Zachary and Grace

As promised, here are a few pictures of my godson Zachary, who I met for the first time today. He is only 3 days old, but he is such a big baby already!! He is gorgeous, and I had a lovely time cuddling him today!!

I also met my other cousin's baby for the first time today. Little Grace is 11 days old, and is so sweet!! She is such a petite little girl, and is so well behaved - she didn't cry once!!

I'm a godmother!!

I am so excited to share with you that I am now a godmother. My godson was born earlier this afternoon. Baby Zachary and his mum Rachael are both doing well!! He weighed a hefty 9lb5 - big babies must run in our family as I was 10lb13 when I was born!!
Another of my cousins became a first-time Dad last week when his wife had a little baby girl, whom they have named Grace. We are going to visit the new parents and their babies on Sunday, so I will be able to share some photos with you then.
For now, welcome to the world little Zachary and little Grace!!!

House of Bears

Last Sunday I took six little bears to the House of Bears shop in Bath for their house-warming event. It was a lovely day, and there was a constant stream of visitors thoughout the day. It was really nice to have time to chat with Sue, her family, Joy who works at the shop when she isn't studying, and Rikey Austin as well as all the lovely collectors. I took a half-made bear with me for people to see what is involved in making a bear, and I think I may have caused a few people to have nightmares after seeing that little head with no body!!! I would like to reassure you all that the little bear is now finished, and looks much happier now he has a body and limbs!!!!
I had a great day and I really enjoyed looking around the new shop. Many thanks to Sue for inviting me to attend. I would highly recommend a visit to the shop to anyone who is visiting Bath.
A couple of the bears are still looking for their 'special someone', so please visit the House of Bears website for more details.

It's party time!!!

This Sunday I will be travelling to the 'House of Bears' shop in Bath with six special little bears. I have created these bears exclusively for House of Bears (previously Party Bears) who are holding their house-warming party on Sunday.
Everyone is welcome, and if you would like to come along, please have a look at the House of Bear website, or my website, for more details.
Sue, at House of Bears, asked me to create six little dressed bears, so my aunt (who does all the beautiful knitwear) and I have been working hard to create these little characters.
If you are interested in coming to the event on Sunday, or would like more details about adopting any of these bears, please contact Sue: sue@houseofbears-bath.co.uk

Helping Out...

Last week my younger brother Rich, who just turned 20, spent the week filming. He is a film student at Stafford University, and a very ambitious person!!! As well as his university work, he also writes fabulous film scripts and then takes on the massive project of making them into films. For his current film, he is using 'green screen' technology, where he will add the background in digitally later. It was really interesting to see how the green screens work! Rich auditioned professional actors, and cast his film well. He had some super actors to work with, and it was wonderful to watch Rich directing them, and seeing his 'vision' come together.
It was brilliant to go and help out on one of the days last week, where I had to hold the boom microphone. It was a great opportunity to see Rich working in his 'comfort zone', and I have to admit I was very impressed. Sometimes it is hard to stop myself seeing my little brother as 'just a youngster', and yet watching Richard work last week I was struck by his determination, professionalism, creativity and obvious talent for what he has chosen to do. It is clearly a very competitive field which he is hoping to enter, and not until last week did I really believe that he could succeed in it. I now feel sure you will be seeing one of his films at a cinema near you in the future!!!!
The film he is working on could take another year until it is finished, at which point I think Rich is hoping to enter it into a film festival. With the title 'Kill or be Killed', its not exactly my taste in entertainment, but having seen it in the making, I can't wait to see the final product!!

Rich filming with one of his actors.

The green screen before it was lit for filming.

Teddy Bear Artist Event

As some of you may recall, I am organising an artist-only bear event this year. There are now less than two months until the event, which is being held on Sunday 8th June at the Civic Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon. I am now working frantically to make sure everything is sorted in plenty of time!! I would never have guessed how much work is actually involved in organising such an event!! If anyone would like more details about the event, please have a look at the website, which I will be updating over the next few weeks: www.teddybearartistevent.co.uk

(The Civic Hall in Stratford-upon-Avon, where I am holding the event.)

I am also having to begin thinking about the following year!! I now have a provisional date of 7th June 2009 for the next event!! I am also trying to think of a new theme for 2009, as well as producing a new logo. Watch this space!!!

I spoke too soon!!!!!

Well, when I wrote about 'spring in the air' yesterday, I didn't expect to wake up this morning to snow!!! Here is a picture my hubby took this morning!!!

Luckily it melted quickly enough for us to get to my cousin Rachael's baby shower. She only has four weeks left until she is due, and we are all so excited. We know it is a boy, who she is naming Zachary David, and he will be my godson!! I can't wait!!!
Here's a picture of me and Rachael taken today.