NAN & Breyerfest 2014 come and gone

Yup another year has come and gone for NAN and Breyerfest. Yet again, I had to stay home. I know there are several people who like me either can't go or don't have the funds. Thankfully I was able to save some of the photos of auction pieces for BF(short for Breyerfest). I give credit to who took the photo's and I am NOT using them to make any money. I am just showing the models that I personally like(but will never own). I know I could customize OF models to look like the OOAK's with differences.

Now this TWH is sweet. I personally can do this pattern in Pastels. Or even in Oils. I will have to see if I can find a "Body" in that mold. If not, I will just buy an OF one and customize it.

Now this one is captivating. I love the coloration. The cheetah markings make it that more desirable cause I love the big cat Cheetahs. They have always been my favorite of the big cats Plus I love this mold. I think I may just have Karen Dietrich cm one for me.

Totilas in palomino? Oh yea!!! I know I can get one customized. I will have to get a few bodies. I have a few ideas of what colors for this mold

Another desirable model, Yea, I love Arabians and this girl is delish. The only downside to this girl is her mane. Easy to customize, but a real brat if you are just going to repaint cause you HAVE to get up under the mane. It is NOT molded to the neck. 

 The Ruffian mold is getting pretty popular among the "Specials". I adore this mold and have several that are cm'd. I do have almost all the OF's. There are like 2 or 3 that I don't have but need to pursue to add to my ever growing conga. .

Model TWH vs Real TWH..............oh the debate is heated

Let me tell you right off that I absolutely LOVE Breyer's TWH model. Yes that model is in the "Big Lick" rack, but I don't rightfully care. I see beauty of the motion. NOT the abuse that several people claim it represents. I thought that this hobby judged models based on conformation,structure and breed representation? Not the position in which it is in. For those who don't know what a "Big Lick" look like, here is a model.

 This model is original finish and from some hobbiest claim, it represents the "Soreing" that goes on in the real world. 
Yes I know that soreing goes on, but why claim that this beauty represents it? I don't see sores on the ankles or chains. So now, some of those are saying that if they see this beauty of a model in the show ring, they would DQ it. Why do that when you are intimidating people to destroy their models? I personally love the mold and I won't be afraid to show it in either Halter or Performance. It is a MODEL HORSE!!! Not a living breathing animal. Geesh

Another "Eye Twitch" costume in progress

Good morning!! Well the 4th of July was well for us and we were able to get out of town. Very relaxing. Anyway. I am currently working on another "Eye Twitch" costume. Yea, I know, I know. I am so killing my eye site. Hey can't help it, I love doing those tiny costumes. I only have 2 photo's of it, but will have more as I continue to work on it.

 As you can see, I do have a lot of it done. Still have to attach the girth which the owner can use sticky wax to make it stay put. Have to add tassels to the drapes. If your wondering if there will be any gold tassels.....................NOPE!!! I don't really like to work with gold thread cause it don't like to cooperate with me. I have learned that lesson quite well. Yes this costume will be for sale upon completion. Don't worry, I will post photo's of it when I am done.

I am so secretive. *evil laugh*

While working on both Anita's and Allison's costumes, I was secretly working on another costume. Yea I know, I am so evil. Heck people didn't even know about until I said something about it. LOL! I only let 1 clue out..............the cinch. I had some guess right off that it was another costume, but they just couldn't guess the color. Now that was great. Here is photo's from start to finish. Oh yes it is for sale.

 Here is the cinch, the only clue I gave when I started the costume. Yup, it is adjustable. Here it wasn't quite finished. I added another "Secure" around the buckles strap so it wouldn't fall off. I did smooth out the nubbies on the buckles though.

 Here is a not so great photo of the bridle in the first stages. Have you figured out the colors? LOL yea, you guessed it! Black/gold. 

 Here is the saddle. I used the saddle from Rio Rondo(I have several of them) and covered it in 2 layers of black material. 1 layer of material, you can see the saddle's coloration. I enjoy working with this saddle form cause it is easy to alter. 

 Here is the stirrups. Yes they are covered, but it so works with the costume. and yes they too are adjustable. If your wondering about the tiny clothes pin, Yes I do use them to hold parts together as they dry. They are also good for holding thread as I braid them for bridles, breast collars etc. They save my sanity.

 And here is the drape before I attached the tassels and cinch. This one in particular was the second drape I made. the first one just wasn't looking like I wanted. So I scraped it and did another one. This one was so so much better. Everything was measured out perfectly.

 Here is the head drape. As you can see, it too is adjustable on both sides. It really complements the bridle.

These 2 photo's show the drape after I attached it. Yes I did make this bridle a double cause I wanted 2 reins. Plus if you search on google, you will see that a lot of real horse owners are using a double bridle. Oh if your wondering, yes the nose band is adjustable. I didn't adjust it for the photo's. So that is why it is far down the nose.

 Now if your wondering about the tassel placement, here is a homemade template that I use. I have several of them for different costumes. In fact, I have so many different styles, I don't think I will ever have time to finish them all. At least not in this life time. 

Here you see the tassels after I have attached them to the drape. OMG!! I realized that I absolutely HATE working with gold thread. Making the tassel part wasn't so bad, it is getting it to accept the glue is what is a real brat. 3 hours of drying time. UGH!!!

 Here is the drape with all tassels attached. Total drying time: 35.5 hours. In those hours, I was working on 2 other costumes(Anita's and Allison's) It looks pretty good if I do say so myself.

 And here is what the costume looks like after I have attached the saddle/stirrups and the cinch. SWEET!!! Yes the stirrups are adjustable.

AND NOW THE COSTUME IN IT'S ENTIRETY!!!

  As you can see from these photo's, it is an awesome costume. Now isn't it an awesome one??
I will be buying more "Other" color Arabians to see what colors this costume will look good on. Plus if it don't sell BEFORE September 14th, I will be taking it to High Country Live to show it and to Model Horse Expo. in October. 

Anita's costume is DONE!!!

Yup you read right. I did finish it and it is now in her hands. I had a joy refurbishing it. Here are pictures of it.

 Here is what the saddle looks like after being fixed. Plus I put new stirrups on it. Yes they are fully adjustable. So if Anita has a "Child" type rider, she will be able to adjust the stirrups to the length of the riders legs.

Here is the new stirrups. Yes those are covers on them. I used english stirrups from Rio Rondo. 

The 3 photo's here are of the new breast collar. From previous posts, you can see WHY she needed a new one. 

Here is the new bridle. It is fully adjustable on both sides so Anita can put it on other models that are not so "Bridle friendly". I know these 2 photo's are not the greatest, but at least I am showing the work I did. LOL 

 Let's go down memory lane here................What the costume looked like when I received it.......................

 
And here it is completely finished and waiting to be shown.