Two bears from 2013...thought I better let them see the light of day. The blue one is Murrey, made from mohair & 9" standing, the second one is Reggie again in mohair & standing at 8".

Received this yesterday, my entry in the poem section came 5th, quite chuffed with that as I've never been one for poetry. Although if you read it you will see I'm no Byron!!!!

Austin my first bear of 2014. A blonde mohair boy, 5 way cotterpin jointed, glass eyes, body, polyfil & plastic pellets. This bear has a smile, not something I do very often, but I thought he might brighten up a dull January day.

Sent seven bears to Kettering in Northants yesterday. A new bear shop has opened there, so I am pretty chuffed to have my bears there. The shop is called Bear With Me & it is in Market Street, do pop along if you live anywhere near. Sally Thomas, the owner is, also running a bear hospital so any poorly bears can be taken in for repair. I wish her well with her new venture & hope it all works out for her.

Two pictures of a new ellie, made from lilac viscose. Lightly filled with polyfil & plastic pellets.

Well another year is almost over!!! 
And I have been trying to decide which way to go with my bears. I love the traditional, so I will continue to do those. I also love the primitive type, probably comes from my love of American folk art, which I try to emulate in my other art, of decorative painting.
I also have a leaning towards the realistic type of bear, so maybe try a couple more of those. I think I will have to start designing my own patterns with regards to that type of bear, as they seem to be bigger bears & I can't say I've ever come across those kind of patterns to buy. 
Below are the three types of bears that I'm thinking will be my 2014 "collection". Mosely, a little prim bear, Rigsby, traditional & Bruno, realistic. Mind you things could change!!!!

The three bears that I had entered in the NTBAA did not win anything. Never mind they were at least show cased to the world & next year I will try to improve my photography skills to make the best of the bears.
Should be getting the results for the TBAAF photographic competition tomorrow. Not holding out much hope there either. The bears in the competition are fantastic, so up against a lot of stiff competition. I shall use these competitions, this year, as experience & if I can become a better photographer, I may stand a little more of a chance!!! But as I said before it still show cases your bears around the world.
One more competition to go, The French Teddy Awards. Again a photographic competition &, oh so, beautiful bears. The results for that is the 20th December, I think, & what a lovely Christmas present that will be for the winners.
If I don't get on here again, can I wish you all a very merry Christmas & a happy New Year.
Just going to post some pics of the last four bears made in 2013. Will apologise beforehand as they are a little dark, but as I've said I will improve on my photography skills for 2014.

 Moorcroft 12" bear made from a reinvented velvet type jacket. The pattern very much reminds me of the William Moorcroft ceramic design, hence this bear's name

 Pixie is another 12" bear made from the reinvented jacket & synthetic fur. I used two of the buttons from the jacket to sew to the front of the bear.

Pippa is a 9" bear made from a very soft plush, claret & black fur.

Lastly Pansy a 7" bear made from the jacket .