Monday, April 18, 2011

Horsing Around

The most difficult step for me in the pattern producing business is getting a good, usable photo of the quilt for a cover. Yesterday my friend Joan and I went to a horse ranch owned by a friend and fellow quilter, Peggy Nelson. It is in Pungo, Virginia. Yes, Pungo. It is close to Virginia Beach, and more rural. Remember my Saddle Tramp quilt that was published in McCall's Quick Quilts? I needed to get a good photo of it for a pattern cover, and a ranch seemed like the perfect place. Plus, I could borrow a saddle! Joan and I took a few photos and then her rechargeable battery went dead. So it was down to me with my little Kodak Easy Share C330. About half way through the photo shoot the batteries fell out of mine in the grass somewhere while we were moving the saddle and quilt around. Joan hits her palm to her forehead and exclaims, "I can't believe this! We are jinxed!"  Well, fortunately I had more batteries, so we were able to continue. Face it, nothing goes as planned! 
 There was this beautiful horse who very much wanted 
to be in our pictures!
 He was sure we brought him a treat. 
He kept searching for carrots!
 Joan tried to comfort him in his disappointment.

 Finally he tried to taste the quilt! That is when we moved on!
 We never got the perfect photo with the horse, but hopefully this one will do. 


Now I need to sit at the desk and write directions! Hopefully this pattern will be back from the printer in two weeks and the directions will be ready to go! Watch for it here, I will keep you posted!


I got an email from a reader recently who made this quilt as an auction quilt. Check out Nann's blog, With Stings Attached, to see her version! Very clever use of a novelty print! Thanks for sharing that with us Nann!
 

19 comments:

Karen said...

I think you captured the perfect picture. Your quilt looks beautiful draped over the fence with the saddle.

Mary Lou Casada said...

What a hoot!! At least it was his face on the quilt and not his hinder parts! :-D I love the photo you ended up with for the cover, though! Another beauty (and I don't mean the horse! LOL)
Blessings!
Mary Lou

Jan said...

Wow, I love it fan quilted. Pretty horsie!

Lori said...

The horse is hilarious!

I do love the photo you ended up with.

Paula said...

Love the quilt and the horse that just wants to be famous!!! So cute. Love your fabric choices. :)

Kelli said...

Absolutely LOVE the pictures - what a time you had! Thanks for sharing - looks great!

Libby said...

Perfect photo and a fun story to go with it *S*

Candace said...

How funny! That horse was really trying to steal the show! I love the photo you got and hope you use it!
Cheers!

Mrs. Goodneedle said...

This is so funny! I love the second picture, it looks as though the horse is inspecting your workmanship! This is a great pattern, Marcie!! I have this vision in my head of you and Joan running around like Lucy and Ethel.

Janet said...

I like all the pictures you got - how fun the horse was so interested :0) It's a gorgeous quilt - he has good taste :0)

Vivian said...

The sequence of photos with the horse is great entertainment! I must ask -- how much did he snort on the quilt? Any remnants of horsie sneezing? I hope not. The final photo is gorgeous!

Karen said...

I like the photo for your pattern. It is a wonder the horse didn't take a big bite out of your quilt.

Wendy said...

The photo shoot was funny to see with the horse. But it still turned out great without the friendly guy chewing on the quilt. Now when I see your pattern I'll think of what you went through to get the best picture.

Anonymous said...

I'd have loved to have been there at that photo shoot! Too funny about your horse friend. I guess next tine you'll need to stalk up on some pet friendly snacks? Your new cover is fantastic!!!! You go girl!

AnnieO said...

Funny horse! Tasting is just out of the question, indeed, even if the quilt does look as yummy as this one :)

OMG, my word verification is PONIEST!

onlymehere said...

I don't remember if it was you or Barb who posted about Kris and Kim at DYI Dish. If it was you then check out my blog post today or just watch Rachael Ray today bz they're on it!

Sue G said...

Marcie, Just saw 3 of your patterns offered for sale on Primitive Gatherings Website. Congrats. Check it out. Sue G

http://www.primitivegatherings.us/shop/index.php?page=1&act=viewCat&catId=13

Quilts And Pieces said...

OK, those pictures with the horse are so funny!

Rose Marie said...

Great photos ..... your pattern covers are the best!