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 .

Getting ready, today, for 14 whole days at the Oxmarket Centre of Arts exhibition.
Have done this for a number of years now, but always with my painted stuff, & in the last couple of years , a few bears.
This year I am taking the plunge in just taking my bears. I don't have enough painted stuff as I still have a couple more craft fairs before Christmas, so this will be the first time I have exhibited the bears on their own. Fingers crossed. 
Mean while posting a some of pics of my latest bears.

 Clancy 6.5" sparse mohair bear, extra large tummy filled with plastic pellets. English glass eyes, suede like pads & paws.

 Joey 10" mohair bear, body polyfil & plastic pellet filled. English glass eyes & suede pads & paws.

Elijah, 12" old style bear with long hockey stick arms. He is wood wool filled with suede like pads & paws. He has genuine boot button eyes. He wears a lovely handmade cap to finish his look.

I have entered 3 photographic competitions recently, the NTBAA, the TBAAF, & the French Teddy Awards. Now I'm not the world's greatest photographer but it is the bear that is being judged! Hopefully I have shown them off to their best advantage.
Below are, Marilyn the pink ellie Teddy Bear Friend category. Bruno, Best Undressed category. And lastly Joni, Best Dressed category. These three are entered in the NTBAA photographic awards.

 

This is Rosa, entered in the Traditional English Rose category in the TBAAF

and below is Clem, entered in the Primitive Blessings category

The last competition is The French Teddy awards. In this one I have Rigsby in the Best Undressed

& Icicle in the Realistic Bear category

Jaffa is a 16" bear made from a long, gingery colour, ultra soft Tissavel plush fur. His pads, paws & inner ears are made from upholstery fabric. His body is filled with tumplum pellets, steel shot & heavy fibre poly fill, thus making him quite a heavy bear. He is 5 way cotterpin jointed & has English glass eyes, & has a little "handmade with love" heart sewn into his ear.

Felix is Finlay's big brother, made from the same soft Tissavel plush fur. Felix is 5 way cotter pin jointed with wool felt pads, paws & inner ears. His body is filled with heavy fill poly fibre, to make him just a little heavier. He has genuine boot button eyes & a little "handmade with love" heart sewn into his ear.