tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22022139856652273812024-03-13T16:09:07.982+00:00Wendy ChamberlainWendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-67305783505102979132023-02-25T10:49:00.002+00:002023-02-25T10:57:00.235+00:00<p><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Bears and Things</span></i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span>A busy few weeks since my last post.</span></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span> Two little bears now listed on Tedsby. These are from our personal collection, time to find them homes and try and downsize our collection a little.</span></span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span>First is a little purple rabbit made by Megan. Violetta is just 3.5" tall and trimmed with pretty beads and flowers.<br /></span></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5Avc5lROI3fjos5mXFNyFDDcjJKGEzIJ47PnweJAMGFk4ImusM42-L9pLPLj_9xhvah3lo7txM-yJAvilLI7sqfyUBo-F1gCxPHwGosbF5GzR2rJloUV84FCDTnX8LC1BXy_eTtCOwuXQb_i-3dmu0T2yMgt10w9qZomfJXT5B9356F8yqLZnBzzAA/s1690/Violetta1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1690" data-original-width="1400" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5Avc5lROI3fjos5mXFNyFDDcjJKGEzIJ47PnweJAMGFk4ImusM42-L9pLPLj_9xhvah3lo7txM-yJAvilLI7sqfyUBo-F1gCxPHwGosbF5GzR2rJloUV84FCDTnX8LC1BXy_eTtCOwuXQb_i-3dmu0T2yMgt10w9qZomfJXT5B9356F8yqLZnBzzAA/w323-h390/Violetta1.jpg" width="323" /></a></span></span></span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"><span><br /> </span></span></span></i></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span><span style="color: #444444;"><span><span>This is one of my creations a little boy called Arturo. He is 4.5" tall and has a smiling little face with an open mouth</span>.</span></span></span></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkizJ7p9VdaSK5WiRQrTIz4aed1CGCDhfrcTCW6wUM2NCeJAfoFXTh4M06AWBKGpsEoXWrGQ2ZcRzyut5cTX5inhCZNoHZ4n9YPuCNPeJTyNJWr7KKd1OBLvidN8bMwj3Pi87dskzRHhX8u54G4LPFSPGESIi7rvcjQ7UFOHTMbUTJ8aK002ZsQjUEFw/s1993/Arturo3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1993" data-original-width="1500" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkizJ7p9VdaSK5WiRQrTIz4aed1CGCDhfrcTCW6wUM2NCeJAfoFXTh4M06AWBKGpsEoXWrGQ2ZcRzyut5cTX5inhCZNoHZ4n9YPuCNPeJTyNJWr7KKd1OBLvidN8bMwj3Pi87dskzRHhX8u54G4LPFSPGESIi7rvcjQ7UFOHTMbUTJ8aK002ZsQjUEFw/w313-h416/Arturo3.jpg" width="313" /></a></span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></i></span><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #444444;">Both are now listed on Tedsby for adoption.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="color: #444444;">I am busy working on some new embroidery for our Etsy Grace & Whimsy store. I am also doing something new, making a selection of clothing for Blythe dolls. Will share some pictures of these creations soon.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></i></span></p><p><i style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Parisienne;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span> </span></i><br /></p>Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-81182419368439764112023-02-08T22:10:00.002+00:002023-02-08T22:12:25.360+00:00<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i> A new little panda bear</i></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><i><span><span>The little panda bear is all complete and available for adoption on Tedsby. </span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span><i><span><span>Lily Rose is 4" tall and wearing a dress made from pink and white gingham fabric with a crochet yoke. She is holding a matching crochet handbag trimmed with pink silk ribbon. </span></span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IPJKTN2Gz0AZcB6aiPJiW1k1z3jDA5kBD6uQqvcMQxbuDw-SsyZQ71GXcXdGC2fmtKtHqFmDzMZAadJW5lFX2dFTWdduQrIK7A1fw-5OCx36Zb5WIB9zLAGqAgfDgIl9Cb0SdxQqZ_6RQ5OSnbKIw4dl_OFfHGMvvcNyvimn6pnTGwb68f_3CJ-7Sg/s1311/LilyRose1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1250" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IPJKTN2Gz0AZcB6aiPJiW1k1z3jDA5kBD6uQqvcMQxbuDw-SsyZQ71GXcXdGC2fmtKtHqFmDzMZAadJW5lFX2dFTWdduQrIK7A1fw-5OCx36Zb5WIB9zLAGqAgfDgIl9Cb0SdxQqZ_6RQ5OSnbKIw4dl_OFfHGMvvcNyvimn6pnTGwb68f_3CJ-7Sg/w378-h396/LilyRose1.jpg" width="378" /></a></span></span></i></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></i></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">https://essentialbears.tedsby.com/</span></span> </i></span></span></span><br /></p>Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-37034148498902114762023-01-27T22:11:00.001+00:002023-01-27T22:11:46.389+00:00<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><i> A New Little Bear and a New Year</i></span></span><br /></p><p><i>A New Year begins, hoping it is a special year for every one. We seem to be living in difficult times and I feel that it is important to keep my mind and hands busy creating beautiful things.<br /></i></p><p><i> My latest creation is a a little bear made from French vintage linen. Slightly larger than my usual miniatures this one is about 5" tall. I am planning to hand embroider a selection of flowers and will share progress once I have started the embroidery.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoWgr7e3Ify-hWIZGUPNxfysm-vaQtiRXQCZG6TAEKKEXdTOim1UrwDpHl9e9JSHb2b8T6pjXWsTFr5sCE9uh6J1xMZNjc2UV1afzsB7ywvt8AXElFrrlRBWLbo3oOYx3x4ikxH5eGxjW4-qTch7W6QBMxhWtCeyK0bwScssgewpi8rrSUbNwdxjKtA/s2568/20230126_142218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="2568" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoWgr7e3Ify-hWIZGUPNxfysm-vaQtiRXQCZG6TAEKKEXdTOim1UrwDpHl9e9JSHb2b8T6pjXWsTFr5sCE9uh6J1xMZNjc2UV1afzsB7ywvt8AXElFrrlRBWLbo3oOYx3x4ikxH5eGxjW4-qTch7W6QBMxhWtCeyK0bwScssgewpi8rrSUbNwdxjKtA/w385-h378/20230126_142218.jpg" width="385" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <i>The heart shaped pillow behind the little bear is one of my hand embroidered hearts.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0xIIkxvUp2eEMpaQAnnv8YHj8oTl-tI8enkBG4-D2NWjbWIrJI1bbvUP0KNFrIghBOwkBalvaJyaKZuREwYNmR8_q3WwY6D-yi4O1V_oXmP6rJRUUQVUrWyVLWwhdEl6zXSCY2wXQQtx5q_pgsO38RNTEGQ8BuMsDr6Xw8oQl0yUvCfhdkWNAasElg/s2224/Heartb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="2000" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0xIIkxvUp2eEMpaQAnnv8YHj8oTl-tI8enkBG4-D2NWjbWIrJI1bbvUP0KNFrIghBOwkBalvaJyaKZuREwYNmR8_q3WwY6D-yi4O1V_oXmP6rJRUUQVUrWyVLWwhdEl6zXSCY2wXQQtx5q_pgsO38RNTEGQ8BuMsDr6Xw8oQl0yUvCfhdkWNAasElg/w384-h427/Heartb.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>I have also completed a little panda bear made from long pile vintage upholstery velvet. She is sitting waiting for a pretty dress, still have to decide on fabric, trims and ribbons.<br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7rYrLTmihh51NSddTQSEKS82yWIMRSGGSIIoXKdTYEnqymDhpCTTUGBobiEHTGlj6I0nDj2WTYciNjMX7cMysbARf7zjR9Zjuz-CNW9Ceg9AR4vnpp-VhAPHJBk7HQkoLIqZFKQHutt1slPFeqTdZ4CjrtO4VfAcZA8AdQ0jVKw7s8F7661ne-YWhg/s2758/20230120_144416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2758" data-original-width="2450" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7rYrLTmihh51NSddTQSEKS82yWIMRSGGSIIoXKdTYEnqymDhpCTTUGBobiEHTGlj6I0nDj2WTYciNjMX7cMysbARf7zjR9Zjuz-CNW9Ceg9AR4vnpp-VhAPHJBk7HQkoLIqZFKQHutt1slPFeqTdZ4CjrtO4VfAcZA8AdQ0jVKw7s8F7661ne-YWhg/w422-h476/20230120_144416.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><p><i>I have also recently made some pretty pincushions using repurposed vintage items. This one is a pretty vintage sugar bowl using rose print cotton fabric for the pincushion trimmed with ribbon, a felt flower and a selection of pins.<br /></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4ZhZxBAQgmOWNiIMQQUZXClsRc81fKo_dUNW4n8naZ-puQ_As71Fj-OR1Me62vjeElDwYqnBXvHsNqJBRUQt_3cYh8jVTZ602AbfLuXEjqgfE_Eq995gxYPDbMCub1_Dfb37aZy4xr5nC04Km03_Px_LbjIq_JyMRrbRPhue0StMEC--nhPO5YLYjA/s2000/Rose1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1757" data-original-width="2000" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4ZhZxBAQgmOWNiIMQQUZXClsRc81fKo_dUNW4n8naZ-puQ_As71Fj-OR1Me62vjeElDwYqnBXvHsNqJBRUQt_3cYh8jVTZ602AbfLuXEjqgfE_Eq995gxYPDbMCub1_Dfb37aZy4xr5nC04Km03_Px_LbjIq_JyMRrbRPhue0StMEC--nhPO5YLYjA/w403-h354/Rose1.jpg" width="403" /></a></div><p><i>The second pincushion is set in a pretty porcelain swan with a purple linen pincushion, silk flowers and ribbon. <br /></i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8gp1cfFrANw-WXEnGHH2uPxV8ff0G33Gpf--xzI-wy_9rwM9yVyj2KdvPcjhUsFBkVTZ3E1zz3lrpJZ1H0trLheJmQl7myMHGs4AdOOiSU27Q12b8t595p2PSMuK-fdnflv2wAyABIpiDLdYyLLgTvPb2j1bOWozwQlVvsByxpxUmerCRx1nWXhJ5Q/s2224/Swan5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="2000" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8gp1cfFrANw-WXEnGHH2uPxV8ff0G33Gpf--xzI-wy_9rwM9yVyj2KdvPcjhUsFBkVTZ3E1zz3lrpJZ1H0trLheJmQl7myMHGs4AdOOiSU27Q12b8t595p2PSMuK-fdnflv2wAyABIpiDLdYyLLgTvPb2j1bOWozwQlVvsByxpxUmerCRx1nWXhJ5Q/w376-h418/Swan5.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><p><i>These are available in our Grace & Whimsy Etsy store <span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><span><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="http://graceandwhimsy.etsy.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">graceandwhimsy.etsy.com</a>.</span></span></i></p><p><i><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><span>Back to work and hope to share pictures of the embroidered little bear soon.</span></span></i></p><p><i><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><span>Have a wonderful weekend.