More bows

I have a very distinct memory of preparing for the 2019 CandyLand Live PINK! class. I had tacked up my models - all sixteen of them - and decided that they needed more bows.

So I got in the car, drove to JoAnn Fabrics and bought eighty pre-tied pink bows.

I turned them into neck sashes and tail decorations.

It was glorious.

One of this weekend's projects has been preparing a Halloween costume for Olive. Not this one,

but the big girl herself.

I bought a premade set from Chick's.

Aside from the leg wraps, which are simultaneously too big and too small for Olive, it's fine.

However - like my PINK! entry - it definitely needs more bows. A couple days ago, I got in the car and drove back to JoAnn.

This time I took Piper.

Bonus picture because she's cute.

They didn't have any pre-tied orange bows, so I bought some orange ribbon. I realized I didn't actually know how to make that into bows, so this morning, I spent some time watching videos on YouTube.

Tada!

The barn's Fall Potuck and Costume Party happens later on today. I don't expect to win any gummy bears this time around, but I can't wait to see Olive all decked out in bows!

The candy plan, part five

About a month ago, I started making plans for the themed performance division at.Heather Malone's upcoming CandyLand Live show.

I started out strong, but then, time - and circumstances - got away from me.

Some of the distractions were fun.

Others were necessary.

Mainly, though, there's been a lot of problems in California. My mom is back in the hospital, and although we have been advised that our presence is not needed right now, I've been living on pins and needles, trying to make important decisions from one thousand miles away and waiting for the phone call that will upend my life.

Also, I got unreasonably discouraged when the hotdog costume wouldn't fit model Olive. 

About a week later, I realized I hadn't actually put a saddle on her yet. What if I my entire plan was built around a model that couldn't be tacked up properly? Fearing the worst, I went downstairs to the hobby area in my basement, located my precious pink and brown Corbett saddle and placed it carefully on Olive's back. To my great relief, it was fine. 

English is harder because of the forward angle of the flaps, but that was okay, too. Praise be. There's still a chance.

The show is one month away. I work a much lighter schedule this week, but there are still  distractions and the situation in California is ever present. This might happen, but also, it might not. Only time will tell.

Sweet sixteen

If this blog was a person, she'd be getting her driver's license today.

Sixteen years. I do not know how it happened.

In the past, I've also wondered why it happened.

Why do I keep at it, day after day, 

month after month, 

year after year? 

Normal people do not do this. Why am I like this?

This year is different. 

Instead of asking why, I am leaning into it. For whatever reason, this is working for me. I have found my community, and truly, that community is the reason I am still writing this blog sixteen years later. It doesn't matter whether or not we've met in person. You cheer for me when life is good and hold me up when times are hard. This year, you literally helped me save my horse's life. 

And you never, ever, ever get tired of hearing me talk about horses.

I write this blog for you, for me, for us. Thank you.

Mule train

The turtles weren't the only kiln reveal last weekend. 

Almost the first thing we did when we arrived at Karen's house was crowd into the garage to watch her open "Fido".

Inside we found the first firing of her new porcelain mule medallion.

Despite her worries, they were perfect.

Up in her studio, Karen had prepared a display showing all the stages between her original clay sculpture and these fired medallions.

photo by Heather Malone

Here's a better look at the original sculpture.

She created a silicone mold...

and used that to make some resin copies.

In turn, the resin medallion was used to create a plaster mold, from which these porcelain medallions were created. 

Here's a side by side comparison of the resin and china medallions. Shrinkage is real!

And here's a look at those same porcelain medallions with a little bit of paint. Karen says: These are so fun and quick to paint! One more pass through the kiln to even out the gloss finish for the first two. The grey guy needs a bit more shading. 

Ongoing thanks to Karen for sharing so much of her time, talent and know how with us on Saturday. I love seeing how things are made, and I also love these mules. They will be for sale during the Christmas on Mane Street virtual shopping event in December. Here's hoping for fast fingers and an even faster internet connection!

The O-files

Yesterday, my friend and fellow blogger, Lynn Isenbarger wrote a beautiful post about photo storage and saying goodbye (again) to her heart horse, Abby.

I use a similar system for organizing my photos, so yesterday, I was also creating folders, including this one for barn pictures.

Already that folder is populated with images of Olive.

It's been almost four months since Olive's surgery. 

She is a healthy, happy horse with no outward signs of her ordeal.

Sometimes I can almost forget how close I came to losing her.

Almost.

The truth is, I know how close that was.

I know how lucky I am.

I am so grateful, not just for this horse, but for each and every new picture I put in her file.

Even this one.

Thank you for the reminder, Lynn. As always, love to you and Abby.

The big reveal

Painting with decorative china glazes requires a lot of imagination. The colors you put on your sculpture have very little to do with the colors that come out of the kiln. After finishing our turtles, we could not wait to see them fired.

Happily, Karen didn't make us wait long. Less than twenty four hours after the party, she sent us this reveal video.

This is the finished line-up with each painter's initials. Aren't they amazing?

Another view.

Just for fun, here's a before and after of Vicky's turtle. You can really see the effect of those chunky bits!

Finally, here are our bonus pumpkins and acorns.

Thank you again, Karen. This was such a fun day. I can't wait to see my turtle in person, and to see everyone's turtles on the table at CandyLand Live!