Mile View

Scatter Butte, From the South.

Trees in Scatter Butte Creek.

Camera Shy

Scatter Butte From the East

I hope you’re enjoying your winter!

Happy Trails and much love-

TSDC

Kismet was orphaned at 7 weeks old, when her mother, who was pushed into the river (the Missouri) by a hail storm, failed to make the over half-mile long swim to the pasture on the other side of Parker Creek Bay. We lost 3 broodmares and 5 colts that storm; Gump and Dino’s mother and month-old sister among them. Kismet wasn’t found right away, and we assumed her dead; that is until a neighbor called us and told us there was a colt in with his cows. The herd stallion, Silver Bueno Tom, a mare and her foal did survive the swim, and ended up in the pasture right next to where Kismet was found. There were several surviving broodmares and foals, but it was tragic to say the least.

Now she’s a healthy, trouble-maker!

Because he holds his ears sideways more than not, Peanut always looks a bit like Eyore. Maybe that’s what we should name him?

She was really trying to start something!

Maybe if I ignore her?

This isn’t working out so good.

Oh well!

Happy Trails!

What you’ll need:

Craft paint/acrylic paint
Sandpaper or a sanding pad (one with medium grain for acrylic nails works fantastic for this project, just an FYI)
Paper Towels or a rag
Paint brush or sponge brush

Step 1.
Start with a plain frame. I bought this one at Walmart for $14.99 I think. Did you know that to best protect your photographs, a mat isn’t just something to make the photo prettier? On the contrary, the mat is there to protect your photo from becoming stuck to the frame or glass, etc.

Step 2.
Remove the glass and the mat and set them aside.

Step 3.
Begin sanding where you want to remove the black paint to expose the wood below. The more paint you remove the darker the color you paint on top will become.

I generally start in one place, and work my way around the frame until I’ve been around the whole thing once.

Details of what it looks like once it’s been sanded:

Step 4.

Paint on whatever color paint you want in the sections where you’ve sanded. It doesn’t have to be perfect because any extra, you’ll just wipe off with a paper towel or rag anyway. Perfect is not the name of the game with this project. More like used up, and shabby is what we’re going for.

If you desire more color, or want to do two colors, you could repeat Step 3. I was really only interested in pink.

Step 5.

Once the paint is dry- and really it dries quickly, you can put the glass and the mat back into the frame. Place your photograph in the frame where you want it, and always, no exceptions here folks, attach it to the mat with painter’s tape or masking tape. Other tapes can ruin your photograph.

Here’s the finished product:

This project is simple, and it’s something you could have the kids help you with if you were so inclined! If you try it, I’d love to see your finished results!

Happy Trails!

So will the following three people, please stand up?

Kristy Jewell, Sharon, and Bridget Kurtenbach for your guess on “Coming Home”.

It graced page 5 of the Capture Dakota book and has been used in numerous promotional pieces for the book as well!  The three of you should contact me, at jennifer @ thesouthdakotacowgirl dot com to claim your autographed, 5×7 print of “Coming Home”.

Now, on to who won the latest contest “From the Horse’s Mouth“.

You’re not going to believe this, but Bridget Kurtenbach, you’re the lucky girl!  Get me your info so I can get it to Mr. Kinford and we’ll get your autographed copy of the book to you straightaway!

Happy Trails!

We’ll begin with wedding Numero Uno:

Wedding Number Two:

The Bride’s Shoes:

If this doesn’t scream rustic to you…

I have plenty more favorites where those came from! But at some point I have to stop!

Happy trails!

Earlier this summer I was notified that I needed to enter a contest. Or maybe we should call it a showcase. Either way, I entered about 37 photos. The point of the contest, called Capture Dakota, was to showcase The Dakotas, with photographs taken by anyone who’s been here, or lives here. It was open to both North and South Dakota photographers (amateurs and professionals alike). There was no theme, per-say. The photos just had to have been taken in either state.

Viewers to the contest, as well as those who submitted photos, were able to vote on their favorites, and badges were awarded based on votes. There were photo of the day selections, most popular, and of course, those that got 100 votes were awarded a badge. I could go on and on about the various awards.

The goal of gathering all these photos was to choose the best of the best and put them in a coffee table book. From the submissions, the top voted photos as well as editors’ choices, were selected to shape the book. It contains 200 photos and is 128 pages, and will be released November 17th, 2011.

On Thursday, October 13, I received an email stating that one (or more) of my photos was chosen to be published in the book! Needless to say I kind of jumped up and down in the kitchen when I read that. You see, I had only earned one badge for a photo getting 100 votes, and I hadn’t submitted some of the more popular photos- though I was late to the party by several months! I didn’t expect to get an email stating I’d been published. But, no matter, the editors saw something they liked, and as such I am lucky enough to have at least one photo published in a coffee table book! I had several published last month in Dirt Road Daughters Magazine (in case you were unaware).

