A Fenland Beary Blog

A Harvest Widow...........................................................

2011-08-01T07:38:00.001+01:00

Well the wheat is under way!!

For the past 5 years I have been a lorry drivers wife,

before that I was a harvest widow.

It's long hours but hopefully we will manage to save

some money for that newer car.

I have to say it's been a rude awakening,

followed by dull realisation.

My mind had dimmed my memory of it all.

It takes me a few weeks to get into the swing of things

but I am sure I will get used to it soon.

It has meant that I went clothes shopping last week

Am I terrible, his first bit of extra, went on clothes for me.

In my defence I have not bought any clothes in a year and

the last thing was a pair of shoes.

As a mum on very little funds I always made sure

my daughter had new things and some how you just get

out of the habit of buying for yourself...............

.....................I bet you are the same??

Here is what I bought............

and I got myself some black linen off ebay to make a skirt

I have to admit I am a bit of a haphazzard

seamstress but the result is not half bad,

even if I say so myself LOLOL

Here is my pattern, bit basic but it works for me

and here is the finished skirt

I have to say it took me
alot longer than I thought it would
(most of the weekend, LOL)

Beary hugs for now
Sue xx

Spring Cleaning........................

2011-07-21T13:47:00.001+01:00

Today is the start of a new era, a new life…………………………………….no longer am I a slave to disorganisation, poverty and chaos!!!!

I know at this point my fellow blog fans you are wondering if I have lost the plot, I haven’t (well just a little, maybe)

I reached a turning point in my life yesterday and I would like to share it with you. I had a few Eureka moments; these bolts from the blue do seem to be like buses, none for ages then loads at the same time.

The first was a chance conversation with a work colleague about buying cars and the second was reading a truly wonderful blog by The Shabby Nest

My mind is a whirlwind of ideas and hopefully I will be able to explain in a bit more detail over the next few weeks.

I have made a blogging calendar, only from Microsoft office but my plan is to put that at the front of a folder and organise my blogging. Are you like me? You have great ideas for blog posts then they are stolen from your mind, never to return. I have so much happening that I could write loads on all sorts of things but I end up sat in front of blogger with a blank mind…………………..well no more!

Cars, we have one good one and one not so good, as some of you may know my hubby changed his job after we got back from our holidays and needs to travel to work again. We have an old Jeep that does about 2000 miles a year (it tows our caravan too) It is getting on a bit and needs replacing.

Money, that dreaded thing, is always an issue on these matters, so after my chance convo with that colleague, it got me into thinking how much money would I need to buy a non-too-old replacement.

£6000……………………….yes £6000 would get us a 5 year old diesel with lowish miles. Ok PANIC setting in here, not a cat in hells chance, I thought. I have to say it niggled at me all afternoon, so much so I worked out that I would need to save £181 a week to buy the thing on the 1st March next year.

Now your saying “not a cat in hells chance” LOL

I have a plan…………………………………………..I created a little spreadsheet (I love spreadsheets) and each square is worth a pound, save a pound, colour a square.

I figured that if I reach for the stars then I may end up in the clouds.

Wish me luck

Sue

xxx

Holidays, bears and jobs………….

2011-07-14T20:26:00.000+01:00

Well we are back from our hols, all relaxed and raring to go…………..I wish.

The holiday was brilliant, such a relief as some of you may remember we had such a miserable time last year. We went to Haltwhistle in Northumberland, it’s just near Hadrian’s Wall and to be honest it’s stunning, hilly but stunning. We did lots and lots of walking, as well as the odd bit of sewing.

Hubby was great, on best behaviour LOL. This was mainly due to being less stressed as he has changed jobs and started the Monday we got back. He grew up in farming, it’s in his soul and he has missed it so much these last 5 years. Needless to say money is non-existent at the moment, well what’s new!!!

Here is the view from Housestead, a Roman fortress at the Wall

…………and here is Dixie, waiting for her master to come back from his shower!!!!!

On the beary front I have listed 2 new girlie bears on my website and I have plans a foot….

………………………..but I am keeping mum at the moment,

hopefully I will be launching one of my projects at the end of July, beginning of August LOL.

So Beary hugs for now

Sue xx

Uni's, life and cheesecake....................

2011-06-09T14:11:00.002+01:00

Well, as ever, I have been a busy bee. After the sucess and

hard work that went into our bedroom I did expect a

quite week......................................(devilish laughter)

It was not to be!!!!!

So far I have re-sorted Lincoln University..

.........and student finance.......

........finished a commission bear....

...put together several other bears....

....drew a new drew pattern...

.....booked my holiday.....

.....had a fight with 3.....

...then had another fight with a collection agency...

......had blood tests........

.........um think I may have missed something,

Oh I know, cooked, cleaned, been a taxi and done a full time job

Let me start at the top, one's darling child didn't check if

her already gained ucas points would be accepted at university

if she chose to do a full time degree at Lincoln.

Hence the reason for opting for part time.

She suddenly had a brain wave about it and I had to call them,

not expecting to get a positive result,

you can imagine my amazement when they said yes,

the full time entry requirements are the same as the part time ones !!!!!!

Note to oneself, always, always check the facts!

She has now been accepted to study Law and Chriminology

full time next year and she needs 160 points (2 C's)

By the way she is 20 tomorrow :O

I have also just finished this sweet little bear,

sorry about the picture, it was taken in a hurry.

She is a keepsake for a new baby and is called Harriette.

I have booked the hols, we are off to Haltwistle, Northumberland

It should be really good as it has 22 ringed walks from the site

and Hadrian's wall is only 3 miles away............you won't recognise me

when we come back, I will have lost so much weight LOLOL I wish

Dieting I seem to be stuck at the 17 stone mark, which is a loss of 1 st 8 lbs

I blame Baked and Delicious myself

This is their cheesecake, which I have repeat made several times since

I am busy getting ready for Kelham, which is on the 26th June

Here is a selection of bears, who are waiting for dresses

and aging, plus noses

................and here is some gorgeous hand dyed mohair,

Yummy isn't it, that is currently being stitched into little ones

Will tell you all about my heroic stand against 3 another time.....

................vat returns are waiting

Beary hugs for now

Sue

xxx

What a difference a day makes..................................

2011-05-31T14:13:00.001+01:00

Horrible isn't it, this is my bedroom or was!!!!

A chance conversation with my other half led me to

believe that this monstrosity had been painted

You can imagine my face when I came home

friday to discover that it had not been painted and

how on earth did I think that it would be when we have no paint!!!

I ask you, he says LOL

I have to say I was gutted, when funds are limited

there are certain things that have to go by the way side

and decorating is one of them.

Due to very pouting mouth and near tears,

he promised to go out the very next day and get some paint, YAY!!!

We have lived here for 10 years and have not done a thing

exept the odd lick of paint. So the house is well neglected.

I have to say the draw of buying mohair does tend to

overshadow all else in this house.

Anyway, paint chart in sticky mitts, off we pops to Homebase.

Along the first isle was a trolley with some wallpaper in it,

not expecting to find anything nice, I gave it a cursery glance,

hubby, on the other hand, delved right in. He loves wallpaper

and is very opinionated on the subject, even down to the colour!!

(our very first argument was over wallpaper LOL)

You can imagine my surprise when he found

8 rolls of Arthouse, vintage paper at £1.50, even better they were

having a 15% day so it cost £1.27, you can't beat that.

Here is the result

What a difference, amazing, in one short day

we have treansformed the room

The cost ........

.......wallpaper ...............................£8.89

.........curtains ................................£9.99

.......crystal (plastic) chandelier........ £16.00

...........red cushions...................... £3.98

........total .......................................£38.86

..............the throw I bought about 6 years ago and refused

to use until I had a nice bedroom

A bargain all round really.

As for bear making I only had time to finish a little commission,

so me thinks I have a bear making weekend coming next weekend

Hope you like it..........................and the moral is,

you may be poor but you can have a nice house

(I hope your reading this hubby LOL)

A commercial dilemma.........................

2011-05-17T13:42:00.002+01:00

I thought I would share a few thoughts about this topic; it’s a subject that sits uneasy in my lap.

I started making bears 4 years ago and my inspiration for making them came from two very diverse bears, a sweet fluffy modern bear and an aged old style bear!!! I know opposite sides of the coin. The first few bears that I made were certainly in the more modern category of puffed cheeks and lots of fur. I loved them but my heart would just twinge, a pang of something was missing, do you get what I mean. So I tried my hand at an old style one……………………………..Nutmeg was his name and as I looked at him my heart skipped a beat. I still had lots to learn but my heart had found its place, I continued to dabble with the sweet trimmed cheeks or should I say wrestle, LOL. After awhile my hubby said to me why do you continue to make these bears, if all you ever do is moan about them? That stopped me in my track and at that point I decided to follow my soul.

Fast forward about 3 ½ years to today and as I look back on that decision I have to wonder was I committing commercial suicide. All around us we are faced with such choices in size, colour but most of all style, the rise in popularity of Charlie Bears…………………………yes we have a few in the house, my daughter loves them and I too think they offer great value and are pretty cute………………………………well it makes me wonder, should I have been swayed by the market forces and continued my more modern design. I see fellow artist who make these types of bears sell frequently and sell well, eBay and facebook being a popular venue for them. Older style bears seem to be out of favour, selling at often below price and less frequently. It does test your convictions, while the bills mount and stock dipleats, should I be making the more popular "Charlie Bear" style? Whilst I pondered this issue over the weekend I completed two bears, they aren’t old tattered ones or modern fluffy ones but delightful traditional bears which will have clothes and I adore them…………………………..I have found my comfy slippers, my home.

As for their commercial success, who knows, I love them and hopefully that love will shine through……………………………………. and yes I did make the right decision, even when times are lean I still love a good old fashioned bear, fads will come and go but a traditional bear will last forever.

Here is a sneaky peak of them; they are for my new autumn collection (hark at me, the designer).

I was given the idea by my daughter after a chance comment from a collector at a show……………………..the idea then just grew.

As you can see we have no noses and they are un trimmed, LOL

( I always tremble at that bit)

and they are naked.

I hope, like me, you have the courage to follow your dreams.

Beary hugs

Sue xxx

The Devil on my shoulder……………………..

2011-05-09T07:38:00.002+01:00

……………………….Do you have a devil too?? I do, my devil’s called “insecurity” I am cursed, like most artists with a one and mine is not a wee little monster but a huge one. Let me explain, when I am getting ready for a show I am all guns blazing for about a month, no time to think or stop, so my devil is kept at bay. After a show however he starts to flex his muscles and whisper in my ear. The things he says can be very hurtful, for example he tells me that I am not really that good at this bear making lark, he pops out at the most opportune moments and asks “what are you doing”, “what’s the point”.

This weekend he has been very conspicuous and asked just such a question as I sat drawing out a new bear for a series of bears due for release this autumn. I told him to get lost but he persisted.

Joking aside I have been making bears for 4 years now, how time flies and I am still as insecure about myself and my bears as I have ever been, why??? I can only imagine that each bears is made with some of my love and soul placed in them and as such they are from my heart. Like most industries in a recession, we, in the bear world are experiencing a drought, after all bears are meant to be a luxury, money is tight. I know it is for me, with rising costs for food and huge increases in petrol, I have seen my paltry bit of spare money disappear completely, so my head tells me it’s ok collectors do love your bears, they just haven’t any money at the moment but my wee devil says "nah, they don't like 'em".

What's a girl to do, my motto is if in doubt sew and explore other avenues to display my bears.

So I have joined etsy, I know its a bit hit and miss but you have to keep trying, don't you.

If you are a fellow artist, who feels this way, at least you know you are not alone.

If you are a collector, we artist understand

Here is my new etsy shop

Etsy

This is Olive, who is available on my website

Beary hugs for now

Sue xx

A Grand Day Out

2011-05-03T14:12:00.001+01:00

On Sunday we went to the Peterborough Truckfest, they have various events through the year around the country. I bought the tickets for my husband as a Christmas present, as each year, when the event comes round we always say we are going but funds usually mean we can't, so this year I was determined to go.

They have alsorts of things going on and celebrity guest.................Alex from Ice Road Truckers.

I have to say i is not my cup of tea but the Custom Trucks do make it worth a visit, these things are amazing

This is my favourite, as you can see its a pirate themed truck,

with "Stand and Deliver" written on the front

This is from the film "Ghost Rider"

..............and Shrek

.....Alex from Ice Road Truckers

The weather was a real treat, sunny but with a nice breeze, needless to say we all got a touch of the sun, including my hubbies head (I may be going grey but I STILL have plenty of hair unlike some, LOL)

They were truely amazing

My only gripe was the cost of food, I had taken some supplies so it wasn't too bad.......................even the ice cream was £2 each!!!!

This morning, true to form, for those that read my blog regularily, I have had a banking mishap!!!!

Non of my doing, I awoke to find a company I had paid on the 18th had taken the money again, or so I thought, ha....................I am but a fool.

Actually they have taken it upon themselves to alter their policy and not told anyone. They had taken money for a service in advance of that event...............a whole flippin month in advance, instead of paying when due. They have promised to refund but I am to be denied that service this time or they keep the money and I get the service.

I can only begin to describe how angry I am, I have supported this bear frim the past 3 years, I have encouraged others to support them too. I have never once not paid even when things have been really tight financially and this is how you get your rewards. If it wasn't for the fact I would be cutting my nose off I would have told them they could stick it.

On that sour bear note, I am off to sew, at least bears don't stab you in the back

Beary Hugs

Sue xxx

Nottingham Bear Fair

2011-04-27T19:10:00.002+01:00

What a glorious day it was................a little too glorious, if you know what I mean.

It was a little worrying that collectors would head for the sea and sand but we had nothing to fear.

It was a really good day, lots of bags seen.

I, as always, made too many LOL and came home with a few.

Uncharacteristicly I have been all efficient and listed them on my website

I have also decided to have a special offer until the end of April

This offer is available to anyone on my mailing list

(you can join and take advantage LOL I don't mind)

This is Elizabeth, she is about 15 inches tall

She is available for adoption at a special price of £111

(normally she would be £148 including postage)

This is Clover

and Victoria

Just head over to my website for a browse,

http://www.fenbearyfolk.co.uk/

I am sure that special beary friend will be waiting for you

and don't forget I do layaway (upto 4 payments)

Beary hugs for now

Sue xxx

PS diet..................quicky update, I am now under 17 stone xx

One Proud Mamma

2011-03-28T19:35:00.003+01:00

There is one thing that can be assured off in our house....................................its the mayhem that happens on a regular basis. This though is very good news, our daughter has been accepted into Lincoln University to study Law. The letter arrived on the Thursday and at 7am the next day she had booked us places to attend the Open Day, the following day on the Saturday !!!!! Yes I know we never do things in an orderly manner LOLOL.

I can only say I am so so proud, in fact, exceptionally proud...........................you see Catherine left school with just 3 GCSE's and has worked so hard to get this far. She now has 5 GCSE's, a BTEC level 2, a Certificate in Finance (AS level A grade) and a Certificate in Business Studies (A level C grade) plus she is currently doing 3 A levels.......................She needs 300 UCAS points and she has 140 points already, so I guess that means my baby will be training to be a lawyer.

Here is a few pics I took of Lincoln and I have to say it was amazing, so much so I wanted to join up and go myself, not sure if they would have had me though LOLOL

It has a real nice atmosphere, so if you have any kids planning on going to uni, look at Lincoln its fabulous

As for my little furry friends, I ma busy getting ready for Nottingham and have nearly finished a gorgeous claret coloured bear who will be wearing a duck egg blue dress, matching knitted cardigan with knickers and all LOLOL

Beary Hugs for now

Sue xxxx

Kelham and the bears

2011-03-09T13:43:00.001Z

Well it’s been a busy few weeks, I have done my first fair of the year, killed my old pc, made a charity bear and not lost weight BUT spring is coming and the birds are singing!!!!

At the end of February I attended Kelham Hall for their first fair of the year and after November I had mixed feelings about whether this fair would worth the effort. I am glad to say that it was, as several bears went to new homes and as you can see from my picture I had been a busy bee. It was lovely to catch up on several collectors, especially those that couldn’t make it last time.

This is Clicie, I made him for my daughter who was part of a fund raising event at college. Her and a few friends organized a cupcake sale and raffle for a children’s cancer charity called Clic Sargent. I just had to donate a bear and they raised about £140 which was brilliant, I am one proud mother.

This is Mint Julep, he is about 13 inches and is for sale on my website or by clicking the available bears tab on my blog

And finally we have Miss Darcie……………………………she is a real sweetie at about 15 inches. She is wearing bloomers, petticoat, chemise and over dress, all made by myself. She is available for adoption on my website too.

Beary Hugs

Sue

xxx

The Diet................................Week 3

2011-02-02T08:19:00.004Z

Well last week was a bit of a wash out, I was really good all week then blew it on a piece of lemon cheesecake.

