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.

Aaaaargh!

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...

....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...

...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......

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

CLARETS RULE! Burnley 3 - Spurs 2

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...

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!!

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

UP THE CLARETS!!

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

YES !!!!!!

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...

....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...

....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!

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

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!