Pay It Forward

One of my favorite websites is Model Horse Blab. I've done various gift swaps with them and I've always loved giving and receiving! :) However, the one thing I haven't done is the Pay It Forward. It's a monthly thing where you post a wishlist and if you get lucky, you might receive some stuff in the mail! I have plans to ship some things when I have a bit more cash. I didn't expect to receive anything, though...

!!!

I got lots of great performance goodies from Fastapp! Unfortunately, I didn't have a ton of time to take photos, so they aren't all the best.

First I got this awesome cross stitch saddle pad! <3

There's also a kind of matching woven cinch!

Next, I unwrapped a lasso made of waxed thread! Because it is waxed, it's posable. 

It has so much detail, and all the little knots are awesome!

There's also this breastplate. I think it is an English one, but I'm not quite sure. It's great though! :D

One of my favorite items was this english pad!

The quilting and scale is the best.

Lastly, I got a red cinch that matches my red western pad I made. 

*Correction, I also got an awesome running martingale that I forgot to take a picture of.

Again, thank you so much! This made my Monday much more bearable!!

Some Random Photography Tips

I was really inspired by a recent (real) horse show I watched to take some more photos and thought I'd share some of my tips. Posts like this really helped me when I first got started and I want to pass that on!

Obviously, this isn't the only way to take photos and everyone takes them differently, so develop your own style. This is the way I like to edit and take my photos.

Today was the first time I set up an indoor arena diorama. First I tried it inside, but even with editing it pretty heavily changes I wasn't happy with it.

It just seemed a bit too dark to me.

So I moved the whole setup outside!

It's a really simple thing, just a lid with some Brookstone Sand and scrapbook paper as a background.

One note on the sand; make sure it's not smooth! Unleash your inner six-year-old and 'gallop' a horse around in different directions to create a nice effect. This makes it look like the arena has been used.

Anyway, I think moving the whole thing outside was a good idea. It's still not perfect but I think it turned out nice! Don't hesitate to change things if you aren't happy with them.

I also took photos of my Picasso and one of the people trying to lunge him.

That reminds me of another tip; give your people some movement! In the bottom photo, the guy is stiff and just standing normally; he looks like a doll. In the top photo, he is is moving and looks much more natural.

Another thing is to never be afraid of editing. I normally just use iPhoto for my basic edits but Picmonkey and Photoshop are also great.

I used my Chanel to look like she is refusing a jump. The edits, while not huge, made a big difference!

Just straightening out the wall, darkening the photo, and defining it more made it look much better.

The last tip I have is to have fun, and don't force yourself to take photos if you don't want too! If you aren't enjoying yourself, it will be clear in your final result.

Hopefully you all enjoyed and learned some things, or were inspired to go take photos! You don't need a fancy camera, some of the best photos I've seen were done with an iphone!

Fun With Props

One of my New Year's resolutions was to make more props. I've seen a lot that I liked, but most of it was out of my price range. I decided I needed to make it myself. More prop food, more horse stuff, clothes, etcetera.

The first thing I made was this barrel. It's super simple, just a soup can with a few coats of acrylic paint! Mine is looking a bit rough, probably because the paint didn't stick too well, but how often do you see a perfect new barrel at a barn or rodeo?

Next, I made a mounting block. My dad and I made it from some scrap wood he had left over. It is also super simple, but it does the job!

Now my poor Breyer people don't have to mount from the ground...

Just walk up... 

And hop on! Ignore that they are riding bareback with a halter and gaming reins, my tack box is still a mess from my last show...

This is the most recent stuff I've made. First I made this little vet check/ride sign up sheet. The pencil is a toothpick with some Sharpie and I just found an image online for the card.

I've also been working on this grooming/vet set as a gift for a friend. The original was shipped months ago and never arrived, so I'm just making another set. The book, wormers, and gloves are from Desktop Stables and I made everything else. I also made a check so that the vet can be paid. ;)

On another note I took photos of my newest completed resin, Starving Artist, in tack!

The blue in this set really brings out his eyes!

He's a bit big for the junior/classic riders. I'd say he'd be around 16hh?

I really enjoyed taking all the pictures today. It's gonna be great seeing what this blog becomes, I've already had so much fun!