Swan Valley Bears

Ghost Town

2009-10-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

Now this is scary . . .

I took this picture through the window of the school house in Bodie, a ghost town in California about 80 miles south east of Tahoe in Mono County. Bodie was established as a mining town in the mid-1800's. Population grew to 10,000 at one point, then dwindled to around 700 by 1910. In 1932, when a fire destroyed all but 200 buildings, most of the town's remaining 100 residents left (leaving behind much of their belongings). Bodie became a state park in 1962 and is now in a state of "arrested decay" for your viewing pleasure.

They must have left in October as there were several jack-o-lanterns in the school house.

One home is open with the rooms roped off, but as for the rest, you must be satisfied to look through the windows. It truly is a fascinating place to visit.

Here are glimpses into the past: (Click on pictures for a larger view.)

Inside the school house.

Outside of the school house

One of the "nicer" homes

Can you imagine having to leave your sewing machine behind? How sad.

Most of these pictures were taken through the window with my camera lense up against the glass resulting in poor quality in some photos (like the one below).

Another sad sewing machine. I liked the bird cage.

Almost all of the homes had wall paper. In some, you could see several layers where the top layer was peeling off.

A child's booster chair in the kitchen. (This is the house you could walk into.)

Crib, bathtub and radio in this room

Close-up of the wall paper in the front room.

I think they used flattened out tin cans for siding.

Our friend, Richard, is holding up this building.

Hotel room. Most of the commercial buildings had this pressed tin wall covering. I would love to have a sampling of it.

Hotel kitchen with more pressed tin.

If you're in California, Bodie is definately worth a visit. If you would like to see more pictures, visit my Bodie flickr album

How Much Fabric? Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

How Much Fabric? Card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Owl and Pussycat Masks GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

Owl and Pussycat Masks GIVEAWAY!!!!

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-10-16T21:57:00.000-07:00

Queen of Hearts and Alice in Wonderland Costume Set GIVEAWAY!!!!

A Little Tour of my Studio

2009-10-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

The previous owners of our home had two small children. The boy's room was painted with bright primary colored planes, trains and automobiles on all four walls. Because of the room's location, I decided this would be my studio.

First step was to paint a creamy pink color. My storage boxes wouldn't fit in the closet , so I took the doors off. (My husband, clever boy that he is, used the closet doors to make a new cupboard door in the garage.) I made a curtain out of a sheet, added some lace, and hung it with a tension rod.
You can click on the pictures for a larger view. *

Here's the "behind the curtain" shot:

*

I purchased two of these desks, a cradenza, hutch and filing drawer years ago from Scandanavian Designs. I previously painted this shelf black to match the desks but I'm thinking I'm going to paint everything that's black to off-white. Just tired of the black. Oh yes, and that chair has been re-upholstered three times. This last time, I made a quicky slipcover in off-white fleece and it looks terrrrrrible. I've even slipped a pillow case over the back. I'm thinking about a new chair anyway.
I bought this old 1950's Singer portable (that weighs about 30 pounds) at a yard sale a few years ago for $10. I love the apple green color. I use it to sew my bears. It's a workhorse that will last another 60 years, I expect.
I made the magnet board out of a piece of welder's sheet metal from Lowes and a frame from Michael's that I got half off and spray painted. Made the memo board on the shelf out of leftover valance fabric. I also do all my painting and paper craft work on this table.

I can't miss any of my HGTV shows or Project Runway just because I'm working on a project, you know.

I do all my sewing (other than the bears) on this Janome, which I also love. The window looks out onto my beautiful Japanese Maple and the front yard and with northern exposure, the lighting is just right for me. I'd love to paint the chair but it is occasionally used at the kitchen table and matches those chairs.

This is one of those chrome racks; practical but oh so ugly and industrial looking. So, I made it a pretty dress with tulle and ribbons and pretty buttons. I attached large paint stirring sticks all around the top with plastic ties (you know, like the ones they use for hand cuffs). Then I glued and stapled Velcro to them. I made two curtains and sewed Velcro around the top and attached them so that the opening is down the front with a 6 inch overlap.