It just goes to show what small amount can upset the apple cart, I didn't loose any weight. So this week I have renewed determination.

The thing that was lacking was willpower, it's a very funny thing this will power lark. With it you can conquer the world and without it you stagnate, vegetate and slip into oblivion LOL It takes willpower to do all things, some things only take small bits of it and others things are monumental in effort. Dieting is strange, in that, it can be effortless and at other times it can be of epic proportions. Last week was one of those epic moments. When I first did this diet years ago, my willpower was rock solid, I had been so heavy for so long it was really effortless to stick too. Now I find that its so hard mentally to keep on track..................................its all too easy to say "just the one, it won't hurt" but it does, every little cheat, every little bit of extra mounts up and then you easily slide into a spiral of downward hate, hate of the diet and hate of oneself for not being good at it.

The key is to give yourself a break and say "you know what it's ok, think of the bigger picture" in this case the bigger picture is a long term goal and will I really remember that this last week I messed up..............I don't think so.

I have always been a determined little soul, over the years this has been strengthened over the years through various issues I have dealt with, a very wise man once told me "focus on the solution not the problem" Eh???? It took me years to work that one out in my head but it so true, sometimes we can be looking so hard at the problem we close our minds to the solutions.............................in this case DON'T CHEAT !!!!!!

If you are following this diet then you need to add dairy, in the form of yoghurts this week...............good luck

Beary Hugs

Sue xx

Smelling the roses............well daffodils at this time of year!!!

2011-01-28T08:11:00.003Z

Today I have decided my life is too full of rush, rush, rush

So I am going to stop and smell the fresh air, it maybe spring air that's coming but I suspect its really a bit of north wind blowing across the fens LOL

It all started last night when I had a call from my mother................would I like to meet for a coffee at lunch today........................I hate to say it my first thoughts were that she wanted to tell me something aweful, all manner of things flitted through my mind.........is she ok, my dad??? No she assured me, she just thought it would be nice. It was when I put the phone down I thought to my self, what am I doing, running around all the time and not enjoying life, to be fair to myself my life is all drama and tears sometimes so I can be forgiven for thinking the worst BUT it did make me think, so I am going to meet regularly for coffee, I am sure she will be so delighted as I really don't see enough of her.

My beary news.............................I will attending The Great Yorkshire Show held in Sheffield by Katie Rae Bears........................by all accounts its a great fair and I was thrilled to be chosen to exhibit (hubby doesn't know yet LOL)

I have also recently bought loads of lovely ribbon and plain ivory cotton to make those beary knickers

Doesn't it look frilly and frothy!!!

No bears I am afraid, I am waiting on steel shot :(

Beary hugs

Sue xxx

The Diet..........................Week 2

2011-01-24T19:17:00.001Z

Just a quick post to let you all know how I am getting on.

It been a bad week for I have sinned..............those chips just lept into my mouth honest

In all seriousness this diet really needs no cheating so I feel a bit of an idiot but I literally had no money to buy stirfry mid week..........LOL

I hit the scales with some manner of dread this morning but am happy to say I lost 3lbs

I am now below the 18 stone mark at 17 stone 13lbs

So for week 2 and the delights of fruit enter the regime, now if you are joining me your fruit needs to be apples, pears that kind of thing. Tropical/Berry fruit is a bit of a no no as the fibre content is a bit lacking.

You never realised that apples are soooooooooooo sweet

Beary hugs

Sue

PS ........beary news later this week, I have great news.

The Diet......................Week 1

2011-01-17T07:51:00.000Z

Well its been a bit tough, to say the least but I made it.

I have to confess I cheated, I had a hot chocolate each day of the weekend and the results reflect that, you really have to stick with this one and don't cheat

Ok the all important stats

Weight..............18 stone 2 lbs

Bust..............47 inches

Waist..............42 inches

Hips..............54 inches

So that's a 6 lb loss, previously I have lost 9lbs in the first week and although I am off to a flying start, I do feel gutted and annoyed with myself, its silly because its a great loss and I am sure reading this you will not understand but when you expect something and it doesn't work out it's only human to be disappointed, so forgive me. I am surprised though that I dropped 3 inches on the hips and waist each

What have I eaten......................eggs, low fat cheese, salad and stirfry with fish/chicken (I hate veg)

So onwards to week 2 and the diet remains the same for this week except for the hot chocolate!!!!

Beary Hugs

Sue xxx

The Healthy lifestyle......................preliminaries

2011-01-09T11:10:00.001Z

Well No 6 on my list was to go back to my healthy lifestyle (diet to you and me but it sounds worse!!! LOL)

So I am standing on the edge of the obyss, looking forward, non to happily but determined

Some stats first...................................ouch, this is going to hurt

Weight............18 stone 8 pounds

Bust............... 48 inches

Waist............. 45 Inches

Hips............... 57 Inches

Overall size.... 26+

Gee just say it quick and it doesn't sound so bad BUT needs must!!!!

The healthy lifestyle I will try to follow is The South Beach Diet, now this diet is very miss understood and if you understand the theory behind it, it makes sense

So here goes.........................its all about how we process sugar in our food and how ALL processed foods contain hidden sugar

.....................did you know that there was more sugar in a slice of bread than a teaspoon!!!! Shocking isn't it, so it matters not what you put in your sandwich cos you are gettting about 3 teaspoons in an average sandwich!!!!

Sugar is broken down and released into our bodies at various rates, the less fibre in the food, the quicker the sugar release, the quicker the sugar release, the bigger body high you get from it, the bigger the high, the hungrier you feel and not to mention the craving for more!!!

The idea is to eat high fibre foods so that the sugar release

is slow and controlled,

therefore less peaks and troughs and less craving

The diet, if used properly, identifies what foods

you can and cannot eat.

Have you ever wondered why it is that you can eat sensibly but still not loose weight. Well for those, like me, who do not eat junk foods (crisps, sweets and chocolate) can never shift the pounds???? The answer is that you are eating a food or group of foods that does not suit your body.

How the diet works.............................for 2 whole weeks you eat nothing but vegetables, lean meat, a few nuts and eggs. It's a corker isn't it, really tough BUT don't starve,

eat as much as you can...........................

YES no potatoes, no dairy, no wheat and tea/coffee must be black.....................

are you over the shock yet???? LOLOL

The real clever bit comes in on week 3 when

you introduce a food group,

so in week 3 you introduce dairy and see what happens to your weight.

It is individual to you, never introduce more than one food a week.

I will be posting every Monday on my progress and

you are more than welcome to join me, if you dare.

Just remember that if you have a medical condition

make sure you are ok to follow this

Good Luck

Beary Hugs

Sue xxxx

PS you will notice a slight dizzy spell around Wednesday, it should be only brief, its the lack of sugar which the body can live without, if it continues or you faint then check it out with your GP xxx

12 Random things about me....................well I'm gonna try

2011-01-07T08:00:00.000Z

1. My daughter is the apple of my eye, we have had two children, our first was a little boy who only lived for nine days, he would have been 22 this year. I suffered from pre-eclampsia at 7 months pregnant. I caught whooping cough at 24 and passed it onto our daughter who was only 3 weeks old. I then suffered post natal depression and don't remember the first 9 months of her life.
2. I am an accountant by trade but what you don't know is I failed Accountancy in first year of a Business Studies degree, met hubby and never went back. I tried again at 27
3. I have a super strong sense of fairness, however much it hurts I always own up if I have done something wrong and I will always stand up and speak if someone is being miss judged.
4. I allergic to wheat........................it makes me fat
5. I suffer with long term stress, the bears have been my life saver
6. I got married at 21 and am 10 months and 24 days older than my hubby, we have been married 23 years, this year
7. I have always been creative, I nearly did a knitwear degree but the Business Studies won. By the time I was 17 I was designing and making knitwear for the shop my mum worked in, back in the 80's
8. I love learning anything, from how wind farms work to how cars run. I am constantly researching anything and everythings
9. I am an eternal optimist, am very rarely down but I am married to a pessimist
10. I have been so poor at times I have struggled to feed us. I never have enough money to go round but have always just managed
11. At 21 I opened my own clothes shop and ran it for 2 years until tragedy hit
12. I love life and want to live forever

Gee that was hard, sorry its so dour but I have had a bit of sad life LOLOL

Our roof.....................!!!!

2011-01-06T07:48:00.001Z

Our roof............................um, its needs replacing but now things have taken a different turn

Just before Christmas we noticed that the snow was still on the back of the roof and as the heat escaping had not melted it we wrong assumed that it was not too bad then !!!!!!! Little did we know.

Upon getting the Christmas decorations out of the loft, hubby shouted for me to come and see, I have to admit at this point I was not best pleased pre-christmas is a stressful packed time and me, heights and ladders DO NOT MIX. LOL

So up I go, head poking through the loft hatch, said in a terse voice "what!!!"

What, indeed, I was greeted with a gap that ran the full length of the rear of the roof :O

Several months ago our neighbours were re-roofed and as they had smaller tiles on the rear we were no longer "married" to each other, I was assured at the time that it had been secured down and a gully had been placed between the roofs to catch any rain water.......................NO, their roof may have been secured but ours had been left with a 2-3 inch gap all the way down.

I took some piccies and am now awaiting their reply...................will keep you posted.

It made me think, though, if it hadn't been for the need for Christmas decorations, we might not have known for months, allowing the rain and wind to get into our roof space.

I have to say that I am not impressed with them

Here is a piccie, sorry for the focus but this is me with head just poking out of the hatch on wobbly feet and ladder, LOL

......................good isn't it
Beary Hugs
Sue xxx

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T09:24:00.001Z

Well that is 2010 over, roll on 2011

I normally see out the old year with a retrospective, depressive look back.....................as is the way with optimists apparently LOL

This year I am surprisingly up beat, I have to say it is no small part down to my beary friends, both other artists and my collectors. Their support has been invaluable to me and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

It has an up and down year, not great big troughs but there certainly has been some high peaks along the way, coming 3rd in the miniature category of The National Teddy Bear awards and being nominated in the The British Bear Artist Awards, as well as having a half page picture in The Teddy Bear Times.

The low point has to be the holiday in Moffat, the place was fine but hubby was not!!! Men. It did teach me a lesson, though.........................let him choose the holiday location!!!! LOL

I am not into new year resolutions but this year I have decided to go for it, so here is my list.....

1. Save for Christmas, £10 per week.............that should cover it
2. Get Morrisons saving stamps every week, boy was that Christmas shop expensive!
3. Stick to my food budget, no matter how appealing my hubby looks, when holding a rhubarb crumble
4. Save all excess monies above the budget! Oh this one will be a toughie
5. Learn to make bear clothes, real fancy ones
6. Go back to my diet.............obviously all thorntons must be eaten first
So by next Christmas I will be calm, slim and wealthy..................................miracles do happen you know, LOLOL

I have just managed to pack a few last bears into last year too, both of them pressies, one for mum and one for my daughter. Hubby is now complaining that he wants a bear but it will be awhile as he wants a natural bear!!!!!

Here is my mums bear, whom she named Archie

and here is my daughters bear...........Scarlet

So have a great start to 2011 and I hope this year brings you all that you want

Beary Hugs

Sue xxx

2010-12-16T07:40:00.000Z

Oh dear, my week just keeps rolling on, I had to post to let you all know of my latest misdemeanour. Some of you may remember many moons ago I kick my credit cards into touch, it was about May 2009 and I had letters telling me I would now have to pay 40% interest, at that point I said enough is enough and had a bit of a tussle with them but ended up with 0% interest and a shot credit record!! Fast forward to a month ago and I had a voucher from Next for £10 off if I spent £20 with free delivery code, great one hat and scarf set and a cupcake mug, done deal. If ever you have had the occasion to use the Next website its a bit of an internet minefield, I just couldn't work out where to put the wretched delivery code and ended up with free delivery if you bought their catalogue (didn't want a catalogue), during proceedings I ended up on the confirm order page but as I was still trying to edit my delivery address (they don't deliver to a works address), my delivery code etc I didn't complete or pay, so I thought. An email then pinged into my in box saying thank you for your order !!!????? How, why and who was paying??? Going back to the Next account I discovered they had opened me an account with £150 credit limit..............what a surprise that was, I can tell you. All is hunky dory at this point, all I had to do was wait for Next to add the items to my account.............you wait and wait, you can't pay till you get a statement, you see. Oh well in the intervening time I then ordered a game, statement came through and yesterday I paid for the mug etc and planned to pay for the game next week. All is fine at this point, are you still following, it gets good!!!! While we were in Nottingham daughter saw a lovely cardi she liked so I thought I would be a lovely mummy and get her it as a surprise, order complete, email received. Then................................I just happened to notice credit limit ZERO............doh!!! whats going on 'ere then, a very confused middle aged woman looked at the screen in total confusion, never mind order went through, so it must be glitch............................yeah right NOT!!!!
At lunch time I thought better ring them just to see what was happening and here is the conversation that ensued
I said........I hope you can help me I am a little confused, my available credit seems to have disappeared...
Next said.....I'll just check for you Madam.... (nice tone)......Yes your available balance has been withdrawn....
I said.......Why??? (very confused tone)
Next said......We regularly check our customers and have decided that on this occasion we would withdraw your facilities............(snotty tone)
I said..........Why??? (now feeling like an idiot)
Next said......We credit score our customers every month and OBVIOUSLY you have failed.......(very accusing tone)
I said.......So let get this right, last month I was ok and now I am not........(flabbergasted tone)
Next said.............Well something must have happened to your score, we check it every month, we are responsible lenders..........(clever tone)
I said..............I can assure you that it hasn't ............(slightly peeved tone)........ So last month I had £150 to spend with you and now I have nothing.......(annoyed tone)
Next said...........Yes Madam......(you are being difficult tone)
I said............You call that being responsible, I could have spent upto my limit a week ago and you could have done nothing about it. I think it is me that is being responsible by NOT spending up to my limit, don't you (really angry tone now)
Next said..........Well there must be a reason why you have a low score MADAM...........Do you have an order pending........(there's that clever tone again)...................Ah yes you have we tried to ring you as soon as you placed the order and you did not answer................(really snotty)
I said..........I don't think so.........(indignant tone)
Next said..............Yes we rang you at 10am
I said.............So you didn't ring me at 7am when I placed the order then, didn't think you did .....(my turn for the clever tone)
Next said..........Well Madam can always wait till next month and she if her score improves, if you are not happy you can pay your balance and close the account.............(we don't want you tone)
At that point I finished my call and told them I would think about it. So I now feel like a bank robber and am contemplating packing my suitcase and heading for the Costa Del Sol!!!!
If its gonna happen, it will happen to me......................didn't want the flippin account in the first place!!!!

Going with the flow

2010-12-14T21:14:00.000Z

Gosh what a week and a bit, I have had, I can't begin to tell you. I know it may appear that I have a very chaotic, sometimes traumatic life but these past few days have seen me go from the depths of despair to complete euphoria and back crashing to earth again.

To explain the despair and euphoria would be very difficult................well lets just say blogs have ears and it would really cause havoc to explain, some of you are facebook friends and hopefully you will understand why it would be bad for me to go into details here. In my life I have met some very beautiful people and also some very evil ones, the latter I seem to attract in abundance..................why I will never know but I am an easy going person who just likes to be liked, maybe that is why people think they can do anything to me and I will just roll over and take their rubbish. I am normally an out going person, yet when I get hurt I shrink into myself and the melancholy me comes to the fore........................................so it was with great anticipation and delight that I headed off to Brighton for the British Bear Artist Awards. We had a bit of a car full with hubby, daughter and Chloe of Je Suis Lugly. Boy was it a great day out, at the new venue of Brighton Racecourse, hubby was on best behaviour, bless him. Well until the awards had finished and he said "come on lets go" !!!!!!!! ER NOOOOOO! what ensued then was a hissed domestic, I could have strangled him, everyone must have thought I was upset about not winning an award, so if you hear anyone say I was looking po-faced or angry........................it was directed at hubby NOT the lack of prize LOLOLOLOL Men!!!!!!

The bears were superb, how they managed to judge the awards I will never know, I have to say a huge congrats to Richard who won the newcomers award, to Marilyn for the Teddy Bear Times award, Sue Quinn and to our passenger Chloe for coming 3rd in her category.

It was so nice to meet artists with whom I have an internet friendship but have yet to meet up with and those that I know already, Marilyn (Barling Bears) is a darling, she is the nicest person you would wish to meet and she is every bit as sweet as her bears.I also met Dawn (The Old Post Office Bears) I have admired her bears since I first saw them on ebay and they do not disappoint in the fur, well done to her too for her awards, she said the most kindest think to me about my bears, it really lifted my spirits after such a shocking week. I was able to catch up with Sue Quinn...............what a truly fabulous lady and oh I am so going to buy one of her bears ...........................oh oh and I want a Bisson Bear too. (sucks thumb whilst pouting)

The busyness didn't stop there as we had to travel to QMC at Nottingham the following day, gee was I tired last night, did a bit of retail shopping..............well I didn't (I am broke, again, spend my life being broke LOL) but daughter got a very nice handbag from River Island.................another one, she tells me that one can never have enough handbags, um thats me a fashion pariah then.

