Shantock Bears

Exciting news....

2012-03-16T05:36:00.000-07:00

My lovely friend Helen of Bear Cub Designs has launch a new and exciting website for artists. Easy Art Space is growing hub of content intended to help artists with all aspects of running a creative business. Its full of helpful articles, resources and there's even an option to build your own website with Easy Art Space Builder, which I can highly recommend (more news on this in a few weeks!)

There's even a blog where all the new articles will be posted and if you sign up as a follower you get 5 FREE Art Business Acceleration course modules!

Its a really exciting new venture do take a look and sign up I'm sure you will find its worth it :0)

Wonderful Weekend...

2012-03-11T11:39:00.002-07:00

Last weekend we had the BEST time! Me, Lex and our great friends ginger and Jay spent the weekend in Canterbury. A town heaped in history there is so much to discover, the cool shops, the old buildings and the Cathedral to name a few.

We ate, walked, ate, walked and ate some more! How we didn't return home 10 sizes bigger I'll never know, but it was worth it, we had such a wonderful time with ginger and Jay, thanks guys :0) we can't wait to visit with you again in the summer!

Here's a few of the pictures I managed to snap in between eating...

Some interesting old houses!

Details in the Cathedral

Harry Potter type halls

Very usual clock!

The West Gate

Another old house

Strange trees

Super old buildings

Some crazy gargoyle

Canterbury Cathedral

I loved this little door, just the right size for a hobbit sized person like me!

Hugglets

2012-03-01T04:54:00.001-08:00

This is for you....

Find these beautiful tags here on Etsy

I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone that made Sunday such a success for me and Mum! We had a brilliant day with my bears/mice being sold out by 1pm and Mum making record sales on the knitting, we are chuffed to bits!

The show was very busy, buzzy and its usual friendly place. The quality of the work was outstanding and the organisers Irene and Glenn had, as always done a fantastic job.

Sadly I do not have any decent pictures of my stand, I forgot to take any! Lex took a few on his camera but the quality not great, but my dear friend ginger over at Bearbits blog took one, you can see it here

Now I must get on with some work, there's shop orders to complete!

Hugglets Preview 26th February 2012

2012-02-19T06:49:00.000-08:00

Hugglets Winter Bearfest

Sunday 26th February 2012

10.30am till 4.00pm

See us in hall 4, stand 125

Here's a peek at the bears and mice ready so far....

Please note they will not be available for purchase before the show.

Please drop me an email if you would like to be notified of what's left after the show.

"Allsorts"

Babushka

"Billy Blue"

"Boodle"

"Bruiser"

"Burnell"

*NEW SIZE*

"Buzzflower"

"Ditsy"

"Lillipip"

*NEW SIZE*

"Mr Wonka"

"Perry Winkle"

"Wimple"

"Willowby"

5" seated

*NEW*

Earthenware Ceramic Teddy Bear

New Project....

2012-02-16T07:19:00.000-08:00

I've been working on something a bit different lately...

It started with a lump of earthen wear clay

And a few tools

I sculpted a body

Added some legs

And arms

Then the difficult head process began

It wasn't easy

But it started to come together

Matchsticks to stop the eyes closing in while drying

Then finally this little guy was looking back at me!

Now he needs firing and painting, I'll let you know how it goes.....

Preview of a preview!

2012-02-09T05:43:00.001-08:00

There's only 17 days to go until the Hugglets show and things are coming together nicely!

Please visit the Hugglets website here for more information on the show

Gran Canaria

2012-02-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

The advantage to Lex working in the airline industry is we get some cheap flight deals from time to time! So lucky us we dashed off Gran Canaria last week. This was a new destination for us and we loved it! The weather was good, the hotel perfect and the area beautiful, just what you need to beat away the January blues.

The view from our hotel room

Big waves

Puerto Mogan

Those funny skin eating fish tanks!

Maspalomas sunset

Our shadows and a rainbow!

Maspalomas dunes

At Palmitos Park

Agaete

On my work table.....

2012-01-26T06:04:00.000-08:00

So here's what's on my work table today...

I'll be working like a house elf for the next 5 weeks

because my first show of the year is coming up

(its also my favourite!)

Hugglets

Sunday 26th Feburay 2012

What's in a name?......

2012-01-19T06:38:00.000-08:00

My Grandparents

Frank & Beryl Moon

Quite a time after making my first bear I started designing my own patterns, back then my bears were very different. They had massive ears and massive feet! There was a local bear shop where I had made friends with the owner through our shared love of bears! I took a few bears in to show her and to my delight she suggested selling them! I was over the moon, at that point not occurred to me to sell the bears, it was just a hobby!

So in order to sell my bears I needed a name.

I wanted something different and yet something that was close to my heart, I got Mum on the case and almost in the same breath we said "Shantock"

“Little Shantock” (the not so little yellow house) was a special place to me and my family as I was growing up. My Grandparents built the house brick by brick in the mid 1960’s, with help from my Mum, Aunt and a few friends. It holds many fun filled memories for me, from swinging on my very own green swing, to the blossom falling from the big cherry tree, eating cakes in the summer house, picking fruit from the fruit cages and visiting my Grandfathers honey bee’s at the top of the garden.

That's me with our dog Beren in "Little Shantocks" garden, you can see my green swing in the background and the tree was the home to a imaginary fairy!

Sadly "Little Shantock" had to be sold when my Grandfather was terminally ill, my Grandmother (the most wonderful woman I have ever known) could no longer cope with the acre of garden and such a large house, so it past on to another family who I know love it as much as we did. I often think about days spent there, days spent playing in the sunshine, making mud pies, helping my Grandmother bake cakes for tea, I can still hear my Grandfather's laugh (he had an amazing booming laugh)

I still miss them both everyday, I wish that they had lived to have seen one of my bear, alas they did not, but naming my business after Shantock seems the most fitting way to honour their memory and their love.

xxx

10 years...

2012-01-13T03:42:00.001-08:00

10 years ago this month I made my first bear! and what a disaster it was, sadly I do not have any photos of that little bear because in a fit of bear makers despair I through him away :0( but trust me he was terrible, he had holes, lose joints, wonky eyes but despite all that he had me addicted.

Back then I had no idea that I would have made a successful business in the bear world, (it took me a long while to pluck up the courage to sell one) In the previous year there had been a great deal of changes in my life, it wasn't an easy one and as I said goodbye to 2001 and hello to 2002 I sent off for a bear making kit and the rest as you say is history.

