Major is not always so crafty. Trying to get across the small ditch between the arena and his pasture was first impossible, now only daunting: requiring a giant leap (wish I could get a picture of that!), after which he is so proud of himself he gallops up the hill. Every. Single. Time. Sigh.
I however love to do crafty projects, when given the time. This rainy winter there has been too much time! There is only so much rainy-day hiking I can do before I am wet and cold and want to be inside, but even then a good book isn't enough to keep me entertained.
First I made a
new saddle cover. After holiday sale fleece fabric and some elastic, done. And spray painted a mash bucket, it lasts for awhile and is certainly noticeable!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVtUvaVLWWdQaBhoru1vJxvmfQc70jFKEwY1G7XCzqAhlNTSL262ejD6PEDy7UAKa3LpkWwMa4lru0YfrphXcaL2ln01jEmQzlBbwitNU0VgwXsNYj3ee8AYkHKkM9cdF2Dh0h0rsg8MOK/s400/saddle-cover-bucket.jpg) |
saddle cover and orange bucket, everyone knows my stuff! |
But what else to make...a new stall sign! Major's cheap blackboard has seen better days. I found a photo to trace and selected a bold "Major" typeface. I am lucky enough to be able to use graphics software to do this, but tracing a photocopied photo would work just as well.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFR0_Bpq9vuTMCVZ2q3mhtjOg3mDLJDo-_tebjAiuCaMPjwwmmnyI4ImMNSGpSRY3Y0-w9CviRyi9ZdgimGOg7RC5rlBRYq0HB0zmPs97R7JU_dvloRpyRxwquJcsvZh99wAFZVjRzysz/s400/Wild+West-trace-trot.jpg) |
pick a good photo (wild west 2015) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1MSS-7Kq-Ox6kdnk8hENHivJIKpC6IbxvJVI4mNpXpbavPEzMdARNS13j_Vxcd4TNBwahBwzbx4feZqlH_xS3mlhYWOZnXJVbeJpHEOXKgAlUuvy6hJx-C3PQrde4NrlObepKO8evboA/s400/tracing-sign.jpg) |
wood tracing |
I traced the artwork onto a piece of poplar wood (from the clearance section at the home improvement store). I took some liberties with his mane and tail, reality was too sad/boring! After that I traced all the lines over again with my cheap craft-store woodburning tool. Some lines are a bit rough, where the tool burns in really quickly, but it is a craft project, not a perfect specimen! (I'm too impatient for perfect.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYCktiLQGFb6YhHVST8lduYaxGEuqgID5DmFh28rTdqSSHCBVXoJtMTqRCOWC5z2yazAC002dS6cN7xCyFBpoFnAbMnUdnmepNuX_ksxbg4cH9QBy9O4jMyio-V-bk6y3OrdBJBDr3XYK/s400/woodburning-first.jpg) |
beginning wood burning |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3xynauiTPd8pMlKHwPmUUsrCP9DS9__9zS2guUBKGAsqhhfd7rXOnO1QAzV2wTr5G3-88hehNHXmGv09R_n6p5vZyI2YkB2FXf1tOk1IUIo-ZFyYjGBmOieTfI8AlFPs_WYmZU1adKfqw/s400/craft-supplies.jpg) |
practice makes imperfect! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GP3Pu1e902BX5KDCjZCGJoOrZkJwA8jrn7qOT0s9QWO7s_uaHaq5otW32_QfRzD2kpupzUwqD_xawxei5u_MhwBO4WEBp2cUbz1KZJn9JKcDvlhMXT-t2naIdnOk47lHlYj4Lb2TgWr3/s400/sign-almost-done.jpg) |
almost done |
I practiced with paint and stain, I wanted the wood to show through a bit. I used stain for his body and orange (of course) for the type. I sprayed the whole thing with a clear outdoor sealant. After a couple eye screw and zip ties, it is a worthy addition to Major's pasture shelter (even if I am a bit concerned that it may become a play toy).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zLbgKyL6KbEJRQpPSSUipk1WP0U0h5Nfh_w3MO8JXvRIWuv0naYLOU7tLPlTvaa-Ld1AD-24MC-vmv6LS1gsMFGemOP99-ccyngfYK_tZVQHT0Q-tM1B5IQmDQ2bq4YHxL5KimHAYHit/s400/sign-complete.jpg) |
hanging from Major's shelter |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbT40njz8y9n2SJ1te9QXdHyuQA8fwbU5aDNnkvQ6AWNt9yuxTViJzGZJOwK5XUe3D2Y79pQXc1Ls8xaybMR7mcBA-b59DC5PI8P27U0dSgZcJ2dLnI0eRpXMwf0WfnZBFnRK8xtKde9x/s400/sign-nose.jpg) |
what's this Mom? |
Now they're forecasting another week of rain, including the now infamous "atmospheric river." I have a paint-by-number and a few other project ideas. I could also clean the craft closet, which is an erupting disaster, but where's the fun in that? I'll close the door and begin a new project. Or walk my horse in between rain drops…