Smiley Riley

GOOD GRIEF!!!

2010-04-26T14:41:00.009+01:00

Is it REALLY 4 months since I last wrote anything?
Surely there must have been some disturbance in the space / time continuum to be showing that?
No?I guess I am just woefully bad then....
In my defence I will point out that i am in the process of dealing with the powers that be regarding our autistic son and his care, and anyone who has had dealings with the authorities will probably (I hope ) sympathise with the "beating the head against a brick wall, whilst being in free fall having had the rug pulled from under your feet" feeling....to chain a few cliches together!
A few bears have been finished, and a few pictures taken, but they need re-sizing.
The recent Easter break has meant the university students have returned to the nest, which has been really enjoyable. Term starts again, and exams loom. 3rd year uni exams (of 4), 1st year (ditto), and A levels are what they are going through in the next few months, so all digits are firmly crossed, although they do all seem prepared - despite the Final Fantasy and Pokemon activity....(*GRIN*)

This picture shows "Crocus Corner" close to where I live. The name is self explanatory...

but it also had a fine display of snowdrops..

Recently, the daffodils have been blooming proudly, and brightening up the area!

To prove that bears have been made, I will end with a photo of a bear - and aim to be back soon.

Free printables

2009-12-18T00:03:00.001Z

The annual holiday countdown from Lisa Vollrath is up.
Each day until Christmas she has free printables...just click on the link
http://countdown.tentwostudios.com/
Her site is well worth a look. Always inspirational.

Butterflies!

2009-12-11T01:16:00.002Z

Going to Hove on Sunday for the BBAA (Britsih Bear Artist) awards judging - my BFC bears are finalists in the group of bears, under 6 inches.!
I am so thrilled to get this far.
This is real incentive to get this blog updated regularly, and get the bears out more!

Watch this space, as they say!!!

Autism

2009-10-15T16:20:00.002+01:00

There was an article in The Times recently, to which I replied to the letters page..and was published today

The original article is here
Autism does seem to me to be in danger of becoming the "in" thing upon which to hang an entertainment piece , whether it be a film or book..
Yet, it has to be good to keep autism in the front of peoples' awareness....and show that the young person acting strangely is not doing so because of any failing on the parents' behalf, but rather due to an acknowledged neurological impairment.
It's a fascinating syndrome - I just wish it wasn't so close to home....

Tribute to the Clarets! And another bear ..

2009-10-06T13:05:00.003+01:00

One of the bears I made after the Championship Play Off victory ...I am not the world's fastest sewer, as you can tell.
This is another bear - Rosie (original, huh? ) - I like her smile. She is not a BFC bear. It was a case of...look at my stash, decide which fabric appeals to me, and make a bear!She is made from long pile upholstery fabric, which looks nice, but is not my favourite to sew. However, I have to admit, it makes quite cute bears!

I need to brush up on my photographic skills too. But that will come, no doubt, as I make more bears that need photographing!

Back to BEARS!

2009-06-09T11:52:00.010+01:00

So....after the elation of winning the Championship Play-off Final at Wembley (not me, you understand..Burnley FC)...

(picture from the official BFC website)

....thoughts are turning back to bears.

Last Sunday (June 7th) I attended the Teddy Bear Artist Even t in Stratford on Avon. I wasn't able to take up my offer of a table which arose after a cancellation (not enough bears....little bears need to be in a big group to fill a round table...and I had, oooh, about 3 !). So I went as a visitor - but helped on the ABC Bears table and had 3 of my bears there. Photos should be available later - but I don't think I took very good ones.
It was a thrill when a couple of people actually picked up the bears to look at!
I acknowledge the fact that they need accessorising a whole lot better than they were on Sunday. So that is my next project. It's all a learning curve - just a slow one, as my output is rather pedestrian. Actually, it's more sleepwalking....

Anyhow...it was a fabulous event - just so many gorgeous bears to admire and dream of. And so inspirational!! Samantha Potter (MaryMyrtleMiniatures) does an amazing job of organizing it. Next year's event is June 6th - well worth going to.

Of course, it wouldn't be a fair without the chance to buy some fabric (as if I need any more...).
I even bought some "bear coloured" fabric - unusual for me!. Susan at Bear Basics had some lovely mohair perfect for small bears, and she always has a smile! Even when it's a sale of just 1/8th of a metre.
Berta (ThReAdTeDs) had some hand dyed mini bear fabric. SO... as I needed (that word again!) some green fabric, I visited her table, and bought some green fabric - OK, 4 pieces, all different.
Then the bright yellow fabric caught my eye, so at the end of the fair I succumbed to temptation and bought 3 yellow pieces.
I fancy some bright pink to go with the yellow (have I ever mentioned that I like colourful bears?!)...but that's another purchase for another day..

