PAPER CUT!

Recently, I took on two commissioned paper cuts one of a horse and another of some pups. This particular commission has been a long time in the works (we first started chatting about this back in November I think) but I didn't get the official art work until April. Anyway, I started with the horse portrait because I assumed it would be harder, and while it was one of my trickiest ones to date, I LOVE how it turned out. Best of all? I made it from an Instagram photo -- that's right folks, you can send me your hipster-y, artsy photos and I can make you a beautiful paper cut from it!

Photo:

What a handsome pony! Apparently, he is a well-behaved stallion that gets blue ribbons everywhere he goes. I just love his owners gaze at him!

Paper cut:

It's almost finished. I say almost because there are little tweaks I will make (mostly highlights) and it will be mounted and matted for delivery. I'll photograph is again before shipping.

What do you guys think?

I have another commission underway, but I''d love to do more. I'll even barter for them (don't be shy).

Leibster Award!

I was nominated three times for this... but I will answer the questions from the first nominator Janine over at Hoofprints of Kaspin. A big shout out to Kate at Grey Brook Eventing for nominating me also this week!

The Liebster Blog Award is a way to recognize blogs who have less than 200 followers. Liebster is a German word that means beloved and valued. Here are the rules for accepting the award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog. 
2. List 11 random facts about yourself. 
3. Answer the 11 questions given to you. 
4. Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate. 
5. Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or fewer followers to nominate and include links to their blogs. 
6. Go to each blogger's page and let them know you have nominated them.

Eleven random facts about me:

1. I'm an Irish citizen. It's unlikely that I will apply for American citizenship (having EU status is golden), but I may eventually go for dual.
2. I have a severe phobia of static electricity. It's seriously ridiculous, and I allow myself to get super anxious in situations where static abounds. Winter time with blankets on horses is THE WORST for me.
3. I'm a middle child and I have very strong feelings about birth order and how it plays into your personality. I am a stereotypical middle child.
4. I wanted to be a forensic psychologist during my early college days... a summer class in photography and a 40-year old Nikon helped me find my real calling!
5. I hate peanut butter, pumpkin, AND watermelon. To most people this is very disconcerting, but since I didn't grow up in the US it makes total sense to me!
6. I've lived in 4 countries, Ireland, The Bahamas, England and the US respectively.
7. I was on my high school golf team and we went to the state championships.
8. I am ridiculously blind. When I was 15 my ophthalmologist told me I'd be legally blind by the time I was 25. I got most of my AP English books on tape because my vision was so bad in high school. It's gotten quite a bit better, but I can't see anything within 8 feet without my glasses -- it's a good thing I'm such a hipster!
9. You pronounce my name "nee-av". It's a two-syllable name that means bright or radiant. It's one of the most common Irish girls names of all time!
10. I believe in serendipity and the idea that things happen for a reason. I have a bit of a hippie streak that allows me to take life as it comes and I adapt easily to change. 
11. I used to eat legos as a kid. Deal with it.

Eleven questions for me:

1. How did you get your horse? Ha! My enabler friend Emily (who runs an OTTB retraining business) had Riley in her barn. She knew I was desperate to ride and offered for me to play around with him. She saw immediately how well we got along and the next thing I knew she was making me an offer I couldn't refuse... Sometimes horses just find you.
2. How did you come up with their name? When I was young my Dad had two nick names for me. He alternated between Daisy and Riley. Riley is after one of his favorite singers Paddy Reilly. Since my red-headed horse was foaled on St. Patrick's Day, I thought an Irish name of some sort would be perfect. His show name is Irish Goodbye, a move I am known for in social situations.
3. How often do you ride a week? 3-4 days a week during good weather!
4. Do you trail ride? Yes! As often as I can. Riley is only 4 and I think that getting him out into new places is so good for his mind, not to mention his fitness. He loves going for long hacks and we're lucky enough to be close to lots and lots of good places to ride.
5. Favorite food for you? This is tough, but if I had to pick one food for the rest of my life it would undoubtedly be Mexican. 
6. Favorite treat for your horse? He is very food motivated, but he definitely prefers carrots over mints. I'm sure I'll discover all sorts of other things he likes!
7. Do you use a helmet when riding? Always. I care about my brain more than my looks.
8. Favorite horse trainer? I've had some really good and some really bad trainer's over the years. I can say that my favorite trainer to ride with currently is Betsey Parker in Middleburg, VA. She's is very good at pushing me to go further than I think I'm capable of... there's a very fine line with me between boosting my confidence and me bursting into blubbering mess of tears and anxiety. I can't wait to get Riley down to her!
9. Best horse show you went to? Best show I went to as a spectator I'm assuming? Fair Hill International so far. I'm hoping to finagle a trip to Rolex into our honeymoon next year (I think we're going to do a bourbon/bbq tour of the south).
10. Future goals for you and your horse? First and foremost, to have fun. We're just getting to know each other and I want to really enjoy him this year and build up our trust together. I'd love to get him out xc schooling and maybe to a few shows towards the end of the year, but most of all I just want a sound, happy horse to spend time with.
11. Best picture of you and your horse?

