Fun with Blankets and Collars

I quite enjoy sewing, even if I'm not especially good at it. So, when I found some of my old slippers that had worn through the soles and weren't wearable anymore, instead of throwing them away I saw an opportunity to turn the fabric into blankets for some of my model horses.

 When I say 'blankets', I really mean simple slips of fabric that can be slid over the model's head and rest unsecured on their backs. I'm not going for realism here: the main objective was really just to make something that would help to protect the models from rubbing against each other on my shelves. I don't have the skill or materials to make anything like a real horse blanket.

 The fleecy material was surprisingly forgiving, so the end results don't look too bad, in my opinion. I added the black bow on the adult rug for decoration. 

 With leftover material I then fashioned into a couple of foal rugs for Tobi and Tawny. Again, they just slip on over their heads to protect the babies from knocks and bumps.

 I'll have to get some more fabric if I want to make any more blankets in future, but these simple, easy rugs were fun to craft.

 Not to be left out, Kep and Dylan then asked for some accessories too.

 Kep got a bandanna, or half a bandanna at least. I started off trying to make a proper bandanna with a square of cloth, and then folding it diagonally to make the triangle and two tying ends.

But it was way too much material, so I cut it in half and sewed up the loose hem. Even then it needed reducing down so that the two ends would tie properly around his neck.

 

It's not the best, and if I ever try again I'll see if I can make the stitches less visible. But for now I like it, and it seems to suit him. At least Kep is happy with it.

 Dylan wanted a collar, so I fished out an old hairband, measured it around his neck and then cut it to size with some extra for fastening. I was quite pleased with the appearance of the hairband fabric for a dog collar. I then tried to add a little metal buckle, but since I still haven't got any fabric glue I had to try and attach it with a needle and thread.

After much fruitless effort, and a lot of frustration, I eventually gave up. The hairband fabric just wouldn't pass cleanly through the miniature buckle. So instead, Dylan got his collar sewn together and the excess trimmed off. It's too small to be removed now, but if I ever wanted it off  I'd just need a pair of scissors. It looks passable, at least, but again, I may try once more in the future.

Back in the Saddle

I'm sorry it's been so long since I last posted. I hadn't intended to be away for so long, so I really appreciate everyone's patience. Hopefully, I can get back to regular posts now.

To jump back into the saddle (so to speak) I'd like to introduce you to some of my latest boys and girls.

 This is Kendal Valley Dawn, or Kendal for short. She's one of the new individual Stablemates for 2015, and aside from the fact that she's a glorious chestnut mare, I was attracted to her because she reminds me of a Hackney Horse. A very old and rare British breed, Hackneys are prized for their stamina and naturally high-stepping trot. I'm holding out hope that Copperfox Model Horses will eventually produce a Hackney model (without a docked tail, please!!!), but for now I'll just have to make do with this lovely girl. (Ok, Ok, I know the ribbons, high set tail and short-ish body don't quite fit the Hackney breed standards, but this is all I've got right now)

 Interestingly, it was only when I'd bought her that I realised Kendal is virtually identical to a Stablemate foal I have from the Stablemates 5 Piece Fun Foals Gift Collection, so it was only natural to pair them up as mother and daughter :)

 Speaking of foals, I just couldn't resist getting these 2 Classic lovelies. Sold together as the Colorful Foals giftset, the flaxen chestnut Warmblood Foal is a filly, and the stunning bay tobiano Haflinger Foal is a gelded colt. If their colours had been the other way round the colt would have been an ideal baby for Gypsy, my Classic Haflinger mare, but then I don't think I would have been as drawn to him as I am.

 The filly is lovely. I really like this mould, and her shading is superb. I've given her my buckskin roan mare, Mothwing, as a mother, more through availability than anything else, so I've named the foal Tawny Moth, or Tawny for short.

The colt is just stunning. I love the combination of dark bay coat with minimal tobiano white markings, and again he has brilliant shading. As of this post he doesn't have parents in my herd, but I'm beginning to think the new 2016 Horse of the Year Harper could make a nice mother for him... (with an unknown pony/cob father, considering his conformation). As for names, I like to link a foal's name to it's parents, so for now he's just known as Tobiano, or Tobi for short.

And last but not least, another foal joins my herd, this time in the Traditional Stable. She's from the 2008 Mare and Foal Color Crazy Treasure Hunt Event, and originally came with a dapple grey National Show Horse mother. Since I got this filly second hand she didn't come with her original dam unfortunately, so I've paired her up instead with one of my Morgan Marabella mares.

For now, the filly is going by the name 'Flame', but I'm not sure it really suits her. I'm also not satisfied with her mother's name, so eventually I'll have to get around to choosing something more fitting for both of them. At least baby has a mama again, though I'm not really sure which of my stallions to assign as her father.

That's all for now. I've got plenty of topics lined up for up-coming posts, so hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the next one :)

Copperfox 10 Day Challenge - Day 3: Model Horse

Day 3:  Be a Model Horse 

Imagine yourself as a model horse. What colour would you be? What mould would you be created on? What scale?

Day 3 of the Copperfox 10 Day Challenge, and I'm back on track. 

This challenge really interested me. A while back, when I was filling out an application form for a job in a big branded pet shop, one of the questions on the form asked:

"If you were any kind of animal, what would you be and why?"

It was clear that they wanted applicants to show their understanding of animals, but it got me thinking. It was such a unique question, and I put a lot of thought into my answer. Today's challenge feels like the same sort of idea.

First, a little about me. I'm short, with long brown hair and hazel eyes. When it comes to personality, I'm quiet, almost painfully shy and a total perfectionist. On the Myers-Briggs Test, I'm a INFJ (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) person (and if you've never taken a Myers-Briggs personality test, I highly encourage you to. The results are fascinating, and so insightful! There are a ton of free tests out there, so find one you like.).

So, how does any of that translate into equine form? Well, since I have pale skin, brown hair and hazel eyes, I should probably be an amber champagne colour, but to be honest I don't think I'm unique or flashy enough to be a champagne horse. My shy nature means I'd much rather blend into the background and go unnoticed, and since I'm naturally brunette one colour comes to mind: liver chestnut.

Right, so what mould and what scale? Since I'm a small person I think a small horse or light pony breed with a long mane/tail would be best. I'm quiet and reserved, so nothing in a fancy canter or jumping pose. And maybe something in a Stablemate/Paddock Pal scale?

 Yeah, ok, she's a bigger scale than I suggested, but in pretty much every other category Sara Moniet ticks each box. She's small for a Traditional, has long brown hair, and is sculpted in a quiet walking pose.

 With her head down and her eyes on the ground she looks shy, like she's desperately trying to avoid making eye contact so no one comes over and talks to her. Conformationally, she's a bit awkward (like me :) ), with a weird shoulder and legs that are too thick, but she's still attractive in her own way. And she's lifting her hind leg very carefully, as though she's being ultra precise over exactly where she places every hoof.

 Her liver chestnut coat is very simple and plain, without a single white hair to draw attention to her. You'd probably notice her more for her extra long mane and tail than anything else. And her eyes have a kind but nervous look to them, as though she's not really sure if what she's doing is correct.

So yeah, if I was a model horse, I'd probably look an awful lot like Sara Moniet here. I knew there had to be a reason I like her so much :)

Oh, and by the way, in case you were wondering,the animal I put down that I think I'm the most like is a chocolate labrador!