Bearing All

Happy Birthday Stuart xxx

2012-01-27T14:43:00.002Z

It will be this bloke's birthday tomorrow and as I know he likes to keeps tabs on me by taking a sneaky peek at my blog from time to time, this post is especially for him.

He looks rather contemplative in the pic above, which is rare. More usually you'll find him laughing and joking, making silly faces, speaking in daft voices, or 'Dad dancing' in the lounge to entertain my daughter. He likes a beer, is obsessed with dreadful football (has held a season ticket at Gillingham since he was seven years old, need I say more?!) and is never happier than when he's pottering about in our garden, or out yomping in the great wide yonder ... (mind you, if you ask him, he'll always tell you he was even happier when the Gills went to Wembley; so it's best not to ask, or you'll get all the gory details ... and I do mean ALL the gory details, yawn!)

He's argumentative, stubborn, irritatingly organised, snores AND hogs the duvet, but on the plus side he's rarely grumpy and is always the first to say sorry, even when he's not really in the wrong .... (ahem!)

He'll tell you he drives me nuts with a grin on his face and I know he has no intention of ever changing his neanderthal ways, but for all that he's a great bathroom scrubber and my friend through thick and thin, so as fiance's go, he'll do for me.

Anyway, as I said, it will be the ol' devil's birthday tomorrow, so this is me, giving him a chuckle, making him blush a little and wishing him the happiest of birthdays.

With all my love to you always Stuart,

Happy Birthday you ol' arse,

From me xxx

Wormshill Wanderings

2012-01-23T10:44:00.003Z

Stuart and I were invited to stretch our legs in Wormshill with Fiona, her Simon and Bugsy yesterday. I heard the words 'Ringlestone Arms' in the invite and thought a gentle stroll to the pub would be a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon ... silly me!

Striding out, with me bringing up the rear ... as you might expect!

With Simon at the helm, I should have guessed it was never going to be a girly totter! By the time the pub came into sight, those muddy Wormshill hills had taken their toll and I was gasping ... I really should get out walking more often!

My little point 'n shoot camera gave me a handy excuse to stop and take a breather every so often - it's a beautiful rural farming area, as you can see.

Bugsy, Simon, Fo and Stuart

When we eventually arrived back, Simon had cake and coffee (beer for the boys!) on hand to revive us and Bugsy promptly fell asleep in front of their roaring log fire. We'd had loads of fun chatting and laughing out in the fresh air and after all the exercise, I slept like an absolute log last night ... Stuart however, didn't wait that long, he conked out on the couch not long after we arrived home!

Thanks heaps you two, we loved our Pink Welly Sunday in Wormshill ... (and I'm grateful I lived to tell the tale!) xxx

One bearmaker's trash is another bearmaker's treasure!

2012-01-20T13:02:00.004Z

Like many bear artists, I have a stash of mohair waiting to inspire me. Occasionally though, I look through my mohair pile and wonder whether some of it will ever become a bear - perhaps the colours bore me, or the pile fails to fire my creative mojo, or the pieces have been used too often before. Those offending pieces of mohair gradually filter their way to the bottom of my stash and over a period of time, are forgotten ...

So when I heard about a new Facebook group called 'Art/Craft/Bear Making Supplies for Sale or Swap' set up by a fellow bear artist, it set me thinking!

With tape measure and digicam to hand, I delved deep into my storage boxes and hauled out a good few pieces of fabric which were never likely to see the light of day again.

I'm delighted to say, that with a little effort on my part, a great DIY idea on Clare Davis-Tedd's part and the enthusiastic support of other Facebook teddy bear artist friends, my discarded pieces of mohair raised a very welcome £300 and can now look forward to being put to far better use by other bear makers around the world!

A note to self ...

2012-01-16T12:21:00.008Z

You may remember when I moved into my new workroom at the start of last year, I bought a memo board ...

Back then I was more interested in which fabric to use for covering the cork pin board and how to make it look as pretty as possible, but when my sister Tina drove up from Hampshire to visit this weekend, she nipped upstairs to take a look at my new workroom and commented on my memo board, making me realise my pristine board had evolved somewhat during the months it has been hanging!

It's so much more than a pretty wall hanger now ... now it tells stories!

There's a lovely thank you picture from my young niece, a pair of felt paw pads cut for a teddy who decided otherwise, little scented polka dot sacks given to me by Stuart's mum, photographs of my favourite rose blooms from 2010 and also one of a beautiful Camelia bloom - the camelia was a gift from my Dad many years ago and came with me from my old house when I moved ... I worried it might not survive transplantation, but it thrived and was heavily laden with the most gorgeous blooms last Spring. There are also practice pieces of knitting, held by sweet little butterfly pegs given to me by my daughter. On a more businesslike note, I've pinned reminders to order new wool felt for bear paws and cute bow ties in assorted colours hang, waiting to adorn new teddy bears. There's a precious photograph of me with my kids, taken many years ago on a very windy visit to Brighton pier and my burgundy rosette congratulating me on my first ever Golden Teddy Award nomination. The pegs beneath hold several lengths of gorgeous hand dyed silk cord made by a lady in America and sitting under the memo board is the teddy bear tin given to me by my sister Fiona after a holiday; it contained Cornish fudge years ago, but now holds emboidery thread for new teddy bear noses ... oh and beside the tin sits one of my favourite china pigs collected years ago.

So, as you see, my memo board turned into a story board - it wasn't planned, it simply evolved in its own sweet way, which coincidentally, is pretty much the story of my entire life!

Showing Off ...

2012-01-12T15:47:00.004Z

To show, or not to show, that is the question ...

20" Benedict

'The Winter Bearfest' in London is only a matter of weeks away and it's always so hard to know what to do for the best ... I mean, should I hide my new bears away and only reveal them on the big day, or should I just have fun making as many bears as I can until the big day, sharing them as and when they come to life? I love to show off my bears and always struggle to keep them under wraps, so this time, I've decided to take option two, make the bears, enjoy making the bears, show the bears and ... worry about how many will be available for sale at the show, nearer to show time!

So, introducing 'Benedict', my very first clown bear of 2012! He's a brand new design from top to toe. I wanted to create a very traditional clown bear with a slightly longer snout than my usual bears and I'm really pleased with him. If he doesn't find a new home sooner, I'll be happy to introduce you to him in person at the Hugglets' show!

13th January update:

I am delighted to say Benedict has been adopted and will soon be living in Singapore!

A Dad's Eye View

2012-01-10T11:54:00.007Z

Today would have been Dad's 76th birthday, so we'd better begin his celebrations with a duck ...

One of the first things to make me chuckle soon after Dad left our mortal coil, was his collection of duck photographs - I wonder if he ever realised exactly how many ducks had posed for him over the years? It seems he could never resist pointing his lens towards an obliging duck!

'Brighton Pier'

I remember him telling me about this photograph of Brighton Pier. He took the photo on a trip with my sister Tina and her partner Ian and was utterly thrilled to have captured the gulls swooping dramatically over the pier at twilight. He was absolutely frozen too, apparently it was a bitterly cold day!

'The Red Arrows'

And when he snapped the 'Red Arrows' in formation, needless to say I received an excited call ... Dad derived much pleasure from his photographs and was always eager to share his photographic triumphs.

'Buckingham Palace'

Dad loved playing the tourist in London and knew the City like the back of his hand. When I was a little girl, I remember being taken to see the 'Changing of the Guard' at Buckingham Palace, so it was lovely to hear the excitement in his voice when he called to tell me about his visit with two of his Granddaughters, almost forty years after our visit. Dad was feeling all of his seventy four years with two lively girls to manage, but nonetheless, had an absolute blast sharing his favourite sights with them.

'Butterfly'

Whenever possible, Dad would be working in his garden. Being outdoors was his passion and if something interesting caught his eye, he would of course reach for the camera ...

'Foxgloves'

He was so delighted with his border display of foxgloves in 2010, out came the camera to capture them in all their magnificent glory, closely followed by a phone call to describe to me in great detail, exactly how wonderful they were!

Dad, on the receiving end of Tina's camera lens!

I could of course share many more photographs and 'Dad' memories with you, but my abiding and most comforting thought about 2010, the year he died, is that he had enjoyed so many aspects of his life throughout that year ... family, friends, completing his building extension project, his various hobbies, visits, the great outdoors, Winter, Spring, Summer and early Autumn. There is no doubt in my mind, Dad always made the most of his opportunities and relished living his life to the full.

Happy Birthday to you Dad xxx

An optimistic outlook ...

2012-01-05T13:32:00.001Z

Here we are, five days into the new year and I am happy to be able to share my first bear of 2012 with you. After many years of boy bears welcoming another fresh year of bear-making, this year the balance has shifted and my first bear of 2012 is a girl!

'Pollyanna'

I loved reading 'Pollyanna' by Eleanor H. Porter when I was a young girl and think that with her eternal optimism, she is the perfect namesake for my first bear of this New Year!

Tune out time

2012-01-03T14:05:00.005Z

Despite a festive whirl of visits, parties and preparations, I was able to make time for quiet snuggling in an armchair with my trusty knitting needles, during the tinsel and sparkle season. I'm happy to say, my Kim Hargreaves scarf project provided much needed 'Paula time' during the Christmas madness ... clacking and counting makes it pretty easy to tune the rest of the world out!

My finished scarf

This week I started work on my first bear of 2012, a lovely new alpaca bear who will be ready to share with you shortly; but in the meantime, I must just tell you the sad tale of two naughty little kittens who thought the gorgeous Frank Webster bear below would be fun to play with - now poor ted needs new felt paws, hence the temporary plastic bag bandage on his foot. He is waiting patiently on my comfy chair until I can find time to repair him. This teddy bear is a very special patient, because he belongs to my grown up son.

'Anthony' created by Frank Webster

Those cute little kitties were in the doghouse after their antics, I can tell you! Poor ol' bear ... (he looks so cute modelling my scarf!)

