How do you like the crown pin I found at a resale store?
Monday, November 30, 2009
Top Hat and Tulle
I am opting to wear my top hat with the Christmas skirt instead of my derby.
How do you like the crown pin I found at a resale store?
How do you like the crown pin I found at a resale store?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Don and I.
...and just because I know you will ask.. the painting behind us is a real painting.. a nice copy of the famous "Pharaoh's Horses" that I snagged off of e-bay a gazillion years ago for a whopping $65.00!
...and just because I know you will ask.. the painting behind us is a real painting.. a nice copy of the famous "Pharaoh's Horses" that I snagged off of e-bay a gazillion years ago for a whopping $65.00!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Madison's First Riding Lesson...
Sidesaddle of course!
..even if her legs were too short to go over the heads!
..even if her legs were too short to go over the heads!
Friday, November 20, 2009
New Project
This is my "Christmas" skirt. The lighting in the picture is not good...so the color is off. It is red/black/and green plaid.
This is the lace that will trim the bottom of the petticoat that goes with it! Obviously, I am not done with it yet.
This is the lace that will trim the bottom of the petticoat that goes with it! Obviously, I am not done with it yet.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
1897 Riding Suit
Notice that the big sleeves are already getting smaller.
I am going to be on vacation for the next 2 weeks..but in that vacation will be Thanksgiving, the completion of another riding outfit and my second horse show!!!
I will be posting lots of personal pictures...so keep tuned!
I am going to be on vacation for the next 2 weeks..but in that vacation will be Thanksgiving, the completion of another riding outfit and my second horse show!!!
I will be posting lots of personal pictures...so keep tuned!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Why & How I Started Riding Aside...
2009 has been a bitch of a year for us to say the least! Sorry about that...but that is just the nicest way to describe it! Don, My husband of 19 years was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. We found out that he was in stage 3 cirrhosis with Varaces. He has been on the standard treatment for almost a year now - chemotherapy..yes the same drugs they give to cancer patients, trying to rid his body of the Hep. and therefor slowing down the degeneration of his liver...
The best dog in the whole world..my Chrissy had to be put down at the young age of 11 after a heart wrenching week of trying to stop a sudden on slot of seizures.
My very first show horse had to be put down at the age of 20 with the discovery of intestinal tumors and severe colic.
KC chased a rabbit into the road and was hit by a car. Thankfully he survived, but he had a terrible concussion that has left him 'not quite the same'.
This little lamb was born and rejected by his Momma, leaving us with a new pet that had to be fed every 4-6 hours!
..and finally - I was trying to deal with a gelding who was talented out the wazoo...but also had a bit of a mean streak...
..with all that I was dealing with, I sadly became a timid rider and could not discipline him to take care of this..
..and this. All I found myself thinking during these temper tantrums was "What happens if I get hurt?" How irresponsible would that be to Don who was doing so much to take care of himself during his treatment?
This horse almost broke me.....
I sat in the bathtub..water running..hoping that the noise would drowned out my sobs. I was so emotionally bruised I questioned God openly if He had stopped loving me. I had an open conversation with Him and honestly asked Him to remove the passion inside of me for Saddlebreds and tell me what He wanted me to do. I vowed to Him that if He wanted me to walk away from them, I would...and I truly meant it!
Getting a bit obnoxious - I even 'told' Him that if He did not remove this from me, He had better show me what he wanted me to do with it! (yeah - I am shocked that I am still walking on the earth too!)
Very shortly after this deeply honest painful request...things started to fall into place. Information about riding aside kept falling into my lap. I found a wonderful affordable saddle at the same time some money came to me I was not expecting. My instructor told me that although she was not an accredited sidesaddle instructor, she used to show Arabians aside and was willing to instruct me when I told her of my interest. I found out that the Saddlebred show rules allowed women to show aside in any class with the exception of Equitation....and best of all... Heaven and Earth (Oliver or Ollie) came into my life..my beautiful and Oh so talented Sidesaddle horse! I could go on and on and on with more details!
I truly believe that this was a gift from God. He heard my cries that night and in all His Mercy...He understood my pain.
Edited to add:
OMG - How in the world did I forget to mention that my Fibroid tumors grew at the speed of light this year..so that I had to have a totally abdominal hysterectomy in August???
The best dog in the whole world..my Chrissy had to be put down at the young age of 11 after a heart wrenching week of trying to stop a sudden on slot of seizures.
My very first show horse had to be put down at the age of 20 with the discovery of intestinal tumors and severe colic.
KC chased a rabbit into the road and was hit by a car. Thankfully he survived, but he had a terrible concussion that has left him 'not quite the same'.
