Some finishes for October

October has been an eventful month in our house hold. We had a leg break of 12 year old DD - but it wasnt really! Growth plate stopped a complete fracture, but we've had a few weeks trying to get everything right - ballet exams coming up, dance concert in a few weeks and netball try outs - not a good time for a knee injury, but its all coming together now!

Then we had the fire in eldest DS's bedroom. Burnt one of my quilts, his bed and into the wall. Thankfully we were all safe. If we hadnt been home at the time we would have lost the house. All started in a power board. Telling everyone now to be very careful of power boards. Apparently they start lots of fires. Insurance is sorting this out, so hopefully he'll have his bedroom back in a few weeks.

Then we had the suspected apendicitis of fourth DS. That was a few days of worry, but thankfully this turned out to be a blocked bowell. While nasty it was a better outcome than appendicitis. Of course, this happened when DH was away. Isn't that always the way?

So, not a lot of sewing done in the month, but I did manage two bears - gifts for my DD's netball coaches. She played on two teams - in a weekly competition and in a rep team. I'm pleased with how they've turned out.

Now, I have to get back into my SAL quilt - Annie Downes' My Favourite Things. It shoud, be finished by now. I'm determined it will be finished by the end of 2012.

Of course, it will have to be fitted in between costumes for dance concert. 3 girls in it this year. 11 dances plus the finale. So lots and lots of costumes.

Eldest DD is graduating from primary school. So grateful she is making her own dress!

Cheers.

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Some other bears

Some of the other bears I've made this year.

Two new Bears

I've been working on two more bears recently. Finally finished them today. They have to be dressed yet. They are gifts for my DD's netball coaches. Now I have to dress them in netball uniforms. They played in two leagues, hence the two uniforms.

Here are the bears (undressed!)

Both designed by Debbie Amos. She has created beautiful bears. Lovely to make.

Finished a few bears

I've been working away on my bears.  These are my latest:

This little one has her face finished - just need to finish stuffing the rest of the body.  This is  using Debbie Amos' "Summer" Pattern.  It's a lovely pattern to make.

Another Debbie Amos pattern "Beau".  Once again, the body needs to be stuffed.  Happy with the face, but the ears don't seem to sit exactly the same - however, he does look a character.

Another Debbie Amos.  This pattern is called Phoenix.  I haven't decided on a name .  He's only 14 cm high.  I enjoyed making him, but his "littleness" was a challenge.  Don't think I want to take on a 6 cm bear yet!  He was made with mohair - the last three were synthetic - mohair is wonderful to work with.

This is Millie - yet another Debbie Amos.  She is a doll-bear with only a jointed neck.  Her arms and legs are sewn.  The body and upper arms and legs are calico.  Makes a cheaper bear when using mohair.  She is a lovely little one.  I'll be making her again.

This is another version of "Summer".  She is made with synthetic fur as well.  Dressed up as a ballerina, she is very cute.  She is off to live in the USA.  Haven't heard how she has been received by her new owner - but I hope she will be loved!

That's it.  I've been searching - and finding - old copies of Australian Bear Creations.  So, I'll be starting on some new patterns in the next week.  Can you ever have too many bears?

Cheers

Some More Bears

I've been working on some more bears.  I've done all of the sewing by hand when I've been sewing the fur.  I've used the machine for clothes and the bears made out of wadding.  I think that hand sewing gives a much neater finish - what do other bear makers think?

I'm enjoying it immensely and can't wait to start the next one.  The next one is Millie and she is another bear doll.  This time with a cloth body and only fur on head, feet and arms.  It should be interesting to make this one.  I bought a pattern today for a 5 inch bear - that should be a challenge.  She's fully jointed and the cutest little thing.

Here are the latest photos:

These are both Elle Jane bear-dolls.  They are very, cute and lovely to make.

This is James.  He is the most adorable little bear - only about 11 inches high.  Made out of mohair.  I'm hoping to make him again.

This bear is called Summer in the pattern.  I haven't named him as I don't think he's a summer.  I want to make a lighter coloured one that I can call Summer.  Not sure what to call this bear, but I believe he's a boy!

Cheers

Marg

First Bear Finished, second almost......

I've finished my first bear.  This one was made of tea stained cotton wadding and she had a jointed neck, but sewn on arms and legs - so really a Bear-Doll.  Named Elle Jane.  Very cute and I really enjoyed making her.

Elle Jane - Designed by Debbie Amos for Country Sampler Designs

Another Bear-Doll - but this one with furry face, feet and hands  Also designed by Debbie Amos - and she has been cut out and I've started the sewing.

My first "furry" bear.  He has no face yet - but will have after the next class.  Another bear  designed by Debbie Amos - but this time under her own name.  It was a great bear to make.  Can't wait to finish him.

I've also got another little guy started - James.  He's made from mohair and is a small bear with a sailor collar.  Very dapper.  Once again, another Debbie Amos bear.

So my new obsession hobby has got off to a great start.

A new blog for bears

I've recently started to make bears.  While I have a quilting blog, I'm so taken with bears that I've decided that i will start a bear blog.  Well, bears and dolls.  Using it to document my journey through bear making.  No photos yet - but hopefully will this week when my first two creations start to look like bears.  At this stage, they are seamed bits of bears with no stuffing.  Not a lot to look at.