I Am Not a Number......I'm a Free Bear!

Our little bear army is gradually growing!!!

Paws for Thought 2

I have been working on our 'Bits and Bobs' bear for Earnest Sewn. We had a few printing problems on the way and initial difficulties applying tricky noses! But we are on track now and my little studio has turned into a bear factory. I usually sew with denim that has been washed and worn, so by the time I am handed over a pair of jeans the denim is quite soft and easy to manage, not so the fabric that I am using now - it is brand spanking new and as tough as old boots! It is a new experience that I am enjoying, as well as developing stronger fingers that turn denim blue by the end of each working day, I am also learning new ways of working and developing new techniques.

The Big Chill

BBBBbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Back Off!

I'm very excited about our Earnest Sewn bear. Here is the very first sample, hot off the press so to speak. As you can see Rob has written a lovely poem which will be gracing the back of the bear. I will keep you posted as we go along.....

Bolt(s) From The Blue

Look at what's just arrived - two bolts of new denim courtesy of Earnest Sewn! I'm getting together with my other half as I call him to produce some new bears that will be taking part in a transatlantic adventure. I think I'd better get my scissors sharpened!

I Love Music Too!

Just got back from visiting the folks in Brum, while we were there we popped into a great record shop called the Diskery, I can't believe it's still going (approaching it's fiftieth year!). The staff there are really friendly and helpful, they even washed the record our daughter bought (fashion /David Bowie) that was worse for wear! I also liked the mini Christmas Grotty Grotto that they created from a customer's sandwich foil and a found cuff-link piece, soz no photo. If by any crazy chance you happen to be in Birmingham get down to the Diskery at 99 Bromsgrove St, B'ham B5 6QB.

The Bizarre Bazaar

The lovely girls we know as Tatty Devine are hosting this Christmas shindig, watch out for those naughty bears!

Getting in the mood

I can't believe you'd want to pass this snazzy number on to someone else. Well, lucky old me, Christmas has come early! Thank you Rocky.

"Gotta Pick A Pocket Or Two......."

Fair's Fair!

It's that busy season of the year, if you're in Stoke Newington on the 5th, why not pop into our sale and get some yule time goodies!

Wrap Up Warm!

Snuggle up, it's winter time!

'12 Angry Men' (well, bears really)

All Dressed Up And No Where To Go!

Innie or outie? (SP?)

I haven't seen these Belly-Button-Bears in a while, I think they were a little shy and embarrassed by their sticky out navels, hey all types of navel welcome here! What's yours?

Ooops!

Ring a Ding Ding!

Ring a ring of roses,
A pocket full of posies.
Atishoo! Atishoo!
We all fall down!

Ashes in the water , ashes in the sea.
We all jump up
With a 1,2,3!

(traditional nursery rhyme)

Any Plans? 2

Little Bear: " This is a great trampoline!"

Big Bear: "Little Bear you are funny, that's not a trampoline it's a pile of jumpers for our new friends!"

Little Bear: " Come on, join in while no one is looking."

Big Bear: "Hey that sounds like a great idea, make way!!

Any Plans?

Big Bear: "Got any plans for the weekend?"

Little Bear: "Nah, not really. Thought I'd hang out here....."

Big Bear: "D'ya fancy hanging out here with me?"

Little Bear: "mmmm that's a great invitation, I'd love to!!!"

The Knitting & Stitching Show 2008 - Alexandra Palace

Yesterday I had a very interesting time at The Knitting & Stitching Show in Ally Pally - www.twistedthread.com. We saw all manner of creative goods and projects. Here are my K&S Show top 5(in no particular order)

1. The Hyperbolic Coral Reef - Wow! I'm so happy that I got to see part of this fantastic creation, a delight to the eyes!
2. The button installation - "Seeking Pearls" by Alfreda McHale. I thought I was the only one who collected tons of buttons, this lady is the Button Queen - go girl!
3. Helping Hands Knitting Aid www.knittingaid.co.uk If you know anyone whose hands aren't strong enough to hold up knitting needles anymore or have bad arthritis, this might be the aid to get them knitting again; invented by a lovely young man for his nan who couldn't knit for him anymore.
4. The Rug Lady also known as Jenni, inspired us to buy a 'bodger' and a 'speed shuttle 'after her demonsration of rug making techniques. http://jenni.ragrugs.freeuk.com
5. The Schiffli Project - It was great to see an old old machine still in use (the last working schiffli machine in Britain) 15 artists created work utilising this unique machine).
   
   

You Gotta Hand It To Them!

Got a brilliant book through the post today. It traces the rise and rise of the indie craft movement that has been happening over in America during the past few years. It has loads of great photos, histories and essays. It's a real inspiration and a pick-me-up if you ever get those days when you think 'Am I totally mad, why am I doing this crazy stuff?!!'. I recommend it to you all.

Keep the faith Faythe!

and......

thank you Hazel for showing me this great book!

Look at What's Just Landed!

Well what a surprise, this lovely little fella landed on my studio floor today, I didn't know that butterflies (moths?) were around in October - what's going on?

Well Loved Jacket

I get given so many brilliant denim things including this worn-out jacket, it's a pity its so small otherwise I'd be wearing it right this minute!

Smock Around the Clock!

I couldn't resist unpicking this little smocked dress. The resulting piece is a very stretchy and springy ridged fabric. I'm not quite sure what to do with it as yet, I guess for now I'll just be playing with it!

Eye-eye aye-aye oi-oi!

Left On The Shelf

Just sitting around waiting for something to happen........

While I was away...

While away on our summer hols, I bought a few bits and pieces including -

red string from Battle,

silk ties from Bexhill, Monterey and Sanfrancisco,

and leather buttons from Hastings.

Hot off the press!

Yes, I'm enjoying teaching myself how to make books, here are the latest additions or should I say editions to my little library. I knew my collection of old books would come in handy one day!

Baby Bear Makes Front Page!

What a lovely surprise, one of my baby bears was 'hand-picked' for the home page of Etsy. Etsy is a brilliant place to buy all different kinds of handcrafted objects directly from the makers, check out www.etsy.com

Book - a - roo

Have been doing some bookbinding lately, I couldn't resist using denim for the spines on these 2 books, what a surprise!

Smock Horror!

When I was growing up in Birmingham, I spent countless hours sitting in relatives front rooms, usually on a Sunday surrounded by ornaments, photographs, lace and plastic flowers. When I came across a sewing pattern on ebay for smocked cushions, I couldn't resist bidding for it, seeing the pattern whooshed me back a few decades to when I was a little girl - sitting on plastic protected settees surrounded by smocked velvet cushions. Luckily no one else seemed interested in the pattern and I won! So here is a denim sample, I think I'll do a few more.......