Heading out to Califonia

It's that time of year and the shows start up again.The first for me this year is theCrossroads show put on by Dorothy Drake inSan Diego. Normally I would have more work done, but being sick for half of November and all of December kept me out of the workroom. As you can see by last post I have been making monkeys:)
They are so fun!

To all my great followers thank you for sticking with me, I hope to be back on track with my posts very soon.

The Toby nominations will be announced at the show! I know some of you have been bogged down by weather and are looking to hear fun bear news so stay tuned to see what's going on at the show.

Now I have to finish packing, oh boy!

0w That Hurt!

A week ago I had the misfortune to injure my right hip, while I think something was dislocated and slipped back into place on Monday, my doctor says it's my back. She ran me through a battery of tests and when I had finished my ultrasounds, she talked to me and said 'if your pain gets worse or you turn blue, go to the emergency room or come see me!'. Turn Blue?!


let's see , um excuse me why are you here? Well see, normally I'm not this blue color! Anyway, I am feeling better. Went to yoga, couldn't do everything but did what I could. And after barely being able to walk, lay down or sit, that was fine for me.

And now next week I get to start physical therapy. Joy:)

Pictures of new pieces shortly.

Where Have I Been?!

Can't believe how long it's been since my last post! I'm catching a plane in a few hours and still haven't packed all the bears. I got home from the TBAI show and got to work on new things for the Chantilly show that will be held on Sunday at the Dulles Expo in Virginia. And All i have been doing is trying to make bears. Haven't even cleaned up the excelsior from the last batch of bears.

My yard is a wreck, things need pruning and have got to do laundry! But hubby's pineapples are doing so well he's handing them out to neighbors and co-workers alike. They're all happy. I celebrated another birthday and labor day came and went. It's time to stop and smell the roses, hmmm or is that the laundry? That woman you'll see sprawled out on her couch come Monday that will be me.. in the meantime I better go get packed. Enjoy your weekend and I'll let you know how the show goes.``

Finally

Sorry not to have posted but I have been working on that Alice pop up for days. Had to change some things to make it work.
Then it was the bear to go with it. I wanted it to be slumpy, old looking. So let me know what you think. There will be ten, one for each show I'm doing this year.


Old looking bear



With book


Alice page


Bear discovers Alice.


Well that's my anniversary piece. Now I have to get packed, oh I mean get some sleep then get packed. That's it! Night.

Shows and schedule info

First Happy Birthday to my daughter! Hope you have a great year full of blessings. I already sent her a card, gift and a text but I'm a mom, what can i say:0)

If you look to my side bar you will see my show schedule for this year. As the events come up I will post more information. If you are interested in a show just e-mail me, my e-mail is listed in the info on me on the side bar.

So this month I have two shows, the first is the Crossroads Teddy, Doll and Antique Toy Show and Sale that will be held in San Diego the 16,17th, that's a Saturday and Sunday. Do try to attend if you will be in the area, I will have a Alice pop-up at each show this year to celebrate my 25 years making bears. There will be a preview picture soon.

Also this month is the IDEX show, that's the international doll and bear show that precedes Toy Fair, and your first introduction to the artists new work for the year. I will be presenting my new Le Cirque piece, a giraffe. There is a new white owl and a felt muzzle open-mouth bear that will be introduced. So come to that too if you can, the show is open to all on Saturday and Sunday. Show specials will be available those days and I will be doing a show special.

I hope to post photos very soon. Until then it's back to work cause I am way behind.

Back to Work

Only three days left in this year,how did that happen?! Anyway, I've only got a couple weeks to get ready for the first shows of the year and this year is special. I will be celebrating 25 years in business as a bear artist, what to do what to do. How to celebrate? I am doing a special bear to celebrate my love of books along with the occasion, it is called Alice Pop-Up. It will be a three dimensional pop-up book of some scenes of Alice in Wonderland that a bear will be reading. How many you ask, well there will be one at each show I am at, so at least ten, and maybe up to twenty-five. Haven't decided yet. I so love doing one-of-a-kinds. But I want to do something special for my collectors.
And there are plans for a give away so get ready followers, information to come soon! 1985 - 2010, wow, this should be fun.

And this week, I'll start posting teasers of what's new coming from my workroom. Be back soon.

Getting Ready

There's a party this weekend! And I spent last night deep in preparation. Doing what you ask,well to answer would give it away. Let's just say I was up a long time and I was very busy...
there were some, oh better not say. But they made some..uh , no. Okay, guess you'll just have to stay tuned. It's the Christmas Tea Party for the Toys on Saturday hosted by Ginger over at Bearbits. Just check my sidebar and hit the logo or her tag and you'll get there.
Maybe I'll drop some hints tomorrow:)

Catch Up

Thanks to Nancy of Dog Patch Critters who let me know that cats do not tolerate onion well and when feeding my cat baby food to make sure this is not one of the ingredients. I stick to the stage one chicken, or turkey and the pate chicken cat food. She seems to be tolerating it well.

I also didn't get to wish our veteran's well yesterday and would like to do so now. Thank you to all who serve, have served and have given us our liberty, I salute you.

Next year marks my25th year making bears, having started in 1985. So I am trying to decide what my Anniversary piece will be and how many pieces to make. How to celebrate? A give away maybe? I see planning and plotting in my future!

So, it's back to the drawing board. Renninger's Extravaganza is next week in Mt. Dora, Fl., should be able to find some goodies to help create a nice character. Hmmm, see you later.

Hunt Valley Show2009

The Christmas/Holiday Show is being held at the Embassy Suites on International Circle in Hunt Valley on Sunday,November 1 from 10am until 4pm. Now Halloween will be over but there will still be some folks in costumes making the day even more festive.

