I Love Music Too!

Just got back from visiting the folks in Brum, while we were there we popped into a great record shop called the Diskery, I can't believe it's still going (approaching it's fiftieth year!). The staff there are really friendly and helpful, they even washed the record our daughter bought (fashion /David Bowie) that was worse for wear! I also liked the mini Christmas Grotty Grotto that they created from a customer's sandwich foil and a found cuff-link piece, soz no photo. If by any crazy chance you happen to be in Birmingham get down to the Diskery at 99 Bromsgrove St, B'ham B5 6QB.

The Bizarre Bazaar

The lovely girls we know as Tatty Devine are hosting this Christmas shindig, watch out for those naughty bears!

Getting in the mood

I can't believe you'd want to pass this snazzy number on to someone else. Well, lucky old me, Christmas has come early! Thank you Rocky.

"Gotta Pick A Pocket Or Two......."

Fair's Fair!

It's that busy season of the year, if you're in Stoke Newington on the 5th, why not pop into our sale and get some yule time goodies!

Wrap Up Warm!

Snuggle up, it's winter time!

'12 Angry Men' (well, bears really)

All Dressed Up And No Where To Go!

Innie or outie? (SP?)

I haven't seen these Belly-Button-Bears in a while, I think they were a little shy and embarrassed by their sticky out navels, hey all types of navel welcome here! What's yours?

Ooops!

Ring a Ding Ding!

Ring a ring of roses,
A pocket full of posies.
Atishoo! Atishoo!
We all fall down!

Ashes in the water , ashes in the sea.
We all jump up
With a 1,2,3!

(traditional nursery rhyme)

Any Plans? 2

Little Bear: " This is a great trampoline!"

Big Bear: "Little Bear you are funny, that's not a trampoline it's a pile of jumpers for our new friends!"

Little Bear: " Come on, join in while no one is looking."

Big Bear: "Hey that sounds like a great idea, make way!!

Any Plans?

Big Bear: "Got any plans for the weekend?"

Little Bear: "Nah, not really. Thought I'd hang out here....."

Big Bear: "D'ya fancy hanging out here with me?"

Little Bear: "mmmm that's a great invitation, I'd love to!!!"

The Knitting & Stitching Show 2008 - Alexandra Palace

Yesterday I had a very interesting time at The Knitting & Stitching Show in Ally Pally - www.twistedthread.com. We saw all manner of creative goods and projects. Here are my K&S Show top 5(in no particular order)

1. The Hyperbolic Coral Reef - Wow! I'm so happy that I got to see part of this fantastic creation, a delight to the eyes!
2. The button installation - "Seeking Pearls" by Alfreda McHale. I thought I was the only one who collected tons of buttons, this lady is the Button Queen - go girl!
3. Helping Hands Knitting Aid www.knittingaid.co.uk If you know anyone whose hands aren't strong enough to hold up knitting needles anymore or have bad arthritis, this might be the aid to get them knitting again; invented by a lovely young man for his nan who couldn't knit for him anymore.
4. The Rug Lady also known as Jenni, inspired us to buy a 'bodger' and a 'speed shuttle 'after her demonsration of rug making techniques. http://jenni.ragrugs.freeuk.com
5. The Schiffli Project - It was great to see an old old machine still in use (the last working schiffli machine in Britain) 15 artists created work utilising this unique machine).
   
   

You Gotta Hand It To Them!

Got a brilliant book through the post today. It traces the rise and rise of the indie craft movement that has been happening over in America during the past few years. It has loads of great photos, histories and essays. It's a real inspiration and a pick-me-up if you ever get those days when you think 'Am I totally mad, why am I doing this crazy stuff?!!'. I recommend it to you all.

Keep the faith Faythe!

and......

thank you Hazel for showing me this great book!

Look at What's Just Landed!

Well what a surprise, this lovely little fella landed on my studio floor today, I didn't know that butterflies (moths?) were around in October - what's going on?

Well Loved Jacket

I get given so many brilliant denim things including this worn-out jacket, it's a pity its so small otherwise I'd be wearing it right this minute!

Smock Around the Clock!