I have a few exciting things planned to celebrate this milestone, a new website early this year, some give away's and special editions! And a workshop (fingers crossed that this one works out) I'll keep you posted on these, but for now here's a few of my older bears, gosh I've come a long way!

Presents :0)

2012-01-12T03:47:00.001-08:00

Following on from my previous post here are a few of the

wonderful presents I received at Christmas....

This beautiful hardback copy of Wind in the Willows

The illustrations are super

and the cover is fantastic

Take a look at the folio society website for more amazing books

This funky necklace from La Marelle Editions

and of course new editions to my collection

Trick or Treater Mouse by my dear friend ginger over at BearBits

Noggin by the talented Bry of Thingumy & Co

I was such a lucky girl!

I'm back...good food, good company, good time!

2012-01-05T03:35:00.000-08:00

Its been quite a while since I last blogged, sorry about that. I decided to take a few weeks off work over Christmas which for me means turning the computer off! If I even go to check my emails my holiday is over because my brain starts to think about what needs to be done, how much there is to do and so on. Before I know it I'm cutting out bears and getting in a panic ;0)

It been such a lovely few weeks, I've napped in the day (which I never do) watched bad TV, caught up with dear friends and family and generally re-charged my batteries for the year ahead as its going to be another busy one.

But before I fill you in on the 2012 plans here's a few pictures of my special holiday break

Homemade glitter cranberry sauce

The main event

Christmas dinner

Christmas tea

So many presents under the tree, I was very spoilt

(more on that later)

Our beautiful tree

I made hampers for everyone presents,

it took me three months of hard work but was so worth it.

I made jams, chutneys, home grown dried herbs, soaps, fairy houses,

snowmen and the list goes on

and finally I did do a little work,

the studio needed a good spring clean and a change around.

Its so much better now and I can't wait to start making a mess again!

Bearbits Give-Away

2011-12-22T02:20:00.001-08:00

My lovely friend ginger is having another giveaway. Little Bouton is absolutely gorgeous, pop over the her blog here to enter yourself!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-20T08:52:00.001-08:00

Christmas Blog Show 2011

2011-12-11T05:41:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the show!

If you are interested in adopting any of the below bears/mice then please contact me by email, or telephone to check availability.

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

(+44) 01582 532369

(+44) 077 627 491 04

I am able to take payment by Paypal or Credit/Debit card

As always the show runs on a first come first served basis, I will endeavour to get back to people as quick as possible and will try and keep the blog updated when bears/mice sell. For the first 24 hours I have decided to limit sales to one per customer to give as many people as possible the chance to purchase a bear/mouse.

All of the bears/mice are made from upholstery velvet with either ultrasuede or felt paw pads, they have black glass eyes and are filled with steel shot and polyester.

Please note that colours may show up differently on your monitor

Please also note I will be sending the bears/mice on Thursday or Friday.

UK orders by next day Royal Mail special delivery.

International orders by Royal Mail International Signed For, which will not arrive before Christmas.

Please remember to refresh your page regularly to see which bears/mice have sold.

Thanks so much for popping by!

"Snowtoes & Frost Bite"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

White Bear 10cm/Snowman 7cm/Whole piece 13cm x 19cm

~~~~~~~

"Tumbleflump"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Brown Mouse 11 cm

~~~~~~~

"Mulberry"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Cherry Red Mouse 12cm

~~~~~~~

"Boggle"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Olive Green Bear 12cm

(Very unusual colour)

~~~~~~~

"Provence"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Pink Bear with Cath Kidston ruff 12cm

~~~~~~~

"Jollybells"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Red and Green Bear 10cm

~~~~~~~

"Sugarflake"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Creamy Yellow Mouse 7cm

Matchbox covered bed 5.5cm X 12cm

~~~~~~~

"Giggledimples"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Scarlet Red Mouse 7cm

Christmas pudding 4cm X 6cm

~~~~~~~

"Baffle"

SOLD

(P&P UK £7, Worldwide £12)

Light Tan Brown Mouse 7cm

Thank you so much for popping by!

Merry Christmas

Little teaser....

2011-12-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

Christmas Blog Show

Sunday 11th December

7pm (GMT)

Only 6 days until the Christmas Blog Show....

2011-12-05T11:39:00.000-08:00

Christmas Blog Show

Sunday 11th December

7pm (GMT)

Here's a little taster for you......

Four accessories ready for little bears and mice

One little bear, waiting for a home!

If you have not experienced my annual Christmas Blog Show here's some details on how it works:

At 7pm (GMT) I will upload the bears and mice for sale here on the blog
The show works on a first come first served bases
As I will only have a small selection available I limit purchases to one per customer for the first 24 hours, this is so as many people as possible get to purchase something. In previous years all the bears and mice have sold before 24 hours
You can then contact me with your choice, 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc by telephone or email (please note my telephone number has changed to 01528 252369)
Its really helpful if you can include in the email how you wish to pay (if emailing!)
I will get back to you ASAP as to whether you have successfully reserved that bear/mouse
We can then sort out payment by either Paypal or Credit or Debit Card over the phone
You can find out what time it will be in your time zone here

If you have any questions please feel free to email at:

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

For all my US friends....

2011-11-24T02:47:00.000-08:00

Here's hoping your day is wonderful!

A weekend up North!

2011-11-22T08:23:00.000-08:00

Its been another super busy weekend for me!

Friday morning me, Mum and Auntie Val travelled up the M1 to visit my Cousin Ray (Val's son) Ray lives in North Yorkshire, very convenient for us as its only 40 minutes away from Sheffield! So we managed to kill two birds with one stone, pack in a family visit and a bear show!

Ray really looked after us all weekend, he cooked, drove us around and put up with me taking over his living room table with bear bits and constantly pinching his laptop!

We had such a lovely time, its just a pity it went by so quick.

Here's a few pictures from the weekend......

York Minster Cathedral

Totally stunning! We didn't have long in York so didn't get to look inside,

but a trip back is earmarked for our next visit

Mum, Val and Ray

Treasurer's House

Not really sure what this place was because it was shut by the time we walked past

but it looked so pretty all lit up

This little chap was one of the last minute cutie's

I managed to finish before the show but not put on the preview

(he has found a home)

Another little one

(he has found a home too)

Here's our table at The Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event

And a close up of the bears, mice and my train, its a real working train that drove me mad going round and round all day!

