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It seems a bit quiet in the UK at the moment, I think the kids are on school hols, so families are sharing time together and bear chat is a little neglected. So, I thought I'd ask what everyone's up to in TT Land? Are you busy designing new bears for a special project, working on another craft, taking time out, thinking about competitons, blogs, websites, orders, taking courses, planning for a show .... ? Oh, and is there something you'd rather be doing?
At the moment I'm sitting here with a mug of coffee to hand and two bears up in my workroom to complete for a shop order. I have a new stash of vintage mohair calling to me though and I'm having to be very strict with myself to finish one job before I start another. Also, the sun is out in the garden and I'd love to be out there playing in the flower beds ... then there's the book I'm reading, I've just been prescribed reading glasses and can see to read again (yay!), so I'm dying to just sit and indulge myself, but I've a show in early June and I haven't yet started work on the bears .... hmmn. 
"a bear by kim"iv got a show in early june too!!!! 
:dance:
its my 1st and iv been working my conkers of for months and still lots to do..... only 7 weeks on sunday!!!
its nice here too, weather wise, suns out but still abit nippy.
im just trying to get the house looking half presentable, my youngest is in nursery from 12.30 till 2.50 so once shes there ill be sitting in front of the telly, watching quantum leap for the 10th time and making a start on a new bear...... for june!!!!
and at this moment in time im not skiving from the house work and having a nose on tt!!!!!!!
You must be very excited about doing your first show Kim! I remember mine even now - I was a nervous wreck! I'm very impressed that your conkers are already worked off in readinness. :crackup: I wish I was as organised ... note to self: get on with it Carter!
Good luck with the show, I'm sure you'll have a blast! OMG ... I've just realised it's only 7 and a half weeks til I'm supposed to be ready too ... YIKES!!!! :pray:
Hey, I've just thought ... are we doing the same show by any chance?
mjbearsi am having a 5 minute skive from houswork still the floors downstairs to wash....... then i have to go and do the dreaded grocery shopping then a dog to walk, rabbit and guinea pig to feed and 2 cats to feed then prepare the dinner and then finally hooray get on with my rat i have started dont panic she is a pretty rat if there is such a thing lol... take care keep busy as i love to see everyones stunning creations.....
"a bear by kim"Hey, I've just thought ... are we doing the same show by any chance?
i think we could be!!!!
and i cant wait to meet your bears so u better get some made just for me!!!! :hug:
ill be the one with the big fat belly!!!!! trying to hold a baby in!!! (babies due 10th of june!)
ill be bringing a canister of gas and air just incase!!!!
PottersHouse BearsIt does seem a bit busy for everyone. I know that I am swamped with things I need to do. I will have a table set up at an Earth Day event this weekend. It is not bear related at all. I am busy making loaves and loaves of organic bread and later will be doing the "good stuff", i.e. cookies, cakes etc. In three weeks we will be leaving for a two week vacation. Before that time I have two dogs to make for orders, a garden to get planted, a camper to get cleaned up and in order, a house to clean, well you get the picture. So why am I sitting here chatting when there's work to be done? I guess I best get to work.
Pandy Potter Bearsi'm sitting here on the phone, on hold so one finger typing. its to change a hol booking. wed is my real work day so lots to do and back out later. Phone answered, £40 poorer to change name from Mr to Mrs. 
Money for nothing. Still, blame hubby he booked it and never checked the booking papers! He won't do it again, for sure.
I've been occupied with the garden so not much bearmaking done. Got one started but thats it. Its not a bad day and got Mark and my dad on the decking rails. Also they've got the posts in for a pergola, my little bear making garden den.
Our kids were off at Easter and this is school time, hurrah! So at least a little routine for us. I must say the weeks wizz by though. I'm so looking forward to a little bit of nice weather to do stuff, moving earth was no fun in the rain.
White Forest BearsIt's 5:30 AM here, and I am just having some coffee to wake up. I finished stuffing several bears yesterday, and I have an Intercal order that should arrive today. (The nice thing about living within a few hours of Intercal is that I usually get my orders the next day or 2 days after.) Then I'll have some custom bears to start working on. I should probably dye some fur today too. That's what I'm up to. Busy as usual, but it's a happy busy! 
Tami Eveslage Original Teddy BearsI was just reminiscing about a visit to a bear show with my sons in Christine's thread. Nice!
I have also been really busy with orders lately and my (new-this-year) art teaching job. Which is why, although I peek at TT every day, I have not been posting nearly as often.
I finished an order for a bear last night and I am particularly excited to start on my next special order. It it for a "big black bear with a tan snout" I have been wanting to do an inset snout for some time now and now I have a good reason to try!
Erin, isn't it fun to get a new fur order? I am running out of room though. I need to use up what I have first, but since I have been doing custom morework lately, I don't always have what I need for what the collector wants me to make.
