Friday, September 14, 2012

New Chapters

Somewhere on my third or fourth outing on Nick, I realized I was going to be hitting an annual brick wall. Cooper was a green horse once long ago and had the benefit of two good years of daily riding from April to November. Over that two years, we parted ways a few times, had many discussions about acceptable trail behavior and grew together as rider and mount. He turned into my perfect partner and I like to think I'm his. Dandy had a fine start before he came to us and needed about 30 days of consistent riding to get into condition and beyond the skills he had come with. Nick as horse 3 in the herd is never going to get that kind of time here. I have more things other than riding that I like to do and truth be told, I like my two easy experienced trail horses. Isn't this what I worked so hard for? Yes, it is.  So it is not with a heavy heart that I tell you Nick is starting a new chapter in his life, one in which he gets the opportunity to be someones much loved "Cooper". When my occasional riding partner Mary saw Nick, she fell in love with him. When I mentioned I needed to move him along she thought that he would be a fine replacement for her much loved but ready for retirement horse, Woodrow. I thought she would be perfect to handle his gregarious and playful nature.



 Both her riding style and soft touch bode well for a blossoming partnership.  There are 4 happy souls in this deal. Everyone is getting just what they need and want at just the right time. Bonus is, I'll get to visit him since he won't be too far away. He leaves tomorrow and I know there are going to be tears, but not too many.

Since chapters is part of the subject of this post, here are two wonderful new additions to my small sewing library. The first is actually a weighty textbook for fashion design students and covers a wealth of topics taking you from basics to couture.



 I have coveted this book for a while but the price is out of this world.



After over a year a reasonably priced copy came up on eBay and Gene grabbed it for me. The second is all about inspiration.



 It's not going to tell you how to make something, but when you're scanning around for ideas to jazz something up, this is a go to for sure.



The horizontal pin tucks on the cuffs of my last San Diego top came right from this book.

Very little sewing has happened this week. Preparations for Nick's move and deck stuff have eaten into hobby time, but I did manage one lovely sleeveless duster from Connie Crawford's new Butterick pattern 5473.



This was a fun pattern to do and very nicely drafted. It is easy but does have a fair amount of finishing to the garment so it takes a little more time than you would think for a long vest.



The fun colored selvage provided a little detail between the bodice and lower portions



Finally after a week of grumbling and swearing, Gene has finished up the eight forms. The concrete company heads up this afternoon to pour those footings and we can get to the actual structure building next week. I'm sick of the ladder. Bringing groceries in yesterday was a real pain. I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend with no holidays or festivals. Maybe a reflective morning ride or two.

Parting shot: Purple Timmy, when green or orange Timmy just won't do!
 

7 comments:

Michelle said...

Woman, you must have the largest closet of anyone I know to store all those beautiful clothes you are continually finishing!

Such wonderful news for Nick (and you and Mary)! I hope I have my own wonderful story to share soon . . . but just don't know . . . .

mrsmole said...

Love the vest!!! I'll bet it fits well and you learned something from making it and it looks funky with that selvedge! I have the first book but that second one is intriguing. So happy you can re-locate horses make a friend so happy. One more day of vacation for me and then back to reality.

Laura said...

I echo Michelle's thoughts on Nick. It's very hard to make the decision that a horse isn't right for you (or you, him), but it sounds like you found the perfect solution!

The books are awesome - one just can't have too many books (about anything...).

I like the vest. I have some handwoven fabric that I'd like to make something like that out of - I'll have to check out the pattern!

LA said...

It sounds like you made a win-win decision for Nick. I know you'll be glad when the construction is finished!

Mary said...

I have so much gratitude for this change with Nick. Everyone will benefit. Thank you!

Theresa said...

Michelle, LOL, actually I don't, but I do rotate things out seasonally, 1 in 4 shirts usually end up stained or barn wear and I have no t-shirts so blouses are usually the order of the day. I'm hoping for that wonderful story for you too!

Mrsmole, Well, I'm a funky kind of person so being able to use that beautiful selvedge was a plus for me. Sorry you have to come back to your wedding white reality so soon!

Laura, He was never going to hit the open market. If the right person/home didn't come along, I would have been happy to keep him for the rest of his life. One can't have too many books. While I love my kindle for novels and general reading, books are still a thing of beauty .

LA, I can't tell you how glad I'll be when construction is finished.

Mary, You are most welcome.

prttynpnk said...

Oh! I'm totally kicking myself- in a moment of brave and rare selflessness, I put that pattern in the Pyramid giveaway...arrgh! Thats it. No more good deeds.