The show preview is up for the Bearsonalities show over at whoiswho-in-bearmaking this is my bear Mardi. There are some gorgeous bears waiting for visitors and you can vote for your favourite.

New stuff

Vortex

FMQ

I've finished three new vintage design bears for the Bearsonality online show next month sadly I'm not allowed to show them yet but what I can show you is another love of mine quilting. I've just done a weekend workshop with Deborah Louie on free motion and applique it was so much fun. My FMQ block is the top left row first black background from the left with orange and green petals. I'm also starting a new workshop to be held over 3 months (so there is little disturbance to my bears) at my local quilt shop Blueberries at Wyong called the Vortex  designed by Linden one of the lovely girls working there with Jackie the owner. I can't wait to get started. I will share my quilting photos with you from time to time as I get back into my blogging again.

TTFN

Hello

I haven't posted in a while and have missed my blogging friends I have been supporting my daughter through a very difficult time over the last 3 or 4 months and now have some time back to catch up with everyone and what you have been doing. The best thing is I can make my bears again and in celebration of that I have drawn up some new designs.  I have not one but two up coming shows to preview them. I'll post links as they become available for you and more than likely see some of your wonderful creations at the shows too.

A New Zealand Christmas

When I was young I always knew when Christmas was arriving because of the beautiful pohutakawa tree (the New Zealand Christmas Tree) a native of New Zealand that would come into bloom their spicky red flowers heralding the way for Santa. Nearly 50 years later (OMG that makes me sound so ...old) I still think of them every year and the twangs of homesickness stir when I think of family. Maybe because the last couple of months have been a bit rough health wise I feel it a bit more. I have decided to push 2011 away and move on to 2012. I haven't made a bear in 2 months which isn't a bad thing because I was a little burned out and now am dying to get back into it I'm working on a new pattern and will be having a few weeks off through Christmas and January yeah some time to endulge my muse. In the meantime I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and hope that 2012 is everything you want it to be.

Much love Raewyn

A bear that cares

This is Jeremy my donation to the Bears That Care Charity Auction in Melbourne on the 16th of November 2011 to help raise funds for research into ovarian cancer. He is made from South African Mohair which has a silver thread through it. He is disc jointed and wool filled and measures 8 inches (20 cms)and wears an engraved bell on a leather throng. If you are looking for a special bear and can help a very worthy cause check out the bears in this years auction at Bears that Care

Camera Find

I thought I'd clear out my camera's old photos today and save them to my hard drive. I found photos I had forgotten I'd taken Doh! thats what happens when you use two cameras. Earlier this year (Easter) I took my daughter and friends to the Sydney Royal Easter Show and every year they have doll and bear competitions (No I have never entered call me chicken) I had taken a picture of 1st and 2nd place bears. The winner was a friend of mine Susan Leigh from bearleigh bears with her hot pink fairy bear. I'm not sure the name of the runner up but she is a very pretty bear and beautifully dressed.

Another challenge

My Yahoo group "Bear Makers and Beyond" had a challenge run recently and I joined in we where given a pattern and allowed to make up to 6 changes. I shrunk it down and added elbows and knees changed the head angle and ended up with this little guy. I was pretty happy with him. It always amazes me how when bear makers can all have one pattern (similar in this case) and come up with so many different bears. We found out it was a Monica Spicer pattern afterwards I'd love to know what Monica thinks of them all? Anyway because of copyright I'm not allowed to sell him but that Ok Mums birthday is coming up. Oh MUM.....

Woodend Teddy Bear Show is coming up

Miles

I'd like to introduce you to Miles a new design using Alpaca my new favourite fabric

he turned out nicely and he looks a great big cuddler I named him after my BIL "Miles" who is also a big cuddly teddy bear (don't tell him I said that hehe)

Latest Bears

This is Tyler a new pattern and new colour "Green" my favourite not really a bear colour but I still love him. Tyler is coming to the Gold Coast Show on the Queens Birthday weekend hoping to find his new mum or dad. I'm madly sewing for this show and I know my family are looking forward to a few days R&R.

Midnight the magic hour

Tonights the night at the magic midnight hour the show will open and you can let your teddy bear dreams come true my bears will be delighted to see you there. The international timetable is available on the site just follow the links.

Where have I been Part 2

Alister a project I have been working on for Australian Bear Creations. Doesn't the magazine make him look big. He's just a little guy at 5 inches but a huge personality and one lucky reader will win Alister in the guessing competition.