Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I was just getting ready to say this, Deb!  We rescued our Pitbull and she's just the sweetest thing.  I have NO fears of her being with the kids; you are right, they are meant to be one of the best canine companions for humans. I don't know how many times I've accidentally stepped on a tail or knocked her in the head with my shoe (because she's laying underfoot) and no reaction but an ears down, wagging tail like, "Ow mom!"  And the same reaction with the kids.... she is simply wonderful!  And she is very animal friendly as well.  Easily one of the best dog breeds I've ever owned, and I've oened A LOT of dogs in my life!

Unfortunately, you are right... too many bad people making them bad dogs.  Only because of their looks and their heart to do whatever to please their owner... Unfortunately you'd much sooner see a drug dealer or a dog fighter with a Pit, not a Golden Retriever or a Poodle, right? Okay, okay, off of my soapbox now..... 

LOL, you all crack me up!  You have no idea how many times I've heard that it needs to play the Star Wars intro song when you open the bookcase!!  I've even heard the construction workers and the carpet layers say it, then I hear them 'sing' the intro theme! LOL  So now at least 9 people have said that would simply complete it!  And none of you know each other! lol (well besides all of us bearmaker friends!)

The homeowner (mom) said that Sam (the son) walked in the other evening, and practically cried, he was so happy!  She was trying to ask him what part was his favorite, and he was too busy playing out Star Wars!!  When she finally got him to answer, he said "ALL OF IT!!!"  Gosh, that makes it all the more worthwhile!!     

Thank you SO much for your compliments!! Really, I had such a tough time wondering if I'd done well enough, and questioning my own work.  So your feedback is SO VERY appreciated!!! Thank you so much!!

absolutely gorgeous Judi!  Your work always leaves me speechless and never disappoints.  Simply, a fantastic Tiger!!

SOOO CUTE!  Made me smile!!

Thank you, Kay!  :hug:

The husband wants his own mouse hole (there is a thread on the mouse hole I did in the wife's library in here as well) down in his game room, and they want a UFO with aliens painted on this funky part of the wall where the vaulted ceiling meets up in the playroom.  It looks just like a UFO!

Awwwwwww!!! GROSS!!!!        I sure hope he wasn't 'cleaning himself' just before!     :crackup:

WHEW! So I have finally finished the Star Wars Mural!  It's sort of bittersweet... I've spent so much time in that room that I feel like I BELONG in there!!  I do have more projects there at the home, but I'm going to miss working on the Star Wars mural... lol

Okay, enough talk! On to pics!!!

Here is the left-side wall:

Here is the right-side wall:

Here is the cockpit:

Here is the rear wall opposite the cockpit:
They are going to put up fatheads on this wall, so I left it kind of 'open'

Here are detail photos of the left wall:
The son made this 'droid' out of legos and dad wanted to know if I could incorporate it into the mural.

Here are detail photos of the right wall:

Almost forgot the windshield!:

BTW, the little box around the light switch is going to be done in a different manner, so it isn't quite finished yet...

OH.... MY..... GOSH!!!!!! AWWWWWWW!!!!!!!  That is the cutest little thing!!!

Now I must make one.... 

AW! Nothing better than seeing a mom and babies!! LOVE it!

My husband saw a doe with her spotted fawn when he was coming out to get me from painting murals one day... Of course I had the camera, so he didn't get a pic either! DARN!!

Awww, poor kitty!!  I hate to hear bad things happen to (both) children and animals!! Can the cat escape at all, or is it stuck where it is?  Maybe if it is able to get out, but is choosing not to because it is scared, then perhaps the live trap idea could work with some food and water in it!  The cat must be SO thirsty!!

Thanks, all!  Frodo is doing grat!  He's VERY smart and watches everyone.  Charlie is playing 'mom' to him, and he and the kids are all having so much fun!  I swear, he's already gotten bigger!!

Wow, all the best wishes in your new endeavor!  I too just left a teaching position; and am enjoying every day of my decision! I'm truly doing something that makes me HAPPY!!!!

