Christmas Treasures Show

Now it's really time to get going on Christmas creations. I have been accepted to participate in the Teddies Worldwide Christmas Treasures online show. The preview and voting for Collector's Choice will begin Nov 1st with the show taking place Nov 15th - 17th. I have a couple of cool ideas in my head....just waiting for stores to put out their Christmas fabrics. Teddies Worldwide shows are always excellent and I am really looking forward to this one.
Meanwhile, a bunch of mini dogs and a couple of black cats are on their way to the Bear Scout for her next show.

 Also, Bean, a cute Boston Terrier is waiting for his new home. Bean will be on Bear Pile soon.

 

New Puppy Grrl

I actually started working on this Puppy Grrl months ago. She has had 3 different heads as I tried to get the look I wanted. Penelope is currently available on Bear Pile. I think Pugs are wonderfully cute and expressive dogs and puppies.
The Friends of Teddy show at Teddies Worldwide was a great success and 4 of my critters are on their way to their new homes. The next show is a Christmas theme and takes place in November. I don't know if I will be participating but I will definitely attend.

Christmas Past

I thought I would start off the Christmas season with photos of past creations. Some are still here and come out of the critter room to help with decorations. Some have traveled to other locations and are hopefully happily on display. The first are Merry and Chris Meese. They are from the 2007 Christmas season and still reside here. Rudy the Reindog brings goodies to all good little doggies. He was also from 2007 and now resides in New Mexico.

Bubba is having a little trouble decorating the tree. He keeps trying though, right here with me.

Peppermint Patti is one of my favorites. She was creating in 2008 and now lives in California.

The Carolers were in a feature in Teddy Bear and Friends magazine in 2008.

Christy is asking "Has Santa come yet?". Created in 2008, she is still waiting at my home. Noelle, created in 2009, is ready for shopping. She is in Connecticut, where the shopping is good. Then there is Randy, Rudolph's cousin, made for a Teddy Talk ornament swap. He is staying cool in Canada.

Then last year it was Chilly and Willy riding their toboggan. They are now playing in Pennsylvania.

The only Christmas creation for this year is the Fairy Gift Bear. I posted about her back in September but I will post a photo again next time.

Times flies

So much happening this time of year. Last week was the local parade...it was a disaster because it POURED. This time of year is usually our dry season but it rained most of the day. At least I was inside a car. We pulled a trailer decorated by the local dog groomer. I felt sorry for all the soaking wet kids.
Our tree is up and decorated, lights up on the house. I did some baking this week and we are headed to visit friends tonight. Still trying to coordinate visits with family. I have gotten a little sewing done. I actually dyed some fur red for a Valentine creation. I would also like to squeeze in some time for taking photos. It will be New Years before you know it!
Lexi and Lucy have made an appearance on all my Christmas cards since we moved to Florida. Usually it has a Florida theme but this year we went a little retro with a tinsel tree. Off to get ready to go out....

Holiday Happenings

Keeping busy trying to fulfill all the commitments I have made for the holidays. My Christmas cards are printed and waiting to be put together and addressed. I will post the photo cover closer to Christmas. The elf for the little elf swap( also photos later) went to the post office today and the ornament for the Teddy Talk ornament swap will go off next week. Two Blythe(doll) Christmas dresses were sent on their way earlier this week. I need to take photos for the tea party on Dec 6 and company is coming for Thanksgiving next week. Since gift giving is going to be very lean this year I have finished 95% of my shopping. I will start making goodies after Thanksgiving.
Yesterday I changed some of my artfire listings to reflect Artfire's Holiday Deals promotion. I am offering free shipping to the US and reduced international shipping on some bears and critters. Some of them are included in the photo above.
Also please check out Whats Up Dox shop. There is a raffle for a mohair Dachshund I made to benefit Dachshund rescue. Drawing December 11th.
More Holiday Happenings to come.....