<br /></span></span></i></p><p><i><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><span> </span></span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-54661972327482609902022-12-29T22:34:00.001+00:002022-12-29T22:34:24.529+00:00<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><i>After a very long absence</i> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I have neglected my blog for so many years as it has been a period of many ups and downs in my life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">My husband was diagnosed with vascular dementia some years ago and caring for him became full time and somewhat heavy going. He spent many weeks in hospital, I was told that his immune system was shutting down and the prognosis was not good. Two and a half years ago just before the Covid pandemic he was moved into a care home as I could no longer cope on my own. This was not a good time for the move as I was not able to visit him and he deteriorated considerably, many times when I visited he was lost in another world and hardly remembered me. Sadly he passed away mid November and although he had long been gone mentally the physical parting has been difficult.My heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at the home for their constant and excellent care.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am grateful to have been able to continue creating my miniature bears and friends. I also started enjoying long forgotten skills such as painting and embroidery, something to keep me sane and grounded in rather trying circumstances. Covid changed so many things, once again the teddy bear shows are taking place but I now only participate in online shows, much easier no travelling and a lot less stressful. I also have an online shop on Tedsby. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sharing some pictures of a few new miniature teddy bears, first is Madeleine a little purple bear who has already found a home.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisECtyBb_KjiK7XaaFZ-ZhEdgZ19GPwWGJwz00CUHopQ2Aw7J1Pg17Zn8fNOqy7K0SZ6-f7D7dTmvGXvun7gxol5mwYoU0YKNjIhnPUGiKnsXhuAYEyhB3QbBJLwzPQbWWLzQ2EseoNJkxB4kS1_BKD48YpGL1uZHQ_yAgUmopHqncCisie_XBA-AAvg/s1780/Madeleine3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="1250" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisECtyBb_KjiK7XaaFZ-ZhEdgZ19GPwWGJwz00CUHopQ2Aw7J1Pg17Zn8fNOqy7K0SZ6-f7D7dTmvGXvun7gxol5mwYoU0YKNjIhnPUGiKnsXhuAYEyhB3QbBJLwzPQbWWLzQ2EseoNJkxB4kS1_BKD48YpGL1uZHQ_yAgUmopHqncCisie_XBA-AAvg/w254-h361/Madeleine3.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then we have Eloise and Lilou.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45dbD0Jf4w74r4i6AFwJe35-xWtOzX0TreAOHgrL639gWYSlkD2YkKmB8QIHVUslAH0HUBl5t6Bdk36S58gbEvkA8gSNJV46r6678YolXaC9XBKxr0BlRqUvgRexC1_z7hJuEdPUelo68_mNfdY02af07AGnIRT_M46fLe8H6p5w3mTgcDzRQomTFng/s1631/Eloise11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1631" data-original-width="1250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45dbD0Jf4w74r4i6AFwJe35-xWtOzX0TreAOHgrL639gWYSlkD2YkKmB8QIHVUslAH0HUBl5t6Bdk36S58gbEvkA8gSNJV46r6678YolXaC9XBKxr0BlRqUvgRexC1_z7hJuEdPUelo68_mNfdY02af07AGnIRT_M46fLe8H6p5w3mTgcDzRQomTFng/s320/Eloise11.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9lqPqWN8waVnIf3gTSf6trBt3xXrJ1MgP8--gShPKaGLq8hlTeTmZhnizRoql2L2FpMzItrLYXI9pndVtogKxYClbDmiObROlCR4oAjyFU4oN71_9mv9zr4QHp9iFSCLdvrDJ1hTh5wOCloOAAqEhfAwriSg4MHEnoAoitgT6bo35b4Ofn2n3xWh4A/s1785/Lilou5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="1250" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9lqPqWN8waVnIf3gTSf6trBt3xXrJ1MgP8--gShPKaGLq8hlTeTmZhnizRoql2L2FpMzItrLYXI9pndVtogKxYClbDmiObROlCR4oAjyFU4oN71_9mv9zr4QHp9iFSCLdvrDJ1hTh5wOCloOAAqEhfAwriSg4MHEnoAoitgT6bo35b4Ofn2n3xWh4A/w244-h348/Lilou5.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also expanded my embroidery techniques learning Brazilian embroidery, a dimensional style of embroideried flowers and I spent many therapautic hours creating pretty sewing accessories and other decorative items. This is a little heart trimmed with vintage lace and a tiny signature dragonfly charm.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK12y6BGfA-b_vqbP6LT9Z_qAVlBd50AKOqzOQgNLp4xGHd55EcibQ_4AnNntTwvvFba-zp75OhE0zi72vs36BewfF9gRA_61DkverBgdim-a9yN9NsStuevhbnpQ2Y3AZ1OxXSlne0oB0Fu5elItFVSyNwGuxPBm5jqB5HB9-RUkzc4wkuemqW5aTBw/s2436/Heart1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="2000" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK12y6BGfA-b_vqbP6LT9Z_qAVlBd50AKOqzOQgNLp4xGHd55EcibQ_4AnNntTwvvFba-zp75OhE0zi72vs36BewfF9gRA_61DkverBgdim-a9yN9NsStuevhbnpQ2Y3AZ1OxXSlne0oB0Fu5elItFVSyNwGuxPBm5jqB5HB9-RUkzc4wkuemqW5aTBw/w308-h375/Heart1a.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hoping to revive my blog updates and explore the many blogs I used to follow.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p>Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-81922229486703968582017-06-09T23:05:00.000+01:002017-06-12T23:00:33.890+01:00Woburn Abbey Teddy Bear Festival PreviewWe are in the process of changing web site service provider and our existing web page is no longer accessible.<br />
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I have put together a preview of a selection of new bears and friends who will be available at the Woburn Abbey Teddy Bear Festival on Sunday 11th June 2017.<br />
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Grace</div>
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Oberon & Forget-me-not</div>
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Tabitha Mouse</div>
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Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-304080109532324552017-05-11T19:36:00.003+01:002017-06-07T20:46:35.536+01:00New Teddy Bear show at Woburn AbbeyThe next few weeks will be a somewhat busy time as we stitch bears for a new Teddy Bear show.<br />
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The Woburn Abbey Teddy Bear Festival will be held on 11th June with is an interesting mixture of artists from various parts of the world as well as a wide selection of old bears including Alfonzo. This beautiful red Steiff bear now lives at the Teddy Bear Art Museum in Denmark.<br />
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I have a new little boy bear listed on E-Bay. Winston is wearing a bright yellow sweater with a kitty design on the front. Have not made a miniature knitted item of clothing for some time and this design using a cross stitch diagram, was a little fiddly but looks rather cute.<br />
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The potatoes are all in the ground, now to plant beans, tomatoes and whatever else I can fit into the pocket handkerchief vegetable garden. Wish the weather would make up its mind as the last few mornings have been rather cold with a light frost.<br />
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Until next time .............<br />
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<br />Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-72672445822735355912017-05-05T11:58:00.002+01:002017-05-05T11:58:27.485+01:00A milestone in life's journeyYesterday I celebrated something very special, my 47th wedding anniversary.<br />
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Mervyn and I have shared many things over the years, heartache and
loss, incredible journeys together and an abundance of joy and laughter.
Sharing a picture taken on that auspicious day, very young (and skinny)
with my proud Dad. It seems such a lifetime ago. <br />
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Busy working on bears for the forthcoming show at Woburn Abbey in early June. Megan has been a wonderful help in setting up our vegetable garden, many hours of work and it is finally all ready for planting. Something unusual for England, we actually need some rain.<br />
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Hopefully some pictures of some new bears next time.<br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">'Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust'</span></div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-25336741308196972972017-04-25T14:43:00.002+01:002017-04-25T15:10:08.323+01:00It's been a long time ................A very long absence from my blog for a myriad of reasons, life, caring for an increasingly frail husband, health issues and that precious thing called 'time'.<br />
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started my blog in 2008, seems such a very long time ago, we were still
living in Cape Town before the epic move across the world with four
cats and lots of craft supplies. Some nine years later and only one of
my old kitties still with us, we have settled into our lives in rural
Cambridgeshire. A few regrets perhaps and I still miss my special
friends from all those years ago but we are blessed with many things. My
two little granddaughters have brought much joy into our lives, we have
acquired two new rescue kitties and are enjoying exploring the
beautiful countryside around us. Our most recent visit was to Anglesey
Abbey on a rather cold day but I managed to take some pictures of the
beautiful gardens and the house.<br />
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I have been busy creating bears for shows Some pictures of my handful of bears, all adopted and living in various parts of the world. <br />
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Octavia </div>
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Rosabelle<br />
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Tansy</div>
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Some more 'beary' news. We have made a somewhat difficult and sad decision to discontinue our
web page so the blog beckons for promoting our creations. We will
continue to sell on E-Bay, Etsy and at shows in the UK. All the bears presently listed as 'available for adoption' have been
reduced in price until mid May when I will start winding down the web
page and its contents.<br />
<br />
Planning to attend the two Huglets shows in London this year as well as the new show at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. Plenty of stitching ahead and time to start thinking of designs.<br />
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Until next time ............<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">To live
content with small means.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="color: #0b5394;">...
<i>To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion</i>....
<i>To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich.</i>... <i>To study
hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly.</i>... <i>To listen to stars and