And behind curtain number two. I have no patience when it comes to looking for things, so I've labled all my storage boxes too.

I got the boxes in the hutch at Target on sale and spray painted them. They were bright red before. I hung name badge holders on them which hold a bland business card. I write the contents of the box on the card. Otherwise, I'd be looking for things forever. The little cabinet next to the cradenza has now been painted three times. It's pale pink and green now. In fact everything in this room that is pink, green or off-white has been painted to be that color.

This is my fur rack. I designed it and my dad built it for me. It's really just two hinged "A" frames with dowels in between (ladder style). Fur is hanging on both sides, mostly fat quarters and one yard size pieces. My patterns are hanging from a belt holder ring thingy.

My larger pieces of fur (1.5 to 2 yard cuts) have overflown into the guest room next door. My cutting table is in here and the fur gets thrown from table to bed and back whenever I need to cut out fabric.

A Pleasant Surprise

2009-04-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

When we moved into our home last July, the spring blooms were long gone. The yard was beautiful but mostly green. What a pleasant surprise I've had this spring to see all the beautiful blooms I had missed last year. God is so good !!!

A dwarf dogwood with beautiful pinkish/salmon colored blooms

I'm not sure what this beautiful orange flower is. If anyone knows, please educate me. The round red things are from last year's blooms. Am I supposed to cut those off?????

This azalea surprised me. I didn't even know it was there until it bloomed.

Who knew Japanese Maple trees bloomed? Not me. The bees were buzzing away in the little blooms of this tree yesterday.

Celeste, her swap bear

2009-03-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

This is Celeste. She is the swap bear who finally finished her journey to Edinburgh and is in the hands of Janice Mc Leod of Jigpaws. This was my first swap and was such fun!

Pete, my swap bear

2009-03-17T10:55:00.000-07:00

I recently participated in a bear swap on Teddy Talk, a forum for teddy bear artists and collectors. My swap partner is the talented Janice Mc Leod of Jigpaws in Edinburgh, Scotland.

This is Pete, the adorable bear I received last week from Janice:

Isn't he just fantastic? Thank you so much, Janice!!!

The bear I made for Janice is on her way so I'll wait until Janice has recieved her then post a picture.

...and finally, Rainbow Sunday of Color Week

2009-03-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

A colorful vintage bird vase

More vintage hankies which belonged to my grandmother
My colorful floaty pen collection
This colorful clown costume I made for Tracy, and Paige (below) wore it 5 years later

This is one wall of the colorful alphabet mural in my guest room

The mural was painted for the young daughter of the prior occupant of my home

This concludes color week. I've had fun exploring my home for colors and I hope you've enjoyed my photos. Thanks to Lynn of The Little Red Hen for this colorful week!!!

Violet Saturday of Color Week

2009-03-07T16:28:00.000-08:00

Hello again . . . this Saturday is brought to you by the color violet . . .

This is Hyacinth, a bear I've made. She wears a violet ribbon and purple iris button.

More vintage hankies that belonged to my grandmother.

Vintage Christmas bell ornaments

Violet ribbons

I never noticed this pretty color on my sewing machine before
Violet pin grabber
"T" is for violet teddy in the alphabet mural in my guest room . . .
. . . and "F" is for violet feather

Stay tuned for another Rainbow Sunday tomorrow . . .

Blue Friday of Color Week

2009-03-06T16:19:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to Blue Friday of Color Week. I realized today, as I was looking for blue pictures, that I haven't used any blue in my decorating. I did finally find a few blue things . . .

Some vintage hankies that belonged to my grandmother

A sweet vintage doll pinafore
I might have read this book in the first grade

There is nothing bluer than my grandson, Sullivan's eyes

I snapped this pic of the Blue Angles at an air show in Sacramento a couple years ago

A tiny cloth baby doll with blue elephant print rompers

Stay tuned for Violet Saturday . . .