Christmas in July Sale

Several of my Christmas Creations have been listed on Artfire for the Christmas in July sale. All have a special sale price. In the upper left corner is "Here we come a caroling", which was featured in last year December issue of Teddy Bear & Friends. The upper right is Peppermint Patti. Lower left: Has Santa come yet? and lower right: Merry & Chris Meese.
Actually, this is the time of year to start working on Christmas creations if you want to get into the holiday issues of the magazines. I have decided not to do a Christmas piece this year. Maybe a little more generic creation that fits with the season but isn't boxed into it. Does that make sense?? More later.
Also, I am the featured artist of the month at TBACA. If you want to learn more about me click here. I am really not that interesting but there are a few nice photos.

This is the first time I have uploaded a video to my blog. I call it the Christmas kiss and it's one of my favorite all time presents. My sister, Mary Louise(I have always called her by her 1st & middle names), sent me these two last Christmas. She knows I decorate with snowmen and has sent me snowmen gifts since I moved to Florida. This year she sent the cutest little snowglobe ornaments. One has a boy snowmen and the other a girl. The boy says Bill on the front and the girl says Nancy.
Merry Christmas to everyone!!!
My next post will be after Christmas.
I almost forgot...Don't forget to visit the Christmas Parade on Ellen Borggreve's blog!!

Ornament Swap

This is the second year I have participated in the Teddy Talk ornament swap. I am so thrilled at the ornament I received all the way from the Philippines. This cute little Santa was made by Carolynn of Teeny Tiny Teddy Bears.


This is Randy, Rudolph's little brother. I made him for the ornament swap and he now resides in Canada. Check out the Teddy Talk tree here. It has the swap ornaments and more are added each day. It is so much fun to see all the different, creative ornaments made by Teddy Bear artists.

The Christmas Tree is up!

After participating in the Mims Fire Dept Christmas parade yesterday I came home and started decorating the tree. I wish I could have taken some nice pics of the parade but it is not easy when you are part of the parade. We pulled our trailer decorated by the local dog groomer and followed by a number of dogs decked out in Christmas garb. Just your local small town Christmas parade with fire engines sirens and school bands marching. We had a good time.
Today I finished the tree and baked some cookies. Make sure and come by on Saturday, Dec 13th for the Cookie Recipe Roundup. I have made cookies from this recipe many times but I felt I needed to make a batch today to test the recipe(yeh...right!). Of course by Saturday they will all be gone and I might need to make another batch to keep me company while I collect all the great recipes in the roundup.

Snow Fairy

This week my pretty pink Snow Fairy is on Bid 4 Bears. The really neat retro looking pink snowflake print was the inspiration for her. I'm sooo tickled with the way she turned out I don't think I'll mind if she doesn't sell. Her crown and wand are made with tinsel pipe cleaners. I think the "aluminum look" adds to the retro feel. The snowflake on the end of her wand came from the scrapbooking aisle at Target. It is the first time I have used "glitz" in needle felting. It wasn't easy-it's like working with very fine tinsel but I'm pleased with the iridescent effect of her nose.This mohair is one of my favorites-I wish it came in more colors. I have dyed the white several colors and have always been pleased with the results. Now it's back to sewing!

Has Santa Come Yet?

Christy has been waiting patiently for Santa. She is so sleepy but is hoping to see him when he brings the presents. She is wearing a pretty red flannel nightgown and holding her well loved Teddy. She is on Bid 4 Bears this week.
I remember not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve and sneaking down the stairs to see if Santa had been to my house yet. I have wonderful memories of childhood Christmas's. Today I looked at all the Christmas stuff in the stores and felt the spirit building. I love this time of year. And yes, I already have the Christmas music playing!

Merry & Chris Meese

These two are Santa's littlest helpers. They are already busy decorating their little tree. What would Santa do without them?
Last year they helped at my house. They could help at yours this year. Merry and Chris are available in my etsy shop.

Halloween is over..Ready for Christmas??

