GOOD GRIEF!!!

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

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!

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

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 ..

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!

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 Event 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!

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.