Saturday

Sipping my morning coffee on Saturday is always just a little different from the rest of the week. When the kids were little Saturdays were usually almost as hectic as a weekend. There always seemed to be somewhere we needed or wanted to be. Getting everyone ready and out of the house was part of the adventure. Now, it's quiet here (every once in a while, the dogs will run by), but basically it's pretty quiet. So I think, what will we do today...should we take a drive up to Lake Geneva for the annual Winter Festival. Although, the ice sculptures are beautiful, it's about an hour away, and it's darn cold out there. Still...it would be nice to see them, it's different without the kids though.

There's always housecleaning. This option never seems to disappear and always needs my attention. Just not much fun. Of course, there are lots of projects started around here that can be worked on...hmm that's another option. How about shopping. This option can be dangerous, better to avoid this one. Especially since there's really nothing we need.

Ok, my cup is almost empty (time for another), I'll clean. Well, I'll start some cleaning anyway and then see what the day brings.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner

Wow, February already. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Even if you don't have a sweetie. Everyone needs a hug. So I've been working on lovable teds a lot lately.


I'd love to have a couple more done before the big day arrives. After all, I love little hearts with cute sayings. Not to mention the colors red and pink are always fun to work with.

Bon Bon, Chantel and Pappy made it into the "What's New" section of this month's Bears and Buds online magazine. Hope you'll take a peek. It's always filled with adorable pictures and great collector and artist information.

Marium a 11" pink and white ted

Finished up a sweet 11" ted named Marium this afternoon. Looking forward to spending the weekend knitting, just not sure what I'll be knitting. Maybe some bear scarves or hats.

A bear named Tula

Used some of that yummy hand dyed mohair to create sweet 10" Tula.

Hand dyed mohair, chicken and dumplings

Wow, it's time to make dinner already. My day consisted of a mini shopping trip downtown where I found a great old peg shelf, wooden sock blocker and a yarn wrap (of course I was on the look out for Valentine accessories for the teds, but came across these, had to have items). Had some lunch and headed to the basement to work on some teds. I had a chance to dye so mohair this weekend and one of the little cubs in the making is using a soft rose pink fur. Now the teds are jointed and ready for stuffing tomorrow. Maybe they'll be finished in time to get some good day light pictures and post on the website. We'll see what the day brings.

Now I'm off to make some yummy chicken and dumplings for dinner.

Keep warm.

A little bear named Kailey

Just finished little Kailey a 10" cub with two shades of mohair and a chubby face. Now I'm off to do some knitting. Working on my son's socks so I don't feel guilty for making myself another pair.

Saturday

I have the whole day ahead of me. What should I do today? Clean? Nope, Grocery shop? Nope, Grab the Valentine Stuff? Nope, to soon. Work on a bear, knit, yep, these sound good. Maybe I'll vacuum a little and then knit or work on a bear that way I don't feel guilty for not cleaning more. Then off for some dinner and cards at my brother in laws.

Sounds like a plan.

Cable Nightmare

Anyone take a chance and switch cable companies lately? Don't do it.

Instead of my days being filled with mohair and soft yarn, I'm on the phone saying the same things over and over, I've spent long days (it will be seven now) waiting for the cable guy. Yep, my cable was out for a few days and I wasn't able to use my computer so I got upset and called the other big company to hear what they could do for me. Of course, they promised a better rate, of course they said their service was better, of course they could be at my home right away and get it installed. Guess what, big mistake. Since December 21, 2009 (the first day of installation) nothing has worked right and my new part time job seems to be trying to get my phones, t.v.s and computer to keep working.

Thanks for letting me vent, it's been a long couple of weeks.

A big congratulations to my son

Congratulations to my son, the newest member of Slate magazine.

So proud of him. Hard to believe he's a writer and I'm so bad with punctuation and grammar.

Thank goodness that apple rolled a little farther away from the tree.

Three teds for the weekend

So happy, I was able to finish up a few teds and get them added to the website in time for the weekend. Think I'll sit in my chair and knit this weekend. Hands have been aching a lot this week, maybe it's the cold or a little of that arthritis. Think I'll work on staying warm and toasty (even my bears have sweaters on today), maybe even catch an old movie or two while the hubby goes to the fishing show.

Decided to have a January give away for my little crocheted teddy. I'll pick a name from my website mailing list on the 31st.

Have a great weekend.

