FWSSR 2013

This year my good friend Erica Cole, whom I also sponsor in Craft & Crown gear, ran at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo(FWSSR) AQHA classes. She competed in the Amateur and Senior Barrel Racing and Pole Bending after only having a baby back in December. I was very proud of her to take on the endeavor, much less actually make it to the Cowboy Publishing Timed Event Challenge. I have to say it's probably the toughest I have seen in years and I knew even if she had the perfect run it would be tough for her to make the top 65. There where probably close to or over 300 horses all-together that she had to out run.She had some tough luck in the barrel race classes, but we where still looking forward to Pole Bending, which her mare, Foxy Jab O Lena, excels at.

She had not ran but 2 pole patterns since a year ago at the last stock show so I was curious to see how the pair would mentally handle everything. Some of the best horse/rider teams in the US are at this race and saying that this is tough is an understatement. Of course, Erica rallied and they ran a 21.6+5 and a 21.5+10. Although the second run wasn't fast enough, her Ammy run made it to the top 65. She drew number 45 and when it was her turn to go Erica and Foxy wowed the crowd as they slithered through those poles with effortless speed. Unfortunately they pulled the very last pole down. They ran a  blazing 20.85 with a +5, which would have been good for 11th place without the +5.

  Despite Erica's tears of disappointment I, and everyone else, couldn't have been more proud of her 3 beautiful runs in one day after a year off from having a baby! Afterwards, she saw her video and realized how great they really did run. She is now more determined than ever to go out and win and show what a team they are! That is why I am so very happy to be sponsoring this up and coming young lady who has made leaps and bounds from where she just started a mere 2 years ago when she started barrel racing! What a team Erica and Foxy has become and they most definitely get noticed everywhere they go. Check out the pics I was able to take while I documented her experience at the FWSSR and first time back at race since having her beautiful baby boy, Lawson. Congrats Erica!

Above, Erica Cole and her 17 year old QH Mare, Foxy Jab O Lena ready for their 1st run back in almost a year since she had her baby boy in December 2012.

Below is the Stall Sign I made for them to display Foxy's great pedigree and information.

 

Below-Craft & Crown gear that they ran in, Classic Equine Dy-No-Turn bell boots and fuscia polos with Fleur De Lis embellishment.  

 

The arena getting drug at the John Justin Arena. Some of the best Pole Bending horses and riders in the US are competing in this event.

 

Making their way up to the warm up pen.

 

 

Foxy is a very nervous mare who loves to do her job, so Erica hand walks her to keep her calm and focused. Once she get's in the alley she's like a stick of dynamite ready to explode and go to work as fast as she can! 

Below Foxy sure is looking like a sleek and gorgeous race horse. 

The one and only Martha Josey even told Erica "She sure is a beautiful mare".

 Made it down from the alley and half-way around the 1st pole in 3.3 seconds! Wow!!!

 

 After a hard days work, Erica bathes Foxy in cool water and a body liniment. She also "muds" her legs to make sure she is feeling great and not sore the next day. Care for our horses is #1.

 

 Here is Erica's 20 second pole run! Fox sure is a natural at weaving and cutting it back. I personally believe Pole Bending is one of the most difficult, nerve-wracking event's to compete in. Once again I can't say enough about how much they accomplished at the FWSSR 2013. I think they are going to be pretty tough this year, so be on the look out for this team at local North Texas Barrel and Pole Bending races.

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Bling In & Out Of The Ring

I have started making some new horse items and have been having a blast with all of the new ideas and items I have been rolling out. Most barrel racers and other equestrians love bling on their tack, so I decided to take it a step further and add it to everyday items like brushes. Feeling fabulous and confident while getting ready is important so that confidence will carry on into your riding and showing. I didn't feel like buying brand new brushes since mine where in great shape, so I just refurbished them. I stuck them in the washer, and gave them a complete makeover!

 

Above is my brush set featuring my brand, Royal Spur Racing. 

Below is the first brush set I made. "O for a horse with wings.-William Shakespeare". These feature pegusus horses from HorsnHayes Art and Swarovski embellishments and super high-gloss finish. 

 

This I made for our sponsored barrel racer, Erica Cole. Also Swarovski crystals. 

 

Set I made for a customer.

 Below are brushes that I have bought and fixed up, or refurbished for myself or others.

 

Baby Girls Galore

 Well I have been very busy with baby shower orders, horse orders, Do3 and running HorsnHayes Art as well! As you may know, Craft & Crown has a very broad spectrum of items that I make. I just do a little bit of everything. Keeps things fresh and fun. Below is some of the items I made for a baby shower. They wanted something to put the Thank You Gifts in, which where rocking horse cookie cutters, so cute! I found this wonderful lime green pain and I braided some rope to write the baby's name on it. I also edged the top in bottom with rope as well. The sign was just the icing on the cake for this adorable set up. 

I also made for the first time a Diaper Rocking Horse. I looked online to get ideas, and although most them where quite adorable, I wanted to make this item a little bit more realistic. I gave the pony an arched neck, and defined jaw. I added eye lashed to the bubble eyes and used a gorgeous fuscia yarn for the mane and tail. Lime green felt for ears, lime green ribbon and rhinestone buttons for the bridle and bit. 

 And of course I had to have a gift! What could be better than a trendy bow holder. I was told her room is hot pink and lime green with a little bit of a cowgirl feel. So I decided to go with a just a bit of paisley print for embelishment and rope border as well. Turned out lovely!

 

 I also had another baby shower for a friend that same day at the same time that I could not make it too. This is another adorable bow holder. I tried to make it to match what I felt her personality was and come to find out the baby room is done in an array of pinks and whites with a vintage feel. I got lucky and it matched perfectly!

