New Ponies :D

 Because of the house move I've been really behind on sharing some of my new arrivals with you.

So instead you are going to get one massive post with lots of horses in! Including some that have only just been unboxed.

Enjoy :)

CRS Submission (Tiller)

Spirit Collector's Model

CRS The End (Zahra)

Breyer Vintage Club Zahra

CRS Bonus Ball (Bone)

CollectA Dog

CRS Match Fit (Match)

Schleich Cob Mare

CRS Desperate Measures (Mea)

Schleich Advent Calendar Model

CRS The Moosetrap (Moosetrap)

Schleich Advent Calendar Donkey

CRS High Winds Actor (Actor)

Schleich Advent Calendar Model

CRS Buried Alive (Ali)

Mojo Percheron

CRS Afternoon Tea (Medley)
My Little Pony Medley

CRS Peregrine Qazam (Buddy)

RubberNedz Foal to 'Elf' Decorator

CRS Vanity Project (Vanity)

Mr. Z Donkey Foal

Bonus points to those of you that can work out where the show names come from!

Four New Customs

 First of all I must apologise for the poor photography, I'm not properly set up yet (the whole model horse situation is just chaos and disaster right now) so I can't take decent pictures! I'm trying to persuade the husband to actually sort out the pony room so I can get some decent pictures soon!

The one advantage of the NaMoPaiMo parties has been that I've actually been able to get on with some customs. All of these models were started last June which gives you a bit of an idea as to how behind I actually am with them! I quite like the black but I'm not over the moon with the rest. They are all for sale though and finishing them off means that I can focus on some new models, many of which I'm much happier with so far!

First up is a little mini whinnie foal. She's been painted to chestnut.

For some reason I got the light right for that photo but the rest are awful!

Secondly we have a G3 Peruvian Paso to liver chestnut tobiano. This model was originally a plain liver chestnut but had to have a colour change after I spilt white paint on him. As you do. Anyway he's now tobiano!

Third we have a black G4 Driving. This model has lots of shading that you can't really see due to the darkness of the photos. Once I get set up properly I'll redo these glamour shots!

And finally the unicorn. This is an odd one as it changes colour depending on how hot or cold it is. But it seems a bit stuck at sorta blacky/grey rather than the nice purple! Very much a "I will experiment with random things" model this one may suit some tastes, but not others. I'm sure there is someone out there who will love her!

If you have fallen in love with any of these guys they are all for sale on our website here: https://www.chestnutridge.co.uk/store/c3/custom-finish#/

I'm currently working on the last few that were started last year and a few new ones including a gorgeous bloody shoulder resin and my NaMoPaiMo horse of course!

New Model: Gibli the Shadow Pony!

 As I'm sure you all know I'm not the biggest fan of social media but it definitely comes in handy when brands relaunch and you didn't know! Thank you to Laura for sharing some pictures of her new Shadow Ponies and pointing me in the right direction so I could also add one to my herd.

For those who don't know Shadow Ponies are an old brand of models that are made from wool and felt. They are super cute! I have several vintage ones but my favourite has to be Rebecca:

So you can imagine how excited I was to learn that the brand had relaunched and there were brand new ponies ready to order! They are all being sold through Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/ShadowModels 

So my box arrived last week and OMG SUPER CUTE PACKAGING! He came in a little box inside an spotty envelope (adorable) and it was just such a joy to open. You can watch my unboxing video below:

So if you've watched the video you've probably already met him but let's meet him properly. Say hello to CRS Gibli (aka Gibli - no creative naming here)

Is he not just the fluffiest thing you have ever seen?!?!? His mane and tail are just so cute and those FEATHERS! OMG he is to DIE FOR!

I definitely need at least 8,000 more of these guys, they are just too cute. I haven't unpacked all my vintage ones yet but I'll make sure to get a collection shot of them all together when I do :D

BreyerFest Tickets :D

 I've been so busy this week, sharing this and sharing that I completely forgot to update you guys on my BreyerFest ticket purchases!

As I'm sure you all know BF tickets went on sale last Monday. You can still buy certain types of tickets here: https://www.breyerhorses.com/collections/breyerfest-2021-tickets

So last Monday I finished work and then got some jobs done, and then I loaded up Chrome with just the Breyer website open. I then just refreshed, and refreshed, and refreshed. I knew where the link would appear so the moment I saw it I clicked, clicked VIP and checked out like a ninja.

Well the model horse gods must have been shining on me because I managed to get VIP tickets! They sold out within two minutes and literally hundreds of people tried to get the 200 tickets, so to be able to get it was a real joy. I was just so happy I nearly cried.

I then added an all access ticket so that I could try and get Brendon his bull.

On Wednesday I got the chance to purchase my models. So who did I buy? Well no real surprises here!

Special Runs

Pollock was my obvious first choice!

And how could I not get a Seven Arts Surprise :D

Limited Editions

Favrille was another obvious choice for someone who can never have enough decorators!