Finally I have listed my BBAA Nominee's on ebay, they deserve to be loved instead of sitting on my stuffy shelves, I know they weren't stars on the day but they are stars to me

If you have a chance take a peak and a punt...............................................

Tallulah dragonfly

and Caledonia Brae

Ebay

Beary hugs for now

Sue xx

Community spirit, Ruby and Amethyst

2010-12-03T19:44:00.000Z

Well its been a week, of snow, snow and more snow.....................now in the scheme of things, to be honest, we have not had the likes of Yorkshire or Scotland BUT we have had enough to halt proceedings. I am sure as you get older you become more aware of the dangers and more scared of what will happen. Twice I have had to drive in extreme snow, not just a few inches but serious getting stuck stuff, I would not have done this except for getting to my daughter, to make sure she was safe, was my priority.

I was watching the news the other night and was struck by the fact there are still a good community spirit out there. Years ago we lived in a tiny hamlet and I have to say our neighbours were great, we all got snowed in badly one Christmas and the two local farmer took turns in their tractors fetching supplies, my husband worked for one of them and they would go and get a shopping list from every house, regardless of who they were or how grumpy they had been in the year over mud on the road etc....................anyway back to those news reports, midwives getting lifts on tractors, a lady taking shopping to an elderly lady, an gentleman clearing paths, two young kids digging an old man's car out...........the list goes on. I felt really sad when the reports finished, in fact quite tearful. Why.........................I had forgotten how lovely it was to be part of a community, all be it, a very small one. Where we live now, we are all in our own isolated little worlds, so near yet so far. You never realise how good something is until its gone.

Not being able to get out without risking life and limb has meant my cupboards are now bare, empty....................starvation is knocking on my door!!!!!!. I no longer have those neighbours that check if you need anything. All was nearly lost tonight I had a last few sausages in the freezer and had planned pasta with sausages in pasta sauce. I opened the sauce and it was rank, still in date but air had got in...........................so panic set in till I found a tin of potatoes and some rice. We will have to attempt to get out tomorrow, we literally have nothing left to eat. Luckily hubby will be driving.

As for the week itself, apart from the usual guilt on not being at work, I have had a very very good beary week..................I have sewn 4 bears and finished 2 of them. They are Ruby and Amethyst.........

This is Amethst, she is now on my website

FenBeary Folk

and this is Ruby, on the same page

I have also found time to add Page to Ebay

I have added a new page to my blog.................Available Bears and worked out how to add a shopping cart. It will take me awhile to add my bears but don't forget to keep an eye out for additions. I have given my website a well needed update.......................I have also realised that it takes as much time to market ones bears as it does to make them!!!! I really need to win the lottery, pay the mortgage off and live this life all the time but with milk, potatoes, bread.......etc LOLOLOL

Beary Hugs for now

Sue xxxxx

Winter blues!! Not likely

2010-11-29T18:47:00.000Z

This is my world, it was taken just before another downfall at midday

I have to say I am very very lucky that I have a boss who doesn't believe in his staff

risking their lives and he does live in a rural location, which means

he is aware of how dangerous it can be. I do feel for anyone

who has a less than understanding boss...........................it is just not worth the risk, is it?

I have been busy, taking the opportunity to update my website, send a mailing list email

and cut out and sew a big bear.......................oh to just have one day a week just for the bears

Yeah I know I spent all weekend finishing two commissions

while my poor hubby did the housework!!!!

But to make bears full-time (big sigh) I would miss my day job though LOLOL

Any way onto the bearies

This is Ruffles

He is available from my website

Ruffles

................and this is Benjamin..............

available from my website

Benjamin

I have also listed a few more, just in time for Christmas

FenBeary Folk.......Girlie bears

FenBeary Folk Mini bears

FenBeary Folk Old style bears

I have also listed Phoebe on ebay

Ebay

Anyway, stay warm, stay safe and remember is it really worth getting hurt for !!!

Beary Hugs

Sue

xxxx

Stand by your fair!!!

2010-11-15T18:46:00.006Z

Well that's the last fair for the year, all but a memory now and I have to say it is a sad one, when it should be a happy one. I only do 5 fairs a year, this year I did 6 with the addition of Bears to Collect Huntingdon one. I adore them, to go chat, laugh and catch up with both artist and collectors is such a joy, this last one though has left me feeling morose and sad. You see my husband won't let me travel too far, not sure why, I can only imagine it's because its a big bad world out there and the wolves would ravish me in a second if I stepped out of his comfort zone!!!..............yeah I know I am 44, a wife and mother, have experienced the worst that life can throw at me and came out smiling not to mention that I did go half way round the world at 19 to Australia, all by myself, I rest my case, you honour!!
Why the sadness, well its because of the lack of visitors. I'm not talking about buyers, just good old fashioned browsers. I have never really seen fairs as sellers dream, many collectors including myself can't just buy what we like when we like and we have bills that mostly take our hard earned cash, so buying loads of new darlings to take home is a mere dream. Often I will flag an artist who's bears I would like to own and save for one. Fairs are and were never about selling, they are a shop window into our world, they are about who you are and what you are currently making. I know in the age of websites, forums, facebook and blogs fairs seem a tad old fashioned but you can't beat a bear in the fur. Don't get me wrong we all like to sell bears, its a way of knowing that you are doing good but every bear sold is a bonus.
I know that there are a lot of things that influence attendance from the weather to what else is on at or around that time but you don't have to buy, just visit. We are in fear of loosing those fairs that have been going awhile, they may seem jaded compared to the bright lights of a new fair but they are still great days out. Many years ago there used to be lots and lots of shows up and down the country, I hear bear artist reminisce over the good old days, those fairs were lost for one reason.......................lack of attendance, it becomes a vicious circle, as visitors fall by the wayside so do artist. Make 2011 the year when you say I may not be able to buy but I can support this industry by attending fairs
Here is my stand, I hope you like it

This is Phoebe

and this is Ruffles

Beary hugs
Sue
xxx

Bears, cars and more bears

2010-11-02T07:18:00.001Z

What has been happening in the Pemblington household since I last posted
Well I have, as ever, been very busy with stuff

as well as bears

The car was taken for its annual mot, not a big thing you understand

but major for me as I have what can only be described as a phobia over it..............

..................years ago when my daughter was little, our car failed 3 times and was kept on the third attempt, so I do get very jittery.

Anyway it failed, only on a few small things but it soon mounts up

and wouldn't you beleive it, it took just slightly more money than I had to my name!!!!

Story of my life, that one, LOLOL.

My husband was involved in an accident, he was shook up but fine.........

and as much as he is a pain I do love hime dearly......in fact

he has made me both very angry and proud this week!!!

The accident was not his fault, as a ven decided to squease in front of him to trun left

and he was going straight round the roundabout to the next exit.

As per usual a van had tried to out run the lorry, to nip in front......

so if ever you are tempted....don't, he really thought he had

crushed the van as it disappeared below his windscreen.

I, myself have been to the docs. It started awhile back with pain in my ear

and has just continued, it feels like I have water in it and it aches.

At night if I lie flat by 2am it is throbbing so much that it wakes me up.

So off I goes, not a frequent visitor, you understand....................

................that in itself should make the doctor sit up and take note!!!

But no he was perplexed when he found no wax, dismissed half my symptoms

and told me that he supposed I "could" have fluid in my middle ear, no kidding.

Upon getting home and doing my own research on the internet

(don't like those medic sites-they put the fear of

god into you and should have a health warning themselves)

I found that symptoms did fit a middle ear infection

and the throbbing at night was the fluid

pressing on my eardrum, because I suffer nasally,

my synuses were filling up and making it a whole lot worse.

Really if I don't see another gereatric doctor in my life I would be happy...........

.....................at one point I thought he was going to pat my knee and give me a lolly pop.

Enough about me and my continual woes, here are some new bears that I have been working on

The first is Bethany, she has been the subject of some debate over her name but I think Bethany suits her.

She is 14 inches tall and her outfit was made entirely by myself.

I am so thrilled with her, due to my constant lack of time I always felt that

I could do more in the way of clothes, so this time I was determined

This lady is Patience and she is even bigger at 17 inches

They will both be making their debut at Kelham Hall on

14th November 2010

Please come and say hello

Beary hugs

Sue xxx

These are for you Joan................

2010-09-30T07:46:00.004+01:00

...............the Joan in question is an amazing woman, she is not famous

or a celebrity, she is my mum-in-law

I never told her that she was amazing and I wish I had done, she was also a contradiction, a tough exterior with a heart of gold. I remember when I first met her, my husband insisted on taking me home to meet her but it was gone 10 at night, she had gone to bed and he made her get up, in her nightie, we did laugh about it after but she was not amused at the time. The next day he took me back and I have to say I was terrified, you see she hated Catholics (her father had been shot at in Ireland by Catholic women) She pointed it out to me and I was swift to say that I had never been to Ireland, she weighed me up and gave me a tight smile! From that day on I felt ever so slightly nervous in her company.
A few years later, after our daughter was born, I had to return to work, for my sanity and for money. That was when we became friends, deep friends. She told me about herself and I told her about me. She had had a hard time, a tough life, that was why she was so matter of fact, no frills and she never criticised me, she never gave an opinion and even when she was asked she was reluctant to say, for that I will always be grateful.

I remember the day she told me that she had "battered" my husbands dad, her ex, the look on my face was priceless but she soon had me laughing as she explained that he had pushed her too far and she had picked up the nearest thing, a motorbike helmet and threw it at him, it only caught him ever so slightly but he was running around the house shouting that she had tried to kill him. It was the least he deserved as she also told me of the time he threw you out on the street at Christmas. I am glad to say she did find happiness later and she laughed. She always laughed about things after they had happened, I suppose in those early days that was the only thing she could do. Like the time my husband and his best mate nearly shot the old lady next door.................................the little monkies had taken an air rifle and were messing about, the gun went off and shot through next doors window right passed her. How she chased my husband around and around the garden, his best mate took years to venture back!!!

It's nine years today since that fateful day that she left us, the last month of her life she showed such courage in the face of impossible odds and she tried to stay with as long as she could but it was not meant to be.

On that last day I swore to her that her son was safe with me and I would always look after him, she just looked at me with tear filled eyes and said "I know, I bless the day he met you" At that point, I finally felt I was part of her family
So where ever you are these roses are for you as I never did tell you that you were the best mum-in-law that a girl could wish for?

Sue

Double Delight

2010-09-28T07:53:00.002+01:00

What a week, last week was. Firstly I found out that I had been nominated in, not one but two categories of the British Bear Artists Awards and then I trot to W H Smiths to see if they have Teddy Bear Times. To my absolute delight I find that have not one bear but two featured in the teddy talk section. Don't you think they look fabulous..........................I have to say that a new editor has certainly sprused this magazine up, it is now pack with all sorts of bears and real ones too.

As for the rest of the week, well it was a bit dull in comparison and work was, as ever, very busy.

Bear-wise I am currently making some more girly bears but slightly bigger ones at around 12 inches and I had a good mohair scavange at the weekend and it's amazing what you find, a lovely tipped beige/brown curly found its way into my hand, so after I have finished my other two, I plan to make an even bigger one at around 15 inches.

I was asked the other day what was my least liked bit of bear making, funny as most people ask you what you like best, I have to say as I was sat on Sunday morning trimming, this question sprung to mind. The task is one that I have decided that I detest and is now made all the more difficult by the diappearing sun and the appearing rain..................(normally sit on back step and the birds get the mohair!!) The usual Sunday roast had an added ingredient this week!!! Well what can one do, being covered head to toe in ginger and old rose bits does make it hard to dish up.

Other things happening.....................................nothing really, boring aren't I?

Oh next door are having their roof re done, very expensive indeed. I have to appeal on my daughter behalf as she has been declined for Adult Learning Grant, its really tough on her, she has had to watch all her friends get EMA but because we earn too much, only just mind, she couldn't have a penny.......................now what message does that give our youngsters...................don't work when your older, the government will look after you!!!!. The whole idea of EMA and ALG is to encourage youngsters to continue with their education but to then say that a small minority of you can't have any money because your parents are doing what we are trying to encourage you to do, well it's no wonder the country has a deficit. Oops getting off my soapbox now............the benefit system needs sorting.

LOLOLOL

Beary Hugs

Sue xxxx

British Bear Artist Awards Nominations

2010-09-20T07:48:00.008+01:00

I am so thrilled to tell you all, I have been nominated in not 1 but 2 categories for the British Bear Artist Awards................................... just to be nominated is such a thrill and here they are......................

This is Caledonia Brae, she is 17 inches tall and is wearing a dress of emerald silk and velvet

This is Tallulah Dragonfly, she is only 4 inches tall and is sporting hand embroidered wings

I have had a bit of a tough time just lately so this was indeed a true blessing. I know, again I here you cry, yes, well life has decided that I must in some way enjoy my share of bad bits, hence the absence from blogging. I find it hard to be chatty whilst blogging at these times...................I would love to share it with you, as I know that you would ease my ache but walls have ears and I wouldn't want to cause more trouble........................lets just say you don't get to 22 years of marriage without a few broken eggs and yet I feel selfish just saying that, he still loves me and I him and we are both healthy, they can be so thoughtless, can't they. Anyway who's to complain, there are plenty of people in the world who are far worse of than us.....

...........................shhhh thats just between you and me ;)

The holiday was a bit of a disaster, enough said, but I more than made up for it when we got back I bought a lovely stash of mohair from Tracey at Sew What and Stuff it as well as some fabulous vintage mohair from Barbara Ann
HA!! that will teach you (wicked laugh)

This little lady is Rebecca and I have just added her with lots of others onto my website

She is available for adoption at £45.00 + p&p, its the first time I have made a hat and I have to tell you it was very very fiddly but well worth it

The Gravy train

2010-08-20T08:46:00.002+01:00

OK stop the gravy train I wanna get off..............................
.....................................this week has been, not exactly the week from hell but one of those week where if it's gonna go wrong then it will. (Off on hols tomorrow-car and caravan)
The car !!!!! well last Sunday we found a nail, a whopper, in a good tyre, nails never ever choose a good tyre, do they! So panic stations, Lady Luck was on our side and a whole rim and tyre were on ebay and they were just down the road...........30 miles ish, more to do! Low and behold, Wednesday night we found the spare was flat, so I have got to go and get that fixed today (my nice bear making day ruined!!!!)
The Caravan!!!!!Curtains you may remember we shredded the lining, well I still hadn't had time to make them and not being one to throw caution to the wind and moon passers-by, thought it was best to get them done asap, hah! what a joke, I finally managed to get round to sewing yesterday morning, a few words of caution on this matter, if EVER you are in a position to have to (why would you volunteer to make some, I would never know) The poppers are a *!@@?/ nightmare, they must have been invented by a man because your sewing foot is just too wide to fit neatly down the side and keep the stitches in contact with the plastic. So just to recap every 3 inches your machine veers wildly off the rails and gets stuck. Anyway I battled on and finished 1, LOLOLOL Now for the important bit, I knew they had shrunk a bit but thought I had just enough inches to reach............................hahahaha and you know what thought did!! You guessed it they were 1/2 inch too short..................moral of the tale NEVER EVER WASH CARAVAN CURTAINS

I had to make a trip to the caravan shop, on Sunday my hubby bought me a new porch awning, it really is super dooper, my old one was way too small, you could not swing a cushion in it (we don't swing cats in our house, I am allergic to them) this new one goes the full length and is fabulous BUT one of the upright was broken so I had to go back and get a new one the next day, as well as the chemical toilet flush that I forgot, LOLOL

The other main event of this week is my daughter AS results, now you may remember a year ago she dropped a successful BTEC course that would have given her the equivalent of 2 A's at A level, against the college's advice....................well she got 2 C's and a D, she is gutted, she had hoped for more but I am thrilled, she left school with just 3 GCSE's at B's and C's so not bad going in my book and she came tops in history.

This is Abigail, she is about 12 inches and will be with me at the Nottingham Bear Fair on Bank Holiday Monday, it's a great fair with some fabulous bear makers attending and its FREE

..................and don't forget Peaches, she is my free giveaway to my Mailing List, you still have time to sign up as her draw is on 1st September
Beary Hugs
Sue xxx

PS Bear stuff first in Caravn..................priorities LOLOL
PPS If you are in the Moffat area and see an eclipse, its not me honest, I will sort curtains!!

August Bear of the Month

2010-08-17T07:10:00.000+01:00

This is Albert, in all my busyness this month I completely forgot to tell you all who is my
Bear of the Month
Albert is about 16 inches tall and normally would sell for £70 +p&p
He is on offer for £49 +p&p
He is available to members of my website, so if you would like Albert
pop over and join, its free.