Books: 'Knitted lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush and 'Rowan Lace'

I recently bought a couple of lovely books about knitting lace, so I think my next knitting project will be a fine lace something or other ... but given the skinny yarn and needles required, it will probably be quite a while until I have anything of substance to show you!

The Glad Game

2012-01-02T13:01:00.006Z

Oh dear, I'm such a party pooper! It's an undeniable fact of life that me and New Year's Eve don't sit well with one another, so in classic Paula fashion, I was in bed by ten and fast asleep as the clock struck midnight on Saturday.

It's the 2nd of January and I have decided to begin my New Year today. Yesterday was wet and gloomy, completely unbefitting the start of New Year, but today the sun is shining boldly and the sky is clear blue ... a far better start to my shiny New Year!

Some of my 2011 teddy bear designs

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for 2011, it was remiss of me to have overlooked the good stuff. Last year may not have had me laughing in the aisles, but it did reward me with the love and loyalty of those closest to me, a raft of success with my teddy bear designs and another year's solid portfolio of work under my belt. Also, the 'Guild of Master Bearcrafters' went from strength to strength, my bears found new homes despite the challenging economic climate and I learned that even when life does its utmost to stop us in our tracks, somehow we still manage to cope.

See, what happens when I put my Pollyanna head on? Suddenly the world becomes a brighter place!

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year xxx

Spit Spot!

2011-12-29T13:35:00.002Z

So, it will be New Year's Eve on Saturday and then thankfully, I can wave 2011 goodbye. I'm not usually so lacking in enthusiasm for any entire year, but this past year has been a battle too far as far as I'm concerned ... 2011, I freely confess you have sapped me! At last it's time to let you fade away so I can look forward to the brighter days of a shiny New Year.

My website has now been de-Christmassed in preparation for 2012!

www.allbear.co.uk

First things first though, I need a little 'spit spot' to help me tidy Christmas away and ready myself for a fresh start ... so off with the tinsel and sparkle, this bearmaker intends to get organised!

Beach Belles!

2011-12-27T18:20:00.000Z

After a lovely, busy family Christmas, filled with all things tinsel and sparkle, fresh air and a salty breeze were the order of Boxing Day. Despite being weighed down with Christmas stodge, we took off to Whitstable for a brisk promenade - as far away as possible from the faintest hint of a post-Christmas sale!

'Beach Belles on Boxing Day'

'Anyone seen Edna, Bert and Fred?'

Greedy Gulls!

Cobwebs duly blown away, we returned home yawning heavily, just in time for some tasty bubble 'n' squeak, a glass of wine, the soaps on TV and a much needed early night.

This Christmas lark is exhausting!

Psst, an angelic PS!

2011-12-21T12:29:00.002Z

Well, you didn't think I'd welcome Christmas without a secret Christmas bear to share did you?! This sweet little angel flew my way after the 'Christmas Treasures' show and has been waiting quietly in the wings for our clock to tick 'Christmas' ever since.

My Christmas Angel, created by Jane Mogford of Pipkins Bears

Like so many other people who have lost loved ones, Christmas is a bittersweet time for me now Dad is no longer here to share it. I know he would have been the first to chuckle and tell us all he could never behave himself long enough to be awarded angel status ... but this little angel bear and I both know, sometimes it doesn't hurt to have a little faith.

Thinking of you Dad, at Christmas and always xxx

'Tis the Season!

2011-12-19T16:36:00.000Z

Christmas, you can come and get me now. My tree is dressed and I'm as ready as I'll ever be, so let's roll out mince pies a-plenty, raise goblets brimming with amber nectar to loved ones lost, sprinkle fairy dust with a smile and welcome your 'Season of Goodwill' into our home!

It's time to close the door to my workroom and turn my thoughts to nearest and dearest, so dear blog readers, thank you for sharing this bear maker's ups and downs during 2011; I look forward to writing again in 2012.

In the meantime, warmest Christmas wishes to you all xxx

We Three Bears of Apple Pie House are!

2011-12-13T14:35:00.003Z

'We Three Bears' of Apple Pie House are!

At last I can share my latest shop exclusive collection with you and prove I haven't been resting on my laurels of late.

'We Three Bears' shop exclusive collection
'Dooley', 'Hartley' and Egbert (13" to 19")

I met Graeme, the owner of Apple Pie House at the Hugglets' shows in London. Having seen him in action during the shows, I deduced that not only is he a very nice man, he is also one of life's natural sales people and a hardworker toboot ... often when I was flagging during a show, lurking behind my stand with a coffee, he'd be knee deep in eager collectors, chatting as if his life depended on it! So, when I was invited to create bears for Graeme's lovely shop, I was of course, happy to oblige. Selling is not something that has ever come naturally to me, so putting some of my bears into Graeme's safe hands for adoption, suits me perfectly! And as if to prove a point, 'Egbert' (the red and gold clown bear) sold as soon as the 'We Three Bears' collection was launched on the Apple Pie House website last night ... way to go Graeme!

If you would like to find out more about my latest shop collection, please visit Apple Pie House ... thank you!

Winding Down ...

2011-12-12T14:50:00.001Z

With less than two weeks until Christmas, I am happy/relieved to say, my entire collection of 2011 bears has now been sold. The only creation I have yet to rehome is an ellie, but truth be told, I confess to making little effort to rehome this cutie, because he makes me smile and I'm rather fond of him myself!

'Forget-me-not'

Today I'm feeling all 'beared out', so I'm going to tidy up a few admin bits and pieces and then settle down with my knitting project and a steaming hot cup of coffee. I'm clacking away at a lovely snuggly scarf from a pattern by knitwear designer Kim Hargreaves knitted on chunky bamboo needles (8mm) in gloriously soft Rowan 'Cocoon' yarn ...

So, while the rest of the world embraces the festive frenzy, I'm content to wind down quietly with my knitting for a few more days first.

All tinsel and sparkle madness will be duly postponed until next weekend!

Buttons and Bow-ties!

2011-12-06T10:11:00.000Z

I'm sure it must seem as though bear production in the All Bear workroom has all but ceased as Christmas approaches, but that isn't the case ... truly! I have been working on three lovely bears for the Apple Pie House shop in Gloucester. I should have all three bears ready to show you in the next couple of days, but in the meantime, here's a hint of what's in store for the biggest bear!

Vintage buttons and bow-ties!

Once my shop order is safely on its way, I'm hoping to find time to create one or two more bears for 'Santa's Sack' on my website ... I have the softest, prettiest piece of tipped alpaca, absolutely crying out to be turned into a teddy bear!

Sherry and sparkles!

2011-12-05T13:37:00.004Z

I was busy making Christmas cards, calendars and a porfolio of my 2011 designs last week. Thankfully, most of the prep work is now complete and I can spend this week working on my last few pre-Christmas bears, before allowing my focus to shift towards trees, baubles, twinkly lights and hopefully the occasional mince pie ... (washed down with a sherry, or two!)

Speaking of sherry, I confess to suffering a teensy weensy sherry induced headache on Saturday evening - well, how else should two sisters share an evening to mark the arrival of yet another 'forty something' birthday?! Sherry, coffee and walnut cake, a natter, an open log fire ... perfect!
Happiest of birthdays to you Fo xxx

And yesterday, it was finally time to face up to the impending festive season. Stuart and I escorted his excited six-year old grandson to watch a sparkly, lively and extremely rowdy production of 'Aladdin'. As always, Panto worked its fairy dust magic, leaving our little guest wide-eyed with wonderment. Luckily for us, wide-eyed wonderment is pretty tiring, so he fell fast asleep on the journey home ... result!

So that's another week flown past too quickly! I do hope the next couple take things a wee bit slower ... I'm really not ready for Christmas quite yet!

This Sceptered Isle

2011-11-25T12:31:00.003Z

I know much of the world is in a right royal fug and wherever you live, disgruntled folk will no doubt complain about weather, economics, Government, neighbours - even the numbers of potholes in local roads! Yes, you name it and I'm sure someone will be moaning about it.

'Victor' 2008

But I'm an old fashioned girl and have never been touched by the 'grass is greener' lure of the great wide beyond. I'll pack my flip-flops, hop on a plane and dip my toe in warmer waters once a year with the best of 'em, but despite potholes a-plenty in my tiny corner of the world, a depressing economic climate and weather so unpredictable you might be wearing t-shirts one minute and raincoats the next, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

'Jack' 2010

I love our beautiful British countryside, the hustle and bustle of historic towns and cities, the freedom to wander up hill and down dale ... yes, I confess, I even love the mystery of our English weather! (After all, whatever would we talk about if the sun always shone?)

'George' 2011

So, on this sunny November day, here in the 'Garden of England', I would like to introduce you to three special patriotic bears ...
Victor, Jack and George.

And a rather lovely poem ...

This Sceptered Isle

This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle,

This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,

This other Eden, demi-paradise,

This fortress built by Nature for herself

Against infection and the hand of war,

This happy breed of men, this little world,

This precious stone set in the silver sea,

Which serves it in the office of a wall,

Or as a moat defensive to a house,

Against the envy of less happier lands,

This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England

From Richard II, Act 2 (Shakespeare)

Finding the key ...

2011-11-23T14:00:00.008Z

I may have said before ... this year seems to be flying past, with me clinging to its coat tails in a rather undignified fashion. I don't remember losing an entire year before - usually my years are punctuated with family fun and well defined seasons. There has of course been an element of both, but in truth my head has been pretty much on auto-drive this year. Much of it I am sure, is to do with losing Dad just over a year ago ... as you can imagine, such a profound event swallows you whole for far longer than you could ever imagine and leaves you wondering where you parked your sense of self ...

Christmas will be with us in less than five short weeks and with or without the key to said sense of self, it really is the one time of year which is categorically impossible to drift through in oblivion ... even this woolly headed bear maker can't fail to notice the arrival of twinkle and sparkle heralding the impending festivities!

So this week, I have taken my festive bull by the horns and decked the All Bear website in preparation. Inspired by that small token, who knows, next week I may even feel the urge to begin some Christmas shopping!

Ready, steady, go!