Green Thursday of Color Week

2009-03-05T11:34:00.000-08:00

In case you just tuned in, Lynn, of the Little Red Hen blog is celebrating the end of the brown mud of winter and the beautiful colors of spring with a Color Week. She has invited other bloggers to join in on the fun and I'm in. It goes like this: Sunday - rainbow . . . Monday - red . . . Tuesday - orange . . . Wednesday - yellow . . . Thursday - green . . . Friday - blue . . . Saturday - violet . . . and Sunday - another rainbow day.

. . . today is Thursday, therefore it is Green.

Maker's Mark Bourbon Distillery in Kentucky. I snapped this in 2006

A silly Sully winding up for a cry

One of my Pullip girls wearing her camoPretty greenery in my back yard

This is part of an alphabet mural in my guest room "P is for Pea"

My green machine is a work horse. I use it to sew my bearsA little green bucket holds some quilting supplies

Stay tuned for Blue Friday . . .

Yellow Wednesday of Color Week

2009-03-03T22:09:00.000-08:00

My color pictures for Yellow Wednesday . . .

Spring-is-in-the-air chicks

Mr. Peanut Cup hold my pencils

A little chick-a-dee

A vintage carnival prize

A sweet vintaage baby romper

A toasty fire in my fireplace
yellow fruit (whoops, not real)

Sullivan's toy car

A teapot I painted at one of those "paint-your-own" places

Stay tuned for Green Thursday . . .

Orange Tuesday of Color Week

2009-03-03T14:59:00.001-08:00

Orange Tuesday

An orange bell pepper on my platter

An orange sponge from under my sink

A vintage Shirley Temple brand dress

Terra cotta chicken holds my receipts
Buster's squeaky toy

Dave's Tennessee Volunteer's hat

Stay tuned for Yellow Wednesday . . .

Red Monday of Color Week

2009-03-03T14:52:00.001-08:00

Red Monday . . .

A Manhattan Fire Department I snapped in 2006

A red bowl in my black hutch

Red tail lights on a Manhattan street taken from our hotel room

A red tassel that hangs on my black hutch

Tomatoes for tonight's salad

Bear's red collar

A red apple my mom painted

My Red Riding Hood Betsy McCall

A red chicken who lives on top of the hutch

Stay tuned for Orange Tuesday . . .

COLOR ! ! ! Celebrating Spring

2009-03-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Lynn, of the Little Red Hen blog is celebrating the end of the brown mud of winter and the beautiful colors of spring with a Color Week. She has invited other bloggers to join in on the fun and I'm in. I'm playing "catch-up" here since this is Orange Tuesday and I've just started. It goes like this: Sunday - rainbow . . . Monday - red . . . Tuesday - orange . . . Wednesday - yellow . . . Thursday - green . . . Friday - blue . . . Saturday - violet . . . and Sunday - another rainbow day.

Here are my Sunday Rainbows:

A rainbow I snapped at Niagara Falls

Who knew I had so much embroidery thread

A pretty fabric for each color of the rainbow from my stash I have a t-shirt in every color of the rainbow
Stay tuned for Red Monday . . .

Pim Tatters for my Paigie

2009-02-10T11:22:00.000-08:00

This sweet little bear was presented to my daughter, Miss Paigie last Sunday. I made a similar bear a couple years ago who was promptly adopted, but not before Miss Paige saw, and fell for him. I promised her I would make a Pim Tatters for her and so . . . here he is. He now lives with Paige.

Nevada City International Teddy Bear Convention 2009

2009-01-31T11:40:00.000-08:00

Well folks, that time of year is just around the corner. Spring will be here soon and along with it, the 26th annual Nevada City International Teddy Bear Convention.

