Oh no...who do we have here...?

 Well, I don't know what to say.  We had a new arrival on Monday at the Desert Horizon Ranch and he has, shall we say, caused a bit of a commotion?  So, who is it?

The photo was taken at an angle.  I don't think I like it now, but I'm not going to change it.  hahaha.  Any clue who it is?

How about now?  He seems to have disproportionately large hands.  But regardless, may I introduce "Flamboyant Cousin Rick".  He's a happy sort of guy who likes to move and groove a lot.  We're not real sure whose cousin he is or if he's even an actual member of the family, but everyone seems to like him...

He and Eccentric Uncle Bob were like long-lost brothers and had plenty to talk about while Cassie just wanted to hug him.  Jake the Farrier, however, doesn't seem to be too sure of any of this...

Where is he going to put ANOTHER bed in his already cramped house?  Hopefully Flamboyant Cousin Rick doesn't eat a whole lot.  Those clothes have to go, though.  He'll scare the horses and the clothes don't provide much protection around a ranch.

Well, hopefully things will go smoothly and Flamboyant Cousin Rick will settle in nicely.  I guess we'll have to wait, huh?   He does seem to have a large personality to go with his large hands!  Tune in to see how things work out for this group.

Til next time...!

Atticus has landed...

 I think this is a new record for the fastest time I've gotten something from Breyer.  I got an email on Monday telling me my SM Club model had shipped and would be arriving on Wednesday.  Then I got an email from UPS saying it was actually arriving TUESDAY.  As in, yesterday Tuesday.  I was surprised, but it was a happy kind of surprise, obviously.  So yesterday, my tiny little Breyer shipping box arrived.  I was almost as excited to see what the new boxes looked like as I was about seeing if I got the matte or glossy Atticus.  

So, I opened the outer shipping box and managed to slide out the new model box.  The inner box is almost as big as the shipping box so they fit in there pretty snugly...

It's pretty neat.  Not quite what I was imaging it to look like, other than the nesting part.  That's hard to explain.  The top fits over the bottom.  hahaha.  Like the old style boxes from the 1970s.  I guess I was hoping the design would look more like the old picture box, too.  Anyway, inside that box was the model, all wrapped up in bubble wrap...

I know the model is upside down, but the photo is not.  Just the model.  It doesn't really give away if it's a matte or glossy in there, so which did I get...?

The glossy!  I was more hoping for the matte, but I'm fine with the glossy.  He's in good shape.  No major or even minor flaws so my records stands at however many I've gotten from Breyer.  Of course, now that I've said that, my next one is going to be horribly flawed.  But I've said that before and haven't gotten a flawed model as a result so I might be okay.

So now for the disclaimer...this wasn't an "Official" unboxing.  I actually unboxed it last night and looked then did it again this morning to take pictures.  I could've kept quiet about it, but that just seems too deceptive, you know?  hahaha.

**Coming Soon** '90s Throwback

Grag your Trapper-Keeper (I had one with horses on it), some gel pens and put your hair up in a scrunchi because this decorator model is bringing the '90s back!  A vibrant mix of '90s themed colors in bright turquoise, purple and pink that's sure to make your inner '90s child free, like totally, excited ("like totally" was an 80s thing, not 90s).  With pearly white markings and a bold leopard pattern running down his body, '90s Throwback isn't afraid to stand out from the crowd.  An excited addition to our decorator series!

This will not be on my list of models to buy when it comes out.  I don't collect the mold nor do I collect decorators like this, which I've probably said a time or two.  hahaha.  Even if the colorway was on a model I DO collect, I wouldn't buy it anyway.  But that's okay.  There's others who would.  And something else just occurred to me...many of the references they used are from the 80s...Trapper Keeper.  Scrunchie.  "Like, totally".  All of those originated from the 80s.  I'm now officially offended they did that.  hahaha.  Not really, but come on.   

