Prepping and Priming

I don't like prepping. It so tedious and it feels like whenever you think you're done there just pops up a few more seems and imperfections. Anyway I've finally reached the point where I can give them their first coat of primer.

Some more prepping after that and my models are now finally completely prepped and primed (no picture of that unfortunately.

I did have some issues with the primer on some models. I still don't know why. One model needs a bit of sanding and repriming since the primer kind of cracked in several areas of his body and the primer stayed slightly sticky for a longer while on some of the models but it seems as if it is drying slowly but surely.

I can't wait to get started painting them but with an exam coming up and a very intense course right after I'm not sure when I'll be able to...

Bye bye...

... Avant

and....


...welcome Nikon D3200!

Yep, my old digital camera is now retired (or more like semi-retired as it will make a good party/don't -need-to-be-as-careful-with camera) in favour of my new SLR camera!

I'm so happy! I've always wanted a good camera and even though my Avant have been good enough for my needs for a long time it was a very cheap camera and it has taken good pictures but not great.

And as I am going to South Africa for a safari, and more, in June my want for a better camera turned into a need for a better camera. I mean you can't go to Africa for a safari and more with a good but not great camera. So I was supposed to buy one but my dad beat me to it and gave me this one as a Christmas gift so that I will have lots of time to really learn how it works so that I get along well with it before my trip! :) I'm so happy and hopefully I'll get to try it out with my models soon as well.

My family and animals in my company is probably quite tired of being used as photo-models by now :)

Here are some pictures I've taken during the Christmas holiday:

My dear little Svante sleeping on the bed, close to the computer so that he is within petting reach for any computer user.

Devil sleeping on the sofa.

Liten looking at something edible my boyfriend had in his hand.

Loke on the sofa.

My boyfriend's family's cat Sanja in her favourite spot. Just after yawning.

Plans for 2015

My dear Poppes

I manged to achieve 5 out of 9 goals set for last year! I would love to set higher goals for this year but since this will be a very intense year when it comes to school, my funds will still be very limited and the fact that I will be having a lot of things on my plate this year (including a month long trip to Africa in June and working) I will instead set lower, achievable goals.

- Attend at least one liveshow.
This is a goal I'll try to achieve every year as I love the liveshow atmosphere and meeting all the great hobby people.

- Get my RC Mini Haggis painted.
Yes. This is the year that my mini Haggis will finally get some "clothes", hopefully.

- Paint some of my poor naked horses.
I still have quite a few naked models that need new clothes and since I probably won't be able to buy any I'll have to paint some myself :)

- Buy at least one model on my wish list
Doesn't matter how big or small. I probably won't be able to make it through the entire year without buying one anyway ;)

- Take photos for my website
Now that I have a new camera I just need to find some time to photograph them.

- Finish pedigrees for at least 3 breeds
Small goals will hopefully make sure that I will make it through all my pedigrees one day.

- Keep blogging
I'm setting the bar a little lower for next year and will try to post at least two posts a month.

I hope that 2015 will be as good a year as 2014 was for me. 

2014 Review

Splinter In My Soul, Paint horse gelding
Sm. G2 Stockhorse repainted by me

As seen in this post, my goals for 2014 were as follows:

- Attend at least one liveshow.
- Obtain some of my "to be portrait" models.
- Get my RC Mini Haggis and RC Bruno painted.
- Paint some of my poor naked horses.
- Obtain at least one horse for my Strapless conga.
- Get started showing with the IMEHA
- Finish my website
- Organize my pedigrees
- Keep blogging

Let's see how I did:

- I did attend a liveshow in May and I enjoyed it very much! I would've loved to attend more but with limited funds, studying and work I couldn't.
- I did manage to obtain, not one, but two, "to be portrait" models. An Eberl Elsa and a Kandinsky Dino. Elsa.
- I didn't get my Mini Haggis or Bruno painted but at least I got Haggis prepped and primed.
- I did paint a few of my poor naked models, as you can see in this post.
- Unfortunately I was unable to obtain a horse for my Strapless conga.
- I did get started showing with the IMEHA, and I absolutely love it! It's great fun and my models have actually done quite well over the months.
- I didn't finish my website with pictures as I had no opportunity to take any. 
- I decided to save our trees and instead of organizing all my pedigrees in a binder I decided to organize them on my external hard-drive but I'm not finished.
- I managed to keep the blogging up fairly good. I posted 4 or more posts 9 months of the year so I'm quite happy actually :)

I managed to achieve 5 goals out of 9 and I'm happy about that :)

I didn't do a whole lot of model horse buying in 2014 but higher rent and a long-distance relationship kind of makes hobby funds scarce but I'm still very happy with my 2014 haul.

1 painted resin horse, Unnamed Tivoli resin
2 unpainted resin horses, Rose Tiny and Eberl Elsa
2 unpainted resin dogs, Kandinsky Dino and Sarah
A few original finish models I won at a show
And of course I have another "to-be-portrait" model with a prepper. Can't wait for him to arrive :)

Adria, Abaco-Barb mare
Sm. G2 Paso Fino repainted by me.