...................and don't forget by becoming a member
you will be included in my first free draw for Peaches, on the 1st September

I know this is a wee short one!!!! for me LOLOL
BUT I am trying to sort holiday stuff,
make bears for the Nottingham Bear Fair
and work!!!!! Oh what a life
Beary Hugs
Sue xx

PS will give a lengthier post at the weekend...................I have been crafting too, bags!

Hurry, hurry and all things mechanical

2010-08-09T07:55:00.002+01:00

Cars, why do women never understand them, at this point I would like to say what a mystery they are but I will not insult womanhood by declaring such things...................men invented cars, have continued to claim them for their own....................so cars are quite frankly inefficient, noisy and more complex than they need to be.
We are off on our hols in 2 weeks, arrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhh. We have tried everything to sort our Jeep, its a cracking car....................ok I know it kills the ozone and uses more petrol than BP but we only do 2000 miles in her a year................promise. Anyway she is coughing and spluttering away, she has a new distributor cap, rotary arm, air filter, battery and lastly a fuel filter.........that's major surgery.....................one tank removed and filter inserted, then stitched up again. Luckily we are members of Green Flag Caravan recovery!!!!! so cross your fingers, LOLOL

I have recently attended the Bears to Collect annual teddy show and I have to say it's a beaut. They include other select crafts, so there is a nice mix, jewellery, cards, soap's etc as well as bears. I have to admit to being very nervous, now I know that I am not a shrinking violet BUT this was an event that you have to be asked to attend, so hand picked!!!! posh or what. I really needn't have worried I had a ball, there were loads of collectors and I have to say that I have been in touch with The Guinness Book of Records about their talking records, both speed and volume!!!!!!!! I didn't stop all day and lots of bears went to new homes with their new mum's and dad's
I am now a little short on bears, with the Nottingham Bear Fair looming on Bank Holiday Monday, so I have to tell you I am burning the midnight oil........................well that's not quite true but sounds better than getting up at 6am to sew!!!! LOLOLOL I have 4 new bears to complete today and 4 to cut tomorrow..................plus the holiday in between.

This is Tulip she is a new one from me, she is 8 inches tall and I am really chuffed with this new direction that I have taken, it's more me, if you know what I mean .....................

......................this is Fleur, she is now living with her new mum Deborah............................

Oh yes and don't forget my give away........

.....for Peaches......

....just join my mailing list
(see my prvious post for piccie)

Mailing List
Beary Hugs
Sue

xxx

Beary Give Away

2010-08-07T07:24:00.001+01:00

Bear give away

I have decided to have my very first give away.........................this is Peaches and she would love a new home, she is only 4 inches tall, now all you have to do is join my mailing list.
I have posted a link just below to make it easy.

Mailing List
The draw will take place on the 1st September.

Beary Hugs
Sue xxx

Busy Bees, shows and life

2010-07-14T07:35:00.010+01:00

I am in a state of shock, I don't mind telling you....................................why!!!! because it has been nearly 3 months since my last................ post...........................lololol you all thought I was going to say confession, be honest. I have to say that it almost seems like a confession and I feel really contrite about the whole issue (not that I am making fun of religion, you understand)

I was reminded on a forum the other day that this blog world was fun, enjoyable and I had not realised that my ditties were entertaining.................bless you, Pat.................for I needed a nudge.

Gosh what have I been doing since my last holiday...............well it's been work, a bit of work and a bit more work, all rounded with a small amount of beary production.
We have booked our next holiday, in 5 weeks time we are off to Moffat in Dumfries, just in time for the County Show.

Disaster has struck with the caravan, never ever trust a man. We, the royal one that is, decided to re-do the popper buttons on the front curtains. Now my man is a bit of a "has to be done yesterday" kinda fella. So there I am knee deep in something when he informs me that they could do with a wash before I re sew them................................Ok, ok I says not paying attention, yes I know I should have been but after being married this long I can honestly say I know what he is going to say before he says it, he popped them in the broken washer............'nother story and Bob's your uncle, half an hour later they were finished..........................totally shredded. Major sewing job now required.

On the beary front, I have just been to the Kelham Hall Doll and Teddy Fair, the July one is always a bit odd, less collectors. I think this is due to holidays coming up and school uniforms that have to be replaced in time for next years school start. The day came and the weather was stunning, it was a busy day and lots of talking, selling and above all cuddling. I do love a show.

I am now getting ready for my next show at Hinchingbrooke Hall,Huntingdon. It is the first time I have attended this show and I feel very honoured, as an exhibitor you have to be invited by Bears to Collect. It looks great and does have a bit for everyone...............non beary people, as well.

This little fella is Murphy and he will be there, he is a sweetie at about 8 inches tall, he is made from this amazing vintage mohair and boy did I have to use all my sewing skills on him, the mohair of yester year is very different, the current mohair has a coated back to help prevent fraying but this old stuff........................................lets just say Murphy learnt a few new words during his construction............................He was worth it though, wasn't he, he is just gorgeous, a real huggable bundle.

This wee Girl is Jasmine and I just couldn't resist making a real summer inspired girlie, In fact I have another two on the go in baby pink and lemon...............and these girls, hopefully will have hats!!!!..............um that is if I can figure out how to make them...................stay tuned.

Well hugs for now and have a great weekend all of you
Sue xxxxxxxx

Holidays and Bears

2010-04-25T09:47:00.001+01:00

Well we are back from our hols! We came back last Saturday after a very sunny week in Northumberland. Dunstan Hill near Craster to be precise.
A few posts ago I mentioned that we were having a major con flab on holidays and I would fill you all in at a later date.
Well, here goes..........................................
We are relatively new to the holiday scene, due to lack of funds LOL (the story of our life)
About 6 years ago we were invited by friends to go to a local coastal resort for a week in a static caravan, this was through the Sun newspaper.................now for those un-initiated the Sun runs "collect tokens" scheme and have 4 days holiday for £8.50 each.
The second year we went to Pitlochry in Scotland and that folks was my down fall, ever since then hubby has refused to go to anywhere other than Scotland. Since then our beloved dog Em passed away and we became a new mum and dad to Dixie, now Dixie is terrified we will leave her and to be honest she does need to see a doggie shrink!!! So we bought a caravan and tow-car, an oldie but in decent shape.
We return to Scotland and visit more stunning scenery, until this year when a forced "credit card ban" and an "I will save" attitude made us take a long look at how we paid for things. It was then I realised that having to holiday in April due timing of exams (daughters) there was not enough time to save the extra petrol for Scotland.
There then ensued a full scale war over a 3 week period
.......................the dilema..........where to go????????
I have to say at this point, men can be very pigheaded when it comes to getting their own way
Eventually we settled on Dunstan Hill, its half way between Berwick and Newcastle,
it was simply beautiful, about a mile from the most glorious beaches, real fine sand, none of that gravel stuff, the weather was great and we walked miles and miles.
The picture above is Dunstanborough Castle
AND the one below, do you recognise it, I did. I was very proud of that fact.............
..........................its were Harry Potter learnt to play Quidich

Otherwise known as Alnwick Castle, were the exterior shots are filmed

...................on the whole he (hubby) was well behaved but did have a wee tantrum on the tuesday........................not bad really, LOL

As for bears, well I have just updated my website with a whole host of new bears for sale
FenBeary Folk

This is Bryony

and this is Isobella

Nottingham Bear Fair

2010-04-07T07:31:00.003+01:00

The day dawned with some trepidation, I dare not peak out of the window. My last fair I could not make due to a white out blizzard and believe me its was such a disappointment, especially when you just love talking to all those fellow bear lovers. I needn't have worried it was a bit cloudy but no snow.

I arrived at Patching's in good time, finding the roads quite empty and with all the eagerness of a child, set about unloading the car..............well my daughter did the unloading, I do the talking. We were placed in the log cabin, as Patchings has two area's, the log cabin and the pavillion, not too far from each other. There tends to be lovely atmosphere in the rooms, this is mainly down to great artist that take part and the fact the fair has a small intimate feel, not too overwhelming. Patching is a great place to hold the fair, for those long suffering non-bear lovers are catered for, yes I know there are a few, my poor dad is one of them. There are numerous art studios which include painting, textiles, jewellery and their resident bear maker Maria of C & M Bearhugs, so you see quite a lot to see and do.

I am straying away from the day, as the time drew near opening, the excitement built and we were not disappointed as this fair never fails to draw a crowd of eager collectors and visitors. Within minutes I was knee deep in conversation ranging from tax and book keeping advice to bear making and not forgetting the ooohhs and aaaahs. I have to mention my fellow bear makers here because the bears were just stunning. Vicki of Baggaley Bears had bought a few of her new sized 5 inch bears and believe me they are just the cutest thing you can ever imagine.

Kaz Bears, aahhh I just love her oldy worldy bears, they have a timeless quality that ooze take me home. A newcomer to fairs was Eunice of E M Bears, talked into it be your truely !!! She had a superb day and her bears and creatures were flying of her stand, including a lovely cat called Sasha, who went home with my mum. Sue Quinn and Barabara Ann Bears also had such wonderful display and bears, in fact I could fill a whole book on all the wonderful creations that I saw. I ended my day very tired, very happy and, of course, with a few pieces of mohair.

This little girl is Isabella, I will be putting her on my website tomorrow.

Her adoption fee will be £45 +p&p

This is Amelia, she is available from my website.

Her adoption fee is £45 +p&p

Amelia

Disappointments and Gifts

2010-02-22T08:08:00.007Z

Oh Boy have I had a week of it and to be honest my latest adventure or non adventure was too upsetting till now to tell you about.........................ok lets start at the beginning, where all good tales should start.
The Friday before last we had cavity wall insulation installed, its great, you get a grant and your electric company contributes leaving a balance of £129-ish to pay. The guys who fitted it were noisey but nice and I think it was worth it. I had booked the day off plus the following week off, so was looking forward to it. My first disaster was my daughters laptop, having been "away" at the menders for months it finally came home, to daughters delight. First things first......................full internet security, so I got an all singing dancing Kapsersky program, loaded it onto my pc fine but when I went to load it onto the laptop, it wouldn't download properly...............when it was finally sorted, I had a run issue, followed by a Windows Vista problem.....................you get my drift!!!! 8 calls later, being cut off 3 times, I lost the plot and I mean really really lost the plot. I rang sales and demanded to make a complaint. Now I will give them their due, I had a manager liaise with me and a technician call me and sort everything......................................time taken 6 hours.............um...............deep breaths.

The following days were a bliss of bear making magic, as Kelham Doll and Teddy Fair was on the Sunday. Oh mustn't forget the 2 hour fight with the laptop to load iTunes, but hey I knew that would be to the death, we have battled before and a trip, clothes shopping to Lincoln.
Anyway Sunday drew close and I was all ready for the fair, now you have to understand I looooooooooooove fairs, the chatting, the collectors, the mohair, just getting excited talking about it. I do 5 a year..................Kelham and Nottingham, so hopefully by now, you are getting the picture, they mean so much too me.

Got up Sunday and guess what SNOW, white out blizzard actually, I waited and waited hoping it would stop but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I had to cancel, I was so upset I barely said a word all day and believe me that is very rare. The icing on the cake has to be my husband, you see we do own a 4x4 but I have never driven it. After I had cancelled, my "dear" husband offered (begrudgingly) to take me, by which time it was too late to get there and set up.
I have to admit, between you and me, I sobbed, great big ones, when I went to bed.

So I have a few bears that missed their limelight, I have added a couple to my website.

This is Cappuccino, he is about 14 inches tall and I adore him, every now and again, any bear maker will tell you that they make an extra special bear......................one that has the X-factor, well Cappuccino has it.

I got the material from a very dear kind friend Jean of Little Scruffs
She very kindly gave me a piece, wasn't that lovely of her.
Thanks Jean xxxx
PS I have just noticed Jean is having a little competition, so if you fancy a Little Scruff pop over to her site and enter.

His adoption fee is £70.00 plus p&p
He can be found on : Old Style Bears

This little girl is Beatrice, so so sweet. I have listed her on ebay and she will end about 9pm Sunday 28th February.
She is about 4 inches tall and gorgeous

Ebay

Well I hope you are all safe and warm, wherever you are.
Beary Hugs
A heartbroken Sue
xxx

Vinage bear thoughts

2010-02-17T08:08:00.000Z

Isn't this picture just sumptuous ????
This is my new stash of vintage fabrics that I purchased from Barbara Ann at Norbeary Fabrics, I had hoped to have a finished bear for Kelham on Sunday but time is ever my enemy, LOL.
It oozes quality, very yummy indeed.
As you can imagine I am very busy sewing stuffing and screaming, I am off this week and what seemed like plenty of time is now turning into not enough.
At the beginning of this week I read a great discussion on a teddy forum about giving up work and making bears full time............................oh the life, the dream. What would you do?
My instant answer was YES, as much as I love my day job, I just really don't have enough time, I do things in bits, a bit of web update, a bit of forum, a bit of creating, a bit of shopping, a lot of working.................................you get my drift. I end up feeling frustrated that I am not giving enough time to each of those bits. As I read through the replies on this discussion I was struck by the difference in replies..................the have's and the have not's................myself being in the have not group. Those that were making bears full time, the have's, were happier but the strain of the bears being their main income, at times, was incredible. The have not's were very like me, not enough time but the pressure was not the same and making bears was still very much a freedom of expression, so what is best.................................yep you guessed it, winning the lottery and making bears full time!!!! Until that point I will continue to juggle my bears in the air and feel the strain of time but as for the pressure, I will be grateful that my life does not depend on how many bears I sell, or make.

Oh and don't forget if you are Nottinghamshire way, please say hello, I will be the harried, stressed one at the Kelham Doll and Bear fair on Sunday
I love to chat, so be prepared
Sue
XX

The light at the end of the tunnel and Ginger

2010-01-28T07:40:00.002Z

This is Ginger, she is a big girl at 17 inches and very floppy
I have listed her onto ebay to end on Sunday
EBAY

I am sure she will be pleased if you pay her a visit, her reserve is £75

This week, far from being a nightmare, has gone quite smoothly, not that I haven't had extra work to do or that the time hasn't flown by. The late bods who haven't sent their details in for their tax returns haven't materialised, so that has helped. We are nearing the end for another year, thank goodness..............................more bear time again, hehehe.

As for bears, well Sunday saw me working on a pattern for another large bear, for a lovely collector. When you draw a pattern for a commission bear it's different to one for general sale. I am a bit of a "go with the flow girl" but when it is a special bear for a special collector I tend to get all panicky and very precise...................and worry, is that foot pad right or that gusset wonky.

The proof, of course will be in the pudding, the mohair is a gorgeous semi-sparse honey colour, just good enough to eat. I will, of course, let you have a peak when she is finished.

I also got hubby to agree to a holiday!!!!!!! another story, for another day, MEN !!!!!LOL

Beary hugs for now
Sue xx

Greta

2010-01-22T07:51:00.005Z

Boy, I can't beleive it has been nearly a month since I posted..........................I mean to but as ever time just disappears on me, I am sure the Time Gremlins steal it!!!! January has just flown by, my life has been a sea of calculations, clients and phone calls. Ahhhhhhhhh you see in my other life I work in Accountancy and we are at our busiest time. Did I just hear someone mutter "boring"............................NO far from it, you get to meet all sorts of people and you get to view their trials and tribulations for the past year. Yes its a people business and you all just thought it was numbers, hehe. From the client who makes money, no matter what they do, to the poor man who is struggling to survive, I meet them all. So if you haven't filed your return, you have a week left!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the beary front, as you can imagine I have had very little time, the odd ear, the odd cutting out....................................and I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo busy. I had lots of orders come over Christmas, I know some artists don't like commissions but to know that someone has chosen you to produce that special little beary face that they will love forever, well its magical.

I did find time to finish poor Greta off, she has been waiting for awhile now and became rather impatient, LOL. As you can see it was worth the wait, I am so happy with her sweet face and I hope you like her too.

She is on my website for anyone to have a look at,

her adoption fee is £35 +p&p

http://www.fenbearyfolk.co.uk/oldstylebearnew.htm

Tahrah for now, as that ole calculator calls

Sue xx

The Aftermath

2009-12-29T11:12:00.005Z

Well that's it, another year over and roll on 2010.

Boy that's weird, I keep wanting to type 2001.
We had our second Christmas day yesterday, now don't thinking we are
all glutinous fiends on the fens................my poor Mum and Dad couldn't get on Christmas day
as the roads were lethel , with ice and my Dad was so disappointed
that I promised that as soon as they could get,
I would cook them another diner LOL Full or what!!!

I was very naughty on Boxing day and lets just say (hopefully)
we will have a new member of the family tomorrow or Thursday (knowing our post)

He needs a little tender loving care as he has horrible brown stitches
on his back, he needs a name.......................I mean every bear should have a name,
shouldn't they
I will reveal all when he arrives, with piccies of the op!!