Snow, snow, snow here in Illinois

Definitely a perfect day to stay home and work on some cubs. We should get 9-12 inches of fluffy snow by tomorrow, not to mention we already have a bunch left from the Christmas weekend blizzard. Oh well, it's really pretty outside (as long as you don't have to drive anywhere) and it gives me a reason for another cup of hot chocolate.

Besides working on mohair cubs today, I finished a sweet crocheted teddy with a comfy wool jacket and tiny matching Mary Janes.

I'll be adding several new cubs to the website tomorrow. Had to finish some airbrushing.

Stay Warm.

Happy New Year

I'm terrible! I haven't updated my blog in ages.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone's year is off to a great start. Of course I have some cubs inthe works and plan on doing more hand dyed mohair this year, but I also hope to have some new fun dolls and tiny treats for Etsy to share with you. I just finished Pappy, a 14" cinnamon colored cub who is on his way to live with a wonderful collector.

One resolution for the year, keep this site updated.

Panda time

Yep, I'm behind again. Let's see what's new...

Just finished a sweet panda name Kiko (Japanese meaning flower (mum)

She's 15 inches tall and extra hefty. I gave her two shades of fur (a light salmon and black) along with a hand trimmed sculpted face. Her little nose matches her fur and her big eyes definitely give her a "hug me" look.

Stewart and Walter are still doing their best to keep me on my toes. They decided to play with a skein of yarn last week and also chewed up a pair of my knitting needles. Walter is afraid of everyone and Stewart is afraid of no one.

Went to the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival in Jeffereson Wisconsin this weekend. I got to urge to do some needle felting when I first walked in and saw all the balls of roving, but as I kept walking I got more and more over whelmed by all the great colors I just couldn't decide so ended up leaving without any.

I did get some great yarn though and have started a shawl.

Maybe I'll remember to add some pictures of it, if I ever get it finished.

School Days

Can you believe it's time for school to start already. Where the heck did summer go. Doesn't this all sound to familiar?

My daughter and step son are off to college and my oldest in looking for his first apartment and ready to start his career. Wow, I'm feeling old (again).

The house is quiet again (other than Stewart's barking which happens way to often. Hoping this is a puppy thing and he'll get over it) with kids gone and relatives back home. Guess there's nothing to do but get back to the bears. Maybe I'll throw in a little scrap booking, knitting and crocheting too.
A good house cleaning wouldn't be such a bad idea either. Never fun and always never ending.

Well, off to update the website and add my newest cub Alley.

Have a great weekend.

Company, Summer and Bear Making

August already and once again I'm behind with info. Summer is passing by so quickly, I have to double check the calendar to make sure I'm reading it right. Two kids will be off to college soon and one is job hunting.

We have family staying with us. They're from Arizonia and have been thrilled with our great Illinois weather.

Carpal tunnel is much better now and I'm back to bear making although much slower than before.

Hubby has been enjoying that new boat and seems to be dreading the hotter summer days. Guess these aren't prime Muskie times.

Well, off to add a few teds to the site. Hope you are enjoying some great weather and the back to school shopping isn't getting to you.

Graduations

Wow, it was a busy emotional weekend. My son graduated from Northwestern University. Although we had to deal with a little (no a lot) of rain it was still a great ceremony. Of course, I couldn't be prouder. What a great kid!

The house is quiet again (company has all headed home) so I got a chance to finish up a little cub named Tippery.

Hope everyone is enjoying some nice weather and that your Summer is off to a great start.

Happy belated Father's Day to all you dads.

Slower but back at it

I'm a little slower, but I'm definitely back to working on cubs.

I was thrilled to be able to finish up Hayley June (shown above) just in time for a wonderful collector to celebrate her birthday.

Still not sewing

I'm not sewing yet, but I'm having lots of fun working on scrapbook pages and playing with paper. I'll hope you'll take a peek at my Etsy shop if you have a minute or two.

Getting Better Everyday

The sun was shining today and my hand is getting a little better everyday. Although I'm not ready to try bear making with it, I have been having fun scrap booking. Stewart and Walter don't seem to impressed and just want to go on more walks.

Carpal Tunnel

Well, the bear making has come to a stop for now. I have carpal tunnel on my left side (had surgery for the right side several years ago) and will need to have a little surgery. Hopefully I'll be able to get back to bear making before to long. Right now I'll have to work on things that don't hurt so much (maybe get my scrapbooks updated...or at least get a few pages done).

No knitting either...bummer.

Ever have carpal tunnel? It stinks. Do I sound like a whiner. Sorry about that, but this lack of sleep makes a person crabby.

