Go Girls!

At the end of another long week.......let's just say coffee is going to be my best friend as we race into February.  I really can't complain because busy is the way I like it!  It's true that the older you get the faster the time seems to fly by.  I always thought that was just something "old" people said!!  lol!  Those wise old people were right.

We've been working hard on custom ensembles, many of which this year have been for youth.  I really enjoy designing for the younger ladies.  I know that they are our future.  The next generation of talent is often pretty adventurous when it comes to dressing for the showring.  They don't have problem areas that they want to hide, and they are not concerned with conforming to ideas about age-appropriate colors.  They enjoy the freedom of their youth, and why shouldn't they?

I can relate to the excitement they feel - who doesn't love new clothes? I see myself in them, dreaming of millions of new outfits as my imagination runs wild. For me the clothes played a big part in being excited for the next show. I remember wanting to quit english riding and start practicing western pleasure at about age 14.  I was bored with breeches and the silver saddles and shiny buckles were irresistable. It didn't seem to matter that I loved hunter hack and the excitment of jumping or that I had mastered my diagonals and posting was now easy. Even worse news, my horse loved to move out in an extended trot and didn't know the meaning of slow jog. Needless to say, the glitz and glamor had taken over my brain!

All little girls must start somewhere, whether its at local schooling shows wearing second-hand and borrowed clothes or in 4-H and making clothes like me. I hope you enjoy looking and laughing along with me at this time line of show pictures....... Wow we sure have come along way! I'm not sure whats funnier, the clothes, the horses or the hats? LOL!

These are a few snapshots of me and my sis Robin.  We were bit by the showbug at a young age and you can see it's been a lifelong passion. I'm sure unless this is your first show season you've all got some treasured old pictures collecting dust. I encourage you to dig them out! It's a sure way to get a laugh and relive those sometimes forgotten old memories. Our old show clothes are as special as the stories they tell of dreams and memories past.

I can't seem to find pictures of some of my old favorites.  Maybe I'll have to put the actual clothes on a dummy and take pictures of them!

The most fun part of designing for the youth now is meeting the little girls and listening to them explain their ideas about what they want to wear. Some of these little ladies are extremely creative and have BIG IDEAS! Of course money is no object either at their young age!

Currently we are working on a Flower Power, Peace, Love and Rock 'n Roll theme ensemble inspired by a little girls' tastes.  Her mom and grandma say "she should have been born in the 60's," and I think she's eleven!  I had to laugh when I heard this!  I remember dressing as a hippie for a school play and drawing peace signs and flowers too.  You  never know what inspires kids' ideas.  On the other hand, some girls don't care about their wardrobe and would rather leave it up to their mom or trainer.  I guess a mother always knows best, or at least most of the time! Speaking of mothers, my mom took on the challange of sewing my designs as clothes got more costly once I started showing in western classes at AQHA shows.   

 Most of my youth clients are just at the begining, many showing at the breed shows and full of big dreams.  These girls all share a competitive will and the determination that I will continue to admire. Some of these younger youth are the most fierce competitors I've ever met, just full of energy and excitment!  I look forward to many more outgrown outfits and win pictures.  Send 'em in!

Heather