Bear Artists Online - TBACA

Hi Everybody

I was thinking how quiet we've all been; we could do with one of those chatty threads that anyone can come in on. As we've got a global membership how about telling us all what's going on in your part of the world? Send us all a Word-Postcard!!

As most know I'm in the UK. It is our summer time and for the last few weeks we've had a mixture of lovely sun and annoying heavy downpours - I mean, who knows what to go out in????LOL. We are in the "festival" season when there are loads of big 2 and 3 day events all over the UK which attract lots of top names in the music world (you may have even seen bits of Glastonbury - held in that mystically acclaimed town with its monastery ruins and the Tor) My 2 older sons have gone to Sonisphere, which (apparently) has a stellar line up this year with Metallica,Megadeath, Weezer, Slayer, Protest the Hero.... blah, blah :D.. all over 3 days. Max' car was literally groaning when they set off. They took tons of beer and those noodle pot rubbish things! Ha! I can't imagine the stooopid things they could get up to!

We also have lots of huge garden shows , after Chelsea it's now Hampton Court (one of Henry's residences) and another "Tatton Park" which takes place very near to me. Last time I was sooo envious of the water features - they would've taken up my whole garden!! Most average gardens - and properties over here are pretty small.

I'm hoping to go to Bristol in a few weeks, to catch an open air production of Treasure Island. A big galleon "set" has been built right outside the Old Vic theatre, and there will be sea shanties sung throughout (is that sea-faring tradition peculiarly British??) I think the 15yr old will love it, although they are supposedly going to tone down all the "Ha Harrrrr Jim m'ladd!" in favour of a realistic Cornish accent. Interestingly there are only a few people who can now speak the old Cornish language, and it was rated as "extinct" until recently. Bristol houses the SS. Great Briton, and Clifton Suspension Bridge; triumphs by Isembard Kingdom Brunel - which we visited 2 years ago.

Wimbledon's over which always leaves a vacuum, but I love following the Tour De France on the telly. Too bad our Bradley Wiggins has been invalided out. I expect lots of Brits will take to their bikes again this summer, inspired by the Tour.... bit energetic for me!

Well , I have to go and do all the essentials / food shopping now (Brits do try and have barbecues on sundays but who knows if they'll be rained off :P) Have a lovely weekend, and I hope to see a few more "postcards" when I'm back!

Big Hugs,

Ruth xx

Well that was a lovely read Ruth. We're right in the middle of some really nasty windy, winter weather, though sitting here in the bay window with the sun streaming through I'm feeling decidedly cat-like (all warm and snoozy) But that might have more to do with the rather late night and too much wine we've just had! We had a "mid-winter" fest here with our neighbours, complete with the second of the plum puddings I made at Christmas. It has become quite a tradition here in Australia to have a "Christmas" in July so that we can indulge in a full on Christmas dinner, since it's usually way too warm for one in December. It's a good excuse anyway!

Not all that much to write about really, in winter I tend to hibernate a little, the days are short and often it's just plain nasty outside with a southerly blowing up from Antarctica. We are fairly sheltered where we live and we don't feel the full force of these chilly winds, we hear them roaring up in the trees. It's when we have to venture out that we get to know what's really happening "out there"! I try to keep my shopping trips to a minimum at this time of year, I really do hibernate! But we are now past the shortest day, and in no time at all we'll be surrounded by blossoming trees and daffodils and we'll have a lovely warm Spring and Summer to look forward to

That's about all there is, what is everyone else up to?

