"Can't complain, but sometimes I still do"

The title of this post is a line from Joe Walsh's song "Life's Been Good". I always crank up the volume when I hear it on the radio because, starting when I first heard it as a child, I've always felt it was kind of a theme song for me. No, not that I'm a rich, drunken, and drugged out rock star, but just that life truly is good! And I've always liked that line in particular, because even in a life as blessed as mine, sometimes a bunch of insignificant challenges can stack up and make me feel sorry for myself. That's how I feel right now. The little things are bringing me down. Caution: whining ahead!

The first dozen or so "little things" which are bringing me down are all over my face--pimples!!! For the last two months, an acne outbreak has invaded my face. I can't figure out what is causing it, or how to make it go away. It's like I'm a teenager again, only without the slender, petite body which I so did not appreciate when it was mine! I've never had a perfectly clear complexion, always having one or two spots to dot with Clearasil at night and concealer during the day, but this outbreak surpasses even those of my teenage years.I know it's vain, but I get depressed every time I catch my reflection in a mirror lately.

Two more little things which are bothering me lay on my studio table downstairs. They are two failed attempts at making a miniature Hogwarts robe for one of my ball-jointed dolls. Having just finished four bears which I'd been working on since the beginning of the month, I decided to indulge in some recreational sewing. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and had decided to make my newest BJD a complete Hogwarts school uniform. I made a cute grey sweater from a pair of socks and I was excited to start the robe. The first one I made was too small to fit nicely over the sweater, so I tried again. This time it was going well. The test fit proved it would go over the sweater and I sewed the lining in by hand. I was so pleased at my neat and tiny backstitch, but also marveled at how long it took me to handsew something so small. Then I realized I'd sewn the lining in backwards! Neat and tiny stitches are not so easy to remove.

The final little thing which has me whining, is the fact that I must go to work both Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Teachers aren't supposed to work weekends! The Catholic school where I teach art is having an open house after church on Sunday and I have to be present for it. I need to go in on Saturday to prepare.

I know I have a good life, and I really can't complain--but sometimes I still do!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!! The year is still new until at least March, I think.

We have had much more snow here in Ohio than we normally have in December and early January and if you are a child or a dog, it is the perfect weather to play outside.


If you are me, however, it is the perfect weather to hibernate inside with your bears. Brrrr! Look at that snow!


I have finally finished the first four bears of 2011!


Technically two of these are 2010 designs, and all three still need their accessories, but they've all had their first hugs and their "birthmarks" read 2011. The two pandas are limited editions destined for My Friends and Me, and polar bear will be be my next installment in the "Theodore Loves His Teddy" series for Teddies of Mt. Holly. I am still working on his Teddy Roosevelt doll.

The fourth bear is called Paxton. He is a special commission for a collector who wanted a bear inspired by her dog. She didn't want a dog portrait, but a bear like her dog Baxter. It was a fun challenge, and I am pleased with the result, I am waiting to hear if my collector is too!








I tried to upload the picture of Baxter for comparison, but I guess blogger doesn't like the format.

I'm working on the TR doll, one more collector order, and then I'll be making bears for the Bloomin Bears" online show March 12 and 13. Be sure to click the link to the right to get more information about this exciting show.

Roses for Christmas

About two or three years ago, I bought this cream colored pitcher from a friend who sells Longaberger products. I had no plans for it really, since we don't use pitchers; I just really liked it. When I got home, I just put it in the center of the kitchen table, not knowing what else to do with it. That weekend, my sweet husband came home from the grocery store (yes, I know I'm lucky he does the grocery shoppping) with a big bouquet of flowers for me! "They are to put in your vase," he explained.



Ever since then, I get fresh flowers every one or two weeks! Sometimes, on special occasions, I get roses, like these lovely red and white ones for Christmas!


Roses may fade, but receiving flowers from your sweetheart never gets old!!!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Two of my favorite Christmas activities are decorating the house and wrapping presents! I love the soft warm light in the living room when we replace lamp light with many tiny Christmas tree lights. When the whole room is decorated and lit, there is a cozy feeling which I miss terribly when it comes time to take it all down.


I love the way our big mirror reflects the lights making it look like we have two trees!


I love my tree and all of the decorations. I don't have one of those wonderful, coordinated designer trees, because I have too many special ornaments which are all different. I use the red balls and the glass icicles to tie it all together. I think it works.


Here is a sweet pair of twiggy looking reindeer votive holders which my Mom gave to my sons. I love them!


And I love to wrap presents! (My husband thinks I'm crazy on this one.) No "brown paper packages tied up with string" here. I love to decorate the packages with ribbon and floral picks. This year, on the kids' packages, I decided a puppy would be more appreciated than a poinsettia with the younger crowd. It still looks quite nice, and I finally had an excuse to buy an armful of these cute stuffed puppies I'd seen near the Hobby Lobby check out counter all year!


I am finished decorating, but I still have more wrapping to go. I'm looking forward to it!

Christmas is Knocking...Let It In!

Christmas came knocking early this year, too early I thought, and I couldn't close the door fast enough! It was two days before Halloween, and I was sitting in my studio putting the finishing touches on my costume for my brother's party. As I added little plastic spiders to my "Black Widow" veil, I decided some music would be nice and turned on my radio. "Just hear those sleigh bells jinglin' ring ting tinglin'-" came singing out, and I groaned "NOOOO!" I nearly knocked over my Diet Coke trying to quickly shut it off.