The rain that fell heavily on the way down didn't dampen the spirits - although it most certainly dampened my feet as there were a good 4 inches of water to wade through to get out of the station. The day ended in lovely sunshine, and the train journey home was uneventful.

A grand day out (to pinch a phrase).

BURNLEY FC at Wembley!

2009-05-22T12:27:00.002+01:00

Nervous about the match on Monday, but so PROUD to be a Claret.
Richard Oldroyd says it so well in his article here.

Whatever happens, Burnley FC now have the footballing world's attention.
About time!

Watch this manager's career skyrocket!
Thank you Owen Coyle for invigorating a sleeping giant.

Aaaaargh!

2009-05-07T19:00:00.002+01:00

Where does the time go?! **grin**
Football season nearly at an end, and BURNLEY are involved in the playoffs to reach the Premier League (Division One for those of my vintage!)
First leg on Saturday...fingers crossed.

Might even get round to making some bears....and updating this blog!

Having a heart scan tomorrow (had a spell in A and E with atrial fibrillation a couple of weeks back - feel totally fine, so I am not anticipating problems).

Normal service will hopefully be resumed soon...

Oh dear...

2009-03-04T14:41:00.006Z

....another month passes, and I am still not regular (blogging I mean...LOL)

James has been rewarded for his achievements..and I am so proud of him!
(the red nose day giggler was from me...very annoying it is too)

He is now being more independent, and I am sure he likes that, especially as he can make cakes...

Burnley FC continue their efforts in the Championship, and last night won at Blackpool in what sounds like were dreadful conditions.

One day I will get this blog to the standard I'd like it...Just don't hold your breath!!

Idly surfing...

2009-02-06T18:07:00.004Z

...and following links on blogs and have come across 2 really inspirational blogs.
Awfully Big Art Adventure and Fancy Picnic
Now i need to find a source of extra time, or - and let's be brutally honest here - less procrastination...and I'm away!
Younger son is home for a night (he is severely autistic and attends a residential school in Cheshire who are saints and angels as far as this family is concerned....giving us back our life is not putting it too strongly). So I will be drinking coffee and reading the newspaper - as that seems to be what I do in his world!!
I hear the sounds of "Bambi" on the video...so I think I will go and keep him company. Actually, being able to spend a few minutes on the computer is another major step forward - usually my presence is demanded at all times!.

He(and his twin sister) will be 17 next week. Time flies!

Tuesday evening......

2009-02-05T11:15:00.001Z

.....freezing cold...7 layers of clothing
Burnley 3 - WBA 1
Yessss!!

CLARETS RULE! Burnley 3 - Spurs 2

2009-01-23T20:34:00.005Z

OK, so we lost and won't be challenging for the Carling Cup, but what a performance and what heart.
Burnley FC and everyone involved there should be so proud of what they achieved in almost arctic conditions on Wednesday night.
It was freezing cold, raining, and your extremities were numb, but you forgot all that as you watched YOUR team playing with pride , team spirit, commitment, and heart.
In 30 plus years of watching Burnley, on Wednesday night I knew why I did...
Here is a report from a 16 year old who was there....written from the heart by Ben Redman.
And here is another report fromTony Scholes.

UP THE CLARETS!!

OK...

2009-01-20T12:48:00.004Z

Right - let's get this show on the road!
What are the resolutions for this year...
Well, lose weight...so to that end I an attempting NOT to buy any processed meals - you know, the 5 for £4 type! They might be easy, but can't be good for you.
I'm a member of Slimming World, and so far have nearly lost 1 and a half stone, so that's they way forward this year. To get to target, and to cook from scratch as far as possible.
Well....10 minutes to cook some pasta, and bung in some mushrooms and onions and tomatoes and ham is hardly time consuming (shame I'm not a great fan of pasta....!! )
Cheaper too.
MAKE MORE BEARS!!!
This year I turn 55 in November - the age at which my mother died, so it will be a poignant birthday. My elder siblings are in their late 60s (although they'd hate me to mention it!!)...so I'm good for a few more years I reckon., but I will make the most of every day the best of my ability.
So that's another 2 resolutions I guess.
Get fit...I've rejoined the local gym and have a fitness program mapped out.

Oh yes....keep a blog up to date!!!

I think that's enough to be going on with. More may be decided later....who says they have to start on January the first anyway?

And of course I will be following the fortunes of Burnley Football Club....UP THE CLARETS!!