I have listed 2 lovely bears on ebay this week, they are my old style bears
The first is Archie, he is made gorgeous tipped matted mohair, which I happen to love

and Christopher

EBAY

Happy New Year xxx
Beary Hugs
Sue

Happy Christmas xxxxxxxx

2009-12-24T06:36:00.004Z

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas

This Briar Rose and the little girl above is Mulbeary
They are both on EBAY at the moment

We have had a busy few weeks down the fens
and our covering of snow this week has certainly
hampered proceeding these last few days

We have had buckets but it looks so pretty
Not very good driving conditions at all and
I will have to venture out today to get my last
minute bits.
I can't say I have really enjoyed my snow days,
normally they would be met with glee but
this time I caught a bug off my daughter, who was ill
on Saturday/Sunday. It is a particularly nasty bug
and actually sent me to bed, the thought of Christmas dinner is
..........................well lets just say I am not looking forward to it.
The silver lining is I have lost half a stone since Monday LOL

Anyway I hope you all have a joyous Christmas day and
you all get your hearts desire from Santa

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Beary Hugs
Sue

Brandy Snap and the National Debt

2009-12-04T07:30:00.005Z

Well I am organised for Christmas, not unusual I hear you cry, it is after all December. For me it is a miracle, many a year past I have been rushing around at the last minute and wishing I have another week to go. This year I was determined to beat the clock, not least because I always end up the week before Christmas parting with the equivalent of the national debt to a major supermarket. Not this year, before you are all impressed, LOL. I will have to confess, the economy has forced me to make tough decisions this year and credit cards at Christmas are a big no. I faced the Autumn with a slight tear in my eye, impending doom were the key words. Have I spent less, well actually no, in fact I have spent a tad more than previous years, no magic wand or secret I have just made a plan and slowly eaten away at it, week by week. I have to say that beary sales have been good these last few months, enabling me to pay for shows and ads which normally I have to pay for from my salary, you never get rich making bears, don't you know its an addiction not a business LOLOLOL.

So if you are feeling frazzled at the moment, here is a hug (())

Beary wise I have a gorgeous bear on ebay at the moment called Brandy Snap, he is about 8 inches tall and is one of my aged bears, I do love making them.

Brandy Snap

I hope you like him as much as I do, he will be on ebay till Sunday

Well Beary Hugs for now
Sue xx

Holly and Berry on ebay

2009-11-28T07:54:00.001Z

ADOPTION FEE £50 +p&p
Well Hi everyone, as per usual I am apologising for being abscent, I really must try harder because I do love blogging but November has been filled with shows and Christmas shopping. I am at the point where I have now ran out of money and still have a few things to buy !!!!
Typical, every year I get to this point and vow that next year I will be very good and save for Christmas, so I am determined in January to save. You could say its my first resolution for the new year LOL. Wonder how long it will last. I do envy those organised bods who have it all sewn up by the end of September, must be a fabulous feeling.

I have listed not one but two bears on ebay to finish Sunday (29th) teatime. The first is Holly (above) she was both a pleasure and a pain to make. The pleasure being herself, such a cutie. The pain all those Ivy leaves, making them was ok but I did have some fun joining all the leaves together at the end. As you can see though it was well worth it, she's a beaut.

NOW SOLD
This little fella is Berry and he is adorned by my famous hand made wings, his velvet is amazing, all tiny little rectangles of colour.

Ebay

So please say hi to them on ebay, they will appreciate it
Beary Hugs
Sue xxx

My Pandora's Box

2009-10-15T12:38:00.007+01:00

For those that have met me, will know that I am a very positive person and that althougth I have my ups and downs, I am not down for long

I have found in my life that this positivity has been a blessing in many ways. But deep within my soul I have a Pandora's Box and occasionally this box is flung wide open to reveal its content to the world.

I have just seen this on facebook and my tears are now flowing

Today is International Baby Loss Awaireness Day

Please spare a thought for all those souls, who never had the chance to see life and say a small prayer for all the grieving parents around the world

I thank you from the bottom of my heart

Sue xx

Matthew John Pemblington

2nd August 1989 to 11th August 1989

Cherished always

Podge and another year older!!!

2009-10-09T07:30:00.000+01:00

Well another year older yesterday, I would like to say that time flies when you are having fun!!! but this year, as you know, life has had its ups and downs and the same could be said for yesterday.
The day started well with cards and phone calls but went down hill fast when I went to my car, pulled out of the drive and nooooooooooo power at all.
So off we goes to the garage and I am now £100 lighter, that on top of paying for the road fund licence and timing belt at £425 a few weeks ago ................if I could post a very unhappy face I would, LOL.
The day ended with a very cheesed off hubby, who was in a mood!!!! Men always pick those days don't they. Now if it was me I would have made the effort to be nice to him, but nooooo thats too much to ask........................good job I love him, that's what I say.
Luckily I had purchased my own present awhile back from my local bear shop, its a small shop in Bourne and jam packed to the rafters with loads of bears.......................just a feast to your eyes.
So if ever you are around my neck of the woods, it's well worth a visit
Teddy Bear and Friends of Bourne
Ok I know you are wanting to ask which bear said "take me home". Well it was "The Bell Boy" by Steiff, he is a sumptuous pearl grey fella and gorgeous.

I also update my website yesterday and added a wee bear called "Podge"
I hope you like him, he has a very rotund appearance and I am very pleased with how he turned out, I hope you agree

Well another day, another pound, so have to go now. Hope you all have a lovely weekend
Beary Hugs
Sue xxx

PS It's Christmas Day 11 weeks today LOLOLOL xx

Lost, facebook and life !!!

2009-09-16T19:00:00.000+01:00

I am feeling quite upbeat at the mo, after what can only be described, in the dear words of our Queen, as an Annis Horriblus. Everything now seems to be heading in the right direction and the season of goodwill is just around the corner (14 weeks!!!!)

Last week our daughter returned to college to start A levels, nothing unusual about that, but believe me it has been a fight. It all started 2 years ago, when we went to her secondary school to pick up her GCSE results, to say she was gutted was an understatement (3 A-C's the rest D's). She did not achieve the grades she required to do A levels. Needless to say she was devistated

I do believe that our schools are failing our children. During her time at school she had no homework, no books and any work done was not returned marked. Suffice it to say they announced the schools closure last week.

My biggest concern is that the education system teaches our children that you have to go to university, that no other life exists. I have always tried to teach her that she is a valuable human being and she can achieve anything, if she works at it.

That was borne out by her attitude these last two years, where she upped her English and Maths grades to a respectable C (even though the college discovered her to be dyslexia) Whilst at the same time doing a Business and Retail course, followed by a further Business course.
She has gone from her 3 little GCSE's to the equivalent of 10, 1 AS at A grade and a full A level. Due to changes in her course she made the decision to swap to A level, it was not easy and she was full of self doubt, not me though, the result.......................

She is loving every minute of it

My daughter, through determination is now following her dream.
So if you have a dream, however small, take little steps today, tomorrow you could be on your way to better things.

On a personal front I have finally joined Facebook, I can be found under FenBeary Folk. It has been a revelation, I have loads of friends already, so if you want to be my friend...........

Bear wise I have just listed wee "Lost" he is one of my aged bears and he has such a sweet face, his adoption fee is £45 +p&p

Told you he was sweet LOL!!!

Nottingham Bear Fair

2009-09-04T07:52:00.000+01:00

On Bank Holiday Monday I was at The Nottingham Bear Fair
...............and what a day it was, fabulous.
I had to part with quite a few bears but as they all went to live with some very nice collectors, I didn't mind too much. The day could have been a disaster, mainly due to the fact that several stall holders had to cancel at the last minute. I hasten to say the turn out was superb and the bears...............................well what can you say, they were all stunning.
If ever you get the chance to attend a small local fair then I would urge you to do so. In this current climate I have found that there is less focus on internet selling and an increase in buying a bear in the fur, so to speak. Not so difficult to understand why really, as less money means that people are more careful, me included.

As per usual I had a mad rush in the final hours, hehehe!!!
Typical, it doesn't matter how well I think I am organised I always end up at the last minute with loads of bears to finish and too little time.

This little fella is called Berry Elfdancer

He is just under 4 inches tall and is now available on my website
Berry Elfdancer

Please take a peak, I am sure he will be glad to see you

Huggies
Sue xxxx

Tutti Fruitti and Ice Cream

2009-07-30T07:45:00.004+01:00

The devils in the detail.....................no it's in the ice cream!!!!
Well I had a bad week, last week, with the ole diet, I knew I was in trouble the moment my 2 caught sight of the BOGOF Magnums in Sainsburys. The trouble with diets is, if you stray from the straight and narrow, then you sin big time. Why is it, we always think of dieting in terms of weeks, is it just because you weigh your self every week?
Well anyway that was my starting point of my slide, next came a toasted sandwich......................................the damage, gained a pound, not too bad after all.
So, Monday I got straight back on the proverbial horse ;)

On the beary front, I have listed a bear on Ebay here's the link
Tutti Fruitti is a little unique, you may remember me trying my hand at dying. My first effort, was a little, um, lets just say, not that good, hehe!!! My next effort resulted in Tutti, I was really pleased with how she turned out, especially as I am a bit of a "go for it girl" and just mixed a few colours together. The result is a gorgeous shade of muted mauve/mulberry.
She will be on ebay til Sunday night and I hope you pay her a visit.

Beary Hugs for now
Sue
XXXX

PS I have a blog award, yipee from Ann-Marie at Bear Me Too
Thank you, I will hopefully have my choice of sites that inspire me at the weekend but it really is hard to choose from all the great sites, til then, xxx.

Edward and The diet, um healthy eating

2009-07-24T23:27:00.001+01:00

I have been so very very busy i forgot to mention I was back on my diet.
In the last 4 weeks I have lost a stone
I have spent a lifetime being told that I needed to stop eating too much and to stop eating rubbish. I could never get it, how can you stop eating rubbish, when you don't eat it in the first place?
I have been told that I needed self control, a padlock on the fridge, to stop buying sweets/chocolate/biscuits/crisps etc.......................well meaning people then offer advice on what I should be eating!! Then when I say I am eating what they suggest and not eating rubbish, you get the look.........................it's a look of pity crossed with disbelief followed by a "you are in denial" smile.
I hate clothes, I hate shopping for them even more but I am a wandering. After I had read the book 6 years ago, I followed the diet and lost 6 and half stone in a year. You see it wasn't my fault, wheat made me this way. Unfortunately migraines put all diets on hold and the weight went back on, so here I am again. I didn't put it all back on but I have about 4 stone to go. I will post every now and again and let you know how I am doing, but wish me luck, life can be tough, wheat is in everything
XXX

Anyway, onto nice beary things
This is Edward, who is now on my website, with a few of his beary friends.
Please pay him a visit, I am sure he would like it, he is on the Old style Bears page

I have also had a blog and website overhaul!!! Teaching myself a bit of html, hehe!! Nothing too complex, backgrounds, borders, colours etc. I hope you like it

Beary Hugs
Sue
xxxxx

Kelham Bear & Doll Fair

2009-07-13T13:41:00.004+01:00

The other Sunday I attended my second bear fair of the year, I do like a fair, it's such a lovely way to spend the day, chatting to new and old faces. Kelham Hall is a very Gothic Victorian Manor near Newark, Notts. An absolutely gorgeous setting both inside and out. Well worth a visit. It was a mixed day, with crowds seen queing outside before the doors opened but it did go quite flat in the afternoon, which left a bit of time to discuss "mice tails" with Bobby's Bears and Jenni's Bears. Something I will be trying courtesy of Bobby who very kindly gave me some fine sand stuff for filling!!! sorry I can't remember the name of it...............old age you know.

I did of course take a few new ones with me, I do like to have a good number of new ones for collectors to see, but sadly there is always one you don't quite finish!!!!

A new 4 inch Fairy Bear will be making his debut next week.......;)

This is Cerulean, he is a little 4 inch boy, who just reminded me so much of a beautiful Kingfisher, sadly he didn't quite find a new home, so will be on my website, tomorrow.

This sweetie is Magenta, a really really gorgeous pink little lady, who will also be venturing onto my website tomorrow

Speaking of websites, got a little fed up of mine, it didn't really work that well for me, so I had a bit of a think and a rummage and I found loads of stunning victorian clip art pictures. It is as always a work in progress!!!!! so be kind and sorry if the piccies take a long time to loan, I am working on it, hehe!!!!

Blueberry and life

2009-06-17T13:50:00.002+01:00

Well long time no post, as they say.

Life in the FenLand household has seen quite a few highs and lows these last few weeks, surfice it to say, I am not sure if I have met myself coming back yet but there was something vaguely familiar about this woman I passed last week, hehe LOL.

Oh where to begin, I will not bore you with the very personal stuff, lets just say it can be a tough life sometimes and Gordon (Brown) if you are reading this, Please flippin well do something about the pirates, no not the Carribean ones, the Credit card ones!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway enough of that depressing stuff and on to lighter things................

I would like to introduce Blueberry, he is my latest wee chubby little fella. He was for a birthday present and winged his way to N. Ireland the other week.

I am glad to say he was a hit, which is just as well because I adored his cute chubby cheaks and the little tummy he has, so he nearly didn't go anywhere!! I am still very busy with commissions and for every bear I make I seem to add 2 more to my order book, which is lovely.

A bear that I made a while ago for my mum's reunion group The Prince Rupert School, Wilhemshaven, Germany was in a raffle at the Annual Reunion, the bear went down a storm and will be featured in their newsletter which is due out in July. I understand that there quite a few enquiries about the bear, so I may be making a few more, just cross your fingers for me.............................the credit card monster has to be fed somehow, you know!!

Ah, yes, my baby was 18 last week.....................OMG did I just say 18, I really can't get my head around this one. I swear I have only just stopped buying nappies, I blinked and she grew up. I can't say that it makes me feel broody, its more of a nostalgic feel and a scream of

"NO I AM NOT THAT OLD YET"

I am one proud mum, she is a credit to herself- kind, thoughtful and caring.

Other beary news, the BBAA are fast approaching (entry by 31st July, piccies by September, I think) and planning is underway...........in my head though. I think I will enter two catagories this year, its all a bit scary. I was in the beginners class last year and boy was that tough but if you don't enter then you don't strive to be the best you can be and push your boundaries, well that what I think.

Bye bye for now and lots of beary hugs to you all

Sue

XXXXXXXXXXX

Bourbon

2009-05-07T07:25:00.002+01:00

I would like you all to meet Bourbon, he is tricky little fella, who just wouldn't be photographed for love nor money, hehe!!!!
He is a gorgeous chocolate brown colour and measures a wee 3 3/4 inches tall.
He is 5 way cotter-pin jointed and filled with glass beads and top quality fibre fill.
He has tiny little black boot button eyes and I have both shaded and needle sculpted around his eye sockets

He is available from me via my blog at the moment, website issues!!!!!
So if you would like to give little Bourbon a home, his adoption fee is £35 plus £5 UK p&p and £8 overseas p&p

Many thanks for visiting Bourbon, hopefully I will be able to sort the website probs soon
Huggies for now
Sue xxxx

Blossom and the weekend

2009-05-03T12:09:00.007+01:00

Well its back to work today, after the long weekend. I had a great weekend but have woken with neck ache and a bad head this morning.............................that taxman has a lots to answer for!!!! I swear its the stress of it, I checked the website but its the same as it was last week, so I have a horrible feeling that the tech guys didn't fix the problem.
Anyway summer is on the way, this is the cherry blossom tree in the front of the garden and the other picture is of our mad rampant Clemetis that covers our sewage system.

Isn't it fabulous

If ever you need a fast going pretty climber to cover something unsightly then a Clemetis is your gal.

I have revamped my blog this weekend, do you like it? I also spent an age trying to match my website to it, boy was that fustrating. Webs is great but it does have its limits, especially when you are not that computer savvyed. Hubs eventually fell out with me, well it did take most of Saturday and Sunday morning !!!! oops ;) I do hope the lady who made the graphics doesn't mind but I did put a link to her blog on the front of my home page, her designs are very beautiful.

Speaking of family, my baby has finally grown up, NO not my daughter, Hubs, I mean.
We didn't go to the truck festival, he decided that it wasn't worth it and we couldn't really afford it. I was so shocked I nearly fainted, a few years ago, he would have sulked and stamped a few feet, but not know, I am so proud of him. He was disappointed but very adult about it!!!!
I finished a little bear, who is patiently waiting a name and also work on a little blue bear for a commission, so very busy as ususal.
Yesterday we went to a caravan shop, we had a nice look round, it was a "what I would do if I won the lottery" trip. For second hand vans, they were a bit expensive but a lot had sold stickers on and times of collection. I am sure you could get a good deal on a brand new van right now, as these were about the £10,000 mark. We had a look at tents.....................um, I really don't think they are for me though, I just imagined myself cooking on a camp stove, with the dog running around and my blood pressure rose instantly.

