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Okay, good. At least I know I'm not blind. 
Thank you, Marlys! 
Anyone else have any information on this? Maybe I've just been away so much that I missed a related thread. Curioser and curioser.
Hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Maybe both!! :crackup: Is it just me, or did the Art Cards topic disappear? If so, I have another question. Is mixed media bear presentation not allowed anymore? Or, do we decide if it's Showcase or Teddy & Friends for Sale?
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Hey there, Cathy! :rose:
Nope. Don't need anymore of those things. I still have 75 of them left! And you're right, it would be enough to decorate a tree....or two, or three....
:crackup:
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
One hundred and seventy-three bears, bunnies, cats, frogs and assorted other critters. Some are in cabinets. Others are in baskets. Some sit on beds and dresser tops. Most all of them are rotated from room to room on a decorating whim. That way they are never bored and can visit and make new friends. The only group that stays together are the TLC bears. They're a motley crew and don't take kindly to being moved around a lot. They prefer a place of comfort and familiarity. They don't see well and they're in quite a delicate condition. Oh, but I do love the motley bears, even if they can be a bit cranky at times.
Anyway, one hundred and seventy-three!
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
That was frightfully fabulous!! Thank you for the link!!
Warmest Halloween bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Happy Halloween, Jane!! May I join you on your broom ride? It looks like so much fun!!
Happy safe and fun Halloween everyone!!
Treats and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
I've been a peony girl for forever. No surprise there, huh?
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
My bears are machine sewn. Even when I do the little bears I do as much of it with the sewing machine as possible. Hand sewing is too fiddle dee dee for me. Just personal preference.
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Hi Shantell!
No. My brain never sleeps. 
I see art in everything! For example, I was browsing the Intercal site earlier and came upon the hardboard discs. There were three sizes all in a row. Most people would see hardboard discs...all in a row. I saw a glittery white snowman! My brain looks at things in a whole different way than most.
Hi Jane!
You don't need more hours in the day, silly you! You need less sleep!! It's overrated anyway. Ha!
Hugs and hugs and hugs, :hug: :hug: :hug:
Aleta
As promised yesterday....but a little late in posting....here are a few pictures of how to attach the ribbon as well as a tidy way to do the paper overlay so you get a nice finished edge.
Make sure you run a bead of glue to the uppermost edge to that your ribbon hangs nice and straight. By placing the ribbon on one side and making a reverse loop your ornament will hang facing out rather than twisting to the side. Hopefully the picture will show you what I'm talking about.
For the paper overlay, cut out a circle 3/4 of an inch larger than your disc. Brush glue on one side of your disc and place in the center of the wrong side of your paper. Let dry. Using your paper scissors cut slits in your paper till it meets the disc. Brush glue on the paper and fold over. Let dry. Apply your ribbon hanger. Now, cut another circle just slightly smaller than your disc and apply with your paper glue. Proceed to decorate your disc however you see fit!!
Warmest bear hugs and happy creating! :hug:
Aleta
Hi ya Brenda!!
Oh, yes, you simple MUST post a picture of what Corson comes up with!!
Speaking of the wee ones....I had an idea that would be fun with those little pictures kids have taken at school. Paint or paper the surface of the disc and then rather than adhering the picture with glue, use one of those pop up squares or circles to elevate the picture away from the disc. With a glittered background I think it would look very artsy fartsy. Perfect for Gram's or Nana's and Papa's!
Okay. Now I really have to go back to work!
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Hi Pam,
I just hot glue the ribbon to one side and smoosh it in really well so it gets a good grip. I'll try to get a close up picture later this afternoon. I'm working on some new ornaments with a paper overlay rather than a painted surface right now so the ribbon will hide beneath the paper rather than laying on top. Make sense?
Be back later, hopefully with a couple of pictures!
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
You girlies are too sweet. What is it they say?.....Necessity is the mother of invention...or something like that. I have an art and antique show coming up in December and I need to have lots of affordable ornaments and giftie things on hand. I also had to come up with something that my Thanksgiving guests can easily make. That's the deal....free food, free room....must follow a pattern and use glitter! Ha!
Warmest hugs, :hug:
Aleta
P.S. If anyone out there uses this idea, please post a picture of what you come up with. I'd love to see what you create. I'm especially interested in what your class comes up with Mel! Kids art is so off the cuff cool!
Me too! Me too! I just e-mailed my info too! I haven't missed a year yet. 
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
You repurpose 'em and make them into ornaments!! Are they not the almost perfect canvas? If it weren't for the whole in the center they would be! And hey, if you just wanted to paint them a snowy white and sprinkle them with crystal glitter and string a ribbon through, they'd kinda look like snowballs.....in a flat sort of way. Ha! I'm getting ahead of myself here.
I wanted to share this idea with you for using up some of those fiberboard discs you may have that you won't ever use. These are sooooo easy. Let your imagination go and have fun!!
