Simon

I never thought I'd use this name on a bear. Mainly because it's my dad's name, and it is always odd to name a bear you've made after a family member without good reason. And I don't have a good reason in this situation. Simon named himself! And besides, I think he just 'looks like' a Simon!

He is my latest Panda. A little bigger than Li Mei, and with a different design. He has definitely come out more manly than she did which is good, as that was what I was hoping for! (Isn't it nice when things just work out!?).

So he is currently on bearpile if anyone wanted to check him out there too.

I think I have a crush on the postman!

Well... maybe I shouldn't go so far as to call it a 'crush' - but I like him. A lot! He brings me goodies in the mail nearly every week. Mind you, the goodies are only arriving because I purchased them on etsy first! :P

Today we had THREE parcels arrive. I would love to show you photos of the actual items, but most of them are christmas gifts (and some of the people for whom the gifts are intended might read this blog!).


Instead I'll give you the links to these amazing etsy stores so you can check them out yourself. For my fellow Australian's, I have THE MOST INCREDIBLE jewellery you will ever find! Check out this store - Unique Dichroic Glass Creations. My pendants arrived this morning and they are all stunning! They come in little printed paper packets, with little organza bags inside, with the pendant inside that! Beautifully presented for gift giving. They are so much more stunning in person that the pictures show. And they are good pictures!



Next arrived a big box full of these gorgeous handmade pocked mirrors. They are again stunningly presented and just perfect for popping in a handbag. I have a lot of ladies in my life - so I got a LOT of these! The etsy store is called Kailo Chic and she sells a lot of other gorgeous things as well.



And lastly - a bit of a surprise package from Israel. I had completely forgotten this one was coming. I purchased this pendant to wear to my brother's wedding - this weekend! So I'm glad it made it in time. I actually bought it before I found a dress to wear too. Luckily the dress I purchased has some blue on it as well. I think even if the colours had clashed I still would have worn it anyway! It is just gorgeous. I must say though, I LOVE big chunky jewellery. And I LOVE real stones even more! So this was the best of both worlds! There are some other pretty lovely pieces in Mara Joyce Designs store if you wanted to check them out too.

My 'Pretty Rose' - Li Mei

I would have had this gorgeous young lady finished a lot earlier than this - but unfortunately things didn't go so smoothly over the last day or so!

I had a doctors check up appointment yesterday, just to make sure baby is growing as he should be. Firstly my blood pressure was too high, then baby was measuring too small, and then I was informed that I had missed a check up appointment (I didn't realise there was another one I should have gone to! Woops!).

So with all of that information, my Dr decided I needed to go to the local hospital immediately, so they could do further tests. Luckily my mum was coming around to visit, so she watched Chelsea. Mark left work early and we spent the better part of 4 hours at the hospital with a monitor strapped to my belly checking bub's heart beat (a very strong 170bpm) and movement (he didn't really stop moving the whole time!). I was measured and poked and prodded, had to do blood tests and urine tests and have my blood pressure taken again - and it was decided that everything was perfect! If anything, they think he's big for his gestational age - a good 2+ weeks big!

So after all the 'excitement' of the day, I managed to have some relaxing time in front of the TV last night, and got my first panda finished. I've called her Li Mei, which means 'pretty rose' in Chinese (according to babynames.com anyways!). She is so gorgeous (if I do say so myself!) and such a nice way to have finished an otherwise rather stressful day. I find that I just can't stop looking at her too. There is something so special about the black/pink combination!

A trio of Panda's in progress

After finishing Lyric - my gorgeous big fluffy brown/cream panda recently, I was reminded of how much I enjoy the matching of 'panda' colours. I made a little vow to myself to make some more panda's - using BLACK! after I'd gotten through all the other idea's that were begging to be completed (namely Meguinis and New Life!).

So now my idea's board is clear again, and I've spent the last few days sneaking little moments to draw up new panda patterns, lay them out, trace them, cut them and pin them. I have two ready to go (and one still needing to be cut). One will be pink and black, One will be a batik tan and black and the last will be chocolate and honey! So excited to get these finished.

I think that's the hardest thing about crafting with a toddler in the house - you have no choice but to learn patience. Once upon a time I would have just rushed home from work and spend the rest of the evening sewing until the bear was done - no matter the time I eventually got to sleep, or the fact that my poor husband had to cook dinner if he wanted to eat! Now I try and get what I can done around Miss Chelsea's day sleeps, and also what I can once she goes down for the night. But I am usually too tired (or too worried about waking her again with the sound of the sewing machine) to get much done then! :P

Enough of the pity party now I think! :P I'll leave you all with some photo's of old Panda's of mine - what fun they all were!

Some goodies to show you all

Just wanted to take the time to show you some of the goodies that have arrived in the mail for Chelsea and I over the last week.






















This is a gorgeous little handmade skirt and top I bought for Chelsea from the 'MadeIt' website. The lady who makes these has heaps of awesome items in her store - Karousel Kids. I also got a very brightly coloured overalls and sun-hat set for the new baby.
















This is a super sweet handmade cloth book I also bought from the MadeIt store 'Creative Wishes' for Chels. Each page has different shapes made into pictures. Chelsea's favourite page is the one with the circle caterpillar (she likes to try and pick off his eyes! :P).























And lastly, I got an awesome surprise package from the runner-up winner of the Onion Skin Twins giveaway. There was a Lithuanian coffee mug, a gorgeous handmade card, a cook book of traditional Lithuanian recipes and the most gorgeous little angel I have ever seen! How brilliant is she!? Chelsea was immediately demanding that I hand her over, but I've decided she's going somewhere safe until we put our christmas tree up. Then she can go right to the top!

Surprise Unveiled!

I think the easiest thing to do is let the pictures do the explaining! (and there are quite a few pictures! - click on them to make them bigger if you want a better look)...





















So there we go! The amazing project I've been working on over the last few weeks. I attempted to make a pregnant bear when I first started out bearmaking about a decade ago - but got really lazy and couldn't be bother making the baby! I just put a note inside the belly saying 'gone fishin'. lol.

So I decided to do it properly this time. And it was a mission and a half! I think I just got incredibly lucky that the baby actually fit inside the belly! He's about 5" fully stretched out. But curled up he's quite tiny. Then I had the challenge of how to make a semi-realistic looking umbilical cord, and make it detachable so that the gorgeous little baby could come out! Good old hook and eye clips! I actually really like the umbilical cord stump on the baby too. Adds to the whole authentic newborn look! His sleepy eyelids were new for me too. And worked amazingly! You can't even see my stitches! I think I had a sewing angel helping me out through this whole process.

Well, I hope you enjoy the photos! The New Life duo are now on bearpile. And I also have an album of photos on facebook.

Super Secret Project

Hi Guys. Just a really quick update to let you know that I'm working on a super secret, and very exciting new project. It is complicated, and contains aspects that I've never attempted before and has the potential to go horribly wrong! Which just adds to the excitement (for me anyway)!

I can tell you it will consist of two bears. And I'm being brave and making my prototypes out of mohair... so I'm fairly confidant it will work... either that or just stupid! :P

Wish me luck, and stay tuned for the finished project! (Best case senario I might have photos tomorrow morning...)