A smattering of my entries:

Here’s what makes this the most fun- I have no idea what photo(s) they chose, as they’re keeping it a secret until I get the book into my hot little hands! I’ve had the bright idea to do a “guessing” contest with you, the readers/fans.

What I’d like to do is have you go to my Capture Dakota profile page, scroll through my photos (and vote while you’re there, please). Then choose the photo, or photos, that you think made the book- enter by leaving me a comment here on my blog. You can tweet me or Facebook too, but those entries/comments won’t count- they’ll just be for fun! The person(s) (up to 5 winners) who gets it right will be awarded a signed 5×7 of one of the prints that made the book. I think it will be fun to have the contest now, that way we can all be in suspense for the next month together! The contest will begin today- and for kicks and giggles we’ll run it until NEXT Tuesday, October 25th. Entries will close at noon central time.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in purchasing the Capture Dakota book, go here. And, I’ve started an online gallery where all of my submitted Capture Dakota prints may be purchased. They’re not all there yet- but I’m adding them daily. Wouldn’t you love to have some of this art hanging in your house? I know I’d love to have it hanging in your house!

Happy Tuesday and Happy Trails!

Lily is as big as her mama and Rival is just cute. Though I didn’t get many pictures of him. He likes to “hide” from the camera. But I did get some of his gorgeous mama, Shuttle. She’s my favorite mare of all time. Ok. Maybe I’d say that about my other mares, Dolce and Sonora, but Shuttle, really holds a special place in my heart. She was the first horse I ever bought all on my own accord and I had high hopes for her. But a joint infection ended her promising career early, so she has a new career, as a mama! This year she had a colt by Poco Tivio Pep, and next year she’ll be having a colt by WDX Nukem.

Here’s some of the girls running- they did this all on their own accord. Silly mares!

Shuttle is certain that she should have been a wild mustang.

She and Rival are so pretty!

I just love this picture!

They’ve finally decided they might could slow down and let me walk in there to rub them.

Hey girls!

I love how they’re running around with long pieces of grass in their mouths!

If you look close you can see Lily Filly back there!

Hopefully you enjoyed seeing these photos as much as I enjoyed taking them. Happy Wednesday and Happy Trails! And don’t forget- these photos can be purchased here.

As for the rest of you, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the support, so I will show you instead.

You may purchase the signed, numbered, limited edition print here:

But because there was so much support surrounding this image, I’ve decided to make it available for purchase in an 11×28 print as well (and for less moohlah)!

I hope everyone has a great week! I know I will. I am leaving in the morning to head to Iowa to ride with Buck Brannaman. And for those who’re interested, I will be blogging about the experience, again!

Happy Trails!

Here’s how this is going to work:

I’m going to give away an 11×28 canvas wrapped print of the photo below.

I will sign it and number it 1/150. Once the contest is over, it will then be made available for purchase in case you missed out and want it! Once those 150 are gone, you’ll be up a creek without a paddle if you didn’t get in on it before they’re gone! Or you’ll have to wait until the book is released to own it, and those that accompany it.

With this particular canvas wrap, you can frame it or hang it, as is.

Now without further ado- here’s the image:

In case anyone is interested- the butte in the background is called Scatter Butte. It’s one of the ways we can tell how hard it’s snowing come winter, because it can be seen for miles and miles on a clear day. It’s a good 3 miles away from the house. The horses in the foreground are some of our ranch horses, enjoying the life every horse dreams he could have.

Here’s how you enter:

1. Leave a comment (or comments) on this post.
2. Tweet me @thesdcowgirl and use the #SDCowgirl hashtag. That will get you entries. I’d love to count RTs, but I am not always notified of those, so while Re-Tweeting is great, it won’t get you additional entries.
3. Tell your friends to “Like” The South Dakota Cowgirl on Facebook, and to leave me a comment telling me who sent them and you’ll both get an entry.

Since this is a “big” giveaway- probably my biggest ever, I’m going to leave the contest open for a week. Entries will close at Noon on Friday, September 2 and I’ll announce a winner sometime the week of the 5th.

Now, go have yourself a super Monday and don’t forget to enter as many times as you like!

Happy Trails!

Here’s mama, flying off:

Here’s the fuzzy baby:

Isn’t it just cute?

And I should totally get bonus points for this shot here:

Yes, that’s a meadowlark. On a the fence line. Score!

Happy Friday everyone!