2011-11-18T23:06:00.005Z

I'm sat here, way past my bedtime, sipping a warming glass of brandy as I wait hopefully for adoption notifications to arrive from the 'Christmas Treasures' show. Yes, after weeks of anticipation and preparation, the online show has at last started ... I'm delighted to report my little 'Angel' bear found a new home in the first few minutes and will be flying Stateside for her Christmas!

My 'Christmas Treasures' collection
(Angel is the little pink bear in the middle of the group.)

I experienced a brief flash of panic at the start of the show when for some unknown reason, the show website wouldn't allow me to change little Angel's status from 'for sale' to 'adopted', but fortunately that was soon ironed out. Now, after the initial flurry of anticipation, I confess, this particular bear maker is beginning to wilt ... the five hour time difference between the show host in New York and my swivel chair in England, is definitely starting to make its presence felt and already I'm yawning between each sip of my amber nectar!

If you would like to find out more about my 'Christmas Treasures', please visit the show by clicking the link below - I would love to find new homes for my special show treasures in time for the forthcoming festive season!

The 'Christmas Treasures' show will remain open until Sunday, so there's still plenty of time for you to peruse each of the lovely festive teddy bear offerings!

VISIT THE CHRISTMAS TREASURES SHOW

Christmas Treasures!

2011-11-16T13:01:00.001Z

Together with many other international bear artists, I have created several special seasonal bears for the Teddies Worldwide 'Christmas Treasures' show, which will be held online between 18th and 20th November 2011. This is a fun, festive online webshow ... I do hope you will join us!

Visit the Christmas Treasures Web Page

I'm really looking forward to this weekend and hope you will visit the 'Christmas Treasures' show to share our festive fun!

Dusty Rose

2011-11-15T10:58:00.000Z

I made this lovely plummy pink bear a few weeks ago and since then she has been sat on my workroom shelf waiting patiently while I busy myself with other, more demanding projects. It doesn't seem at all fair that she has been overlooked, so this week I am offering her for adoption and as Christmas is on the way and many bear collectors are gazing longingly at bears they can no longer afford in these tougher economic times, I've allowed myself to be a teensy bit carefree and sent her to Ebay with a starting price at almost a hundred pounds less than she would usually retail for. Once in a while it feels pretty good to do something a little less than businesslike - don't worry, I won't be making a habit of such madness, let's just have some fun while I'm feeling generous!

'Dusty Rose'

If you would like to join in the fun this week, please click the link below to visit Dusty's auction page:

Visit Dusty's Ebay Auction Page

The Eleventh Hour

2011-11-11T09:42:00.016Z

I first learned this poem at high school and dizzy headed teenager as I was, it struck a chord. These days I'm mum to two adult children, an onlooker watching fall the tears of soldiers' mothers on my tv, while they weep for lost sons and daughters, sacrificed fighting overseas ... in the here and now.

It is Armistice Day today and at the eleventh hour, of respect, we will fall silent,

... lest we forget.

The Soldier

Written by Rupert Brooke in 1914

If I should die, think only this of me:

That there's some corner of a foreign field

That is for ever England. There shall be

In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;

A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,

Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam,

A body of England's, breathing English air,

Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away,

A pulse in the eternal mind, no less

Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;

Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;

And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,

In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Remember, Remember ...

2011-11-07T11:40:00.006Z

Huntley & Palmer biscuit tins from Christmasses past, packed full of assorted fireworks. Hats, scarves, gloves, toes snug in wellies, sparklers ... our names momentarily glowing in the air. Orange flames licking towards a starry night sky. A saggy, baggy, newspaper guy dressed in Dad's old trousers, flakes of grey ash twirling on a November breeze. Dad bent double at the bottom of the garden reaching for reluctant touch papers ... rockets blasting unpredictably from milk bottles sunk into flower beds, Catherine wheels flaring on fence posts, Roman candles fizzling ... girlish squeals, eyes bright.

As kids we loved Guy Fawkes night.

Stuart and I wrapped up warmly on Saturday, then stepped out into the night with my kids and Stuart's grandson, for a clomp down the road to watch Allington's community firework display. We stopped at Humphrey's fish 'n chip shop along the way to warm ourselves with tasty battered sausages and fresh-cooked chips, then joined the local crowds in celebrating Guy Fawkes' night in traditional style.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's overthrow;

By God's providence he was catch'd

With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.

Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

I know we're experiencing challenging economic times globally, but sharing tradition binds families together and for me, that's what Guy Fawkes Night is truly all about.

If you would like to learn more about Guy Fawkes, please visit the link below:

Guy Fawkes

Christmas Treasures!

2011-11-05T12:29:00.000Z

There are only two weeks until the online 'Christmas Treasures' show and my work table is covered with all things twinkly and festive. Next week will be a very busy week, as I put the festive finishing touches to my show bears.

'Christobel'

While we wait for this fun show to open on the 18th November, please spare a moment to pop over to the Christmas Treasures Show Preview and have some festive fun choosing your favourite show preview bear from each category.

Thank you!

Five Bears and an Ellie!

2011-11-02T17:27:00.000Z

It is immensely satisfying when the very last ear has been stitched, the final ribbon tied and of course, a good stout box safely sealed for an imminent courier collection. Yes, drumroll please ... I can at long last introduce you to my 'Five Bears and an Ellie' collection!

Ta da!!!!

'Five Bears and an Ellie!'

This higgledy piggledy group of teds was commissioned by the 'One More Bear' shop in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, where they will soon be made available for adoption. The bears range in size from 13" to 20" and in case you're curious, the pretty pink ellie is a very cute 16"!

Autumn Gold.

2011-10-31T17:21:00.007Z

I've lost count of the number of times I have walked around Mote Park over the years. The first time must have been at least thirty five years ago. There are 450 acres of open parkland surrounding the lake and every inch of this great outdoors is enjoyed by young and old alike; dog walkers hurl sticks for 'Rover' to chase, small children wobble along pathways on bicycles, families picnic, couples stroll hand in hand, lads kick balls and gaggles of girls giggle on benches, admiring lads.

The lake

As a teenager I would often wile away the hours, gossiping with friends on the grass in summertime and as a student, would avoid tedious economic history lessons by sitting on a bench with my nose buried in a novel, when I should have been in class. When my own children were growing up, we would tramp around the park in all weathers, feeding ducks, stuffing anorak pockets with acorns and conkers, playing 'Poohsticks' under the old stone bridge and puddle jumping on wet afternoons.

Of all the seasons to visit, I love Mote Park best in her Autumn golds. She puts on a wonderfully flamboyant show before Winter steals away her colourful landscape with his frosty chills.

When Stuart and I visited for a breath of fresh air yesterday afternoon, work had been actioned to 'improve' the park. Muddy pathways had been widened, levelled and tarmacked, lakeside areas stripped clear of unruly foliage and construction of a smart steel bridge was in progress across part of the lake, all in the name of progress.

I'm sure when we visit again in Spring next year, these upgrades will be ready for the public to use and will look less harsh with the season's new growth to soften the manmade edges. I just pray the planners won't diminish the essence of our natural parkland by over titivating, because I for one love the freedom of muddy, meandering walks around this beautiful park and hope future generations of local townsfolk will continue to enjoy that special sense of freedom too.

Nose to the grindstone.

2011-10-27T10:35:00.000+01:00

My poor nose has been so firmly pressed to the bear-making grindstone lately, I haven't had time to scribe even the quickest of blog posts. I've been busy making bears for the 'One More Bear' shop in Trentham and also for the 'Christmas Treasures' online webshow, which takes place in November ... and when those bears are completed, I have yet another festive shop order to fill before the end of November. Christmas is a-coming that's for sure!

I don't have new bear pics to share just yet, but please pop back soon because my Winter bears are very nearly ready to show off!

'The Teddy Bear' - a bear magazine for adults

2011-10-19T10:36:00.004+01:00

Today I'm singing the praises of 'The Teddy Bear' ... but not the furry kind, no, this time we're talking about our excellent new UK magazine!

'The Teddy Bear' is published by Warners Group Publications

The Autumn/Winter issue of 'The Teddy Bear' has just been published and like the two previous issues, it's an absolute gem bursting with well-written, informative features and delightful photographs. All credit for this excellent publication must go to Kathy Martin, for her commitment to the subject and also for her complete professionalism. Kathy is internationally respected for her exceptional understanding of the teddy bear, both historical and contemporary; together with her talented editorial team, she approaches the subject from many fascinating perspectives.

And if I may be permitted the tiniest trumpet of my own, I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have my name included in the list of contributors for this issue! Kathy kindly invited me to write a piece introducing 'The Guild of Master Bearcrafters' to the magazine's readership and having my article in print is a huge privilege!

I really can't recommend 'The Teddy Bear' too highly. It is full of interesting features and written for adults, by experts. We need to protect the future of this great publication, so please visit Collect It to purchase your copy.

Incidentally, the first two back issues are also available to order (my bear Morris was the front cover star on the first issue!) so why not indulge yourself with all three mags - you'll thoroughly enjoy the read!

Simple Sunday

2011-10-17T11:40:00.008+01:00

Who would have thought having new carpet laid could create so much work? Furniture out, furniture in, dusting, vacuuming, polishing ... by the time we'd set our home straight on Saturday afternoon, I was fit to drop! I've been battling a bit of a chest infection for the past few weeks too, so on Sunday afternoon, rather than walk anywhere, work, or help Stuart tidy the garden for the winter, I laid full stretch on the conservatory couch in the sunshine, with my book, a cuppa and my cats.

So today I have nothing new to report; not a single bear, or cheeky Prim Dolly Doodle to show you, no photographs of my local great outdoors - in fact, I don't even have a flickering of the tiniest creative flame to share. All I have to offer is this very ordinary snap of my Puddle cat stretched out in the October sunshine with my book and mug by her side.

So that was my Sunday ... a day to stop, smell the coffee and simply catch up with myself. No more, no less.

2011 Golden Teddy Award winners, featuring Ken Yenke!

2011-10-12T10:31:00.009+01:00

You may remember I was delighted to receive a 'Golden Teddy' award nomination earlier this year. I didn't win my category (but was happy to lose to Kelly Dean, a very old friend and fabulous bear maker!)

