Well its about time I updated my blog ! Its been a two weeks since the Hugglets show and a period of R&R, well I say that, but thats not the reality! Time to sort out the admin side, sort through my orders so I know what needs doing when and a bit of knitting!



We travelled down to London on the friday before the show to meet up with Gary`s parents and to do a bit of shopping in London. The aim of the shopping trip was to visit Hamleys , the famous Toy shop on Regent Street in London. Especially the teddy bear section ! Well... amazing ... loads and loads of bears... Heaven :o)) All the names you`d imagine and an Artist section. Well worth a visit if your in London. Not many of mine left in the cabinet though :o)

I did buy a bear, a steiff in a little suitcase... not for me I might add a special little gift for someone arriving soon.

The Hugglets show was as always superbly organised, all my bears were admired throughout the day and more than a few found new homes. Especially my small and miniature bearies! I was surprised at the number of visitors and it was great to catch up with everyone who came to say hello. I had been a little worried in the current climate but there was no need and the launch of my new patterns and my book went down very well I`m pleased to say. Since the show the bears have still been flying away so I need to pull my finger out and stop lounging around!



The knitting I have been doing is for ... wait for it ... my 1st grandson ! he is due at the end of March and I have been so busy with the bears I haven`t done the knitting I promised my daughter Charlotte. Well now there are two little blue cardigans, a hat done and a cream coat nearly completed! Charlotrte has whipped away the finished items and the little white steiff bear, which I suspect she wants for herself! More balls of wool have just arrived but they are for a hooded jacket for the autumn, ahead of myself ? or what !



I have also been busy with this little lady ....

LOVE LOVE LOVE these new concept charm bracelets, I now have two! and they are both full!


My hubby Gary has been retailing these top quality bracelets since last July, He will be bringing a selection to the hugglets show on sunday and is offering the at a great special offer price for visitors to the show. There is a very cute little teddy bear in their range... here he is

Well where has the week gone! First its Monday then before you know it its 5pm on Thursday!

This week has been so busy, which is nothing unusual when the hugglets show is looming.

As you already know I labelled the bears on Monday, Tuesday I visited the Sewing for Pleasure and Hobbycrafts trade show at the NEC. Wow! Totally enjoyed that ! Found a supplier of Presencia perle thread, I have never of heard of this manufacturer before. Apparently its made in spain, It is the same quality as better known brands such as anchor and DMC but...... The colour range is amazing!! and they sell 50g balls of NO 5 perle, so I shall definately be ordering some of those for my 12" bear noses :o) no more pesky unravelling and rewinding of Skiens of thread!

Also I found PREMAX embroidery scissors ... My favourite, I have several pairs now, my latest aquisition being their new 4" ring lock scissors. They cost me £29 or better known as an arm and leg but once you have used these professional quality Italian scissors you wouldn`t buy a cheap pair!! I have tried several makes over the past 11 years and found that these premax ones are invaluable for cutting out and scissor sculpting muzzles, they have a very sharp tip and cut right to the tip!!! and they last 3 times as long as cheap Fiskars ones, so well worth the cost in the long rum....Ok I`m raving on about a pair of scissors but little thing please little minds LOL.

I bought 8 pairs of their fancy designs, yes they are pretty too and will be taking them to Hugglets on Sunday if anyone is interested.

Wednesday I spent printing out the sample copy of my Basic bear making hints & tips book, and binding the thing! 147!! pages ... yawn. Not as simple as I had already suspected, but looking good now its done :o) I also got round to getting copies of my BRAND NEW for 2009 range of teddy bear patterns and even got them onto the website .... Another tasmanian devil day LOL

Today all the bears and bits and bobs for the show have been packed and are now ready to go... Now I can have a little R&R zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well I`ve been busy again, today I have been making sure all my new little bears for the Hugglets show in Kensington, London are all checked , labelled and ready to go !



As usual I leave the labelling to the last and have taken up the lounge again, all my new crew are sitting in the corner looking at me and I must say I can see how I have spent my time and know why my fingers are so sore LOL.


The postie has just arrived with a new binding machine, I haven`t the foggiest clue how it works but thought it would be a good idea to make a hard copy of my Book, Basic bear making hints and tips so that newbie bear makers can thumb through it and see whats included on the CD at the show on sunday.


A good simple idea for now, but as usual I am expecting life to happen and expect it not to be so simple, give me a needle and thread anyday!!!

Last night I finished this little fellow, I haven`t made a miniature this small for an age.


He stands 2.5" tall. The art of making miniature bears requires different skills to making a larger bear ... plus a pair of reading glasses now that I am a woman of a certain age !!??!! I hope you like him :o) . There should be another finished by Sunday!xxxx

Thats funny just came to write my blog and found my mood indicator says I`m frustrated!
well I`m not :o) I`m actually very happy I now have three days off from the Hospice after two busy full days and the plan today is to take photos of the three pandas that I finished on tuesday evening. Remember these are the ones I stupidly thought I might finish on Sunday. Well I didn`t do too badly by 11pm they were fully filled and could see and smell, luckily they couldn`t hear me or answer back as I managed to push the sculpting needle in my finger !!
I`m not called calamity Jane for nothing :o)) LOL.

The snow here has virtually disappeared ... for now ?? but at least I will be in the warm if it comes again. There will be about 9 new bears added to the site over the weekend so watch this space ;O)
hugs
for now
Jane
xxx

New for 2009 .... "Well loved bears " , yes the creative juices have been flowing and I have had fun playing
but anyone watching would have reported me for bear cruelty !! These bears are so floppy and sad but still have lots of love to give!!