Trying to Keep Up with Breyer

So, SO much is going on with Breyer recently. (No complaints from me.) But I have not been able to keep up with all the news due to the Feast, so I am currently playing catch up.  You may already know about some of these announcements, but for me, it helps me stay on top of Breyer happenings to write about them. Here goes:

BreyerFest 2027

Keep an eye on the BreyerFest blog - The Breyer Events team went to Italy and has been posting information about various places in the country.

 The most recent post dropped yesterday and my guess is there may be more to come. I am enjoying the glimpses into Italy that Breyer is giving us. 

The BreyerFest 2027 Celebration Model was announced  October 22. It's Soldano, a blue roan Murgese Stallion.

The Celebration Model for BreyerFest 2026, Corgi Hill Flinka, was the first Celebration Model I'd genuinely wanted in years. Soldano is right up there with her - I am very excited about this beautiful piece.

The Vintage Collector Club

Membership for the 2027 club opened to those of us who are already members of the 2026 Vintage Club.  Only 1200 memberships are available, and with the announcement of Lady Grey as one of this year's club offerings, my guess is that the club will sell out fast.

Done on the very popular Proud Arabian Mare, 

she has an interesting history as a nod to early customs and is lovely. I renewed my membership as soon as I received the renewal notice. I've been a member of the Vintage Club since it started and have never regretted my annual membership.

Vintage Club Optional Piece & a Special Run

The Vintage Club also offered its last optional piece, Mabel.

She comes in glossy charcoal (1100 available), but 100 randomly shipped matte pieces will be sent out, too.

I liked her and I went to order her, but stopped short when I saw her price.

Breyer crossed my personal spending limit with that price.  Have I paid that or more for other models before? Yes. But they were worth their price to me when I looked at what I'd like to have in my collection.

Mabel is lovely and I do like the mold, but I have other things I'd like to buy that, in my opinion, are worth their asking price. And to me, having Mabel in my collection is not worth $160.

The Collector Club Winter Decorator

Breyer also released its Winter Decorator, Breckenridge. It's a holographic purple filigree with resist dapples on the Smarty Jones mold.

Another Collector Club special, 1200 made, and priced at $145.

Not for me - I don't care for the mold or the color and that's another price I am not interested in paying.

Good bye to a Beloved Model

The Retired List for 2026 was released with Brookside Pink Magnum topping the list. He's been in the regular run line-up since 2012. Fourteen years!

I got mine when he first was released. I was 100 pounds heavier, still teaching, and did not have grey hair.  (Well, I did; I just kept it colored. LOL)

I'm a little sad to see him retired, but it has been a long run.

The Premier Club 

The Premier Club 2027 is also open for membership. The teaser horse is Fresco. I've heard mixed reviews of the piece, many of which center around the tail. I'm not overly fond of it myself, but I know it is there to help balance the model and prevent it from toppling over. 

I've never had any interest in joining the Premier Club so I don't follow news about it very often.

The Stablemates Club

Also open for new members is the Stablemates Club. I love how Breyer is shrinking down many vintage Traditionals. (Case in Point? Brumby.) But I'd rather buy ones I want second hand and not have to buy them all.

I read through information about the Stablemates Club and the Premier Club, but I saw nothing that said that membership was limited to only a certain number of collectors. Unlike the Vintage Club which is limited to 1200. Hmmm. Interesting.

Breyer's 2026 Pony for Christmas

At first I was interested only in the blanket that Marley was wearing. (Blankets are a collection within my collection, an ever growing collection. Hah!)

But it was when I saw the model without its blanket that I did a double take and then immediately sent that picture to my sister Leslie.

She saw what I saw and, like me, was a little teary about it.

There is an uncanny resemblance of Marley to our gelding, Nick.

The only horse I ever trained from start to finish, he was an old soul in a young body and very, very gentle. Unflappable. A sweetheart of a guy. 

That's why 6 year old Jenny is holding him for the photo and not Flame (who was the smallest horse but a mean girl.) He was happy to just hang out and go where you wanted him to go. A beloved boy who never bit or kicked. 

He did break my finger once, but it wasn't his fault. I'd fallen next to him, throwing my hand out to catch myself. He stepped on my hand and broke a finger. The middle one. Of course. And I was in a cast for six weeks with that middle finger up in a gesture I didn't use then and still don't. (At 15 I was mortified. Now it makes me laugh.)

Anyway, I bought Marley not just for the blanket, but even more because Marley is the dopple ganger of a beloved horse of mine.

Brumby & Clothing

I finally got a Brumby! I tried several times only to find him sold out. So when I saw he was back in stock, I popped him into my cart without a second thought.

Except for shipping. It was going to be a lot for just a Stablemate. So, being a good steward with my money (says she who won't buy Mabel but will buy things to save money on shipping. Hey, it makes sense to me!) I also bought a shirt and a jacket. 

I love the color and the fabric is very comfortable.

The jacket is also super soft and warm, but not too heavy. I've been wearing it in the house when I feel chilly.

Brumby is sold out again. But, the Stablemates Singles Six Piece Assortment | Series 3 contains him and that is still in stock.