As usual the fair was brilliant, Katherine does a amazing job of organising the show and we are all looking forward to visiting again next year.

Mini preview for the Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event 2011

2011-11-17T05:52:00.000-08:00

Sunday 20th November 2011

10.30am to 4pm

Here's a few of the little ones I'll be bringing on Sunday.

(I'm still working on a few more!)

Provence

Marling

Brandy Butter

Plumduff

Mackay

Sprout

As usual the bears and mice have been made, in the first instance for sale at the Yorkshire show. I will not be selling or reserving anything prior to Sunday, however if you would like to register an interest in any of the creations, I'd be happy to get in touch with you if they don't sell on the day. Just drop me an email:

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

Bear Basics and Beyond

2011-11-08T08:10:00.000-08:00

I will have a few copies of this wonderful book for sale at The Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event on the 20th November.

This book is fantastic, not only for the beginner bear maker, but for the seasoned bear maker too. I've certainly learnt loads from it! Its beautifully produced and the pictures are perfect.

My dear friend Helen of Bear Cubs Designs left the books with me after her visit to the Hugglets show back in September. I thought it would be lovely to take some along to the shows I attend so that people in the UK can have the chance to purchase a copy and not pay postage from Australia!

For more information on the book please visit Helen's website

The book is priced at £30

Let me know if you'd like to reserve one

Here's me and Helen at the Hugglets show. The day before we had spent a happy afternoon drinking coffee, eating cake and talking bears. Helen's lovely Mum and Dad joined us too. Its such a shame we live so far apart, who knows when we'll be able to do this again.

The Great Yorkshire Teddy Bear Event 2011

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Sunday 20th November 2011

10.30am to 4.00pm

With less than two weeks to this wonderful show I am (as usual) all in a panic, I have the total of NO bears finished!!! As always I'm bound to pull it all together at the last minute, I've never failed yet, but I am worried. Must get back to work immediately :0)

So please visit the shows website for more information on the show. It really is a brilliant day out, Katherine, John and their family helpers did a fab job with this fair last year and I'm so looking forward to the day.

Happy Birthday Bear Garden

2011-11-07T09:34:00.001-08:00

This month marks the 19th Birthday of the Bear Garden and to celebrate I have created a fun little collection that are now on-line here.

Below are a couple of the little ones available, pop over to the website for more pictures and information.

Oh and a big Happy Birthday to goes out to Andrew and his team, its a pleasure to be able work with you.

Red Velvet

Fudge

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T06:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend my friends Kim and Phil had a "Banquet for the Dead" party.

Phil took this rather grim photo of me, which I rather like, even if its pretty disturbing.

Work in progress.....

2011-10-27T09:01:00.001-07:00

Sneak-a-peek new bears and mice in Hamleys

2011-10-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

Here's a peek at the bears and mice that have just arrived at Hamleys

They would love a visit if your in the area!

Save the date (Christmas Blog Show)

2011-10-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

(Pinky-Twinkle-Toes, from last year blog show)

Christmas Blog Show

Sunday 11th December

7pm

For more details please join the mailing list here:

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

Over the last few days......

2011-10-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

I have been...

Climbing to the top of castles...

to take photos of the view and explore...

Dreaming of houses I wish to own one day.....

both big and small.....

Highcliff Castle... one of my favourite places to be

Give-Away (A Stuffed Life)

2011-10-16T05:31:00.001-07:00

The hugely talented Kelly is having a wonderful give-a-way pop over to her blog for more information

Me & Him

2011-09-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

Just to prove we really was there here's a few pictures of us!

Walking in Meribel

Outside the Casino in Monaco

Birthday dinner in Germany

Me looking a little crazed inside the Christmas shop

(this was just after I had told Lex that I loved it so much I wanted to live there!)

Chilling by the fire in Germany

(unlike France it was cold)

In the tower at Reness le Chateau

Swimming in Valbonne

Our two travelling companions for 5 days of the trip

Emma and Stewart travelled home after we left Meribel

PS. See those amazing wooden bowls, we brought one of those!

Monschau - Germany

2011-09-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

The final part of our trip was spent in a beautiful little town called Monschau, just on the German/Belgium boarder. The reason for this was because Lex had tickets for the Grand Prix in Spa. So while he was watching cars drive round and round I sat in our lovely apartment and sewed!

This shop was awesome.

Three floors of Christmas decorations

Tomorrow I will share the last few random photos,

then that's my holiday diary done for this year :0(

Yum!

2011-09-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

French Patisserie's, need I say any more......

Okay not all patisserie photo's!

I can assure you that as me and Lex sampled a good few of the above

they do taste as good as they look!

German dinner! Cooked by me for Lex's Birthday

His favourite

Roulanden, red cabbage, kohlrabi in bechamel sauce and potatoes

Not a bad effort for my first attempt at this dinner made famous by Lex's late Grandma

Carcassonne & Rennes-le-Chateau

2011-09-18T12:34:00.000-07:00

Carcassonne is like a fairytale village, as you approach the village from below all you see are turrets and towers, its really something.

On the right of this picture you can see a green window, I got the BEST handbag in this shop!

Each building had its own gargoyles

Anyone who's read or seen The Da Vinci Code will know about Rennes-le-Chateau.

I had no idea about it having not read the book or seen the film but I must say its a powerful place, I have no idea about all these conspiracy theories but it certainly had an atmosphere.

More to come.....

Musee des Automates

2011-09-17T00:22:00.000-07:00

Possibly the strangest place I've ever been!

Me and Lex thought we'd taken some kind of psychedelic drug.

Have a look at the website for more information here

Valbonne & St Paul De Vence

2011-09-16T11:32:00.000-07:00

We visited so many lovely little villages with winding streets,

most shops where selling all kinds of arts and crafts and clothes!

Valbonne

St Paul De Vence

St Paul De Vence, has over 60 art galleries, unfortunately we got there just as most had closed, I looked longingly through the windows though

(I think that pleased Lex!)

St Paul De Vence is best seen at night, all the streets are lit up with lamps giving off the most wonderful atmosphere! This photo does not do it justice but it gives you an idea.

Stay tuned for more pictures tomorrow.

Meribel & Monaco

2011-09-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

I'll let the photos do most of the talking :0)

The view from hotel room in Meribel

Meribel Lake

Meribel Mountains

Meribel views

The roundabout as you arrive/leave Meribel, so cool!

