Houston, we have a winner!

I decided to try my luck by entering the bear competition at this years, Woodend Teddy Bear Show.  As i've only been sewing bears since June, I entered the novice category with Houston, the first bear I created from my very own pattern.  Houston was boxed up and taken to the post office 2 -3 weeks ago so he could make his journey from South Australia to Victoria.  A few hours ago, I found out that Houston won "Best in Category".  I was secretly hoping I might place in the category, so that purple rosette ribbon is very special to me!  I'm looking forward to Houston making his journey home so I can give him a congratulatory hug...isn't that the best way to say thanks to a teddy bear?

Croaker the Frog.

I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine.  He's a creation of C.A. Toys of Sydney Australia who were established in 1976.  When you tip him forward and backwards, he makes a croaking sound like a frog.  I figure there's a ball that runs over a bumpy insert inside of him to make the noise.

I don't know if he had an official name by C.A. Toys but his name is "Croaker".  His name is handwritten on his tush tag in my Grandma's handwriting.  My Grandma loved stuffed animals.  All of the beds in her house had toys on them.  Croaker sat on a bed in my Grandma's house for as long as I can remember.  I always remember him so I figure he must be at least 30 years old.  This frog has been picked up and rocked back and forth by my Grandma, Grandpa, Husband, Dad, Mum, Sister, Aunties, Uncles, Cousins, Friends and by my own children.  He's not handmade, but he has been lovingly touched by many, many hands in his lifetime.  In June, 2010, my Grandma gave Croaker to me...the following month, she passed away.  It was the last gift she gave to me while she was alive.  I have numerous momentos to remember my Grandma by, but this frog is the one that means the most.

I'm not really one for having toys on my bed but Croaker is the exception.  He's spent his whole life sitting on a bed.  It's only right that he continues to do so.

Work in progress

I've been very busy with my bear making this week.  I was even sewing in the car (no...I wasn't driving at the time. LOL!) on a trip into the city on Thursday...that must be some sort of sign of an addiction, right?  In the above picture are the bears i'm currently working on.  There's 2 and a half bears in that pile.  3 heads are stuffed and i've just started needle felting muzzles on them.  I've also partially stuffed the limbs.  Two of these bears will be going into the Teddies Worldwide Online Show and the other will be available for purchase from my website.  Which bear goes to what...well...that remains to be seen!  Stay tuned!

The "set the ball rolling" post!

I guess i'm the one that needs to get the ball rolling here by doing the first post!

Relish Bears has been nearly 4 months in the making.  It's been so hard keeping what i've been doing a secret.  I didn't want to unveil anything until I was 100% ready.  I've been busy creating a website, blog and Facebook page all while completely enjoying sewing bears.

I never in a million years thought I would say that I enjoy sewing.  I hated it at school.  It finally dawned on me only recently why I thought I didn't it....I don't like being told what to create.  I also quite enjoy drawing, but I hated art at school for the same reason, I don't like being told what to draw.  Perhaps if the teachers had've left me to my own devices, I might've done better at school. hahaha!  That's my theory and i'm sticking to it.  ;)