(Edit Feb 2 - Alas, I won't be able to participate in the show this year, but I will be there one day to visit.)

This will be my third year participating, although last year I was "absent/present", as a last minute Tennessee trip for me put my gracious husband Dave behind the table in my place. My hero!

The show will take place April 3rd, 4th, and 5th, Friday Noon-5:00, Saturday 10:30-5:00, Sunday 10:30-3:00at historic Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street at Bridge Street, Nevada City, California.

If you could use a day or even a weekend away, this would be the time and Nevada City's charming historic downtown area would be the place.

Me too tagged . . .

2009-01-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

I've been "tagged" by Tammy of Beckoning Bears and Nancy of Dog Patch Critters. . . which means that I must share 6 random things about myself and tag 6 other people who might want to play. I've posted the rules at the end of this post, which is one of the rules.

Alrighty then, here we go . . .

1) My brother was born on my third birthday.

2) I love overcast, cloudy, foggy and/or rainy days. I much prefer winter weather over summer weather. Thunder and lightening make me giddy.

3) I have really bad restless leg syndrome. If it weren't for medication, I would NEVER sleep, ever.

4) When I was a little girl, I loved to catch reptiles. I often had snakes, salamanders, lizards, and/or frogs in buckets and containers in the back yard.

5) I have hypersensitive senses. My daughter says I have the ears of a dog, nose of a bloodhound and eyes of a gopher. High pitched sounds hurt my ears and head. I can't listen to female sopranos. Scrape me off the ceiling if I hear Mariah Carey. In stores that play this type of music, I walk around with my fingers in my ears. Eeeek. I have the nose of a bloodhound. I have to go stand in another grocery line if the person next to me had garlic or onions for lunch . . . . last week. Ick. I have the eyes of a gopher. I can't go outside, even to get the newspaper at the end of the driveway, without my sunglasses on.

6) I was a respiratory therapist for 10 years and an insurance agent for 17 years.

THE RULES (for this game of tag):

1. LINK TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU

2. POST THE RULES ON YOUR BLOG

3. WRITE SIX RANDOM THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF

4. TAG SIX PEOPLE AT THE END OF YOUR POST AND LINK TO THEM

5. LET EACH PERSON KNOW THEY ARE TAGGED AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THEIR BLOG

6.LET THE TAGGER KNOW WHEN YOUR ENTRY IS UP

7. DON’T BREAK THE CHAIN (not actually a rule)

Here are my tagged bloggers:

Shannon

Miss Paigie

Miss Balacey (Tracy)

Laura of Dances With Teddy Bears

Christine of Boot Button Bears

Laurie of Laurie Lou Bears

Isn't This Fun?

2009-01-15T18:31:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas ! ! !

2008-12-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

1957

Ornament Swap

2008-12-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

I promised earlier when I wrote about the Puddle I received in the Teddy Talk ornament swap, that I'd post a photo of the ornament I made. My angel has completed her journey and has been received by Penney in Connecticut.

You CAN be there . . .

2008-12-17T15:59:00.000-08:00

December 15th was the big day . . . Sullivan's first birthday. Since I had just been to visit Tracy, Tyson and Sullivan in November, I wasn't able to talk the hubster into springing for another plane ticket. Sigh . . . anyway . . . next best thing? . . . Skype ! ! !

Come party time I combed my hair, put on lipstick, a nice sweater to go with my pajama pants, booted up the computer and made my Skype call to the party. After greeting a few of the guests, Tracy and Tyson put me (their laptop) in the kitchen with a bird's eye view of the birthday boy so I could watch him dig into his smash cake. He could see and hear me as well.

After cake and refreshments, I was escorted into the livingroom to watch the birthday boy open his gifts.

Happy Birthday, Sullivan. Nana couldn't be there in person but via Skype, I saw and heard it all and Sullivan saw and heard me too. I even got to give Sullivan a hug and kiss by proxy. This one was from Nana. Thank you, Tracy!