I would like to share the awards presentation with you. It gives a great sense of the importance of international competitive work and for me, it's such a huge thrill to hear my name being read out in the presence of world expert Ken Yenke! By the way, please watch the video right through to the end because there is a very charming talk given by Ken about how 'teddy' came into being and it's well worth waiting for!

If you would like to know more about Ken Yenke and his work, please visit his website at:

Ken Yenke

Aside from being museum curator for 'The Chelsea Toy Museum', leading teddy bear authority Ken has also written several books about teddy bears and their fascinating history. I am lucky enough to own 'Bing Bears and Toys' (published by Schiffer) and can tell you his passion for the subject really shines through!

Bing Bears and Toys, by Ken Yenke

The Golden Teddy Awards are hosted annually by American teddy bear magazine 'Teddy Bear Review' and as you can see from the slideshow, competition for the coveted 'Golden Teddy' is fierce!

Staying true to Sunday

2011-10-10T13:16:00.011+01:00

The best kind of Sundays for me, have always been family days. When my sisters and I were growing up, the Government hadn't yet introduced Sunday trading, so the hussle and bussle of town was strictly reserved for Saturday and our Sundays were spent playing, reading books, listening to music, going for walks and of course, squabbling with each other.

A family visit to London Zoo with my four sisters, in the mid 70's.

We would wake on a Sunday morning to the sound of Jim Reeves, Nat King Cole or Perry Como crooning from the radiogram. There would be a comforting smell of warm fabric conditioner filling the house as Mum tackled an enormous pile of family ironing and more often than not, Dad would be singing 'O Mein Papa', or 'Danny Boy' at the top of his voice in the kitchen as he prepared our weekly family roast - no mean feat considering there were seven of us living at home at the time!

Me and Fo, with our new baby sister Tina

And if the weather was fair, there was many a Sunday afternoon when Dad would pack us into his car and drive us to the local woods or seashore, to let us 'run off some stream', as he called it.

A rather blurry pic I took back in the 70's, of Dad with my four younger sisters.

Despite the passage of almost half a century, the heart of a Sunday for me has always been and I hope always will be, family. Our lives are under constant demand to be ever busier these days and keeping hold of what's important can be challenging, but when it is possible to share a traditional Sunday with family, it really doesn't get much better than that.

Stuart, Fay, Fo, Simon, Ants, Han and of course, Bugsy!

If you are a regular 'Bearing All' reader, you may know I love to visit Knole Park in the Autumn. It has been almost a year since I last gathered my lot together for a clomp through this spectacular deerpark, so yesterday we arranged to meet there and had a lovely time walking, talking and laughing together.

Life may have changed shape over the years, but for me and I'm sure for my sister Fiona too, the essence of Dad's family Sunday is as important today, as ever it was.

This beautiful ancient deer park is open all year round for walking, so if you would like to visit Knole Park in Sevenoaks, Kent, please click the link below to be taken to the National Trust website for further details:

Knole Park

An Honourable Mention!

2011-10-01T11:20:00.001+01:00

Well, well, well, I certainly wasn't expecting that! I opened my email this morning to learn my entry 'Kefalonia' has received an 'Honourable Mention' in the 2011 URSA Awards!

'Kefalonia' - an 'Honorable Mention' in the 2011 URSA Awards!

The main competition nominees were announced quite some time ago and as Kefalonia didn't make the top three in her 'big bears/undressed' category, I assumed that was it, game over - but no, apparently Kefalonia achieved a very respectable fourth place and as the final category placements were so close, she has been honoured her with this lovely ribbon award ... which has made my day!

Vanishing Act!

2011-09-30T16:28:00.002+01:00

We're enjoying an Indian summer here in England with temperatures up in the eighties ... phew! With so much sunshine beaming through my workroom window this week, working on Halloween pieces seemed a little topsy turvy, but I had fun anyway!

I've had my camera out this afternoon and can at last show you my finished Witchypoo Dolly Doodle ... complete with bloomers, I'm happy to say!

Polly Pumpkinwitch

I have also been working on a little black bear cub. I called him Merlin and believe me, this little fellow was every bit as meddlesome as his namesake when I pointed my camera at him ... black bears are so tricky to photograph!

12" Merlin

Well, that's me and Halloween just about done for this year. I have a shop order to work on next and after that, it will be time for thinking Christmas thoughts. One thing's for sure, with or without any hocus pocus, 2011 is fast doing a vanishing act!

A Third Hat Trick!

2011-09-29T09:42:00.004+01:00

Since becoming a recent convert to the joys of modern telephonic communication, I have developed a secret guilty pleasure - that of collecting my email and checking my Facebook account on my Iphone, from under my snuggly duvet each morning. So imagine my delight this morning, when even before I had raised my head from my pillow, I spotted a link to the 2011 'Teddy Bear Artists and Friends' Award winners webpage and there listed, were three of my own entries, each of which had scooped third place in their category!

'Elwyn' - 3rd place in the 'polar bears' category

'Autumn' - third place in the 'groups' category

'Fleur' - third place in the 'creative doll' category

Thank you so much to everyone who voted for my work!

What a lovely start to this beautifully sunny Autumn day!

If you would like to see all the TBAAF Award winners, please visit:

TBAAF Award Winners

Simple Pleasures

2011-09-26T12:05:00.011+01:00

While Dolly waits patiently for her bloomers (her knicker fabric hasn't arrived in the post yet!) I hope you will enjoy sharing a few of my favourite pics snapped yesterday afternoon, as Stuart and I strolled along the coastline at Riverside Country Park in Gillingham.

If you pop in to my blog for a regular read, you may remember we first visited this area back in May, taking a very blustery walk along the Saxon Shore Way, towards Motney Hill.

So this time, rather than turning right at the wooden signpost, we turned left towards Copperhouse Lane.

I love the strong visual contrast between natural coastline and the imposing power station on the horizon. The path we took yesterday was rich with seasonal browns and golds ... such a treat for the soul in the warm autumnal sunshine.

As I mentioned when we were last here, there are many wrecked boats abandoned along this route and as the years pass they rust and rot, blending peacefully into the natural landscape. I can't help but wonder what tales these forgotten boats could tell!

Rather than take my handy pocket sized 'point 'n' shoot, I made sure I took my Canon SLR camera this time, to allow me the opportunity to tweak settings and capture nature in a little more detail - it was bulkier to carry, but I am glad I made the effort.

As we strolled, my eye was drawn back time and time again to the view of the power station ...

And finally, after ambling along in the sunshine for a very enjoyable couple of hours, we headed back to 'Horrid Hill', plonked ourselves on a bench to admire the view of the rusting hulk below, then drove home to put the kettle on for a well-earned cuppa!

I hope there will be a few more beautiful autumn afternoons to enjoy outdoors before the winter chills set in. Stuart and I both love to go walking ... simple pleasures are definitely the best.

If you would like to take a stroll along the Saxon Shore Way here in Kent, I can highly recommend a visit to:

Riverside Country Park, Medway, Kent

A fascinating shoreline and safe, comfortable walking ... what more could anyone ask for?!

If you would like to read the blog post and see the photographs I posted in May, please click the following link: What lies beyond ...

Prim, but not quite proper!

2011-09-22T16:30:00.005+01:00

Just to prove I can (very occasionally) do as I am told (those who know me far too well will be choking with disbelief right now!) here is yesterday's Dolly Doodle again, this time at 'Paula's Hairdressing Salon'.

Hairdo in progress!

I can't quite bring myself to give this 'Witchlett-in-waiting' a wickedly wild hairdo, so instead I'm using a lovely burnt orangey chunky yarn, plaited into into cute pigtails ...

Hmmn, I still don't think she's Witchypoo enough yet. She is prim and almost proper (she's not wearing any bloomers yet, so really not proper at all!) but something's missing ... of course, not only does she need her knickers (!) she also needs a smart pointy hat to wear out on her big night!

Well that's it for today's Witchypoo progress report. When this mischievous miss's undergarments and hat are finished, I'll grab my camera and take a proper pic to share with you ...

Halloween Happenings

2011-09-21T14:50:00.001+01:00

It has been a whole year since I last made one of my 'Prim Dolly Doodles' ... I can hardly believe so much time has slipped away without a single daft dolly to share. With Halloween only weeks away, now is the perfect time to put that to rights!

I've had a pair of pointy-toed dolly legs waiting patiently in my work basket since last year's Halloween, so yesterday I decided to see if I could remember how to make a cloth doll after my long sabbatical ...

First things first, time to hunt out paint brushes and give those pointy-toes a quick undercoat ...

And while they were drying, I sewed the rest of my doll, stuffed her firmly and set to work on the fun stuff - creating a face with pens, paints, crayons, chalks and embroidery threads!

By tea-time yesterday, I had completely lost track of time, not even realising dusk had fallen when Stuart popped his head into my workroom after work! My daft dolly had taken shape though, with limbs and head attached, smart blue pointy shoes on her feet and a matching Halloween frock to wear!

And now she's perched on the edge of my desk raising her eyes as if to say 'do come away from that blog and make me some hair!'

So just this once, I suppose I'd better do as I'm told!

Four Seasons

2011-09-19T14:10:00.004+01:00

My sister Fiona and I had planned to visit a special event at Chatham Historic Dockyard yesterday to celebrate our Dad's life in lively 1940's style, but unfortunately I hurt my leg whilst jogging on the treadmill in my slippers a few days ago (!) which scuppered our 'first anniversary' plans. So instead, Stuart and I rustled up a roast beef dinner Dad himself would have thoroughly enjoyed, put the 'Glen Miller Orchestra' on the stereo and invited Fo, Simon, my niece Lauren and my daughter Fay to eat with us and raise a glass of Chapel Down Vineyard's finest, in Dad's memory.

Stuart, Fay, Fo, Simon and Lauren

After a leisurely lunch, the six of us took a slow stroll (more of a hobble in my case!) through local woodland and across the pear orchards in glorious autumnal sunshine.

