Friday 30 June 2017

Two More Auction Models

First up is this really unusual Carrick

14 Days Left

And a very beautiful Hermosa & Corozan pair

13 Days Left

Thursday 29 June 2017

Two More Auction Models

I have two beautiful new BF Auction models to share with you.

First up is this gorgeous Journeyman

16 Days Left

And second is a very unusual Newsworthy

june 26

Not too sure about the second one, but love the chestnut colour on the Journeyman

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Pretty in Pink Performance Live Prizes

I've spent the last two days superglueing my hands together in order to make some prizes for Pretty in Pink Performance Live.

And here they are :D

Supreme Champion - Breyer Barrel Racing Tack Set

These are so cool! And they look great, a really lovely prize.

 Barrel Racing Tack Set

Reserve Supreme Champion - Custom Showmanship Halter

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Reserve to Reserve Supreme Champion - Set of English Boots

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English Performance Champion - Blue English Bridle

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Western Performance Champion - Western Bridle

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Other Performance Champion - Black Arabian Halter

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Novice Performance Champion - Breyer Horse & Rider Set

A cute little set that works well as a performance entry in a packet!

W6024

Tack Appreciation Champion - Black Leather Headcollar

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Monday 26 June 2017

Model of the Day - Citadine

Our model of the day today is CRS Notepads aka Citadine, an original finish Breyer Stablemate.

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Name: Citadine
Show Name: CRS Notepads
Breed: Norman Cob
Colour: Blue Roan
Gender: Stallion
Scale: Stablemate
Brand: Breyer
Model Number: 9121
Model Name: World Equestrian Games: Vaulting
Mould: G4 Drafter
Year Produced: 2010
Face Markings: Star & Snip
Leg Markings: None
Sire: None
Dam: None
Unique ID Code: 563
Best Live Show Placing: 3rd Place

A Week In the Life of Chestnut Ridge - Day 7

Today is our final day *awww sad noises* and I hope you've enjoyed this series :) Next week would be boring anyway, it would just be 9-20.00 - Cut certificates.

10.45 - Wake Up

Apparently my watch alarm decided we would have a lie in today...

Before I go and walk Brandy I have to hoover up the cat litter that Caesar has spread all over the landing

11.00-11.55 - Walk Brandy

We have a nice walk in the horribly humid weather. We help an old man find the pub (twice) so are feeling good about ourselves now.

Feed all the animals once back, check the new arrivals haven't died over night (always a good sign) and load the dishwasher

11.55-11.59 - Eventing Series

It is the final day and Show Jumping today, which isn't too time consuming. Starting off the day with a bit of RP in the group, although my brain is feeling a little mush.

ON THAT NOTE AAA I FORGOT MY CRUMPETS ARE IN THE OVER *runs*

Crumpets are OK. Panic over.

11.59-13.34 - Cleaning & Tax

Mum came over to help me figure out wtf is going on with my online tax account (yea my life is fun). Also cleaned the bedroom, did some hoovering and general other boring cleaning related stuff.

13.34-13.36 - Eventing Series

Just like the last three days I'll be doing this throughout the day so the posts are nice and spread out. I should now actually start work for the day!

13.36-16.52 - Ironing

I have such a fun life. "What did you do this weekend?" "O I spent three hours ironing"

16.52-17.05 - Eventing

It's quite late in the day but actually need to get this done!

17.05-17.10 - Photography

I have a tonne of horses that need cataloguing before they can go onto the shelves, so I spend some time photographing them ready to do this.

17.10-17.16 - Eventing & Email Queries

I'm supposed to have a strict "no answering emails outside of work hours" policy but I rarely stick to this. I know it's really bad and I should. At least I turn the work phone off!

17.16-17.30 - Cutting BMECS Tickets

The performance show has a smaller class list which means less cutting *yay*. Even better one section isn't a BMESC qualifier so the tickets are cut out nice and promptly and for once I didn't accidentally cut any of the bottoms off.

17.30-17.35 - Eventing Series

BE90 results are done.

17.35-17.37 - Blog Post

Today's Blog post is another BF Auction model, this time a black spotted Flash

June 25

17.37-17.50 - Clean Bathroom

All upstairs rooms apart from the pony room are now beautifully spotless :) The cat has rewarded my efforts by spreading more cat litter around.

17.50-17.56 - Eventing Series

BE100 is now done :)

17.56-18.03 - Stretches

Really feeling the fact that I didn't do any stretching this morning, so giving the muscles a nice stretch out this evening.

18.03-18.04 - Eventing Series

We are onto the second group and the BE Novice now.