Hi Paula,
These next few days leading up to Flourishes, April 26th event are the busiest for me. Artists start dropping by all their wares tomorrow. The antique dealers drop their things off on Friday. So, I'm in the process of redesigning the floor and getting everything in place so I can decorate for the shop opening.
I'm also waiting for a dozen 32" white paper parasols to arrive so I can paint them with lovely pink polka dots. My intention is to string them up right side up and a few upside down from the ceiling. From the tips of the umbrellas I'll hang teardrop crystals to simulate rain drops. Cross your fingers this grandiose idea works. It's one thing to think it......it's another thing to make it actually happen!
Bears are in the works too. That's what I'm doing in the evenings! I should have at least three done for my own show, don't you think?
Gardening is hit and miss. I know better than to plant before the end of April. We always, always, always get a spring freeze. This year I have two gardens to plant at two different houses!! I was hoping our Portland house would sell before I had to do that. Oh well. Add it to the list!!
Oh darn, my TT time is almost up. 
I'm off to look at all the new bears for sale......
Warmest bear hugs, :hug:
Aleta
Hi Paula,
Yes,very quiet even at work.
Just had to do the grocery shop, dropped a few bears into the shop that I sell too, just sat down for the first time today with a coffee.
Still alot to do! Need to get on with the bear that I've started, to keep me on track for the shop orders.
I'll finish playing on TT, then off to do ironning, before making tea.
The kids here are off school for another week, but luckily weather has been good for them.
Hope you can get motivated to get on with your bears.
love kayx.
White Forest BearsErin, isn't it fun to get a new fur order? I am running out of room though. I need to use up what I have first, but since I have been doing custom morework lately, I don't always have what I need for what the collector wants me to make.
Yes I love to get new fur in! Funny thing is just before I read your post I was looking at my stash thinking that i don't have any more room for it. lol
Me, taking a moment for myself in the midst of getting orders done and caught up on the house keeping. I spent the weekend at Noah's Wish pets in disaster training and even though it was only 72 hours it seems like everything needs to be caught up on!!! Not to mention it was a very strenuous 72 hours, going non stop from 7am to 10pm and in the midst of getting caught up on things I am still exhausted! Oh well....off now to go get a custom order finished.
hugs,
Krista
Hi Paula
I have been busy with shows, there was two in a fortnight of each other - Leeds one and Llanduddno and now I have a craft fair at the weekend which is local, so been sewing like mad. Then I get a 5 week break before another two begin, one at the Yorkshire Dales (craft fair) and then the Barnsley/Sheffield bear fair the week after that (Janis' fair). Think I stretched myself a bit too much with fairs this year! On top of that I have orders for show costumes for the company that Charlotte (my daughter) works for - can can dresses, rock and roll skirts, gypsy tops to go with them and white flares (5 of each)!!
So just you get cracking on them bears for the June show, never mind the book or the garden and after June, the weather will be so much beter, then you can do the garden and then sit on the patio with that book. :crackup: :crackup:
Pauline
Walnut Tree Corner Bears By GailHi Paula,
I have had a bit of a slow down with making bears at the moment. I did my first show a couple of weeks ago and was working flat out to put finishing touches to a few bears. I was thrilled that I sold 5 bears :dance: and it was not an overly large show, just about the right size for my first one I thought. I did much better than I had expected...it makes me want to have a go at some more shows, but I have sort of run out of energy and need to recharge my batteries a bit. It is also manic at work at the moment so I dont have alot of energy at the end of the working day. I work in a Building Society so everybody has been frantically opening ISA accounts like there is no tomorrow! If only I had the savings to put into one I would open one myself 
(may be if I do more shows I could sell more bears and build up some savings!). I am also thinking about a possible entry for the Readers Choice awards in Teddy Bear Scene, but I have not come to a final decision on my design yet. I have a week off work next week so I might get some designing and sewing done
..... and I am particularly excited to start on my next special order. It it for a "big black bear with a tan snout" I have been wanting to do an inset snout for some time now and now I have a good reason to try!
Tami you are not going to believe this.... but I know the collector you are making this bear for!! She works at my post office and told me about this bear last week!!!!!
As for myself, I've been trying to be good and get bears made. After doing the taxes in February, I realized I need to stay off the computer so much .... 
I do check in every day, but don't post nearly as much.
I just signed up for a local craft show in 4 weeks. Unfortunately it's outside, but I'll keep my fingers crossed! My main goal is to introduce artist bears to people again 
Of course I'll email my collectors about it though!
Past Time BearsWell - I'm on the computer, as usual, when I should be doing something that's higher on the priority list. Boy, are there lots of items on that list! 