My sister Fiona

I think Fiona would agree with me when I say even now, after the passing of four full seasons, our sense of loss hasn't lessened, but the shock of losing Dad so unexpectedly a year ago, has almost imperceptibly eased into a quiet acceptance ... and for that, one year on, we are grateful.

Challenged ... part 2!

2011-09-16T17:37:00.004+01:00

As I was about to tell you yesterday, before I started work on my challenge bear's white bits I discovered I didn't have any suitable blue paw fabric; fortunately though, I did have a piece of white felt tucked away in a storage box, so before I could go any further with my project, I had to nip back down to the stove ....

And after a little more hubble bubble, my scrap of white felt soon became the perfect matching shade of blue!

My plan for this project was to tackle the advanced element of the Guild's 'A Teddy Bear World' challenge by creating a 1950's 'Chiltern Hugmee' style bear, in clown style. After scouring the internet for information about the Chiltern Hygenic Toy Company, I only managed to find a couple of photographs of their clown bears dating back to the 1930's, but that was enough to tell me Chiltern had once manufactured teddy bears in clown style!

1930's Chiltern clown/harlequin style bear

As my first childhood teddy was a 1950's Chiltern Hugmee and I have always had a fondness for this most English of bears, I decided to meet the Guild challenge criteria by attempting to create a 1950's Hugmee type bear in patriotic clown style ...

My mohair dye bath worked perfectly, giving me the vibrant red and blue colours of our national Union Jack flag.

And once sewn, I could begin to see my design taking shape!

As the Chiltern Toy Company used excelsior in their bears' heads, I decided I would give it a go too ... but it was such a messy job, I don't think it's something I'll be repeating in a hurry!

Chiltern Hugmee bears were stuffed with a natural fibre called kapok, so that's what I chose to use for my challenge bear. Boy did that stuff tickle my nose ... from now on, I will be forever grateful for my usual, non-tickly, polyester!

Something old, something new!

I have really enjoyed the opportunity this Guild challenge has given me to step away from my usual style of work and do something completely different.

So here he is, introducing my challenge submission 'Jack' ...

I do hope you think he might have made an acceptable addition to the 1950's Chiltern Hugmee range of teddy bears!

Challenged!

2011-09-14T16:32:00.003+01:00

As I mentioned yesterday, Friday is the final submission deadline for our Guild of Master Bearcrafters' 'A Teddy Bear World' challenge, so I need to start my project quicksmart!

Union Jack flag

Typically, my first hiccup was being unprepared. I had no white vinegar to set the dye, so after a quick dash to the supermarket to buy some straight after lunch today, I donned a large craft apron and some rubber gloves before mixing the dye for my challenge bear.

I gathered together my research notes, white mohair and dye ingredients ...

And began by washing my white mohair so it would accept the dye readily.

The came the fun part! The Jacquard Acid Dyes only require a small amount of powder to be mixed with water to achieve vibrant colour.

It's very easy to use these dyes. I kept my fingers crossed that the dye wouldn't ruin my favourite stockpots, threw caution to the wind and dropped my lovely white mohair straight into the red and blue pots ... there was no time for shilly-shallying around with sample pieces first, my schedule was too tight!

Half an hour of hubble bubble later, my mohair pieces were ready for washing. I don't think the blue is quite as dark as it should be (I bought 'brilliant blue' rather than 'navy' dye) but hey ho, it is a very nice blue and surely a bearmaker can be allowed a little artistic interpretation?!

Time to start work on my bear's white bits now ... I'll take pics as I work and share them with you when he's ready for submission. Wish me luck with the deadline - I'm going to need it!

Me and my big mouth ...

2011-09-13T16:52:00.006+01:00

I really enjoy running the Guild of Master Bearcrafters; it's a fascinating job and with about five hundred creative heads under one roof, it never fails to inspire, as you can imagine!

To keep creativity levels buzzing, earlier this year I thought it would be a fun idea to set up a Guild challenge group and invite members to design pieces of work to set themes ... to think a little 'outside the box'. The challenges have been well received and our latest, 'A Teddy Bear World' challenge concludes on Friday.

The Challenge is as follows:

As the Guild celebrates the work of teddy bear artists around the globe, I thought it would be fun to hold a challenge which celebrates our international bear-crafting community!

Special materials required: white fabric (whatever type of fabric you would like to make your bear from) and dye!

Standard Challenge: Your challenge is to create a teddy bear in the colours of your national flag, using white fabric and dye. Your teddy bear may be created in any style.

Advanced Challenge: Your challenge is to create a teddy bear in the colours of your national flag, using white fabric and dye. Please read on further for the advanced element of this challenge!

Your bear is to be created in the traditional style of one of your national teddy bear manufacturers, from 1900's to 1960's.

For example:

Steiff/Bing: Germany,

Chiltern Hygenic Toy Co/Merrythought: UK,

Ideal Novelty & Toy Co: USA,

Fadap/Pintel: France,

Joy Toys: Australia ... etc.

Needless to say, with such a high calibre of group members from around the world laying down the creative Guild gauntlet, the least I can do is join in the fun. Trouble is, there are only three days until my own deadline .... and I haven't even started work on my submission yet.

So tomorrow I plan to be up to my eyeballs in red and blue dye - fingers crossed there are no calamities and that everything goes to plan first time!

I'll let you know how I get on!

The day after the show before ...

2011-09-12T13:47:00.005+01:00

Yesterday's show in London passed in a giddy whirl of chat! I met bear artists and collectors from four corners of the globe and our passion for teddy bears overcame any language barriers. Needless to say, as is my custom, I arrived slightly later than was probably good for me, so set up my stand in a fluster, with only seconds to spare before the doors opened and collectors streamed in.

20" 'Chestnut' is currently available for adoption

The highlight of my day was meeting so many 'Guild of Master Bearcrafters' members from overseas for the first time. We were all very excited to say a personal hello, complete with friendly hug, for the very first time! I am in awe of these brave ladies who travelled as far afield as Russia, Australia, Austria, Germany, Lithuania and Hong Kong ... particularly those who were a little shy speaking English - I doubt I could ever be so brave in a foreign country!

17" 'Hickory' has been adopted!

As far as the business of the day went, I'd say the day was pretty busy in the main, with only the occasional lull. As always, Glen and Irene did a sterling job with the organisation and the show ran like clockwork. I didn't have the opportunity to look around at other stands unfortunately, in fact I managed only two loo breaks (!) and other than that, was glued to my stand all day. One of these days I'd like to visit as a collector again, I miss looking around at everyone's work!

'Rosehip' has been adopted!

On the business front the day went okay, with some of my show bears finding new homes and some travelling home with me again - which given the current economic climate, was about what I expected. On a very pleasing note, I met up with lovely Tracy Ward of 'One More Bear' and have agreed to create a few shop exclusives in time for her Christmas launch.

'Hawthorn' has been reserved

With bears still hoping for adoption, I have been busy updating my website this morning and am delighted to report, interest is brisk! So, on that positive note, I ought to sign off now and finalise some adoptions ... not to mention grab a sandwich, I'm starving!

UPDATE: 13/09/11 ... I'm delighted to say the only bear now remaining from my 'Golden Season' collection is 'Chestnut', the biggest bear! He's a lovely bear so hopefully he will soon find someone very special to take care of him.

The 'Golden Season' Show Collection!

2011-09-08T17:13:00.002+01:00

It has taken me all day to photograph these bears, (for some reason I struggled with lighting them properly) but finally I have pics I am happy with, so can share a quick peek at my 'Golden Season Show Collection' with you!

'The Golden Season Show Collection' will debut in

Kensington Town Hall on Sept 11th 2011

There have been ups and there have been downs during the creation of this collection, but at last my bears are ready for their big day out in London on Sunday and I can breathe a little easier for a few days!

Back in the saddle!

2011-09-06T12:39:00.003+01:00

There are only five days until the prestigious Teddies 2011 show in London and I must admit, with all the distractions I've had of late and the sad year overall, I was starting to worry I may not live up to my show commitment this time and might fall horribly short of bears. It's an odd fact, but I'm sure most bear artists will agree that when you take a knock or two, it can be hard to settle back into the creative saddle.

But on a positive note, I seem to be doing okay with the show bears after all and think I will have my usual nine or so to take along ... thank goodness!

The bear in the photograph above helped reinstate my confidence this week. I found a rare piece of gorgeous English mohair on a well-known auction site a while ago and finally set to work on it yesterday. It was lovely to work with and made a really beautiful head for this Autumn clown bear.

If I knuckle down this afternoon, I should have another bear finished by tea-time and maybe tomorrow, the pink bear currently in pieces on my sewing table might stand half a chance of coming to life ...

Yep, with a little more grit and determination, I think I will safely be able to say that despite everything, I am almost ready!

Wide-eyed

2011-09-02T15:01:00.002+01:00

To be frank, it hasn't been the best of weeks on the work front. I can only assume there must have been a full moon meddling. I won't go into details, life as we all know is way too short; suffice it to say my eyes have been opened wide during the past few days and this has saddened me, after so many happy years working in the bear world.

As my Dad would have told me, it's time to move forward with my chin firmly held high and to remember that for every gossip mongering bad apple, there is a barrel brimming with loyalty, friendship and support.

Right, now that's off my chest ... to Hugglets! I am way behind schedule this year but doing my best to produce a few lovely bears to take to the show. Time is against me because the show is only a week from Sunday, but with a fair wind and no distractions, hopefully I will be able to turn the basket of pieces above into three new bears in the nick of time!

First things first though, these two need their noses finished.

Snotty hooters is not a show worthy look!

Autumn Days

2011-08-31T17:02:00.003+01:00

There's a definite nip in the air here in Kent and already there are early signs of Autumn ...

Woodland brambles are bearing juicy blackberries ...

Oak trees are preparing to shed their cargo of acorns ...

Hedgerows are dotted with pretty red rosehips ...

Orchards are laden with golden pears ...

The corn has been harvested ...

