Summertime Chaos...

We all know that busy, chaotic days can take the wind right out of our sails sometimes and summertime is no exception! I can't say that I've been partaking in some major summertime fun (oh how I wish I could say that!) but I can honestly say that this particular summer has proven to be a busy one for me none-the-less!



With the still fresh news of a new grandbaby on the way (and the unexpected scare of a miscarriage), the usual "kid" antics, a very busy work schedule for my hubby and my visiting mom (who patiently sits by and watches it all unfold with a look of amusement at times!)life can take it's toll! I've been trying to accept these challenges with as much grace as possible but at the end of the day, grace goes out the window and a with a few moments of curse words, tears and a few shouts into my pillow, I push forward hoping that the next day will be a little less brutal and perhaps a wee bit more relaxing and fun. A girl can wish can't she?



In the midst of all the chaos, I've managed to finish a few bears and I'm pleased to say that three of them made their way into the heart of a beautiful collector!




..."Bartholemew"



...and "Picadilly"



Thanks, Deb...they're going to love living with you in your "HUG"!



When chaos strikes like it has lately, one of the things that brings me so much comfort is collecting! I love to collect, as you all know...this past weekend, I was fortunate enough to simply walk across the street to an Estate sale where I scored something I've been wanting for years! From my front porch, before the sale started, I was shocked to see the lady hang two dresses from a ledge on their front porch. Now, my eyesight is not the best for the most part but my first thought was that they were 1950's cocktail dresses...two of them...one pink one and one red one! I'm a lover of all things from the 1950's and to own a sweet cocktail dress from the era was a dream of mine for a very long time. Imagine having to sit and wait for the sale to begin, knowing that all I had to do was walk quickly over and claim those dresses before anyone else could get their hands on them...I had three hours to wait! THREE HOURS! And then there was the thought that the "early birds" would arrive and someone would grab MY dresses before I could get safely across the road!!!



I waited...heart pounding, palms sweating. I waited and waited. Time stood so still for those three loooong hours. Then...suddenly, it was time...10 minutes before their start time, crowds of dealers and collectors began to show up. I'm not the early bird type but let me tell you, those dresses were going to be mine! I grabbed my money, slipped my feet into my thongs and flew out the door! Once safely across the street, I slipped quietly and quickly passed several people milling around the stairs to the front porch...I don't think anyone saw me...I was stelthy...like a ninja!

I walked over to the two dresses...took note...THEY WERE 1950's COCKTAIL DRESSES and the sweetest dresses I ever saw! I calmly put my hand on both of them realizing that I couldn't reach high enough to take them down so I stood there. Waiting. Hoping the lady who was running the show would come by. I waited. One lady walked up and made a comment about the dresses saying she's never seen dresses like those at a yard sale! I nodded my head in agreement but never took my hands off them. I even went so far as to say that I was waiting for the owner to come by and help me with them. My palms were still sweating when the next person made a comment. I'm thinkin' "move along" "someone help me"...and then suddenly, over walked the owner with a smile on her face! She said to me "you're from across the road"! She introduced herself and asked if I was alright. I said "yep"..."just want these dresses"! She called her husband over and asked him to help out...he did and laid both dresses across my outstretched arms...I had hoped he didn't see the "tears" of joy in my eyes. The next thing was to find out how much they wanted for them? $5.00 each!

After a bit more "shopping" and some other great finds, I started off back across the street, all hunched over, dodging traffic as I went along with tufts of pink and red taffita trailing along in the breeze behind me!

It was a good day!


Hope you have a good day too!

Hugs,

Michelle

Organization...

I've come to realize that nothing is worth doing if you don't begin in an organized fashion! I also realize, now, that I'm probably the most unorganized gal around! I try...really I do! I visit blogs that give me some terrific ideas and I hoard magazines that are valuable havens of organizing information! So, here I sit...wondering why my house is so unorganized at the best of times. Well, I suppose I can blame it on "life".



Today, I decided to organize some things.



My vintage sewing supplies! They were all over the house; displayed here and there and now...they're together where they belong! I think that it just showcases these beautiful pieces of needlecrafting history in a better way!

Next on the agenda...my pantry! It's a large pantry and it has some great shelving but there are times when I feel overwhelmed by it. I don't want to store food items as it's open to the kitchen...nobody wants to see that! So,

I've turned it into a sort of display room for all of the other vintage items that I've simply got no room for in the rest of the house! Large tins, several Pyrex bowls, casserole dishes, etc., vintage toasters, sifters, egg beaters, dust pans as well as all of the kitchen gadgets I just HAD to have that I only use every so often and a shelf, FINALLY a shelf, for my cookbook collection!

My thread supply! I bought this clear plastic display case at a yard sale and decided it would be a great way to organize and showcase the beautiful vintage threads I use for making my teddy bears! Sitting on my sewing table next to a bright window makes the colors pop even more!


Today, I managed to do a bit more organizing than what you see here but I think you get the point!



When I organize my kitchen, I want to cook and bake. When I organize my collections, they make me want to stand and admire them and when I organize my sewing room, I want to create. Nothing moves my creativity along like a well organzied sewing room.



With that being said, it's time to go and get my creative juices flowing again!

