Strawberries and cream?

A new addition to my Steiff collection. My daughter in Scotland found this little bear on E-Bay and he arrived from the UK last week. His body is a strawberry, quite chunky. He is absolutely adorable and the other bears have welcomed him with open arms.

VALENTINE'S DAY

My Valentine bear, Alice, completed just in the nick of time. Her coat is felted mohair and here's an interesting story about her little dungarees ... my friend Linda used this fabric to make herself a blouse for a special party when we were 14. We are now 55!! Originally it was white, then with age turned cream and when I planned to make this outfit I boiled blackberries and dyed the fabric. It's such a pretty pink. So my little vintage bear is wearing a genuine vintage outfit.

Have a fabulously romantic day tomorrow.

PS. Jack is so thrilled to have a sweetheart for Valentine's ....

Little darling

It has taken a whole month to complete this sweetie! But he's finally ready for his debut. Please meet Jack, my little olde world bear. He is 11 inches and wears a coat of german mohair. His collar, ribbons and button have all been "aged" and he has patches on his left arm and belly. Here and there he has been "mended". Jack is an absolute darling and oh so charming. Can you see the twinkle in his eye?

Pictures of bliss

Bliss is having a Saturday morning all to myself. It's being able to work on my projects, drool over my new stash of fun fabrics and the cherry on the top is having my kitty lying on a chair beside me in my workroom. It was raining softly this morning and in my world, all was well.

The family has returned to Australia, Christmas and New Festivities are done and dusted and I'm back at work too. Last weekend I cleaned and cleared my teddy bear workroom and added the new items I received as presents. I have a very talented artist friend, Karen, who gave me the painting of the hat for my workroom. I asked her to do it for me but when I opened my Christmas gift, not only had she given me the hat painting but had done the two paintings of the teddy bears for me as well. What a labour of love! Many years ago my mother had said that if I cannot afford original paintings in my home then leave the walls bear. I have always lived by this and I have a wonderful collection of art - paintings and ceramics - given to me by extremely artistic friends and a few items which I purchased myself. I am absolutely thrilled with my teddy paintings and will treasure them forever.

The creative juices are flowing - I am completing a project started very late last year and I have cut out a new bear. And my imagination is running wild! I can't wait to see how my bear will appear. The festive season was marvelous but I was soooooo eager to start creating again.

As this year is fading and I take stock of what happened during 2009, I sit in awe of all the blessings that came my way. I have love, I have material possessions in abundance, I have good health, I have Faith. And most important of all, all my loved ones are in my life - no-one was lost.

May you all have an absolutely fabulous 2010 and may all your dreams come true.

Missy, the mouse ..
This is Victoria ....

Storm, completed.

These are a few little ones completed a while back. They all have Schulte mohair coats, are fully jointed with embroidered noses and all dressed up for Santa.

My daughter, my two grandchildren and my son-in-law are here! And it's wonderful to be a mom and granny again, even if it is for such a short time. On 4 January they go back to Australia but until then I savour every moment with them. Hectic? Yes! Chaos? Yes! Happiness? Overflowing!

All the Xmas decorations are up and the children are delighted. The gifts are wrapped, the sun is shining and all is well here in the deep south.

With all the activities and celebrations, I may not have the time to post again before Christmas, so I would like to wish everyone, near and far a very, very happy and blessed Christmas time.