This little lamb was born and rejected by his Momma, leaving us with a new pet that had to be fed every 4-6 hours!
..and finally - I was trying to deal with a gelding who was talented out the wazoo...but also had a bit of a mean streak...
..with all that I was dealing with, I sadly became a timid rider and could not discipline him to take care of this..
..and this. All I found myself thinking during these temper tantrums was "What happens if I get hurt?" How irresponsible would that be to Don who was doing so much to take care of himself during his treatment?
This horse almost broke me.....I sat in the bathtub..water running..hoping that the noise would drowned out my sobs. I was so emotionally bruised I questioned God openly if He had stopped loving me. I had an open conversation with Him and honestly asked Him to remove the passion inside of me for Saddlebreds and tell me what He wanted me to do. I vowed to Him that if He wanted me to walk away from them, I would...and I truly meant it!
Getting a bit obnoxious - I even 'told' Him that if He did not remove this from me, He had better show me what he wanted me to do with it! (yeah - I am shocked that I am still walking on the earth too!)
Very shortly after this deeply honest painful request...things started to fall into place. Information about riding aside kept falling into my lap. I found a wonderful affordable saddle at the same time some money came to me I was not expecting. My instructor told me that although she was not an accredited sidesaddle instructor, she used to show Arabians aside and was willing to instruct me when I told her of my interest. I found out that the Saddlebred show rules allowed women to show aside in any class with the exception of Equitation....and best of all... Heaven and Earth (Oliver or Ollie) came into my life..my beautiful and Oh so talented Sidesaddle horse! I could go on and on and on with more details!
I truly believe that this was a gift from God. He heard my cries that night and in all His Mercy...He understood my pain.
Edited to add:
OMG - How in the world did I forget to mention that my Fibroid tumors grew at the speed of light this year..so that I had to have a totally abdominal hysterectomy in August???
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
1893 Riding Suit
This is the suit I am working on with a friend (she is doing all the hard sewing!) to be my totally historic outfit. According to Dawn, the instructions for this particular suit were 'archaic' and difficult to understand!
I may have to forgo the belt though!
This is the picture on the cover of our pattern. Hummm - I can't imagine where it came from! ha ha
I may have to forgo the belt though!
This is the picture on the cover of our pattern. Hummm - I can't imagine where it came from! ha ha
Monday, November 16, 2009
Did I Ever Show You My Restored Trunk?
Remember my antique trunk? This is what it looked like before I started to work on it.
And this is exactly what it looks like now! I only restored the exterior since I use it for grooming show supplies. I replaced the leather handles and some of the hardware. Maybe at the next show, there will be enough room to place it outside of the stall so I can show it off!
And this is exactly what it looks like now! I only restored the exterior since I use it for grooming show supplies. I replaced the leather handles and some of the hardware. Maybe at the next show, there will be enough room to place it outside of the stall so I can show it off!
More Historic Riding Suits
This one is specifically tagged 1891.
This pattern is titled 1890's style.
This pattern is titled 1890's style.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
All Royalty Aside!
Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco(before she became Princess)
Dutch Princess Juliana
Princess Beatrix
Empress Elisabeth
Princess Ceclie
Ha ha - I wanted to add a picture of me and put "Princess Julie"...but since I am still looking more like a "Constipated Jester"..I thought I had better not!
Dutch Princess Juliana
Princess Beatrix
Empress Elisabeth
Princess Ceclie
Ha ha - I wanted to add a picture of me and put "Princess Julie"...but since I am still looking more like a "Constipated Jester"..I thought I had better not!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Alterations!
When I saw this photo from my first show, I knew the length of the jacket was too long. It is the standard length of a saddleseat jacket when worn with an astride suit. I do not have any matching saddleseat pants for this jacket - so I am going to shorten it...
..to this length. I think it will not only be nicer looking, but more comfortable for me as well!
..to this length. I think it will not only be nicer looking, but more comfortable for me as well!
Friday, November 6, 2009
1873 Fashion Plates for a Sidesaddle Riding Suit
I have GOT to figure out something I can use to decoupage these prints on!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
1865 Riding Suit
Love these fashion plates that I found! What a beautiful decoupage project this would make!
Monday, November 2, 2009
1828 Sidesaddle Riding Suit
I have done much research and found quite a few new beautiful fashion plates depicting riding suits of the day. I will be posting them here and there. Hope you enjoy them.
Hope You Had a Fun Halloween!
I did!
I was Melethosent ...the witch who gave Sleeping Beauty the poison apple!
I was Melethosent ...the witch who gave Sleeping Beauty the poison apple!
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