18.04-18.07 - Daily Deal

I become acutely aware that I haven't done a daily deal today. I mean at least I did it right?

18.07-18.10 - Eventing Series

BE Novice is now done, there were only three horses left...

18.07-18.12 - Clean Toilet

I didn't have any bleach left yesterday, I got some more this morning and now the downstairs toilet is nice and shiny :)

18.12-18.13 - Eventing Series

We are onto the BE Intermediate now, which marks the half way point.

18.13-18.26 - Clean Pony Room

The entire upstairs of the house is now spotless :) I shall just live up here and forget the downstairs exists.

18.26-18.31 - Eventing Series

The BE Intermediate is done which means we are on the home straight :) Why do I do this to myself?

18.31-18.40 - Strength Work

I usually don't like doing this stuff in the evening because by now the pain levels are quite high, but it needs to be done every day so I get the weights out and work on strengthening those muscles.

18.40-18.41 - Eventing Series

Is it dinner time yet? I'm hungry and really bored of eventing.

18.41-19.23 - Walk Dog

Brandy needed to go out so we took her for a bit of a walk and also won a raid battle *happy dance*

19.23-19.34 - Eventing Series

Final results are done and uploaded :)

19.34-19.36 - Emails

Emails and book keeping are now dealt with for the weekend :)

19.36-23.00 - Dinner

Brendon wanted Indian. I didn't. So we compromised and he took me out for dinner :)

23.00-23.30 - Pets & Plants

New fish seem to be settling in well. Caesar was VERY ANGRY BECAUSE WE WENT OUT!!!


I hope you've enjoyed this series :) Looking forward to not having to remember to do this all the time next week :p

Sunday 25 June 2017

The Next BF Auction Model

Today's model is a gorgeous black blanket spot on the Flash mould

June 25

Not my favourite so far, but a nice unusual colouration for the mould and I like the black spots on the dark grey.

Saturday 24 June 2017

A Week In the Life of Chestnut Ridge - Day 6

The main working week is nearly over, but at weekends there are still a million and one things to do!

8.30 - Wake Up

No alarms at weekends (that's a lie there is one on my watch set to 9.30). I am as usual awoken by the cat sitting on my face so I can't breath.

9.00-11.23 - Walking Brandy

A nice long walk today, not as sunny as it was but that was actually quite nice!

11.23-11.25 - Popular Votes & Eventing

Popular votes photoshows closes for entries today so that needs to be done.

And we need to start work on Day 2 of the eventing.

11.25-11.29 - Daily Deal

Daily deal is up, today it is 15% off a Paint and play Morgan

11.29-11.36 - Eventing

Cross country takes a lot longer to do than dressage, so yay.

11.36-11.49 - Stretches & Exercises

Stretchy stretchy muscles. All nice and stretched out.

11.49-11.50 - Eventing Series

Quick post, we are now onto the BE90

11.50-11.54 - Emails

Emails are all done, with the exception of the ninety thousand sent by my mother which I shall at some point deal with. Highlights today include a picture of a guinea pig.

11.54-16.30 - Garden Centre, Woods & Fish

Brendon isn't working so we had an afternoon out and sort of combined it with getting tomato feed and compost (and some celery) as well as getting four new family members :)

These are not the family members, they are just some pigs we met on the way:

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16.30-17.23 - Gardening

Everything is pruned, dead headed and weeded and the whole garden has been swept. I also repotted the chilli and put it outside as well as planting my new celery.

17.23-17.28 - Eventing

There is a lot of eventing to get done this evening, so know how I'll be spending my time!

17.28-17.54 - Admin

I hate the Gov.uk website. I hated it when I had to work with it everyday. I hate it still now.

17.54-17.59 - Eventing

It's a never ending cycle of random number generating this weekend

17.59-18.06 - Model of the Day

Today it is Dara, a lovely roan Johar

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18.06-18.12 - Eventing

BE Novice is done. Whenever I do this I always see it as three groups, onto the second group now, nearly half way through!

18.12-18.27 - Exercise

Bit late in the day but very important to do exercise daily :) Today it is a pretty basic workout, more working on stretching and strength than cadio based work. Mainly because I'm exhausted and about to fall asleep.

18.27-18.30 - Eventing

BE Intermediate is done which means we are half way through *yay*

18.30-18.32 - Social Media

A quick Facebook post to remind people to enter this month's competition. This month you could win a little CollectA Pinto Foal.

18.32-18.36 - Instagram

A quick Instagram post as I haven't done one yet today - very important to keep those followers happy :D Even if it was just a picture of my new plec :D

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18.36-18.40 - Eventing

We are onto the CCI now which means it is nearly finished *happy dance*

18.40-18.43 - Clean Toilet

I have that kind of highly exciting life that involves spending my Saturday evenings cleaning the toilet.

