I had a big oopsie when I was doing my Nosey Parker post the other day. I totally forgot the bears! I think it’s probably because even though you do sew them together, I tend not to think of them as sewing projects so much as a sort of 3D creation. Anyway, I promised a certain reader that I would rectify that, so here is my beary story of my proudest moments.
When I was at school we were lucky to live near a big teddy bear fair that latterly took place twice a year that was pretty much just up the road from our house. We went faithfully every time, and always adopted new hug members, however when I went to uni mum and dad moved, there weren’t any fairs nearby, and my bank account couldn’t support a bear habit anyway! There was one tiny fair that appeared just after I finished uni in East Kilbride, and I was determined to visit. I blew my entire budget on a pattern and bear makings for a fairly small bear (at 9″), and then was scared to cut into it, having spent what was then a lot of money to me, on something I didn’t want to screw up. Eventually one day, a couple of years later I bit the bullet and went for it, and Oracle was born. So here he is, my very first bear:
Over the next few years I tried a number of different patterns by different designers, and when I was in South Africa I was lucky enough to live near a shop that actually sold all things beary, and the owner’s mum (who always manned the shop at weekends when I was there) persuaded me to try designing my own pattern. With the help of Ted Menten’s Teddy Bear Studio book, I came up with a pattern of my own, but it was 2 years later before I tried to make him. Here’s Spike, my very first design:
It would be fair to say he’s a little different from Oracle, but he was the forerunner to M&M, who was nominated for a BBAA the following year (for those that weren’t around to read the back story, those are ‘cookie crumbs’ down him after he ate the heart shaped box of cookies):
I haven’t entered another competition since, but I think my other proudest moment was mastering double neck joints and jointed mid-limbs which first appeared on Bearacht, the aging process, that I applied to Edwood and Woodward, and trapunto toes, which first appeared on Bunch, who was also my first bunny:
Hope you enjoyed my beary tour :o)
Oh, Miss LT, LuLu here. I see "the others" pictures, but I seem to have missed MY picture.
I am at my new, forever home across the pond and I even have a column that I share with my sister, Flora, on Mum's Blog. But I thought I was in your family album. Ho Hum, it's okay, I will get over the hurt and disappointment in a few years.
(Mom, how was that, do you think LT is sorry for not including my picture too? Yes, Lulu, I am sure you will be hearing from her.)
Hi LT, Prudence here…oh boy are you in a heap of scrap mohair. (o: I wouldn't want to be you right now.
Hugs,
Prudence
How amazingly adorable is that? You are so talented. Wow! Do you do commissions?
Aww, they are all so cute! I want to snuggle them!
They are all so very cute!!!
Boy you get about a bit! Do LOVE your bears 🙂
Wow. I totally do not think I could ever make one of those without making a total hack job of it. Your first bear is absolutely made of sweetness–I can't believe you were scared to try it – you did such an awesome job!
How could you forget the bears! They are some of your finest work.
Gorgeous! And you design your own? WOW! I think my favourite is your purple and orange one though. 🙂
too cute – and Edwood and Woodward – lol – the names are fab too – so talented you are Katy
Hi L.T. I loved reading about how you got to make bears. Some times we just need a little push to design for our selves.
I love your bears, They would be welcome at my house….
Hugs
Wilbur
your bears are so cute. I think the g-kids would love them.
Wow, All those little bears are soooooo cute!!! They all look so friendly and hugable. It's so interesting to hear how you got into making bears.
L-O-V-E your bears!! First one it the cuttest! I love them in their natural colour. You're so talented.
These are fab, so much detail! Lovely!
Hi, Lulu, please don't think you're alone on being left out of the picture – there are several bears in MY hug that didn't even get a mention (let alone a photograph!) whereas LT's Dad's bears came up TWICE!!!
Next time she comes here, she'd better watch out because I have a feeling they might just gang up on her and it won't be pretty!
LT's Mum
Love seeing the bears Katy, it's a whole different side to you.
OMG your bears are so cute, it really shows that they all have characters of their own. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Miss Ann,
Oh boy, it could be beary messy when your Hug gangs up on LT. Giggle. Wish I could join in.
What can I say? Well, some of us weren't even mentioned so "all is fair in the teddy bear get even war". Guess we know who LT's "fav" parent is, huh? Boy oh boy….
Hugs,
LuLu
Love, love, love your wonderful fur creations. Your first pattern was very ambitous for a beginner and the ones that followed are wonderful as well. It would seem all of that exposure to the bear shows had a tremendous effect on you. Hugs
Ooo, I'm impressed by all those technical bear-making terms! It's so cool that you make your own bear patterns — schematics for 3D things don't compute for me. :>
Yeah well, my bears are particularly handsome not to say talented. After all Spike got to slide on a tray in the snow and he plays (wobbly) football. As for Bearacht he has so many joins he doesn't know what position to be in.
I'm sure Lulu and Strawbeary and the others are well loved and that's what matters.
Alan
Yeah well, my bears are particularly handsome not to say talented. After all Spike got to slide on a tray in the snow and he plays (wobbly) football. As for Bearacht he has so many joins he doesn't know what position to be in.
I'm sure Lulu and Strawbeary and the others are well loved and that's what matters.
Alan
Such sweet creations! Enough to create a bear fetish!!