Just wanted to share a few pictures of a set I wrapped up a few weeks ago. This is the classic scale Egyptian Dancing Horse costume I made for Iaret by Morgen Kilbourn. The set has been sold and is in its new home already, waiting to make its debut this show season! I won't bore you with any more text, here are the pics!

Posh Pony Pockets!

Recently my mom was out of work, and while she was not working, I asked if she would make me some pouches to put my models in for transportation to shows. I was tired of miles and miles of bubble wrap, and not having enough, or worse, having too much at the end of packing up each time. When I do get to go to a show, I want to spend my time looking at other models, talking with friends or actually showing -- not fighting with the bubble wrap Kraken that spills out of my totes and onto the floor under the table.

I also asked her to please make the pouches a little more fashionable than the ones I already had (What can I say, I like cute/trendy colors and patterns!), and to make them nice and plush to keep my models safe. To keep a long story short, she delivered, in a big way! She made me a batch for my collection and when I saw the results I asked her to make some more to see if the rest of the collecting world would be as impressed as I have been with them.

So today I am putting up a few for sale, to see what you guys think, and to get them out there to get some reviews. I have a good array of sizes here, and she is willing to take on custom sizes as well if these sell and are well received.

The ad can be viewed here: http://www.modelhorsesalespages.com/sales/view_details.asp?path=Gallery&id=823574

Each pouch is lined in high quality white micro-fleece and all edges/seams are serged and sewn to avoid fraying. Closures on some of them are Velcro, while others tie with ribbon. Each picture makes it clear what kind of closure is featured, no worries. The outer fabric is cotton quilting fabric, and they are cushioned with premium, high-loft quilt batting between the fleece and cotton layers. Some of the initial batch will feature a plastic sleeve to put the model's name in; she can add them to orders in the future if desired for no additional cost.

Custom orders will depend on the amount of time she has in the near future; she wished for, and received a new job for Christmas (yay!), so she is spending a lot of her free time learning the ropes instead of slaving away for the model horse hobby. ;0) If you need special sizes, please drop me a line and we can see what we can work out.

Fun With Feathers

Get your dirty minds out of the gutters peeps,
the feathers are for the horses! :0)

Just thought I'd share. It's been so long since I've been productive, so this is kind of crazy to have two posts within a week, but hey, I'll take it! I found something similar to these for real horses and thought I'd take a stab at it and see what happens. Turns out, it went quite well.
The set is listed on MHSP for sale if anyone is interested! http://www.modelhorsesalespages.com/sales/view_details.asp?path=Gallery&id=818432
Gotta study a bit

New Tack, Yep, you heard it right!

I don't have too much time to go into great detail this evening, homework is calling, but I did want to post a few pics to update what I've been up to lately.

First is a set I started last April when I should have been typing an essay outline for one of my education classes. . .and I have been really inspired to work on it now that I should be working on an essay for another class. Hmmm. Funny how that works!









The set is made to fit Iaret by Morgen Kilbourn (I believe you can still purchase her here http://www.artbymorgen.com She's absolutely to die for, so detailed and spunky!) and is the first of these in this size range. Classic scale is not much smaller than traditional to the eyes, but man, the hands disagree! Working with lace this small is tough, thinning it down takes more patience than I think I have some days.
The set is fully functional, as are all of my sets, with working slip buckles and tongue buckles where it wouldn't be more of a difficulty than a benefit.
I'm totally in love with the tiny little star on the noseband, it just completes the look!












And next, I decided to branch out a bit with dancing horse costumes after finding some examples of two toned sets online in my quest for more reference pictures. I used an inlaying technique that required some deft maneuvering of the old exacto, but the results speak for themselves. The red pieces fit like perfect little puzzle pieces into the black suede, so there is no added bulk from layering, and you get a more realistic appearance in the end.


It still needs tassels on the off side and the collar, and the girth/bridle/halter and tie down need to be made, but those are not too bad time wise. This set will be up for sale soon, and should be completed before Christmas. The bit and stirrups are on order, so as soon as they arrive I'll be in business! I'm planning on completing it to fit Reno and some of the larger sized Arabians, so if you're interested, let me know.



If anyone has any questions, be sure to drop me a line. Thanks for reading, and I will do my best to not be such a stranger from here on out, but I can't promise much with school still underway. Thanks again!

*pokes head out from under homework*

I really don't have anything model related to say, just wanted to let everyone know that I am still technically in the hobby, just taking a bit of a break until the summer. I am enrolled full time in school, pursuing a Secondary Education degree, I have 14 credits this semester, plus my home, kids, dogs, cats, fish etc. to still look out for, so I am one busy mama. I will post here when I have anything exciting to post, but for now my days are spent writing, revising and editing essays, doing lots of other homework, and a 'field experience' thing at the local high school.