    

    
    11 questions for you:

1. What's your biggest fear as a rider? *I feel like I don't trust people who say "nothing".
2. Who's your favorite rider and why?
3. What's the most useful piece of advice someone's given you as a horse owner?
4. How old were you when you got your first horse?
5. Burghley, Badminton, or Rolex?
6. Quick, you're trapped on a desert island, what three things do you bring?
7. If you could could have dinner with anyone (alive or dead, famous or not) who would it be?
8. Favorite guilty pleasure? 
9. Tell me three things on your bucket list.
10. If you could ride any well known horse who would it be and why?
11. Would you rather: Ride without stirrups for the rest of your life OR have one arm tied behind your back at all times?

Here are the blogs I nominate:

1.  All In -- I am simply amazed at anyone who can hold down a family AND ride. I recently came across this blog and not only is it filled with great photos, but I adore her chestnut OTTB Henry. 
2. Pia and Prairie's Parade -- This blog is like my own personal fantasy life! I love following along the journey of Gingham and her gorgeous mares as they take the PNW by storm. She has a terrific sense of humor and loves to analyze her rides with plenty of photos and video.
3. The Jumping Percheron -- I'm not sure if Stacey has more than 200 followers (she should), but her's is one of the first horse blogs that I started following. Way back when she was living in Hawaii and her mare was constantly covered in red clay. I've admired her tenacity and persistence and look forward to her new adventures with a second mare in her crew! Also, she's the kinda chick that I want to go drinking bourbon with, enough said.
4. The Polka Dot Periodical -- Holy Spots! I've been reading this blog for a few years (I believe before she even sat on Pongo and it's been amazing watching them progress. Nicku puts the well-being of her horse first and she's been an inspiration both in her horsey and personal life. 
5. The Adventures of Lucy -- Okay, she has 230 followers, but this is one of my favorite blogs! I love how Kate deals with the ups and downs of owning a OTTB mare. Lucy is never short on entertaining material for her blog and and presents Kate with challenges at every turn. Despite all of her shenanigans, it's clear just how much she is loved and cared for!
6. Sprinklerbandits -- Aimee is one of the most grounded people I know (on the internet). I've followed along as she's struggled with her former mare and later found her perfect partner in a lovely chestnut OTTB gelding. Red Pony Club for life! She's an inspiration to those stuck in a rut with a horse that is just not right for them and how to make the decision to find one that is.
7. Slow and Steady Wins the Race -- another Mom and another chestnut OTTB (are you seeing a pattern here?). I've just started reading this blog and I am completely fascinated by her courage to raise horse crazy kids and train a horse of her own!
8. Eventing in Color -- Another OTTB, this time one that was a featured horse in the HBO series LUCK. Again, a new blog for me, but I went all the way back to the beginning of her journey to get the full history. I'm really excited to see what these two will do together!
9. Thoroughbred Adventure -- This blog has everything! A TB mare, and gorgeous draft project and a newcomer who's a little paint thingamagig. 
10. Charlie and Me -- yet ANOTHER chestnut OTTB who is as cute as a button. I can hardly believe she has only 38 followers, so go over there are start reading her blog!
11. Good Time to Review -- okay, okay, okay... yes she has chestnuts too! Not only is Kari's blog fun and entertaining, but she's boldly honest, takes amazing photos and we're practically penpals in real life! I love reading her stores of life in North Dakota (she might as well live on another planet is seems so surreal), keeping her horses at home and how she makes it all work.