To finish off, I thought you might like to see this, it was taken with my camera and I have never used the video facility before, so its very short but here is Dixie enjoying the water.

Funny she hated it as a puppy, we had to make crazy patterns in the air to entice her.......................................be careful what you wish for, this is now her favourite toy and it does cause problems when you are trying to water the plants that you have just lovingly planted, hehe!!!!!!!! She tramples everywhere to get to the hose pipe.

Bear of the month and the tax man

2009-05-01T07:56:00.004+01:00

This is Algernon, he is my bear of the month for May. He is a really early bear of mine (no.19) and as such is a softie and quite light in weight. He can be found by clicking the link, which takes you through to my website. I started the bear of the month awhile ago for members of my website, all you need to do is to register, its free. Algernon is available for £42 plus postage.
I hope you agree he really is a little different but sweet none the less.

Arrrrrrrrrrrrghhh the taxman!!!!! I was a really good girl last week and submitted my tax return, now before you are all too impressed, I am due a refund and just that little bit will get me up to date with my bills. After a few days I checked my account and it was telling me a funny message about "nothing to view", so last Friday I rang them and was told everything was fine and no further action was required by the taxman. Great money in a few days!!!! Move forward to this week, no cash, ooops and a few swear words!!!! I rang again yesterday and was told they had not received my return (submitted online)!!!!!?????? What??? It was in limbo, LIMBO, sorry the taxman doesn't do limbo, its automatic, computer generated. Did I have a submission number...........................................YES!!!!!!! I did, she couldn't help me, ring back in a month!!!! NO, I don't think so, I would be toast, bills wise, if I have to wait a month. When I got home I checked my printed submission and YES it declared the tax man had received it, so like a dog with a bone I rang again. It just shows you that if your gut tells you something is wrong then it probably is. This time I spoke to a lovely lady who told me the computer tax calculator had gone wobbley and the tech guys were going to fix it this weekend, as a result you can submit your tax return but everything after that is suspended. I have not got a clue if my money will turn up next week or if I have to wait for someone to manually check my submission.
I am sure that some of you are wondering if I make all this up, for those that regularily read my blog (and for that I am truely grateful) will know my path in life is never a smooth one, hehe!!
No my life is really like this, I think that when I was born, God saw my future struggles and gave me a rod of iron down my back and blessed me with the most optimistic nature, otherwise I think I would have gone mad by now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hubs says I am just bl**dy minded, um!!!
The plans for the weekend were to go to the truck festival, I even have discount vouchers for the entrance but now I am not so sure what to do, it's not my cup of tea. I do think hubby deserves a break though and maybe I will surprise him ;)
Anyway have a beautiful weekend whatever you are up to XXX
Huggies
Sue xx

A Present, Man Flu and Other Stuff

2009-04-27T07:29:00.006+01:00

Look what I received in the post, all the way from South Africa. Remember I mentioned a lovely surprise last Saturday when I got home from the craft fair, well this was it.
It came from a lovely lady whom I met through blogland, I am not sure if she would mind me telling you her name so for now she will be anonymous. The card is one of Catherine Young's (Bumpkin Bears) and is just beautiful and such quality. The little fella I have named Huggles, he is so soft and squiggy, he is made in South Africa (not China) and is embelished with little roses. There was also a key ring embroidered with a taxi on, which I am told is the source of some fun in South Africa and a gorgeous piece of mini bear fabric. I am not sure what I really did to deserve these things, I only offered a little advice and some support for a new bear maker. She really has a talent for this bear stuff and she is already making very sweet lovely bears and she has not been making them for long. So go girl............................................................................I have met some lovely people in this bear business of ours, who are willing to give encouragement, advice and tips. The help I recieved in the begging was invaluable and without it I would not have gotton this far, so to all the bear makers out there who do give freely of their time and advice I thank you from the bottom of my heart and to the lady in SA I thank you because you didn't have to, but you did, and it was wonderful to know you appreciated my words.

Well this weekend was quite, after the last few weekends I chilled out at home, only venturing to do the supermarket dash. We have an invalid at home at the moment, hubs has had a "cold" or "man flu" for the last few weeks, you now the sort that lingers, never to completely come out nor disappear. To be fair he has been in a lot of pain with his face, nose and joints.....................................actually EVERY BIT OF HIM HURTS, don't laugh he really is ill!!!!! Whilst I am sympathetic, I am getting fed up with having to raid our local pharmacy every day for potential remedies, of course it isn't a simple cold with the added problem of the rape flowering in the field opposite, its a chest infection, or "I don't know what I've got" infection. My opinion is he is run down, its been a rough few years since we lost his mum and I did warn him he was pushing himself too hard, not sleeping etc BUT I have been gracious and not said the "I TOLD YOU SO"................................................................don't worry I will get it in at some point. One thing he did do was pull the caravan out for an overhaul.................................not sure why as we can't afford to go anywhere at the moment, like everyone else we have very little spare money, in fact we are on a minus each month.....................come on Gordon Brown, sort it out. I felt a little teary eyed I must say, for years we didn't go on holiday, you don't miss what you have never had and then friends suggested we go with them on a Sun holiday (the newspaper) they are great and very very cheap. Until then we didn't realise how important it was to have a break away from your everyday life, you see the holidays stopped again when we got our GSD Dixie, we left her once with my mum and we spent the whole week worrying, we could tell things were not hunky dorry at home. Dixie had ripped the wall paper, demolished the bathroom carpet, growled at my dad and mum had to sleep on the settee with the dog for the first 3 nights. We then didn't holiday that next 18 months and it was aweful. So last year we bought a caravan from ebay, its a cracker, a biggy. We had to buy an older 4x4 to tow it but there is 3 of us and a dog. Now before you all mutter carbon footprint, we use this 4x4 for holidays and the thing does about 1500 miles a year so not a lot of carbon. It is currently off the road due to no MOT or tax, I let it lapse at the end of last year........................christmas coming and all that......................bad move, as we now have to spend money on that as well. I totted up how much money we needed and then screwed it up again...........................................................:(

I have also re-listed William on ebay............see I told you ebay and I were a bit at odds with each other. I have lowered his reserve and listed him at that starting point. He did get a lot of watchers, bless him and some bids but ebay seemed very quite this week, with several artists not selling. I told him (William) it's not cos they don't love you, I am sure there are a few collectors out there that would love to give you a home BUT its the way of the world at the moment, don't cry!!!! Hehehe!!!

Bye bye for now

Huggies Sue xx

Ebay and A Raffle Win

2009-04-20T07:47:00.004+01:00

William on ebay
Well I have finally listed William on ebay for 7 days, ending on Sunday night at 7.29pm. I have started him at 99p with a reserve at £55, no takers yet but I do have several watchers. But boy was it a hassle to list him, burnt dinner ensued!!!! I use Activa listing template and since my last listing in February they have changed it all and I lost all my templates!!! So I decided to just go with ebay this time, ok higher fees but at least it would be done in time to dish up dinner!!! Not so, I couldn't put my arrow in the description box at all, no matter how hard I tried, it was not having any of it. I have to admit to loosing my temper at this point and we had charcoal chicken for lunch.........................a new flavour!!!!! I eventually gave up and tried again later with Auctiva and it all worked, I can never firgure computers out they baffle me. I am not sure if he will sell, he is gorgeous and I am very happy with him but ebay and I don't have a great selling relationship, buying is a different matter. I seem to see bargains everywhere, especially when I am broke, like now. The so called "credit crunch" bit us in the poverbial butt last September and like everyone else I feel we are paying for the mistakes made by our banks. Don't get me on this one as I will be on my soap box for days, hehe!!! BUT why are the credit card companies INCREASING their interest rates when the Bank of England has reduced the base rate to vertually zero!!!! Come on Gordon Brown most of us home owners locked our mortgages into fixed rates!!! So has the drop in rates been helpful, NO!!!! Of soap box, yes you can do it gal, just step off ;)

Anyway I had a very busy weekend, on Saturday I rushed off shopping at 9am and did a supermarket sweep in 20 minutes, rushed home, unloaded shopping and loaded the car with my beary things. I have to say I was cursing "him who has man flu" all the way round, he insisted the shopping was done before I went off for the afternoon.
Ok let me back track a few months, I was asked if I would like to exhibit in a local craft fair, by a lovely lady called Avril, who is one of my daughters Kung Fu teachers. I said "yes, no probs, just let me know when.........................!" Well it was Saturday, so grumpy (hubby by another name) was none too happy, you see I had my quota of days out (1) for the last 3 months when I went to Nottingham on Bank Holiday Monday, only 5 days previous, how dare I???!!!!
So off I trots, now I didn't actually expect to sell anything and to be truthful that was not the point, I was on the artist bear promotions trail. It was a lovely afternoon and no, I didn't sell but I had loads of lovely questions and conversations about bears and "what an artist bear was". I donated a bear for the raffle and was very pleased when he was picked on the 3rd ticket, although a little girl won the first ticket and nearly picked him up, much to the dismay of several watchers but Quality Streets were her choice in the end. In the end he went to a very nice lady, who I had spend a good while in conversation earlier. At these things, I have a history of never winning anything and as more and nore tickets were pulled, the object of my desires sat there taunting me and I just knew we were destined not to be together...........................................................................................but I WON and grabbed this painting as fast as fast can be, It is painted by Avril of Kung Fu and it just classy, don't you think?

So the moral for today, give yourself freely, as you never know what will happen!!!!! I had another little surprise in the post when I got home, but more of that later!!!
Feel free to pay William a visit, he will be happy to see you in cold ebayland, his link is just below his picture.
Huggies for now
Sue xx

An Old Bear - William

2009-04-17T07:46:00.002+01:00

I would like you to meet William, now he is very special to me. Why??? I adore old looking bears and have wanted to "have a go" for ages. I think each artist must have, in their head, the idea of the perfect bear that they would like to make, some aim for a modern bear but for me I have wanted to try ageing a bear since I started this wonderful journey. The thought of where to start has, to be honest, put me off, the idea that you have to desecrate a gorgeous piece of mohair by plucking and "painting" is a really difficult thing to get a handle on, but as the burning need has been gathering a pace for many months now, I decided to just go for it.
William is the first, I have to say the little imp gave me bruises from the plucking and earned me scowls from the other members of the household!!! what do they know??? Back to William, he is a handsome fella at just over 11 inches and I have distressed him, which doesn't really show in the sunny pictures, he is floppy with a nice heavy feel and a wobbly head. I am not sure where to place him, he may venture onto ebay at the weekend (Sunday).

If you are interested in giving William a home, then please do email me for details etc and I will try to take some less sunny pics hehe!!!

Nottingham Bear Fair

2009-04-15T07:27:00.006+01:00

I just thought I would show you some of my piccies from the Nottingham Bear Fair, which was on Bank Holiday Monday and boy was it a great day. I sold a quite a few bears and the crowds were eager and plenty. It did tail off in the afternoon but the morning was buzzing. I made some new friends and met with some old ones, a good day was had by all. Nottingham is only a small venue and is a little strange as everyone can't fit in the main building, so they use a log cabin as you enter the main car park, that was were I was. I was a little disappointed but actually I think we were busier than the main building, plus you do get a bigger table.
I caught up with Andrea of Cubbyhole Cubs, Vicki of Baggaley Bears and Jenni's Bears (get that website done). I met Sue Quinn, which was a delight and her hedgehogs...............well they are just so sweet and such a lovely lady, as was Emily of Martha Makes, she makes the most sweetest bears and so tiny.
On the collector's side I had a great long chat with a lady called Julie (?? sorry I so am rubbish at names) I was sorry I missed her at the end, as by the time she had finished talking to me she had bought her first kit.........................good for you and I hope she gets in touch to let me know how she gets on....................even if I have her name wrong.

I do think that hats off to Maria who organised a great fair and really pushed on the advertising front, as most of us had a good sales day. I was a little worn out at the end as to be honest I did not stop talking all day.................hehe!! shy type that I am. Kat from Brierley Bears came for a visit and bless her she has booked for August so that will be great as I can't wait to see her bears. It was also a thrill to meet Barbara of Barbara Ann Bears and she is the nicest person you could wish to meet, she had amazing bright orange hair to match her kaftan top but boy was I thrilled when she said she had seen and heard of me, we had a cracking conversation about eyes and I will be winging my way to her website for some old eyes and some vintage fabric, it maybe slightly more expensive but that stuff is pure gold. Well I am sure by now that you get the picture and if you haven't been before, its certainly one to peg in your dairy.

I did promise a picture of Herbie last week and I got so carried away making bears last week that I didn't get round to it, there is always one more to do, isn't there?
So here is Herbie, he is about 4 inches and has a hand knitted scarf of fine mohair.
He will be going onto my website sometime this week at £25 plus postage of £5. So if you would like to give Herbie a home please contact me via email (top left of my blog) and he could be your new friend.
Added 16/04/09: I have just added Herbie to my website so if you would like to take a peak, here is a link FenBeary Folk

So got to go for now, as back at work today!!!!! It goes so quick, time flies is so true.

Wedding Tinkles and Herbie

2009-04-05T11:27:00.002+01:00

Yes Wedding Tinkles not Bells, the tinkles are for my brother, he got married yesterday, I think? Does that surprise you that I don't know, well it does me. It all started a few months ago when my mum told me that my brother and his girlfriend are planning to marry in the Autumn. Now she is from another European country, so the plan was for them to marry there. A few weeks later I was told that they may just head off to a registry office and get married here, without any fuss. Ok by me, we do after all live in a free country and everyone has the right to do as they please, does that sound bad, it's not meant to, I am a great believer in everyone being equal regardless of colour, creed or anything else, so if that is what they want then that's fine. I jokingly said we could gatecrash, I wouldn't have, its not my style. Jump forward to Friday and my mum tells me they are getting married tomorrow with 2 witnesses, no family. I feel fine with that, a little sorry for my mum as she is heading off for a planned visit next week, so they could have waited or timed it better, but hey its their life.
You see I am writing this with tears in my eyes, why? because he has not told me himself nor has he contacted me to let me know that he is now married, I feel slightly hurt by this. He once along time ago told my mum that we were not close and believe me this was news to me, we don't live near each other but I have always felt that come whatever I would always be there for him if he needed me. A few years after that he told me he would never come back home to live as the area he was bought up in was full of louts who drank all the time and good for nothings, I did point out that we were not all like that and his reply was to tell me how un-cultured and un-educated we were.........................................say no more. This issue has a double edged sword for me as I sit here feeling very sad, you see a "colleague" a few months ago, during a heated exchange said that the trouble with me is that I always think everything is about ME, so you see I can't even feel sorry for myself anymore as I know the whole world is not about me, I never thought it was, now everytime I feel hurt, anger or sadness by what someone has said her words echo in my head..................see she was right. I just need a hug sometimes, like everyone else.
Huggies to everyone and I will post piccies of Herbie tomorrow, if you all don't mind, I haven't the heart to take his picture at the mo and I don't think I could see through the tears either.
Blessings xxxxx

Lily

2009-04-02T07:14:00.003+01:00

I would like you to meet Lily, she is a friend for Periwinkle.
I delivered her to her new mum yesterday and she is now happily playing with her new friend.

I have been soooooooooooooo busy both at work and at home but tonight I am off work till the 16th April, don't get me wrong I love my job BUT a full time job doesn't go well with getting ready for a show. I vow each time I will be organised and be ready, it never seems to happen!!! Why is that....................best laid plans and all that hehe!!! My current situation is 2 complete bears, 3 bears need finishing, 5 bears part sewn, 3 bears waiting to be cut out and about 10 in my head, I have 11 days to go. The maths just don't add up, do they? I don't mind telling you I am starting to get stressed, one of my biggest problems is I am always trying to work out what collectors will like and I always feel that I miss it somehow. It's a case of shall I make that bear or that one or that one and I end up feeling that which ever one I choose I should be making another one, boy my head is just swimming, if anyone has the answer...................................I beg you tell me.

On the health front, I am feeling much better. I went and had a mini blood test (to check my kidney function) last week and having realised that they had not given me enough pills in the first place, put in an order prior to my visit. Boy what a drama, it transpires the "locum" I saw originally had not put on my records that I should up my dose after 2 weeks, so a lot of tutting and doctor consults went on, to see if I was allowed further medication. Now why would I double my medication without the doctor telling me too, I ask you!!!! Well eventually they agreed, under protest I add, I went back on Monday to find out the results and surprise surprise I did need the higher dose and my blood pressure is now at 138 over 84, which is amazing, no wonder I feel so much better, less tight heads, more energy and less down.........................................I was found Sunday morning dancing to Hot Chocolate's I believe in miracles, much to hubbies amusement!!!!!! At this rate I will be dancing on the ceiling in weeks, well maybe not.

