Monday, February 15, 2016

Shopping & Crafting

This weekend was super eventful. I spent the majority of it crafting, binge watching Vikings on Hulu, chugging coffee and shopping on ETT. Oops.

In the last week really, I have newly acquired a schooling quality standing marginal, FITS breeches, white full seat breeches for dressage, colored rein stops, and Equilibrium Stretch/Flex boots. Each item was LESS than $50 each too. YES. FITS Breeches for less than $50. I couldn't believe it either. And the Equilibirums I got for $40. FORTY. 2 items I could never afford full price and there they were on ETT for a steal. What is life. I follow Aimee's standard for shopping, if its super cheap, buy it, even if you don't need it. I needed everything but the Equlibriums though. And the FITS. Okay okay.. In other news, I might have found a saddle, like to purchase. More on that later. Sidetone if anyone knows anyone that needs a size 16 saddle, let me know.

So what else did I do this weekend besides not ride because it was -10* windchill and blizzarding the whole fucking weekend? CRAFTED. 

Yes, crafting. I haven't done much in the ways of creativity lately, unless you count sketching a little here and there...


...but Jackie (aka BFF Extraordinaire and Yankeepants second momma) requested a stall plate and I was like, UM YES ABSOLUTELY I want one too, lets get crafty. To Michael's!

The most expensive shit was the wood stain and chain, otherwise, the wood itself wasn't too pricey. (SPEND ALL THE MONEY!!)

I will tell you this, staining wood, in the garage, when its -10 outside is less than wonderful and the stain itself wasn't really drying. SO, I brought the whole operation inside and covered my tables with paper bags and was so so so careful. So. Careful.


Before and after, 3 coats
Staining wood is insanely fun for some reason, and I was like, what else can I stain? STAIN EVERYTHING.

After the stain was dry (I did 3 coats, about 45 minutes in-between each coat, I cleaned/watched TV while they were drying, questioned life and my sanity) I then got to work painting the names. Yes, I used stencils, because I didnt want to spend four hours with a shaky hands (too much coffee) painting letters.


I painted 3 coats on the letters after the original stenciling was done, which was horrible because my hand was shaking, but I got it done. Then, I painted around the outside because reasons. Afterwards, I glued on the wooden crowns, because OTTBs, that I bought for $.99 and felt super accomplished for the day.


The whole process took almost all day simply because of dry time, and I'm still not quite done because I need to find a way to attach the chains so they can hang and be portable for shows!

I might start selling these for anyone who wants one, as I can do ANY color, any stain and any design, painted or glued.

I made these with the intention to be portable  & I think they turned out pretty baller. Despite no riding, the house is clean, I am fully stocked on tack and clothes and my DIY crafting was a success! Yay weekend.

21 comments:

  1. What a great way to spend a blizzard! Those stall plates look amazing! I wish I was half as crafty as you.

    I also saw those Equilibrium boots and FITS breeches on ETT, but you beat me to the punch haha.

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    1. Hahaha I win. Jk jk. But for real I couldn't pass it up!!

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  2. Wow, those are great! Nice way to spend the day!
    Your drawings are incredible. You're super talented!

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  3. I've been thinking about making some stall plates too! These are really cute!

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  4. Nice to see I'm not the only one excited about Vikings returning! I made my stall sign too, for the chain I robbed enough from a hanging plant basket and bent long, skiny nails around the end links and hammered both sides into the back of the sign. Works great. What website is ETT? I love a good bargain myself. Your drawings are incredible btw, I'm intrigued at how you worked backward (for me) on the top one, leaving the face for last.

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    1. So much love for Vikings. The binge watching has been real. Thanks for the tip too! And thank you on the drawings! I generally work face back but tried it a new way. It was tough. Obviously, I haven't finished

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    2. Oh and ETT is English Tack Trader on Facebook! #addict

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  5. Haha I've wanted equilibrium wraps forever, but they're more $$ than I want to spend. Congrats on snagging a deal!

    Hate fits though. HATE.

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    1. That's why I bought a pair to try for less than $50 ;)

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  6. What type of paint did you use for the lettering? You didn't have any issues with it adhering to the stain? (I'm curious, I've been wanting to do one for my guy for a while now!)

    Thanks! :)

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    1. I used acrylic, not the cheap kind from Walmart either haha. I also plan to finish it with a waterproof poly layer once I get the chain attached. I had zero issues, just need a few layers so the stain doesn't show through

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  7. You are so talented! If you ever want to sell portraits or just some of your sketches hit a girl up. I'm down to buy all the art!

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    1. I've been trying to sell my stuff here and there and don't get many bites unless it's around Christmas! Email me, vollmermonica@gmail.com

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  8. Those turned out awesome!! When I made a bunch of stall signs for friends we engraved them. I never thought about painting them. Would have been so much easier and more colorful lol.

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