I got a puddle ! ! !

2008-11-26T20:29:00.001-08:00

On Teddy Talk (a teddy bear forum I belong to) we're having our 3rd annual Christmas Ornament swap. Today I received a package from Austrailia and to my delight, this is what was in my package. I'm so thrilled to have a puddle ornament made by Wendy Cheng of Matilda Huntington Beare. Wendy is famous for her puddles which are made of fur with bills perfectly needlefelted. Thank you, Wendy ! ! ! Check out Wendy's website at http://matildahuggington.webs.com/index.htm

I'm working on my ornament and I'll post a picture of it after my recipient receives it. Wouldn't want to spoil any surprises.

HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS

2008-11-23T15:45:00.000-08:00

Kinda' speaks for itself . . .

Nana's Excellent Adventure

2008-11-14T10:03:00.000-08:00

I'm back home from an excellent visit with Tracy and Tyson (TNT) in Tennessee. I spent 19 wonderful days with them and had a terrific time! (With the exception of the weekend that we all had the stomach flu.) It was so good to spend time lovin' on little Sullivan who turned 11 months old on November 15th. He is truly a delight. He's such a happy boy and, oh, what a sense of humor. Here are pictures of the sunshiny day we spent at the Nashville Zoo:

For my birthday, Tracy took me to a cake decorating class at Joann Fabrics. The class was a blast and we learned to decorate a cake to boot. Tracy proved to have a substantial talent at cake decorating. The birthday cake she made for me was delightful with teddy bear, balloons and all. Just look:

I finished my second quilt. I presented it to Sullivan for his first birthday, which will be December 15th. Here's a picture of Sullivan on his new quilt.

Oh yes, and here are some pictures of the boy, just because he is so darned cute!

A Success Story

2008-10-24T08:12:00.000-07:00

My precious grandbaby, Sullivan, was diagnosed at three months with infant glaucoma. (Sullivan is now 9 months old .) This is a very rare disease affecting only 1 in 10,000. Sullivan has had two surgeries at Vanderbilt University by Dr. Karen Joos. All tests since the surgeries have been perfect.

Tracy and Tyson moved to the Nashville area 5 years ago just after they were married. Tracy has told me many time that she wasn't happy about the move, but knew God had a reason. She didn't know His reason but, maybe someday would find out. Well, the top specialist (one of only three in the country) just happened to be at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, a mere 20 minutes from their home. Now we know at least one reason God brought them to Nashville.

A couple months ago, Dr. Joos called Tracy. She was worried because Dr. Joos has never herself called Tracy. Tracy was relieved when Dr. Joos asked if she would be willing to be interviewed for an article in the Vanderbilt newspaper as a sucess story. Follow this link to read all about it: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?ID=6731

A-quiltin' I will go . . .

2008-10-21T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is Tracy on her wedding day in 2003. (Having her hair and make-up done, not in her dress yet, just in case you thought she got married in a cotton blouse). She's receiving a very special gift from my Auntie Sue . . . a gorgeous quilt Sue made especially for Tracy and Tyson. The reason I show you these pictures, is that when I decided I wanted to make a quilt of my own, of course the go-to girl had to be my Auntie Sue herself. She has made dozens, no, probably hundreds of quilts. She is the Queen of Quilting.

Not only have I finished my first quilt, I've had a blast with Aunt Sue! So much fun, that now I'm taking guitar lessons from Aunt Sue (don't know how well I'll do with that; I'm not very musically inclined). She is a multi-talented girl!

Here's a picture of my first quilt. I'm working on my second quilt now. I was making this quilt for Sullivan but decided that it wasn't good enough for him. I'll post a picture of the new quilt photographed with Sullivan. I'll be seeing them soon . . . YEA.

Stand up to be tall . . .

2008-09-14T12:49:00.000-07:00

Sullivan's mommy reports that he is so proud of himself. In addition to crawling, he's now pulling himself up to stand which also gives him the ability to dance (just like his mommy when she was a wee one).