And here in the All Bear studio, my new 'Autumn Days' bears are wearing cosy hand knits!

Yes, Summer is drawing to a close in England and soon our countryside will be aflame with the rich russets, plums and golds of glorious Autumn ... once more.

Missing you Dad x

In days of old, when knights were bold ...

2011-08-30T14:40:00.003+01:00

Truth, integrity, resolve, courage, justice, generosity, diligence, humility ... the virtues of an ancient medieval, chivalric code of honour.

And such colourful fun for a little boy on a Bank Holiday weekend!

We visited Hever Castle with my daughter and Stuart's grandson on Saturday and had a super time exploring.

It's such a beautiful place to visit and even if you have absolutely no interest in the fate of poor Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII, there is still plenty for all ages to enjoy!

For example, the gardens are fabulous!

I especially loved the walled rose garden with its heady perfume ...

Oh, and this cheeky fellow!

But best of all, was the walk through the stunning Italian gardens down to the breathtakingly beautiful lake ...

Wow!

My beautiful girl

It was the perfect spot for some happy family snaps!

Stuart

Me, Fay and Calvin ... and Calvin's 'brave knight' sword!

These are just a few of the many photographs I took during our visit - there were far too many to post here today! If my pictures have whet your appetite for a visit, I would suggest choosing a day when you are able to enjoy one of Hever's special outdoor events, such as the jousting or a falconry display, as these events definitely add an extra sparkle to your visit!

Please visit the link below to discover more about Hever Castle:

http://www.hevercastle.co.uk/visit-kent.aspx

Autumn in August?

2011-08-23T15:52:00.001+01:00

Would you believe it's mid afternoon in the middle of what should be one of our lovely summer months here in the UK, but already I have my lamps on because it's so dark, wet and generally miserable outside! Where has Summer disappeared to?! Ah well, with the tv chatting away in the corner and the warm glow of the table lamps, I'm feeling all autumnal, so am taking the opportunity to cosy up in my favourite armchair with a pair of bamboo needles ...

With a hand knitted, vintage style jacket to wear on the big day, this bear will be dressed to impress in plenty of time for the 'Teddies 2011' show in London on the 11th September!

One thing leads to another ... and another ... and ...

2011-08-18T16:16:00.010+01:00

One thing always leads to another doesn't it?! First the 'phone call from a shop, then fabrics are ordered, bears designed and several weeks later a collection is finally created. That's only the beginning though, because when the last ear is stitched in place, I need to set up studio and take photographs - which is what I've been doing today. Peculiarly, my legs ache like billyo now, must be all that clambering around on my knees to find the perfect camera position!

Autumn/Winter advertisement for

The Teddy Bear Annual

Just as I'd finished taking photographs of my Autumn collection this afternoon, the telephone rang; 'would I like to advertise in the forthcoming issue of 'Teddy Bear Annual?' Hardly a question in need of an answer - of course I would, it's a great mag! So, as I was saying at the start of my post, one thing led to another and after fiddling around in Photoshop, my 'Teddy Bear Annual' advertisement is now good to go ... which led me to remember another ad needing my attention!

2012 UK Teddy Bear Guide Advertisement

The 2012 UK Teddy Bear Guide will be published by Hugglets in October and as the copy deadline is only two weeks away, it's time to get my advertising act together! Unfortunately my limited budget doesn't stretch to two full colour ads, but no matter, I think this ad works well in black and white.

By the way, do you recognise the little wooden chair I've used in these ads? Yes, it's the one I bought from Christopher's Chairs back in June, at the Stratford show!

Well, that's the photographing and advertising taken care of, now I just need to pack up these bears and send them on their merry way before starting work on my 'Teddies 2011' show bears - there only three weeks to go, so I think I may need a miracle!

Wormshill, The Setting Sun

2011-08-15T10:16:00.003+01:00

When my 'townie' sister Fiona and her other half Simon, moved to the country after many years living within spitting distance of the local multi-storey car park and busy shopping centre, I must admit, I wondered whether Fo would be able to settle among resident cows and sheep but settle happily she did and with spectacular sunsets like this at the bottom of her garden, it's hardly any wonder!

Thanks again to the both of you, for yet another convivial evening in the beautiful wilds of Wormshill!

xxx

76,293

2011-08-12T12:53:00.001+01:00

76,293

To be honest 76,293 visitors seems a staggering number of visitors to my quiet corner of Blog Land. I had absolutely no idea my new counter gizmo would reveal so many 'Bearing All' readers!

So, to those of you who have visited and discovered a snippet or two of interest, I thank you for sharing your time and hope you will return again very soon. To those of you who visit but leave empty handed and perhaps a little disappointed, I thank you for calling in and wish you better luck as you flutter past to blogs anew!

Rain, rain, you are welcome today!

2011-08-11T13:05:00.006+01:00

It seems someone has turned off Summer here in the UK and instead set the dial to rain - again! On a positive note however, apparently rioters prefer not to get wet while they trash their own communities (!) so the unseasonable weather has at least played a part in dampening down the current madness in our towns and cities ... thank those grey heavens above!

July and August are historically quiet months in terms of bear sales, with funds stretched tightly as collecting folk pay for family holidays, new school uniforms and days out for their kids. Despite that, it is still a busy time of year for bear makers because the Autumn heralds an exciting new season of teddy bear shows and shop collections and we need to prepare!

So I'm using this quiet period to work on new bears for a Winter shop collection and although they aren't all finished yet, I really don't feel like tackling the stuffing today, so I've parked myself in the conservatory to listen to the rain and enjoy my garden while I knit a waistcoat for one of the bears ... (and of course, wherever I am, my lovely Puddle is never far away!)

http://www.hugglets.co.uk/

As soon as I've finished this collection, I plan to start work on my show bears for the 'Teddies 2011' show in London on 11th September. I do hope the current appalling behaviour reported in the news broadcasts won't put you off visiting this super show in Kensington Town Hall ... it's a moment of unwelcome madness and with or without the rain, it will pass.

Service with a smile ...

2011-08-08T12:04:00.001+01:00

The doorbell woke me from a deep sleep at half seven this morning, which is the middle of the night as far as I'm concerned. By the time I'd shaken myself into action, the offending bell ringer had absconded leaving a card on the mat threatening a repeat visit tomorrow morning. I groaned as I realised I'd missed a crucial delivery from my stuffing supplier - a delivery he had gone above and beyond the call of duty to send to me, after receiving my order at the start of his summer shutdown ...

Supervisor Puddle!

Not only am I trying to work towards a big show in September, I have also been working on a collection of five bears for a shop and time is running out, so when I realised my supplier would be closed for over a week, I could have kicked myself! However, it seems customer service is not a thing of the past and not only did my lovely supplier send my order on time despite being closed for a well-earned break, the delivery courier also took pity on this sleepy-headed bearmaker today and decided to pop back at a more sociable hour to re-deliver!

So thanks to good old-fashioned customer service, the bear in my basket can now get stuffed this afternoon ... thanks guys, what would I do without your help?!

Cats know, you know

2011-08-04T11:25:00.000+01:00

We said a fond farewell to dear old Toffee recently. Poor old boy slipped downhill fast over the course of a weekend and after fifteen years of giving me the run around, it was clear my crafty old boy's time had come. You'll forgive me if I don't share his picture with you - it's still early days, as I'm sure you'll understand.

Puddle and Daisy have settled comfortably into their new 'girls only' routine and seem to be lapping up the extra fuss lavished on them ...

Daisy

Puddle

... it's reassurring how naturally pragmatic cats are about the grand scheme of life.

Cats know a thing or two, you know.

Messing about on the River Medway

2011-08-01T14:21:00.003+01:00

The River Medway passes through Maidstone and once a year, the river banks are moored with all manner of boats bedecked in flags and the town throws what amounts to a lively river party!

The little girl in me loves the colourful spectacle, but I confess the grumpy old lady in me struggles with crowds of hot, sweaty folk. Still, the child within should always win such battles, so on Saturday Stuart and I took a stroll into town to see who was messing around on the river this year!

The sun was hot, the music loud and queues for ice-cream too long, but nonetheless, it seemed most of the townsfolk of Maidstone found their way down to the river, to share in the annual summer fun!

'The Allington Belle' paddle boat

After battling our way through the sweaty masses, Stuart and I decided to continue our walk upstream, in the hope of finding a little tranquility, not to mention a chilled pint or two ...

Tranquility!

Our favourite boat of the day was 'Eddie's' pride and joy, a beautifully polished little wooden paddle steamer ...

Eddie's paddle steamer

And our favourite port of call after a long walk in hot sunshine, was the pub!

Enjoying cold beer and crisps at the Malta Inn in Allington!

Ready, steady, here comes Freddy!

2011-07-27T15:19:00.000+01:00

What he lacks in stature, this little fellow certainly makes up for in RED!!!! I love red bears, but for some reason (probably a lack of available materials) Freddy is only the second completely red bear to ever emerge from my workroom ...

12" Freddy is now available from http://www.allbear.co.uk/

Freddy will probably be my last red bear until Christmas, but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for suitable red mohair between now and the festive season.

Red bears are so cheery, I think every hug should have one, don't you?!

A suitcase for all seasons!

2011-07-25T13:06:00.009+01:00

In hindsight, the Isle of Wight was never going to be the warmest choice of holiday destinations, but as there were plenty of sights to be seen and excellent food to be eaten on the island, it seemed a fair choice for this year.

Isle of Wight bound

So we travelled across the Solent under heavy skies, on the Wight Ferry from Lymington, a picturesque village on the edge of the New Forest ...

By the time we arrived at our sea front cottage and unpacked, those mean ol' rain clouds had blown inland and we were lured into a false sense of relaxed holiday mode, as warm sunshine welcomed us to Yarmouth.

However, our first day trip to Osborne House, seaside home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, was wet by anyone's standards ... the lovely sunshine completely deserted us, bullied out of the way by fierce rain!

A visit to Carisbrooke castle faired a little better as we climbed the ancient ramparts and Stuart proved that boys will always be boys. I can't say it was dry exactly, but at least there were glimpses of friendly sunshine between rain showers!

