Don't Miss Out!

Second Post of the Day

Two things you may want to be aware of so you don't miss out. 

First, the last of the 2025 Exotic Destinations models is up!

This is Salzburg, a Noriker gelding done on the vintage Belgian mold. (Photo from Breyer.)

And in other don't-miss Breyer news, starting at 10:00 AM EDT TODAY, there is a Christmas in July sale.

Wrapping Up BreyerFest 2025

First Post of the Day

The 2025 BreyerFest was the oddest one I've ever had and I still feel somewhat disconnected from it. 

A lot of that was due to the fact that we were in the middle of a family gathering and I only got to watch a little of the live stream. I shopped, but I never watched the evening show, the live auction, or any seminars or workshops. (Including my own! I started it but was interrupted by a family activity.) I may watch some this weekend before Breyer takes it down permanently on July 31.

Having said that, my BreyerFest models arrived yesterday and I got my most wanted models - the Silver and the Old Timer!

To the Ties that Bind Us (blue version)

He's very dark for a true wedgewood color, but he does have the whitish shading that early wedgewoods had.

Hats Off to You, the Old Timer mold.

The paint job on mine is really nice

and the "75" on his face is very readable.

I'll probably open the black hat and put it on him but keep the party hat safe in its plastic wrapper.

The Equestral Crystalworks line only produces one piece a year and it is always sold at BreyerFest.

Standing Ovation is gorgeous. I love the crystal line and have often wished that Breyer produced more than one piece a year. (Christmas would be perfect!) I'd buy them!

The Mystery Surprise Horse was a let down for me. I had so hoped for a Proud Arabian Mare and honestly feel it was a missed opportunity that she (or another iconic mold) was not used. 

Totilas is a lovely mold, but in my opinion, there are other molds that represent Breyer's 75th Anniversary much, much better and are considered iconic molds for the company. (See Note below.)

I opened my first Totilas and found the matte flaxen liver chestnut.

The pearly mane and tail are especially nice.

My second Totilas turned out to be the exact same model. (Reminding me of the Christmas Blanket Debacle of 2024.)

This one is for sale or trade - $80 (I paid $90) plus shipping if you want to buy it; contact me if you have a trade in mind. 

Today's project is to get them all tagged and shelved, and then 2025 BreyerFest will be well and truly over for me.

Note: I am aware that there are myriad reasons behind the choices Breyer makes for its BreyerFest models (including the surprise pieces) most of which we collectors are not privy to. Many of those decisions have to do with sales as well as making collectors happy. And I do think that Breyer listens to its customer base.

Last day to enter the July Give Away! Comment to enter before 11:59 EDT tonight!

Fresh Off the Sewing Table

Second Post of the Day

We are having a heat wave here and when that happens, I hibernate either with a good book or in the sewing room. This time I chose the sewing room and have a lot of haversacks cut out, in progress, or finished as a result.

Here are some completed Venti/Curio/Medallion sized ones that are available for $8 apiece plus shipping.

Fairy Tale Unicorns

Model to show what fits.

Medallion to show what fits.

Skeletal Horses

Model to show what fits.

Medallion to show what fits.

Purple and Ponies

Model to show what fits.

Medallion to show what fits.

Chalk Horses

Model to show what fits.

Medallion to show what fits.

Interested? Comment below or message me! And more coming tomorrow so stay 'tooned!

Remember to comment to enter for a show apron!

Apron with Poseidon's Ponies fabric used as pockets.

Lukie, Tailor in Training 2

First Post of the Day

To my surprise, Lukie showed up with a fellow tailor-ette in tow. Mila! (And Gus, but I knew he was coming so he could play with Pepper and Tammo.)

Lukie was so proud of his "24 colors and one of them GOLD and three sharp things" and so we spent a few minutes admiring those before freeing them from the package.

Mila wanted to make a mini doll blanket for a doll and agreed with Lukie that she needed to learn  some basic hand sewing stitches. 

First lesson? Threading the needle and then a running stitch.

That decently accomplished, we moved on to making something. Lukie chose a little pillow. 

And he meant little! I suggested a 4" x 4" pillow, but he asked for a 2" x 2".

Mila and Lukie were really focused on their projects. I helped rethread needles occasionally and untangled and couple of thread lines, but they did all the work.

Lukie was so proud of his thread kit; see how he has lined all the spools up on my sewing table so we can see them and choose a color?

