Holiday Happenings

Keeping busy trying to fulfill all the commitments I have made for the holidays. My Christmas cards are printed and waiting to be put together and addressed. I will post the photo cover closer to Christmas. The elf for the little elf swap( also photos later) went to the post office today and the ornament for the Teddy Talk ornament swap will go off next week. Two Blythe(doll) Christmas dresses were sent on their way earlier this week. I need to take photos for the tea party on Dec 6 and company is coming for Thanksgiving next week. Since gift giving is going to be very lean this year I have finished 95% of my shopping. I will start making goodies after Thanksgiving.
Yesterday I changed some of my artfire listings to reflect Artfire's Holiday Deals promotion. I am offering free shipping to the US and reduced international shipping on some bears and critters. Some of them are included in the photo above.
Also please check out Whats Up Dox shop. There is a raffle for a mohair Dachshund I made to benefit Dachshund rescue. Drawing December 11th.
More Holiday Happenings to come.....

I received this award from Sandi at Bearly Sane over a week ago. The days keep slipping by so I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post and accept the award.
Rules :-
1. Use only 1 word answers.
2. Pass along to 6 of you favorite bloggers.
3. Tell them you've given them the award.
4. Have Fun !!

1. Where is your cell phone? Desk
2. Your hair? short
3. Your mother? Quiet
4. Your father? Irish
5. Your favorite food? Chocolate
6. Your dream last night? Didn't
7. Your favorite drink? Dr Pepper
8. Your dream/goal? comfort
9. What room are you in? Workroom
10. Your hobby? reading
11. Your fear? Poverty
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren’t? Mean
15. Muffins? Strawberry
16. Wish list item? Time
17. Where did you grow up? Maryland
18. Last thing you did? Browsed
19. What are you wearing? Capris
20. Your TV? Off
21. Your pets? Short
22. Friends? Great
23. Your life? Busy
24. Your mood? Determined
25. Missing someone? Linda
26. Vehicle? Old
27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes
28. Your favorite store? Fabric
29. Your favorite color? Purple
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Dunno
32. Your best friend? Hubby
33. One place that I go to over and over? Computer
34. One person who emails me regularly? Renee
35. Favorite place to eat? Home

I am presenting the award to:
Vivian viv out on a whim
Bettina Glass Dragon Bears
Joanne Desert Mountain Bears
Darlene Raspbeary Bears
Marlys Waggle Bears
Laura Lynn Teddies by Laura Lynn

I hope to post again soon. Lots of things going on for the holidays. My family is coming here for Thanksgiving so I have to stop sewing and actually clean my house. I might have to dust off the vacuum before I use it.

It's beginning to look a little like Christmas

Just a quick post. Yesterday I received a darling little bear in a swap. Gingerbear traveled all the way from Australia. I just love him and he has started my Christmas decorating as he sits on the table by the window. I sent Foster the little dog to Raewyn of Woodbury Park Bears. We sent our swaps on the same day and they both arrived exactly one week later. Foster is wearing a Christmas Bandana and I sent several other bandana in different prints for other holidays.
I'm working on my Christmas cards and an ornament for another swap. More later.....

Running in circles....

I haven't started to get ready for the show....which is one week from today! Although I'm not trying to finish more bears for the show as I have enough in my critter room to more than fill a table, I still have to make tags for many of them. Then they have to be packed, table covers readied, bags and tissues for (hopefully) the many purchases the collectors will make.
I have also been making Christmas dresses for Blythe dolls. I will be listing them in my Nancy's Notions shop on etsy. Anything to keep the funds coming in.
My Christmas swap for TBACA will be on it's way on Monday. It's a surprise, so no pics yet. The other swap I joined is Viv's Littlest Elf swap. Already finished my little elf too...also no pics til after Dec 1st.
The other thing I have been working on is getting a really good photograph of a critter I want to submit to a competition. Judging is based on the photograph and the judges don't see the actual creation, so the photo must be good. The piece I'm trying to photograph is mostly white and while it looks fine on my computer when it's printed there is a glare on the white fur. I have tried several different lighting techniques. Even took pics outside yesterday...a rare cloudy day here in Florida. I'm getting frustrated and not sure what to try next.
The little bear in the photo is Carly. She has been sitting around here for awhile in little shorts so I decided a cute dress might help her find a new home. She will be going to the show Nov 7 with me. By the way, the show, which is presented by the Sunshine Bear Den of Good Bears of the World will by at 4725 Lake Worth Rd, Lake Worth, Florida from 10 - 3. If your in that neck of the woods, come by.

Jackie another Puppy Grrl

Been meaning to post photos of Jackie all week. Bill's computer won't read his game cd so he has been on my computer. He can play card games for hours which means less time for me. Not necessarily a bad thing but sometimes inconvenient. It is also a problem because Bill is an indiscriminate clicker. He has changed things(my email) around without even realizing it.
Back to Jackie.....I'm really pleased with how she turned out. I think the Jack Russell type terriers are one of the easiest for me to capture their cuteness. Jackie is already on her way to her new home. I have a couple more Puppy Grrls up my sleeve. It's a busy time of year. I have joined 3 swaps and their is a Doll & Bear show Nov 7 along with lot of other holiday happenings.

I also took care of another October chore last week. I had my annual mammagram and all is clear.
Have you had yours?

Still creating

I know my posts of late haven't shown any of my new creations. I am still making critters!! I just finished something for a Christmas swap but have to keep it under wraps so it will be a surprise. I have completed a couple of critters for the TBACA Valentine show(That's right Valentine's!!). Can't reveal those as they are show exclusives. I am going to do a show Nov 7 in Lake Worth Florida. It is sponsored by the Sunshine Bear Den of Good Bears of the World. Several bears and critters that have been occupying the "critter room" for awhile will be traveling to that show. Including Peppermint Patti and Christy, a couple of Christmas creations. Tomorrow I plan to dye some fur a pretty shade of lavender for a bear. I will post photos when she is finished.
I have also made some clothes for Shannon, my Blythe doll. I received some cute crocheted hats and things from a flickr friend. You can see pics of them on my flickr

Living in Paradise

This time of year is really wonderful here along the east coast of Florida. The temperature and the humidity are more moderate but it's still warm enough to go swimming. This morning Bill and I packed our little cooler(he got his cup of coffee) and drove into town. There we got a croissant and an egg and sausage muffin. Then we parked by the water. The water being the Indian River which is actually an intercoastal waterway that runs parallel to the Atlantic coast in this part of Florida. We often do this, sometimes for breakfast, sometimes for dinner. This morning we could see manatees playing in the water a little ways out. Bill got out the binoculars and we watched them for quite awhile. We have seen dolphins and their babies playing in the water from that same spot along the shore another time. After lunch we relaxed in our pool. Today was a day for no worries....just living in paradise.