birds, to babes and sages, with open heart.</i>... <i>To bear all cheerfully,
do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never....</i> <i>In a word, to let the
spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common</i>....<br />
<i>...........this is to be my symphony.</i></span><br />
<br />
William Henry Channing </span></div>
</div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-91647002070191400962015-07-23T22:38:00.002+01:002015-07-23T22:38:38.499+01:00After a while .............Once again it has been quite some time since my last blog update. I have been busy with orders, an on line show and summer gardening with rather little time to spare ... so a short update and lots of pictures.<br />
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First the garden, the clematis have thrived this year after a good pruning and this is one has produced a waterfall of flowers.<br />
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The Alice in Wonderland rose in my garden, some one slipped up when
grafting this mini standard rose, both pink and white flowers.<br />
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Hanging baskets with a fuchsia called 'Blackie'. <br />
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Beautiful pink peony flowers with a little matching pink bear called Peony. </div>
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The recent on line show was a great success, all the little bears finding homes within a few hours of the show opening. The theme was a little difficult as both of us found it rather difficult thinking Christmas in the middle of summer.<br />
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I did make one very special little bear with a holiday theme. Bright red and appropriately called Holly Berry.<br />
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I also made a little girl rabbit called Emily with Megan creating her tiny little companion 'Wabbit'.<br />
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A new pincushion design, a starfish with sea green bear called Sea Foam.<br />
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We have a small local show scheduled for early August and Hugglets in
London in early September. With outstanding orders to complete the next
few months look to be busy with lots of stitching to do.<br />
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Some of my precious time has been spent sitting with my husband at the hospital's eye clinic. The good news is that the injections have been successful and he is due for a final check up next week. He will then be put on the waiting list for laser surgery. Just wish the seating available at the hospital was a little more comfortable so that I could sit and perhaps knit, sew or crochet while waiting. <br />
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After a very long wait of almost twenty two weeks, my consultation with the dermatologist was not a great success. She considered my psoriasis not too severe, hardly surprising really as it is mid summer and I have been able to spend some time outside in the sun and the initial flare up was sometime in March. I was sent home with a prescription for steroid cream and put on the waiting list for photo therapy, my first appointment will be at the end of this month.<br />
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Many years of sitting sewing and working on the computer has not proved very kind to my neck and shoulders and the osteoarthritis in my spine is sometimes rather painful. The physiotherapist informs me that it is posture related and has offered little help other than suggesting that I take more pain killers and sit up straight! I guess that the age thing is catching up with me.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">They're not gray hairs. They're wisdom highlights. ~Author Unknown</span></div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-4635735329394602832015-06-05T21:01:00.000+01:002015-06-05T21:01:26.638+01:00A summer garden, the story behind a name and of course some new bears ......It would appear that summer has arrived, somewhat violently but the weather is warmer, the evenings light until late and the garden is flourishing. The first day of June arrived with very strong winds which threatened my precious peonies and fuchsias but fortunately they are all still looking good.<br />
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Early last year I purchased seed potatoes and a grow bag from an offer in the newspaper. Included in the deal was a selection of garden plants. The potatoes were not a great success producing rather poor results but I planted the assorted flowers in various parts of the garden and did not give them much attention. I planted the foxgloves along the side garden wall after removing a hodge podge of overgrown shrubbery. This year they have finally started flowering and are a haven for the bees and actually look quite pretty.<br />
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One little fluffy English bee in the last picture who was not impressed with my photographic endeavours and would not co-operate and keep still! I confess to having an insatiable curiosity and wondered why they were
called 'foxgloves'. Did some Google research and discovered the most fascinating website on poisonous plants and discovered that - 'There are a number of explanations offered for the name
'foxglove'. It is said that it was originally named 'folk's love'
meaning the fairies loved the way the flowers point downwards as it
gives them a place to shelter. As home to the fairies, children were
told it was bad luck to disturb the plant as this would lead to the
fairies being homeless. It is also said to come from 'fox glove' as the fairies gave the
flowers to foxes to wear as gloves so as to leave no trace when
raiding a hen house. This explanation was popular with people
inclined to raid the rich man's hen house for themselves.' Think I rather like thought of the foxes wearing flowers as gloves!<br />
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A Mother's Day gift some five years ago this beautiful Campanula has thrived in a pot and is a welcome splash of colour by the back door.<br />
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At the Hugglets show in February I came home with some new fabric
including two pieces of random dyed rayon with co-ordinating linen for
foot pads. Rather faded and 'aged' looking I made two little
'handfuls', the first is Emily in shades of pink. Her dress is made
from the sleeve of a vintage christening gown which I dyed pale pink to
match the fabric. I used the sleeve edge for the top of the dress and
added a band of embroidery around the hem. Unfortunately this fabric is
extremely fragile and needed very careful handling.<br />
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The second little girl I have just completed is in shades of blue. Eloise is wearing a blue dress with crochet cardigan. I have used the same yarn to embroider her dress and made a selection of crochet flowers to trim her head.<br />
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My husband's eye treatment appears to have been successful after a third injection. A follow up visit in a month's time just to check progress and possible laser surgery later in the year.<br />
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The on line show 'Christmas in July' is next month, finding it a little hard to feel creative to this theme in mid summer! Really need to get busy stitching, hoping the ideas will start flowing soon.Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-76692272603579148252015-04-29T12:13:00.002+01:002015-04-29T12:13:30.111+01:00Spring flowers, outings, bears and life .............Looking back over past years when I sometimes updated my blog some five times in one month I have been somewhat slack with updates recently. So at long last an update, to my two new followers, welcome to my ramblings!<br />
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Still facing some health issues of my own, I have also spent many hours sitting at our local hospital waiting for my husband who has been having treatment for a vein occlusion in his eye. The eye clinic is always busy and previously I used to drop my husband
off at the hospital for his routine check ups but as he is now so frail, I
do have to be there to 'hear' for him and also help him if necessary.
The hospital has benches for waiting patients that I think must have been designed to ensure the utmost discomfort. I have tried to crochet, sew bears as well as read with little success as my back starts to ache and I spend a lot of time wriggling around to get comfortable. I have resorted to 'people watching' which rather reminds me of my years of travelling to bear shows around the world and the time spent sitting in airport departure halls observing the passers by. Those patients awaiting retinal eye surgery have a variety of tests carried out returning to the waiting area between each one. On my first visit I observed a gentleman sitting waiting with a large black spot over his eye and I sort of wondered if he knew that he had a dirty smudge on his forehead. Rather embarrassed to realise that this was so the doctor knew which eye needed treatment! Fortunately the injections into the cornea seem to be working for Mervyn, a third one is scheduled for later next month and hopefully that will be the last one.<br />
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Now on to the happier events in life and a lot of pictures! My garden is starting to look quite colourful with all the spring flowers in full bloom. The daffodils under the crab apple look so pretty.<br />
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sunny yellow daffodils on the dining room table <br />
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In November when driving home from London I noticed a plant nursery was having a sale. I bought two hanging baskets, one with pansies and the second with an assortment of pansies, English (bellis) daisies and of all things a tiny conifer tree. They have thrived on the wall next to the conservatory right through winter snows and frost and look good to last for several more months. I love pansies and have always had some in my gardens in various parts of the world. These purple flowers are quite magnificent.<br />
