Hello Friends,
Sorry for the long absence! We just got back from Nevada where we’ve been hanging out with my son, Adam. We generally meet up at the Jordan Valley Big Loop Rodeo (Jordan Valley, OR) this time of year, but due to “the virus” of course, the rodeo was canceled. So, we made the trip to his place in Battle Mountain, Nevada, to celebrate his 30th birthday with him. It’s always an amazing time and such a treat to visit him on “his” ranch. Adam is “cow boss” on a 600,000 acre ranch over there and the last couple times we’ve gone over, we’ve been able to take part in a good old-fashioned calf branding. I love watching the cowboys (and girls) do their jobs! It takes one back to the old west for sure, and puts rodeo events into true perspective!
As you may know from my previous posts, I love, love, love horses. They’re such beautiful animals, and they smell sooooo good!! Adam’s ranch has a herd of about 60 horses which they run into a corral every evening. The horses know the routine. Inside the corral, there’s a rope “corral” – just a rope in a circle. The horses all know to run into the rope circle and line up where then Adam ropes the horses that he and the other cowboys will use the next day for work. They’re in the saddle 8+ hours per day riding the range, herding cattle, doctoring cattle, etc.
It’s absolutely one of those visceral experiences to see, and hear, the herd of horses galloping across the desert, heading for the corral. The thunder of hoofbeats is unmistakable! You can hear them long before you can see them, though you can generally spot the huge cloud of dust from that many hooves. And when you finally do see them, oh the magnificence of that many beautiful horses in full gallop… AMAZING! It’s right up there in my book with military jet flyovers which also leave me breathless and emotional.
My pictures don’t do it justice by any means, but perhaps give a little insight into the experience.
All the horses lining up. I wonder if they’re thinking, “Pick me, pick me!”? Or “No, please not me, please not me!”
Adam roping the horses for he and his cowboys for the next day’s work.
(2 of my favorite guys in the whole wide world!)
The gray horse below, and I became fast friends. His name is Dent due to an injury when he was a colt; he has a permanent little divot in his forehead.
Just a few branding pictures. I was unofficially the branding photographer and gave vaccines for a while; Dean, who is well practiced at working calves, placed ear tags and otherwise helped where needed. All together, 267 calves were branded, vaccinated, ear tagged and bull calves made into steers that day. A busy day for my birthday (cow)boy and the rest of the team!
A happy momma cow and calf trotting off into the sunset after the calf was worked…
With all the horses and rodeo-style ranch life over the past several days, I just had to make a horse-themed card. I apologize that it’s made with retired stamp sets… I so wish Stampin’ Up would bring back some of the old sets (or something similar), such as the one featured on the front of my card, “Equestrian Dream”. The front sentiment is also from a retired horse set called “Horse Frontier”.
The inside sentiment is from the one and only current horse set, “Let It Ride”, which will be retiring as of June 2. If you want it, you best order it SOON!!!
I added a few new products also, which will be available June 3; in particular, the Cinnamon Cider card stock which is one of the new In-Colors; the Early Espresso mat was embossed with the brand new “Old World Paper” embossing folder; and the tag for the front sentiment was made with the new “Lovely Labels Pick-A-Punch”. Again, these products will be available on June 3!
The stamped image was colored exclusively with Stampin’ Blends in the colors as noted below. I love these markers. Just look at the sky, I used the light and dark of the Balmy Blue, and then just a few streaks of light Smoky Slate, and it looks so realistic with seriously no effort or artistic ability required!
The Cinnamon Cider mat was grunged up a bit by using some sandpaper around the edges after it was run through my Big Shot in the “Subtle” 3D embossing folder. I used three gold brads for a little bling, and some Kraft Rope Trim for a makeshift lasso!
The inside sentiment is from “Let It Ride” as I mentioned above (retiring June 2); the horseshoe is from “Horse Frontier” (retired), and the three horses at the bottom of the panel are from stamp set “Bareback” (also retired) 🙁 I know it’s not fair to show off a card using retired products, but if you’re lucky enough to own these sets from years gone by, or have other western style stamps, the card map and ideas could be replicated, just different images!
Thank you for stopping by and allowing me to share pictures of my amazing son and all the horses, horses, horses!!
I’ll be back tomorrow with more inspiration using stamp sets you will soon be able to order from the new catalog!!!
Until then, happy trails!
Janet
Product List
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Horse Frontier Clear-Mount Stamp Set
[126347]
$14.95
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3/16″ Metallic Brads
[119741]
$6.95
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