Happy New Year 2012

May this year bring you what you are looking for. I wish you family , love, great accomplishments and happiness. Happy New Year All!

Merry Christmas to All!

Hope the holiday finds well, peaceful and content. And if not, may it be so soon. Thank you to my followers and friends who have stuck with me through a trying year. I am still blessed and ready to begin anew!

So, are you ready to get started?! The fund just getting started:)

Season of Miracles

Happy Hanukkah to all. It doesn't matter if you are Jewish or not, only that you believe in miracles. Everyday I see something that makes me believe that wonderful things are possible.
So if this had been a particularly hard year for you please remember all things in time and a miracle of oil that lasted for eight days.

I lift my glass to your personal miracle:)


From the bears and me:0)

Happy Thanksgiving

Its been a challenging year for me this year just as it has been for many of you, but today I celebrate all the things I am thankful for and this space cant begin to cover them. I hope you are feeling the same way.
Thanks for sticking with me and following my blog. I hope you are having a great day. The bears are sitting back relaxing smelling the turkey roadting in the oven. They are wondering what dessert will be. Dont tell them but its a peach cobbler! They would be all over it!

Happy Thanksgiving All

Hunt Valley Holiday Show 2011

The Hunt Valley show this past Saturday brought together artist, collectors and great imaginations. The holiday season has officially started. Artists got in the spirit and dressed in costume and presented festive tables to show their works.


I was the backdrop for the mini Punch and Judy theatre. (This is part of my new illustrated page pouch collection being introduced for next year! While this one isn't for sale, one of a kind pouches will only be available at shows I attend. )


This wonderful display won artist Marilyn Wagner first place, and she was dressed as Rudolph and her hubby as Yukon Cornelius!


Artist Donna Griffin at her delightful table.


These are my Punch and Judy two faces Christmas ornaments. They are the first in a series that I am starting with this year.

I had to leave early to catch my flight so sorry to everyone I didn't get to say bye to, bye and see you next year. You' re going to be there right?

Where are you Raspbeary?

September has come and gone with October following quickly on its heels. My apologies to my followers who haven't seen a post in a month. In September, my heart function went up to 40 and I was taken off the wearable defilbrilator that I had worn for six months in case my heat stopped. I feel so light now!

Two weeks into October my son survived a head on collision that totaled his car and left him with one leg with mutiple fractures and another leg with chipped bone. But he is alive, what a wonderful thing. So I have been a little preoccupied with appointments, etc.

However in the midst of it all, I saw a Sugarland concert  with my daughter(despite a fear of heights and seat in the nosebleed section,hehe), and attended a Country Living Fair. Jody Battaglia was exhibiting with Earth Angels and had her wonderful array of character pieces.I got antique ribbon, happy me.

I am also working on pieces for my last show of the year, Hunt Valley in November. Also at work on next years shows and hope to enter a piece in the TOBY awards.


Photos next posting, I promise.

Chantilly Review 2011

The show on Sunday coincided with the anniversary of 9/11. We started with a moment of silence for those lost and those left behind to remember.

Also remembered was co-promoter Alex Wilson who died two months ago. His wonderful wife Janice and children will continue on in his stead in partnership with Mark McKay. So the show continues. And Alex you will be missed.

Now on to the show:





These primitive bears, with names like faith ,hope were by 2 Friends Bears. The artists are Agnes Intelicato and Audrey Howell.

Wendy Collins of Collins Gifts showed some wonderful artists pieces like these,





The large piece is by Heidi Steiner.







Another Collins Gifts piece.

These are two of my jewelry pieces that can be worn as a pin or necklace.






Another charming animal,





Mouse with style! Artist Armella Dana.

The show tables were dressed up for fall, there were plenty of bears, some pigs, giraffes, elephants, birds, mice etc.

Collectors spent time with their favorite artists, the Toy Shoppe, Collins Gifts and bought mohair from Intercal and Edinburgh.

Author, John Lamb signed copies of his books. There was something for everyone. If you missed it you can always join the fun next year, September 9, 2012. See you then.