I will hopefully have a few little one to show you over the next week, so keep paying me a visit and if you are in my neighbourhood then why not come and see me at The Nottingham Bear Fair
I will be the mad lady dancing in the aisles!!!!!

Betrayal and A Commission Bear

2009-03-24T07:28:00.000Z

I am cut to the quick, I have been betrayed by my own flesh and blood. The incident occurred on Sunday, I decided to take a bath, not a regular thing as I normally have a shower, quicker. Anyway I had a lovely Mothers Day, I went to see my mum and delivered her a bear that she had been eyeing for awhile and she was delighted. Hubby was painting the living room, so he was happy, like a pig in muck. When we got back I checked my usual pc for emails and posts etc, that is when I made my fatal error, I left my blog OPEN and went for a bath....................................................needless to say nosey parkers were about in the shape of our daughter!!!!!! She decide to see what her mum had been posting, oops!!!! She only went and read out my last post about hubby's training to hubby :(

So this is a message from my darling Husband "I have not undergone any training, I am naturally a loving caring supportive Husband, in fact a model for others to aspire to. I have no problems doing most of the housework, while my adorable wife makes her bears. It is a lie that I curse the mohair in my sandwiches nor do I refer to my wife's bear making as a "hobby". I ask you to refute any further adverse posts in my honour" YEAH RIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the beary front, this little fella was finished this weekend and duly delivered yesterday to his new mum, he doesn't have a name yet. I hope you like him.

Sunshine and Wilton

2009-03-16T07:26:00.003Z

What a glorious weekend, such a contrast to a few weeks ago when we had snow and more snow.
I had a lovely weekend, my head behaved itself and I was able to get so much done, no not housework, I went food shopping Saturday morning while hubby did a few chores. I came back to a tidy house and washing on the the line. Now before you all groan with envy, it has taken me awhile to get to this level of training, by being firm you can achieve success. I must admit though winning an award did help, my "hobby" took on a new meaning for him after that. I am on the count down to Nottingham on Easter Monday, 4 weekends to go. Sunday was an even better day and I sat outside trimming, I hate this chore, fluff everywhere but at least in the sunshine I can let the mohair waft across the grass, the birds nests in our area are mohair lined. Do you like the view, this is out the front of the house and what a view. When we moved in nearly 8 years ago, the hedges were about 15 ft high and it was all gravel??? Never understand why anyone would want to live in the country and not enjoy the natural surroundings, suffice it to say the hedges didn't last long

On the beary front I finished 3 wee mini's, I am debating clothing the other 2, a lilac one and a lovely green one, so I can't show you them yet. This is Wilton, so called after those lovely carpets, he is velvety too the touch and I have painted/aged him. He is 4 inches tall and a skinny bear. I have so far been making the usual fatter chubby mini's and thought I would challange myself by going for something a little more traditional. Boy was he fiddly but worth it, I have another piece of this fabric which is more on the russet tones, so I will be making another in this style, called.................Axminster, hehehe! LOL!

Hope you all have a beary good day, huggies Sue xxx

Tablets and mohair

2009-03-12T13:14:00.002Z

Well Hi everyone, just wanted to give you all a quick update on the old pills that the doc gave me last week, was supposed to be posting this all this morning but guess what NO INTERNET!!!!! Luckily this time it is not PC related, its handy having a laptop and an ipod touch in the house, you can check these things. It did not prevent my soapbox rantings whilst driving to work this morning though, I mean really in this day and age you would think that BT and the internet providers would get their act together and update all our flippin cables, so this inconvenience doesn't happen................off soapbox hehe!
The pills are great, I had a few minor side effects, the first few days but after that they have seemed to settle down. I am not sure if I am having a placebo grace period, as I seem to have bags of energy, scarily so. Yes I know shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth but......................I am so used to feeling, well knackered and now I feel great. I feel positive to the point of conquering the world. Them damned placebo's hehehe!!!!!

On the beary front, I have gone from OMG feeling I'm not going to get it all done to yay bring it on. I have been working on 2 mini patterns, one completely new. I have cut and sewn a commission bear (3 more to go) and also cut 2 12 inch bears. Nottingham is 4 weeks on Monday and boy is time running out. I have decided that organisation is the key, so if I sew one mini limb a day ;) then I will get there. I wish I could have taken a piccie of all the spare parts, they are sat on my desk at home in a huge pile. I have some very unusual Sassy fabric that I am really looking forward to showing you, I do like a bit of something different, it stretches the mind.
I am also on the look out for a bookcase/display for my minis, something in cream I think but gosh its hard to find anything, so far I have done Homebase, Matalan and TK Max, tonight is Dunelm's turn, wish me look.
Oh and I have also booked a week off just before Easter to make more bears (happy dancing here)
Beary hugs and byes for now
Sue xx

My Swap Bear

2009-03-08T06:42:00.004Z

I can finally give you all details of the swap that I have taken part in. The idea is really neat and was organised by Peta of Wazza Bears on a teddy forum I belong to, Teddy Talk. Your names get drawn and paired with fellow Bear Artist and you then make a bear for that person. Now you may think that any ole bear will do but not so, as we artist are lovely people we all try to make the very best bear we can to send to our partners. Peta did an exceptional job she managed to pair artist very sympathetically and it was a great success.
So here is the bear that I received. He came from Sheryl Morrow of S M Designs and Gone to the Dogs, here is a link to her website, she makes fantastic dogs as well as bears, a talented lady. Well here is Shaiming, which means Sunshine and that he is, he came with a lovely wooden box and a necklace, just gorgeous, isn't he.
He is my very first artist bear and is sitting proudly amongst my Steiff's, its funny as it turned out it was Sheryl's first artist bear as well, which was special for both of us.

My bear to Sheryl, after a little fishing and a few discrete questions. I decided to make Sheryl a fairy bear and so Fidget Elfwand was born. Sheryl was so patient with me as the wings do take quite a long time to complete and then she was in transit for nearly 2 weeks, I can tell you I was getting worried that Sheryl didn't like her BUT I was so happy when the delay was the post offices and Sheryl was over the moon. So here is Fidget.............................
She is made from a peachy/pink Schulte mohair/silk, it difficult to tell from the piccie but she is shaded all over to compliment the wings. You can see why I rarely take pics outside, windswept or what!!!!Bless her, she is happy with her new mom and as for me I am delighted and will be taking part in further swaps.

Beary Hugs
Sue xx

Black Thursday update

2009-03-06T07:15:00.002Z

Firstly I would like to say a huge thanks to all of you who posted and sent messages of support, its so nice to have cyber friends who care.

Ok Black Thursday turned into a storm in a teacup day, thank god. My mum is fine, it turns out she had calcium deposits that had been there on her last test 3 years ago, so everyone was extremely relieved. They had not changed at all so the Doc felt there was no need to do any further tests.

Our daughter got stood up!!! We are not sure what happened at the moment but her reply was "his loss" I did point out that in my day people phoned, it was the polite thing to do, then I saw the look that only a daughter will give a mother and decided I was turning into the mother of the above mentioned tests, at that point I beat a hasty retreat and kept gob shut. I have promised her a gooey cake today, she works with me today, from the local bakery and promised her that a cake with loads of cream is far better than any lad any day, having received the withered look I now got the rolled eye look. I told her she will agree with me one day.

Now my turn, I have the pills and start to take them today, they are called Perindopril which I understand can give you a cough, so will have to watch for that one. I have to start with a low dose and increase in 2 weeks, with further blood test in 3 weeks. All the other tests, liver, kidney, diabetes etc were NORMAL yipee. I think the doctor was a little surprised at how good everything else was, my colesterol was 3.1.............................yes 3.1. Having been told the other week by the doctor that we will have to think of foods that will lower my colesterol, I had to smile to myself when she look a tad surprised it was so low.
You see I am not a small woman, in fact I weigh...............ok honesty here about 18 stone. People will judge a book by its cover won't they, obesity is unhealthy. I have been overweight/obese all my life and until 5 years ago I never understood why. I then came across a healthy eating plan by a Californian Heart Doctor. I followed his teaching and understood for the first time in my life the why's. After 2 weeks I lost 15lbs, after a year I lost 6 stone. I discovered that I am allergic to wheat, it doesn't give me a rash or any other side effects other than obesity and an irritable bowel. Surfice it to say the Doctors didn't believe me and constantly asked me if I had cut the chocolate and crisps!!!!! Well then the headaches started and I found that without bread they were twice as bad, so on went the weight again.
Today I feel more positive and after this medication is sorted I plan to go back to this eating plan again, so stay tuned and you can follow me on the diet and see how I get on, in about 2 weeks.
So all's well in the Pemblington House today....................tomorrow is another day, hehehe!

Oh and my dad was well cheesed off as he brags to mum that his colereol is only 5 and hers is higher, so she is now saying "Its not as low as our Susan's" sorry dad

Thanks again all of you and I hope you all have a lovely nice day
Huggies Sue xx

Black Thursday and Motherhood

2009-03-05T07:37:00.001Z

Well today is the day I find out my results of my blood tests, I wasn't that worried as I have known this past year that the inevitable was acomin!!! I have done really well to have lasted so long but according to Hubby "I've just accepted it and given up" UH!!! I have been struggling/battling all my married life and am so fed up of the tight vice around my head, so roll on 5.50 when my appointment is. Believe me I could use all the help I can get.

My mum is off to the hospital on the same day, slightly more scary. She had routine tests that are a bit dodgy, so she has to go for a few more. She is quite calm about it all and although most of the time she twitters on about this and that ailment, when the chips are down she is a trooper. I do hope I inherit that stiff upper lip of hers, she did pass on her best qualities to me, so I am hopeful. So thinking of you mum and love you to bits xx

My third and final trauma of today is my daughter is meeting a lad after college (please don't tell her that I am telling you all, she would kill me) Really the trauma is how I feel, some of you will now from a previous post that she has a medical condition, its not an issue but due to how life has been, I don't mind telling you I am terrified. Our daughter is the most fantastic young lady who cares about how I feel and to be honest she deserves a nice time and a happy life. Over the years I have developed, what I will call a phobia.........................a terrifying fear that something will happen to her. Now I know all mothers have an inbuilt protective instinct but mine has gone beyond that. Ok lets rewind a bit, so you understand. A year after we were married we had a little baby boy, he would have been 20 in August this year, he was born 2 months premature and died at 9 days old, to be honest its not something that you accept, you just learn to live with it. 2 years later my joy came when we had our daughter, a full-term very healthy baby. At a week old I developed a bad cough, at 3 weeks old she started coughing, at 5 weeks she was in hospital for a month with whooping cough, seriously ill. She developed epilepsy at 4 years old and had several emergency trips in an ambulance, with fits lasting at worse 3 hours. So you can see were this phobia gathered pace. I am sure she will be fine, its me that is not. I worry all the time, silly I even worry that she will not watch what she is doing when she crosses the road..............................now how bad is that, she is nearly 18 for crying out loud. Well ta for listening to my mumblings this morning, I really appreciate it.....................oh and hubby is worse than me!!!! So he is not told anything until after the event, bless him.

PS She is a purple sash in Kung Fu (Thats 2 below a black belt-thumbs up here)

Dyeing (yummy) and housework (yuck) !!!

2009-03-01T12:50:00.005Z

I arrived home on Friday night to find a note from the postman...........a parcel, yipee.......................well I had 2 choices, it could be my fabric from Susan at Bear Basics or my long awaited fabric from Sassy Bears . I didn't think it was my fabric from Susan, way to quick. So off we trots to town, luckily the depot is open Saturday morning. Well it was both parcels, I couldn't believe it, I only ordered from Susan Wednesday dinner, wow that's was very quick. Thanks ;)

I floated round the supermarket dreaming of little hand dyed traditional bears and trying to form a pattern in my head for the Sassy.................needless to say I am not sure if I ended up with all the supplies I needed hehe!! LOL hey-ho

On Sunday the great plan was to try the hand dyeing, very easy to do, just mix and microwave. Well maybe the doing is the easy bit and the "getting the colour just right" is the hard bit.........um you can say that again. More later...........first I had to get past "the housework"

I have come to the conclusion that I would be a top contender for an award for not doing housework, is there one?? The Slovenly Maid Award here I come. Now don't get me wrong my pots are clean, my toilet is clean etc but its the corners and the dust, OH the dust. Anyway there's me sat pre-dye mode finishing a little bear in a lovely violet colour, oh the bliss of Sunday morning. Hubby is in painting mode and in the bathroom, having decided to paint the ceiling, ok whatever floats your boat, honey. I lasted all of 20 minutes before the cry came (why is it men cannot do things alone) off I goes to investigate and find a light shade thrust in my face, "wash this". Ok I can do that................foot pads not finished yet!!!! Armed with a damp sponge I sets to. OMG, the dust, it was that bad I swear they (dust mites) had build skyrise flats in the creases, it was so thick. Like a hurricane I swept them away and that was the moment I decided I needed the "Sloven Award of the year". HEHE!!! like I said to hubby, you knew 20 years ago when you married me, I was not kitchen sink slave, his reply.............well lets just say NOT REPEATABLE. Before you all tut at me in disgust, just remember years ago our mothers kept house, yes they washed in twin tubs and used non steam irons, walked 100 miles to the shops in bare feet BUT they didn't work................................gosh thats another topic isn't it, Modern woman vs House slave!!!

I finally took the opportunity to dye my bit of sparse, I went for Arctic Green Apple with a smidgen of Tamarindo (the brown to you) heavy handed!!! just a little, a smidgen too much I think. The result as my daughter so eloquently put it "like a rotten apple core" YES I cried that was what I was after (snigger here) like hell it was, I was aiming for an apple green with a hint of brown. Back to the mixing bowl for me.................................Hubby was last seen on the stairs, having finished the bathroom ceiling, he started on the stairs, bless him and you know what he doesn't drink or like football either, what more could a girl ask for?????

My tears for Candy Floss

2009-02-27T07:14:00.003Z

Well not quite tears, the Candy Floss in the title is a bear I made just under a year ago, gosh that long. When I had finished her I was so so proud, why cos she was had a unique nose and it was the first time I felt I could do this craft, no I mean really really crack this wonderful, fantastic huggable world of bears.
Anyway she went to her new home yesterday.................to Joan, she is a great woman, real and like me has a bit of life thrown at her sometimes. I am not sure why I decided to part with her having made the decision to keep Candy all that long ago, I suppose I felt Candy deserved better than being on my shelf, looking after all the new bears that came along and went, seemed a bit unfair to her in the end. I know Joan will love her to bits, so Candy is finally where she belongs, to be hugged and loved by a lady who was the first to meet her, can't get better than that, can you? It would have been cruel to have kept her.
This morning, I am reminded of a friends (I would like to think she is, cos she is a fantastic artist and has my utmost respect) plight to find a bear from her early days, having sold all the bears she made, she dearly wishes that she had kept a bear from those days.................................I wonder how many other artists wish they had kept a bear. You see you never end up making a bear for yourself, I am not sure why that is. Maybe like me, bringing pleasure to others is more important than anything else. Not a bad thing.
Anyway thanks Joan for giving Candy Floss the love she deserves.

Other news um!!!! No fabric yet???? Two weeks now, so hopefully they will arrive today from the US. I can't wait, I just hope Mr Customs man hasn't decided that my parcel is suspect and is holding said parcel for ransom. The other thing I have been looking into for awhile now is hand dyeing, so I was really really bad and ordered some ivory sparse from Susan at Bear Basics . I then went in search of some Kool aid, its an American drink that dyes natural fibres in soft colours. I liked the idea of these as you can control the amount of drink you use and therefore control the colour outcome, no doubt the fabric will arrive today and the drink will arrive next week, just so I can't play this weekend!!!!

I am also finally an artist bear collector. I took part in a bear swop....................................more about that next week, when my bear arrives in the US, wouldn't be right to show you a piccie when she hasn't arrived at her new moms yet :)

Well Huggies for now
Sue xx

PS damned headache is still with me !!!!!!

A week of !!!!!????

2009-02-23T07:39:00.003Z

It was half term week here last week, not that it affects me any more as Catherine is old enough to be left at home. Boy is that a tough one, when they get old enough, are they responsible, will they be ok. I have to say I still worry and we text each other on and off all day, so far she has been fine, thank god, strange you may think considering she is 18 in June but at the age of 4 she was diagnosed with epilepsy, so for me leaving her at home 20 miles from where I work was difficult but we have always tried to encourage her to not let this condition hinder her, after all there is alot worse things that she could have. Anyway back to my week, it started really bad as last sunday I came down with another bad head, sunday was a write off and so was monday, which was very annoying as I had a bear to finish for a swop (more of that next week) Well this damned headache didn't go til Thursday afternoon.
I have suffered bad heads for the last 4 years, in the begining it was every weekend, now they appear every 4 to 6 weeks depending on how stressed I am. Bear making has really helped, it can be very therapeutic sewing. I didn't understand why it had lasted so long this time, the first 2 days I couldn't function but luckily it subside enough for me to go to work on tuesday, ther is a moment when I wake that I am completely headache free, its bliss but then by the time I get up and have a shower the old pounding starts, very annoying. I have sinus problems as well and that I am sure doesn't help and the other major thing is blood pressure, this issue has finally come to ahead this week. I visited the nurse last friday for my usual 12 week injection and the nurse said enough was enough that I had raised blood pressure for too long (the past 14 years) It has constantly gone up and then down but now it is permenantly high, so off I trotts to the docs. And there I have my answer to my headache my BP was 170/100 oops, I am to have tests on wednesday, as they can test your blood to determine which tablets are best, neat no trial and error. A few years ago I would have been disappointed that I needed tablets but if it helps this constant fuzzy tight horrible heads then hoorah!!!! I will let you know how I get on next week as I have to wait for a week for the results......................and of course they are testing diabetes, colesterol etc......................so crossed fingers the rest is ok, she did test my heart and that is fine, thank god.

