Today is my birthday, however I am not revealing how old I am. Let's just say I'm no longer a spring chicken. A little nostalgia has crept up on me lately but life in general is very good right now. I love creating critters from fabric and hopefully they bring a little joy to others. My health is good though I could lose a few pounds(who couldn't at this age). I have a wonderful husband and we love where we live.
We went to the beach this morning. It was a cloudy day but we still had a nice time. I love the ocean, the sounds, the smells, and the creatures. We watched some black birds raid some beach goers lunch while they weren't looking. The beach inspires me and I have some ideas to get to work on.
I generally use this blog to announce new creations and upcoming Bear or doll shows. Today I am going to sound off about something that I feel very strongly about. I recently spotted a photo of my 20 yr old niece with a cigarette in her hand. She lives in a different state so I haven't seen her in awhile. It really, really upsets me when I see young people smoking. I am from the generation that didn't know all the dangers of smoking when we were in our teens and twenties. I have never smoked but have family members that have and still do. My big sister, Linda, started smoking in her teens. My parents tried to discourage her but nothing worked. Twenty one years ago next week she died of lung cancer. She was 42. My niece I spotted smoking(my little sister's girl) was born the next year. She never got to meet her Aunt Linda. Linda never got to see her daughter's get married or meet her grandchildren. I still miss her.
Please, if you don't smoke, don't start. If you smoke, find some way to quit. Nothing good comes from cigarettes.
In the photo left to right: Linda, my brother Bill, drum fish, and the little girl is me.
I had meant to post on Friday when the show began but just plain didn't get it done. Here are my creations for the show.
Jefferson, subtitled "As the Parade goes by"
This is Giggles the Clown with her Clown Car.
This is the Parade Princess doing the "Parade wave"
Here is Uncle Sam
Lastly, the clown dogs Bozo, Bingo, and Bonzo. Bonzo has already been adopted.
The show ends today July 17 at 4 pm eastern time. Check it out www.teddiesworldwide.com
We are now well into the Dog Days of summer here in Florida. I am currently listening to the radio, waiting to hear if the final shuttle launch is a go. The weather has been a factor as we have a tropical wave bringing clouds, rain and possible thunder and lightening. The actual launch pad is a little more than 6 miles as the crow flies from us. We live about a mile from the intercoastal waters and the pad is almost directly across the river. As soon as launch is confirmed we will drive up to the park on the water. The neatest thing is feeling the rumble about 30 seconds after liftoff. We have watched every launch since we moved here 7 years ago. This is the very last one and I will miss seeing them.
Artfire Christmas in July sale is now underway. I am continuing the dog days promotion with free shipping within the US on all dogs and puppies in my Artfire shop.
It is now one week until the Bears On Parade online show at Teddies Worldwide. Make sure to go to the preview page and vote on the collector's choice.
The time for the preview has arrived!! All my critters are finished and the show page just needs a little tweaking. I had a lot of fun with the Bears on Parade theme and I'm sure all the other artists did too. There are 75 artists from around the world participating so there will be a lot of eye candy to look at and maybe a bear to come home with you. Please visit the preview here: Bears on Parade
There will be voting on the Collector's Choice during the preview. You can click on each bear and enlarge it for a better look.
Major is my preview bear...he is ready to lead the parade. Make sure you vote! Then the show starts Friday,July 15 at 4Pm eastern time in the US. It lasts until 4PM Sunday the 17th. Mark your calendars and don't miss it!