18.43-18.46 - Eventing

Just two more sections to go for the cross country...nearly done for the day.

18.46-18.55 - Clean Study

Now smells like polish, much better than the stench of primer and sealant that usually fills the room!

18.55-20.02 - Dinner

I am exhausted today, but there was a nice program about otters on TV during dinner.

20.02-20.07 - Eventing Series

The 3 star is done which means just the four star to do and then the cross country is all done :)

20.07-20.11 - Hoover Study

I finish off cleaning the study by giving a quick hoover. I discover the second clothes moth this week, at least this one wasn't on the mane of a RubberNed!

20.11-20.17 - Eventing Series

I finish off the final set of cross country results for today and upload them into the Facebook group.

20.17-20.19 - Blog Post

I am absolutely in love with the latest BF release, she is gorgeous!

June 24

20.19-21.00 - Pets and Plants

Everyone is fed and watered, including the new arrivals who are settling in well. The plants have had a good feed tonight as well, although they'll also get some fish tank water tomorrow when Brendon does the tanks (literally the best fertiliser)!

Here is a blurry picture of three of the new arrivals:

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21.51 - Bed

After watching a bit of TV and waiting for Brendon to get back so I could show him a bit of TV it is off to bed. Didn't get much done today which means tomorrow is going to be a bit of a mad rush, particularly considering I haven't done anything for next Saturday's show...

Another BF Auction Model - I AM IN LOVE

O wow! What I would give to own this beauty. The colour is just amazing, right up my street.

June 24

This is probably one of my favourite ever Breyer horses, she is just stunning.

Model of the Day - Dara

Our model of the day today is CRS So Dear To My Heart aka Dara

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Name: Dara
Show Name: CRS So Dear to my Heart
Breed: PBA
Colour: Blue Roan
Gender: Mare
Scale: Classic
Brand: Breyer
Model Number: 61087
Model Name: A Champion is Born
Mould: Johar
Year Produced: 2015-16
Face Markings: White Half Stripe
Leg Markings: 3x White Socks
Sire: None
Dam: None
Unique ID Code: 953
Best Live Show Placing: None

A Week in the Life of Chestnut Ridge - Day 5

The week is nearly done! I hope you've enjoyed this slightly unusual blog post throughout the week.

So now it's Friday *yay*

6.04 - Wake Up

Things we've learned today, I cannot mute my alarm more than four times.

6.15-7.40 - Walk Brandy

A nice long walk this morning, the new Pokemon go gyms are up so I made sure I fed berries to all the Pokemons and also spin the disks (I like this new feature).

Here is a nice shot of this morning's view

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7.40-8.02 - Feed Pets

Opened up some windows and distracted the cat with food. The house is slowly becoming less stuffy!

8.02-8.16 - Exercises

I can do them all without checking the list now :p I do different ones each week, so it does take a few days for me to remember what on earth I'm doing!

8.16-8.37 - Running

A quick workout on the running machine before I start work for the morning. Listening to Green Day at the same time :p

08.37-09.01 - Bath

A quick bath before I start work for the day. Caesar enhanced it by using the litter tray just as I got in. Then he opened my study door and tried to jump out the window. Think maybe it is time for another cup of coffee!

09.01-09.10 - Daily Deal

Today's one is good! 50% off a Stablemate custom. Each deal is done randomly.

09.10-09.11 - Eventing Series

Throughout today I'll also be doing work on the 3 Day Event which is a postal show I run. Part of the fun is releasing results throughout the weekend and encouraging people to do a bit of RP in the Facebook group.

09.11-09.16 - Friday Fun

We do this every Friday on the Chestnut Ridge Facebook page. This week you need to find all the animals that have escaped over my bookshelf.

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09.16-09.18 - Breakfast

I put some crumpets in the oven earlier, so now have them out whilst I do my emails!

09.18-09.24 - Emails

Emails and book keeping done for the day. Including saving photographs that have been entered into our Paint photoshow.

09.24-09.31 - Eventing Series

I try to do one thing every half an hour or everytime I finish a job. Dressage is pretty easy as it is literally just copy and pasting.

09.31-09.54 - Graphics

I try to add at least one new banner image each week. This week we managed three :) Even if I don't have time to do five new ones I will try and change them around regularly so the website looks updated on a regular basis.

09.54-09.57 - Eventing Series

You are going to realise how boring this is by the end of the day :p Another Eventing Series post.