The only model that wasn't an open run was Prisma. As I have a very close hobby friend who collects Sherman Morgans I chose to use my second slot to make sure she got one, she deserves it :)

I will also get Josie at BreyerFest, I'm not bothered about waiting for her so I didn't want to waste a slot. For my All Access ticket this is my preference list:

1. Knossos

2. 7 Arts Surprise

3. Gran Cavallo

4. Ansel

5. Uffington

6. Pech Merle

7. Tassili

8. Seurat

Although the later ones might switch around again before I pick, what I really need is that bull! Or I'll have a super unhappy husband!

Let me know if you managed to get tickets below :D I would love to know who you are planning on purchasing.

I'm so excited :D

Puffin

 Check out this awesome new Collector's Club web special from Breyer:

Puffin is part of their new series of Web Specials all based on birds and she is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

I am being good and not entering because of the amount I've spent on BF tickets & horses this month already but OMG I LOVE HER! She is so shiny and pretty! She is like a glossy badger. Good luck to everyone who is entering for her. I can't wait to see one in person!

NaMoPaiMo Painting Parties

 This month we are holding four online model horse events (all through Zoom):

Friday 5th February 7pm: Pub Quiz

Saturday 6th February 11am - 16.00 (drop in & out): NaMoPaiMo Painting Party #1 

Saturday 13th February 11am - 16:00 (drop in & out): NaMoPaiMo Painting Party #2

Saturday 26th February 11am-15:00 (drop in & out): Breyer Bootcamp Social & Crafting! 

This post is specifically about the NaMoPaiMo parties but if you want any information about any of the others just use the contact details below!

How To Get Involved

To get involved you will need the Zoom login details.

You can get these by emailing me at: catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk 

You can also join the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1518363228343127*

*You will still need the login details so just drop me a PM or email me for them!

If you have attended our Pub Quizzes before and have the Zoom login then you are good to go! I will be using the same one for everything.

What will Happen?

During the parties we basically just sit around and paint! We can chat, share tips and tricks or just be together. You can drop in and out at anytime, I will be online all day but might occasionally be away for a few minutes to get a drink or visit the bathroom!

I also recommend that you try and do something to celebrate, such as bake a cake! I was going to bake one but I'm having a no sugar month so I can't :( (every time I try and do sugar free cakes they end up being complete disasters)

Feel free to decorate your room or wear a special t-shirt or anything to celebrate :)

You do not have to work on your NaMo pony to take part, you don't even really have to be doing NaMoPaiMo! It is just a chance to hang out together. I plan to spend the day working on several different horses (I don't have any decent sealant at the moment so may not be able to do my NaMo horse anyway)!

Help! I've Never Used Zoom Before!

Do not fret!

First you will need to go to: https://zoom.us/ 

Then click "join a meeting"

Then enter the meeting code and password (you will need to email me for these)

If you want to speak you will need a microphone (your phone will have this, or a laptop). You may also want to turn on your camera, again your phone should have one, but most computers and laptops have inbuilt web cams as well.

You can use the 'chat' function to talk if you don't have a microphone!

I may occasionally mute people if they are making loads of noise (e.g. kids or pets running in). Please make sure to mute yourself if you are using anything like a compressor for an airbrush or a dremel! 

Is there a cost?

Nope! Totally free and open to anyone :)

If you have any questions just email me at catriona@chestnutridge.co.uk I look forward to seeing you there :D

My 2021 NaMoPaiMo Project

Popular Votes Photoshows: February 2021

 I do apologise that I have not been on top of making sure there are updates about our ongoing shows in here. I promise to do better in future!

For those who don't know what Popular Votes Photoshows is, it is a Facebook group that has been running since 2015. We run a different show each month. Each show is judged by group members, who like each others photos in a set window of time. The horses with the most likes win their class and go into a championship! Champions get a rosette sent to them and get to be the cover photo for the next month.

Group Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1493893527541574

January's Champion

Chromographic owned by SB

January's theme was artist resin and china.

February's Show

February's theme is: South America

I have put the class list below for you to look through. This show is open to all makes and models, the only rule is that they must be a South American breed!

Breed

Paso Fino

Mangalarga Marchador

Peruvian Paso

Criollo

Chilean Horse 

Falabella

Brazilian Sport Horse 

Polo Pony 

Other Purebred (including Pantaneiro)

Partbred 

Donkey & Mule

Gaited Youngstock 

Non-Gaited Youngstock

Performance

Must be South-American breeds!

Polo 

Traditional Tack/Performance

English Performance

Western Performance

Other Performance

Finish

Original Finish (includes CTF)

Custom Finish

Artist Resin & China

Fun

Best CollectA

Best Breyer Mangalarga Marchador 

Mare & Foal 

‘Taco’

Interpret this how you want! Put a horse in a taco, enter a horse called taco, make a taco with a model horse.

If you want to take part a reminder that the link is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1493893527541574 

Good luck everyone!