My Anthony, always a big kid at heart!
Passing on a few essential tree climbing skills to the next generation ...
Boys being boys!
... and the girls being girls!
Monkeying around!
Grandad branches out!
Tree fellas!
Anthony's Hannah finds a comfy perch
Our Bank Holiday tree climbing tribe!
I hope you enjoyed a peek into our family album ... and before you ask, yes, I resisted the temptation to climb the tree - well someone had to take pics eh?!
Thursday 28 May 2009
Boys will be boys ...
Wednesday 27 May 2009
Makes My Heart Smile Award for 'Bearing All!'
And now it's my turn to pass on this lovely award to ten of my favourite blogs; gosh, it's hard to choose! The following blogs always make me smile, so I hope you enjoy them too!
http://www.insidemystudio.blogspot.com/
http://www.flutter-by-bearsandfriends.blogspot.com/
http://www.louisepeers.blogspot.com/
http://www.whendisbears.blogspot.com/
http://bensonbears.blogspot.com/
http://wildthymeoriginals.wordpress.com/
http://www.bumpkinbears.blogspot.com/
http://the-white-bench.blogspot.com/
http://jarehares.blogspot.com/
http://bearbits.blogspot.com/
Don't forget to visit Elanor's lovely chatty blog pop too!
http://shantockbears.blogspot.com
And to catch up with Lyn in wonderful Brimbin Forest, please fly over to: http://www.brimbinforestbears.blogspot.com/
Tuesday 26 May 2009
Happily Ever After!
Luckily for little Morris, his VIP (very special person) happened to be climbing onto a white charger, preparing to scoop Morris up before the clock struck midnight! I'm happy to be able to tell you Morris, his VIP and big pal Horatio (yes, Morris will be facing his big brave move outside the UK safe in the knowledge he won't be alone!) will soon be together and so the tale of 'Morris Cinderfella' ends ...
Sunday 24 May 2009
Before the clock strikes midnight ...
please visit www.allbear.co.uk before midnight tonight if you would like to see them all!
Goodness me, it's been a frantic weekend so far! A great deal of fun too though! The webshow has been astonishingly well received and with several hours yet to go until closing, I am happy to tell you, six of my seven 'Gathering Bears in May' show bears have already found lovely new homes. They will be travelling as far as Australia, America, France, Belgium and the UK ... they are quite the globetrotters!
'Morris Cinderfella'
My dear little 'Morris' bear cub has been re-christened 'Morris Cinderfella' by lovely Jo Rothery of McBears (www.mcbears.com) which gave me a smile! He's the last bear available, still waiting patiently on the shelf hoping his special someone will ride in to claim him before the clock strikes midnight tonight ... aaaahhh! Do you think that special someone might be you?!
Friday 22 May 2009
Gathering Bears in May - ready for the grand opening!
Wednesday 20 May 2009
Showing Off!
Tuesday 12 May 2009
Tip: How to wax a bear's embroidered nose
My bear's embroidered nose prior to waxing ... the neater the nose stitching, the better result you will achieve from your waxing.
Step 1 ... boil a saucepan of water and melt your wax (I'm using natural beeswax sourced from a candle making company, but there are other waxes available from some of the bearmaking suppliers). I keep my melted wax in an old pyrex lid, complete with brushes, ready to be re-melted whenever I want to wax another nose. Warning: Don't leave your melting wax unattended as it may flame - I usually turn off the heat as soon as the water is boiling and allow the wax to melt gently.
My first coat of wax has now been applied ... you may need to use a small brush to work the wax into the outer edges of the bear's nose as you apply the wax. Take care to prevent it dripping onto the mohair muzzle though!
Step 3 ... using your hairdryer on a low setting, gently warm the waxed nose ...
Step 4 ... as you warm the waxed nose, use the flat edge of a knife to remove the spare wax and smooth the bear's nose, taking care to ease the wax into the outer edges of the nose stitching to give a neat finish. I wipe my knife clean with a piece of kitchen roll as I work. (Thanks Fay for helping me out with this photograph!)
Step 5 ... wait a few minutes to allow the wax to dry, then using brown paper, buff the waxed nose using an up and down motion in line with the vertical stitches. I find it easiest to turn the bear so that the back of his head leans against my chest while I buff - which is why this photo looks as though it has been taken upside down!
Step 6 ... when the first coat of wax has been buffed, you will probably still have a few pale streaks of wax still showing, depending on the finish you prefer, you may like to carefully colour these using a fabric pen. I'm using a black pen to match my black nose embroidery in this instance, but you could use other colours for a more individual effect.
Step 7 ... repeat the entire process for a second layer! I like to use two layers for my waxed noses, but you may prefer more - I suggest you experiment to find your 'look'. This is a pic of my finished waxed nose.
A celebration of bear artistry
http://bearbits.blogspot.com/2009/05/celebration-continues.html
Monday 11 May 2009
Gathering Bears in May progress report ...
Thursday 7 May 2009
Firing on all cylinders again
'Gathering Bears in May' will take place at www.allbear.co.uk on 23rd/24th May 2009
Tuesday 5 May 2009
Gathering Bears in May!
Once AWOL, I've noticed a mojo will do almost anything to avoid returning to the workroom, leaving the unfortunate bear artist destined to stare into fruitless space, pondering the imminent prospect of shelf stacking in local supermarkets. Over the years, I have come to realise the best way to lure a mojo back to work, is to promise a reward for good behaviour. You see the little known thing about mojos is, they have egos ... oh yes, there's no doubt about it, mojos crave attention!
So, in view of my recent funk, I have cajoled, blackmailed and promised my mojo faithfully, if it makes an immediate return to work for me, there will be a handsome reward! I will showcase its talents this very month! There will be no more mojo neglect from this ungrateful bear artist. We have agreed to combine efforts, work in harmony and yes, beat the bearmaker's funk! I am delighted to announce that in view of our reinstated collaboration, my mojo and I would like to invite you to join us in a spring celebration of our combined talents ...
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