09.57-12.33 - Work

Not a full shift today but had to go into the office to sort things out. I normally combine this with any shopping etc. that needs to be done, particularly if I have a live show that weekend.

12.33-12.36 - Eventing Series

BE90 is done and uploaded :)

12.36-12.53 - Clean Out Guinea Pigs

Boys are all cleaned out and happy. Gave them a nice big pile of hay which Phantom is now sat in.

12.53-12.55 - Eventing Series

These short posts are just the ones that go "up next is". Depending on how busy I am I often will do other posts as well saying things like "O know and so and so has fallen at the third fence".

12.55-12.59 - Packing Parcels

Only a couple today so I get them packed really quickly and ready to head off to the Post Office.

12.59-13.24 - Post Office

I may have also gone and taken a Pokemon gym :p

13.24-13.28 - Eventing Series

BE100 is now done :)

13.28-13.39 - Model of the Day

Today it is (appropriately considering the Pokemon theme of this day) CRS Air Slash aka Pidgeotto

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13.39-13.41 - Instagram

A quick Instagram post because I'm aware that I haven't done one today. I will probably do more but if I reach a certain point and haven't done one I make sure I do!

13.41-13.46 - Reading

Head is feeling a bit fuzzy so I sit back and read a couple of pages of my book (The biography of Lord Reading in case you are curious). But alas one must carry on with the day!

13.46-14.07 - Lunch

Whilst eating I also register for one of those online business directory things. I generally sign up for as many free ones as possible.

14.07-14.28 - Newsletter

Still working on the news articles, nearly there! Quite a lot of focus on BreyerFest as this is June's edition.

14.28-14.31 - Website Update

I realised decent pictures of Man O' War are now available so update the website with a nice image.

 Man O' War

14.31-14.34 - Eventing Series

Results for the BE Novice are now done.

14.34-14.51 - Orders

I spend some time working on a commission. It is a heavy sabino Clydesdale, he is given four layers of airbrushing to create the base colour. He will now need about a thousand layers of white to create the finished effect.

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Sealant is drying on the airbrushing before I start the pencil work, this just makes sure I don't damage the base colour whilst handling her.

14.51-15.01 - Coffee and Idiots

As well as making a cup of coffee I also have to sort out idiots in Popular Votes Photoshows who have decided to like photos before judging opens.

15.01-15.13 - Orders

It is now time to do the white on the drafter. The first step is to block out using a pencil, I do some heavy hairing and also basically colouring in some parts (such as the legs). I do it a side at the time, putting sealant on in between.

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15.13-15.15 - Eventing Series

Another quick eventing series post, onto the BE Intermediate.

15.15-15.31 - Magazine

Still on the news section, I'm doing some cool side banners featuring the new Spirit Riding Free range.

15.31-15.42 - Orders

Work on the other side of the drafter. Sealant is now drying and she has all her pencilling done. The next step is to airbrush some white on to create roaning across the whole body.

15.42-15.46 - Eventing Series

BE Intermediate is done, just one more BE set to do before we move onto the CCI.

15.46-16.00 - Magazine

My day is getting a bit repetitive by this point but these things needs to get done! The news is nearly finished, literally just one more article to finish and then I have to work out how to fill the random gap I have...

16.00-16.05 - Blog Posts

Four new BreyerFest models have been announced since I last blogged so I add these guys to the Blog :D

Look at this lovely glossy Vanilla:

Banks1

16.05-16.06 - Eventing Series

Another quick eventing update before we move on to the magazine again!

16.06-16.46 - Magazine

All of the news is now done, but I do have about half a page that is currently blank. So we are going to have to think of a creative way to fill that! I was going to add a live show quote of the month but cannot for the life of me think of anything to add...

After a brief break I figured out how to fill the gap and finished off the latest news pages. I have also started writing the show report which is about Sycamore Stud Live. I always try and pick the most recent live show I attended and usually try and write it as soon as possible afterwards. My memory isn't the greatest, even with photos as reference!

16.46-16.51 - Eventing Series

BE Advanced are now done :D We are getting there slowly, just four more dressage sections to go.

16.51-17.25 - Painting

I do a layer of paint on each of the five horses in my current batch. I have also now realised that I am out of primer.

17.25-17.30 - Buying Primer

If you see you are nearly out of primer you should buy more primer!

17.30-17.45 - Studying

Spending a quarter of an hour doing a bit of studying for my BHS exams. Brain is basically mush by this point on a Friday but it is a bit of a break from painting to allow things to dry.

17.45-17.47 - Eventing

We are getting there slowly with the dressage.

17.47-18.20 - Painting

Yay I actually finished two horses! A mini whinnie and a little resin Saddlebred are now both complete. Two little resin Clydesdales are also looking good. I have also nearly finished priming a Julip foal.