I couldn't resist unpicking this little smocked dress. The resulting piece is a very stretchy and springy ridged fabric. I'm not quite sure what to do with it as yet, I guess for now I'll just be playing with it!

Eye-eye aye-aye oi-oi!

Left On The Shelf

Just sitting around waiting for something to happen........

While I was away...

While away on our summer hols, I bought a few bits and pieces including -

red string from Battle,

silk ties from Bexhill, Monterey and Sanfrancisco,

and leather buttons from Hastings.

Hot off the press!

Yes, I'm enjoying teaching myself how to make books, here are the latest additions or should I say editions to my little library. I knew my collection of old books would come in handy one day!

Baby Bear Makes Front Page!

What a lovely surprise, one of my baby bears was 'hand-picked' for the home page of Etsy. Etsy is a brilliant place to buy all different kinds of handcrafted objects directly from the makers, check out www.etsy.com

Book - a - roo

Have been doing some bookbinding lately, I couldn't resist using denim for the spines on these 2 books, what a surprise!

Smock Horror!

When I was growing up in Birmingham, I spent countless hours sitting in relatives front rooms, usually on a Sunday surrounded by ornaments, photographs, lace and plastic flowers. When I came across a sewing pattern on ebay for smocked cushions, I couldn't resist bidding for it, seeing the pattern whooshed me back a few decades to when I was a little girl - sitting on plastic protected settees surrounded by smocked velvet cushions. Luckily no one else seemed interested in the pattern and I won! So here is a denim sample, I think I'll do a few more.......

Will I be O.K?

This bear hasn't been to Jamaica, but is on its way to Ramsgate to a lovely little girl called Leila-Zee. Leila-Zee will look after you my denim friend, bon voyage!

New Bear In Town!

I've nearly finished this bear, I just need to choose the right buttons to complete him - mmmmmmm???

The Twins

Hey all you Geminis out there - Happy Birthday! I've celebrated our special time with these bear twins, they're very rare as big green eyes are so difficult to find. I used up my last 2 pairs!!! Help!!!

Bear Faced Cheek!

I ordered some fantastic felt from 'Lupin' via etsy.com and was inspired to create these small bear badges.

Safety in Numbers!

Here are some of the 'creatures' I made for Butterfield Fair.

Butterfield Green Fair

I'll be taking part in this extravaganza on the 18th May, guess I'd better get cracking and make some new creatures for our
stand. Check out http://www.shakespeareneighbourhood.org.uk/

Before and After

I wonder what crazy weather we're going to have today?

New additions to the fold - I started with the sad little fellow on the left and after a few trials came up with the green eyed wonder next to him. Although 'Sad Fellow' has scrawny little arms and a weird body and bow legs, I really like him a lot. I do not have a reject bin, how can you have a reject bear? That would be impossible!

Sitting Pretty

Racing Stripes

I rediscovered some felted knitting in one of my boxes and made these bears from it. Welcome my stripey friends!

Bear Skins 2

The bear skins survived the stuffing experience,welcome to the fold!

Bear Skins!

I thought you might like to see these little critters at the bear skin stage, they're looking pretty startled, wait 'til I get my stuffing stick out!

Eye-Eye!

It's a match made in heaven! Check-out Billy Bears 'eyebrows', they're just like James'!

Shelf Show

I forgot to include this shot in my show pictures, the bears look at home don't they?

Looks a bit crowded on the top floor though - I'd better start looking for a bigger home!

Thanks Olive for the loan of your doll's house furniture. Sorry it's a bit fuzzy.

My Latest Denim Buy

I bought this groovy denim apron/cash carrier thingy from an alladin's cave of a shop on Bethnal Green Rd( please let me know its proper name!). It's great for wearing around the studio, I can put my mobile phone in it, scissors, keys, sweets and all manner of useful things!

I Love Denim Show April 2008

Sunshine at last, spring is in the air, time to show the world what I've been up to.

I got all of my bears together for a big adventure, talk about safety in numbers!

If you go down to the woods today, you're in for a big surprise!

Gosh, there isn't mush-room here.

Ah! This is the life!

Here are some of the quilts that were on display- leather back patches, logcabin, back yoke, and a corduroy patchwork.

Some of my Barbarabearo bears.

Bears on a chair.