Finishing Touches!

So here we are, the day before show day!  The final ear has been attached and everyone photographed, so all that is left for me to do is finalise price tags, hangtags, carrier bags and generally organise myself before thinking about packing up my trusty Saxo early tomorrow morning.  Unfortunately Sunday's weather forecast isn't good - heavy rain and gale force winds are predicted, so  I'm praying our show collectors will be a hardy bunch, prepared to battle the elements for their special show bears!

20" Elwyn

I'm relieved to tell you I finished my 'just one more' bear yesterday evening.  After making all the careworn, scruffy bears, I couldn't resist the temptation to create a lovely new looking, pristine white, fluffy bear -  I dare say he will stick out like a sore thumb on my table against the ramshackle rest, but never mind!

Careworn Collection hangtag

I had one of my last minute lightbulb moments a few days ago and decided I needed to design new hangtags and postcards for the show bears.  Typically I didn't leave myself enough time to take advantage of reasonable delivery charges, so paid a small fortune to make sure they arrived in the nick of time, but at least they did arrive and the bears will be able to show them off properly at the Winter Bearfest tomorrow! 

 Careworn Collection promotional postcard

If you would like to visit the 'Winter Bearfest' tomorrow, please come along to Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London SW8.  The doors open at 10.30am and the day will be filled from start to finish with thousands of the most wonderful teddy bears, all hoping to find new homes!

Kingsley is coming to Hugglets!

Just popping in to show you my final bear for the 'Careworn Collection' before I run back to my workroom to finish my 'just one more' show bear!

15" Kingsley will debut at the Winter Bearfest

on Sunday 28th Feb!

I have really enjoyed creating my collection of weary, scruffy ol' bears, but I'm now feeling the urge to make a lovely big, fluffy white, pristine, twinkly eyed ted.  Watch this space ... hopefully he'll be ready in time for Sunday!

Bears with a tale to tell ...

I have just one more working week to finish my show bears!  As always, the time is flying by so quickly I'm wondering if I'll ever be ready ...

19" 'Blyton' will debut at the Winter Bearfest show next Sunday.

Last week I managed to finish two more lovely bears for the show, 'Blyton' is a truly scruffy careworn ol' bear, completely mischievous and adventurous, rather like one of the characters in his namesake's 'Famous Five' books!  How I used to love those books when I was a young girl! 

19" Kipling will be there too!

His pal 'Kipling' is a gorgeous slumpy bear and the two of them together look absolutely adorable sat telling tales on the back of my sofa at the moment - I will miss them when they find new homes!

If you would like to meet the bears in person, please come along to the show on Sunday ... we'll be on Stand 63 in Hall 2 at Kensington Town Hall in London SW8.  Doors open at 10.30am!

Countdown to the 'Winter Bearfest'.

From time to time, a collector makes a special request to name their own bear, which is that's how 'Kevin' came into being!  I'm sure Kevin's owner won't mind me sharing him here with you, he's such a handsome fellow!

20" 'Kevin', a special commission

Kevin is now living in Cumbria with his new family and I'm busy trying to finish the final few bears for the Winter Bearfest Show in London on the 28th February.  There are only two more working weeks until the big day, so I'm sorry, but I must keep my blog posts brief! 

Before I return to my sewing machine, here's a quick pic of my first four completed show bears ... I hope you enjoy my new 'Careworn Collection'!

'The Careworn Collection' will debut at the 'Winter Bearfest' on February 28th. 

Please see www.hugglets.co.uk for further details.

People's Choice Nomination for Caspian!

I should have mentioned this on my birthday, but I was so overwhelmed with birthday celebrations I completely forgot to tell you about Caspian receiving a nomination in the People's Choice Awards!  As you can imagine, this was an extra special birthday treat for me!

'Caspian', finalist in the 2010 'People's Choice Awards'

This competition is judged by public vote and there are some lovely entries, so please spare a moment to support everyone's work by casting your vote at:

http://sydneyteddybearfair.homestead.com/Competition-Voting.html

Thank you!

8th March 2010 update:  Many, many thanks to everyone who voted for Caspian in the People's Choice Awards and congratulations to Lorraine Almond of Almond Bears for winning the 'Bears 6" and over' category, as well as the overall 'People's Choice' Award! 

Happy Valentine's Day!

It's Valentine's Day on Sunday, so I can't resist sharing this 1911 Valentine postcard with you - it's not exactly my idea of romantic though!

I had fun making a special Valentine's Prim Dolly Doodle this week, she's called 'Valentina' ... cute eh?!

20" Valentina

Wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's weekend!

Beatrix to the Winter Bearfest!

I finished Beatrix yesterday - as usual I'm in a race against time to prepare for one of the most important London shows of the year and am fast running out of time! I'm really pleased with this little lady though (not really little at 19 inches!) ... I do hope you like her too!

19" Beatrix

Beatrix will be making her debut at the show on February 28th, to be held in Kensington Town Hall, London, SW8.  Please visit www.hugglets.co.uk for full details.

Hugs and kisses ...

 

I enjoyed a lovely birthday last week and was surprised by many warm birthday wishes ... a big thank you to everyone who came to visit, or sent me a card, or a message to share my special day with me.  Very special thanks to my nieces, Leah, Lauren, Sian and little Erin, for coming to visit their Auntie Paula! 

Happy Birthday too, to my youngest sister Laura.  Her birthday is only two days after mine, so one way and another, we've spent quite a bit of time catching up with our family and nattering over cups of coffee and birthday cookies this weekend!

Me and Laura (and Big Ted!) back in 1977

And now of course, Valentine's Day is almost upon us!  I had hoped to have my Prim Dolly Doodle ready in time for a little romance, but at the moment, I'm not sure if she'll be finished in time ... fingers crossed I can find a few hours before Sunday, so she can put on her best frock and join in the fun!

Valentine's Prim Dolly Doodle in progress ...

but will she be ready in time for the big day?

I absolutely must finish the bear I'm working on today, so am going to dash up to my workroom now.  I hope you all enjoy your week and find time for those all important hugs and kisses on Sunday!

Daft Dollies in print!

I am so thrilled!  I have just discovered the US 'Teddy Bear Review' magazine has published my Witchypoo dolls and 'Little Boo' bear, as part of their 'A Bear and a Doll' feature.  This is the very first time I've had my daft dollies published, so as you can imagine, I am absolutely delighted!

'The Witchypoos'

'Little Boo'

If you would like to purchase a copy of the magazine, it is available from:

www.teddybearreview.com

By the way, it's also available as an imag download, which is great for overseas readers!

In the wars ...

It's been a chilly weekend here in Kent, despite the welcome sunshine.  Stuart went with his Dad to watch the Gills play football on Saturday afternoon, so I bundled myself into my cosy workroom to take advantage of a little extra bear time.  After all, if I don't organise myself pretty smartly, I won't have any bears for the Kensington show on the 28th Feb and that is an unthinkable thought! 

19" 'Nesbit' will debut at the 'Winter Bearfest' on 28th February.

Fortunately I also squeezed some spare time on Sunday afternoon to work on my new bear and managed to finish him.  I photographed him this morning and here he is!  Poor old fellow looks as though he's been in the wars don't you think?! 

I'm really enjoying creating these vintage style bears ... they are so endearing!