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18.20-18.24 - Eventing

CCI* is now done, which means just three more to do.

18.24-19.35 - Dinner

Tonight's dinner is "stuff what I found in the freezer curry"

At the same time we empty the dishwasher, do the washing up, fill up the water bowls, tidy the lounge and other general jobs that need doing.

19.35-19.48 - Live Show List

Starting work preparing for next weekend's live show by writing my own list. I'm really behind with this show as always.

19.48-19.51 - Eventing

CCI** is now done, just two more to go.

19.51-20.01 - Live Show List

List for Pretty in Pink is all written, now to just pack over the weekend (o and like actually make some tack sets)

20.01-20.14 - Eventing Series

Final dressage results are completed and uploaded.

20.14-20.26 - Graphics

I finish off the graphics I started earlier and update the website with five new banner images.

20.26-23.00 - TV & Balance Ball

I only fell off twice last night. So yay *go me*

23.00-23.15 - Feed Pets

It rained so no need to do the plants, animals are fed and put to bed.

Friday 23 June 2017

BreyerFest Live Show Prizes

Check out these glossies that will be available as prizes at this year's BF

First up is a glossy Valegro

Val1

He looks amazing in high gloss!

And second up is a glossy banks vanilla

Banks1

Two More Auction Models

Breyer have announced two more BreyerFest Auction models.

The first is a unique looking brindle on the Warmblood Stallion mould

June 22

Next up is a glossy palomino on the Laredo mould

June 23

Model of the Day - Pidgeotto

Our model of the day today is the very nice CRS Air Slash aka Pidgeotto

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Name: Pidgeotto
Show Name: CRS Air Slash
Breed: American Quarter Horse
Colour: Grey
Gender: Gelding
Scale: Stablemate
Brand: Breyer
Model Number: 5886
Model Name: Mystery Foal Surprise - Family 9
Mould: G4 Reiner
Years Produced: 2015-Present
Face Markings: None
Leg Markings: 2x White Socks
Sire: None
Dam: None
Unique ID Code: 561
Best Live Show Placing: None

A Week In the Life of Chestnut Ridge - Day 4

6.00 - Alarm Goes Off

So tired! Not much energy this morning nor any enthusiasm for getting out of bed.

6.15-6.55 - Walking Brandy

Weirdly we got caught in the rain on the way back. It has now stopped raining but it would be nice to have a few days of on off light rain, the ground really needs it!

Look how many steps I did on Wednesday!

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6.55-7.12 - Feeding Pets

Breakfast time for all the little critters.

7.12-7.29 - Packing Parcels

I have a bit of a hectic day on Thursdays and not much time between my physio and work to get parcels out, so I always try and do the ones I can in the morning. I only have one today where the item I need is at the store room, so we have a nice pile of small boxes and will get that horse on the way home from hospital and pack her up.

7.29-8.00 - Emails

I get the book keeping done and go through my emails. I also put next terms matches into my diary so I know when I'm working at that job! Coordinating three jobs does require a lot of calendar organisation sometimes...

8.00-8.16 - Exercises

I get my stretches and strength work done for the morning, even though time is tight it is important not to miss them!

08.16-08.25 - Breakfast

Couple of slices of toast and my second coffee of the day. I also make Brendon a cup of tea, he's awake at least!

08.25-08.30 - Daily Deal

Daily deal goes up a bit early today, mainly because I have to try and cram an entire days worth of work into about 2 hours today.

08.30-08.38 - Forms

I finally remembered to buy some more C5 envelopes yesterday so was able to get a load of health and safety forms sent off for an event.

08.38-08.40 - Blog Post

Breyer have released the latest Vintage club model, Ali, so I have done a quick Blog post about him (holding off ordering him until I get paid and definitely getting some Spirit horses with him :D)

 Ali

08.40-08.43 - Ordering Boxes

I've only got one large box left! AAAA! I thought I had more but clearly I don't. So more boxes have been ordered and we will make do until they arrive.

08.43-08.50 - Model of the Day

Whilst eating my toast I do the model of the day. I don't like doing social media stuff so early in the morning, it should be spread throughout the day paying attention to when people are around and using their computers. But needs must on busy days.

08.50-08.53 - Photoshow

Quick check over of Popular Votes Photoshows. All is in order and my own entries are all in for the current show. The show closes on Saturday and everything seems to be in order until then :D

08.53-09.09 - Clean Out Guinea Pigs

On days like today where I know I won't have a huge amount of spare time it is important to priorities jobs, cleaning out the pigs is rather important so I'm getting that done before I go to physio!