Beautiful Monaco buildings

View of the palace

Me!

More Monaco views

Too beautiful and very, very hot

The casino

Opposite the Casino

The casino again, I've never seen so many posh cars in one place before!

Random Eggs....

All hand painted

Check by for more photos tomorrow

Hugglets, homes needed, and what's next!!!!

2011-09-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

Wow what a lovely (but exhausting) day we had yesterday, as always the Hugglets show was fantastic. Its always such a well run, well supported, friendly show.

A big thank you to all the customers who came and brought a bear, mouse or some knitting, your support keeps me and Mum doing what we love.

I have a few little ones looking for homes still, two of which I finished at the last minute so didn't have time to post them on the preview! If your interested in the below please drop me an email shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

Edward Snowbear

Viscose

£120 + P&P

Todd

SOLD

Doris

£80 + P&P

Now there's no rest for me over the next few months, I'm straight back to work on shop orders, commissions and show collections. If you would like to be notified of when my work becomes available then please join the mailing list at the above email address.

Also my fingers crossed that this week I'll find the time to upload my France photos, I just don't know where the time goes!

Hugglets TEDDIES 2011 Preview.....

2011-09-08T09:05:00.001-07:00

Hugglets TEDDIES 2011

Sunday 11th September

See us in Hall 4, stand 125

Here's what I've managed to finish so far......

Beckett

Pumpkin Fairy

Darcy

Todd

Locklyn

Dillis

"Hope"

Ju Ju Bean

Sosie

Raven

Nickle

I'll be busy finishing off a few more bears and mice before Sunday and I am hoping to get the time to update the blog with their photos.

As usual the bears and mice have been made in the first instance for sale at the Hugglets show. I will not be selling or reserving anything prior to Sunday, however if you would like to register an interest in any of the creations, I'd be happy to get in touch with you if they don't sell on the day. Drop me an email:

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

P.S. The lovely photo effects were created on this site here that my lovely friend from Donna and the Bears shared on her blog, thanks Donna I'm going to have lots of fun with this.

Now I must get back to sewing!

Always behind...must stop going on holiday!

2011-08-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

I've just returned home from another epic trip away. Lex turned 30 at the weekend and to celebrate we decided on a little trip, well when I say little I mean a 17 day, 3000 mile road trip through, France, Luxembourg, Germany and Beligum. We had a blast and now its quickly back to reality, Hugglets is only 11 days away and I am not organised. I will update you more on our trip after Hugglets when I've got myself together. In the meantime I'll share these photos

Monschau

Germany

St Paul de Vence

France

Carcassonne

France

PS. I think I'll be late with my preview this time....watch this space

Coming soon....

2011-08-25T09:19:00.000-07:00

HUGGLETS PREVIEW

Whoooooooooo Yeahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Wise words.....

2011-08-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we're apart.. i'll always be with you.”

“You can't help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right; but spelling isn't everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn't count.”

A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.”

Bears and mice looking for homes!

2011-08-16T03:23:00.000-07:00

There's a few bears and mice looking for new homes in some of the stockists that I supply, check out the links below to see whats on offer.

The Bear Garden

Village Bears

One month today.....

2011-08-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

we will be at the wonderful Hugglets TEDDIES 2011 show! I'm very busy working on bears, mice and a squirrel to bring to the show.

As usual me and Mum will be on stall 125 in hall 4

On my desk.....

2011-08-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Sneak a peek....

2011-08-05T03:40:00.001-07:00

Here's a wee peek at the bears and mice on their way to

The Bear Garden

I'm now working on bears for Hugglets!! Only 5 weeks away!

Lovely Friday Surprise!

2011-07-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

I wandered into town today to pick up the latest copy of TBT and had such a lovely surprise, because there was one of my bears staring at me from the front cover!

Then as I look inside there is also an article on me and my bears,

yay! I'm a happy bear maker today

Thanks TBT for including me.x

The veggies of my labour!

2011-07-26T09:49:00.000-07:00

Look what's come from my garden.......

Courgettes (Zucchini) made into ratatouille

Carrots perfect with cottage pie

Oh and this one didn't come from the garden but I did make it with my own fair hands! Pavlova for Mum's second Birthday dinner!

(This time we had no cat troubles!!!!!)

It was SO good, you can't really see in this picture but it had gold glitter over it too

Tea Party

2011-07-24T13:29:00.001-07:00

There's nothing better than afternoon tea with friends......

Childhood Hero

2011-07-15T11:44:00.000-07:00

As a child my favourite author was Roald Dahl, I read all his books, became absorbed in the adventures of Charlie, laughed at the Twits and rooted for The Fantastic Mr Fox against his battle with Boggis, Bunce and Bean! I loved his silliness and his made up words. I've seen all the films adapted from the books and now as an adult I still love them, so much so that I've used them as inspirations for my bears.

Last year when attending the TBAI I used George's Marvelous Medicine as my choice for the gallery piece!

My "take" on a beary George!

And this year for the Bartie Bristle Excellence Awards I found myself turning to Roald again, this time Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. (I have to admit here that Gene Wilder's Wonka was my main influence for this piece)

"Willy"

Both of these pieces I'm really fond of, so much so in Wonka's case, I've kept him! which I don't often do. I think that my next bookish inspired piece should be Fantastic Mr Fox, I wonder what Mr Dahl would of thought about my work, I hope he would of approved of my "take" on his books.

Teddy Take Over.....

2011-07-07T07:30:00.000-07:00

Hello There, Muggleton here staging a "Teddy Take Over"

As I originally came from gingers house where blog take overs are part of everyday life I thought it was only right I carry on this tradition here in the UK! Elanor says I better not get used to it or let on to the other bears what I'm doing, because she has far too many bears for this to happen often, so I've secretly snuck up to Elanor studio to share with you my first week here in the UK!

My arrival in the UK wasn't a smooth as I'd hoped, After a very long flight (its 3850.016 miles between ginger's house and here!) I was held hostage by Parcel Force and Lex had to pay a randsom to get me out! He drove all the way to Milky Beans (Milton Keynes to anyone not local) to get me after work, he was very worried about me but luckily ginger had packed me very well so I was safe and sound. Lex had to wait two days before he could give me to Elanor so I hung out at Lex's Mum's house for a bit which was fun. When Elanor's Birthday arrived I was very nervous about meeting her but ginger was right when she told me Elanor was very nice and would look after me very well.