Beware invaders!

It didn't take long for storm clouds to sweep back across the Solent, in perfect time to give us a soaking at The Needles in Alum Bay.

(I confess I am a complete wuss when it comes to heights, so opted for a steep climb up the cliff at Alum Bay, rather than torment my vertigo with a ride on the chair lift!)

Just as we had given up all hope of having any bona fide summery weather on our holiday before it ended (and let's face facts, being able to see your own breath in July is not good!) our luck changed and I can safely say, our promenade along Yarmouth Pier in warm sunshine, was worth every penny of the thirty pence entrance toll!

At Shanklin Beach - between showers!

As with all UK destinations, holidaying on the Isle of Wight requires a large suitcase containing clothes for all seasons because in the course of a week, you may well experience all four of them! Much as I love England, we've certainly had more than our fair share of rainy holidays here over the years, so hopefully next year, we'll be packing beachwear instead of jumpers, leaving our cagoules in the cupboard and flying away to bask in guaranteed sunshine!

2011 URSA Awards - VOTE NOW!

2011-07-15T11:39:00.001+01:00

The 2011 'URSA AWARDS' are now open for public voting. I have entered 'Kefalonia' in Category 5 and would love you to help vote her through to the final round of this competition ... thank you!

To vote for Kefalonia please CLICK HERE!

'Kefalonia'

My 'Kefalonia' teddy bear was inspired by the pastel colours of villages and the fabulous turquoise blue of the Ionian sea, when we visited the Greek island of Kefalonia in Summer 2010.

Assos

Myrtos

As you can see, it is an incredibly beautiful and inspiring place!

A bear maker by coincidence?

2011-07-12T12:24:00.009+01:00

'The Ultimate Teddy Bear Book' and 'The Teddy Bear encyclopedia' by Pauline Cockrill

In hindsight, I can see my life has more often than not been driven by coincidence and oddly enough, my bear-making career has been no exception. I was quietly browsing through the shelves of my local bookshop one lunchtime in the early 1990's, when I felt compelled to open a particular book ... that book happened to be 'The Ultimate Teddy Bear Encyclopedia' written by Pauline Cockrill.

I have always loved teddy bears and my own childhood bear had discreetly settled into a comfy corner of my adult life, so when I flicked through that beautiful book and saw a very familiar bear looking back at me, my jaw fell open in surprise! I had no idea then, that my special childhood bear had officially become what was known as a 'collectible' teddy bear!

Me and 'Big Ted' in 1964

And so my love affair with the 'Chiltern Hugmee' began. It really was as simple as that. I was so delighted to discover my 'Big Ted' in that book, I couldn't resist checking out all the references in the back pages to see what else I could find ... and there was a hidden gem tucked away - an address for 'The Petersfield Bear Museum' (founded in 1984 by Judy Sparrow) ... only a couple of hours drive from where I was living!

My 1940's Chiltern Hugmee 'Bobby Bear', with a copy of Judy Sparrow's 1993 'Teddy Bears' book.

I was utterly enchanted by the museum - it truly was a magical place and I didn't want my visit to end. As I reluctantly stepped down into the museum shop on my way to the exit, a wonderful 1940's Chiltern Hugmee bear met my gaze and by a stroke of pure luck, he wasn't an exhibit, he was for sale! Well, of course, after a chat with Judy and her husband he had to come home with me. Somehow, I seem to have collected an entire hug of Chiltern Hugmees since then!

Some of my Chiltern Hugmee collection

I have also been privileged to get to know lovely Pam Howells, chief designer for the Chiltern Hygenic Toy Company between 1957 and 1967. Pam was kind enough to make one of her special 'Chiltern Memory' bears for me, back in the early 1990's.

My 'Chiltern Memory' bear, by Pam Howells.

Sadly, the Petersfield Bear Museum closed to the public several years ago, but many of the exhibits are featured in Judy's super book titled 'Teddy Bears', which was published in 1993 by Magna Books. (By the way, there are a few copies currently available on Amazon if you would like to purchase a copy!)

Teddy Bear Times magazine, Issue 10, published Autumn 1992

So how does a passion for teddy bears, turn a bear collector into a bear-maker? Well, once a collector, always a collector, that goes without saying, but after discovering my first teddy bear encyclopedia and reading every single reference contained therein, I learned teddy bears were also published in their very own magazines and one of those magazines was on sale at a little teddy bear shop, only half an hour's drive away!

One thing, naturally led to another. The cover of the 1992 Autumn issue of 'Teddy Bear Times' magazine featured a lovely old bear reading a book and as an added bonus there was also an article about Chilterns, so I bought a copy, read it as soon as I arrived home and was thrilled to discover that not only were there vintage teddy bears in that magazine, there was a fascinating world of artist bears for me to explore too!

One of my first visits to a Hugglets' teddy bear show, in 1993

It wasn't long before I visited my first teddy bear fair in London, which led to another ... and a mohair teddy bear kit!

'Ivor', a mohair kit bear

My first mohair bear, made from a kit purchased at the 'Rochester Teddy Bear Fair' in the early 90's, was a little lopsided, but I didn't mind at all - I was simply delighted that after all my efforts, he did actually resemble a bona fide teddy bear!

It really doesn't seem possible two decades have passed. Since 'Ivor', I am proud to have become a real bear maker, creating many, many teddy bears, now residing in collections all around the world.

So now you know the answer - that is how a bear collector becomes a bear maker. The rest as they say, is history!

Elephant Steps ..

2011-07-07T17:30:00.004+01:00

I have had a soft spot for elephants ever since I was a very little girl. My uncle made my first elephant many years ago and although his ears and eyes have long since been hugged away, I still have that little pink ellie. In fact, I borrowed the simple three piece design to create a replica ellie as a gift for my new niece almost four years ago ...

My childhood ellie is on the right and my niece's new ellie, on the left.

The next elephant I made was a funny little chap called 'Abe', back in 2008. I took the design above a stage further by introducing a moveable, jointed head ...

8" 'Abe'

That was when I decided I wanted to tackle something a little more complex, so I started work afresh, using one of my previous teddy bear designs, as a starting point.

'Peppercorn' was the starting point for my next ellie ...

I had to redesign the head entirely and completely change the shape of the feet and arms - in fact, now I come to think about it, the only part of the pattern that remained the same was the body!

'Delilah', my first jointed elephant created 2008

The following year, I decided to return to my jointed elephant design to see how it would work in alternative fabrics ...

'Starlight' created in 2009

And I was thrilled when my 2009 ellie 'Starlight' was featured in 'Australian Bear Creations,' as that was the first time I had ever had anything other than a teddy bear published in a magazine!

2010 was a challenging year creatively speaking, as I spent the first two thirds of the year working hard to develop my 'Careworn Collection' of teddy bears and the remaining third of the year simply trying to find motivation to work at all, after saying a sad farewell to my Dad that Autumn. Sad to say, there were no ellies whatsoever in 2010 ...

'Forget-me-not,' my 2011 ellie

But, as you can see, the ellie bug has bitten me again here in 2011! This time I've decided to develop my ellie's personality, so have given him cute low low slung ears and close set eyes, which I think lend his personality a whole new dimension. I'm pleased with this whimsical blue ellie, he has been fun to make!

And that's it for my elephant steps so far. As with all things elephant, I think it's fair to say progress has been slow, but steady!

Daft Dangle Buns

2011-07-06T15:04:00.000+01:00

We bearmakers generate many scraps of fabric, most of which are too small to do anything practical with. As a maker of substantial bears, my scraps are probably larger than average, so rather than waste them, I've scribbled a very simple pattern and started to make these 'Daft Dangle Buns'.

My daft 'Dangle Buns'

I think it's safe to say my buns are created in 'primitive style', but even so, those scraps of mohair and simple pattern pieces seem to be recycling themselves into fun little personalities!

Introducing Rosie Posey!

2011-07-04T11:38:00.002+01:00

Despite the oppressive heat last week, I surprised myself by completing two new bears. One of those bears is currently en route to a shop, but I am able to share the other here with you today; she's a 17" clown style teddy girl, in a pretty shabby chic style. You may have noticed of late, I have a thing for pretty ditsy print teddy bear paws!

17" Rosie Posey is now available from www.allbear.co.uk

I've called my sweet girl clown, 'Rosie Posey' because as anyone who knows me will tell you, roses are my favourite flowers and they have been blooming beautifully here in England throughout June!

Besten Dank!

2011-07-01T13:44:00.001+01:00

I have exciting news to share today! I have just received an advance copy of the latest issue of the German teddy bear magazine 'Teddy & Co', and my bears have been given a magnificent five pages to show off in!

Teddy Bear & Co - July 2011 issue

I have Richard Backschas, teddy bear artist, writer and collector, to thank for writing this fabulous feature, so Vielen Dank to Richard, for taking the time to showcase my work so generously. It really is a huge compliment to have my bears (and my photographs) published in Germany!

Now I need to dust off my very ropey schoolgirl German and work out what has been said ... I should have paid attention in class instead of daydreaming in my lessons eh?!

If you would like to find out more about the Teddy Bear & Co magazine, please visit their website at: http://www.teddymagazin.de/

A little Curio.

2011-06-30T13:54:00.001+01:00

Like most bear makers, I relish an occasional challenge and making a small bear is certainly one of those! You may remember my first attempt at a truly titchy ted a few months ago ...

My first truly titchy ted head

8" Artan (in progress)

As you may recall, little 'Artan' really was little by my standards - a proper teeny tiddler at just eight inches tall. After I'd completed him, I promised myself I would create another wee bear, but this time would tweak my pattern to alter the shape of his head and adjust the length of his limbs.

8" Curio

At last I think I am beginning to find my way with these tiddlers! My second 8" bear 'Curio' can sit comfortably in the palm of a hand. I guess you could say such tiddly teds really are a curiosity, emerging from the workroom of this maker of big 'uns!