2009-01-04T21:31:00.001Z

RATS!! I did a post yesterday and ....where has it gone..
It will have to wait till tomorrow now...BOTHER!!

UP THE CLARETS!!

2008-12-03T11:55:00.004Z

Burnley 2 - Arsenal 0
I shall leave it at that.....!!!
Adding only that yet again TONY SCHOLES' REPORT says it all....

YES !!!!!!

2008-11-13T13:34:00.003Z

VINTAGE CLARET!!!!
Burnley BEAT Chelsea (yes, Chelsea!) at Stamford Bridge...
I can't put it better than ClaretTony in his REPORT

Proud to be a Claret!!!!!

Time flies...

2008-11-12T12:38:00.002Z

....and I don't post!
I hope to be back soon, but in the meantime, I notice that Lisa Vollrath is doing another countdown.
This is so generous, and well worth checking out - CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Happy bearmaker...

2008-08-20T19:04:00.004+01:00

....Olivia (original name, huh? based on the colour of the fabric) got an Honourable Mention in the judging on the Bearmakers Australia Yahoo group where the challenge was...
I am thrilled, as I really dabble in bear making, but want to do more so I am really thrilled that the bear didn't sink without trace!

Our autistic younger son (16) has been home for 8 days, returning to where he much prefers to be , this morning....so I can sew again.(It seems to upset him for some reason if I sew...maybe because the movement of the needle, and the general fiddling about, is not predictable, and he does like things to be just-so...)
We spent most of yesterday afternoon searching for "blue Thomas the Tank Engine".....well, I never knew we owned so many variations on that theme!
The one he wanted (a scruffy plastic one, with bits missing) was eventually found under the foot of the bed....after about an hour of , shall we say, some tense moments!

The Football season has started, but let's just say that Burnley FC have NOT covered themselves with glory so far...hence the silence on THAT front here!

Time for more wittering when I've cleared the front room of the piles of books/toys/videos that help keep my lovely son occupied when he is home!...

BOO!

2008-08-02T00:40:00.005+01:00

Just to show that I have actually sewn something recently....!

I was aided and abetted by my first own design bear (aka Big Foot)....

More photos of the bear later, but it's a challenge and being judged this weekend...then will be heading off to a new home.

I did some tidying (aka domestic archaeology) and discovered lots of stuff I forgot buying....like 30 pairs of 3mm eyes...

Anyhow, that's for another post. It's time to head to bed now, and blog properly in the week!

Felting

2008-07-11T00:48:00.006+01:00

I've been experimenting with needle felting again. I still find it a tad slow, but I've made a bear, and there is another in the pipeline.
I say a bear...but , well, don't you think he looks a bit canine?

I will post links to needle felting websites if anyone fancies looking more into this..it is pretty satisfying - I especially like when the item gets to the "crunchy" stage...it feels very rewarding. And I am even getting better at avoiding stabbing my fingers....
But it's almost 1 am and bed calls. Middle aged women need all the beauty sleep they can get!

Clear out!

2008-07-11T00:25:00.004+01:00

Well....not exactly!
For several years now, my daughters have housed, in their bedroom, some of my fabric stash.
Some? 9 boxes??? OK, I admit, I'm a hoarder.
Now, some of this fabric - OK, most of it - was bought over 20 years ago.......
I used to be a sales rep, and in most of the towns I visited, there were shops selling ends of rolls, last season's fabrics, fents, seconds....hey! this was in Lancashire, home of the cotton industry!
Sadly ,now, very few stores sell fabrics, and specialist fabric shops seem to be a thing of the past. I'm talking dressmaking type fabrics now, not curtains or patchwork fabrics.
ANYHOW.....check out this lot...

Each piece is a minimum of 3 yards in length, and there are over 25 lengths there!
The 2 pieces you might be able to see with white labels on were half price Viyella fabric at nearly £18 each (at half price...what was I thinking of!!)....
The shop I got them from (Gordon Thoday) in Cheltenham, has long since gone the way of all those specialsit shops....so I am told. I moved up North over 30 years ago, and so visits down to relatives would have been the only channce to indulge this compulsion to buy....so these pieces may even be close on 30 years old!!!

The aim is to check the length (and condition ! - I have a gorgeous 4 yard length of purple wool...and I know it's wool, as the moths have enjoyed a snack) of each piece and hopefully might be able to Ebay some...

I wonder why I bought all these lengths of lining ?....it has to be that dread phrase..."It was a BARGAIN!"..