That's one way to get him, but I just checked the retired list for 2027 and Brumby is not on it. That means he will come back in stock again if you wait. Just keep checking for him.

One thing I am skipping this year.

The new Mini Whinny advent calendar. 

I've enjoyed these in the past years, but I'm good. (I could always reuse one of the others I have - I don't remember what is behind each door!)

As far as I can tell, that's all the Breyer announcements of late. Well, the October Collector Club newsletter dropped with its usual "what model is this?" teaser and a give away of a set of two race horses and Harley. But I think I covered everything that I have missed due to The Feast of the Hunters' Moon.

Stay 'tooned. I've got a draft about Mustangs in the works!

Blackened Beeswax Ornaments

Second Post of the Day

I have had some requests to sell the blackened beeswax ornaments to readers. I am happy to do so, and I am going to be pouring this week.

Most ornaments are $8 each, but the minis (labeled as such) are $4 each. The Polar Bears can be purchased separately or I will sell them as a family for $14 with Baby added in for free. (No pics of it at the moment.)

I can accept PayPal (preferred) or I have Square and can send you an invoice. And, if neither or those options work for you, I can take Venmo if needed. I ship Pirate Ship so the postage you pay will be cheaper as a result.

Email me at horsiemama8@gmail.com to order. 

I'm pouring this week and they should be ready to ship by Monday, November 9. Best to let me know what you want sooner than later if you can. Thanks!

A general array at the Feast with many of what I make. There is also an album in my Jolis Chevaux page with pictures of them all that can be found here: 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.2210331393108388&type=3

Or, go to Facebook, search for Jolis Chevaux in Groups, click on Media, click on Albums, and click on Blackened Beeswax Ornaments.

Here are screenshots from those albums:

Clockwise starting at upper left: Cardinals, Stag, Bird in Pine, Running Rabbit, Wheat Sheaf, Wolf Portrait,Vintage Long Santa/Gnome, Howling Wolf, Bison, Seahorse, Bridle-less Horse, Horse with Bridle, Dragonfly, Mother and Child.

Clockwise starting at upper left: Tin Roof/Snowflake, Bells, Angel Heart, Snowflake 2, Snowflake 3, Horse with Bridle, Bridle-less Horse, Seahorse, Fleur de Lis (a mini), Polar bear Dad and Mama (I can make a baby), Roaring Lion (mini), Owl, Snowflake 1, Oval Bells, Art Deco, Snowflake 4, Santa Face, Santa Moon.

Clockwise starting at upper left: Owl, Roaring Lion (a mini), Fleur de Lis (a mini), Tree of Life, Sleeping Baby on Moon, Portrait Lion (mini) Honeybee.

Clockwise starting at upper left: Honeybee, Roaring Lion (mini), Sleeping Baby on Moon, Tree of Life, Pegasus, Leaping Horse, Two Horses, Two Rabbits, Ram & Ewe, Squirrel.

Again, if you want something, the sooner you let me know, the better. I'm pouring this week!

Stay 'tooned!

"November Comes..."

First Post of the Day

November! A month that I love, and it hosts my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving!

When I taught in Illinois, every week I introduced my students to a new poem.  This one by Elizabeth Coatsworth still speaks to my soul as it describes the changes that occur during the month of November.

November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.

When I get to the end of the poem I feel peaceful and like grabbing a book, wrapping myself in a blanket, and reading by the fire for a bit.

When we walked Pepper and Tammo yesterday, we saw our first neighborhood sign of the coming holidays - can you see it at the dragon's home?

A beautiful wreath above the garage door. (I'm gonna miss that dragon!)

Yesterday's post was long and focused on Halloween, so I didn't share too much about Elsie Mae's birthday and what I gave her.

A year's worth of holiday pillowcases! (Made on those days when I thought I was done in the sewing room before the Feast. LOL)

Since her birthday is on Halloween, I considered making a pillowcase that was half Halloween and half birthday. 

But then I decided to make two complete pillowcases rather than a halvesies one. She could always use the Halloween one in October, then switch to her birthday one on her birthday.

The completed Halloween pillowcase.

The completed birthday pillowcase.

The completed Thanksgiving pillowcase. Lisa helped me choose the fabrics, and since the JCs^2 have a dog, we selected this fabric for Thanksgiving.

And, since I know that the older grands who are in late elementary and middle school still use their pillowcases throughout the year, the fabric for each pillowcase needed to be able to "grow" with the child and not be too cutsie or babyish.

I'll be making the Christmas pillowcase just before Thanksgiving and sending it off to her with her Christmas ornament.

Lisa and I bought two "just because" fabrics, ones that we liked and hope to find a use for.

The Nutcracker Ballet - I might turn this into a table runner for someone but I'd really like to figure out something for Mae Mae - the ballerinas reminded me of the ones in her quiet book.

See what I mean?

Strawberries! That's been Mae Mae's "theme" for her first year of life, and this is a really pretty fabric. Maybe a throw pillow for her bedroom? 