In the meantime, if you've not met him yet through my Facebook Fan Page or visited him in my Etsy Shop
, here are some photos of my latest bear, "Raphael"!



Raphael is made of red and cream plush! Sometimes I find plush a littl intimidating to work with but he was so fun to make and I hope that he will be able to find a new home very soon!


Here's to organization! And creativity!

Have a great week!

Hugs,

Michelle

What Happened to July?

As I write this, I'm stunned! July just whizzed by so quickly and to think I hardly accomplished a thing!



Well, not true. I did have the opportunity to create two more bears and maybe, just maybe if I work hard enough, one more bear might be able to become a reality by the end of the month...4 days away! Eeeek!



Today, I listed "Nigel" in my Etsy shop! He's one of my "Antique Style" bears made from gold and ruby red mohair, is fully jointed with his head being wobble jointed and he's stuffed firmly with a mixture of excelsior and upholstery stuffing!



Please say hello to "Nigel"!

There are still some great deals to be had in my Etsy shop from Free Shipping on all of my handmade teddy bears until the end of July (I may extend that!) to reduced prices on select items! I hope you can take a moment to hop over and check them out!



One of the reasons I have been sort of MIA lately is that I've been madly working in the gardens and cleaning and organizing my home before my mother comes for a visit in a week or so! I'm excited as it's been a long time since she's been here and with her recent diagnosis of the early stages of Alzheimer's...every second I can spend with her is precious.


Also, I recently found out that my beautiful daughter, Brandi and her boyfriend are expecting a baby in early 2012!


I'm thrilled at the prospect of welcoming another grandchild into my heart! As you know, my granddaughter, Cierra is truly the light of my life! Even though I don't get to see her as often as I would like to, her amazing mommy, Nancy keeps me updated daily with a never ending supply of incredible photos!


Thanks for visiting! Have a great day!

Hugs!

Michelle

"A Little Hug"!

Hey everyone!

A HUG is defined as "to hold fast...to press tightly in ones arms"OR if you're a real bear lover like I know you are...A HUG can also be defined as "a group of teddy bears" and a HUG can be a small one or a large one...however, "the more the merrier" I always say!!

I've finally finished my latest bear set...this one is sort of an "instant gratification" kind of set! You get three bears in one and you instantly have a little HUG of bears which is wonderful if you don't have a HUG of your own already!

Here's a peek...for more photos, hop over to my Etsy Shop to get a better look!

The sun is shining, the latest bout of snow is almost gone and spring is in the air once again....yea...right! You're not falling for that one again hey?

I'm happy to say that I have a few more bears already nearly complete and some new projects on the horizon. Without these bears and you, my dear friends, what would I do? Thanks for checking in when you can. It means a lot to me! It really does.

Have a good one!
Hugs,
Michelle

New Bears!

Wow...seems like time just flies by when you're having so much fun and I've been having lots of fun with my latest creations!



I do, however, feel like I'm neglecting this blog so let me just assure you that I value it and, you, my followers so very much so please, please "bear" with me!



Now...let me introduce, to you, "William" and my latest "Bear on Wheels"! Both are now for sale in my Etsy Shop! You can click on the additional photos to the right to visit their Etsy Listings!



"William"~A little bear with very "Royal" dreams indeed!


This "Bear On Wheels" is ready to take you on an adventure!

I also wanted to let you all know that I am going to announce something very special in the next week or so...I hope you'll come back and join me! Hint? Well, let's just say it's high time for a new G I V E A W A Y!!!!

How's that for a hint?



Hugs all around!

Michelle

Quick Note!

Hello Dear Friends!



This is a quick one today! Springtime has officially sprung and I have so many things on the go! I wish I could say I was working madly on new bears but I've not been able to find the time lately as the house and the yard have both been calling my name! I must admit, it's a lot of work but it's been so fun organizing and cleaning. I've had the windows open and the fresh air swirling around in here! Awww...spring...I love it!



I know you know what I mean!



Anyway, I do want to tell you all that I am going to announce a new blog giveaway, hopefully, next week! I have some great ideas and of course, as with all of my giveaways, they will include a teddy AND a lovely vintage item...but I'm not going to spoil the surprise just yet! I hope you'll stay tuned!



This morning I decided to finally list a few bundles of plush fur in my Etsy shop! The spring cleaning frenzy I've been on also included my huge stash of bear making supplies! I've listed some great pieces so check them out...you can look over to the right at some of the bundles I am offering and for a better look just click on a pic!



In the meantime, here are a couple of photos of two new china cabinets we've just added to the collection! Yes, we have a "collection" of china cabinets....11 in total now! I can hear you all cringing as I write that!

Keep in mind though, a small house does not necessarily equal space but with silly collections full of dolls, teddy bears and so on all over the place, we needed them badly!



The first is a very large and very tall white one piece country style cabinet...a very heavy cabinet I might add! I love it so much...distressed white with a baby pink interior! Just perfect for dolls, quilts, bits and pieces of china, vintage cases, vintage books, etc.



The second one is my hubby's favorite. It reminds him of a special piece his grandmother had. We're both happy to have a place of honour to display our vintage teddy bears!

I wish you all a lovely start to the month of May and happy spring!

Hugs,

Michelle