Growing up

2008-07-03T12:51:00.005+01:00

Don't you feel old when your youngest child leaves high school??!
Katy had her prom last weekend, and although I am bound to be prejudiced....I thought she looked lovely! It was worth the hour (and more!) it took me to do her hair.
It's not been easy being a twin, with a severely autistic brother, but she has been amazing and I am SO proud of her.

James attends a residential school - coming home during half terms and holidays - and he is blossoming there, gaining daily in self esteem, and starting to cope much better with life. He will always need one to one support, but we are confident that he will achieve his full potential.

Neil has just completed his first year at St. Chad's College (University of Durham ) where he is reading Maths.

Jenny has just completed her AS levels at Aquinas 6th Form College.
We are off to Canterbury (Kent) tomorrow to go to the open day at the University there - she is hoping to start there after A levels.

Am I a proud Mum? You bet!!!! 4 wonderful kids who are great company to be with....what could be better?!!

One and a bit completed creations

2008-07-01T11:36:00.011+01:00

OK, so it won't set the world on fire, but I've FINISHED a bear!
She was made as a belated birthday gift for a dear friend who always wanted to be choir leader.
So what better bear to make?
The birthday had come and gone unbeknownst to me (she is a new friend, but it's like we are twins...)...so in the need for speed I admit to cutting corners.
SO... I omitted paw pads on the arms.
I used a head I had already made (no ears though....).
and because i couldn't find the piece of material I used for the head (I save all my tiny pieces, which works well - until one needs to re-find a piece) ..I used Ultrasuede for the ears.
The medal was a tiny jewellery finding I had in my stash.

The head is jointed using the traditional cotter pin joint, and the limbs are jointed using small quilting buttons.

Isn't it just so annoying when you look at photos you take and see things you missed when you just looked with you eyes ....I see a sneaky bit of the stuffing sneaking out through an arm...and I am sure I could have sewn the "medal" on more invisibly...but in my usual inimitable way (*grin*) I was finishing this at the last minute..

This will give an indication of the size of the bear...(and of the state of my hands!!)

As I said, she won't set the world on fire, but she makes me smile (you can see, if you look closely, that she is grinning - I try to have all my bears with a smile!), and it does feel good to actually FINISH something!

I may EVEN finish something else this week (wow!!)...
I've been doing a sampler beaded art doll on one of my Yahoo groups - Beaded Art Dolls.
This has been a HUGE learning curve - not least in discovering that maybe I am not cut out to be a beader!!
This was my initial idea...

Then I did the face - in size 15 TINY beads!!! And strangely, I discovered that, although I was dreading this part, I actually quite enjoyed the exercise! My colour choice was a bit odd though...*grin*

Each "stripe" is a different technique for adding beads...
One at a time; small on large; "moss" stitch, small tubular beads (? the brain has gone...!!!..BUGLE BEADS !! blame it on my age!!) with a seed bead at each end ..
Then there is cross stitch, and the bottom one will be back stitch, 5 beads at a time.
I'm enjoying being taken outside my "comfort zone", but I will never abandon the bears!!

Don't hold your breath!

2008-05-14T10:11:00.008+01:00

OK, so it's been just about 2 months since I last updated the blog.
I am put to shame by those who update theirs on a regular basis, and with wonderful creations to boot..
Oh, I have created wonderful things....in my mind! Yet again, I am falling into the trap of reading and planning, but not actually DOING! On Lisa Vollrath's site there is an article, the premise of which is basically... get something done. I followed that advice once - the mantra being, "It may not be perfect, but it is finished." And I felt good afterwards.
She also has another freebie papercrafting download of pictures for Mother's Day (the rest of the world date...not the one which we celebrate here, 3rd Sunday in Lent)
So why, when I know it works, do I procrastinate so much?! Who knows. I've been accused of being a perfectionist - if it won't be perfect, I don't start it . Could be!
Anyway....today is another day. Another new start!

SO...to get up to date.
Back in April - on a snowy weekend - Keith and I went to Wales for a supporter's trip on the Welsh Highland Railway. This goes from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and should be open for paying passengers next year. Most of the track is laid, and updates are regularly posted.
Of course, we couldn't go to Porthmadog without a trip on the Ffestiniog!

This week I met up with a friend for coffee in Manchester. First step in my New Year's resolution about getting out more!
Then I visited a Manga exhibition at Urbis . Living so close it is almost unforgivable that I don't go more ofter. Next time I will take in the Art Gallery. Of course, I visited a few shops. And got sore feet!!

I've tried my hand at beading

...and of course, I have been reading around the subject! And inevitably joined a Yahoo group (or more)...
Two I would recommend to anyone interested in beading have blogs linked to them
Beaded Art Dolls, and Bead Dreamz
Despite the niggles that Yahoo groups in general have, it really is a great way to meet up with like minded people. And to all those who run/moderate or are otherwise involved in their group...THANK YOU!

