And the winnner is ...........

My daughter has chosen the winner for my bear, Lucky. I have emailed the winner and ,if all goes as planned, Lucky will be headed off to a new mom. If for some reason I don't hear back from the winner, I will pick another name on Nov 2nd. Thanks to all who were participated in the contest and congratulations D.H. What a fun way to celebrate my birthday !

Edit: Debbie has contacted me and Lucky is going to live in Florida !

What's new ?

Well, lots of things. I have been busy the past week playing taxi for my kids. My daughter had dance events all weekend (last week). The same weekend my hubby broke his collarbone after flipping over the handlebars on his motorbike in the woods. He's healing ! This weekend my son had his motocross awards banquet. He brought home 2 large trophies and we are so proud of him. He raced really hard the past 6 months and came away with the championship plus a 2nd place overall for Atlantic Canada in his race classes.

While away I got to meet another bear artist who lives in New Brunswick. Linda Chiasson of "Bear in Mind Collectibles." She is a really lovely lady and wonderful bear artist. I really enjoyed getting to meet her on Saturday to share tips and chat about bearmaking.

I also finally finished my bear for my contest on Thursday. You can see Lucky's photo to the left.

Hopefully I can focus on more bears this week. I have another mink bear cut out and ready to sew.

Grrr....A bear is on the way soon..

It hasn't been a good bear making week :( I decided to dig out one of my old , smaller mink patterns that I haven't made in a long time. I forgot how much patience it takes to work in a smaller scale with real fur. I decided to give him/her a double neck and that was tedious. I have a few things to finish up and photos to do, then hopefully have him/her ready in a few days.

I also decided to stock up on bear hardware, joints, new expensive eyes etc. Well....the new eyes arrived yesterday and I promptly dropped the package on the stairs and THEN stepped on them. I bent all the wire backs, and broke some of the glass. I could have cried. I hope I can salvage some of them.

Today I was excited when the screws/locknut supplies arrived. UGH, I ordered the wrong size :( They are too big for the hole in the disc and not worth my time and $ to return. Now, I have to order more and wait because I have none left at all.

Some weeks it just doesn't work out as planned.

But... I am thankful that the nasty pain in my hip I had yesterday is feeling
better:) I hope you are having a good week :)

Anywhoo, here is a sneek peek side on off the bear who still needs his belly stuffed and closed.

Be Thankful

I know, I am a day late as Thanksgiving was yesterday. But, I was away and am cooking my turkey today. I was thinking about what I have to be thankful for, and my mind flooded with so many things . Too many to bore you with for sure :) Everyone can find something to be thankful for , even if it seems like a small thing. Sometimes life can be so difficult, but still there is ALWAYS something to say, "Yes, I am thankful for...."

While I was away with my family yesterday I was so thankful that I had eyes to see the beauty that surrounded me. My goodness the trees are colorful this year ! I am always amazed by the things you see when you take the time to really look. I wanted to share some of the wonders of nature that I witnessed.
The view from our little cabin in the woods.


A cranberry bog we found.

This bug must have walked right out of his "shell". His skelton was perfectly in tact on the side of the tree.

Thank you God for the gift of sight, the beauty of this amazing world, and the countless blessings in my life !

What are you thankful for ???

Hot off the press !

I've been waiting months for this book to hit the bookstore ! I am excited that it finally came out a few days ago. I just started reading it last night and am enjoying it so far. I mentioned before that I am not an avid novel reader ,but this fun mystery series has caught my attention. The author, John Lamb, is an actual bear collector and former homicide detective. The characters are likable, and witty and the plot always revolves around artist bears . I hear that book 5 The Treacherous Teddy is planned for print in 2009 ! Can I wait that long.......???

To learn more check out John's website here. I've emailed him to tell him how much I enjoyed his other books, and hope to one day meet him at a bear show !

As fresh as it gets.

There is nothing better than fresh produce, and by fresh I mean right from the farm. That is one of the best parts of Fall, visiting farm markets and orchards. What a colorful sight peering down rows and rows of trees hanging with several varieties of green, red, and golden apples. We got a few of these apples on the weekend and they were so juicy ...yum !

Look at the view from the orchard , across a soy bean field, to a little ski hill. Hard to believe it will soon be filled with snow (is it too soon to say that LOL). It is so pretty seeing the leaves changing color. I could have spread out a blanket in the field and just watched the clouds roll by :)

New Bears Available

Meet Crispen- 8.25' mohair

Meet 8" Oakley -Recycled Mink on Ebay Oct 5th

October Contest

Happy October ! I love this time of year with the crisp air and gorgeous fall colors.
October is also my birthday month , so I am holding my 3rd annual bear giveaway on my birthday. I haven't decided if it will be a mohair or real fur bear yet. But, I promise it will be something special. Everyone on my mailing list will be automatically entered , as well, anyone who has purchased one of my bears will be entered 3 times.

To join my list simply visit my wesite and sign up (by Oct.29th) on the Join Mailing List link.

The draw will take place October 30th . Good luck.