A Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday, May 29th, was our wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful evening planned but unfortunately I was out for the count with flu. So, my beloved husband, thank you for all the wonderful years, for the countless cups of coffee, the endless patience, the never ending support for everything I attempt and most of all the enduring love. Here is your favourite rose, for you this time, with all my love, your Sweetheart.

Lucy

Well, hello there, I'm Lucy, the new Southern Bear. A Mojo sent from Alaska, helped me to be born today. I'm a 12" sweet mohair girl and I love lots of hugs and kisses.

PS. She absolutely refused to wear the dress I made her!

My mojo

It amazes me how people lose and find their. "mojo" within a day or two. When I lose my mojo it seems to disappear for long leave. I have flu and the little blighter doesn't want to be with a sick person, so he has taken off! He will definitely return - but when?? Oh well, in the meantime whilst I await his return, I'll take medication, take a break and take to my bed early at night. I miss my little companion.

Vicki, I saw your comment after my post. Thank you and Larry it is!

Sunday evening

I saw this picture on an Italian bearmaker's blog and thought you all might like it too.

This weekend was far more productive, thank goodness. I cut out and sewed a 13" bear - she needs her footpads and then she is ready to be assembled. I also made her a dress (completed) and I'm quite excited to see whether she is going to want to wear it! Next was a velvet strawberry and a velvet pin cushion which turned out quite well. Almost forgot .... I made tags for my bears too.
There is a mini bear and an elephant in progress and if I'm lucky and things go my way, they will be completed by next weekend.

For two weeks I have been so stressed because I have had to make a decision about my career. I had a job offer but was not feeling very comfortable about accepting it. Another meeting was arranged this morning and all the issues were ironed out and the offer was one I cannot refuse. So my career is now taking a completely new, exciting turn and I feel much more settled.

To Wendy, Carolyn and Laura, thank you for comforting words - very much appreciated.

I hope you all have a very good week.

Weekend

This has been an incredibly flat week for me with only a small bear's cardi having been knitted. There were friends to be loved and issues requiring decisions and sheer tiredness. So the bears and the crafting took a back seat but I'm really, really hoping that this weekend will be more fruitful.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Pat xx

Bears, bears and more bears

When I left work on Friday afternoon I had so many plans for a new bear and a few other little projects. However, Georgia and Caleb, my grandchildren in Australia, both have birthdays at the beginning of June so I had to parcel up their presents so that I could post them off on Saturday morning. Well this took up the entire Friday night. On Saturday afternoon I settled down to make the planned bear and everything went wrong, so I reluctantly abandoned the bear and started with an elephant but because I was in a "bear" mood, the elly wasn't very satisfying so I have left him for another time.

Today, Sunday, my husband wanted to shop and visit friends and when we eventually got home, I had to cook dinner and that was the end of the weekend and my bearmaking plans. Has this ever happened to any of you???

BUT, I do have some very interesting bears for you. Not of my own making but they are part of my hug.

And here is my little foreigner. He is absolutely gorgeous and I cannot stop kissing and hugging him. I need to name him ... any suggestions?

I hope you enjoy meeting a few of my favourites.

It has now turned quite cold here in sunny SA but I've dressed the bears I have made (and kept) to make sure that they'll be warm and cosy. The black bear became a girl and is sporting a dress now! The two on the right are wearing jerseys I knitted for them from a pattern in Australian Bear Creations. This is a really, really good pattern.

This is Megan Chamberlain's little Vivian Rose, such a gorgeous little lady! Unfortunately I have huge difficulty with photographing the mini bears, so this picture does not do her any justice. Sorry baby!

A little Steiff Alpaca rocking horse. The bear is attached to the pony.

And this is my no. 1 favourite little darling - he is absolutely beautiful!

A foreigner comes to stay.

This morning I collected my new bear who had flown all the way from the USA to come and live with me. He then sat next to me on the front seat of the car whilst I drove to work and presently he is taking a long nap in the car, after his mammoth journey. He came from Brenda, The Vintage Polka Dot and exceded my expectations. Thank you Brenda! I perceived him to be considerably smaller but he's about 12" tall (a guess) and he is adoreable. My bears are going to love him and I'll take pics over the weekend to show you.

Have a wonderful weekend everybody.

Posy - Ginger's give-away

This is Ginger's give-away for the 25th Anniversary of artist bear making! Wow, I have not even reached my first Anniversary yet. Ginger is a marvelous inspiration to us newbies and I'm sure to the long terms artists as well. Please visit her blog bearbits.blogspot.com

Bobby

To everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!

My children are too far away to have been with me today but I had long distance phone calls. My hubby spoilt me and this afternoon I completed this little boy bear, Bobby. He is 13" standing and is my very first "own design". His coat is Schulte Mohair and he has German wool felt paw and foot pads. It's getting chilly here now so I knitted him a little pullover to keep him warm. I'm quite pleased with the way he turned out.

For my mother

It is the 11th Anniversary of my mother's passing. I lost her the day before Mother's Day 1998.

For mom ...

Someone still loves you

someone still cares

someone still whispers your name in their prayers.

Though absent,

you are still near and loved very dear.

You shared our life, our love,

hope and tears.

Harley Davidson

(Vicki, this one is for you ....)

The first photograph was taken at a charity run, of only Harleys and there were more than 600 Harleys at this venue. This particular run was called The Kids Run and it was to collect blankets and money for children. The other two pics are of Ed and I on our Harley Davidson motorcycle. We have had some really good times on this machine!!

Life is like a blanket that's too small ...

Pull it up to cover your shoulders, and your feet are open ...

Pull it down to cover your feet, and your shoulder is open ...

Lucky for us who were taught to bend our knees ..

Because with prayer you're covered from head to toe ...

My birthday

I had such an unexpectedly wonderful birthday! I received lovely, presents so thoughtfully chosen and made for me and my friends all came around to wish me. My hubby took me out yesterday and spoilt me rotten, indulging every whim of mine. I am a very blessed lady to have the husband, the family and the fabulous friends that are in my life.

Thank you to all my loved ones and also to all my blog friends, for all your good wishes.

Here are some of the gifts ....

A beautiful box filled with goodies ... chocs, biscuits, handmade greeting cards and gift tags for my bears, a shabby chic cup and saucer, a lovely tea towel

An amazing glass apple which changes colour

A gorgeous bracelet

The wooden kitties - Jemima would not get out of the way whilst I photographed them!

Happy Birthday Michael

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICHAEL, DOWN-UNDER!!

A wonderful surpise

These beautiful, beautiful flowers arrived for me today together with a box of yummy chocs! It's a windy, dull, miserable day and this was a fabulous surprise. It's my birthday tomorrow and these were sent to me by my wonderful daughter in Australia. To Candy, Michael, Georgia and Caleb ... thank you. I miss you all so much! Lots of love from Granny and Oupa.

No more stress!

I have just read Ellen Borggreve's post and although my situation is not at all health related, like Ellen's, I have come to the realisation that I have been putting myself under tremendous pressure with my bear making ... for what? I have a very stressful career in very challenging circumstances and my artistic endeavours and blogging should be pure pleasure. So from now on I will enjoy my little bears and other crafts, eat lots of ice-cream, experiment like mad and laugh at myself often. To all the lovely people who ready my posts, thank you ... and have a fabulous weekend.