Making an Armature

As I was working on a bear yesterday, I though it would be fun to show you what allows my bear arms to bend and hold their poses. It is simply a wire armature that I make. There are some available for purchase, but mine are more economical and so easy to make. I get my supplies at the hardware store.

I think the photos explain the process - be sure to click to enlarge them for a better look.





Oh, and watch for a new bear soon !

A Youth-full weekend

What a wonderful ,uplifting weekend . Don't I look relaxed ! My hubby and I, along with 3 other adults and 9 teenagers spent the weekend at our cabin. A very rustic place- no electricity, plumbing , or running water ! We took our Church Youth group there to do some team building for a future mission trip to Brazil. I have to admit, at first I though I was crazy to spend the weekend with moody teens ! Where was my head ! Even 90 minutes with them on a Sunday night can be a challenge sometimes LOL. I have to say though it is an honor to be able to be part of their lives, and give them some love and direction in this crazy world.

We all had a great time enjoying the outdoors, lots of yummy food and campfires. It was so wonderful to see these kids enjoying nature, away from life's pressures and distractions of TV,computers, IPODS, PSP, DS, phones -all the bling & gadgets. Just being kids in the outdoors ; what could be better.

This view from our cabin never gets tiring. It is beautiful no matter the season. Wow, I am really inspired to create !

Now, where are those 3 bears that I cut out last week ???

Back to Bears

I have been contemplating the idea of doing a show on my website. This would mean I'd make a few bears and offer them all at once at a certain time. I'm still deciding though.

I got really inspired when I received this piece of gorgeous purple mohair yesterday. I swapped some fur, I no longer need, with a friend who seems allergic to mohair. I discovered I have the same type in an antique ivory color. I see a yummy bear in the future.

Today I plan to get a bear started, but may be a few days until I get it completed. I've got a full schedule the next couple of days. I need to look for a new camera for one thing. Along with my son's IPOD, my nice camera died the same day. It costs more to fix than it is worth so the camera search begins. Thankfully, we have an old back up in the meantime.

Oh, and what a wintery surprise to look out and see snow on my tulips this morning. Just a little Spring fertilizer !

My BAD ?

It's official, I am now the worst mom in the world ! Imagine that. First thing out of my son's mouth this morning was ," I have no jeans to wear, did you do the wash yesterday" . NO, I didn't ...he has lots of other jeans, but no they weren't acceptable . Well, I decide I would do laundry this afternoon so the same thing doesn't happen tomorrow.

Guess what I found dead in the bottom of the washer after the first load.....his IPOD.


It is his job to check his pockets, but for some reason I am the bad guy. Good grief ! Let's hope it dries out and works again.

I need to make another bear :) In case you missed it, my mink bear Silvester sold in a flash. I am so thrilled that he found a new mom.

A Golden 'Pickle"

I have found myself in a bit of a "pickle", and it has made me sad :(
I received my official invitation to the Golden Teddy Awards in Washington, DC. But, I just can't go.

You see, last year I PROMISED my best friend
that I would come visit her in western Canada in 2008. I haven't been in almost 16 years !! She has visited me may times so it really is way beyond my turn to go. Problem is, I am scared to fly alone, but I am determined to do this if it kills me ( heaven forbid ). She is my best friend afterall.
I really want to attend the Golden Teddies too. I know I won't win, and that is totally ok. Heck, I am still shocked to even be nominated. I just want to be part of the event, and meet some wonderful bear people.

I just can't justify spending the huge amount of money for 2 days when I am also spending a huge amount to go to my friends shortly after. I'd have to sell my first born. My hubby says, do both. (Not sell our first born of course LOL.) I say, my friend is more important than bears, and a promise is a promise !!!

I always try to keep my promises !!!

Titanic "Mourning Bear"

After posting about the bear novels yesterday, I remembered some photos I wanted to share. One of the novels is called the "The Mournful Teddy" based around the famous mourning bear. I learned that the famous bear company, Steiff, created 600 black Steiff bears and exported them to England in May 1912 . They were a symbol of mourning after the R.M.S. Titanic sank in the chilly waters of the North Atlantic, April 15, 1912. It is said that the bear has red rims around it's eyes to appear as if it was crying. (In 2000 one of these rare bears sold for $184,000 Canadian !!!!)

Now...this was so interesting to me since 121 Titanic victims are buried in a local cemetery near me as Halifax was the closest port to the tragedy. I visited there 2 years ago for the first time, and it was a very somber experience to see all of those headstones in a row with the same dates. So many victims were so young.

Here are some pictures I took of that cemetery. You can click to enlarge them and read the plaque.

Bear Collector Novels

I recently received a fun set of Novels by Author John Lamb. These "Bear Collector" novels are a mystery/suspense series with plots related to artist teddy bears. I am not an avid reader-I'd rather be crafting than reading, but I have to admit that they were so fun and quick to read through. So, if you are looking for a fun 300 page novel with likeable characters, plots involving Teddy Bears, deceit, suspense........have a read !

Be sure to check out John Lamb's website. He is a Teddy Bear Collector and former homicide detective !

I look forward to his next book in October !