Hope there's some nice sunny weather for us all to enjoy.

Big hugs,
Teri

I can see clearly now

the rain has gone. At least for now anyway. Suppose to be a great day tomorrow and Friday. Always seem to feel a little happier when the sun is shining. Hope there's some sunshine where you are.

Olivia and Oscar are celebrating Earth Day today.

This week and the bears

Mallory is being offered with a reserve for three days with a starting bid of $99.00.

Hubby if off to catch a Muskie

I'll probably never see him again unless I pack some knitting and a cooler.

Get Blogging Girl

So behind with the blogs.

Nothing really new to blog I guess. Pretty quiet here. Oh, Tim (my hubby) got a new boat. Off he goes to catch those muskies he's always talking about. Probably won't see him very often unless I pack some knitting and go with him. I love sitting on the boat, but fishing really isn't my thing. Especially not the kind of fish he's hoping to catch. They have teeth you know.

Lots of rain expected this week. Yuck, that means muddy paws and unhappy dogs.
Hey, it's breakfast time I think I'll have one of those yummy blueberry muffins from Sam's club.

I think Stewart wants to try a little of that muffin.

Happy Birthday Stewart

One year already!

Happy birthday pup

Back Home

Disney was great! We had such a good time, it was nice being together in that Florida sunshine.

Back home and back to the bears.

On Vacation

Yippee, it's time to pack. We head for Disney tomorrow to celebrate our three family graduations. Can't wait to enjoy some family time and warm weather.

Little Walter still has a few potty accidents so I hope all my training isn't wasted while we're gone. Although Stewart and Walter will have a great sitter while we're gone I'm a little worried about my house and pups. Oh well, not to worry it's vacation time!

A new friend named Walter

We've added a new little (and I mean little) friend to our family. So far Stewart is great with him, but I think he's wishing little Walter could run a little faster.

Smile it's Friday

Even if it's going to be cold and rainy here this weekend (again), I'm determined to enjoy every minute. Hope you have plans for a great weekend and that little Stewie puts a smile on your face.

Always running a little behind

I sure feel that way lately. As you know, I'm definitely not a writer so sometimes I just don't know what to say here. My days are pretty quiet with just Stewart and the bears keeping me company most of the time. I know one thing for sure, Spring must be just around the corner because Stewart's paws are getting muddier every day and I'm getting more and more little notes and reminders that school is almost over for the year and I'll have three graduates. Yep, three. My son will be graduating from Northwestern University, my daughter will be graduating from Crystal Lake South High School and my step son will be graduating from Illinois Math and Science Academy. Whew...I'm tried already. Just thinking about all the places we'll be trying to be on those graduation days.

Going to Disney in a month. Yippee. Our graduation vacation for all of us. Can't wait.

Yippee, it's going to be a heat wave

Yep, going to be in the forties today and even warmer tomorrow. Can't wait to take off my sweatshirt and enjoy a little sunshine.

My mother in law was here for 10 days and although we had a nice visit, the bears were feeling a little neglected so I'm back to work and sewing like crazy.

Hope you'll see a new cub, bunny or maybe even a kitty you like on the site soon.

Have a great weekend. I hope you get a chance to soak up some much needed sunshine.

I'm freezing

Wow, it's cold. Illinois weather...just never know what your going to get. Snow, ice, blizzards. Yep, blizzard warnings. Well, we didn't get the snow last night they said we would, but we sure are getting the cold they predicted. Good day to stay in and work on a panda bear named Lottie. Just added her to the website. She's ready for find her special Valentine with that red nose and "hug me" look.

Besides bear making I've been playing with my scrapbook supplies and added a few things to Etsy, but I think it's time to grab my knitting needles and some soft toasty yarn. Pretty excited about my new knitting needles. Yep, harmony wood needles from knitpicks.com. Not just one or two, but the whole set. Fun stuff! Just have to decide what I want to work on next. Maybe a little bear sweater or two?

















Better think work on making dinner first. Keep warm.

I'm here and there are bears in the making

Just wanted to let you know I'm still here. I have two new bears in the works and hope to be adding them to the website tomorrow. Can't believe it's already the 9th. Hope everyone's new year is off to a great start. Stay warm!

Almost a new year

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. It was nice spending time with the kids and being with family. The new year will be starting soon so it's almost time to put the decorations away (yep, the ones that took days to set up), clean my house and get back to some serious bear making, but not today. Today my family and I are off to the city to see Jersey Boys! What a great Christmas present. Can't wait.