Absent Without 'Puter!

I will be visiting my parents for the next week and unfortunately there is no access to a computer there. So I will leave you with a little newspaper to read while I am away.

This was fun! Have a lovely week, do what you all do best and keep on blogging!

For All Teddy Bear Lovers

For any arctophile, the passing of a great magazine like Teddy Bear Scene was almost too hard to bear ('scuse the pun). Many of us faithful followers grieved for months. So it gives me great pleasure to pass on this information to all those who haven't yet heard ... we have a new arrival coming soon from Kathy Martin (former editor of TBS) and I am so excited!


If you would like a copy of this wonderful 100 page Annual, on sale from 19th November in the UK, you can pre-order your copy online now, just click here and have it delivered to your door.

Kathy has put together a great article on Teddy Talent from Down Under featuring The Australasian Creative Design Awards, as well as many other wonderful articles including a beautiful feature on "Teddy at Christmas", so it will definitely be worth buying.

There is talk of a Teddy Bear Scene supplement to go with the UK mag Collect It in 2010 and possibly more Annuals! But if we are to revive this magazine it needs a strong following to support it, PLEASE PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS AND ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

No, I don't have shares in the company, I just feel strongly about giving back to a wonderful magazine editor who has worked hard to support the teddy bear industry and who has selflessly promoted teddy bear artists worldwide for years!

Hugs to the beary passionate!



P.S. Nancy just emailed this link for US subscribers.

Are you a Purple People Eater?

Thought that might catch your attention! LOL! Well, you saw the work in progress, now I want to introduce you to my two finished purple people ... these little "Cupcakes" also have just a touch of my favourite colour, pink! Of course you cannot eat these little "Cupcakes", they are just to look at ... they will sit or hang.


This is #001


And this is #002 Sorry I have been adopted!

They are both 15 inches (38 cm) tall and apart from the obvious clothes they are wearing, their sox are painted with glitter paint (every gal has to have a touch of BLING!) and the shoes have buttons sewn on the ankle strap at the side. Both these cuties are up for adoption at $55 AUD plus postage & insurance according to destination.

I do plan to make some more "Cupcakes", just not in purple!
Enjoy your day, have fun and laugh lots.

REDnesday!

I have finally managed to get it all together so I can participate in this week's REDnesday hosted by our lovely Sue at It's A Very Cherry World. Please drop by to see what the other RED things the bloggers have in store for you.

This lovely chappie who I have named Mr. Wonderful, is the Christmas swap bear I received from my dear friend Linda Benson of Benson Bears. Quite a departure from Linda's realistic style, beautifully dressed in a green wool felt jacket and hat with RED cotton trim. He is accompanied by a tiny (2.5 inch) bear in a stocking which Linda embroidered with my name in RED floss. Both his outfit and stocking are finished with RED star buttons.


There is so much detail in this little bear and he has just the cutest leather nose. I was so thrilled to received such a wonderful bear.

The wee bear below is the one I designed for Linda. (Actually he is the second, attempt...I started one in RED mohair but was unhappy with the results so I binned him!) Lindsey (named after Linda) is made from Alpaca and is accompanied by his very own RED sleigh on which I painted a little bear with Christmas baubles.


Eventhough the bears are quite different, I thought it was kind of funny that we both designed cream bears dressed in green felt, with accessories finished with our names ... it's almost like we were on the same wavelength. LOL!

Have a Happy REDnesday!


So I Am Over the Top Am I?

I don't know whether to thank Ruth from Flutter-By Bears or shoot her, for passing along this award & tag list. I know I can often be brief and to the point but this is a real challenge to answer with just one word.


Rules :-
1. Use only 1 word answers.
2. Pass along to 6 of you favourite bloggers.
3. Tell them you've given them the award.
4. Have Fun !!

1. Where is your cell phone? Dead
2. Your hair? Dyed
3. Your mother? Leo
4. Your father? Quiet
5. Your favorite food? Chicken
6. Your dream last night? Didn't
7. Your favorite drink? Pepsi
8. Your dream/goal? Peace
9. What room are you in? Studio
10. Your hobby? Hobby?
11. Your fear? Heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren’t? Unhappy
15. Muffins? Never
16. Wish list item? Time
17. Where did you grow up? Oz
18. Last thing you did? Emailed
19. What are you wearing? Nightie
20. Your TV? Boring
21. Your pets? Lovable
22. Friends? Great
23. Your life? Busy
24. Your mood? Excited
25. Missing someone? Jan
26. Vehicle? Sparkles
27. Something you’re not wearing? Bra
28. Your favorite store? Fabric
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? August
32. Your best friend? Hubby
33. One place that I go to over and over? Bathroom
34. One person who emails me regularly? Julie
35. Favorite place to eat? Home

I am presenting my award/tags to:
Madam Samm @ Sew Dolls Who's Next
Linda @ Benson Bears
Jennifer @ For the Love of a Teddy Bear
Raewyn @ Dollys 2
Nancy @ Dog Patch Critters
Sophie @ Sophie Z'Ours

Thanks to the Quilters

Reading our local Shire Newsletter, the Indigo Informer, I was quite touched by the following article, as it portrays how generous crafters are all around the world.

"Carol Freedman was talking to her neighbour about the bushfires and decided to make some quilts to send down to Traralgon where 220 homes were burnt in Black Saturday's bushfires. She was hopeful she might make 60 and at the most, 80 quilts.

A friend put the call out for quilt blocks on www.busythimbles.com.au and Carol was inundated with blocks from quilters in Scotland, Belgium, Canada, the US and all over Australia. A team of 10 quilters was assembled from North East Victoria and the women started quilting on 21st March, 2009.

By 21st July, 2009, they had made 161 quilts. Carol delivered the quilts to the Traralgon South Relief Centre where they were presented to families at a Christmas in July Function."

Now that's what I call a feel good story! Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

Time Flies!

Whew! What a week! I can't believe how quickly it's been and gone. But it's been a very enjoyable one, it's absolute heaven having wheels back. I swear I will never ever go that long without a car again! I know you will understand after being couped up for almost three months, that I would want to air my new wings...hence my absence.

Despite my not being able to get the Champagne Gold and settling for Metal Bronze instead...I love my new car, it's a dream to drive.

Spent Wednesday with Lesley, (a bear friend down from Queensland) having a great time shopping, enjoying lunch and chatting about all things bear. Had coffee with a sick friend who needed company, went to dinner with another girlfriend the next day and quietly raged till 2 am, shopped for supplies yesterday and caught up with another friend on the way home.

In between all that racing about, I still managed to hold my Thursday class and get some sewing done...this is a sneak peek at what's on the drawing board.


This work in progress began with a square head.


Then I added a little purple for passion.


And a "Lucy" smile and she was almost done!

I also received the most darling little swap bear from Linda Benson this week, but I will save him to show you later when Linda has received mine...they deserve a post all of their own!

Have a great weekend, I will try and stop by as many blogs as I can.

A Giveaway and Party Too!

My friend Sares is having a "Rose By Another Name" party on 19th November at her place - Loveleigh Treasures and you are all invited, so don't forget to drop by soon and find out all the details...just click on the name!