I now know why energy drinks were invented, lol.

If anyone needs anything from me, my email addy has not changed, it just may take me a few days to get back to you is all. I have a few ads running on MHSP too, they can link you to me through the ad inquiry button.
Thanks for the continued support!

Still alive!

I'm still here and kickin, just busy as all get out! I got the girls back to school today, though I've been back for two weeks already, so yeah, fun. I am working on very few projects right now, trying to adjust to being a mom and a student, working on my terrible time managing skills. :o) If anyone needs to contact me for any reason, please use my e-mail mrsmelissage (at) msn (dot) com Thanks so much for your support!

NAN wins to report!

Woot! Ok, sorry...lol, but I am so excited! Last weekend was NAN as I am sure you guys know, and it went rather well! I was able to get a top 10 in CM Saddleseat on Friday with my Knightly Cadence resin, ( painted by myself) in his Jennifer Buxton tack, he looked great!

I left kind of early on Friday, but Saturday I was there for most of the show, and took home some more pretty ribbons...and TWO Championships! Woot!

I was thrilled to hear my name come up for the top 10 in the Arabian Costume class, and almost hit the floor when I heard My horse's name as the Champion of the class! The set (red EDH set) he was wearing was finished in Portland on Thursday at my Dad's kitchen table, I am so glad I got it done in time. The other set (black and gold costume) I had entered in the class placed on two judge's cards, so I must be doing something right, the class was HUGE!

I floated around for a while, so happy with my results so far, then put my Dressage entry up later in the afternoon. I was so happy again to have my name called for the top ten, and, wonder of wonders I was eventually called for Champion again! The spectacular dressage set was made by Jennifer Buxton as well, her blog can be found here: http://braymere.blogspot.com/ The props were by me, though the heat on the drive back killed my rail, arrrgh. I need to put it back together this week so I can get some better win pictures. :0)

Towards the end of the day, without performance showing and sticky wax on my mind, I was able to take pictures of a few of the AR halter classes, including one that I had my final piece of the day entered in. The AR Paint class was chock full of eye candy, so much that I had myself all packed up ready to leave when it was called, not expecting to place, and then I heard my name again! I couldn't believe it, the Matriarch I painted had made it into the top 10! I was so shocked I didn't even have my camera with me so I had to hustle back to my table to get it so I could snap a pic of my girl winning her pretty purple ribbon! So far, in the three shows she has been to, she has placed second, first plus a Reserve champ of stock breeds, and has taken a top 10 at the biggest show of them all... so far so good! She even got to wear her little stock halter that I made special for her to match her blue eye, OK, I'm a dork, but it looks nice on her, lol. (the head shot shows her coloring way better then I was able to swing at the show)

Overall I am so happy and proud, and glad I was able to go. I hope I will get to attend the Kentucky NAN next year, it was so much fun, and I met so many nice people whom I had only known from the internet, it was great. (*waves to Angela, Lauren, Erin and Wendy*)The link for the entire album is below, there are 370 or so pictures, and I got most of the performance entries I was present (or not running around like a headless chicken while they were on the table) for, and a few classes like AR appaloosa, Paint and some of the Mustangs too. Enjoy, and have a great week!

http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n74/sagecreations/NAN%202009%20Portland/

Posting Two Costumes for sale today...

Just a quick post, as I need to (try to ) get to bed at a better hour tonight, but I am posting two sets for sale this evening! I will be able to ship as soon as I return from NAN, postage is included in the prices, and I accept time payments gladly! :0)

The first is the Black and Gold Hollywood/Showring style set, its ad can be found here: http://modelhorsesalespages.com/sales/view_details.asp?id=699049

And the second is the Turquoise and Black set, it can be found here:

http://modelhorsesalespages.com/sales/view_details.asp?path=Gallery&id=699155

Thanks so much! Goodnight!

Show report!

A few weeks late, but better than never, right?

I went to Sarah Tregay's Appy Country Live show in Boise a few weeks ago (the 4th), and it was great! Sarah runs a tight ship, we did performance and OF and CM (mini and trad. ) halter in ONE day! Whew! The class lists were condensed a bit, but still varied enough to let me show lots of ponehs and tack.

I am pleased to announce that my Mindy resin, painted by myself, took another championship home, this time an Overall Grand Championship of CM mini, she's on a roll! I am so proud of that little gal, she has so many subtle details that are hard to capture on the camera properly, I am so glad she's doing so well. She'll be off to NAN for sure, with or without me, lol. My matriarch resin did very well at this show also, winning second in her paint class and reserve champ of stock breeds too! She is painted by myself, and is featured (and more properly photographed) in another blog post around here somewhere!

