A Sad Day

Monday was a very sad day for me as I had to say goodbye to Betta, the lovely sweet horse I leased for two days a week for a few years.  See this post here for more on my life with horses.

I had to stop riding Betta a year ago as she was getting old and was developing really bad arthritis in her legs.  But I still went to visit her a couple of times a week, groomed her, took her for walks, and spoiled her with carrots and cuddles.

Last week her owner decided her time had come and her arthritis just too bad and too painful.  So Monday we met at Betta's barn to say goodbye and see her on her way.  I like to think of her spirit cantering through some wonderful grassy field in another dimension of life so I made this card to send to her owner to say thank you for leasing her to me and for all she taught me.

I put the stamp in my MISTI, inked up the body with brown and the mane and tail with black, then heat embossed.  I went over the unembossed parts of the stamp with brown watercolour paint, masked the horse and did a combination of sponging and painting the sky and grass with Distress inks.  I masked the grass and stamped and heat embossed the trees.

Here is a photo of Betta, younger and healthier:

 

And just last week, in her old age: 

It is so hard watching our beloved animals grow old.  Many of you also know that I'm a dog lover.  My dear old English Cocker, Will, turned 14 today so that is something to celebrate - he's doing well, loves his walks as long as they're not too long or too cold, loves his food, and loves to sleep by the fire.

Here he is ready to head out in the sweater I bought him this year to stop him being chilly:

And here he is in his favourite spot by the fire, warming up after a walk:

For all of you with animals in your lives, give them a hug from me and enjoy every moment you have with them as sadly their lives are never long enough.

Supplies:

Stamps - Local King Rubber Stamp Co. horse, Tim Holtz trees, Chocolate Baroque sentiment

Ink - Ranger Archival Jet Black, Memento Rich Cocoa, ColorBox Evergreen, Distress inks in blue and green

Paper - white cs, watercolour paper

Size - A2

Accessories - clear embossing powder, fun foam, brown watercolour paint