Year's End

Do you suppose if he's born before the end of the year, I'll get a tax deduction?? Guess not, but this little fluffy chap is well on the way. Sometimes I make the body first and have it standing by for the head (which takes the longest), but the head was first for this little guy as I wanted to see what face would show up in all the fluff - some of that great viscose I've gotten from Anna in Italy. For those who haven't tried it just go to Etsy and enter "viscose" in the search spot.

I think he will have a name and be complete in time to don a party hat for New Yeat's Eve! By the way, I didn't forget - I know he needs ears! hehe :0)

Happy Holidays!

Thanks for all the wonderful greetings from around the world! I've put them on a mirror trimmed with gold bamboo which is in my kitchen. If you look closely, there's a blue rectangle in the middle (my iPhone) with me behind it taking the photo!

And some sweet little animals on my windowsill!

For my birthday today, my family and I are going to lunch at P F Chang and then on to see the new Star Wars movie!!

May the Force be with you!!

And what a sweet addition to my greetings!

A card from all the kitties in my care - with help from a very special friend I've known as long as I've been making bears

as Donna and the Bears!! A big thank you to my friend who lives where the postmark is from!!!

Spring continues!

 

Rio Samba continues to open enjoying this warmth - as am I! I'm working on tiny bears early in the day and then working outside - playing really - cleaning the deck, raking, mowing, hauling leaves....

Bliss!!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

well - Spring!

My Rio Samba rose is in bloom! Here in southern Virginia websrevexperiencing beautiful weather with temps in the high 70's! The cool is coming, though, but  

As I like to say, one day closer to Spring!!

A gift

As I was coming into the house after a trip to the gym today, I spied a tiny yellow Dandilion flower perking up at me. Certainly early by the calendar's reckoning, but it cheered me to see this gift. Unexpected things are often the best!

It's Showtime!!

Hello from "Sweet Mr. C.!" You can see him and his friends at the Teddies Worldwide show by clicking here: www.TeddiesWorldwide.com

Here are my other pieces for the show:

Finley the Elf

Pippi - Panda Bunny

               

and Pumpkin Latte!

Of course, Fluffy is included - he was in my last post! 

I hope you'll drop by the show and see all the wonderful bears and friends!!

All my bears were adopted within 7 minutes!! Thanks everyone!!

Fluffy - Preview Bear

This little bear who's all in a dither sorting out the Christmas decorations is called "Fluffy!" He's about 4 inches tall, has 5 cotter pin joints, stands nicely by himself and is made of the super soft Tissval fabric. Fluffy ismy preview bear for the upcoming Christmas Teddies Worldwide online show.

The Teddies Worldwide preview page is now open for viewing!! The show will take place November 20 -22. Do take a look at the Preview Page by clicking: www.Teddiesworldwide.com and vote
for your favorites.

Another day in beautiful Yorktown!

While my friends and I enjoyed a gorgeous day with a picnic in Yorktown, Virginia, Rocky was the first kitty to try out our new comfy couch being delivered back at home under Kim's supervision!

Ships were in on the York River and families enjoyed the beach as summer comes to a close.

I arrived early so as not to be late and had a walk around before meeting my friends.

Grace Episcopal Church has been here for a very long time - in American terms anyway.

It's still in operation!

Some lucky folks live right on these historic streets!

What a view!

It's so quiet and peaceful - a perfect spot for a get together with my wonderful creative friends!

And Rocky finds the new couch a quiet and peaceful place for a nap!!

As does Kim's Beaker!

Mark your calendar!!!!

I'm looking forward to participating in this wonderful show!! The Christmas show from Teddies Worldwide is always spectacular!!! It seems a long way off, but it will be here before you know it!!
Plan to visit!!! For show info click: www.TeddiesWorldwide.com

New Bears in my Etsy Shop!

Fluffy

Blossom

I've just listed the two tiny bears above in my Etsy shop! Both are about 4 inches tall but are as different as can be! Fluffy is made from the softest Tissaval fur you can imagine and Blossom is dressed for a garden party in a lovely green dress my daughter, Kim, knitted just for her. I hope you'll stop by the shop and read all about them!
www.etsy.com/shop/donnaandthebears

Both bears have been adopted!! Thanks so much, Jill!

The Hermione

Last weekend was exciting in Hampton Roads as tall ships visited the ports. We went to Yorktown where the Hermione from France was visiting after her maiden voyage across the Atlantic.

Many artists displayed their wares at the event including my friend and clay instructor, Lynne Oglesby.

Jason was along with us and chose one of her mugs

Picture quality doesn't do it justice but I was taking the photo from the back seat of a moving car! Lynne's charming illustrations make her pottery so special in our home and now in Jason's new home!

Haven't shared a Zentagle tile in awhile and I know I was working on tiles with the alphabet as strings. I'll have to look back and see where I left off, but this one, as you might guess, was the letter "O". Let me know if you are tangling and share one with me!!

Sneak Peek

I've been working on my ad for the September issue of Teddy Bear and Friends - yep, seems a long time until September but that's publishing! - and made this little gray lady who stands 4 inches tall for the project. My knitting wizard daughter, Kim, made this delightful little dress for her with some amazing yarn from The Verdant Gryphon she had left from a beautiful shawl she recently finished. She and I will be listing bears and knitted accessories soon in my Etsy shop.
The one of a kind (because of limited materials available) young lady shown above will be offered in the Etsy shop after the magazine with her ad is mailed. Just thought you'd like a sneak peek! To be fair, I cannot offer her for sale before then, but check back here in a couple of months for info on when she'll be available.
Our plan is to have bare bears and outfits available separately so that you can dress the little bears - or not - to your satisfaction. I'll have more info on that soon!
Do check out Kim's Ravelry page to see some of her magnificent pieces!www.ravelry.com KimGriffin

Thank you Teddy Bear and Friends!!

The phrase "you could have knocked me over with a feather" comes to mind! I knew that a lovely article about me written by Pam North was to appear in the upcoming issue of Teddy Bear and Friends magazine, but what a surprise to see Dandy Lion on the cover of the digital edition this morning!! Thank you Pam, Joyce Greenholdt, and all the staff at the magazine and Jones Publishing, Inc. What a surprise and what an honor!!

From there to here!

This tiny tangling panda had a few steps in his development.

Tiny head first gets nose and eyes!

Then a body - and I can already tell he's a sweetie!!

His little eyes are painted.....

And the white is added to each eye!

And after a quick Zentangle® lesson, he's making beautiful panda art!

It's May!!!

All that April rain has brought magnificent flowers! I think I've added photos of this clematis every year as the blooms are just so stunning!

And the tangles continue whenever I have a spare moment.

The tangle above used "g" as a string. I've skipped a couple, but I'll catch up!

And what about a tangled envelope!

I hope the recipient will enjoy receiving it!

And finally, a sweet Miss Panda who helped celebrate a birthday today compliments of the birthday girl's mom. So glad she arrived on time.

I hope everyone is enjoying May as much as we are!

Right, Rocky??

Architectural beauty

The architecture and art of the Grace Episcopal Church in Providence is spectacular.

I was lucky to be there at a time when the church as open to visitors and we were allowed to photograph the magisty.

I was so delighted with my iPhone's ability to take wonderful low level photos with no flash. I'll soon post more photos from the Rhode Island School of Design which also had the "no flash" requirement for photographing.