Curio is now available for adoption from my website:

www.allbear.co.uk

Labelling the future

2011-06-28T12:19:00.001+01:00

Today the postman brought me one thousand satin 'All Bear' labels ... I guess I'll be bear making for a while to come eh?!

What exactly is an 'Artist Bear'?

2011-06-27T11:56:00.020+01:00

I love finding time to meander through the annals of teddy bear history and to stroll along my personal teddy bear 'Memory Lane'. Sunday afternoon was absolutely glorious, so I tucked myself under the sun parasol with a cool drink to hand and a stack of teddy bear publications to browse.

Sadly, the 'Hugglets Teddy Bear Magazine' is no longer published.

The question 'What is an Artist Bear' has been hotly debated by 'teddy bear artists', for as long as I can remember - probably since the term was first coined in the US, back in the 1970's. The topic still raises its controversial head with regular monotony some forty years later, with bear makers/designers/artists becoming hot under the collar as they staunchly defend their own interpretations. In case you are curious, I am a bear 'artist' who much prefers to call herself a teddy bear 'designer' when pushed to define what I do, simply because this definition sits most comfortably with me, given that my drawing skills are on a par with those of the average four year old ...

So, after a rather magnificent heap of 'bruhaha' (a wonderful term I have recently coined from a bear artist friend!) among teddy bear artists in response to a recently published magazine article on this subject, I had to smile when I opened a magazine binder yesterday and came across an old Hugglets magazine dating back to Summer 1993 ... eighteen long bear-making summers ago.

Back then, I was still dreaming about launching myself into the magical world of teddy bear artistry as a bona fide 'bear artist', so on a hot summer's day yesterday, I must admit page 21, titled 'What is an Artist Bear,' made me smile. The first definition had been thoughtfully provided by the lovely lady, kind enough to give me my first leg into the bear business way back in 1994 - Michelle Chambers of the Rochester Teddy Bear Shop stated, "For a bear to come under the category of an Artist Bear, it should not be mass produced, but created in a cottage industry environment. The bear artist is also someone who can turn bear making into a fine art, so that An Artist Bear is a bear with individuality and, most importantly, it has a unique style".

1993 feature, 'What is an Artist Bear?'

Reading further on, Janet Clark of Teddystyle, a leading light in our world of teddy bear artistry, agreed by saying, "I don't even know that I'm an artist myself, that's up to other people to say .... a good bear maker can put a good face on a bear, but an artist can make that face come to life". Maddie Janes, another well respected bear maker of that era, went on to say, "If you're a real teddy bear artist, you don't just have one pattern you keep making in different sizes ... you're making new patterns all the time and using new components."

A 'Chiltern Memory' created for me

by Pam Howells in the early 90's

UK teddy bear royalty Pamela Ann Howells, chief designer for the Chiltern Toy Company for a decade from the 50's onwards and still creating today, fifty years later, under her own 'Bears that are Special' label, said: "There's just as much thought goes into the designing of a manufactured bear, even if it is mass produced in the end. The term 'artist bear' is a new phrase really. I've always considered myself to be a designer and maker. I know a lot of people feel that a bear is their way of putting their art down, but I don't look at bears that way .... As long as the bear is nice when it's finished, I don't think it matters."

Well, if it's good enough for Pam, it's certainly good enough for me.

The Chiltern Hygenic Toy Company (can you spot my artist bear Chiltern Memory, among his manufactured friends?)

Manufactured 'Hugmees' 1930 - 1950

And so it seems to me, definitions don't really belong with teddy bears. After all, a much-loved teddy will appeal to his owner for any number of reasons, least of which is likely to be whether he has been defined as 'art' or not. In my view, it's best we bear 'crafters' climb down from our high horses and concentrate our energies on creating bears from the heart, taking care not to slip into the murky waters of the ego trap.

I would like to give the last word to Gregory Gyllenship, one of our finest UK and International teddy bear artists ...

Gregory, a modest man, defines himself as:
'A bloke who makes bears.'

A happy, smiley tutorial!

2011-06-24T13:50:00.003+01:00

A while ago I promised to put together a step-by-step tutorial to show how I for creating an inset open mouth, so here goes!

First I draw around the pattern piece I've designed for my bear's mouth. I've chosen to use pink Ultra Suede for this mouth.

Then I start to mark my seam allowance ... I've used black pen so you can see clearly.

This is my finished seam line, with the four corners of the mouth marked, so I can clearly see where to line it up with the chin seam (top and bottom) and at the widest point of the mouth opening (left and right).

I cut out my head pieces. This bear will be made from turquoise mohair with a white alpaca muzzle.

Before I go any further, I need to sew the muzzle to the head and stitch the ears together.

This is how the head looks before the head gusset is sewn in.

Now it's time to iron a piece of interfacing onto the back of the Ultra Suede mouth piece to strengthen it.

Next, I trim the excess interfacing away from the mouth piece. You can still see the sewing markings through the interfacing.

Using a sharp pencil, I then draw where I want my bear's mouth edging to be. This needs to be deeper than the seam allowance.

Using a black fabric marker pen, I very carefully colour around the edge of the mouth piece, taking care not to mark beyond the line I drew before.

While I wait for the mouth piece to dry thoroughly, I pin in the head gusset and baste the nose into place.

Then I colour the black area a second time and leave it to dry.

While the mouth is drying, I machine sew the head gusset in place and remove the pins.

The next step is to pin the mouth piece into the muzzle opening, so that the sewing line is now visible and the thick black edge is inside the bear. Using long pins with coloured heads, I make sure I line up the markers I have drawn at the four corners of the mouth - top and bottom chin seam and sides at the widest part of the bears smile.

Then I add a few more pins to make sure the mouth stays put! The next step is to baste the mouth piece into place (I oversew) and then remove the pins.

You can see the baste stitches in this pic. Now I'm going to machine sew my mouth piece, the same way I would sew in a footpad.

I'm adding a few additional back stitches along the sides of the mouth of the seam by hand to reinforce the mouth, as this will be the weakest point when the bear is stuffed.

This is how my laughing bear looks at this point with his head turned fur side out.

The next step is to stuff the head firmly, paying carefully attention to the nose and chin area. This is trickier than stuffing a classic bear head, so patience is required! I the pic above, I've stuffed the head and am running an extra strong thread across the bridge of the nose to create indentations for eye placement.

Using coloured pins, it's time now to pin on bear's ears and decide where to place the eyes.

I complete the head by trimming the muzzle, embroidering the nose and inserting eyes (and for this particular bear, lashes too!) Then I attach the head to the body and finish by assembling and stuffing in the usual way.

And as if by magic, my happy, smiley bear comes to life!

In an English Country Garden

2011-06-20T11:11:00.008+01:00

We knew our first 'Father's Day' without Dad wouldn't be easy, so my next-in-line sister Fiona and I, decided to face it with our chins firmly up, just as Dad would have expected of his girls.

Simon, Fo's other half, came up with a plan to bundle us into his truck with Bugsy the German Shepherd, then drive us to Goddington Place an impressive manor house with beautiful gardens, open to the public on Sundays.

I absolutely loved the formal English gardens, so perfectly planted, with each delightful garden leading through to another.

I wish I could share the scent of the lavendar here with you today, but instead you'll have to breathe deeply and imagine it filling the air ...

You know me, I can't leave a flower unphotographed ... and these glorious gardens were so bloomin' beautiful, my little point 'n shoot camera was working overtime!

We packed cagoules and it was as well we had, as every time the sun burst cheerfully through, more heavy clouds rolled in soon after. It was as if April had arrived in June!

Fortunately, the quintessentially English tea-room, prettily decked out in green and white gingham, was on standby to provide coffee and handmade Victoria Sponge cake ... oh yum!

Fo enjoying a rather large slice of Victoria Sponge heaven!

We walked through rock gardens, past sheltered pools, along green paths lined with imposing yew hedges, we sat on the lawn in warm sunshine with Bugsy, enjoying a falconry display, we gazed at the countryside vista beyond weathered garden walls and finally, moments before the heavens opened, discovered hidden treasure at the end of a wonderful woodland walk ...

For Fiona and me, finding these woodland foxgloves on Father's Day was treasure enough ... Dad, a keen gardener, was so delighted with his own display of these stately bells last summer, it was impossible not to smile when we stumbled across some yesterday.

Foxgloves weren't the only secret this lovely garden had to offer though! But I'm not going to spoil the fun of discovering Doddington Place's secrets, so if you have an hour or two spare on a Summer's Sunday afternoon, why not visit and discover them for yourself!

Fo, Simon and Bugsy

Thanks for yesterday you three, I'm so glad we were able to share Father's Day together x

Father's Day.

2011-06-19T10:07:00.000+01:00

No words today.

The colours of a rainbow

2011-06-17T13:57:00.000+01:00

I was delighted to find an envelope on my doormat this morning, containing these little beauties!

Pure wool felt by Sue Eggen of Giant Dwarf

Many thanks to Joanne Livingston of Desert Mountain Bears Blog for kindly sharing the name of Giant Dwarf an Etsy seller of handmade, eco-friendly goods. I just love the colours of this pure wool felt - they are so cheerful and will be perfect for my clown bears!

Show Shopping

2011-06-16T17:44:00.010+01:00

You didn't think I'd go to a bear show and come home empty handed did you? Heaven forbid! I didn't buy a bear, but I did treat myself to some lovely new mohair from Bear Basics ...

And although I like to knit for my bears myself, these cute little waistcoats on Elanor's (Shantock Bears) stand (which was positioned conveniently next to mine!) were just too good to ignore. Elanor's mum is a whizz with her knitting needles and knits the outfits for Elanor's gorgeous little mice and bears ... luckily for me, she still has time to design and knit bear clothing for sale at shows too!

My final Stratford show purchase (if you don't count a rather large slab of lemon drizzle cake ... ahem!) was this super wooden chair from
Christopher's Chairs

The chair has a hand carved, sculpted seat, designed for bears with a 'wider than average bottom'! I couldn't resist bringing it home for dear old Bobby Bear, a 1940's Chiltern Hugmee from my personal collection. As you can see, it's as if it was made to measure, especially for him!