Thanks Teddy Bear Times!!

 

Thanks so much to the folks at Teddy Bear Times for including me in their recent issue! They used many of my photos and I so appreciate the time and effort that went into the piece!

I'm still hoping to get to a teddy bear show "across the pond" one of these days so hopefully collectors there will recognize my little ones. Special thanks to Allison Croat for writing the lovely article!

Happy New Year!

We're happy here! My son, Jason, had spinal fusion surgery on January 2nd, to repair a painful back. I'm glad to report that he is doing well. His dad, Kim, and I took turns staying with him during his hospital stay and he came home on Saturday. He has visiting nurses checking on his progress and a physical therapist should show up later today.
Take a look at the wonderful photo of Rocky above. For my birthday (day after Christmas) Jason gave me a Sony Cyber Shot which, if you haven't heard of it, is an 18.5 megapixel camera that you use in conjunction with an app on the iPhone. This photo was made in little more than Christmas tree lighting in our family room. Rocky is on the back of the couch and in the distance is the hall going to the front door. I am just amazed at the lighting and the detail of such a photo! Truly amazing. And it's tiny! smaller than the size of a tuna can. I'm sure you can find info online about this truly marvelous tool!! I'm sure I shall be using it for my bear photos - just imagine - Eighteen and a half megapixels!! My first digital camera had TWO!!
Please have a good thought or prayer for Jason's continued recovery. A most happy 2014 and love to all!

Hopping on Santa's Sleigh!

 This sweet little butterfly bear named Kristy has hopped aboard Santa's sleigh and is on her way to her new Mom. I've been at the Post Office often this week with last minute shipments hoping the weather will be favorable for smooth journeys. Another traveler on the sleigh is Miss Kitty

She's hoping the weather will be good and Santa will be able to make deliveries on time!

WOW!!!

Just look what I've been missing!! Thanks to a wonderfully talented doctor, I can now see some vibrant colors I've been seeing through a "cloud."

I see sweet Abe's pink nose clearly and notice the subtle shading around his nose as well as his long white guard hairs in his coat .

The weather here in southern Virginia has been warm today and I've so enjoyed being outdoors observing the wonderful colors in my now brighter world since my cataract surgery on Tuesday. Thank you  Dr. Spellman and all those who took such good care of me. The warm weather will come to an end soon, but hopefully our beautiful pansies will fare well through the winter.

Let the Holidays Begin!

A sure sign of the Holidays! Kim's Beau and his candy cane! Wishing everyone a joyful and stress free period of time when we enjoy those who bless our lives daily - whether they have two legs or four! I'll be posting some "how I do it" features so check back! I'm having cataract surgery on Tuesday so I'll be back ASAP! Cheers!

The Show Has Begun!

The Teddies Worldwide show has begun! Please click here: :www.teddiesworldwide.com to visit all the bears and their friends! My pieces can be seen in the header above! Thanks to everyone who visited the show! The adopted bears, bunny, and kitty are on the way to their new homes. Thanks everyone!

Got Candy Canes?

"Olli"

The Teddies Worldwide online show preview has begun! My little preview bear is named Olli and he LOVES candy canes! The theme to this holiday show is Christmas Treats. I hope you will go on over to the web site and vote for your favorites! The show will be coming up on November 15th. Just click here to see Olli  and his friends! www.teddiesworldwide.com

Pretty Little Dresses

I've borrowed a knitting needle from Kim to hang some of my little crocheted dresses I've been making. It's usually the other way around! I make the bear first and then the attire which will look just right for the bear! This time, I've just had so much fun with new threads from Knitpicks - seeing what color combinations and designs I can come up with. All these will look great on my little 4 inch standing bear. I'm working on bears for the online show - which I can't show you in advance. Some of these little dresses might just be on the bears and kitties and bunnies, I'll bet!

The red dress on the left is the only one done in crochet thread that is not from the new Knitpicks line. All the

others have subtle coloring that I really enjoyed working with. Sometimes, you just have to have a bright

red dress, though, don't you think???

My favorite of the bunch is probably the one in the middle here in gold and green - which someone in my family observed: "Looks like a pineapple!"

National Feral Cat Day!

This is a day to think about and find out what we can do for the feral cats in our personal world. Last summer, Kim and I, and a kind lady from the local Humane Society named Mary, trapped, had neutered, and returned to their world, several feral cats in our neighborhood. One of them, pictured above, chose to become part of our world, and has lived with us inside for the past year. She's called "Luna" and was named for the sweet soul in the character of the same name in the Harry Potter adventures. Luna is quite small - compared to some of our other kitties - but is very healthy and happy. You can see that one of her ears is trimmed which is how the PETA folks mark those who have been neutered and given their shots.
Please visit www.alleycat.org to see what you can do for the ferals in your world!!

Not all ferals will choose to live inside, but Miss Luna has blessed us with her companionship. There are lots of things we can do for those who live outside. We're getting shelters ready for the winter for the Outsiders on our deck and we feed them twice a day. God Bless every one of them everywhere.