Counting down

I am counting down the days until next weekend on the 5th of December when my teddies and toys and I will be going to Gingers Blog for the Christmas Tea Party. I love a good party there will be good company and lots of lovely things to eat Christmas crackers balloons and all sorts of party stuff. Come on by and join us the more the merrier we might even sing a carol or two. Click on the link on the side bar to get you there.

Exciting News

I'm here, I am very excited to say that for this month of December I have been choosen as the featured artist on the TBACA website! There is a bio on me and my life -with pictures too. Go here to find out a little about me and my favourite things. While your there check out all the gorgeous bears in the available galleries some wonderful talent from Aussie Kiwi and our very special affiliate artist friends from all over the world.

Artwork of Edwin Todd

Edwin is an aspiring artist who sculpts with parts off cars (except his beloved old Volvo) and comes up with these fabulous pieces he is our nephew and I feel he has inherited his grandfathers (a retired art teacher's) artistic abilities both his father and my husband missed out some how :) Edwin sent these to me recently and I am so impressed with his work they are awesome. I am very much looking forward to when we can get back to England and see them in real life (so to speak). I believe this young man has a big future ahead of him.(of course I'm not biased).

Words of Wisdom

This was posted by a facebook friend I thought it was amazing

TWO WOLVES

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.He said, "My son, the BATTLE is BETWEEN TWO WOLVES INSIDE US ALL. "One is EVIL - It is anger, arrogance, false pride, resentment, self-pity, greed, lies, guilt,envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, inferiority, superiority, and ego."The other is GOOD - It is joy, empathy, humility, truth, caring, peace, hope, serenity, kindness, helpfulness, graciousness, generosity, compassion, and faith."(not to be confused and replaced by appearance, nice, denial, humor, applause, 'love', promises...)

The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asked his grandfather: "WHICH WOLF WINS?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "THE ONE YOU FEED."

Mittagong Show

I had a fabulous weekend of BEARS! On Saturday I headed to Newcastle to do a workshop at the lovely Jeanette's with the just as lovely Linda Benson, I have done several of Linda's workshops and have enjoyed all of them very relaxed atmosphere and a great teacher. On Sunday we met a little closer to home and Linda myself and Lyn Parker from Parkers Bears my dearest friend headed for the Mittagong show run by Sandra Wigzell editor of Australian Bear Creations. It was a good show and I enjoyed meeting up with more friends Margaret Burke from Nikkel Bears who talked me into the photo Sue Leigh from Bearleigh Bears Lorraine Almond of Almond Bears and Valma Bolton and family from Tedebits so it was like old home week really we all had good shows sales wise (especially Lyn who nearly sold out) and got the news that Sandra will no longer be organising this show and Valma and family will be taking over so there was a lot of buzz around the room we were asked for in put and some great ideas came out so we are really looking forward to next year.

Christmas Swap

Aren't they just the cutest TBACA members had a swap for Christmas and I was so very lucky to pair up with Nancy from Dog Patch Critters and she made me this gorgeous little puppy "Foster" I have admired Nancy's bears and puppies for a long time so I am just delighted. Thank you so much Nancy. Foster travelled all the way from Florida with his wardrobe of bandana's they are sooo cute while Gingerbread is my bear I made especially for Nancy. I had my fingers crossed she would be happy with him. I really enjoyed making him and was a bit sad to see him go but he's just soaking up that warm Florida sun now lucky little bear.

A Pledge

In the wake of the devastating bush fires in Victoria early this year I made a pledge to the Red Cross to donate blood 4 times in the upcoming year to help not only those victims but thousands of others that need blood every day for life saving operations (my dad had a quadruple bypass last year) cancer victims needing top ups during chemo and new babies that can't make blood to fight for their precious little lives. Don't get me wrong I have never liked needles but I have persevered and today completed that pledge and I am so very happy that I did and I will continue to do so knowing what I am doing does help. The needle bit does get easier truly.

Hello Possums

Loris Hancocks Possums are amazing as are her minatures yesterday I did a workshop with her at Tedebits in Sydney doing this amazing mummy and baby duo. The photos are of the shop sample that Loris had done to promote the workshop. It was a very full and intense day I was exhausted by the time I got home (the long drive doesn't help)no one actually finished the work but took away all the information we need to finish and when I get the chance after next weekends workshop and show at Mittagong I will finish mine and put up the photos. I could have been there today doing her fabulous Bilby but we have dance school photos to be done this afternoon I know where I'd rather be.

Essential Bears Blog Giveaway

Weny over at Essential Bears is having a birthday giveaway and the lovely Amelia is the prize. Isn't she lovely and under 4 inches ! This is one giveaway I would love to win. Click on the name to be taken over to Wendy's blog.

Spooky Girls

I didn't get around to posting this yesterday but this is my daughter Sam and her girlfriends dressed up for trick or treat (Sam is on the right) When I asked her who she was she said Paris Hilton hence the dog in her hand now that is scary!!

TT Challenge Friends for Life

This pair were inspired by a challenge on the Teddy Talk site entitled "A Friend for Life" the teddy is about the smallest I have ever done and I wanted to age him to look like an old bear. The horse is sculpted from paper mache his long legs from knitting needles messy to do but a lot of fun and I am pleased with the way he turned out.

Cut Out & Keep

While blogging away last night I came across this site called "Cut Out & Keep" which is a network of crafters who post projects of all descriptions and share them. I spent a bit of time just looking through and saw things that I have wanted to make but hadn't gone looking for a pattern or tutorial yet. Well there all there in one place you can use them and your encouraged to post your own crafty bits too. Among my favourites the pin cushions and cupcakes. I have put a link in my sidebar for you to have a look.