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I have been busy working on bears for various orders but did complete a little pink bear sitting on a pincushion. Fleur is bright candy pink and is sitting on a two tier pincushion set. The top section is made from black rose print fabric which is left over from a dress I made for myself in my late teens when granny print was so much in fashion. This little bear is now available in our Etsy store.<br />
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Megan has an ever increasing collection of resin ball jointed dolls. After so many years dressing teddy bears, spreading our wings to make clothing for these wonderful dolls seemed a good idea. We recently opened a new Etsy store 'Magpie's Secret and these are some of the items now available.<br />
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Earlier this month for a family birthday treat we visited Framlingham Castle in Suffolk. All that remains of this twelfth century castle are the high walls which offer an incredible view of the surrounding countryside. High places rather terrify me but I braved the curtain wall which is
10.5 metres high walking with a 'you can do this' refrain running through my head and not looking directly down!<br />
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I also discovered that wallflowers do actually thrive in
walls ........... <br />
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Finally a picture of our little Radcliffe kitty sleeping peacefully on his blanket in our work room.<br />
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Now back to work with several orders to complete.Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-70994571383290803162015-03-06T21:31:00.003+00:002015-03-06T22:46:00.506+00:00Teddi & Friend on line showThe past few weeks have been the usual hectic rush with the London show and an on line show. The Teddi & Friend on line show opened today with a wonderful selection of
bears from artists around the world.<br />
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This is Violetta, wearing a dress made from a pretty violet print vintage handkerchief and her tiny kitty friend Cleo.<br />
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A little rabbit called Sophie dressed in vintage lace.<br />
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The Hugglets show at the end of February was well attended and as always a wonderful opportunity to meet up with old friends, both fellow artists and collectors.<br />
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The vintage lace decorating our table always attracts attention!</div>
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Finally some pictures of the furry children in the family. Our rescue kittens have settled in so well. Belladonna is gained so much in confidence and has turned into a beautiful cat with perhaps some Maine Coon ancestry. </div>
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My little black kitty always rather camera shy is the last of the Cape Town foursome. Now getting on in years she views the young upstarts with a certain disdain. <br />
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Radcliffe has also blossomed and is a total little monster into everything with a fascination for paper and scissors. He seems to have some oriental ancestry as he is extremely talkative. Sitting on the sewing machine was a new trick! <br />
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One final picture of the colonial pin case I made as a Christmas gift
for a friend. The embroidery was done on my fancy Brother sewing
machine which I bought so many years ago and hardly get to use<br />
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Now that the two main shows are over it is time to get working on
several overdue orders. I would like to do some beading and embroidery
and of course make clothing for the ball jointed dolls to stock our Etsy
store. There are also letters owing to friends around the world, definitely need some more hours in the day.<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend. Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-26514204339118027282015-02-21T12:57:00.004+00:002015-02-21T12:57:49.712+00:00After a somewhat long absence .............It is almost the end of February and I have been somewhat absent from blogging for some weeks. So far this year our family have had more than their fair share of winter 'flu and other nasties. I have psoriasis which is usually under control but does tend to worsen in winter due to a lack of sunshine. As it affects my ears this causes a secondary problem and I developed a severe ear infection last month. Unfortunately this has made my psoriasis flare up and I am presently red and splotchy and extremely itchy. With upcoming shows and feeling somewhat stressed it has most probably made it all a lot worse. Planning to get back on to a very low protein diet in the next few weeks, this does definitely help but it is rather a bother.<br />
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The Hugglets Winter Bearfest takes place tomorrow in London. Our table display will be a little sparse unfortunately as production has been somewhat affected but we do have some rather special bears for the show.<br />
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I had great plans to make a whole variety of my 'handfuls' using some of the wonderful vintage rayon fabric I shared on my blog some months ago. I only managed to complete three of this slightly bigger bears and this is Cerise a special little red bear dressed in cream with vintage lace trim.<br />
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A little black bear dressed in cream and trimmed with pale blue called Cailin</div>
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and finally a little boy bear called Casimir made from mohair <br />
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I have uploaded a preview of all the new bears on our web page. Looking forward to the show and catching up with fellow artists and collectors.</div>
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I am planning a quiet week after the show then it will be back to work to complete a selection of bears for the upcoming on line show and complete a backlog of orders.</div>
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Spring is in the air with all the bulbs starting to appear in the garden and I am looking forward to getting out and doing some much needed work. </div>
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Have a good weekend, until next time ...............</div>
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Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-28179065153161845532014-12-31T21:08:00.005+00:002014-12-31T21:08:49.327+00:00A New Year begins .............<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">"Approach the New Year with resolve to find the opportunities hidden in each </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">new day. " <b>~ </b>Michael Josephson</span></div>
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<br />
...........and so another year begins. For all the followers and
readers of my blog I wish that 2015 be a year be filled with good
fortune, joy
and much happiness. Let us practice random acts of kindness and help a
stranger, pray for peace, understand, say 'thank you' and sing for
joy. An abundance of blessings to you all.<br />
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"<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you
are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things,
learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your
world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more
importantly, you're Doing Something. So that's my wish for you, and all
of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious,
amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze,
don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect,
whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it
is you're scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and
forever." <b>~</b> Neil Gaiman</span> </div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-40360329228450101282014-12-25T23:12:00.003+00:002014-12-25T23:12:47.940+00:00A Christmas Wish ........<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">~Norman Vincent Peale</span></div>
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On this Christmas Day, for each of the wonderful people who take the time to
visit my blog, read my ramblings and sometimes leave a comment ....<br />
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my wish for you is that this will be a very special Christmas, far removed
from the over-commercialisation surrounding us. Make time to
remember what this day is all about, to enjoy the togetherness
of being with family and friends, the joy of giving and receiving of simple
gifts.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">"At its best, Christmas is a
mirror in which we see reflected the very best life can be. Where we see
ourselves moved by generosity, inspired by hope, and uplifted by love,
not only for ourselves but for the whole evolving universe" ~ Bruce
Sanguin </span></div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-6548413858999271342014-12-19T23:00:00.000+00:002014-12-19T23:00:05.612+00:00Christmastime .......................A very long overdue blog. Lots of happenings over the past few weeks and possibly too much time spent on Pinterest when I should have been working.<br />
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In my last blog I shared some pictures of my latest handful of bears. Finally completed, two of them have been adopted, just one little yellow bear to be listed on E-bay. <br />
<br />This is Brittany, made from sparse mohair fabric in a blue dress with embroidered flowers around the hem and on the cardi.<br />