Splish Splash

2008-09-06T22:46:00.001-07:00

Just a few bears

2008-09-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

Like I said below, I'm taking a short break . . . but in the meantime . . . I have a few bears available on my website or directly from my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5149736 or

http://www.swanvalleybears.com/

A Sweet Time with Tracy, Tyson and Sullivan

2008-08-25T13:49:00.000-07:00

This month my Tracy and her little Sullivan came for a two week visit. We even got Tyson for a day too. What a wonderful, sweet time we had! Sullivan is the happiest, cutest baby EVER. Sullivan started to crawl during their visit so I got to witness a first ! ! !

LOOK AT THOSE BLUE EYES!!!

I was happy to be able to visit with Tracy's long time friends during her visit too. Nique and Kevin and their babe, Rosie; Natalie and Dries and their 4 adorable children came for a pool party/bbq. Heather and Alfonso and their sweet little ones, Spencer and Mia came for an overnighter; and Katie Knipp and her beau, Jeremy came for dinner. I really miss my girls' friends. It was so good to spend time with them again.

HE DID FINALLY FIT IN THE CARRY ON SO IT WASN'T NECESSARY TO CHECK LUGGAGE

Paige went home with Tracy for a Tennessee visit and was joined a couple days later by Thomas. They'll be home later this week. I so look forward to the time when I have both my girlies home to stay.

Takin' a break

2008-08-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

I've decided to take a break from making bears for now. I'll probably get back to it some time after the holidays. The move just wore me out and my inspiraton and motivation just isn't there right now.

Not to mention that I've yet to set up my sewing room. It's awaiting a fresh coat of paint to cover up the planes, trains and automobiles that were painted on the walls for the prior occupant. Other than that, we're settled in to our new home. We just need to paint the entire inside of the house still (except the kitchen).

I do have several bears available still. I'll post them on my website, so take a look at http://www.swanvalleybears.com

Hyacinth

2008-07-28T11:49:00.001-07:00

This is Hyacinth. She's my August bear of the month on "A Time for Primitives" website. She can be purchased from my website at http://www.swanvalleybears.com

Hyacinth is 11 inches tall standing and 8 inches sitting. As you can see, she can stand on her own with careful balancing but prefers to sit. She's made of the softest mohair and wears a shawl made of antique hand tatted lace and a silk bow on her head.

Barclay on A Time for Primitives

2008-06-30T10:13:00.001-07:00

Meet Barclay. He is my July "Bear of the Month" on A Time For Primitives website. He's 12.5 inches tall, made from soft, pale gold, curly, dense mohair. He stands unassisted and has a soft, squishy tummy. You can check him out on my page at http://www.atimeforprimitives.com/ or my website at http://www.swanvalleybears.com/

Almost there . . .

2008-06-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

Hello new home . . .

I think (I hope, I hope) it's OK now to reveal the new home. I waited until now so as not to jinx it. You never know what might happen into today's housing market. Escrows frequently fall out at the last minute. We're 9 days away from moving in. I'm exhausted from packing and only about two thirds of the way done. When we get there, I think I'll need a couple of days to lounge around before I start unpacking.

Admit it . . .

2008-06-22T10:47:00.001-07:00

Ok, admit it. This is the cutest baby in all the world. He is so stinkin' cute, he couldn't be any cuter. (Written by proud Nana.)

The move is on . . .

2008-06-16T23:22:00.000-07:00

Goodbye . . .
An "In Escrow" sign is hanging in our front yard and an "In Escrow" sign is hanging in the yard of our future home. Whew. For the next three weeks I'll be packing and deciding what color to paint after I remove wall paper. It will be a busy time for us in the next month.

Laundry Can Wait

2008-06-03T01:58:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite bears, Fiona, who now lives in Reno, Nevada. I have entirely too much fun with my PhotoImpact program. It's like Photoshop but I like it better. And there are some fantastic digital scrapbooking graphics out there. So much fun. The laundry can wait.

