Bears and Things

A busy few weeks since my last post.

 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.

First is a little purple rabbit made by Megan. Violetta is just 3.5" tall and trimmed with pretty beads and flowers.

 

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.

 

Both are now listed on Tedsby for adoption.

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.

 

 A new little panda bear

The little panda bear is all complete and available for adoption on Tedsby. 

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.

https://essentialbears.tedsby.com/

 A New Little Bear and a New Year

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.

 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.

 

 

 The heart shaped pillow behind the little bear is one of my hand embroidered hearts.

 

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.

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.

The second pincushion is set in a pretty porcelain swan with a purple linen pincushion, silk flowers and ribbon.

These are available in our Grace & Whimsy Etsy store graceandwhimsy.etsy.com.

Back to work and hope to share pictures of the embroidered little bear soon.

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

After a very long absence 

 I have neglected my blog for so many years as it has been a period of many ups and downs in my life. 

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.

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.

Sharing some pictures of a few new miniature teddy bears, first is Madeleine a little purple bear who has already found a home.

Then we have Eloise and Lilou.

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.

Hoping to revive my blog updates and explore the many blogs I used to follow.

 

 

Woburn Abbey Teddy Bear Festival Preview

We are in the process of changing web site service provider and our existing web page is no longer accessible.

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.

 Grace

  Oberon & Forget-me-not

 Tabitha Mouse

New Teddy Bear show at Woburn Abbey

The next few weeks will be a somewhat busy time as we stitch bears for a new Teddy Bear show.

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.

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.

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.

Until next time .............

A milestone in life's journey

Yesterday I celebrated something very special, my 47th wedding anniversary.

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. 

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.

Hopefully some pictures of some new bears next time.

 

'Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust'