Life goes on........

Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who has contacted me about my Grandad. It has been a tough couple of weeks, but my family have really pulled together to support each other, and we are coping. I think the toughest part is that we didn't expect to lose my Grandad any time soon. He never looked or acted like an old man, and he was such a lively and vibrant character. He is going to leave such a big gap in our family.
However, as people say, life goes on. I managed to pull myself together in time for the Hugglets show on Sunday, and I had a lovely day. It was great to have a chance for a quick chat with artists and collectors. The day passed so quickly - there is never enough time to see everyone!!! Thank you to everyone who came and said hello, and to those of you who adopted a bear. I bought some lovely new fabrics, and I am all ready and raring to go with some new ideas and designs!!!
I have just added six little bears to my website: www.marymyrtleminiatures.co.uk
Some of them have been snapped up quickly, but there are a couple who are still looking for their new home.
Now that Hugglets is over for another six months, I am going to have to start work on the Teddy Bear Artist Event 2009. There is so much to get sorted, and I would prefer to get as much done as I can before Christmas, so that I don't have a last minute panic before the event!! At least I feel like I know what I am doing this time, having got one event under my belt!! There is actually a wonderful write up about the event in this month's Collect It magazine. I will try and scan it in and add it to the event website at some time soon.

Hope and Sadness

I am happy to bring you the exciting news, that you have the opportunity to win a beautiful bear, and raise money for charity at the same time!!
Jenny Johnson of Three O'Clock Bears is organising a raffle for the second year running, in order to raise money for Breast Cancer Care. Last year she raised an amazing £1000 all by herself, but this year she has decided to take tings one step further. She has invited me, Yvonne of Bebbin Bears, Vicky of Humble Crumble Bears, and Melanie Jayne of Bear Treasures to all make a pink bear especially for the raffle.
Everyone is invited to purchase a raffle ticket (or two) which cost £5 each. You can pay by Paypal from anywhere in the world, or if you live in the Uk and would like to pay by cheque then that is fine. Please contact Jenny Johnson for more details, or to purchase a ticket: jenny@threeoclockbears.com
To see the five beautiful bears which have been made especially for the raffle, please have a look here: http://www.threeoclockbears.com/hope/
Good luck!!!

(My grandad at our wedding three years ago, holding his youngest grandchild)

On a very separate note, I am sad to say that my Grandad died yesterday. He was an amazing character and will leave a big hole in our family. My Grandad was happy, healthy, active and independent right up until the end, and he died peacefully in his own home. However, it is such a massive shock to us all, as my Grandad never seemed 'old'. He leaves behind his wonderful partner June, who has been his close companion since my Grandmother died 12 years ago, four children, twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. It is a sad time for my family.

Exciting TOBY award news!!!

I am thrilled to be able to tell you that I have just received a phone call from Mindy Kinsey, editor of Teddy Bear and Friends magazine in the USA, to tell me that the three bears I had nominated for TOBY awards, have ALL won their categories!!!! I am absolutely shocked and delighted by this news. It hasn't quite sunk in yet, but I will definitely be celebrating this evening!!!

'Sleigh Ride' 2008 TOBY Public Choice WINNER
Artist Vignette Category

'Laura-Kate' 2008 TOBY Public Choice Award WINNER
Miniature Bears, Undressed Category

'John' 2008 TOBY Public Choice Award WINNER
Miniature Bear, Dressed Category

Teddy Bear Artist Event: Cheque Presentation

I am very proud to be able to tell you that the Teddy Bear Artist Event, held in Stratford-upon-Avon in June, raised a grand total of £1280 for the British Heart Foundation. This fantastic amount is a tribute to the generosity of the artists and visitors at the event. Yesterday I met with Kathee from the British Heart Foundation to present the cheque and take some photographs in the hope that this will help to publicise the event.

Kathee suggested that we have teddy bears in the background in order to create a more interesting photograph, in the hope that this will bring it more attention. I felt strongly that it should be artist bears in the background, as the event is an artist-only fair, so in the end I transported some of my artist bear collection to my parent's house, and we set them up on this welsh dresser, along with a few of my Mum's bears, to create a nice background.
As some of them got blocked in the cheque presentation photograph, I thought I would share a few photos of the bears all set up for you to see.
This is not my entire collection, but my bear collection is my pride and joy!! They bring me so much pleasure, and I was so worried about something happening to them on the 10 minute journey between my house and my parents' house!! However, I am happy to say that they all got back safely!!!

It's been a while.....

Life seems to have been quite hectic lately, so my blog has had to take a back seat. There isn't anything specific which has been taking up my time, I have just been busy!!
I have actually had a few lovely weekends recently.

A few weeks ago I went to a b-b-q held at my cousin's house, and I was able to see my Godson again. He is just wonderful - I am completely besotted!!! He is such a little character! Here is a picture of me with Zachary a few weeks ago.

The following weekend I went to the wedding of my best friend from school on the Saturday, and my cousin's son's Christening on the Sunday. The wedding was lovely, and my friend looked stunning and very happy.
The Christening was another wonderful opportunity for all the family to get together. Here are a few pictures of the day.

Some of the gang gathered outside the church.

My cousin Ben with his son Ryan who was being Christened.

My Godson Zachary with his Mum Rachael.

My cousin Dan with his wife Hayley and their daughter Grace.

Me having a cuddle of gorgeous baby Grace.

Then last weekend my Grandad (on my Dad's side of the family, rather than my Mum's side who all the above relatives belong to) came to visit. I haven't seen him for 8 years despite seeing him regularly as a child. It was absolutely wonderful to see him again, and for him to be able to meet my husband Alan for the first time. I have vowed that we will make an effort to get together again soon - we musn't leave it so long again!!!!

My Grandad, my Dad, my big brother Tim, me and my little brother Rich.

Me and Alan.

I have also been persuing another hobby - Asian Ball-Jointed Dolls!!! I absolutely adore these wonderful dolls, and have been enjoying photographing the latest edition to my collection. This little doll measures a tiny 9.8cm tall!!
I am currently eagerly awaiting two new dolls which I ordered last month. I will share some pictures when they have arrived!

As well as all of this, I have been working very hard for Hugglets, as well as an order for a new shop. I can't believe we are already six days into August - where is the year going!! Hugglets, which is being held on 14th September, will be here before we know it!! I always look forward to Hugglets, even though the lead up to it is always frantic with preparations. I will share some of the bears I have made for Hugglets with you soon.

New bears available!!

I have just added some new bears to my website, who are all looking for their new mommy or daddy!! This will be my last website update for a little while, as I am going to start work on bears for Hugglets, which is held in London, UK, in September. I like to be prepared well in advance!!
I hope you enjoy looking at the bears: www.marymyrtleminiatures.co.uk

Happy Birthday Alan!!

Last Saturday was my husband Alan's 30th birthday. We had a brilliant day, with a trip to London to see 'Billy Elliot' the musical. It was a fntastic show - I would recommend it to any dance or musical fan!! We finished off the day with a lovely meal and a birthday cake!!