Beau Harley of the Harley Clan

2008-05-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

This is Beau Harley, who is the first member of the Harley Clan of bears.

Beau will be available on June 1st on my sales page at A Time For Primitives

I hope you'll take a peek at him.

Wide Eyed Wonder

2008-05-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

Bear (the doggie)

2008-05-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

With summer coming and temperatures in the 90's today, I decided that my little doggie, Bear would be much more comfortable with a "buzz". Not to mention the mess of shedding hair we would be avoiding. He was a perfect gentleman at the groomer's and doesn't seem to know he looks different. He hasn't looked at himself in the mirror yet though. So here are before and after pictures of Bear.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-12T17:57:00.001-07:00

Tracy, Mom, Me and Paige 1995

Mom, my sister and me in 1955 (I'm the one with the all-day lollipop)

For everyone who is a mother, and everyone who has a mother (which I think is about everyone), Happy Mother's Day. I'm fortunate to live close to my mom and one of my two daughters. I spent the afternoon having dinner at a restaurant in Sacramento with mom and dad, the hubster, my Paigie and her beau. Mom received, from me, a digital picture frame which I pre-loaded with old and new family photos. I'm pretty sure she was thrilled with it. Miss Paigie gifted mom and me with gift bags full of delightful smelling stuffs for our bodies. Yummy shower gels, lotions, oils and all that kind of good stuff. Tracy and Tyson (daughter and her hubster in Tennessee) had their adorable baby son, Sullivan dedicated in church Mother's Day morning. I can't wait to see the video, the next best thing to being there.

The picture above is my mom, sister and me in 1955. I'm the little one with the all-day-sucker. Hmmm, no wonder I had so many fillings. I have a younger brother but he was born after my grandfather, the photographer, disassembled his darkroom. So, not so many pictures of him.

How much is enough?

2008-05-03T19:13:00.000-07:00

Quite a lot of people are afflicted with this, hmmm, disease, syndrome, disorder, penchant? I'm not sure but I for one, can't come out of a fabric store with at least two or three pieces of fabric, even if it's only 1/2 yard. And, ribbons? Don't even ask. Next time I'll show you my ribbon stash. But, in the meantime, I'll share my fabric stash. Now, this is actually just the tip of the iceberg of my stash. When we put our house in on the market, I put about four times this amount into storage. There, I have whole bolts of flannels, fleece, terrycloth, tapestries and more. The fabrics pictured are cottons. I also have a stash of frilly, silks, tulle, satins, etc. just waiting for the perfect fairy bear or ballerina bear or, who knows, I might even make a doll or two. I know quilters who have about a gazillion pieces of fabric so I know this doesn't seem like much.
They're so pretty, I feel I have to display them like art. Here they are:

I'm baaaaaaack

2008-05-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

I arrived home April 29th after a month long stay in Tennessee visiting Tracy and Tyson (TNT) and Sullivan (see their blog at TNTfamilytree.blogspot.com,link to the left). What a great time I had !!! I had such mixed feelings leaving. Who knows how long before I see my grandbaby again. I hope I can get back there some time in the summer. I'm going to miss TNT too. But I was getting a little homesick. And . . . I had a brand spankin' new computer waiting for me at home.

So I'm home, my computer is screamin' fast and I've hooked up a webcam and signed up for Skype to keep in touch.

Now, back to the business of creating.

Just a Little Homesick

2008-04-24T18:47:00.001-07:00

Welllll . . . I've been in Tennessee for more than 3 weeks now helping my daughter during tough times. It's good to be here . . . I'm not tired of being here. I love being here with them and especially spending time with little Sullivan. He's grown leaps and bounds since I've been here. What a sweet, sweet babe ! ! !