Now, some of you might be wondering what is so special about this particular model that I chose to feature it here even though it's not a Special Run or something...it's because it kept popping up everywhere as a recommendation, that's why, and I was getting tired of seeing it.  And speaking of being offended...I found a channel on YouTube called Half_and_bad_ass that apparently is trying to make a jump from Tik Tok videos to YouTube.  The girl who films the videos has a 2 1/2 year old spotted mule named Flynn and she lives in Norco, which is a very horse-centric community in Southern California.  She swears a lot in her videos.  Most swearing I don't really care about, but she's always saying "G*D dangit" (except not dangit) Flynn, don't do this or don't do that.  And the irony to those words she uses is that she calls Chik-Fil-A "God's Drive-thru" so she'll say "G*D Dangit, Flynn" (again, using the actual swear words) don't eat the Lord's bushes and stuff like that.  But why would I mention this in regards to being offended?  Because apparently Flynn is offended by EVERYTHING and she spends the entire video saying "Flynn is offended by this" and "Flynn is offended by that".    She also sings a lot and seems rather bossy towards her two friends that sometimes rides with her to whatever fast food place she goes to.  If you want to see some of the videos for yourself, here is a link to her YouTube channel.  It's fun watching them go to the different drive thrus, but I can do without her commentary and singing and different arms movements and such.

Today I watched a new-to-me shark movie.  It was called Oija Shark.  I've avoided watching it because the synopsis seemed really dumb, but today I decided to bite the bullet, so to speak...I should've just stayed away.  The acting was beyond horrendous.  BEYOND horrendous.  But Sharkie got to see one of his relatives so I guess that was okay...

Yes.  The shark is a spirit but can attack and eat people both on land and in water.  Great, huh?  Someone needs to get busy and make me some new mutant shark movies.  hahaha.

That's it for now.  Til next time!

They can't be serious!

 So, I was looking around at different blogs as I do several times a week to see what is going on and I saw something about the contests for BreyerFest 2021 that has me scratching my head and wondering WTF...

Under official rules it says "Contest is open to legal residents of the US (exculiding AZ, CO, MD, NE, ND and VT) UK and Canada (excluding Quebec) ages 14 and up with a BreyerFest VIP All-Access of BreyerFest 2021 All-Access ticket.  Since when is Arizona (or any other state) excluded from a Breyerfest contest?  And WHY are we being excluded?  And is it for ALL of the BreyerFest contests or just the Best Customs Contest?  I just don't get it.  And from what I've been reading online, I'm not the only one who is confused about which contests this pertains to.  Last year, they had to exclude Canada and UK, which makes sense because they have different rules regarding contests, but they were able to find a loophole for Canada and those in the UK got a goodie bag.  Something tells me those of us in the prohibited states won't get a goodie bag.  Geez.  BF 2021 is still 5 months away and it's already turning out to be BreyerMess 2.0 in my opinion.  It really is a shame, I tell you what.  If I'd been planning to enter any of the contests, I'd be hopping mad by now.  And some people are speculating this exclusion also includes the photo show.  And what changed between last year and this year?  I don't remember there being a restriction on states last year.

In better news, I got an email today saying my Atticus had shipped and is expected to arrive this Wednesday.  That's great!  I'm surprised it's coming so quickly, but I really don't have much hopes it will actually arrive on Wednesday due to all the bad weather going on.  Two Amtrak trains have been canceled due to bad weather in the western part of the country.  Not sure why they have to cancel Amtrak because of snow in Arizona and New Mexico, but not Missouri, where it snows a whole lot more.  Oh well.  Anyway, hopefully my Atticus will arrive on Wednesday and he'll be beautiful and flaw-free.  

I guess that's it for now.  And because I think all blog posts need a photo, I'll share this one from the Breyerfest blog.  It features three of my favorite SM molds and I just think it looks real neat.  It looks like maybe it was made for Celtic Fling last year and was a Diorama entry, but I didn't see those so I don't know.  And I'm guessing on the year based on what little I can see of the front of the box the base is in.  That round thing on the right looks kind of Celtic Knot-ish.  hahaha.

