We three bears!

We're heading to 'The Bear Shop' in Norwich this week and we're so excited about the special Christmas 'Open Day' being held next Sunday!

My name is Dustin and I am the second bear in a special shop edition of just four, created especially for The Bear Shop.  I am an impressive 19" tall and as you can see, rather a handsome chap! 

PS, I have a growler in my tummy ... Grrrrr!!!!

My name is Ned and I'm a bit smaller than Dustin at just 16".  I think it's fair to say I am a nice middle sized bear, a fine traditional fellow at that.  I'm not part of any edition ... I'm just me, all by myself.

Don't forget me! I'm called Rufus and I'm one of a kind too!  I am 16" too, so middle sized I guess, just like Ned.  I've been told I will bring colour to your Christmas and cheer to your New Year ... sounds good to me!

We'd love you to visit The Bear Shop in Norwich on Sunday 30th November; please come along and give us a cuddle!  The shop owner Robert is definitely feeling the Christmas spirit already ... he's gifted you some very special vouchers to use in his shop that day!

Full details can be found on the link below:

The Bear Shop Christmas Open Day

A tasty seasonal inspiration!

Every year, my daughter and I love to start our Christmas with a couple of  thick slices of moist Italian panettone slathered in butter, with marmalade on the side and a glass of fresh orange juice to sip ... this has become a bit of a family tradition over the years.

14" Panettone

So, inspired by our favourite Christmas breakfast, my first seasonal bear of 2014 is a chubby little panda bear named 'Panettone' ... I hope he helps ease you gently into the festive spirit!

Panettone is now available to share your festive celebration.  

Please visit my website for full details: 

www.allbearbypaula.com

On the right track..

So, this little beauty arrived in the post yesterday ...

Such a thrill to receive a lovely crystal trophy!

To receive an 'Excellence' award from a panel of internationally respected industry judges, is an honour, but also a validation of the somewhat less than 'normal' path I have chosen.  

Throughout the past twenty years there have been many times I have questioned my creative direction, so thank you judges, for letting me know I'm still on the right track.

Open Day at The Bear Shop

This week I have been working hard to complete an order for lovely Robert, the owner of The Bear Shop.  I am delighted to say, I now have three beautiful bears ready for their journey to Norwich. They will be heading there this week, just as soon as I have taken their posh pics in my studio.  In the meantime, I hope you don't mind making do with a quick end-of-day Iphone snap of one of the bears... 

Robert has organised a very special Christmas Open Day at his shop on Sunday 30th November, so please pop along to say hello and meet all the wonderful teddy bears ... what better way to start this year's festive season!

A Perfect Princess

It is my Great Niece's 2nd birthday today and yesterday, I went to her 'Frozen' (which I am told is the latest Disney film - must keep up with the trends Auntie Paula!) birthday party.  Ella had a lovely time celebrating her special day and was a perfect little princess throughout ...

Happy Birthday Ella!

Ella is the first child of a brand new generation for our family, an important role for any princess.  She has already taken our latest addition, my Grandson Toby, under her wing and is proving herself to be a very gentle, caring, second cousin to him ... her mummy told me yesterday, all babies are now 'Tobies' as far as Ella is concerned!

Meeting cousin Toby

Ella kindly invited Toby to share her birthday celebrations yesterday, providing him with the perfect opportunity to meet their Great Gran-Gran for the very first time ...

Toby's first cuddle with Great Gran-Gran

It seems our new generation of little people instinctively understands how to share joy and bring family together.  

Walking with Ella

Happy Birthday Ella, 

With all my love always, 

From

Your very proud, 

(Great) Auntie Paula 

xxx

Christmas Countdown

It's hard to believe there are less than seven weeks until Christmas ... my goodness, this year is flying past so quickly!  

Work in progress

As regular readers of www.pollyandpaula.blogspot.co.uk will know, I have been very busy obedience training my gorgeous goldie girl Polly throughout 2014 and to do her training full justice, I had to fit my bear making around her needs, so apologies if you noticed a slight reduction in my bear production this year!

Training Polly

I confess, I also squeezed a little time for some baby knitting to help keep my baby Grandson cosy this winter.

Little Toby, modelling one of Nana's hand knits

Aside from dog training, little Toby's arrival in the world and building a smart new website for my bears at www.allbearbypaula.com I have of course been running 'The Guild of Master Bearcrafters' and blogging throughout the year - as you know, I do love to blog!

So, as I was saying - here I am, with less than seven weeks until Christmas, which of course means only four or five weeks in actual bear making terms!  I have two shop orders and a couple of urgent commissions to complete before I rediscover my desktop ...

And once those bears are safely on their way, I will be working on the pile of pretty new wintery mohair fabrics in the photo above.  Fingers crossed I manage to turn them into beautiful teddy bears for my website before Christmas Eve!

Meet the folks

We celebrated my grandson's arrival with a family party at the weekend ...

I haven't baked with my daughter since she was a little girl, so it was heaps of fun working together to create cute cupcakes for Toby's guests on Sunday morning.

Toby was a little star throughout the afternoon, snuggling contentedly with his guests and quickly winning their hearts!

Meeting Great Auntie Laura

Snuggles with cousin Leah

I am proud to say, my son has already proved himself to be a thoroughly modern and very 'hands on' Daddy, sharing feeding duties and nappy changes without qualm.

Dinner time with Daddy

And it is a true joy to watch Hannah, who I have known since she was a shy young girl of sixteen, blossom into her new role as a mum. Toby really couldn't have two more devoted parents!

Toby with his mummy

It was lovely to be able to introduce my Grandson to members of my family and also to catch up with them for a relaxed natter over a cuppa and a cupcake or two. 

My Great niece Ella having fun with her Granny, my sister Fo

Two of my cheeky nieces

Auntie Fo and our cheekiest niece Erin

Catching up

Family

With everyone's lives as busy as they are these days, sharing family time becomes ever more important, so thank you little Toby, for doing a grand job of bringing your family together and thank you family for making time to welcome my very precious Grandson into your lives.

 xxx