again ready to tackle all of my family's problems.

NaMoPaiMo in the showring

Across the globe, NaMoPaiMo horses are finding success inside the live show ring. Here's a quick round up of some of their most notable triumphs 

Our journey begins with Ondřej Moučka in the Czech Republic. He writes‎: My NaMoPaiMo pony debuted in the annual Moravia Live Show hosted by Pavla Pernicová, and she just slayed the competition! She won Appaloosa pattern and then became Colour Champion and later won CM Stablemates and 3rd place in all Breyer CM. So happy and proud of her. 

In England, Natalie Nimblette's Wrona had a similarly successful show ring debut. Natalie says: It was my NaMoPaiMo's first outing into the show ring yesterday and she came home with Supreme Champion!!! Very proud of my cheeky little fuzzball. 

Kim Brandner's unicorn was also a first time winner, placing first in the Fantasy class at at Liveshow Franken Pfeffi in Germany.

A bit closer to home, Lynn Cassels-Caldwell's 2017 NaMoPaiMo horse, Fadjeyn, won Reserve Champion Novice Performance at Toronta Live. Fadjeyn is now owned by Catherine Scholz. He is shown in a presentation set was by Dee Crawley. 

Neena Bickram also showed at Toronto Live and shared her "tried-and-true formula for winning a championship ribbon: forget to bring your camera." Fortunately, Andrea Brydigyr was there to snap the victory photo.

Twyla Wehnes' Spring Round Up Live in Alberta, Canada included an “I Did It Myself” fun class at lunch. Meredith Conrad showed her 2017 NaMoPaiMo horse, and he won thisa wesome little sculpting/painting box donated by Rayvin Maddock. Meredith writes: I’m super happy about my NaMoPaiMo pony giving me more reasons to customize!

Tammy Turner's 2018 NaMoPaiMo model, Ke Kani, also won an art kit in the "I Did It Myself" class. Additionally, he placed second in Other Breeds and second in Fantasy Colour!

Canadian Beth Peart crossed the border to show her 2018 NaMoPaiMo horse, Kelven, at the Finger Lakes Spring Fling Hammondsport, New York. He made the trip worthwhile with this big win the Light Horse Division.

On to the US horses! Ryan Jaeger's 2018 horse won its breed class at SoCal Live...

Celsie Abelt's Bonnie Lass made her debut today at River City Classic.

Kate Springer's tiny bay was a super star at  his first show. She writes: My official horse made his debut today, and he did great!! He got first in color workmanship and design workmanship. So happy with how he did and how far I have come as a painter.

Emily Gillis' zebra, Ophelia, did almost as well, with a first and second at the same show.

In Arizona, Pam Vigo's Annabelle won a good ribbon in the Fantasy class.

Also at AZ Live, Marilyn Jensen's zonkey foal was named Champion of the Custom Glaze China.

Ruth Sheridan's Seven was Reserve Champion Custom at NW Expo in Oregon...

and Renee Jordan and Beatha Sellman showed in the NaMoPaiMo class at Lemmonade Live in Montgomery, Texas.

Stacy Quick and Shana Bobbitt both showed at Jolts Jubilee in Kamiah, Idaho over the weekend. Stacy's 2018 horse won a red ribbon...

and Shana's 2017 horse was awarded Overall Champion Custom Mini.

Last but certainly not least, Sondra Householder's 2018 horse, Pluto Evasia, received a second place and her first ever pink NAN card at Dream Acres Live in Parkersburg, Iowa.

Sondra made the horse's costume out of a mouse skin she tanned herself. Amazing work, Sondra! 

Congratulations, Ondřej, Natalie, Kim, Lynn, Neena, Meredith, Tammy, Beth, Ryan, Celsie, Kate, Emily, Pam, Marilyn, Ruth, Renee, Beatha, Stacy, Shana and Sondra. You are all winners!