Something else I've got started on is researching my family tree. I am woefully ignorant about my ancestors, I only ever knew my late Mum's mother on that side of the family, and nothing on my late father's side....so I have some work to do!
My sister and I are sharing a year's subscription to Ancestry, and that seems to be worth the investment as I have done an initial trace of Mum's family back to 1807. Now I've got to put flesh on the bones!
So, will it be another 2 months before I post again!
Who knows...hence the post title!

Sluggish...

2008-03-19T12:30:00.004Z

....as ever! Maybe the lighter evenings and the different quality of light during the day will spark me once more!
More likely, I am just a lazybones. Admittedly, I do waste a lot of time just surfing the Internet...however, some of it is profitable.
If inspiration fails me, or I just want to look at some great ideas, I gravitate back to Lisa Vollrath's site
It's free to register, and well worth it if you are remotely interested in creativity.
Sometimes there are free downloads...and up till Easter you can get a free papercrafting surprise every day...

Freezing on a Tuesday night...

2008-02-28T19:35:00.005Z

...but the Clarets gained 3 valuable points in a lacklustre game at Turf Moor.
By the time the final whistle blew I was chilled to the marrow (hey! it's football...it's full of cliches!)
I'm not proposing to report on the actual match, as other do it so much better..but I was amused to have my bag searched on the way in - must look like a middle aged hooligan!
Then I managed to drop my ticket (it was a very windy night)...despite NOT detaching it until I was actually inside the turnstile...Luckily it was handed back to me .
Leaping to celebrate the 2nd goal I managed to hit my shin on the seat in front (I hate all seater gounds!)..
And I think that an extra layer (or two) of clothing is called for to ensure that sitting on a plastic seat, in the path of the wind, watching a football match on a cold evening , does not lead to hypothermia!
BUT...we won.That's the main thing!!
(and I've learned how to put a link in a post...)

In the summer,a colleague of my husband ran from John O Groats to Land's End, raising thousands of pounds for charity (link added - Mark's next big run).
Mark is planning to run across the USA in 2011, and his blog will be following his progress.

Dozy bee

2008-02-19T16:22:00.002Z

Well...it was a bit chilly for taking photos (I'm such a wimp!), but I was quite pleased with a couple of the photos.
I've cropped the one of the bee as best I could.

The camera is still new to me and there is a lot to discover about its capabilities (I'm still mainly shooting on the auto setting - how lame is that with a fully featured digital SLR?!!)

Anyhow - picture number 2 is of 2 trees in the local park. I thought they looked like the shadow of each other.

Worth waiting for?...

2008-02-16T20:47:00.004Z

4 months between posts...
Still, that's got Christmas, New Year and Valentine's Day out of the reckoning...and the birthday of my younger children - having 16 year old twins makes me feel so old!! (But not as old as realising that firstborn - Beiderbecke anyone???! - will be 20 in October)

Today was a beautiful crisp , clear, sunshiny day here in the North West of the UK. So I took the camera out to see if I could capture the first flowering of Spring.

Crocuses, snowdrops, and the occasional daffodils were in evidence. I even saw a bee trying to get pollen from a crocus - but it was camera shy,, and all i got was a blur...

However, it took ages for my hands to get warm again - and at midday there was even ice to be seen on water in a bucket in the garden.
I fear the bee may not survive.

Yet again I have proved that I can witter on about nothing in particular.
Now that our youngest is settled in a residential school for autism, I can attend football matches again - it's been 20 years since I went regularly!!
Now i have a season ticket to the best club bar none...Burnley FC.
Watch out for a football themed teddy bear sometime in the future...claret and blue of course..
Just don't hold your breath....!!!

In the meantime - here are some photos of mine on Flickr. Today's will be there soon....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smiley-riley/

There has to be a first step...

2007-10-12T17:26:00.000+01:00

....and this is it!

I had hoped to do a blog of mini bear making, and various family stuff...with photos of course. But then the computer needed reformatting....and yes, you've guessed it....there was NO back up of 18 months of photographs.

So, without wishing to preach....don't do as I did. make sure you back up those photos...!!

Luckily I still had a few that were waiting to be uploaded to the computer...so I can start again.

This was an attempt at an anime style bear...I got fed up after the body didn't work, so experimented with some copper wire and beads. I think he looks like an extra from The Nightmare Before Christmas.....or then again, maybe not..

Anyhow...I've taken the first step here. Who knows where it will take me...