Spring Challenge Online Show

Ooooh ... how exciting! Only one more sleep until the Spring Challenge show!

I can't wait for spring - winter is always way too long for my liking (I'm a summer girl at heart). I always know when the warmer weather is just around the corner - my jasmine flowers and the divine scent wafts through my studio window. My miniature bush orchids also start budding and the first couple have just flowered. Will try to get some pictures to post here on the weekend, as they are just gorgeous and ever so tiny.

Anyways, thought I'd post a couple of pictures of my entry in the Spring Challenge - introducing La de Dah ... a gorgeous little girl who's all ready in her fancy attire for the Spring Racing Carnival - a spectacular annual event on the Melbourne and Sydney horse racing calendars, culminating in the 'race that stops a nation' ... The Melbourne Cup.





To see all the entrants in the Spring Challenge show, please visit www.teddybearsandcritters.com and follow the Spring Challenge link

New Bears!

In case you're wondering, these hands haven't been idle. At long last, I have completed a new small hug of bears!

I've had a lot on my plate in the last few months, with a lot of people off sick at work and being hospitalised myself a couple of times, which hasn't left a lot of time to spend being creative!

All are available on my website which, by the way, I have now learned to update MYSELF (woo-hoo ... see there are miracles!). You'll find the link in the right-hand panel of this blog.

They are also available through the Teddy Bears and Critters website (www.teddybearsandcritters.com and click on Available Bears)

This is the demure Lillie Mae:


Here's the very tough (not really!) Bosco B Bear:


Super-cool dude 'Mambo'


... and not forgetting, little Mint Julep:


Hope you like them as much as I do.

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb!

OMG! I am so very excited ....

I received a gift voucher from Russ and the girls for my 50th last December to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and I've just booked it for the long weekend in October .... a Twilight climb, starting at 3.45pm - duration 3.5 hours! What!!! I better start going back to the gym to get fit!!!



There's around 1050 stairs to climb, but I'm sure the view will be worth it, and I'm sooo looking forward to it! We'll get the best of both worlds - a brilliant Sydney Harbour sunset and of course, the famous harbour lights at night on the climb back down.

Newcastle Doll & Bear Show - More Photos!

Have just returned from trading at the Newcastle Doll & Bear Show last weekend. What a fantastic day! I met so many interesting people - in fact one elderly gentleman was telling me about his sister who had a storage shed they had cleaned out and found 'lots of Steiff bears in boxes' - what a find! I don't think he realised the value of what they discovered!

I also met the indomitable Mary Hickey, who has one of Australia's largest bear collections - a true arctophile!!! And such a marvelous wit and humour - I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation ... my clown bear Bongo even made his way with Mary off to his new home!

Of course, remembering that this was also a doll show, I took this photo of one of the prizewinning entries - this doll artist certainly is an inspiration - just look at what her imagination has created! Superb, and very whimsical!


Didn't get much opportunity to whiz around and take many photos, but here's a few more (my table plus some other competition entries - yes, even bears!)

Hottest Tickets in Town!!!!!

... and I have them!!!!

Yay! Russ and I are off to see the gorgeous Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20) on his Cradlesong '10 tour in February when he performs at Bowral's beautiful Centennial Vineyards on Valentine's Day next year.

Can't wait ... am seriously counting the sleeps already!!!