As for bear making I finally finished my swop bear with Sheryl but you will have to wait for piccies (just until my little bear arrives at Sheryls) I can show you a bear that I have just finished for the Nottingham Bear Fair in April, she is a little sweetie and is called Daisy May, she is made from long white mohair and has a really sweet face.
As you can see the epitome of spring

Periwinkle

2009-02-15T19:36:00.003Z

Hi there, this is Periwinkle, cute eh?? I think so, he is a little smidgen of a fella at 4 inches and I have just listed him for sale on my website. I actually made him a few weeks ago but he was missing something..........................................his scarf. YES I hand knitted that using 2mm cable needles, for those who like old money(me)..................size 14's !!!!!!Flippin tiny is all I can say but it actually was a joy to make, once I got used to it. I used Rowan's Kidsilk Haze, gogeous stuff, it reminds me of the high quality mohair you used to be able to buy in the '80s. The pompoms are made using a template from a penny, hehe! If you would like to take a peak at my website, you will find all the details on the Bears needing a home page.

Sorry I couldn't resist another piccie, here he is lounging between takes, very laid back, George Clooney eat your heart out. I have made him from smokey long pile, such fabulous stuff, in a teal colour and shush! I have just placed another order for some more in other colours, naughty aren't I?????
Hope you like him
Beary Hugs, Sue xx

Crumble

2009-02-10T07:10:00.002Z

Well here is Crumble, my latest commission bear. He is about 6 inches tall and gorgeous, if you don't mind me saying, hehe! I just fell in love with him but he was not mine for long as his new mom was waiting to cuddle him. He has gone to a good home and has friends to play with, Cookie and Muffin. I delivered him yesterday dinnertime to Tracey and she was delighted, which was a relief, its such a scary time. Will they, won't they is upper most in your mind. Have I interpreted what she wanted, correctly, I needn't have worried, she really loved him.
He is made from 9mm sparse mohair in a lovely warm creamy beige and has a plucked muzzle. I have extensively hand painted/aged him with a warm brown.
I will definately be making some more of this style, its were my heart is.
I hope you agree :)

Snow Days!!!!

2009-02-06T08:36:00.002Z

Well I am on my fourth Snow day. I did manage to get to work on Wednesday but the lovely fluffy white stuff reappeared yesterday morning, so no go again. This piccie was taken on Monday, mid afternoon and it doesn't look too bad, except it's 2 1/2 miles to the main road, has big dykes either side and four 90 degree bends on it!!!! By Tuesday it was the same but solid ice had formed on the partially melted bits. Thursday saw us awake to a blizzard and a bigger covering than Monday. This morning we have had our first snow fall of the day, its very very cold and the road is worse than Tuesday, so bear making here I come :)
My bosses are fantastic and take the view its not worth the risk and as most of us do live some distance from the town, the office has been shut for most of the week, thank god it was not last week (tax return deadline week) or we would have had a problem.
Last night I happened to catch a bit of Question Time, not my usual programme but as the weather had just been on and they announced that Will Young was on the programme, I left it on. Not that I am a huge fan of Will but wondered what on earth a singer/pop star was doing on that kind of programme. Well the first topic for discussion was the SNOW, surprise surprise. Did the government feel they had failed us by the country grinding to a halt? or something like that and How did they feel now the UK was a laughing stock?
Laughing stock!!!!! by whom, apparently we are expected to be organised like Russia and Canada, why!!!! The Labour politician, Geoff Hoon, gave a very good reply............................................................now don't think I am getting all political on you all, he just happened to point out that did we really want an army of snow ploughs on standby for the next major snow fall, say in another 10 to 15 years, our taxpayers money via council tax would have to pay for this????? NO I flipping well don't want my council to waste money that way, the last time I had to have a day off was about 5 years ago and it was 1 day, so it's not worth the expense in my opinion. Well back to Will Young, they went all around the table and each politician used the opportunity to slap the government over its handling of the situation!!!!Typical. The subject of what we teaching our children by this disgusting display of mass "stay at home" came up, shock horror, all our kids will grow up to give up at the slightest little thing. Well tell that to those kids that have mum's and dad's who have been in bad accidents these last few days, its ok son at least you now know that you have to try to get to work, even if it kills you. Finally the popstar was asked for his opinion................................For goodness sake he said, its snow, whats the problem, so the kids are off a few days, most have never seen that much snow, let alone build a snowman and had snowball fights with their parents or gone sledging. He remembered fond memories of when he was little.
So I say, memories thats what life is about. What kind of country have we become that a few innocent days playing in the snow should be marred by do-gooders saying "Thouht shall go to school" and Question Time have Will Young on again, he spoke more sense than the rest of them put together

Teddy Bear Club International changes

2009-02-05T16:50:00.003Z

Well important news came through my email box today. Teddy Bear Club International has become Teddy Bear Times, I say "becomes" but really it was that many moons ago.
Not that exciting on its own but it will now be bi-monthly, a sign of the times, well maybe.
As a collector I am horrified, we lost Teddy Bear Scene last year and now this, I understand the issues will be a lot bigger and a whole new layout.................glossier, for that I do think this maybe this is a good thing, to have more artists in each issue will be a bonus. More articles and interesting stories, can only be good. I will miss my trek to W H Smiths every month, it will seem an eternity till the next issue and for that I am very sad.
As an advertiser and supporter I am happy, the advertising fees are planning on remaining the same and due to there being 2 months between issues, surely it is easier for us artists to support them and advertise.
I hope that this is not the calm before the storm and we, in the UK, do not loose our last bear magazine. With this in mind, we should support them, when we can. I do hope that Kirste and her team can steer this change over successfully and deliver a truly awesome new format. I am sure she will do her very best, she is after all a dedicated archtoplie first before she is an editor.
Good luck Kirste, Krystyna and all the girls xxx

The next issue will be in the shops 16th March

New Valentine's Bears

2009-02-03T10:52:00.006Z

This is Peony, a winged fairy bear, who is named after the flower of love in feng shui. She is holding hand embroidered hearts, which look really sweet. She is about 5 inches tall and I am listing her on ebay tonight at a 99p start, I plan to remove her reserve when she gets to £30.
They will finish on Sunday teatime

This is Loveheart and I am really thrilled with her design, she is totally new and has a really sweet face. I named her after those sweets, Lovehearts, I couldn't resist. She just reminds me of them, so much, you know the ones, with little sayings in red on them.
They do still make them, I think.
She is also listed at 99p with a reserve that I will remove at £30. Oh and she is a little bigger at about 6 inches and is made from a very long swirly pink mohair
I will add a link later, when they are finally on ebay

My bears on ebay

Bear of the month

2009-02-01T09:52:00.002Z

This is Cherry Taffy, each month I choose a bear and put him up for sale at half price. Cherry Taffy is now available for a bargain price of £30 plus p&p. He is only available to members of my website til the 6th February, so if you are interested then please sign up to my website (for free) and he can be yours. After the 6th he will be available to everyone.
He is about 12 inches tall and made from a lovely honey brown Hembold mohair, more details can be found on my website page "Bear of the month"
Beary Hugs
Sue xxxx

Stressed and busy

2009-01-31T10:44:00.003Z

Firstly let me apologise for the language on the image but when I saw this cat it just about summed my week up and I couldn't resist sharing it with you all.
Well its tax return week, this week. Busy is an understatement, we have been working late and I have not been getting home til after 7 and then cooking!!!!! It has not been helped by the road being blocked off, due to a water leak, so around the fens we have driven to emerge just a few miles further down, do workmen take delight in planning a 15 mile detour??? I am sure its so you don't see them drinking coffee and not working. Anyway back to work, well we had the usual clients who, having been asked for the missing information way back last April, then decide that they need to bring it in 2 days before the filing deadline, which is today. Of course we deliver, with a smile but you do have to wonder if thats why they do it, they know you will bend over backwards to meet the deadline, our poor tax return man has had to go in today to file the last returns.
As for bears :( I have only just managed to sew 1 fairy wing at lunchtime for valentines day and I was intending to list Peoni on ebay tomorrow. So guess what I am doing this afternoon, well the house will still be here next week, hehe!
My computer is safely back, thanks to the lovely Anthony, who informs me I had a rare thing happen, he had only seen it once before, WHY ME, he did a scan and found a corrupt file, why does a file go corrupt? Does it wake up one morning and say "I am gonna be bad today" ??????? Like a toddler throwing a tantrum, it just refused to budge and kept turning off, very annoying but crossed fingers the toddler has been taught a lesson and will behave from now on.
This will not get that bear finished and tomorrow I am determined to finish a commissioned bear for the lovely Tracey, Cookie's mom, he was promised awhile back but due to work this month I have not been able to finish him, he is looking really sweet though and will be called Crumble ;)
Til tomorrow, beary hugs
Sue xxxxx

Life's ups and downs

2009-01-27T13:07:00.005Z

I am delighted to say I have just received my second blog award from Paula of All Bear. I have to say it is an honour, for me. Paula is a star in the teddy world not just for her beautiful bears but also for her work and ingenuity.
To choose another 8 nominee's would be difficult, I am enjoying so many blogs, that it would prove impossible to pick amongst them, so as Ruth of Flutter-by Bears says I am going to pass this back to the bloggers of the teddy world, I couldn't think of a better recipient. Well said Ruth.

The title of this post should have been "Pick up a penny and all day have good luck" well not quite, it was last week you see, there this penny was in the rain all abandoned, so I scouped him up and popped him in my warm handbag. Has he bought me luck????? Yes in a way but every silver lining has a storm..........................

I had an email that very afternoon from a lovely lady in Wales, she just wanted to let me know that she loved my website and in particular one of my bears, he is now living with her and having a great time. Wasn't that so very nice of her, just to email like that, what a lovely thing to do, she is now my friend. The next thing was a letter, well card actually from Maureen whose Christmas present was a 20 inch gorgeous fella called Ulster, telling me how he was settling in nicely and boy did she love him, watch out Ron (her hubby) competition hehe!
Another email then came from a retired/semi retired bear maker who lives near me, she made contact through an email group I belong to and she has given me the most wonderful advice on mini's, she is so kind and thoughtful, another friend. I then had a call from one of my mailing list members to say she would like a bear but she had had a few expenses and she pay bit by bit. Then I recieve not 1 but 2 blog awards.
The cloud, I hear you cry................................well it has to be money, or lack of it, my penny certainly didn't give me a lottery win, do I mind, well just a tinsy bit. I would like to have been at Kelham on the 8th but no can do, you can only stretch a penny so far and I think mine is at its limits. I did make several friends and felt good about my bears, what more really could a girl ask for.
Beary Hugs and an extra one for those that are feeling the pinch right now
Sue xx

A blogger award

2009-01-22T13:31:00.010Z

I am absolutely thrilled to receive an award yesterday, from Ruth of Flutter-By Bears, thank yous so much Ruth its really nice to be appreciated. Now I have to pass on the award to 8 of my fellow bear makers.

Here is what the award says

" The authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming . This blog invests in proximity in space , time and relationships . These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends .They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandisement . Our hope is that when the ribbons of these awards are cut , even more friendships will be propagated . Please give your kind attention to these writers !Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who will choose 8 more , and include this cleverly written text in to the body of the award . "

Here are my awards

The first award goes to Pauline of Valewood Bear, she is a sweetie just like her bears and she deserves great sucess Valewood Bears

My next award goes to Daphne of Back Road Bears, she is a wise sage who not only makes great bears but is a star to all newcomers Back Road Bears

My third award goes to Christine of Boot Button Bears, she is such a lovely warm person, who was the first to make me so welcome when I joined a teddy forum Boot Button Bears

My next award goes to Paula, the epitome of what I would like to be, so organised, so helpful and her bears, wow All Bear

My fifth award goes to Laurie, who encouraged me to spread my wings and try shows and shops

Laurie Lou Bears

My next award goes to Chloe, my home town girl, who had the courage to think outside the box and try something new very early Je suis Lugly

My seventh award goes to Vicki, who at my first show gave confidence that I was good enough

Baggaley Bears

My last and final award goes to Jenny, who inspired me in the first place Three O'clock Bears

Please pay a visit to their blogs, I am sure you will enjoy them

To those that I have nominated, please choose 8 other blogs that you feel deserve an award and pass it on
FenHugs
Sue xxx

To sale or not to sale that is the question???

2009-01-17T12:59:00.004Z

To sale or not to sale that is the question? I have pondered this question all week. The beary world doesn't really do sales, well not from what I have seen anyway. I think this maybe because Artists wouldn't want the world to think that those bears on sale were, in anyway inferior. On the contrary those that do "sale" sell the most wonderful bears and I would love to own a few of them. For me, I decided to go with the flow and have a sale, just a little one. So this morning I have reduced my bears by 25%. At the end of the day I realised that the most important thing for me was that my bears went to good homes, sounds really twee put like that, doesn't it but I remembered when I sold my frist bear, Clara-who lives in Australia. The amount she sold for was greatly overshadowed by the fact that someone, anyone wanted to buy MY bear. It is the most wonderful feeling, to bring joy, often across the world, to someone whom you have never met, well words escape me. You feel this instant family connection that goes beyond anything that I have ever experienced, deep, eh!
Well thats the beary world to me and what does this have to do with a sale..............................I am sure the Chairman of M&S doesn't feel this way but maybe he should, maybe we should all help each other at this time, have a sale, allow a layaway, bring a smile to a fellow human being. A sale means the possibilty of collectors saying yes, I love your bears and me being able to say Thank YOU

Chanter Reedflyer on ebay

2009-01-12T07:30:00.004Z

Yesterday I listed this little fella on ebay, he is a fairy bear with hand made wings and boy do those wings take forever to make. I hand embroider the material onto wire with tiny tiny stitches. They look fabulous but each wing takes about 5 hours to make and there are 4 of them. He is a bit of a lost soul really, I listed him on Bid4Bears just before Christmas and he didn't find a new mom. Its really hard to know what to do for the best on auction sites, ebay has such exposure but they are really making life difficult for the little seller and gearing everything for the bigger bulk listing shops.......................................the thing that made ebay great maybe lost in the new rules. I have always found ebay has very genuine people who are honest and decent, I know the media portrays ebay as the Soddam and Gomora of the internet world but it is only a small minority that spoil it and ebay should be harder on them not the good guys. Therefore I was left with a "what to do" problem, so on ebay he went. I have started him at 99p with a reserve, thats annoying as you are forced to have a minimum reserve of £50, instead of choosing your own????? Off my soap box now lol! Here is a link if you would like to take a peak:
Chanter Reedflyer on ebay

Red sky in the morning

2009-01-11T12:03:00.002Z

Well after the other night I did not expect this, the view this morning was even more spectacular, just hope the old saying isn't true or we will be in for it next week. We got off quite lightly last week weather wise. We did have temps of -3 but only a tiny dusting of snow............................................ despite Catherine's (our daughter) prayers

Back to work we go

2009-01-10T09:39:00.005Z

Hi ho, hi ho, its a back to work we go, after the long Christmas break.
I am sure like us lot, you are uttering a groan and wishing those 6 numbers would come up. For me, its tax return time, although I don't actually do the returns, I do prepare the figures that go on them, so busy busy. Hubby is glad to be back, he is soooo irritating doing nothing at home......................................why is it women can always find things to do but men are always bored. Catherine is back at college and busy finishing assignments that need to be done before the new part of the course begins in February.
I have to say the worst affected and the most mardy is Dixie, she is the 4 legged mut in the picture, beautiful isn't she. She will be 3 at the end of January and is very clingy, so she has really felt it this week, no one to throw her toy, no mummy to feed her titbits and no beds to bound on to wake above mentioned teenagers long lie ins. Walkies are a quick jog down the road instead of a romp accross the fields chasing anything that moves. Well roll on the next hols.........................................................and lets not forget..................more time for bear making

Red sky at night

2009-01-09T07:47:00.000Z

I just had to take a piccie of this beautiful sunset across the fens. Nature is such a magnificent thing. This was taken a few nights ago