I've gotten some work done and will have several animal pins, a new item, available to premiere at the show! There will be some Le Cirque pieces along with the normal array of bears and other odd animals.

Be sure to stop by and say hi if you can and see what a bunch of bear artists are up to this time of year, maybe your Christmas gift or that special present to give is waiting for you.We sure are, see you Sunday.

Have a safe Halloween.

Cats

I am still working on my pieces for the Hunt Valley Show being held in Maryland on November 1st. But it's been a little hard as my cat, my furry friend of thirteen years in the space of hours became very ill on Monday. In our years the vet says she is 68 years old. I am waiting on blood tests and in the meantime she can barely walk and can't lift her body into the litter box but somehow managed to get up onto the dining chair! I love that cat! Anyway here's two of the cat jewelry pins. I made a black one and a calico. It gave me some peace to make them.


-- Posted while out and about

Progress

The bodies of Marley and Scrooge are done.Now on to the clothing. The patterns are made so next is cut and sew. See you later.





Just the faces till they are dressed:)

It's Puppet Time

The second gallery showing for the Orlando Puppet Festival will be held October 15 - November 12 at the Gallery at Avalon Island.
That is on S Magnolia in Orlando and I have been asked to participate again. Yay. The theme is"No Strings Attached".
I will be showing three pieces, Johnny Crows Garden, Bro Rabbits Friends and Foes and Marley and Scrooge. That would be the box of unfinished pieces that will also have to be dressed! Help?!


-- Posted while out and about

Black cats

Thought I would try to post a picture of the cat anyway.


-- Posted while out and about

Clueless

Ok, I was working really hard yesterday on a new piece and pretty much got it finished except for the ears. When my husband got home I excitedly held it up and said"What do you think?"
"What is it?" he asked.
"You can't tell? Look at the legs"
"I don't know."
"Well don't you see the tail. the long tail?'"
"Yeah, I don't know. Wait , it kinda of has a cat shape head..."
"Yes it's a cat, didn't you SEE the TAIL?"
"Yeah but...it doesn't have any ears, so I couldn't tell..."

So, it's a black cat and if he can't see it up close and personal a photo won't do you any good:)

"Hi dear, what did you make today?"
"Nothing hon, nothing at all."

Working, working...

I don't have any pictures to post unless you find patterns and cut out body pieces fascinating. My time has been spent trying to organize and create my line for next year while getting ready for my next show.

So there are new patterns here and there and the bodies waiting to be put together bagged and laying around. oh and let's not forget the clothing to yet be sewn. Sigh.And still all these ideas are running around in my head, jumping over each other trying to confuse me. One at a time please!

In the meantime all those cut out pieces are jockeying to be made, going me first, make me first! I think I need a cold drink, I'll just hold it to my forehead. Did I hear a bear calling... ah, back to work.

Auction Piece for Teddy Reunion in the Heartland

Well, this is what has been keeping me busy.This is my auction piece for Teddy Reunion in the Heartland 2010 to be held in Clarion, Iowa in June 2010.

This is Remember Me... I Remember You.

It's a Sailor Angel watching over a loved one as she feeds the birds.

There's a close up of each. He wears a National Defense medal.




She wears a replica of an apron from the thirties or forties.

His uniform represents a soldier who has not yet achieved rank in honor of all the young men who have been lost in war. He represents our young women too. I chose a sailor in honor of my husband who served his country for 23 years. He looked so handsome in his white uniform, and he loved wearing this one best even over his chief uniform though he loved being a chief.

We haven't forgot the loved ones we lost... we remember.

This show is only held once every five years and I am happy to be attending again. The whole town welcomes you with open hearts and even homes. They put the artist and collectors up in their homes.

The town feeds you and the artists get to ride in the parade, how cool is that! All the auction pieces will be on their website soon. I'll post that info at a later date.

I better start thinking what my spectacular piece will be for the show. Ahh, back to work. Now, do I remember what sleep was like?!

Back To Routine

This guy is one of the new tall lanky bears of the Le Cirque series. I am actually working on my auction piece for the Teddy Bear Reunion 2010 to be held in June.

Since I have been back, I have completed the designs and printed and cut out all the pieces. Now to the construction and clothing of said pieces.

Plus my designs for next year aren't even done, time is beating me to the finish line folks! And I've one more show this year "Hunt Valley" November!, 2009. And you should hear what a group of us will be dressed as this year!

I've got to get back to work. And yes it's raining again:)

TBAI and Workroom News

TBAI is Thursday August 13 - Saturday August15, 2009. That is why this is my first post for this month, I've been busy getting ready for the show.

This guy is a new addition to the LeCirque
bears, the Tall Man. Not quite finished as his shirt has no buttons and there is a fun tie he wears. He's rather lean and lanky.



Here he is with a friend and here he is with that friend watching him be made, guess he wanted to make sure I got it right!


There will be others in the plaid outfits of different colors. Some with baggy clown pants and ruffled collars. So stay tuned, more photos to come.






My gallery piece for TBAI. Heat Wave, Where's the Ice?!

Well , I'm packed but the bears aren't so back to work and I'll catch up with you later.

Another Peek

OK, so here's your next chance. This character is another piece of the puzzle of my gallery piece for TBAI:)
Can you guess what it is?
Any guesses on how it fits in?

HeHE, this is fun!

Well, I leave for Atlanta Saturday for a visit with my daughter
and then on to her best friends wedding in Missouri.
I will try to get good photos to share. And I'll be checking to see what you guess and add another photo puzzle piece.

No Guesses,So...

This is another photo of my new bear for my gallery piece for
TBAI. By the way, the song I picked was 'Heat Wave' as in we're having a heat wave.... it isn't surprising the temperature's rising...

And you will have to wait for the next installment on this to see what it will look like he he he:)

I'm a stinker aren't I?!