A nod to the dark side!

Halloween is only a few days away and I will be tut-tutting with the best of 'em, while I pull up my drawbridge to discourage those mischievous 'trick or treat tricksters'. Children knocking on strangers' doors eager for sweeties is something I heartily disapprove of ... for their own safety. That said, there is something about the magical mayhem of Halloween I have loved since I was a child and it has nothing to do with parties, fancy dress or tricks; no, for me it has always been far more about imaginative stories and mischievous characters gathering together in the dark of night.

Speaking of whom ...

20" 'Mischief'

Well, I couldn't let Halloween pass with at least a gentle nod to the darker side now could I?!

It has been absolutely ages since I last made a black bear and after a week sewing black thread on black mohair, now I remember why I don't make them often! I am so glad I did though, Mischief is tall, dark and handsome, with a twinkle in his eye. The perfect Halloween cuddle in fact.

Available now from my website:

www.allbearbypaula.com

Wishing you all a safe and fun Halloween 2018!

:-)

Update: Mischief has been adopted!

Autumn, season of mists and .. pandas?

I'm not sure why, but it has been a good few years since I last made any pandas, so this Autumn, I have tried to rectify that situation with a handful of these rather striking teddy bears!

First there was Bamboo, a beautiful gentle panda bear created in soft shades of brown and cream.

After Bamboo, I then received a special request from a collector for a pink and chocolate brown panda ... which turned out to be a truly delicious colour combination and was named 'Luna' by her delighted new owner.

As I watched leaves turning orange, red and gold on my recent daily walks with the dogs, I couldn't resist one more panda before Winter sets in and I had the perfect coppery coloured mohair waiting in my workroom! My latest panda is called 'Conkers' and for me, he is a celebration of Autumn, a season I love. He is a stunning teddy bear currently looking for his special someone and now available to purchase from my website ...

www.allbearbypaula.com

Autumn, may well be the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, but it also seems to be the perfect season for pandas!

:-)

Don't bug me!

It should probably be said, I am not the biggest fan of all things bug, but when my soon-to-be four year old Grandson decided he would like a bug themed birthday party, it's safe to say there wasn't a bug large enough on the planet, to stop this proud Nana from accepting her invitation!

It was a complete joy to watch Toby experience his special 'bug roadshow' party. He was thrilled to meet 'The Bug Man' and his amazing insect friends. It was a day I am certain, he will never forget!

Given that Toby and his pals are usually typically boisterous lads, it was amazing to see them all so inquisitive, yet so gentle handling the big wriggly bugs!

My own kids have always enjoyed the natural world and grown up as they now are, they were excited to meet the big bugs too ...

Watching my son and daughter's own delight as they carefully held these amazing insects, reminded me of their childhood, when their Dad would call them into the garden to inspect caterpillars, or chrysalis he came across. Those early experiences stayed with my kids and I love how this fascination with nature now passes to my Grandson.

Not only were there bugs to meet yesterday, with the help of Toby's Granny, my lovely daughter-in-law worked hard to create a fabulous bug themed chocolate birthday cake for her son and laid out a tasty bug style party table ... there was even bug coloured jelly and insect fruit kebabs!

The little ones had great fun turning a couple of willing adult volunteers into chrysalis by wrapping them from top to toe in toilet paper and they also made moth brooches and raced around the hall on Scuttlebug bicycles, while our youngest party goer, my four month old Granddaughter, played happily with insect themed sensory activities, created by her clever Mummy.

Thank you for coming to the party Great Auntie Fo and Co.

It was lovely to spend special bug time with you and your family and especially fun to see my great nieces enjoying the bug games!

Toby had a super time at his party and for me, it was an opportunity to share happy time with the people I love most in the world.

Thank you for inviting Nana to your special bug party Toby. 

I had a fab time and wouldn't have missed it for the world ... bugs 'n all!!!

xxxX