09.09-09.12 - Cat Litter

Get the cat litter done so that job is also out of the way! Caesar always looks so offended when I do his cat litter.

09.12-09.17 - Painting

I don't normally do custom work on Thursdays but I'm aware that I need to get some customs finished! So I do a couple of layers of thin white paint on two minis that are nearing completion.

09.17-09.23 - Tack Making

Probably better defined as "playing around with some wire to try and make a Schleich size buckle that looks good".

Now time to go to my weekly physio session!

09.23-12.28 - Physio

Not much to say other than this takes up waaay too much of my time!

12.28-12.35 - Packing Parcels

I get the last parcels packed up ready to head out to the post office.

12.35-12.54 - Post Parcels

Parcels are all gone for today :)

12.54-13.28 - Lunch

Whilst eating my lunch I also do some social media posts and take a cute picture of Crackers (very important)

13.28-14.00 - Tack Making

Carefully trying to make nice looking small enough buckles for this bridle!

14.00-17.38 - Work

I found a route home form work that didn't involve a massive traffic jam. So yay go me :D

17.38-21.40 - Dinner, TV & Secret Project

As well as getting some painting done at small times I was rather exhausted so just sat and worked on secret project on my laptop whilst watching TV

21.40-22.00 - Pets & Plants

I now have a hosepipe. On a related note Brendon flooded the kitchen.

But before bed one did have to capture all the gyms in town :D

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Thursday 22 June 2017

Model of the Day - Ginger

Our model of the day today is the very delicate Ginger Spice.

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Name: Ginger
Show Name: CRS Ginger Spice
Breed: Miniature
Colour: Chestnut Snowcap Spotted
Gender: Mare
Brand: Schleich
Model Number: 13688
Model Name: Falabella Mare
Mould: Falabella Mare
Scale: Paddock Pal
Year Produced: 2011-Present
Finish: Matte
Face Markings: None
Leg Markings: 4x White Socks
Sire: None
Dam: None
Unique ID Code: 738
Best Live Show Placing: Small Section Champion

Ali

The third release in this year's Vintage club is now available to order.

Ali is a gambler's choice on the FAM mould and is available in four different colours.

 Ali

I'm not a massive fan of any of these colours but I do think the gold charm looks quite nice.

A Week in the Life of Chestnut Ridge - Day 3

Today hasn't started well! My phone turned itself off during the night so my alarm didn't go off!

6.50 - Alarm Doesn't Go Off

I wake up, hear traffic outside and think "that's not good" *check watch* WTF PHONE?!?!?

7.12-7.35 - Walk Brandy

Just a short walk and a paddle this morning as she is going to spend most of the day running around at mums anyway and we are running late!

7.35-7.45 - Feed Animals

Guinea pigs had thrown their water bottle across the room. Because why not? It was Phantom. I know it was Phantom. It's always Phantom.

7.45-7.47 - Paying Bills

I need to make sure to pay for today's riding lesson! It's not cheap, I've had to fully stop my therapy and basically not eat to afford these lessons each week.

7.47-08.05 - Exercises

It's so hard to get back off the floor once I finish the last one. Also when you lie down you can see all the RubberNedz toesies :p

8.05-08.24 - Emails & Bills

O look more bills to pay! Just renewed our web domain for the next 10 years, I'll be 36 when that next needs doing again and I'd rather not think about that.

Book keeping and emails also all done.

8.24-8.40 - Social Media

Because I have a riding lesson Wednesday morning I spend most of the time attempting to cram as much in as possible!

Starting off I do the Daily Deal and then I do the Model of the Day and finally a 'new' style of social media post. I have a spreadsheet full of ideas and every Wednesday I try a new idea. I keep detailed data of responses so I know what posts work and what don't. Also important to keep data as to the time that they work.

8.40-8.49 - Customer Orders

First off contacting one customer about shipping for their item (do they want to wait until it is less hot!)

Second is prep work on a resin that has been sent for painting. It's quite cool in my study as I've kept the window open and door closed so OK to prime at the moment.

8.49-8.57 - Clearing Out Products

Every week I go through and delete products that won't be restocked. This is mainly customs and second hand models but could also be discontinued items that have sold out, or items that we ordered in specially and won't be ordering again.

Although we now hide out of stock products doing this weekly keeps everything look and feel more clean from the backend point of view. When we showed out of stock products it also kept the website looking cleaner for the customer.

8.57-9.07 - Getting Changed & Breakfast

I pull on my jodhpurs and grab a couple of bites of yogurt before I go, as well as some water as I know how hot it is.

Won't forget my purse today so I can get some fuel!

