Monday, April 30, 2012

Good News!!!

I just received word that Beezus, the horse that was going to be put down found a home that is willing to take on her special needs. The vet gave them specific instructions and since the home already has had a blind horse, they know how to deal with her issues. What a huge, huge blessing!!! My heart is happy and relieved :D She has a retirement home to live out the rest of her days.

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Here she is, the little gray girl on the right, with her new horse buddies! She’s going to be a therapy horse for a special needs little boy. They both are special needs! How amazing!!!

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God is soooo good!

My Horse

Hi All,

I’m sure you have noticed the huge lack of costuming posts and an influx of horse posts. Well, after a very emotional month full of difficult decisions and heartache things are starting to turn around. Now that everything has been announced, I can share a bit of what has been going on.

My dear friend, who is also my  riding instructor, sadly had to close her barn and lesson program due to external forces beyond her control. The news came in the first few days of this month. The month of April has been bittersweet and heartbreaking watching the horses that we have loved and worked with in the barn go to new homes. As many of you know, I am in love with a 1200 lbs boy named Bob :) We had been planning on purchasing him later this summer and eventually, if things worked out, purchasing the horse my husband rides early next year.

Sadly, the horse my husband rides is in poor health, due to her previous situation, and her eyesight is almost completely gone now. She was showing vast improvement and we thought she would make it a few years longer. However, she started fading this week and her eyesight is continually getting worse. So, she will be graduating to horse heaven, per vet recommendations, later this week. It was an extremely hard decision that both myself, my husband, and our friend, the owner of the horse, made together. Luckily, we were able to give her an amazing last few months while she was under my friend’s care. She turned out to be 32+ years old. So, Aaron and I are at peace knowing that she will be out of pain and suffering.

The bittersweet side of the whole situation is my Bob horse. Aaron and I were blessed with the ability to purchase my boy. As of yesterday, he is officially mine. We will be in the market for a horse for Aaron sometime in the nearer future, but for now, we are enjoying just having Bob.

Yesterday we moved Bob and his rooster, John Wayne, to the new barn. It is a very nice facility with a HUGE arena, trails, and lots of other horses for Bob to play with. It’s also only a few miles down the road from one of my favorite trails. Another friend, who boarded her horse at our previous barn, moved with us. So, Bob and Ramona, my friend’s horse, get to be together and they are good buddies.

I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity and a life long dream finally coming true. Through the sadness I have seen God’s hand and provision. I know they are just animals, but they are my passion and it always amazes me how God provides for my little family of fur, feather, and now equine babies.

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Bob and his rooster, John Wayne, in their new stall. The move went very, very well and Bob is settling in quite nicely.

I will keep you all posted as we get settled into our new routines.

Love you guys!!!

Lauren

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Horses for Sale

Hi All,

  One of my dear friends is selling two of her horses and I’m posting their info here to help spread the word. If you live in the Portland, Oregon area and are looking for a well trained and sweet mount one of these kids may fit your needs…

"TA Ayla" AHA Registered Arabian mare. 15.1 hands, 19 years old. Fantastic KIDS horse as well as adult. You won't outgrow this mare. Sweet natured, kind, loving, English and Western. Trails, shown, gamed, loves and does a LOT! Too many good things to say about her. $2200”

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Here she is! She’s a real sweetheart.

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She’s a great “mom” horse. She packs around kids and loves it! She takes such great care of her rider.

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She also helps her rider tack her up. She loves “teaching” children.

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She loves to play horse soccer.It’s one of her favorite games!

The other horse that my friend is selling is a beauty named Derby. "Mica by Fist" AQHA Registered 14 year old gelding, 16.1 hands. Best for intermediate or show focused rider. English and western, moves well WITH navicular FRONT SHOES, must have front shoes at all times. Well trained good minded gelding with a few manageable issues. $800”

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This boy is also another favorite of mine. He works hard for his rider and has a very calm and happy disposition.

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He is definitely a show horse and really loves being showed. The above picture was taken a couple of weeks ago. He still has his winter woolies, except for the areas we buzzed :)

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He also enjoys horse soccer.

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Here is a summer pic of Derby. His coat is quite lovely in the warm months, in my opinion.

If you are interested in either of these beauties you can email my friend, Audra, at  cowboy_jerrys_horses@yahoo.com

Have a lovely day!

Love Lauren

Monday, April 16, 2012

Remembering the Titanic

Yesterday Connie, Angel, and I had a quiet picnic at Pittock Mansion in honor of the Titanic’s 100th anniversary. It was a lovely and quiet afternoon.

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A 1940’s Day

This weekend we celebrated my husband’s birthday by donning our 1940’s wear and visiting the McMinnville Air Museum. We had a blast and even got a chance to tour a B17 bomber.