But, I must say, I'm getting a little bit homesick. I miss the hubster and I know he misses me too. I miss my Paigie, my mom and dad and my doggies and my home.

I also miss being able to satisfy my creative outlet. We take this for granted you know, being able to create. Imagine, you have a gazillion ideas rolling around in your head, and they're just stuck there because . . . whoops, sewing room is 3,000 miles away. Eeeeeek, it's like having an itch you can't scratch. So in five days, I'll be home to the hubster, my Paigie, Mom and Dad, doggies and home . . . and my sewing room. Maybe in a week or so, I'll have pictures to show of the results of some of the gazillion ideas that have been rolling around in my head.

Greetings from Music City and A Time for Primitives

2008-04-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm in Nashville for a month. I'll be here with my daughter and her family lending emotional and other support to them while their son, Sullivan, has eye surgery for infant glaucoma. So far, things are going well. At his Dr. appt. this morning, his eye pressures were much improved. Surgery is still set for Thursday afternoon.

The hubster has generously agreed to do my bear show for me on April 4, 5 & 6 at the Nevada City International Teddy Bear Convention. What a trooper. I am much appreciative ! ! !

Today is the grand opening of a website I have joined called "A Time for Primitives". Please check it out at http://www.atimeforprimitives.com/

If you like the primitive style, you'll love this web site. Although most of my bears aren't in the primitive style, I'm happy to be a part of this fun site.

Nevada City International Teddy Bear Convention

2008-03-16T16:04:00.000-07:00

Wow, big name for a teddy bear show. It does live up to it's big name, though.

This year will be the show's 25th anniversary and my second year as an exhibitor at the show. I've attended the show many years as a collector and I'm so happy to be able to participate on the other side of the table now.

The show dates are April 4th, 5th and 6th. Yes a 3 day show. Friday- noon to 5, Saturday - 10:30 to 5 and Sunday - 10:30 to 3. I think one of the things I love best about this show is getting to know the other bear artists. We've communicated on Teddy Talk and Edinburgh's Teddy Bear Forum for a couple years and meeting them in person is just the best. A wonderful bunch of people, we bear artists are, if I do say so myself.

Sullivan

2008-03-16T15:54:00.000-07:00

I've so looked forward to being a grandmother. My daughter, Tracy, satisfied my longing on December 15th, 2007 by giving birth to a bouncing, and rather big, baby boy. Sullivan Shawn was born by C-Section, weighing in at 9 lbs, 2 oz. Tracy and Tyson are absolutely wonderful parents. I'm so proud of them both.

I was fortunate enough to spend Sullivan's first 3 weeks with him, but it's now been 3 months. I'm missing it ! ! ! Waaaaaa. I'll be making the trip to Nashville in April to spend 10 days with them. I hope Sullivan hasn't forgotten me.

Swan Valley Bears - The Beginning

2008-03-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

In 1986,I worked with a nurse who mentioned she had a bear-making class coming up. My daughters were aged 2 and 7 at that time. I had made a few bears from a McCalls pattern for my girlies and was interested in expanding my bear making abilities so took her up on it.

My first bear was made of inexpensive plush and very loosely jointed with cotter pins. Not too impressive, but I kept trying and after I discovered mohair, there was no stopping me. I soon started designing my own patterns. After everyone in my family and many friends had received bears as gifts, and to support my mohair habit, I decided to make my bears available to collectors and started Swan Valley Bears.

I had considered BaroneBears which sounded pretty good, but we pronounce it Baroney (like baloney). Most people pronounce it Barone (rhymes with loan). Everybody Loves Raymond's family pronounces it that way. And, really, BaroneBear pronounced in the "loan" version just doesn't sound right. So . . . when doing research for a new name, I discovered that Swan Valley, Montana has the largest population of grizzly bears in the lower 48 and they have an area where the bears are protected. I loved that, and with visions of one of my bears riding on the back of a swan, it was decided. So January 1, 2007, Swan Valley Bears was born.