9.07-11.38 - Riding

I collect the horses for postage on the way and leave the dog at my mums house for the day. I have an hour long private lesson every Wednesday morning, I worked out I need to sell at least 3 customs a week to fund this!

On the way I pick up the horses I need for postage and leave Brandy to have a fun day of lying in the sun and refusing to be sensible and go into the nice cold house. It's currently so warm I'm tempted to just move into my mums hall which is disturbingly cool!

11.38-11.45 - Orders

Working on some prep work again now I'm home before I start packing parcels.

11.47 - 12.34 - Packing Parcels

You are probably getting into the routine of my life by now! But yep parcel packing time *yay*. I made sure to give the plush ponies a little cuddle before I packed them up. They are just too cute :D

12.34-13.00 - Posting Parcels

I forgot to buy envelopes again. That's the fourth day in a row!

13.00-13.05 - More Prepping

I want to get this guy primed by the end of the day so working on him throughout the day.

13.05-13.27 - Cleaning out Guinea Pigs

Victor has eaten an entire bowl of food since this morning. I swear this guinea pig has bulimia or something!

13.27-13.34 - Blog Post

Quick blog post with two of the new tack items I completed recently. No new Auction model has been announced yet but that means we could have two in tomorrow's post :D

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13.34-13.48 - Goody Bags

Ordering items for the goody bags for our next live show which is a week Saturday. The theme is 'hearts' so I found heart shaped bracelets and pink bags and little heart pencils. So cute :D

13.48-14.15 - Magazine

I manage to get a few articles written before I head off to work. Each magazine is 36 pages, so far we have 6...

14.15-17.30 - Work

A long afternoon at work, it isn't that far but rush hour traffic means it took a while to get home. Arrived home to find a house full of Sky men!

17.30-00.05 - Date Night

In search of air con we head out for a cheeky Nandos and to the Cinema afterwards.

More exciting was a trip to an air conditioned Asda where we found....UNICORN CUTLERY! Yep I finally found some :D

00.05-00.30 - Watering Plants & Feeding Pets

Watering plants in the dark really is just asking to get yourself attached to a rose plant several times.



Wednesday 21 June 2017

Rug & Browband

I really must get my sewing machine and learn how to use it! I'd love to be able to make decent rugs and not have to hand stitch. But you know what they say, practice makes perfect!

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I do love the colours on this though, despite the awful stitching

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I also had a go at making a clincher browband, need to work out how to make this neater and also how to indent the clinchers into the browband

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Model of the Day - Ronny

Our model of the day today is CRS Under the Net aka Ronny.

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Name: Ronny
Show Name: CRS Under the Net
Breed: Gypsy Vanner
Colour: Buckskin
Gender: Stallion
Scale: Classic
Manufacturer: Breyer
Artist: Deborah Brown
Mould: Shire A
Year Painted: 2015
Face Markings: White Stripe
Leg Markings: None
Sire: None
Dam: None
Unique ID Code: 690
Best Live Show Placing: Small Section Reserve to Reserve Champion

Tuesday 20 June 2017

A Week in the Life of Chestnut Ridge - Day 2

Day two of our week long what do we do post :)

6.02 - Awake

I hate alarm clocks, woke up to a hot and humid house. Really hating the cat a lot in this weather.

6.23-7.35 - Walking Brandy

Me: "There you go, have a quick dip in the pond"
Brandy: "ITS SO HOT I SHALL INSTEAD RUN AROUND AND IGNORE WATER"

Stupid dog.

7.35-7.44 - Feeding Animals

They are already sulking about the weather and it isn't even 8am yet. I need air con.

7.49-08.04 - Exercises

Doing my morning stretches and weights work is most important!

08.04-08.18 - Fitstar

I'm supposed to do this daily as well as my run but it was too hot yesterday! As it is also too hot today I thought I'd alternate and do this one this morning and then do a run again tomorrow morning.

8.18-8.25 - Breakfast

Today we have two slices of fruit toast (I know) and a glass of orange juice. We have some coffee I made earlier as well :p

8.25-9.00 - Studying

As with yesterday I spend the last part of the morning studying for my BHS exams. I'm still doing health and safety today.

9.00-9.32 - Emails & Social Media

I start the day by getting the daily deal done before going through all my emails. Renewed the domain name for another 10 years. That means I can rest for the rest of the day right?

I also do a few Facebook posts for the day, I try to space out social media posts throughout the day and the schedule feature is really useful for this when I'm busy!

9.32-09.50 - Marketing Email

Every Tuesday we work on a marketing email that is scheduled to send later on in the day.