Rather than making all the pillowcases at once and mailing them together, I prefer to send them singly a few weeks before each holiday that they represent. That makes the gift stretch out over an entire year and gives the grand something to look forward to.

And some of them have liked their pillowcases so much that they've requested that I make them non holiday pillowcases, too. 

One of Kyle's girls asked that I make her a Mario Brothers pillowcase and a matching one for her dad as a surprise for his birthday. (I'll never say no to those kinds of requests!)

And, in the Halloween photos our kids sent us, more than one had one of their pillowcases to use for trick or treating. Makes their Grammy smile!

Elizabeth Coatsworth spoke of "the earth sinks to rest" in her poem. Before that rest can happen around my home, there's some yard work to be done.

Leaf removal is not so much a problem right now - the kids across the street came back yesterday and carried off almost all our leaves into their yard for their leaf fort. "It's so tall now that we had to build an opening in the back," one of them told me in a serious voice. (I love the kids in our neighborhood!)

The stepping stone garden was out of control. There are 40 stepping stones, five statues, and 8 field stones in it, but the snapdragons were so tall and healthy they'd overwhelmed it all and you could not see them.

I downed a couple of Tylenol, grabbed my garden gloves, a tub, and a stool, and got to work.

Now I am wishing I'd taken a picture or two of it beforehand so you could see the difference.

I love these stepping stones and all that they represent. Even if I have to stack them in a closet, they're coming to the nursing home with me!

The front flower bed also needed weeding, and Craig took care of that, so now what's left to do is to drain the garden hoses, pull out the tomato plants in the back yard, and cover the patio furniture for the winter.

Then maybe Craig and I can also "sink to rest" for a bit! LOL

Stay 'tooned!

Halloween Celebrations

What a Halloween it was! Here is a peek at some of our doings.

Elsie Mae's First Birthday/Halloween Party, Rexburg, ID

Happy first birthday, Mae-Mae! It was good to FaceTime with you!

She was born on Halloween and there was a friends and family Birthday/Halloween gathering in Idaho to celebrate with her.

Little calf Elsie Mae with Farmer Dad, JC. 

Mama Cow (Jayci) joins her calf and favorite farmer.

 

Gimmee cuddles her granddaughter. (I know the feeling, Sarah. I know the feeling.)

Sarah is passionate about bears and there is a real problem where she lives in Montana with bears getting into public trash bins. That sometimes leads to the euthanasia of the bears.

Sarah is advocating for bear-proof trash bins and her costume reflected that. (You'd think those bins would be a no-brainer for any place that has bears, but apparently not.)

Framily was also there; that's Aunt Trinity in the middle.

Cole & Emily, Spring Hill, TN

Soccer loving, World Cup watching me should've gotten Cole and Emily's costume right away, but I did not and had to ask.

During last summer's World Cup, the entire world was charmed by the Norwegian team, Erling Haaland, and the team's Viking Row cheer (which I have seen being done in American football stands this Fall. Love it!)

Cole and Emily's costume portrays Erling Haaland and an American souvenir he actually brought home to Norway - a taxidermied raccoon holding a bottle. (I know. EEW!)

Kate and Susie in costumes on their front lawn. (I don't know what their characters are.)

Julie (right) with friends as Minions!

Emily sent this photo of a home in their neighborhood.

There is a band up on the roof that is playing live music!

Incredible!

Jessica & Andrew, Santaquin, UT

Cambria and a friend in Cambria's back yard,

and Titan with friends. (Zombie medics?)

Jess and Andrew always grill hot dogs for those who come to trick or treat at their home. On a chilly night, that would taste pretty good!

Kyle & Kids

The Chik fil-A cow and something with spots. Cute girls!

Curt & Vanessa, Lafayette, IN

Winnie the Pooh (Mila), Piglet (Vanessa), and friends!

Spiderman, Harry Potter, and Newt Scamander (Lukas.)

Lukas in charge of handing out candy. (Hmmmm. Is that wise??)

Me, Craig, & Lisa, West Lafayette, IN

Twenty bags of candy. By the end of the evening, two bags were left, but that's because we got tired and turned off the outdoor lights that indicated we were open for trick or treating at 7:30. (We'd begun at 5:00.)

As is tradition, and since our home is in the school district where Lisa taught and hers is not, she invites her students to drop by our home. They love seeing her, she loves seeing them, and they get her candy and ours for stopping by!

Speaking of...

Ever had a kid stop by your home and ask if they could have your leaves? And then bring friends, rakes, and saucer sleds to transport your leaves over to their home? 

Neither had we, but Halloween morning the kids across the street were working on a massive leaf pile and did. When I asked if they were going to run and jump in it, one of them replied, "Oh, no! We are going to climb the tree and then jump out of it and into them."

Oh, dear. Maybe I shouldn't have let them have our leaves...

Another neighborhood home that was decorated for Halloween. Tammo shows that he "ain't afraid of no ghosts"! Good boy, Tammo! LOL 

Halloween is in the books, the time has changed back an hour, and here comes November and the holidays.

I have so much to look forward to and to be grateful for.