I also got the chance to experiment a bit in Dressage, using the new doll (and horse) from the Elegance Dressage set, she is really easy to pose, and she actually stays where you put her! I'd like some flexion in her heels, but overall she sits nicely and her clothes are pretty nice too! Not sure if I will use her at NAN, I'll be enough of a wreck already, but I may. My English entries both took first in their classes, in their amazing Jennifer Buxton tack, with my dressage entry placing as Champion of English perf., and my English pleasure (Saddleseat) entry taking Reserve Champion, on its debut showing! The Knightly Cadence is finished by myself as well.

As far as my work goes, I was not able to pull my Arabian costume entries together well enough to place over third in that class, we got lost on our way to the show hall (only about 10 minutes out from home too, grr.) as hubby tried an 'alternate route' so I arrived with about 5 minutes to unpack and get my English pleasure entry as well as the two costumes up, I was a wreck!

I did do well with my green EDH costume once more though, it took a first place in Other perf. and a Championship of Other performance as well, so yay!

One of the greatest things about the day, is, that Sarah was also running a youth show during our show, so I brought my two (very sleepy, lol) kiddos along with some of their horses, they had a great time and did really well too! My littlest one showed mostly her schleich horses that she plays with, but Madison, my oldest has a pretty nice show string for a 9 year old. She won a few division championships along with winning the overall reserve Champ, after that I'd say she's hooked! (the shot on the top is of the models of hers that went to final callbacks) So here's to spreading the hobby to our younger generation, it's such a great thing to be able to show together with my girls, we had a ball.

I'll be back with some goodies to share next week!

"Look mom, my butt fits!"

The last one for a few days, I promise, mostly because I have company coming in the next few days and I probably ought to tend to my house a little... :0D

The red dancing horse saddle is done (save the lining), and the girth, bridle and collar still need attention, but I should have them wrapped in another week or two, and I still owe you guys some pics of the other native set in progress, hopefully by the weekend I'll have those!

The main purpose of tonight's pictures is to illustrate how important fit is in the model saddle. I can't even begin to count the teensy weensy little seats I have seen on costume after costume, and it really makes me wonder what happens when the buyer gets a really cool doll for their set, only to find the seat is built for a person roughly little bit size!

That reason is why I keep my trusty doll "Ron" (who has a very strong resemblance to my little brother...hence the name, lol) handy, to test out my seats before they even begin to get covered in fabric (or suede as it is in this example), just a little added touch that I hope helps the buyer have more flexibility when showing my work...with the added bonus that it adds to the realism as well.

Oh, and please excuse Ron's lack of shirt, I am working on making an actual robe for him, like the guys at the Egyptian event wear to show their horses, wish me luck, I *hate* the sewing machine, almost as much as it hates me I'm sure!

I'll try to post pics this weekend of the other set in progress...if I get time!

Picture update...

Just a quickie to clear up any confusion on the saddle seat of the red costume! It is red, not red and white, though I will be trying a red and green two toned set soon, so stay tuned... :0)

I'm also sneaking in a *little* something, just to see how far I can take it...my eyes are hating me already!

Working working working!

I figure with spring trying to pop it's head out up here in Idaho, I had better get a few things started and hopefully done, so I have some new stuff for NAN, or I just might not have time, (or energy) and that would be bad.

So anyway, here's the latest set on my desk, it's a Red Dancing horse set, and it's much further along than this pic, taken a few days ago, it's turning out really nice, so nice I don't really want to part ways wth it, lol. The pieces are just kind of laid on each other in the pic, nothing had been glued as of yet! It will have a row of tiny tassels along the drape edge, and the collar will have a double row, and I think I will go ahead and do the tie down for this one too, as it adds a bit more realism, and three more buckles, but who's counting? ;0)

I am also still working on the hand embroidered native costume, as well as one more native style set, made with a mini rug though for sanity's sake. I'll try and get snaps of the rug based set in a few days! Off for bed, I'm wiped today for some reason!

More EDH pictures

This was a sneak peek a few weeks ago, just wanted to share the full picture album with you guys! I went a little further than normal for this set, I added a tie down to it, which is often seen in Dancing Horse exhibitions to keep them from tossing their heads too much (which they probably do because of all the dangly things in their nostrils, lol) And the result is pretty cool! It makes the buckle total hit 19, which is crazy, but worth it for that added adjustability!

Well, that's it for me. :0) I need to get to bed!