Elanor didn't want to pack me up again after all I'd been in my box for quite a while so she decided I should come with them on their Dorset travels, I sat on the dashboard of Lex's car and saw some beautiful villages and towns as we drove though the lanes, up hills and down into valleys, it was a lovely trip and Elanor has promised to take me again one day!

So here's some photos of what I got up to.........

Eype beach, this is where we stayed!

(not on the beach but at a little bungalow up the road)

There was a little boat on the beach and I had to go and explore

A "99" ice cream yummy

Staring out to sea

(one of Elanor's favourite things!)

I snuck in the picnic hamper!

Ummmm bacon sandwiches

and sausages too!

Star-gazing, it looks light because of the flash but it was very, very dark!

Behind me is Lulworth Cove

More picnic's, I've been very well fed

More staring out to sea

Sitting on Elanor's knee watching Lex swimming in the cold sea, if you click on the photo you should see him!

The welcome committee, when I returned to Elanor's house I was greeted by all the other bears that have come from ginger's house, oh it did make me feel at home :0)

Now I better sign off before I get caught!

Thanks ginger for sending me to Elanor she loves me very much.

Delectable Dorset

2011-07-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

Dorset is my most favourite place to visit in the UK, I love the rolling hills, the beautiful Beach's, the fab shops. Even though Lex has travelled most of the world he'd never been to Dorset, so we decided a weekend away for my Birthday and our Anniversary would be perfect and it was......

Day 1 - Friday (My Birthday)

Corfe Castle

Posing at Corfe Castle

Us at Corfe

From the top of the castle the views are stunning

There is a steam train from Swanage to Corfe, we didn't do this but I've done it before and can safely say its wonderful

Getting arty!

Day 2 - Saturday (Our Anniversary)

"Shopping day, aka Lex being very patient day"

Lyme Regis

One day we will own a camper like this one!

The harbour and view of the Golden Cap

Awesome shop!

Lex brought me two Cath Kidson jugs for all the sweet peas I keep cutting from the garden

Part of Lyme beach

The harbour again, those little lads had been mackerel fishing

The beach again

Saturday afternoon trip to Charmouth, its where all the fossils can be found

In the evening instead of going out for dinner we took a BBQ down to Eype beach and had sausage and bacon sandwiches!

On the way down to the beach we saw this cottage, one day I will live in a cottage like this

Lex being manly cooking on the BBQ

We stayed to star-gaze this was taken just as the sun set, a perfect end to a perfect day.

Day 3 -Sunday

"Beach Bums"

Durdle Door, Man of War and Lulworth Cove

(My favourite beach's in the world)

This is Durdle Door, its so peaceful here, even when the beach is full of people

Lulworth Cove

Picnic at Lulworth

Man of War

Day 4 - Monday

"Abbots & Monkeys"

Abbotsbury and Monkey World

A beautiful church in a little village called Abbotsbury

The view from the churchyard

Looking out over the pond

Pretty poppies

Cheeky chimp at Monkey World

Sadly this was the end of our trip, we had such a brilliant time and I'm pleased to say Lex liked Dorset nearly as much as I do and we are already planning another trip next year!

Check back tomorrow for " Teddy take over"

Perfect presents

2011-07-06T14:39:00.001-07:00

The end of June beginning of July is a busy one for me, Mum's Birthday is on the 29th June, mine is on the 1st July, 32!!!! I still feel like I'm 18 most days ;0), its me and Lex's anniversary (3 years! Gosh its gone fast) Also my Aunts Birthday on the 5th, so over the last week there's been some celebrating in the Andrews/Ledger households!

Mum's Birthday didn't go quite to plan because we had a very poorly Binky that day, he been bitten by another cat and it had gone septic, it was all rather dramatic, he when missing and when we found him in a neighbours back garden we had to rush him to the vets! He's on the mend now but it did rather spoil the Birthday dinner we had planned, so we will have a re-run Birthday for her later in the month!

Binky Bow-Bows, much better now :0)

My Birthday however was perfect, I received so many amazing presents, everyone had put so much thought into my gifts, I am a very lucky girl! Me and Lex escaped to my favourite part of the county, Dorset for the weekend so it was double perfect, I'll share some photos of the weekend tomorrow, meanwhile here's a few pictures of me opening some of my presents.....

This was taken at my Aunts house, we dropped by her house in the New Forest on our way to Dorset

This is my Tiffany silver pen, kindly given to me by Lex's lovely Mum Sooz

Me opening a VERY special gift from Lex, what could it be....

and here it is, can you guess what it is yet?

Did you guess right! Lex had conspired with my favourite artist (and very good friend) ginger Brame to make the most wonderful Harry Potter themed Bear in a box! I was beyond thrilled, it was such a surprise. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

A happy girl with the BEST present!

For more details on the box please visit ginger's blog here and here, she explains things so much better than me.

Available Bears...Updated 7th July - All Bears now sold

2011-07-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

Before I update you on my busy last two weeks I wanted to share with you 3 cutie's available to purchase........

"Wintergreen"

Duck egg blue upholstery velvet

SOLD

"Jaques"

Pale gold/cream upholstery velvet

SOLD

"Bertram"

Gold upholstery velvet

SOLD

For more information on these little ones or to place an order please drop me an email @

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

Check out the blog towards the end of the week for photos from my action pack weekends away!

A few photos from a lovely weekend....

2011-06-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

There's lots going on in my little world at the moment (tell you more next week!) so I've not much time to update you on my weekend away in the New Forest! Lets just say its was lovely as always and here's a few photos from one of our trips!

On Friday me, my Mum and Aunt visited the wonderful Brownsea Island

This was the view from one side of the Island

Mum and Val sitting on "our" tree

(every time we visit we sit here and take a photo!)

The only church on the Island (Its pretty small! But perfect)

New Forest Bear Festival

2011-06-21T09:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend we will be be at......

The New Forest Bear Festival

Beaulieu Village, Hants

10:30am to 4:30pm

For more info click here

I will be bringing a small collection of bears and mice and Lyn will have a fab selection of bear knits! Come visit us in the village hall.

No preview this time but here's a peek at my competition piece for the Bartie Bristle Excellence Award, the theme is chocolate can you guess who it is?!