Went to Chantilly Show

Did the show in Chantilly on Sunday , that's my table set up. But you won't see the review until tomorrow as I am at the airport and won't get home until late. Cindy and I took a bump and got travel vouchers! Yippee. Cutting expenses!
But check back to see the photos.

Still a Great Day

I got dressed and went to church yesterday and no one was there! Forgot (after all my traveling) that it was early service that day.
So I decided to go to the Renniger's Antique Fair in Mt. Dora. When we got there, hubby and me, vendors were already closing up at 1:30 pm. Ugh, I know it was hot, it really was, but really?
Still, I had a good birthday as I spent it with family and had dinner with my son and hubby. Daughter sent me a great necklace, handcrafted. And I loved my cards!
The best part is even being here to have a birthday! Love to all my family and friends!


From the bears and me:0)

More TBAI Photos

Cheryl Hutchinson of Bingle Bears was at the show with her wonderful pieces and this was one of her cuties!





Loved this piece from Lulu Tatum. It sold, sorry.


Me, Cindy Malchoff and her daughter Erin in costume.

See what you missed! I'll be looking for you next year!

TBAI 2011 Review

TBAI was this past weekend and it was great fun. Didn't get out photos of my work before hand but this was my gallery piece, I Treasure My Books.



Some other gallery pieces were:



This was Lulu Tatum's



This was by Susan Smith from England.



This is by Katherine Hallam also from England. All three were winners in the judging this year.



Michelle Seraphim was one of the artists at the show , shown here with one of her wonderful bears.



Ron and Kristy Northman were winners twice this weekend for this gallery piece and as a TOBY winner! They are in pirate garb for the sub theme of the Treasures of the World theme.



Some of the other pirates!
As you can see we really got into the spirit of the theme and had fun. Sorry if you missed it but there's always next year. So plan ahead to be there.

Cooking Class 2

So the summer camp had their second cooking class and I taught them how to make macaroni and cheese from scratch.


We also made a fruit salad with plums, nectarines and grapes with a lime honey dressing, and a blueberry/cucumber salad.
The cucumber salad was a Rachel Ray recipe.
Best part was kids coming back for seconds on the cucumber salad!

Oviedo Farmers Market

The fourth of July weekend and we started it off with a trip to our city's opening of our new farmers market!


Our historical building dressed up for the holiday and welcoming us.


Our daughter gets a laugh at her dad as he grabs a morning hotdog from Hot Diggity Dad. He hasn't met a hotdog stand he hasn't liked yet!


Look at these beautiful onions. Just some of the great vegetable and fruit available.

I got fresh laid eggs, new potatoes, dry rub seasonings, and honey sticks with flavorings like blackberry and cinnamon.

Will be going back again, there were orchid plants and antiques too!

Happy Fourth of July everybody.

What the...

Ok, so I wake up this morning after 6am to a beeping noise. Sounds like it's outside the bedroom and not very loud. I think hubby us up and playing one of those hand held games. He's up but no game and doesn't hear noise. So he comes back to bed. Just as I lay down there's this loud beep,siren noise from my outside defillbrilator, red lights going off and a voice saying back away from wearer! I'm thinking wait a minute, I'm awake, my heart is still beating here! I don't think I ever moved so fast to push a button so it wouldn't shock me back to life!

My wonderful husband goes maybe "I should go back to the living room!"

From the bears and me:0)

Happy Fathers Day

A fuzzy picture of me and my dad, ( I cropped out my sister), I don't have many of him and I together. Only two I think. But I like this picture, he had a great smile. He wanted so much for his kids. For us to study hard, get an education, make something of ourselves.
Just like any other father. Mines been gone a while. I still miss talking to him, hope he knows I'm alright, we all are. His grandkids are well. Love lives on.
Happy fathers day to all fathers living and those living in our memories, we love you.

Memorial Day 2011

This is the retired crow insignia given to my husband when he made chief in the navy.


It hangs on our wall along with some other awards if his service. The military made him a better person, a better teacher and a great man of service to all. He calls men young and old sir in passing. He helps women in distress, he's often been late because he stopped to change the tire of a woman stranded alone. He treats children with respect. And I am fortunate that after 23 years of service he retired unharmed. That's been years ago.
Today my thoughts are withtjose who served just as admirably as he yet didn't return home or were injured.
Thank you all, may you have peace and forever feel all our love and respect.
I will always remember.