Hmmm, I just gave my oldest daughter a quick shove out the door on her first day of kindergarten...... I don't get it.  LOL just kidding, yes, I felt that all-too-familiar sadness in my heart, but honestly, I did just nudge her off on her way, watched her get on the buss, and saw her ride off into the sunrise.... It was one of those, "Okay, be tough now, mom... don't let her see you scared or else she will be too!" things.. hee hee hee  I think it's more of the sudden smack in the face that your kids are growing up and aren't going to stay little!  Best wishes Judi! things will be GREAT, your little boy will be getting SMART!!!! WOO HOO!!  Not to mention more time for bears!!  WOOOO HOOOO!!!!   :hug:

Hi Kay, those are my legs....    JUUUST kidding!! That would be my husband. 

Frodo is a Sable APBT (he's a little fuzzier than typical; the man we bought him from said his male was a fuzzy pup like that too), as is Charlie.  After rescuing Charlie, I said that if we ever got another dog, it'd be an APBT.  They are such sweet tempered, mild mannered dogs, who practically love the kids more than us (lol), and all they ever want is to please their owners to no end... which is part of the reason they are so misused.    I was skeptical and afraid until I met our neighbor's dog, and then met Charlie at the shelter.  Now I am completely sold and don't think I'd have another breed.

The big black dog whose foot is showing is Rocky, a 75 lb. Golden Retriever/Akita mix.

Hello everyone!  Well, I just couldn't resist!  We went off and got another member to add to our family... His name is Frodo, named after our BMD we had several years ago.... :)

'OKay, you win!'

I'm not so sure Charlie likes him or anything... 

BTW... LMAO!!!!!!

Oh my gosh, do you ANY idea as to how EXCITED I am to see this new bear of yours???  If you're on here reading this... GET OFF AND GET BACK TO THAT BEAR!!!!  Will be keeping my eyes peeled.... Woo hoo!

Deb, I wondered the same thng - I would have a hard time keeping a house that big clean... but I'm certain that they will have someone come in occasionally to do a cleaning.  But day to day housekeeping she will do! Yikes!  I'd be exhausted! lol

Bobbie, you are right, there are no set ins or angled walls.  They started out as flat walls; it's all an illusion. Thank you for the compliment on my haircut!   It's starting to grow out now... still debating over whether I want to cut it again...  I have taken TONS of pictures.... I can't wait 'til I'm done and take the final pics!

Tami, yeah! I am right next door to you! Where in Ohio do you live?  I would love to come paint a mouse hole in your studio!

They are such wonderful, down to earth people.  The kids aren't snotty, they are polite and respectful, and the homeowners are so modest.  She cracked me up the other day when I was there; she wanted business cards from me so that she could give them to a couple of builder friends that they have.  She asked me if I knew who they were and I said I'd heard of them, but hadn't ever seen any of the homes they build.  She leaned in and was like, "Yeah, ya know... they're the ones who build those REALLY big homes..." with her eyes all big and serious...    I thought, "And what exactly is this?????"

Hee hee hee, I will do another mouse hole, maybe here in my own home, and do something like wallies!  That'd be fun!! Hmmm, I wonder how much it'd cost to have them make some for me..... just thinking out loud....

Bobbie, my husband's dad has worked at Alcoa for the last 18 years... and he smokes... kinda worried about the meslothelioma thing.... but didn't know it was that serious??

Ohhh, like 'Fat heads'?  Those are the thing here... I just met with Kristie (the homeowner) tonight, and we decided that her's is a OOAK... I can't copy it.  Maybe I'll do another sometime?  After what she paid for it, I should respect her wishes...

About 18,000.. They stopped counting at 16,000... I guess after that, why bother! 

Ohhh my gosh, I am in loooooove!

I really appreciate ALL of your compliments on my mural... as an artist (I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about) I'm so self-critical, so for you all to give your imput is WONDERFUL! 

This is the home I'm working in... the pic really doesn't even do it justice... !! There is a loft in it that is accessed by a narrow, ladder-like stairway, and I'm DYING to paint it to look like a treehouse!!  I may have to do some sketches and present it to them just in passing... No, I'm not obsessing over it! hee hee hee 

Do you see why I'm in heaven working in this home, and am sooo excited for them to have actually chosen me to do the murals??

Oh my gosh!! Makes me want another ferret!!  SOOO cute!