I wish they'd said who owned it because it really is cool-looking, although maybe I would've put one of the grey horses in the background rather than have two up front.  They obviously wanted two walking horses in the water so they could've put chestnut Standing TB in the water with the "Loping QH" (aka Dungaree) since the Standing TB isn't exactly standing still.  I think the colors would've looked better by mixing them up a little.  But what do I know?  I "subscribe" to Eccentric Uncle Bob and his "Happy Little Trees".  hahahaha.  Regardless, it's still a neat entry.  But I already said that, didn't I? 

Til next time!

Hobby Goings On...

 Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I thought I'd get this "out of the way" early today. 

Not a whole lot is going on in the world of the hobby right now.  Well...I guess that's not entirely true.  Some people are knee deep in NaMoPaiMo, which is National Model Painting Month...not to be confused with NaNoWriMo, which is National Novel Writing Month.  Whoever started the NaMoPaiMo took it from that. 

Anyway, NaMoPaiMo happens in February and involves...well...model horse painting.  No, really, it does.  In the past, I have attempted NaNoWriMo, but have never officially done it because it's a computer-based thing and you have to keep track of how many words you write and, well, I write longhand so it's a little more difficult to do it that way.  I did sign up a couple of years ago to "officially" do it, but it didn't really go much beyond that.  I love to write, but I have a problem with guidelines and deadlines and stuff like that.  

But I digress.  NaMoPaiMo is not something I would ever consider doing.  Why?  I can't paint my way out of a corner.  Or would that be, I can't paint my into a corner?  Regardless, my painting skills really leave something to be desired.  I have attempted it before, but with disastrous results.  I don't know about priming or layering or anything like that.  I just got some acrylic paint and a paintbrush and went to town on a poor, unsuspecting model.  Now hold up, hold up.  Before any of you model painters tell me how "easy" it is and just takes practice...save your breath.  hahaha.  I would rather just leave it up to the experts.  I don't even collect custom painted horses...no interest in it...and I don't have the room to do it properly.  I'm not going to say I don't "have time" for it because everyone has the same amount of time during the day.  I just choose to use my time in other ways.  Why do I feel like I'm in danger of putting my foot in my mouth?  Or is it already there?  hahaha.  My point is, a lot of hobbyists right now are working on their projects so that is what is occupying the hobby at the moment.  Good luck to everyone participating.  A new "thing" that started last year was Minis Painting Minis, which to my knowledge is just a fun thing of dolls such as the Breyer rider dolls, painting mini whinnies and other such tiny horses.  I saw some pictures from last year and some of the set-ups were pretty cool and detailed.

For some reason captions aren't showing up, but this photo is from the Field of Dreams blog 2020.  I wish I was clever enough to come up with that sort of thing.  I mean, I get ideas in my head, but I seem to have a problem actually making it look like I have imagined.  I can't think of what the word is.  Oh well.

Another thing that seems to be occupying hobbyist's time and minds is Breyer's upcoming Boot Camp.

I won't give my opinion something else becoming a virtual event because I know it's not a popular one, but just know I'm annoyed by the whole thing and leave it at that.

So...what is Breyer Boot Camp?  From the Breyer website:  For many years, a dedicated group of model horse experts, equine enthusiasts and thousands of newcomers have gathered together each spring for BreyerWest, a weekend brimming with artistic talent, equestrian knowledge and a lot of fun!  Traditionally hosted at a west coast venue (last year it was moved to Colorado, which I don't consider west coast), we've moved this energizing, community-building event online as Breyer Boot Campt so that crafters, hobbyists and model horse enthusiasts from around the world can join in the action!  We are so excited to make 2021's event OUR BIGGEST YET.

This event is perfect for our new fans, novice hobbyists and Breyer moms and dads who loved participating in our National Fun Day (or working on that Breyer craft kit at home) and are ready for the next step into the world of model horses.  Breyer Boot Camp guides participants through each area of the model horse world and prepares you to JOIN IN!  No more watching from the sidelines wondering how to get started.  Have some FUN with your collection without having to pack it up and travel.  Meet interesting artists and ask those burning "how-to" questions.  Or jump right in and take a workshop with one of the multi-talented instructors.    Breyer Boot Camp will include all the things you know and love about in-person BreyerWest, including both Open and Novice model horse shows, live Q&A with exceptionally talented hobby artists, workshpos and more!