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The little bear made from pale yellow vintage rayon I found rather bland and boring. I have created a series of pictures showing the various stages of dyeing the completed little bear by literally dunking her in a dish of strong tea and leaving her to dry on the kitchen window sill. With some subtle shading on the seams, foot pads and on her face she looks a lot more interesting. Finally this little girl named Harriett was dressed in a tea dyed cotton lawn dress trimmed with vintage lace and pink silk ribbon.<br />
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A new pirate bear also joined the completed creations on my work table. A little black bear this time attired in semi steampunk clothing. Artemus has a tea dyed jacket with gold embroidered detailing and beads. His matching hat is trimmed with tiny brass watch findings and a pheasant feather. His ultrasuede goggles were a labour of love and frustration! He has been adopted and will be winging his way to the States shortly.<br />
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The past few weeks have been the usual mix of ups and downs. It was such a pleasure attending Victoria's pre-school Nativity Play. These children are all only three or four years old and very eager participants in their various roles, Joseph gave Mary a bit of a push to get her moving. A little boy dressed as a camel should definitely think of a future career on the stage, he knew his lines off by heart and carried out his role with great aplomb. It was really a special occasion, unfortunately photographs are not encouraged so I did not get any pictures of Victoria in her angel costume.<br />
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The osteoarthritis in my neck has worsened over the past few months and has spread to my shoulder. Lifting my arm any higher than shoulder level is extremely painful. With the usual NHS delay in seeing a physiotherapist I eventually visited the hospital for an assessment several weeks ago and was told that I would be put on the waiting list for a consultation in approximately ten weeks. A two hour wait in the doctor's waiting room with a horde of coughing children caught up with me and I have spent the last couple of weeks coughing and wheezing. Not a good idea right at the beginning of winter. I am finally starting to feel somewhat human again but rather exhausted and worn out. Nothing that a good holiday would perhaps cure but that is just not a financially viable option at present.<br />
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The Christmas tree is in place and this year we decided not to use any fragile glass decorations due to two hooligan cats who think that this display is for their recreation purposes.<br />
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It seems quite unbelievable that it almost the end of the year and I have to start working on orders with an on line show as well as Hugglets just around the corner.<br />
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In the hectic run up to Christmas, do take care and travel safely if you are journeying over this period.Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-61399152367517657402014-11-18T22:14:00.000+00:002014-11-18T22:14:17.976+00:00Work in progress .............Almost up to date with orders and finally starting to make some new bears. <br />
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I had drawn and cut out several bears for Hugglets which just did not get completed in time for the show. Two of my handfuls, as yet unnamed, are now all stitched and waiting for suitable clothing .......... dresses with winter coats perhaps? Will get out fabrics etc tomorrow so watch this space for two little dressed girls soon (hopefully).<br />
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After some twenty-two years of designing and stitching bears I now and again get the urge to try a pattern designed by another artist. This is a little bear made from a pattern by Anna Tysmbal, the only changes I have are adding paw pads and changing the shape of the foot pads. He/she has a very long body with extremely skinny legs and arms and the pattern design had a bear with a very high crown on the head. My version has a little face which looks nothing at all like the pattern, in fact it looks quite like my own bear's faces just a slightly shorter muzzle.</div>
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The fabric was a recent acquisition. One of the long time teddy bear artists was selling a large amount of vintage fabrics at Hugglets and I came home with a good supply. This rayon fabric usually manufactured in Poland for curtaining, was available in a wide variety of colours. Some artists do not like the shiny finish but I have found that after handling whilst stitching some of the excessive shine seems to be lost. A picture of my colourful stash, lots of fun ahead. </div>
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The pale golden yellow I used for this little bear has a slightly thicker backing and was quite frankly absolute hell to work with as it frayed so much and even a liberal amount of Fray Check did not seem to help much. I have never had the courage to make a perfect little bear then 'age' to make it look old. So my finely stitched nose instead of the threadbare one on the pattern also perhaps makes it rather different. Not sure if I like this little bear too much but I am planning to put it in a dye pot to slightly discolour and age the fabric. Will post a picture next time round hopefully.</div>
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Although the winter is still quite mild for late November the excessive rainfall has made the garden into a muddy quagmire, not fun and the cats hate going outside.</div>
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The animal charity said he was timid and shy, needing a home with lots of
love and he would blossom. Well that sure worked as Radcliffe Chamberlain is now the
'toddler from hell', climbing curtains and eating plants and generally running havoc around the house. He is rather cute 'tho.</div>
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Until next time, all that fabric is waiting!</div>
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Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-72238238225183517192014-11-04T15:50:00.001+00:002014-11-04T15:50:28.416+00:00A poignant memorial<br />
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After weeks of seemingly endless stitching I actually completed some of my orders. Still more to do but I have also been playing with beads and doing some knitting. I have also been trying to make time for other things, such as an outing for my birthday with a little shopping, a visit to a farm with my granddaughers and a trip to London.<br />
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It is once again that time of the year when we remember the thousands of men and women who lost their lives in various wars. Some years ago I purchased a pattern for a poppy brooch as well as all the beads and in my usual fashion it became one of those projects to be done when there was time available. This year I made the effort to make up my brooch and I am quite pleased with the result. Stitched in brick stitch, I did make a few changes to the design making each petal separately, stitching them to a sieve backing and then adding the beads in the centre of the flower. It was also supposed to have three green leaves but I ran out of time and well, just the two look fine. This poppy design by beader Kerrie Slade was published in the UK Bead magazine and is also available from her website.<br />
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An evolving art installation entitled 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' has filled the Tower of London's dry moat with 888,246 hand made ceramic poppies creating a visual commemoration for the 100th anniversary of the First World War. <br />
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The display has met with rather mixed reactions from art critics but perhaps most of us see it in a different light, taking into account the incredible number of people who have viewed the display. We left home very early and were fortunate to find a parking right near the Tower. The weather was not kind but the rain held off whilst we were there and we managed to walk around without being too bothered with the crowds. I personally feel that it was an incredible tribute and felt quite humbled to realise that each poppy represented a soldier from the UK and the colonies who died in this War.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One section of the moat filled with poppies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of ceramic poppies</td></tr>
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Some pictures of the London, the things tourists love to see......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower Bridge</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tower of London</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">River Thames with the Shard on the skyline</td></tr>
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We have also acquired a new kitten. Leila is now a staid old lady and has not really recovered from the loss of her constant companion last year. We thought that Bella, who is a very playful cat with an amazing nature, might fill the gap but Leila is just not interested in her. Not sure if we are adding to the problem but we have adopted this little boy who has been called Radcliffe (Radley for short). There will be a period of adjustment for both kitties but hopefully they will enjoy playing together.<br />
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Finally I spotted a very unusual scarf on Pinterest with a link to a free pattern and after some research I discovered several similar designs. As I do not have much else to do (I am joking) I thought it would be a fun project to make. Not much progress so far as it is not a pick up and put down pattern but hopefully I will eventually finish it. <br />