This week it is about our Summer sale, a nice bright yellow background a few featured products. I am working on 'less is more' for our emails!

Now it's time for another coffee, I should probably also eat that second slice of toast I made for breakfast.

10.00-10.15 - Popular Votes Photoshows

I need to spend time each week just checking through making sure there is nothing in the wrong place or going wrong and also entering some of my own photographs to the show.

This show is pretty low maintenance until the end of each month where it is like a mad dash!

Today I am entering a few more of my own horses, the show this month is for spotty ponies. Or I would be if the internet would work properly...

10.15-10.32 - YouTube Video

I try and do at least one YouTube video a week.

Worth noting at this point that I have no video skill and my camera hates me. I am hoping that my aspiring film director of a younger sister will teach me how to create in focus videos once her exams are over...

I leave it to upload as I get on with my day.

10.35-10.41 - Photographing/Emailing

I finished off a repair job for a customer on Sunday so just photographing him and sending over conformation pictures to make sure she is happy with how he's turned out.

I don't usually do repair work, but this one was a reasonably easy fix (not a complete strip down, it could actually be repaired) so I happily took him back. He was painted back in 2011 originally and had suffered some nasty facial damage meaning he had to be completely reprimed on the face.

10.43-11.16 - Writing Up Results

I have three shows worth of results to write up so using some time this morning to try and make a dent!

11.16-11.56 - Collecting Horses

Off to the store room to collect horses. It really needs tidying!

Air con in car was lovely, tempted to just spend day sat in car.

11.56-12.42 - Packing Parcels

Some days do just take a lot longer than others. It's not necessarily about quantity always, often it is just orders that take time (such as hobby supplies, Schleich and mixed orders etc).

12.42-13.12 - Posting Parcels

I love the Coop it has like insanely cold air con and it's amazing. Do you think I could just sit in there and work?

13.20-13.24 - Shopping

I have become acutely aware that I only own one pair of shorts. So a quick hit up of eBay this afternoon to get some cheap slave made shorts.

On that note, why are all shorts really really really short?

13.24-13.48 - Tack Making

I normally try and spend an hour tack making but parcels took ages. Today I made a nice browband and finished off a rug I started last week.

13.48-14.00 - Cook Lunch

Put lunch onto cook and hung the washing on the line.

Now it's time to do half an hours worth of BHS studying (whilst listening to the Archers of course).

14.00-14.33 - Studying

Whilst eating my lunch I do some more studying for my BHS exams.

At this point normally I would go to work (or would have already left) but I have no sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays this term.

14.34-14.42 - Model of the Day

A fun little thing I like to do each day, it gives a bit more variety to the Chestnut Ridge Facebook page and also allows people to see some horses from my collection that otherwise you don't get to see.

14.42-15.03 - Adding New Website Products

First thing on the afternoon catch up is to add two new tack items to the website. It can take some time to add new custom tack items because each variant has to be individually added and the internet can be REALLY SLOW!

15.04-15.06 - Cat Litter

Next job, clean the cat litter tray.

15.06-15.10 - Blog Post

A nice Blog post with some of the new BF Auction horses, I love this one that I've added the image of below

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15.10-15.33 - Clean Out Guinea Pigs

Final thing on my catchup list is to clean out the guinea pigs. Poor boys are rather hot, not that that in anyway stops them from having an argument because I didn't put a house back in the correct place...

15.34-17.37 - Writing Up Results

The amount of time I devote to typing up results is ridiculous! But I have now written up all the results from the last three shows. I have also completely run out of space for rosettes.

17.38-18.15 - Clean Study

Finished off the cleaning of the chaos that I started yesterday, now we have a beautiful (if not rather cluttered) work space.

18.15-19.00 - Cook Dinner

I actually spent most of the time sat outside where it is noticibly cooler than inside! Also did the washing and tidied up a bit.

19.00-20.00 - Watch TV

I started watching a show whilst eating dinner and didn't have the energy to get up again and finish cleaning or do my usual Tuesday evening baking #lazyfailure

20.00-20.16 - Animals and Plants

Nearly time for bed *yay* I'm sooo tired. Garden has been watered and guinea pigs, fish, cat and dog all fed. Now it's time to melt in our rather overly hot bedroom. How much does and air con unit cost I wonder?

Breyer Auction Horses

I've been a bit behind on sharing these but we have some gorgeous models this year!

First up is this gorgeous pinto Marchador

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Second is a lovely grulla SJW. I really like the colour on this one.

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Next a chestnut blanket Adios

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And now a pinto Totilas

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Finally is my absolute favourite, a silver dapple Emma. Look how rich that coat is!

5th Release