Perfect presents

The end of June beginning of July is a busy one for me, Mum's Birthday is on the 29th June, mine is on the 1st July, 32!!!! I still feel like I'm 18 most days ;0), its me and Lex's anniversary (3 years! Gosh its gone fast) Also my Aunts Birthday on the 5th, so over the last week there's been some celebrating in the Andrews/Ledger households!

Mum's Birthday didn't go quite to plan because we had a very poorly Binky that day, he been bitten by another cat and it had gone septic, it was all rather dramatic, he when missing and when we found him in a neighbours back garden we had to rush him to the vets! He's on the mend now but it did rather spoil the Birthday dinner we had planned, so we will have a re-run Birthday for her later in the month!

Binky Bow-Bows, much better now :0)

My Birthday however was perfect, I received so many amazing presents, everyone had put so much thought into my gifts, I am a very lucky girl! Me and Lex escaped to my favourite part of the county, Dorset for the weekend so it was double perfect, I'll share some photos of the weekend tomorrow, meanwhile here's a few pictures of me opening some of my presents.....

This was taken at my Aunts house, we dropped by her house in the New Forest on our way to Dorset

This is my Tiffany silver pen, kindly given to me by Lex's lovely Mum Sooz

Me opening a VERY special gift from Lex, what could it be....

and here it is, can you guess what it is yet?

Did you guess right! Lex had conspired with my favourite artist (and very good friend) ginger Brame to make the most wonderful Harry Potter themed Bear in a box! I was beyond thrilled, it was such a surprise. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.

A happy girl with the BEST present!

For more details on the box please visit ginger's blog here and here, she explains things so much better than me.

Available Bears...Updated 7th July - All Bears now sold

Before I update you on my busy last two weeks I wanted to share with you 3 cutie's available to purchase........

"Wintergreen"

4"

Duck egg blue upholstery velvet

SOLD

"Jaques"

5"

Pale gold/cream upholstery velvet

SOLD

"Bertram"

5"

Gold upholstery velvet

SOLD

For more information on these little ones or to place an order please drop me an email @

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

Check out the blog towards the end of the week for photos from my action pack weekends away!

A few photos from a lovely weekend....

There's lots going on in my little world at the moment (tell you more next week!) so I've not much time to update you on my weekend away in the New Forest! Lets just say its was lovely as always and here's a few photos from one of our trips!

On Friday me, my Mum and Aunt visited the wonderful Brownsea Island

This was the view from one side of the Island

Mum and Val sitting on "our" tree

(every time we visit we sit here and take a photo!)

The only church on the Island (Its pretty small! But perfect)

New Forest Bear Festival

This weekend we will be be at......

The New Forest Bear Festival

Beaulieu Village, Hants

10:30am to 4:30pm

For more info click here

I will be bringing a small collection of bears and mice and Lyn will have a fab selection of bear knits! Come visit us in the village hall.

No preview this time but here's a peek at my competition piece for the Bartie Bristle Excellence Award, the theme is chocolate can you guess who it is?!

Thanks, Stratford, winning and another show!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Today I have 3 BIG thank you's to say!

Firstly me and Mum had a fab day yesterday, the rain did not put off the lovely collectors and I was blown away that nearly all my bears and mice found new homes, thanks so much to everyone who brought a bear, mouse or two from me, you made my day!

Secondly its such a great show to do, Samantha and her team of friends and family do a brilliant job making it special, there's so many little touches that add to the wonderful atmosphere, so a big thanks also goes out to Samantha and her helpers!

And thirdly I was delighted that my mouse "Sad Sack" won 1st place in his category "Feeling Blue" I now have another lovely TBAE medal which I will display proudly, so another thanks goes out to everyone who voted for me! I'm extremely touched.

So today I am a happy bear maker, but also a busy one, as in two weeks I'll be at another show. My friends Julie and Amanda of Bear it in Mind, Hairy Hugs and Bartie Bristles fame are once again holding their New Forest Bear Festival in Beaulieu High Street on 26th June, both me and Mum will be there with bears, mice, knitting and also an Auntie, as my super special Auntie Val will be helping us out at her first ever bear show! Val's visited a few shows before but has never had the opportunity to come along as a helper so I'm really hoping she'll enjoy the experience.

This show is kinda different than a normal bear show, hence its called a festival, it really is like a festival, its a family event with lots of fun activities throughout the day all teddy bear themed! Oh and there's also loads of beautiful bears to buy! For any teddy bear lover its well worth a visit so for more information please visit here.

As I have nothing new to show you right now I've posted a few more pictures of Sad Sack and I'm off to start sewing, no resting on her laurels for this bear maker.

Teddy Bear Artist Event of 2011 Preview....

Teddy Bear Artist Event of 2011

'A Celebration of Bear Artistry'

Sunday 12th June 2011

11:00am to 4:00pm

The Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon

Here's a peek at the collection coming with us,

fingers crossed by Sunday I should have a few others available too.

Me and Mum (who will be bringing lots of lovely knitting)

will be on our usual table 12

Hope to see you there

"Snug"

4"

"Bertram"

5"

"Sad Sack"

5"

"Jaques"

5"

"Timon"

5"

"Hortensio"

4"

"Paris"

4"

Ferdinand & Francisco

3"

As always this collection will be available at the show on Sunday in the first instance.

If you would like to be notified after the show which bears and mice are looking for homes or would like any other information,

please drop me an email at shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

How does my garden grow....

The sun is shining on my little corner of the world today and this is what I've been doing!

(While Lex has been gardening!)

Let me take you on a little tour.....

Can't remember the name of this stunning plant, Dad gave it to me last week, along with 90% of the other plants in this garden......Thanks Dad x

This is one of our solar lights, in amongst some kinda herb

Our veggie patch, carrots, lettuce, beetroot

More veggie patch, runner beans, courgettes, tomatoes, french beans.....I can't wait to start eating these

Pretty Pansy's

Bountiful herbs

Sunflower

My favourite flower the sweet pea

Sweet pea's full length!

I do so love having a garden

Check back tomorrow for the TBAE preview