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I have also reached my target of reading eighty-five books this year. Now it is a choice between knitting or reading!<br />
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The weather has changed almost overnight with lots of frost this morning and it is rather cold. Guess winter had to arrive eventually. This means general tidying up in the garden and clearing out the little glass house to overwinter my special plants. Lots to do so until next time ..............<br />
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Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-89233399812421973872014-10-18T13:28:00.000+01:002014-10-18T13:28:00.454+01:00OctoBearfest on line showA very short blog as I am extremely behind with my orders.<br />
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The OctoBearfest on line show is now open with a wonderful selection of bears from artists around the world. I actually managed to complete my bears in record time and the site was all complete and ready for viewing way ahead of time. When that happens I have a tendency to wonder what I have forgotten!<br />
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Just a few pictures to share of some of the bears available on the show. This is Bridgette, one of my handful of bears. She is made from the very last piece of curly vintage rayon and wearing a tea dyed dress with embroidered rosebuds. The exquisite vintage lace around the hem is a piece I discovered in our stash. Every now and again I have a 'must tidy up' moment and get all the odds and ends of lace and carefully wind them around a card. As I sometimes wind several small pieces together this wonderful lace was rather hidden.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r-Is0qKJ80PhyphenhyphenTvTXyb-0b9ToWv-JRSUe1ApKG02xaUP_U6cZtLLdOt1QMPBpL9kBnJSr_IxQucqD6hOcWEjV_NeNAu81eKF4iyn463-0UGTnm7f3jppTKoRmqdAv2FDbB0tYGsfh__3/s1600/bridgette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5r-Is0qKJ80PhyphenhyphenTvTXyb-0b9ToWv-JRSUe1ApKG02xaUP_U6cZtLLdOt1QMPBpL9kBnJSr_IxQucqD6hOcWEjV_NeNAu81eKF4iyn463-0UGTnm7f3jppTKoRmqdAv2FDbB0tYGsfh__3/s1600/bridgette.jpg" height="400" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridgette</td></tr>
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I also made a second little brown rabbit, this time wearing a polka dot dress with tiny polymer clay sheep button trim.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thistle</td></tr>
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This is a selection of my handfuls made for the Hugglets show, all of them now adopted and living in various parts of the world. I do wish I could travel as easily as they do!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blanche, Belinda & Becky</td></tr>
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Back to work on orders, should remember to not to make limited editions with knitted clothing. I also have to catch up with my 'pay it forward' items to send before the end of the year. </div>
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<br />Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-49323887083299565622014-09-30T21:51:00.004+01:002014-09-30T22:00:35.129+01:00Time does surely fly ...............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A somewhat overdue blog update, surprised to discover that I have not added to my ramblings since mid August!<br />
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I started writing a blog in January 2008 when my life was facing a major upheaval and I had the idea that keeping a written account of all the events would help to retain my sanity. This update is No. 410 of an on line journal which would be rather interesting to read if I had the time and inclination, perhaps one day!<br />
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Lots of happenings over the past few weeks, the Hugglets show in London, some fun outings and lots of sewing.<br />
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Starting at the very beginning, we managed to complete a good selection of bears for the show. Our journey to London was uneventful and we actually managed to leave home on time and arrived a little early, luckily finding a convenient parking spot right outside Kensington Town Hall to unload. The show was well attended but it was very much a pick up and put down sort of day, little money to spend and lots of choices to make as well as there being a lot more miniature bears available than at previous shows. <br />
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I had dyed some vintage long pile fabric a very pale shade of turquoise. The idea of a sea themed pincushion seemed most appropriate but I spent much rather fruitless time searching for a suitable large scallop shell, with a little bear sitting looking at me waiting to be completed. I eventually found a crochet pattern for a sea urchin shell which after a little tweaking (it was way too small) made a perfect pin cushion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGA1rdtj66KTsQhhJc25WrNAXOSShyphenhyphen1rBxEWDBSxtTqUBybgTJeFTTZ65C7tIf_rOq-_cHEaEBizft03XLYQMZZEKqoaaAeLjogmaWpsNUXi9B9z4ZNE4VBWq4EG_qyWCh89psCK4EAvcn/s1600/seaurchin1.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="321" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Urchin Pin Cushion</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alexandra and Bluebell Rabbit</td></tr>
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limited edition special, this is a combined creation, I made Alexandra and Megan made the little Bluebell Rabbit. They are sitting on a blue velvet cushion in a tiny white bone china cup.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Bunny</td></tr>
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Meadow is one of my little rabbits, dressed in a brown gingham dress with a tiny polymer clay rabbit button trim. <br />
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For some years Megan has collected ball jointed dolls. These exquisite dolls made in Korea, Japan and China are very collectible and also somewhat pricey. For some time we have planned to make a range of specially designed clothing and we have recently opened an Etsy shop to market these items. Rather early days yet as we are still finding our way around pattern design and fitting but we have a small selection available with plans to make more when time allows. Having three Etsy stores running is most probably not very wise but as we make such a variety of items not just bears, we needed to spread our wings a little. Keeping them stocked will definitely keep us rather busy. This is a complete mix and match outfit modelled by Megan's very pretty Unoa doll.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorpKMfTKtBTO63WkbJBL3xwu8z6L6B8Fwd-SsVy_2bqT2OUEfjJwynJfeEFFlSCA34J2G7RqsA6Asrwyy87uv45-jqWg_E2Wye36gFYBGAfp5OeGInRSyiDkSjDt6LyJPkTGxYZ-AmAa-/s1600/cardiset1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorpKMfTKtBTO63WkbJBL3xwu8z6L6B8Fwd-SsVy_2bqT2OUEfjJwynJfeEFFlSCA34J2G7RqsA6Asrwyy87uv45-jqWg_E2Wye36gFYBGAfp5OeGInRSyiDkSjDt6LyJPkTGxYZ-AmAa-/s1600/cardiset1.jpg" height="640" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Garden Party Summer Outfit</td></tr>
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After several weeks of stitching endlessly we needed some time out and spent a couple of days off firstly shopping and lunch in Cambridge and then driving up to Leicester for the day.<br />
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Leicester's main claim to fame is the discovery in 2012 of the remains of Richard III, the last Plantagenet king of England, buried under a car park in the city. A lot has been made of this discovery and there is work under way to re-inter the King in a very special tomb in the cathedral. We had a wonderful time discovering all the marvellous fabric shops, a very special bead shop and exploring the market. However, it is a city which I would visit again only for shopping, perhaps when all the work on the cathedral is complete and we have an opportunity to explore some of the historic buildings on the outskirts I might find it more interesting. Just a few pictures to share.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of Richard III - Leicester</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vaughan Porch - Leicester Cathedral</td></tr>
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Baby Alexandra recently celebrated her Baek-il (100th day celebration, an important event in Korean culture. This is a special picture of my precious granddaughters with their 'granny', Victoria was the most excited little person at this special occasion.<br />
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The final on line show for 2014 takes place mid October and we are once again busy stitching. Will share some pictures of the latest bears soon.</div>
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Finally I once again set myself a target to read 85 books this year. I have reached a total of 80 so only 5 to go before the end of the year! I do enjoy having a Kindle, so convenient to carry in my bag and read when out and about but I do wish that the prices of e-books was a little kinder. I must admit to having read some really 'different' (or strange) books this year as they are the most reasonably priced available. I was rather thrilled to see some one at the coffee shop in Cambridge actually reading a 'printed book', not a Kindle, mobile or lap top in sight! </div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-10470180263301897682014-08-20T11:25:00.000+01:002014-08-20T11:27:34.177+01:00Flowers, plums, bears and oh dear .... 'spiders'Time flies the saying goes and over the past few weeks life has sort of run away with me. Catching up again with a myriad tasks at this time of the year and also trying to make bears for the forthcoming Hugglets show in early September.<br />