Thanks, Stratford, winning and another show!

2011-06-13T09:05:00.001-07:00

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Today I have 3 BIG thank you's to say!

Firstly me and Mum had a fab day yesterday, the rain did not put off the lovely collectors and I was blown away that nearly all my bears and mice found new homes, thanks so much to everyone who brought a bear, mouse or two from me, you made my day!

Secondly its such a great show to do, Samantha and her team of friends and family do a brilliant job making it special, there's so many little touches that add to the wonderful atmosphere, so a big thanks also goes out to Samantha and her helpers!

And thirdly I was delighted that my mouse "Sad Sack" won 1st place in his category "Feeling Blue" I now have another lovely TBAE medal which I will display proudly, so another thanks goes out to everyone who voted for me! I'm extremely touched.

So today I am a happy bear maker, but also a busy one, as in two weeks I'll be at another show. My friends Julie and Amanda of Bear it in Mind, Hairy Hugs and Bartie Bristles fame are once again holding their New Forest Bear Festival in Beaulieu High Street on 26th June, both me and Mum will be there with bears, mice, knitting and also an Auntie, as my super special Auntie Val will be helping us out at her first ever bear show! Val's visited a few shows before but has never had the opportunity to come along as a helper so I'm really hoping she'll enjoy the experience.

This show is kinda different than a normal bear show, hence its called a festival, it really is like a festival, its a family event with lots of fun activities throughout the day all teddy bear themed! Oh and there's also loads of beautiful bears to buy! For any teddy bear lover its well worth a visit so for more information please visit here.

As I have nothing new to show you right now I've posted a few more pictures of Sad Sack and I'm off to start sewing, no resting on her laurels for this bear maker.

Teddy Bear Artist Event of 2011 Preview....

2011-06-05T08:51:00.001-07:00

Teddy Bear Artist Event of 2011

'A Celebration of Bear Artistry'

Sunday 12th June 2011

11:00am to 4:00pm

The Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon

Here's a peek at the collection coming with us,

fingers crossed by Sunday I should have a few others available too.

Me and Mum (who will be bringing lots of lovely knitting)

will be on our usual table 12

Hope to see you there

"Snug"

"Bertram"

"Sad Sack"

"Jaques"

"Timon"

"Hortensio"

"Paris"

Ferdinand & Francisco

As always this collection will be available at the show on Sunday in the first instance.

If you would like to be notified after the show which bears and mice are looking for homes or would like any other information,

please drop me an email at shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

How does my garden grow....

2011-06-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining on my little corner of the world today and this is what I've been doing!

(While Lex has been gardening!)

Let me take you on a little tour.....

Can't remember the name of this stunning plant, Dad gave it to me last week, along with 90% of the other plants in this garden......Thanks Dad x

This is one of our solar lights, in amongst some kinda herb

Our veggie patch, carrots, lettuce, beetroot

More veggie patch, runner beans, courgettes, tomatoes, french beans.....I can't wait to start eating these

Pretty Pansy's

Bountiful herbs

Sunflower

My favourite flower the sweet pea

Sweet pea's full length!

I do so love having a garden

Check back tomorrow for the TBAE preview

Two weeks today!

2011-05-29T05:15:00.000-07:00

We will be at the wonderful

Teddy Bear Artist Event of 2011

Sunday 12th June 2011
11:00am to 4:00pm
The Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon

Now in its 4th year the show is a celebration of bear artistry, where you will

find over 50 stalls of artist bears, bear-making materials, an

amazing charity raffle, homemade refreshments, and a display

of the Exhibitor's Challenge.

I will put up a preview of the bears and mice joining me next Sunday in the meantime here's a cheeky peek at just a few little ones

Exciting give-away!

2011-05-23T09:00:00.001-07:00

To celebrate her 500 blog post the lovely ginger is giving away this wonderful fellow, pop over to her blog to have a chance of giving him a home!

Congratulations my friend, your blog always fills me with joy

xxx

Last weekend, cars, ponies and pudding!

2011-05-22T05:07:00.001-07:00

Last weekend me, Lex and my Mum went to visit my My Aunt who lives in the New Forest. We are really lucky to have family live in such a beautiful area, I love driving through the Forest with ponies wandering along the road grazing, being 10 minutes from the sea, where we had fish and chips looking out to the Isle of Wight and generally having a change of pace compared to our busy lives here at home.

Here's a few pictures of what we got up too.

The best meringue in the world!!!! We went to lunch at The Station House in Holmsley where me and Mum shared this pudding! If your ever in the New Forest you have to go and try one of these, they really are the best.

One of my Mum's favourite things to do is have a pony cart ride through the forest, its so relaxing.

Me and Lex visited Beaulieu National Motor Museum, we had fun looking at all the cars.

(Lex especially enjoyed it)

This is my dream car an Austin Healey

This is the actual car from the Harry Potter Movie! As a BIG Potter fan I was very excited to see this car

For Top Gear fans there is The Top Gear experience! This is where loads of the cars used in the programmes are kept and theses are just a few of my favourites.

This weekend hasn't been quite so much fun, mostly Lex has been gardening and I have been sewing trying to get ready for my next big show, more on that next week!

I've been working on....

2011-05-13T09:36:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share with you a peek at the collection I've been working on for a new stockist of my work in Florida, USA. Village Bears will be receiving 6 mice from me in the next week or so. Anyway while I was out in the garden taking some photos I had "help" from my little feline friend Molly Cat. That's not her name, its just what I call her because I'm not sure who she belongs too. Ever since I moved here she's been visiting everyday, she's the sweetest natured cat, has a very playful manner and likes to check out anything new in the garden, hence it took me a rather long time to photograph the 6 little cuties!

"Aren't I beautiful?!"

"What have we here?!"

"It doesn't smell like a real mouse!"

A tiny peek at a pink fellow

and a little grey one

I do love a garden....

2011-05-09T12:00:00.000-07:00

The weekend before last me and Lex took a trip to Wisley RHS garden. The weather was perfect and we had a lovely time wandering around, here's a few pictures I took on my phone!

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Bluebells

2011-04-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

What could be lovelier than a walk through the Bluebells!?

New Bears and mice in Hamleys

2011-04-20T08:33:00.000-07:00

Happy, happy, happy!!!

