Carcassonne & Rennes-le-Chateau

Carcassonne is like a fairytale village, as you approach the village from below all you see are turrets and towers, its really something.

On the right of this picture you can see a green window, I got the BEST handbag in this shop!

Each building had its own gargoyles

Anyone who's read or seen The Da Vinci Code will know about Rennes-le-Chateau.

I had no idea about it having not read the book or seen the film but I must say its a powerful place, I have no idea about all these conspiracy theories but it certainly had an atmosphere.

More to come.....

Musee des Automates

Possibly the strangest place I've ever been!

Me and Lex thought we'd taken some kind of psychedelic drug.

Have a look at the website for more information here

Valbonne & St Paul De Vence

We visited so many lovely little villages with winding streets,

most shops where selling all kinds of arts and crafts and clothes!

Valbonne

St Paul De Vence

St Paul De Vence

St Paul De Vence, has over 60 art galleries, unfortunately we got there just as most had closed, I looked longingly through the windows though

(I think that pleased Lex!)

St Paul De Vence is best seen at night, all the streets are lit up with lamps giving off the most wonderful atmosphere! This photo does not do it justice but it gives you an idea.

Stay tuned for more pictures tomorrow.

Meribel & Monaco

I'll let the photos do most of the talking :0)

The view from hotel room in Meribel

Meribel Lake

Meribel Mountains

Meribel views

The roundabout as you arrive/leave Meribel, so cool!

Beautiful Monaco buildings

View of the palace

Me!

More Monaco views

Too beautiful and very, very hot

The casino

Opposite the Casino

The casino again, I've never seen so many posh cars in one place before!

Random Eggs....

All hand painted

Check by for more photos tomorrow

Hugglets, homes needed, and what's next!!!!

Wow what a lovely (but exhausting) day we had yesterday, as always the Hugglets show was fantastic. Its always such a well run, well supported, friendly show.

A big thank you to all the customers who came and brought a bear, mouse or some knitting, your support keeps me and Mum doing what we love.

I have a few little ones looking for homes still, two of which I finished at the last minute so didn't have time to post them on the preview! If your interested in the below please drop me an email shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

Edward Snowbear

7"

Viscose

£120 + P&P

Todd

5"

SOLD

Doris

4"

£80 + P&P

Now there's no rest for me over the next few months, I'm straight back to work on shop orders, commissions and show collections. If you would like to be notified of when my work becomes available then please join the mailing list at the above email address.

Also my fingers crossed that this week I'll find the time to upload my France photos, I just don't know where the time goes!

Hugglets TEDDIES 2011 Preview.....

Hugglets TEDDIES 2011

Sunday 11th September

See us in Hall 4, stand 125

Here's what I've managed to finish so far......

Beckett

5"

Pumpkin Fairy

5"

Darcy

5"

Todd

5"

Locklyn

4"

Dillis

4"

"Hope"

4"

Ju Ju Bean

3"

Sosie

3"

Raven

3"

Nickle

3"

I'll be busy finishing off a few more bears and mice before Sunday and I am hoping to get the time to update the blog with their photos.

As usual the bears and mice have been made in the first instance for sale at the Hugglets show. I will not be selling or reserving anything prior to Sunday, however if you would like to register an interest in any of the creations, I'd be happy to get in touch with you if they don't sell on the day. Drop me an email:

shantockbears@tiscali.co.uk

P.S. The lovely photo effects were created on this site here that my lovely friend from Donna and the Bears shared on her blog, thanks Donna I'm going to have lots of fun with this.

Now I must get back to sewing!