Well, somehow I doubt a virtual event is as exciting as the actual in-person one.  The in-person event was always held in conjunction with a big horse show so by it being virtual, you're not getting the excitement of seeing the live horses.  It's just not the same.  And "meeting" people on Zoom definitely isn't the same as getting to meet someone in person.  Maybe getting a photo with them.  But...oh well... that's just my opinion.  I briefly considered signing up and taking a workshop or two, but in looking at the schedule, there isn't a single thing on there that catches my interest.  It looks like there's only three workshops?  Repositioning Your Stablemate's head, Put Wings and a Horn on it and Paint that Pinto.  None of that seems like it can be done by a beginner.  I don't know.  I just don't get it.  And the Live Q&A sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.  There's going to be a bunch of people on the Zoom meeting and everyone is going to want to ask a question and many will get overlooked.  I know there's the ability to where you have to "raise your hand" to ask a question so not everyone is talking at once, but I still don't see that as turning out very well.  I don't know.  Maybe I'm just being cynical, but they do seem to be really selling it on how big and exciting it's going to be, but from what I'm seeing, it's really not.  And yes, the tickets are only $5.00 but how much are the workshops?  Those are an additional charge.  And where are you supposed to get the wings and horn for the one workshop?  The website says "a limited number of meeting participant slots will be available for each of the three workshops.  These participants will receive their supplies from Breyer and be able to interact with their instructor live during the workshop.  Webinar participants will be able to participate in workshops live, but will not be able to interact with the instructors and will need to procure their own supplies.  So, basically, you're on your own.  Where do you go to buy wings and a horn?  And to reposition something correctly, I'd think you'd need some kind of cutting tool like a dremel or something.  So tell me again how these workshops are suitable for all levels?  hahahaha.

Okay.  I'm going to stop there.  I don't want to lose the few readers I have because I unintentionally offended them by saying something negative about something they're excited about.  Before I sign off for the day, I would like to share a photo of the Infamous Sharkie (without a blankie).  I don't think I ever shared how he came about.  It's sort of hobby-related.  Does anyone want to know?

There he is.  I've mentioned him a couple of times in the blog and now you can see him.  He's not quite as long as the notebook he's sitting on, but pretty close.  He's a big boy.

Well, til next time!

Out of Room and a new Model Series...

 Or no room.  Or needing room.  As collectors of plastic ponies, I think all of the above would apply.  But this post doesn't have anything to do with not having room for horses or trying to find room for them.  This is a post about having room for model-related things.

Recently I was chatting with my friend Krista of Model Horse Grotto about our intentions of making different accessories for our models.  She is working on blankets and I have the stuff to make halters.  She told me what she's boughten so far and asked what color of ribbon I had for my halters.  I had to look it up on my Amazon orders because I couldn't remember and I didn't know exactly where the ribbon was that I'd gotten.  With the ribbon was a spool of wire for making my own buckles, but then someone gifted me a bunch of difference buckles and bits and stuff.  That stuff, I sort of knew where it was so that began my search for it and thus, led to this post.  I knew the sheet of hardware was in an envelope and the envelope was in one of the sets of drawers next to my desk.  But which one?

I quickly realized it was likely buried underneath a bunch of packaged plastic utensils.  I should've taken a "before" picture, but I didn't think to.  Anyway, oftentimes when we order take-out food, they send along packages of plastic utensils with a napkin.  Usually it's a fork and knife, but sometimes it also includes a spoon and many times packets of salt and pepper.  Before the virus shut down my office, I would take the extras to work for co-workers to use if they didn't remember to bring something to eat their lunch with, but since I haven't been able to do that in almost a year, the packages have really built up.  Built up as in filling most of two drawers.  Neither drawer was full of them, but rather I had them in two different drawers and they filled most of those two drawers.  Hopefully that makes sense.