I'm getting there. Most of my Christmas critters were finished by September. "Here we come a caroling" appears in the latest issue of Teddy Bear & Friends. There is a feature depicting Christmas Carols represented by artist bears. The dog appeared in the magazine without his top hat because the editor didn't see it in the box when they were sent to the magazine for photos. I kinda think his hat is the finishing touch. The set will be for sale on my website later today.



Patti is minty sweet. Look for her on Bid 4 Bears this afternoon. She is made with sparse mohair that has been dyed with cherry Kool aid. The mint print fabric I used to make her dress is actually what inspired me.
Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? I'm getting there!

Busy weekend

Now that Labor Day has passed it seems like it's time to buckle down. We did have a nice weekend though. Saturday there was a small get together for Bill's aunt's birthday. It was supposed to be a picnic but the weather didn't cooperate. Still we had a nice meal and then a huge chocolate cake. Sunday we attended church to see my 16 year old nephew, Billy, get baptized. I was reminded of my baptism many years ago. My brother, Bill(Billy's dad) and I were baptized the same day.
I also worked on some Christmas bears. I was trying to get them done so photos could be submitted for Teddy Bear Review. Much to my husband's dismay, I started listening to Christmas music. I love Christmas music and usually start listening in August. Although I try to listen when Bill is not around, partly because he isn't ready for it and partly because he teases me, he got in the car and I had forgotten to eject the cd. Now I'm going to work on a Halloween project. The photo is a sneak peek collage of my Christmas critters.

Sprites for Sale on Etsy Special Price

I have been so busy I have neglected my blog. I think I am finally getting into a routine with the new business, at least the accounting part. I am still ordering more forms, repair parts, and paying fees.
I have also been working on my Christmas project. It's kinda hard getting into the Christmas mood in 90 degree weather. I have played some Christmas music and it drives Bill crazy. I have tried to bounce some ideas off him but he just can't get his head around Christmas when all he wants is to jump in the pool. The project is coming along though and I can't wait to get to AC Moore's or Michael's to pick up a few things. Usually the craft stores know if your making something for Christmas you have to start early.
These bears I call Sprites have been sitting in my critter room for over a year. They are ready to see new sights so I put them in my etsy shop at a special price. Please pay them a visit, they would love to meet you. They are..

Periwinkle

Viola

Primose

Teekee is ready for a luau

Just finished this little cutie last night. I took her photos today and put her on Bid 4 Bears tonight. I'm really pleased with the way she turned out. You wouldn't believe my inspiration though - that glass. Well, it's really plastic but I saw it and thought wouldn't a little tropical theme bear look cute sitting in it. The hardest thing to find was the little paper umbrella. I found a pack of those at good ol Walmart. Now I have 9 leftover paper umbrellas. I like Teekee's size too - 6".
I'm working on another summer theme bear. She's all done but I can't decide on her accessories. I might put together a new header for my blog using her.
Would you believe it's time to start thinking about Christmas?? The magazines want submissions for their Christmas issues by July and early August. Falalala la la la!!!!

Merry Christmas to All

As Christmas winds down I am reflecting on the holiday season. After dinner yesterday with family we decided Christmas day would be a quiet ride down the coast. There is nothing like the sound and smell of the ocean to make me feel good. Chinese take out eaten while sitting by the shore is not a typical Christmas dinner but hubby and I really enjoyed it.

The pic is my nephew's Rudolph display. He is 15 but still pulls out Rudolph and his friends every Christmas.

Relax til Christmas

The tree is up and decorated. Shopping is done. Packages are just about ready to ship. I have to make some more fudge and cookies but then it's just relax and enjoy the holidays.

I have a list in my head of things that need to be done after New Years. I want to redo my website, now that I have a little html knowledge. I would also like to redo the look of my blog(might need some help with that). I have a couple of ideas for critters knocking around in my head too. Of course then there are the dreaded taxes! I have managed to keep up with receipts(sort of), so it shouldn't take as long as last.

I hope you all are having a relaxing holiday too!