Philadelphia Doll&Bear Show part2

Thought you'd like to see some more pictures from the show! Better late than never, hehe.


My piece, Travel Companions, for the artists judging.


Bev Whites table.


Art of Reina Mia Brill, knitted wire sculpture. Check it out at www. ReinaMiaBrill.com


Joanne Livingstons table of Desertmountainbear.


This is by Mary Esther Ward at http://cottonwoolbabystudio.easy.com


And this was by Cindy McGuire.

It was a wonderful show. Sorry there wasn't time for me to get to more artists tables and get pictures. I was still recovering after all.
Hope they do it again next year. Hope you get to attend!

Philadelphia Doll &Bear Show Review2011

This is the sign that welcomed all the conventioneers to the show. The Alice chess pieces are on display at the Sue Quinlan doll and bear museum. They were made by me. Had to get the picture, hehe!
The viewing for artists signature pieces was wonderful.


This piece by Lori Simon, Friends , was a winner in judging.


Another winner, this is The Collector by artist Karen O'Brien.


Doll artist, Diane Keeler was another winner with Queen Alice.
Other fun pieces are:


This is by England artist Katherine Hallam.


La Journey De la Photo is by artist Francisco Carreno Stewart, who hasn't done a show in a while.


This is Lyric by artist, Mary Esther Ward.


And Sweet Pea is by artist Pat Murphy.
So this is just part of the morning events. Afterward there were wonderful seminars to attend. And on Saturday there was the show. So this review is in two parts! It was just too big to do in one!

Doll & Teddy Bear Artist & Collector Convention

The Philly show as it's being called begins Thursday May 12th and runs to May 14th.


Saturday will be open to the public from 10 - 2pm. Conventioneers will be able to attend seminars by leading artists in the bear and doll industries.
Ted Menten will be in attendance. Beverly Port and Helen Bullard, leaders in bear and doll world respectively will be honored for being pioneers in their fields.
Artists have been blogging and posting on facebook sneak photos of some wonderful pieces that they will have at the show. There is a lot of buzz about this show. People are excited to attend.
Here is my sneak peek:


Garden Fairy Queen, my auction piece.
Hope you get to attend.

Happy Mothers Day

The best gift you can give a mother is to see her and realize that this is a person not just a mom. Most moms would do anything they could for their children and ask little in return. They appreciate respect, kindness and acknowledgement. So hug a mom even if she isn't yours, especially if her kids aren't around, so she will know someone sees her. Happy Mothers day to all moms here and gone...we love you, we thank you.


From the bears and me:0)

Happy Easter

Have a blessed holiday as we all have been blessed.


Think I'll have the lettuce!

Timonium bear show review

The show was good. Slow start but it picked up and collectors were buying. Here are some photos.


One of my new ducks.


One of Ginger Brames pieces.


Donna Nielsen's new open mouth bear.

There were lots of good pieces, you'd have to have been there. Hehe!

Well my surgery is tomorrow morning and I need some rest. They are going to try to find where the extra pvc's are coming from in my heart and stop them. So I may not post for a few days and if you are waiting on an order hopefully by the end of the month I'll be getting things out again. Please be patient while I go be a patient. Hehe.

See you soon!

Teddy spring show

Doing the bear show in Timonium that's on Saturday at the Holiday Inn Conference Center. Hope to see some of you there. Will try to get pictures posted of the pieces I was working on.
Time to fess up...still having health issues, wearing a life vest now for my heart. So I work a little slower but I still work. All is well even if I resemble a snail, hehe! See you at the show. :)


From the bears and me:0)

Special order

Some of my best pieces have been special orders for a collector. This is no different, it's not something I would have considered making on my own.

But this collector and friend requested I try and I just finished it.


Meet Skunky, my first and likely only skunk! Hope she likes it! Do you? Hehe.

Sneak Peek

Thought you'd like to see a sneak peek at what I'm doing. This goes with apiece I'm making.


Anyone for carrots? What you don't like your carrots with faces?! Hehe :)