When we had visited the battlefield last week, we'd gone into the museum gift shop and I'd bought each child a memento. Mila had chosen a bone trinket box and the mini doll.

The vision of her completed blanket was not matching what the blanket was actually looking like.

Part of the problem was that I had forgotten to have her turn and press the blanket after she'd stitched the sides. We will fix that at our next lesson.

Lukie stuffed his pillow and then stitched the opening closed and his pillow was done.

He couldn't wait to show it to his dad...

... who tried it out and declared it to be very soft and would be comfy under his ear that night. LOL

Tailor Lukie was thrilled that he'd completed his first sewing project and asked me to iron all his practice pieces and then stack them for him for when he returned. (This kid had thought through the day and had a plan for everything!)

Mila was disappointed but I have some ideas in mind so that she will feel more successful at our next sewing lesson.

Stay 'tooned!

The July Give Away is ongoing now! 

Comment on any blog post published 7/22 - 7/25 to enter to win a show apron!

I'll spin to win this weekend!

Lukie, Tailor in Training

Second Post of the Day

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt!

Me: Hi, Curt! What's up?

Long pause.

Muffled sounds.

Some breathing sounds. 

Me: Everything all right over there?

More muffled sounds.

Lukie: Grammy? Will you teach me to sew? (Speeding up) Momjustboughtmethissewingkit. Ithas24threads. 24!! That's a lot! And one is GOLD! (Slowing down) It's really gold! I want to use that one! There are three... um... things um... that are sharp...

Lukie comes up for air and I break in.

Me: Pins?

Lukie: No, they're sharp.

Me: Pins are sharp, sweetie.

Lukie: No, these, um, these go through the fabric.

Me (comprehension dawning): Oh, you mean needles.

Lukie (taking off again): Yeah! Needles! Iwanttolearntosew. Ithinkitwilltakeaweek, maybeanhouraday. CanIcomeoverandyouteachmehowtosew?

Me (a little overwhelmed): Well... sure! We can do that. Do you have a project or something you want to make in mind?

Lukie (surprising me with his insight): I think I should learn the stitches first.

Me: That sounds like a good idea. Let me talk to Dad and we will get it arranged.

Lukie: Thanks, Grammy! (muffled noise) Dad, Grammy wants to talk to you.

And thus began an unanticipated summer project,  just like that!

Boy howdy, stay 'tooned on this one, folks! LOL

Don't forget the July Give Away! Comment to enter!

Tammo, Kate, & Frisbee

Well, I was right. Remember when I wrote,

I'm sure that if I write that this is the last post I'll write about this summer's family gathering, I will find something I've left out, so let's just say that this is the INTENDED last post about it, right?

Yep! Turns out that it wasn't the last post! This one is! (I think.)

"Tammo the Tease" had a great time playing keep away with Kate when she tried to throw the frisbee for him one morning.

Despite being half Lab, food is not Tammo's greatest love - playing frisbee is.

Having Kate to run circles around while carrying his frisbee?

It doesn't get much better than that for Tanmmo.

Although snoozing afterwards on the couch next to Susie does come close.

Don't forget the July Give Away! Comment on any and all blog posts published yesterday (7/22) through Friday (7/25.) The winner will receive their choice of show aprons.

Another blog post is coming this morning so stay 'tooned!

The July Give Away!

Second Post of the Day

After much thought and despite how late into the month we are, I've decided to go ahead and hold the July Give Away. With everyone so busy with BreyerFest and all, I'd thought it might be too much and no one would be interested. But I enjoy these monthly give aways so why not? 

For July, I am giving away a show apron. I was asked at Indy Blooms to make some and figured that while I was at the sewing machine, I'd make a stash so I had some on hand and ready when asked again.

So, here are some just off the sewing table and are also listed on Horsiemama's Haversacks & Mercantile. You will be able to choose one of these. (If not sold already; if the one you want is, we will work something out.)

Dala Horses.

A close up of the pockets.

Blue Burros.

Pockets close up.

Pony Races.

These ponies are so sassy!

Girls Playing Model Horses (Chocolate) 1

My childhood captured on cloth.

Poseidon's Ponies.

A very unusual and unique fabric.

Girls Playing Model Horses (Chocolate) 2

I have this fabric in white and cream, too.

The Give Away begins now - comment on any blog post starting with the two today (Tuesday, July 22) and ending at 11:59 PM Friday, July 25. I'll spin to win on Saturday or Sunday. Be sure to include your name, initials, or a way for me to identify you if you win.

Good luck!