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I have to also admit to feeling rather unsettled in a world which seems to have gone mad. Events in the past few months have been horrific and each day seems to bring some new horrible tale. I have reached a stage where I prefer to not read the daily newspapers headlines but on the other hand, hiding my head in the sand is not going to make it go away. Perhaps the easy access to news updates on line makes world events so much more real than it used to do when world events where limited to radio and then TV. That does make me sound old!<br />
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On to happier things I have lots of pics and happenings to share. My garden has flourished this summer with all the hanging baskets making a wonderful splash of colour.<br />
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The fuchsias have been amazing, needing lots of water as this year we have had quite a dry summer.<br />
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Some months back I shared a picture of a frilly white pansy which had seeded itself in one of the standard rose pots. After it finished flowering I discovered a multitude of tiny new pansy plants which I planted in various pots around the garden. From that white pansy a myriad of different colours, quite interesting. </div>
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The begonias have also put on a wonderful show although the birds do like taking the basket liners for their nests. <br />
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The Mirabelle plum tree has produced a good crop this year. A tasty pie for dessert and a good supply of jam for the coming winter months. I also managed to freeze several containers of prepared plums. I am now eyeing the prolific wild blackberries. Still a few weeks to go before they will be ready to pick but more jam to be made soon.<br />
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Growing up in Africa with close encounters with venomous snakes, fire ants and spiders has not really prepared me for living in the English countryside. We have had a plague of spiders this year mostly fairly small but finding one on the bathroom door easily the size of the palm of my hand was not a great experience. Bella kitty has great fun hunting them down and leaving bodies on the floor as presents for us, fortunately she does not seem to eat them!<br />
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Some of my latest little bears. Caitlin is wearing a top made from a scrap of vintage Broderie Anglaise and this is little Charley with her puppy friend Daisy. <br />
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I managed a second visit to view inside Wimpole Hall. It is a magnificent building and includes an incredible library of some 7000 books, just for the book lover in me. A few pictures to share.<br />
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I do not know if I would like sleeping in this rather grand bed, all that drapery makes me feel a little claustrophobic but it is pretty. </div>
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The back of the Hall with its magnificent parterre (or knot) garden. Maintaining those tightly clipped little box hedges edging the flower beds must be quite labour intensive.<br />
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For the embroiderers something quite spectacular to share. One of the previous occupants of the Hall was a Lord High Chancellor and this is the Chancellor's Purse. Embroidered using silver thread, now rather tarnished, this three dimensional work of art is quite amazing, 'tho the faces are rather scary. They remind me of African tribal masks.<br />
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Finally, we were treated to a wonderful super moon recently. For a change it did not rain and the sky was quite clear. This is possibly not the best of photographs as I am still experimenting with my fancy camera and I will have to invest in a tripod at some stage in the future. Finding a suitable spot in the garden with no trees or buildings as well as holding the camera up and trying to actually find the moon was something of a challenge. I did got to see a meteor 'tho.<br />
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That is quite a long update, possibly no more blogging until prior to Hugglets. Have a good week.<br />
<br />Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-65766265992773311082014-07-25T11:54:00.002+01:002014-07-25T13:09:40.927+01:00Latest Bears and a new patternA short and sweet blog this time, the continual hot weather is somewhat exhausting. Whilst nice and sunny, it is not good for the garden. Spending lots of time watering plants in the evening when it cools down a little. The water bill this year will be high!<br />
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Have finally completed a companion set, Emma and Susie who is just 2.5" tall. Megan has designed a new pattern for our Etsy Store which includes a knitted vest. As I had to test drive the pattern before typing it out, the result came in handy for Emma. I added pink and white gingham trousers and a crochet flower, looks cute and summery. I don't make many very tiny bears now as I find the osteoarthritis in my hands somewhat of a nuisance when working with little bits of bear. <br />
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The pattern is a traditional style little boy called Sebastian and is now available in our Etsy store as a kit or pattern.<br />
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Life continues at the same rather hectic pace, stitch bears, clean the house, prepare meals and care for the garden. Think I need a holiday, rather miss the overseas shows. It was a good opportunity to get away from everything for a while as well as meet up with special friends and collectors. However, until I win the lottery time away is a pipe dream.<br />
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Have a wonderful weekend ...........Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-4503718441516572872014-07-12T12:53:00.003+01:002014-07-12T12:53:56.106+01:00Christmas in July on line showThe show is now open and several of our bears have been adopted.<br />
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I did promise to share pictures of my creations and the first is:<br />
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Sarah Jane made from a small scrap of moss green vintage long pile. The pattern for her special little knitted dress is from <a href="http://www.littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk/">www.littlecottonrabbits.typepad.co.uk</a>. My earlier creation using this pattern had a pretty lace edge but was just too small for my bear. After a lot of caculations and extra stitches it has been successfully enlarged for a 4" bear. Just have to do a little more work on the cap sleeves which I would like to be a little longer.<br />
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This is my Snowflake pincushion. Remember the strange biscornu pincushion I shared in one of my previous blogs, this is the result with bear, braid trim and pins.<br />
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Although I had great plans to create five bears I only managed three. This is Nicholas, a little bright red bear sitting on a decorative box.<br />
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Some four years ago I bought a tiny maidenhair fern which I had on the landing window sill in our previous house. In this house the most suitable place was the conservatory and has grown somewhat considerably. Feeling sorry for it early last year I re-potted it into a nice large pot and it is now rather taking over. Definitely will have to remain in the existing pot. The spores from its leaves have also very kindly seeded themselves into several of my orchid plants over the years and I now have three baby ferns on the kitchen windowsill. There are some new babies again this year, anyone want a fern?<br />
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Finally a new picture of my special little granddaughters. Alexandra is starting to take an interest in the world and her head is now glued on properly! Makes her a lot easier to hold. </div>
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Have a wonderful weekend.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">A
mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the
terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the
wonderful things her grandchildren do. ~Lois Wyse</span></div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-73503317393961750612014-07-10T21:22:00.001+01:002014-07-10T21:22:46.460+01:00Some more knitting fun and green gardening ..........I have been busy working for the on line show. Must admit that the theme of 'Christmas in July' has proved a little difficult, I do not really make many 'seasonal' bears any more and mid year does not seem quite right for Christmas. As I cannot show pictures of my creations before the show these will have to wait until next time.<br />
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But I do have some pictures of flowers from the garden, my kitties and
new adventures in knitting. First flowers from the garden. <br />
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These are from a perennial sweet pea which grows in the front garden. I cut it back to the ground each year and it returns in summer and rather takes over, despite copious cutting back. The flowers fade to an amazing shade of blue.<br />
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and next the kitties..........<br />
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This is Leila, my last remaining travelling cat from South Africa. She is now ten years and still misses her older 'brother' Merlin. As we felt she needed a kitty companion we acquired Bella, a shelter special who has turned out to be quite a character.<br />
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She is now one year old and full of the joys of life. Amazing how love and care has changed a little kitty that hid away from humans at the shelter<br />