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The boys and me in front of a plane from WWII. I’m wearing an original 1940’s dress and shoes. The boys are wearing WWII reproduction uniforms.

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Angel is wearing an original suit from the 40’s.

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Wednesday, April 04, 2012

A Visit with a Dear Friend

My closest friend from childhood came to Portland to visit me last week. We had a lovely time! IMG_0070

We started the trip with a Vintage Hair Workshop at Alexandra’s Vintage Emporium.

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And ended with a trip to the coast. It was so nice!

A New Addition

A few weeks ago we adopted a cute little girl named Chloe. She’s four years old and I am absolutely smitten. Here are a few pics :)

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Here she is!

She’s an outdoor only kitty and she lives with the chickens in their gianormous and safe run. She’s really happy and sweet.

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Here are all the girls together.

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Here we are! She loves to be held.

Love Lauren

Monday, April 02, 2012

Taking a Break

Hello Friends and Readers,

I just wanted to pop in and let you all know that I will be taking a break from the sewing world. I have a TON on my plate right now and sewing is the only thing I can cut out for a bit. I will still be posting pics of my life and adventures, but don’t expect any new projects or completion of projects for a while. Love you all!

Lauren

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Sneak Peaks of the Red Riding Habit

I’ve been slowly plugging away at my riding habit. I have been soooo busy I have only been working on it one or two days a week. The pictures aren’t the best, but you get the idea.

I am using Janet Arnold’s Riding Habit pattern as a guide for the skirt. I really liked the shape, however, I added a bit more fullness to the back of the skirt and I may add more fullness to the front, before I’m finished.

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The cartridge pleats on the skirt.

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The back of the skirt with the tiny bodice attached.

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I still need to hem the skirt, but I’m waiting until I finish the jacket. I want to see how it all looks together before I hem anything.

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The Riding Habit on the far right is the overall shape I am going for. I hope to have some more to show you all soon :D

Now, I’m off to the barn to work with the equine babies!

God Bless!

Love Lauren

Sunday, March 11, 2012

What We Have Been Up To…

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As you can see, Aaron and Beezus are two peas in a pod. She looooves him and he is in love with her.

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Mrs. Cartwright and I on the trail with Bob and B.IMAG0464

My boy, Bob, konked out with his buddy Ramona.

Sorry the pictures aren’t the best, they were taken with cell phones. At least you get the idea :)

I’m also plugging away at my riding habit. I’m hoping to have some pics for you all in a the next week. Right now, it just looks like a bunch of red fabric and seams :P

Have a lovely week!

Lauren

Monday, February 20, 2012

A Small Dinner with Friends

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The Devereauxs, the Cartwrights, and us

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We had to do a shoe shot to show off our hard work from the week before.

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At dinner.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Horses :D

Here’s a pic of hubs and I riding at his last lesson. I hopped on Bob while Aaron was walking Beesuz out. Audra, our instructor, snapped this pic of us.

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Friday, February 10, 2012

Painted Devies

The girls and I got together yesterday afternoon and had a Devonshire painting party. Here are a few pics of my shoes :)

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They aren’t perfect, but I’m happy with the overall results.

God Bless!

Love Lauren

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Finished Pemberlies

Here they are! I'm very happy with the results. I’m hoping to paint my Devonshires next :D

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God Bless!

Love Lauren

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Another Gratuitous Pet Post!

Ok, I know, I just can’t help sharing my cute pets and they’re cute behavior. They just brighten my life so much. The latest super sweet pet moment occurred last week. Miss Georgina finally started laying eggs. When the older girls started laying, they would get my attention and have me sit with them through the process. Well, this time, Catherine, my oldest chicken, took it upon herself to sit with Georgina through her “labor” while Henrietta sounded the “mom, come here and check on us” alarm every twenty minutes. It was ridiculously adorable and sweet, and thankfully, I was able to snap a pic of Georgina and Catherine.

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Catherine, the chicken on the left, sat with her wing draped over Georgina all day while she passed her first egg. Catherine preened her, and talked to her, and comforted her. It was amazingly sweet.

Pemberlies Progress

 

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Here’s the original shoes I’m using for inspiration…

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Here’s my pair so far. I still need to add the pleated ribbons. I also am not thrilled with the way the silk ribbon looks. The fabric glue makes it look wet and blotchy. So, I’m probably going to go for biased tape instead. Anyway, I’ll post more once they are finished. Have a lovely day!

Love Lauren

Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Finished 1790’s Stays

My transitional stays are complete and quite comfortable. I’m very happy with the fit and feel.  Here are a few pics of them. Enjoy!

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They are entirely hand sewn and constructed from one layer of canvas and two layers of medium weight linen.

Love Lauren