So I decided to remove the plasticware from the wrappers and put it all in one drawer then put the napkins in another.  I thought I was out of napkins and the ones that came with the utensils would come in handy.  I should add, though, that I ended up finding a bunch of napkins in the 2nd drawer.  It took awhile, and I ended up swimming in little plastic wrappers.  

                              

It was no easy task because I didn't have a lot of space to work with and the plastic developed static electricity so it would try to stick to me.  But I did finally get everything separated and all in one drawer...

I apologize if some of the photos aren't exactly in focus.  Like I said, I don't have much room to work with.  At least I'm sparing you the worst picture and that's of my Breyer Cimarron Western Saddle, which I also needed to find a place to put.

Have I ever mentioned that I'm Polish?  Rather than take the envelope out of the drawer and THEN put the utensils in, I put the utensils in and then thought to make the envelope of hardware more available.  <sigh>  What can I say?  I'm Polish and we don't always do things the easy way.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Anyway, so I found my hardware for making halters and it's in an accessible place for when the time comes when I actually make them...

Who knew looking for them would cause such a problem / mess?  hahaha.  And yes, I know the photo is sideways.  It uploaded that way and I can't figure out how to rotate it, but it doesn't really matter, I guess.  It's just something that bugs me, not having the photo in the correct orientation, but I guess I'll get over it.  hahaha.

Well, I guess that's it for now.  I hope everyone is doing well.  Til next time!

**Edited**

Introducing the new Birds of a Feather series of web specials, inspired by the avian world...

From their sweet songs to the fables and sympolism that have bridged generations and cultures, the wide and fascinating world of birds has long enchanted us.  

The charismatic puffin is a black and white sea bird that calls the waters of the north home.  Best-known for their colorful beaks, which are most vibrant during their breeding season, these birds are fast flyers and powerful swimmers...

Our sabino pinto Spotted Draft mare "Puffin" is stocky and bold-patterned like her namesake.  With a glossy finish that's reminiscent of the ocean's reflection, she also has a soft white basecoat that makes her markings pop.  Decorated with colorful tail ribbons in the hues of the puffin's colorful beak, she has "Puffin 2021" in silver on her belly.

I'm glad they decided to put the colors of a Puffin's colorful beak on her tail rather than her face to make her look more Puffin-like.  I actually like this model and will enter for a chance to win.  I don't collect the mold, but I like this model.

In different news, I am watching a show called Ride.  It's about a young (about 16) girl, Kit, and her dad who move to England after he gets a job at an exclusive academy where everyone rides.  Everyone except Kit, that is.  Or is it?  She makes friends with an unruly horse.  I'm only on episode 2 and I'm not sure I am going to watch the rest of the season.  It seems a bit cheesy.  Kit is very different from all the other kids at the school and seems really intent on pushing the boundaries with her behavior and wardrobe and expects everyone else to change, too.  But it has horses and riding so it's not a total loss.  But it still seems quite cheesy and overdone, right down to a ritzy girl who thinks she's better than everyone else.

BF Ticket Sales Day!

 Well...today tickets went on sale for BreyerFest 2021: Horse of a Different Color...

I said in a previous post that I wasn't sure if I was going to buy an All-Access Ticket or not because the only model I was really gaga over was the (shhhh!!! secret!) Marwari model, but I decided to go ahead and buy one.  Just one.  When asked for my "wish list" I will select that one and a 7 Arts Surprise model.  That was a big reason for my decision to buy one...that the surprise model would turn out to be one I conga or even like enough to want one.  Hopefully I will be able to get my Marwari.  With the larger run numbers, I'm not too worried.  A bit, but not super worried.  I think the "extra" VIP tickets went on sale today, too, but those are showing as out of stock.  I wasn't going to get one of those anyway.  The 4 pack of Stablemates also went on sale today and are still available, too, but I don't like those.  I will try to get the larger set, though.  I think there's 3 in that set that I like.

Well, I know this has been short.  Not much going on.  hahaha.  Til next time.