As I am typing, I'm eating a (yum) dark chocolate truffle (double yum) and expanding my waist, bum, thighs, and so on. But, oh how good those inches taste! I did, however, just finish one of my "As Time Goes By" bear/box sets, so I'm not being entirely decadent and lazy. Next I will start one of my Fiber Teds . . . the bears I make out of yarn like my avatar. Cleaning/organizing my work room, dusting, sweeping, laundry, cleaning out the garage can wait another day - just as they've waited for the last several months. Just sign me "The Mother of All Procrastinators".
Posts: 361I'm with Sue Ann...a bit of a procrastinator! The list is endless and sometimes you just don't know where to begin!
I have been busy with blogging...I love it and am meeting lots of interesting, and talented people. I have also been juried in as one of the artists on "Pfatt Marketplace"...http://pfattmarketplace.com. It is a wonderful place to visit, lots to see and buy. I currently have three pieces available under the title...'Tis The Season DesignWorks" Please stop by for a visit.
Must go and think about doing something now!
Hugs, Nancy
Phew everyone what a lot of work going on and busy lives too!!....I'm busy working on little bears for the show in June ......my first one too Kim! It will be great to meet all the other TT-ers there! I've been making a couple of new ranges of animes but they're only about 3-4" and the table will be 6' ...I'll need quite a few then....so thinking I should just make a huge bear and plonk it in the middle :crackup: ...or maybe not!
Anyway hubby is away for next week and Jack back at uni....so I have the house to myself and the bear-making! 
Hugs lynne
Laurie Lou BearsI am on a go slow at the moment with trying to catch up on housework and the kids wanting to go to the park after school.I am determined to enter a few competitions this year and have one bear finished with just the ears to do and I am now doing a mini too.It seems the more I should get on with the bear making the more I think of excuses not to do it.I also want to try and find the time to have a go at needlefelting-I have had the kit since xmas and it is still in its box.Just need more hours in a day
Laurie :hug:
Good to hear you are all so well occupied! Sounds as though lots of you have bear plans in the pipeline, shows, competitions, orders ... like some of you, I'm also working towards the Teddy Bear Artist Event on June 8th and am considering my options for the Readers' Choice Awards too. This week I've managed to complete two of my three bears for a shop in Brighton (Fergus, the biggest of the three bears is now on show in the TT showcase) and with luck, I should have the third, smallest, bear finished later today.
Mind you, I also have to box a bear for posting this morning and I must pop into town, so I shall have to avoid being swayed off course by the shops! I'm trying to weigh up the pros and cons of walking into town (Sue Ann, you have my heartfelt understanding ... Easter was OHSOGOOD and my son's birthday cake this weekend was WICKED ... see my blog for cake pic!) against driving - it's a toughy, my waistline is demanding exercise but my little car has been sat on the drive for so long, it too could do with a run ... :whistle:
Laura Lynn, good to hear you're working hard to spread the word! Good luck with your craft show! :clap:
Nancy, I've got to admit, like you, I'm turning into a Blogaholic! I love it! Must take a peek at yours ... :)
Pauline, I know what you mean about over booking, I used to do that a lot in the early days! Couldn't keep up the pace though, so these days I only do three or four shows. I think the key is don't wear yourself out, but do have fun! :thumbsup:
Aleta, I can't resist following your progress with Flourishes, it's absolutely fascinating and pure eye candy too! I love what you are achieving and am delighted we can all share through the magic of Blog Land! Good luck with the next Flourishes, I'll be lurking around your blog and wishing I was there to join in the fun! :rose:
Amanda, a pergola for a bear-making den - how perfect! I see fragrant yellow rose blooms arching over you while you work. *Sighs*
well......I'm working like mad trying to organise the show in June!!!! I honestly never could have guessed how much work is involved!!!! I'm also trying to get bears done for my own stall at the event. I've got 14 made so far. I guessed I would probably be so busy nearer the time that I made an early start on the bears.
The banner arrived yesterday (which I love!!!).....I'm trying to update the website.....sorting out refreshments......trying to tackle the stall allocation and electricity distribution......and now I'm having to start thinking about 2009, as the best place to start advertising the 2009 event, would be at this years event!!!
So...I should really get back to it......I only popped on the intenet for 5 mintes!!!! (Its now half an hour later!!)
Have a great day!!! 
DoodlebearsWell since Hugglets I have been in a lot of pain, I have a trapped nerve in my already damaged back so I've not been producing much in the way of bears lately. Every time I tried to sew I made a right mess of it. Would you believe that I even cut out a bear's head with the fur running upwards. I also embroidered a nose on a bear and thought it was ok until I looked at it the next day, boy it was as if a little child had done it. I pray I'm not loosing it and that it's down to the meds that I'm taking. I have finally however managed to make a small bear and send the pattern to TBCI magazine. It took me so long to get it done and then the pictures which I sent were no use so I've had to take more. :photo:
Oh well at least the keyboard to the computer has a backspace button so hopefully what I've typed makes sense.
Hugs, Jane. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Oh Jane!! :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Past Time BearsJane, take care, my friend. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