1st Birthday Round Up

Yee Haw! Saddle up and get ready for a real Wild West Round Up ... Cowgirl Style! I would first off like to say after plan got all mixed up I was short handed and did not have time to take pics before hand so you will be getting the after party pictures. Also we missed a few things like the "Waterin' Hole" and "Chuck Wagon" but you can visit my Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/craftandcrown
to see the print outs.  My original plan was a pink and brown little girl cowgirl party, but after a visit to Party City I thought I wanted to make a more exciting setting after find a beautiful pattern in some napkins. So I went with the multi-color paisley pattern (pink, brown, orange, turqouise, lime green) and mixed in some western and cowgirl decor. The cakes where by Sinsational Bakery in North Richland Hills, Texas and everything else I cooked myself! Tex mex fajitas, a true cowgirl cousine. Browse through the pictures to see about more of what I did for this special party.

Come on in partner! I used a lasso for a wreath, a large metal horseshoe and star metal sign with some balloons tied to them, and a welcome sign on the front door.

Close up of the Welcome Sign. It reads ' Howdy Partner! Welcome to Olive's 1st Birthday Round Up. Come on inside and take a seat around the campfire with the rest of the folks.

I placed pink ballons EVERYWHER and had pictures of the Birthday Girl hanging from them.

Birthday banner above the seating. I used paisley prints and birthday hats scrapbook paper and printed out the letters.

I used some scene setters like the star, cross, made another banner, and places some pictures in some frams of the Birthday Girl.

Below the mantle, more scene setters!

Party Favors: Cowboy hats and bandanas in pink and blue, as well as moustaches and sherrifs badges too!

Sign read " Just For You Buckaroo. Grab a hat and a bandana too. Don't forget your badge either, dress up and get in a Cowboy state of mind! YEE HAW!

Dessert Table: Mix of Rock Candy and PIXI Stix, oreo truffles, vanilla cake by Sinsatinal Bakery in North Richland Hills, Texas and smash cake for Birthday Girl. It was devine!

I customized cups so that everyone could keep up with which was which. It really added that special touch. I had some more decor and print outs around the food but it was forgotten about among all the wild rukus. It turned out to be a fabulous party and everybody thoroughly enjoyed it!

No Limits!

Craft & Crown has many new additions for 2012 including holiday items, baby gifts and even equine items. There is no genre that Craft & Crown is limited to! If you want it, we can make it. Take a look at some of the latest that we have to offer!

This first wreath was done for my Aunt Betty as a Birthday gift from my mother. I chose her favorite color, sage green, and added gold and brown accents. The pictures are grainy and do none of the items any justice but they all turned out remarkably beautiful.

This second wreath was made for my Aunt's assistant who put it an order after seeing the the first one I made for her. She opted for a silver and red wreath and red sparkly cross. I used silver wired ribbon, red tule, and red and black wired ribbon along with glitter silver and red berry accents.

 One of my closest friends recently had a baby shower for her first child. I found this idea on Pinterest and added my own tweak to it. The original idea was a bucket with a painted chalk heart with the name written on it on the bucket. However, with this being a boy and a western theme I thought the rope written name was much more appropriate. I stuffed it with all kinds of must have baby needs including a custom new sew camo and brown fleece baby blanket with his name written in camo letters.

This first set of over-reach boots where made for the charity Dreaming of Three. They where looking for sponsors to offer year end rewards for their members and we offered this punchy set of boots. The design was put on the outside of the bell to ensure that there would be little wear as possible.

 This is a custom set of fuscia polos I made for my good friend for her birthday.

 I also included a custom pink camo sheet for her horse with her inititals as well as a set of custom over-reach boots as well.

 Initials on the Velcro.

 Black Diamond stones places on the outside of the boots.

BOO!

Halloween was always one of my favorite Holidays. Now that I have a child I am able to experiance Trick or Treating all over again. I remember being a kid and how exciting it was to go up to the houses that where really decked out and not knowing what was going to jump out and "getch ya". So this year I decided even though I wont be home I'm going to decorate and even though I wont be home I'll leave out a big bowl of candy and hope that the first kid that comes along doesn't dump the whole thing in his trick or treat bag. So as my first attemp to make some Halloween decor I went with a wreath project. I loved the way it turned out but I decided it should go to someone else and I am going to go in a little bit different direction for my porch display. It's a very cute wreath however and much more vibrant in person and I'm sure the new owners will love it!

Dark Days & a Dark Horse

   I have always had fun doodling and drawing horses and for a short while when I was younger I became quite serious at it. However, after taking Advanced Art in 8th grade I lost complete interest when my unpleasent teacher took all of the creativity and whimsical imagination out of my drawing and reduced it to rulers and porportions. I did learn a lot and understood what she was teaching but for me it took out the more complex comprehension of what is art. That comprehension was drawing from the soul. Bringing to a blank piece of paper your true passions, imagination, and inguenity that no one else but you behold.

   So for years and years I sat and watched my Dad's artistic abilities advance and go above and beyond anything I could ever imagine that he could do and wished that I was there right a long with him. However everytime I tried to sit and even doodle, that magic that was once there, was lost. So I left it alone and decided that if it ever did decide to creep back up inside me, I would know, and I would not force it upon myself the way my teacher forced it upon me back in 8th grade.

   So now, almost 10 years later after so many dark days of no art, it hit me like a hurricane to pick up a paintbrush and let it flow. Painting is something I have never really done before because I had always thought it to be too hard. So I was a little confused as to my sudden ambition, but I went with it, and hear is my first painting I have ever done on canvas. I call it "Dark Horse" and am thoroughly pleased to know that I still have that yearning to express myself artistically through more than just words. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.