Use any size fiberboard (the hard pressed paper) discs. I used the mambo 4 inchers because I was an idiot when I ordered them thinking I would be making jumbo size bears. NOT! I have 100 of those darned things!! Paint them front, back and edges in the color of your choice. (Tip: Do one side and the edge and let dry before painting the other side.) Two coats of paint give a nice even cover. Next, spread a good quality transparent glue with a wide paintbrush on one side and sprinkle with glitter. Let dry and then glitter the other side. I used crystal clear glitter for this ornament. Lots of sparkle, no color! When the glue/glitter is good and dry, lay a bead of hot glue around the edge in small sections (so you don't burn yourself!) and adhere the trim of your choice. I used antique tinsel for this example. Attach a ribbon at the top of your ornament for hanging and then begin decorating your glittery canvas. In this example I used old German dresdan pieces and paper rosettes made from vintage music sheets. Don't forget to do a little something on the back as well. You don't want the hole on the other side of your canvas to show!!
See how simple this is? It's best to do a whole batch of, say a dozen, so by the time you're ready to move on to each step, each piece is already dry and ready.
You could also use a decorative paper to cover the disc and then glitter it. Or, you could paint and rubberstamp and then glitter. The neatest thing? This is a really inexpensive project if you already have most of the goodies in your art room. And remember, you can use any size fiberboard disc as your canvas!!
Another use for teddy bear supplies......who knew?
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Thank you Shelli and Sue Ann!! 
Chrissi,
I imagine today you really feel like you've been hit with a truck. Awww sweetie....I'm sorry that nasty snow did a number on you. Just for the record....I'm not a snow lover. Had waaaay too much of the stuff growing up in Alaska. I prefer the green, green grass of the Pacific Northwest.
Oh, and that table decoration looks so pretty, doesn't it?!! I think I'll try that idea with the big cylindar jars!!!
Gotta go.....be back later to catch up.....
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Sweet, sweet, sweet!! Love those happy smiles! Those are the best Halloween treats!
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Isn't that fabulous news?!! Excitement and travel and bears!! Congratulations!!
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Millie, you are one of earths angels. Bless your heart.
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Dearest Patty,
Wait a minute there! You make your own cranberry sauce? Good grief girlfriend!! Mine slides out of a can. Ha! I have this squiggly slicer thing that makes it look really pretty though!!
:crackup: :crackup:
Hi Randy!
That soup will surely be a hit. We love soup!! The fact that it's a mexi dish is even better!
You guys are FABULOUS!!!
Hugs and hugs and more hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Yum, yum you guys!! Bless your hearts and keep 'em coming. Quick and easy recipes! I will be sharing kitchen duties with the hubs. He's the cook in the family but with so many people here he's going to need a helper. I can prep and I can set and I can clean up!! Cook? Not so much. Except for turkey dinner. It's the one meal I actually love to make. Weird, huh?
Sue Ann,
Please do share your cornbread recipe!! I'm game for something southern. It never hurts to mix things up a bit!!
Shane,
That recipe sounds quick and easy and made for a crowd!! I love that it's a breakfast meal!! Yay!
Sue,
Thank you for reminding me I have other meals to prep besides Thanksgiving. I must have been thinking I would send them all elsewhere for dinner. ha!
Okay, Shelli.....fork over that recipe!! :twisted:
Oh, Chrissie....you slay me with your enthusiasm for cooking! Please let some of that fairy dust rub off on me for a week.
Daphne,
I have the chef. I AM the maid....and I'll definitely need that bartender! Lemon Drop martinis anyone?
:)
Hugs and hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
The year I won the TOBY I had a pretty good idea that the bear I had in mind was worthy of competition among my peers. It's on a wing and a prayer that the photos turned out well. It really is a combination of both going hand in hand. The most frustrating thing is to have a bear you know is spectacular, yet you just can't quite capture it on film.
I already have a bear done for entry this year. No photos yet though. We'll see if I can capture the soul I see looking back at me on film. If not, oh well. I believe the bear is worthy of competition....will my photos be worthy of the bear, and/or competition? We'll see!
You just never know what the judges are looking for either. Cute one year, traditional the next, over the top the next year and so on. If you're doing your best work and you capture that certain something your bear posesses....go for it!! Afterall, you can't win, if you don't enter!!
Warmest bear hugs for everyone even thinking of entering! :hug:
Aleta
Of people you have had over for Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings? We've only ever had five. However, this year will be a huge celebration with 15-17 people. And, eight of them will be full time, for a whole week, guests!! Egad!! Who would like to stamp CRAZY PERSON on my forehead?
Does anyone have any great recipes (easy) that can be prepared ahead of time so that all the cooking isn't done on THE day. I'd really like to enjoy my guests and not be a slave in the kitchen.
Please don't send me a link to a whole host of recipes on a website. I'm looking for the tested and approved recipes only!!
Hugs and hugs, :hug:
Aleta