2011-04-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

I woke up to some wonderful news this morning........ My name was picked to give Cody a home, made by the hugely talented Evgenia of Bears for People. I never win anything so this is such a treat, I also do not have a bear from a Russian artist so its a double win! I can't wait for Cody to arrive.

Thank you Evgenia for your generous gift xx

You can check out Evgenia's fantastic work here

Check back in a few days to see the 12 bears and mice heading off to Hamleys next week!

Hello there!

2011-04-11T03:37:00.000-07:00

The Bear Garden

2011-04-01T03:45:00.000-07:00

New bears and mice have just arrived at The Bear Garden

Baillie

Sunday afternoon indulgence!

2011-03-27T07:48:00.001-07:00

Home made ginger nut biscuits and coffee

Im late, I'm late......

2011-03-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is how I feel right now, late! Very late for everything!!!!!!

Sorry for the lack of posts, I just can't seem to get my life together right now.

I'm trying very hard so should be back on track by the end of the month.....well that's the plan anyway!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh my....

2011-03-06T09:47:00.001-08:00

We spent another very enjoyable Saturday with ginger and Jay this weekend, this time they came up to visit us and we took them to Woburn Safari Park, we saw lions, and tigers and bears (oh my) and a whole host of other animals, we also had lunch in a lovely tea room and dinner in a local country pub, but the best bit was just spending time with our dear friends..... I'm really going to miss them when they return to the States tommorow :-(

Available bear and mouse (updated 3/3/11)

2011-03-02T09:17:00.001-08:00

I have two little cute girls available for purchase this week

Queenie is now SOLD

Queenie is a chunky little lady, she is 5" for head to toe and has a rather round belly

(too much cheese I think!)

She is made from pale yellow/gold upholstery velvet,

has pink Ultrasuede paws and a lovely long tail.

Queenie wears a dark red bonnet and cardigan hand knitted by my Mum.

Queenie is priced £90 + P&P

Eliza is now SOLD

Eliza is slightly slimmer than her mousey friend but still has the trade mark weight of a Shantock bear.

She is 5" from head to toe and is made from a beautiful tan brown upholstery velvet with white guard hairs, she had pink Ultrasuede paws.

Eliza proudly wears a hand knitted bonnet and cardigan by my Mum in lovely multi coloured wool.

Eliza is priced at £90 + P&P

If you are interested in either of these two lovely ladies please email me at the following address:

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

What a lovely life!

2011-03-01T12:01:00.000-08:00

When I made my first bear over eight years ago I never imagined what a world of opportunities it would open up for me. Two of the best bits have been traveling the UK, Europe and USA exhibiting my bears at some of the best shows the teddy bear scene has to offer and the other is the friendships I have made from all four corners of the world!

Two of the wonderful friends I have collected along the way are ginger and Jay from North Carolina, you'll know ginger because of her fantastic bears which can be found here and here! You'll also know I'm her biggest fan, her bears are simply stunning.

As I mentioned a few posts ago ginger exhibited at Hugglets on Sunday. So not only did we get to spend a lovely Hugglets day with them, me and Lex also met up with them on Saturday and spent the day in London. We had such a lovely time and only wish they lived closer so we could more often spend time together!

Here's a few photos of our lovely weekend.

Lunch was had in Sasastro's

A wander around Camden market

ginger and Jay with the fabulous bears, rabbits and elephants!

Me and Mum at our stall

And here's what I came home with

My fairy bear by ginger, a robin by Susan of Little Hugs and some polymer clay piece's by Manda Theart.

(Paid for by Christmas money from Lex, thank you my generous fella)

Winter Bearfest Preview 2011

2011-02-21T08:48:00.001-08:00

Here's 12 little cuties ready and waiting to go on Sunday

(I'm planning to bring a few more than this, keep your fingers crossed)

Blueberry-Pie

Bubblegum
4"

Cherry Puff
4"

Lissy

Socks

Vanilla
4"

Eliza

Ripples
5"

Popsicle
5"

Georgie
5"

Queenie
5"

Sad Sidney

See you in hall 4, stall 125

Click here for the Hugglets website

One week to go......

2011-02-20T03:06:00.001-08:00

SUNDAY 27th FEB 2011

10:30-4:00

For more details please visit the Hugglets website by clicking on the above picture

A week today the doors will be open, the collectors will be at their favourite stalls and I shall be happy!

I know I've said it before but I do so LOVE a Hugglets show. Many years before I started making bears I went to my first Hugglets, I'd been to a few local shows but these had not prepared me for a Hugglets Sunday. We got there early (well we thought it was early 10am) to find a queue all the way down the road! I couldn't believe it, when we were let through the doors I remember being shocked at how people knew were they were going, dashing off to their favourite artists, me and Mum just didn't know where to start, these days I still miss that buzz of collecting, although I now have a my dream at exhibiting at Hugglets I miss being there as a collector. I wouldn't change it for the world, I'd just like to clone myself so I could enjoy both aspects of the day!

Oh and yes this year will be even more exciting because my favourite bear artists is coming to town!!!!!!!!!! My friend ginger of The Piece Parade and her lovely husband Jay are arriving in the UK from North Carolina at the weekend and will be a couple of tables away from me in hall 4. I met ginger for the first time at the TBAI last year. Although I felt as if I already knew her because we have "chatted" on email for years as I have a few of gingers beautiful bears. I'm really looking forward to seeing this beautiful lady and her very funny husband. Make sure you pop by her stall on Sunday before I buy all her bears ;-)

Here's s small example of gingers work

Happy Valentines Day

2011-02-14T03:28:00.000-08:00

Some of my favourite romantic films/couples!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Paul/Fred & Holly Golightly

Romeo and Juliet

Its a Wonderful Life
George and Mary Bailey

You've Got Mail

Joe Fox & Kathleen Kelly

Wonderful Waterfall Walk

2011-02-12T04:20:00.001-08:00

Let me take you on a stroll to the Kalidonia Waterfalls......

Look there's snow

This walk was about 2km up hill and we had to cross over the river quite a few times

Nearly at the top

Can you see the rainbow?

It was a magical walk, even though it was cold because we were high up in the mountains the sun was shining and all was right with our little world for a few hours!!

Beautiful beaches

2011-02-11T03:47:00.001-08:00

As you can see the coast line of Cyprus has some really has fantastic beaches

Just to prove we did have one spectacular day of sunshine

Lex paddling at Nissi beach

Nissi beach
Guess who's toes?!
Another view from Nissi beach Sea Caves, Cape Greco
Cape Greco
The nearest beach to our villa that I've forgotten the name of!
Higher up view of that same nameless beach!

