Six days to go! My daughter and grandchildren arrive from Australia on the 26th of April. They are travelling all the way from Rockhampton (North East coast) to Johannesburg, South Africa. Excitement levels are ever so high in our household - preparations, cleaning, polishing, decorating, buying of gifts ..... and for the first time in six years I will have one of my children with me on my birthday. What a blessed gift.

Kitty to teddy ... "Don't be afraid Ferdinand, I will protect you, look how fierce I am!"

You will succeed not because you're allowed to, but because you decide to.

You will prosper not because of the hand you;ve been dealt, but because of what you do with it.

You can allow yourself to be held back by what is, or you can choose to create what can be.

Whatever comes your way is insignificant when compared to what you make of it.

Though others may have impressive wealth and other advantages going for them, remember this ..

You have you going for you.

You have a solid, authentic purpose and the determination to fulfil that purpose. You have a unique perspective and the ability to leverage that perspective into real, lasting value.

That's more than enough to take you wherever you choose to go, no matter what your starting point may be. Whether circumstances favour you or not, your commitment and your actions can always be working in your favour. Don't waste your time obsessing over what's unfair or unfortunate about your situation. Put all your energy into what you can do, into the positive steps you can take and deliver yourself to wherever you wish to be.

- Ralph Marston

DE STRESSED!

My previous post looked far more frightening than it was supposed to be! I'm so sorry if I alarmed some of my blog friends. Last week I had minor surgery to my mouth, my husband was not well (nothing serious) and my workload in the office, overwhelming. But ... I did some crafting and bearmaking in the evenings and the stress disappeared. What do people do with their stress if they don't create??

I completed Dinky, the scruffy, melancholy little bear. Dinky was born a year ago but I'd never sewn his ears (poor little mite!). Now he has ears and a bell and bow around his neck and is quite happy living with all the other bears and friends.

A few years ago scrapbooking was my passion but then the bears came along and I lost interest in the scrapbooking and I also didn't have time for it. It seemed a pity that all the beautiful papers and goodies were not being used anymore so I tried my hand in decorating chipboard boxes. Here is the result ..... I still need a lot of practice.

This is my newest Southern Bear, Annie. Her coat is the softest mohair in a very pale pink. She's 13 inches when standing and is fully jointed.

After having made almost every size I have now finally realised that I love the bigger traditional/vintage style bears. I have in the past made three and felt a very deep satisfaction when they were completed. I have now cut out a big boy and hope to show him to you soon.

A lovely weekend for all!

Harvey

Brenda Sanker of the Vintage Polka Dot is having a gorgeous giveaway ... Harvey! Please visit http://www.handmadeartfair.com to view some very special work.