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My experimenting with lace knitting continues. I did spend considerable time on the internet looking for suitable lace patterns. I found lots of patterns but most were for edgings and just not deep enough to make into a skirt for a dress. This one is very pretty but when knitted up it is just way too long and I will have to keep it for one of my larger bears. Rather reminds me of those strange knitted dresses my mother wore which never keep their shape and stretched with wear, rather like the bathing suit my Aunt knitted for me. It ended up by my knees on the one and only occasion I wore it.<br />
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Several years ago I knitted a cardi with a lace pattern and in my usual fashion I kept some ten small pieces of paper clipped together with the pattern which after all this time make no sense whatsoever. It does need a good laundering as it is somewhat dusty after keeping a bear warm on a shelf for some time. <br />
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The lace pattern is from an old Hamlyn knitting book. This time I was a little more careful with the instructions and hopefully I will be able to make this dress again. There will of course have to be some changes. I designed the bodice in two sections with the idea that I would fasten it on the shoulders with a button. I then decided that little sleeves would look nice rather forgetting that this particular bear has a large head and well, putting the dress on the bear was somewhat difficult. Never to be removed! It is a little too long which is also something to change next time and the threaded ribbon did not really help as bears do not have a waistline. A little crochet flower finished it off nicely.</div>
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So success after a fashion at last! I also knitted a dress for one of my Christmas bears which I will share next time.<br />
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Finally for the green gardening update. We have two cherry trees in the garden, both gifts to my husband for a past birthday and as we rent this house, they are grown in pots. Both totally different varieties, this year they produced a small quantity of cherries. The weather this summer has been unusual and rather humid, whether this responsible for the bugs in the garden I am not sure but the one tree was so infested with aphid that it was causing a deformity in the leaves. I removed all the leaves and sprayed the tree with lots of soapy water. Neither of these worked and I ordered some ladybug larvae on line. The arrived in a tiny plastic box and as they were so very small that a sneeze would have blown them into the next county, l placed the open box carefully in a fork of the tree and hoped for the best. Amazing results, there is not a single little aphid left on the tree and the new leaves are looking good. There is no sign of any ladybirds either but I am thrilled that I did not have to resort to toxic sprays in the garden. <br />
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I love books and last year after much thought I acquired a Kindle. My time for reading is late at night when I finally fall into bed and I love this little e-book reader as it is light and easy to use. The downside is that e-books are not inexpensive and sometimes actually more costly than the printed books. Don't quite figure that out. I have taken advantage of some of the specials offered and as a result have read some rather strange and in some cases, totally dreadful books. Perhaps that is why I am so far ahead with my reading challenge this year, less of the weighty 'tomes' I am inclined to read.<br />
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Pictures of the on line show bears next time.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Books
are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most
accessible and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.
~Charles W. Eliot</span></div>
Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202213985665227381.post-55068903193565729842014-07-01T09:31:00.001+01:002014-07-02T08:45:15.420+01:00An interesting journey and a new acquisition ..............On Saturday we took time out to drive to Norwich, which is an approximately one and a half drive from our home. The weather has been threatening and after heavy downpours for several days, the morning dawned bright and clear and we headed off on a trip which turned into something rather interesting and a little bit of a nightmare.<br />
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We arrived at our destination without any problem and after completing our purchase (more about that later) decided to take the opportunity to visit the city. I usually do a little internet research before visiting a new place but with my present workload did not really have time. We found our way into the city easily enough, parked within reasonable walking distance (the husband had forgotten his walking stick!) and set off to see the sights. Fortunately I did remember my camera so a few pictures to share.<br />
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This amazing angel on top of a war memorial was our first discovery.<br />
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a face on one of the many walls, no idea who he is or the reason why he is there?</div>
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We made our way to the castle which is accessed by an old stone wall with a series of plaques. This one caught my attention due perhaps to my Welsh heritage. I just loved the dragon.<br />
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We decided that a visit to the castle and cathedral would have to wait for another time. The castle is actually rather an ordinary structure, certainly nothing fairy tale about it and not easy to photograph from the outside. This old bridge is made from flint stone as are many of the buildings and walls in this part of the city.<br />
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To satisfy my fascination with churches we stopped to explore the Church of St Peter Mancroft. The Norman foundations date from 1075 but the Church as it now stands was rebuilt in 1430.<br />
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This picture was downloaded from a website entitled <a href="http://stpetermancroft.org.uk/home/history/">http://stpetermancroft.org.uk/home/history/.</a></div>
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On the site I found this rather inspirational quote from Simon Jenkins who wrote a book entitled 'England’s Thousand Best Churches':<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>“Few who enter St Peter’s for the first time can stifle a
gasp. The sense of space and light is overwhelming. To those who find
Perpendicular bland or lacking in shadow or mystery, Norwich answers
with a blaze of daylight, as if the sky itself had been invited to
pray.”</i> </span></div>
</blockquote>
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Perhaps this explains my fascination with Churches, that awesome feeling when entering these magnificent structures which have seen the footfall of many generations. </div>
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I did not take many pictures inside the Church but Megan can just be seen sitting gazing at the magnificent wooden roof which has angels on the end of each beam.<br />
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After visiting the Church we strolled through the arcade in this amazing Art Deco building to reach the market.<br />
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and the purpose of our visit...... Megan has long wanted a Singer Featherweight sewing machine and found this neat little one on e-bay. In perfect condition it might just need a service at some stage but otherwise an excellent find at a good price. I still want to acquire one of those old black Singer hand sewing machines. Have fond memories of learning to sew on my older sister's machine which she never actually used.<br />
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Our journey home was not too pleasant, Seems like everyone goes shopping on Saturday and the queues to the many
shopping mall parking areas caused most of the problem. It took almost an hour to get out of the city, even driving in the centre of London is not so much of a nightmare as Norwich city. The wonderful Garmin kept sending us around in circles and eventually I just followed road signs pointing to the route we needed to get home.<br />
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Then we
drove into a major deluge on the way home. Rather unpleasant as I could
not see where I was going and the roads were awash. As the tour de
France is next weekend we had cyclists on a three lane motorway (find
this most annoying) hardly visible and rather disconcerting. Discovered
later that Norfolk had experienced a monsoon rain storm!!!<br />
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The road from Cambridge to Norwich is undergoing a major upgrade. This 30m high war memorial sits rather forlornly right next to the motorway with no access to view. Apparently it was sited here to commemorate those who served and died during World War I from the three villages of Elveden, Eriswell and Icklingham and is located here where the boundaries of the three parishes meet.<br />
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My bears for the forthcoming on line show are progressing slowly. I am planning a different pincushion bear for the show and this is the first and most basic part, a biscornu with a very pretty crochet snowflake which took much patience as the pattern is not very clear. Not too happy with the white stitching which I think will have to be changed. Biscornus are usually stitched on even weave fabric, my idea to make them out of velvet means lots of painful backstitching by hand and I really should get the sewing machine out, maybe next time. Still lots of work to do but slowly getting there.<br />
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<br />Wendy & Megan Chamberlainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01109920968848950271noreply@blogger.com1