Tomorrow I'll share the waterfall walk

The cats of Cyprus!

2011-02-10T09:04:00.000-08:00

Everywhere I went in Cyprus there were cats, in car parks, on the beach, walking in the town, outside Church's, even in Church's, its seems that there's two thinking's on why there are so many feral cats

They were brought in to help keep the rat population down
or to help the snakes problem

I'm really not sure which (if either) is true but being a lifelong cat lover I didn't really care I loved it. Lex is used to me going up to make friends with animals of all sorts, but it was pretty serious this time, I had cats follow me, clime on me, sit on me, I even had a crazy dog come running up to me one day and I couldn't get rid of it!!! In the end Lex started calling me Dr Doolittle!!!!!!!!

I also couldn't resist dragging Lex off to Malcolm's Cat Sanctuary, a charity quite local to us and of course one close to my heart, they care for around 200 cats, I thought it was fantastic the work the volunteers do. Here's the website if your interested:

http://http://www.malcolmcat.org/

Here's a few of the many cat pictures I took.

"Tock"

The resident feline at the donkey sanctuary

Drinking at the sanctuary

I've never seen so many cats in one place

A cat in a swimming pool!!!!

Chilling in the grass

Church cats! You can't see but right by these little ones was a church by the sea

This little guy reminded me of my Binky Bo Bops just a slightly different colour!

Cyprus adventure

2011-02-07T08:33:00.000-08:00

The reason I've been a bit quite of late is because Lex whisked me away to Cyprus for 10 days, isn't he a gem!

We had a real relaxing time and although the weather wasn't great we did have a few days of sunshine. Neither of us had been to Cyprus before (even though Lex has travelled much the world and been to most places) so it was a new adventure for us both.

We spent alot of time chilling in our beautiful villa, watching Soprano's season 5 and 6 (part 1, we still need to see the final episodes) and Gavin and Stacey, eating lots (so now we both have to diet) and visting local ruins and monastery's, as the Hugglets show is only 3 weeks away (eekkk!) I had to take sewing with me and have now come home with 10.5 bears/mice ready to stuff (that .5 is because I've still got a head to sew up on one little grey bear)

I'll share some photos over the next few days (and the story of us nearly missing our flight home) when I've finished unpacking and generally got myself together, meanwhile here's a couple to keep you going......

Natural bridge at Cape Greco

Kalidonia Waterfall

First mouse of 2011

2011-01-24T05:46:00.000-08:00

Yay I've managed to get myself together this weekend and complete four mice and one bear! Lets hope that now I've got my mojo/momentum back I can sustain it!!!!!!!

I'm really happy with this little guy, I've had that paper hat and kite for a while and I think he looks well cute!

I can't share with you any of the others as they are for shops and special orders and their new Mummy's or Daddy's haven't seen them yet!!!!

Now I must get on with some sewing

TTFN

Unproductive January

2011-01-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

On my work table, loads started, nothing finished :-(

My new year start on bear making has not really gone to plan, things seem to be getting in the way, Birthdays, parties, cake making, carpet fitting!!!! So this Sunday I had a whole day planned to work, thought I get a good 12 hours done, alas I ended up in hospital with a minor eye injury!!! Don't worry nothing major and I'm fine now but it did mean I spent Sunday on the sofa. This week I endeavour to get at least one bear finished, keep your fingers crossed.

Tick!

2011-01-08T05:27:00.000-08:00

Here's what my to-do list looks like today:

Update the Blog - a
Spring Clean the Studio - a
Do a stock check and order new supplies
Write and send out newsletter - a
Start new bears/mice
Clean the bathroom - a

I guess that's not bad considering I got up so late and also spent a few hours sorting out computer files which was not on my to-do list!

Today I must finish the rest of my jobs, the studio is lovely and tidy and I can't wait to start work again.

Oh and I thought it was about time I shared a few pictures of my studio with you.

I love a bit of bunting and this also provides hanging space for little clothes waiting for owners!

This doll is nearly 100 years old, she was my Grannie's and she now sits and watches me work.

I have a lot of books from my childhood and I find them very useful as reference for my work, I also have a large number of how-to books that I love to read but never have time to make anything from!

This bed is over 50 years old, it was made by my Great Uncle Charlie for my Mum when she was a child, its was handed down to me when I was little and I spent many happy hours putting my dollies to bed. Nowadays my Little Dirt Lane Doll Abbi sits there!

My pride and joy! Its so old and keeps going wrong but I just can't get on with an electric machine.

I made this pin board, its full of lovely cards, photos and pictures people have given me.

The view of one side

The view of the other

Get organised........yeah right!!!

2011-01-07T04:35:00.000-08:00

Hiya! I have found this week tough, having three weeks off work was brilliant however its been hard getting up early and leaving for work in the dark. I only do three days a week in my other job but since moving I've added another 10 miles and half an hour onto my already long journey, doesn't sound much but for someone who's not a morning person getting up that little bit earlier is torture. So all week I've been on a go-slow, in truth I've really not done much.

I did manage to:

Take all the Christmas decorations down :-(

Plan my work schedule for the year (2011 is fully packed)

Order, receive and put away the Internet grocery shopping! (Okay so getting it delivered is cheating a bit, but it stops me and Lex having a "barney" in the middle of Sainsbury's!!!

So this weekend I MUST get back into gear, my plans for the day are:

To get up early (Already failed on that one as I slept through 3 alarms and didn't wake until 11am, terrible I know!)

Updated my blog (Almost a tick!)

Spring clean my studio (Its a pigsty in here)

Do a stock check and order new supplies

Write and send out a newsletter

Start new bears/mice!!!!

Clean the bathroom (Most important really, but we'll see)

I can't say I'm full of enthusiasm so we'll see how far I get with my jobs!

Back to work and struggling!!!!

2011-01-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

After such a lovely couple of weeks off (that I so desperately needed) I'm struggling to get back into work mode, there's so much to do and plan for. I'm determined to plan a better work load this year, last year was fab but I didn't have the best work/home balance so I must get organised............but I am getting nowhere fast, its only Tuesday though so I'll aim to be back firing on all cylinders by the weekend!!!

While I was off I did A LOT of baking, here's just some of my many baking session pictures!