"Why are they doing this again?" I thought as I pouted in silence. By "they" I mean my favorite Christian radio station. Last year they played only holiday music from the beginning of November until Christmas Day. Apparently, this year they were beginning in October! A couple of days later my answer came in the form of an email from the radio station (having been a supporter, I'm on their list). They explained that their mission is to reach as many people as possible with the message of God's love, and that when they play the Christmas music they gain many more listeners. Fair enough, I thought grumpily, but I don't have to listen to it.

It is not that I am a Scrooge or Grinch. I love Christmas, but I want it to be special. With stores putting their Christmas things out before the Halloween stuff is even taken down, with companies stuffing my mailbox daily with catalogs and sales ads, beginning nearly as soon as school starts, it seems to lose some of it's warmth.

Christmas came knocking again, the weekend of the Teddy Bear show in Hunt Valley. This time I opened the door a little... While the show was two weeks before Thanksgiving, it had a Christmas theme. Yes, Teddy Bear makers are as keen as other retailers to take advantage of the season where giving often equals spending. But the festive costumes, colorful lighted table dispays, and of course the Teddy Bears themselves had everyone smiling and feeling the warmth, including me. I couldn't help it. I really do love Christmas. On our drive back to Ohio, we even listened to some Christmas songs on the radio. The first one was Josh Groben's rendition of "O Holy Night". Sean had reached for the seek button to change the station, and, having heard my earlier grumblings about Christmas music in November, raised his eyebrows when I stayed his hand. "This one is OK, I guess," I told him. The scene repeated itself with a couple more songs. Mary's Boy Child-- "Oh this is one I never get to hear!" Mary Did You Know?--"But this is a good one."

At the third knocking, I opened the door wide. Shortly after the Teddy Bear show, a friend and fellow Teddy Bear artist posted the following on Facebook, "Merry Christmas! Just practicing." Her post was met with much grumbling, mirroring my attitude of just a few weeks before-too soon! Then Daphne posted "Happy Birthday, Jesus!" and I laughed out loud, not at Daphne-at myself! It was the kind of laugh you let out when you see that the answer to something you've been puzzling over has been staring you right in the face all along! A laugh of realization, a laugh of recognition. I recognized Christmas again for what it really means, a celebration of Jesus' birth, of His life, of His love, and ultimately His sacrifice for us! I recognized it, and let it in with heart and arms open, embracing it warmly, realizing it is never to early to celebrate God's love! Of course, deep down I knew it all along-I can tell by which Christmas songs I let in early, but I guess sometimes I need a reminder.

Enjoy this song which is much more than "OK I guess", it is one of my favorites!
And Merry Christmas!

Hunt Valley Bear Show

I had hoped that I would be able to post a preview of bears I had made for the Hunt Valley Teddy Bear Show, but as usual I was sewing until after midnight the night before we left!!

I was finishing up S'more, one of my panda clown style bears which was a special order for a collector attending the show. Here he is as a "Bob" (I call this stage Bob because of that groaner of a kid's joke: "What do you call a bear (man) with no arms and no legs who swims in the ocean?) S'more did have arms and legs at this point, but they were not yet attached!


Here are some of the other show bears lined up and waiting for accessories.


So instead of a preview, I have for you a review!!! The show was wonderful! The holiday theme had everyone in a festive mood, and I was so impressed with all of the wonderful holiday themed displays and costumes. I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the winning table display designed by Marilyn Waggner and her husband. It was a miniature room complete with furniture, a cozy braided rug, and a real stone fireplace!!! I loved these costumes as well.


My own table display was fairly simple, but my handsome assistant, and of course the bears themselves were nice to look at!





Collectors lined up outside, before the show opened, hoping to get a first peek at the work of their favorite artists. The collectors visited cheerily and shopped enthusiastically! I know I was not the only artist who found new homes for all her bears.

As ususal, one of the nicest things about the show was a chance to reconnect with my favorite Teddy Bear people--artists and collectors. My table neighbor was Michelle Lamb. It was lovely to see her again. Here she is with her amazing bears and her lovely daughter.


It was a great time all in all and I look forward to next year!

ARSED! (A random sketch every day)

My dear friend Chloe, a young artist from England, has invited me to participate in a challenge she calls ARSED! I have heard the term "arse" before but not "arsed" and so I had to look it up. Good ol' Google! Though a clear definition could not be found, apparently it is often used like bothered, as in "I can't be arsed to do that now." Which is how I seemed to have viewed drawing for a while now, being busy with my family, teaching, and bear making. But really, I love to draw, I just didn't because I felt I had no time. In Chloe's challenge, ARSED stands for A Random Sketch Every Day. What a simple but wonderful idea. Like exercise, I must make time for the things that are important to me-and the things I enjoy.

And so, I am drawing again! I have a small 6 X 8 spiral drawing pad, and for the last few days I have tried to spend at least 30 minutes drawing each day. Yesterday, I spent an hour and a half, to make up for missing one day. I do love to draw and I hope I can keep it up every day while continuing to make my bears, and teach, and oh yeah, exercise!

I posted the first two drawings in the previous post. Here are some more recent efforts:

My favorite-



Another Halloween themed drawing-



A very loose sketch of a sad little girl-


I wasn't overly thrilled with this one, so I couldn't be arsed to finish her! LOL
I may change my mind and come back to her another day though. Poor sad little thing.