I found this photo yesterday, in a drawer whilst looking for something else. It was still in the envelope that it was sent to me in. This was taken some 10 or 12 years ago & was a long distance ride of 25 miles from Duncton & surrounding countryside. (I must have been fit in those days) It did bring back some lovely happy memories especially as I had lost this little horse 2 years ago.
What was I looking for in the drawer? can't remember, so obviously didn't find it!!!!

This chap has been made from fur fabric, given to me by a friend. He stands at 17" & is, as yet, unnamed. He is 5 way cotterpin jointed with safety eyes & polyfilled. His pads, paws & inner ears are Alpaca handmade felt.

While most of my blog is dedicated to the bears that I make, I do also paint. This I started a few years ago with the Narrowboat style. I then moved onto my own design of blue/white, which is very popular. I now do as well, the above, which is also proving to be very popular. I will take some photos of the blue/white & post them for you to see.

Rain, rain & more rain, still I suppose it is a good excuse to stay in & paint or finish a new bear I am in the middle of making. Or perhaps some housework aghhhhh!!!!

These are Stripes & Cash, both are made from recycled items from charity shops. Stripes is made from a Per Una cardigan & Cash from a M&S cashmere jumper. They are both 4 way thread & button jointed with button eyes. 
Below is a picture of Sybil, she is made from a gold mohair. She has ultra suede pads, paws & inner ears. She wears a snazzy little hat adorned with flowers. She has a black necklace, black velvet handbag with a genuine Swarovski crystal & handmade specs. 

Tawny Nursery

Did a charity craft event for our local hospice on the weekend of the 14th & 15th of April. This was not a good event unfortunately but still had a nice time catching up with people & buying a few plants for the garden.
Did another event the following Sat.21st, this time for a local church, this was also quite poorly attended although trade seemed to pick up in the afternoon. Perhaps people just don't have the money or the inclination to buy craft any more.
Well I am not doing anything now until bank holiday Monday 7th May. then perhaps things will start looking up.

Easter Craft Fair

Had a really nice weekend in West Wittering, catching up on some old friends within the craft world.
It was really quite a busy weekend with lots of people coming through and spending their hard earned cash. I was actually quite surprised at the amount of people coming through as it was Easter and I thought they may be doing other things.
I sold several pieces of my painted wares and 4 bears were adopted.
So all in all it was a successful show for me.
This coming weekend I shall be at Tawney Nursery for a charity event in aid of our local hospice, St Wilfred's.
This is always another nice event, not too many craft stands but lots of people coming to browse and look round all the wonderful plants.
Will catch up next week with news of that event.

Hi it has been sometime since I posted a blog.
Did a couple of two day shows at the Norfolk Centre in Arundel, one a fortnight ago and another that finished yesterday.
The weather this week really brought the tourists out in force, although I have to say they are being careful with their hard earned cash. It would appear they are buying what is necessary rather than on a whim.
I have one more show there, in May, this year and the castle will be open then so hopefully there will be more tourists and perhaps a little more money to spend.
I am in West Wittering over the Easter weekend, not sure if this is the right thing to do but time will tell.

Briefly, going back to Arundel I had a couple of nice comments about a 16" bear that I made a couple of months ago, which I had aged. He has bald patches scissored into his "fur", he is stuffed with plastic pellets, rags and polyfill so he has a lovely sqiudgey feel. I did a "repair" to his front seam and nose seam and also a patch on his arm. His nose is just a few strands of embroidery silk. I coffee stained him to make him look a little dirty. This was all to give the appearance that he had been around for a few years. And from the comments this would appear to have worked.