Hugs

Linda

Lovely to read about what is happening in your part of the world girls. Here in Adelaide, we are right in the throws of Winter. It has been very cold, but we have had lots of long spells without rain. No one tends to complain about the rain here in Winter as we really need it to get ready to manage through the Summer months. Our rain this year has been all or nothing. Days of cold dry weather and then straight out of the blue really heavy rain and lots of hail. Lovely when you are inside, not such fun when you are caught out in it or trying to drive. Our Aussie Football teams here in South Australia have not been doing very well at all and so it gives lots of people who follow it reason to complain. Lots of weeding in the garden this time of the year, and lots of reasons not to do it - too cold and damp. Terrific bear making weather if you can sneak the time. Lots of political carrying on at the moment here and lots of politicians expanding a lot of hot air. My daughter Britt starts her week of work experience tomorrow at a Lawyers firm in the City, and so that shall be really interesting to see how she goes. It will be non stop chatter from her tomorrow night about her experiences - I can't wait. Some people get moody, quiet teenagers - I am lucky - mine is a real chatterbox and I get such full, juicy details! She is such a sweetie. I really hope she enjoys her "Rumpole of the Bailey" experience. That's it from Adelaide for the moment.

So good to read what you have all been up to...you all sound so busy.

We have just finished replanting our  front garden and things look like they have already begun to grow. But, like Linda, we tend to hibernate during the winter most of the time and it's been perfect weather to sit beside the fire and sew...'cept it's not what I've been doing today. We donned our winter woolies and ventured out into the blustery Melbourne weather to visit Shukran - Purveyors of Fine Handmade Persian and Oriental Rugs. What a blast we had, feeling and admiring the beautifully designed rugs...those guys turned them over like they were bed sheets! Sunday always seems to be the best day for Glenn and I to shop and find exactly what were looking for...today was no exception. We found the perfect Turkish rugs to replace the rugs that were showing signs of wear in our dining room and kitchen.

We've just finished our yummy roast pork dinner (yep Linda we ate Babe again). Right now Glenn's brushing the dog and I'm watching Master Chef, then were going to finish watching Berkeley Square (the series on loan from Betty...thanks Betty!!).

Okay we have heard from UK,  Tassie, South Australia and Victoria...what about the other states?

Hi girls, what a lovely thread Ruth stared. I too live in South Australia, and like Christine, its winter and cold. Although I much prefer this weather than stinking hot in the summer. It is school holidays in Adelaide so I have quite a few days booked up. That means baking like crazy the day before and cleaning up the day after. I must say I do love having them. Although Saturday night my 11 year old went to bed and asked for a bucket. I think he ate too much. I told him to lie very still! All was Ok.

I'm looking forward to see th Waterhouse Art Exhibition this month. I always go with a neighbour, we love it.

Pulling weeds in the garden, is a continual chore, and for some reason my roses sent up succors this year so it's been a big job tearing them off. The camellias are just beautiful this winter.

A lot of my time is spent sewing bears, although at the moment I seem to have the go slows. I'm making a big bear for an order. It has to look like the lady's bear when she was a child, with out a picture. So hard. I have done lots of research with her saying it has this ones head and that ones arms, shorter legs and ears up high. I think I will take it to her before the head is finished so she can tell me about the expression. A tough one.

Happy sewing to you all.

Good to hear everyone is keeping so beary busy! It is the coldest winter up here in Queensland for many years. We are nearly getting blown away up on the mountain! I am working on some penguins at the moment - maybe there will be some snow for them soon...LOL! 

The only thing alive in the garden is the geraniums and the weeds. Well back to work,

How lovely to read all your "postcards" ladies! It is really strange for me to hear all about your Winter right now - I can see how having a big old Christmas dinner works better for you in July!

My sons arrived back from their festival yesterday; with very sun-weathered faces and relieved of lots of their money! Guy told me that they stood inside the arena one day from 3pm till 11.30pm, and when it was time to go back to the camp site he couldn't bend his legs!!!

I have now booked my tickets and the hotel (Yay!) so I can't wait to go off on our little expedition in August.

Oh yes, Christine - my youngest is on his 2nd week of work experience too - he's not going far; in to the town - at an Apple accredited service / repair place, so he spends each day drooling over those Mac book Air things! Will Britt get paid? We aren't sure if Brett will get anything at the end.

I'll look forward to more news from around the world; it really does "connect" everyone doesn't it?

Big Hugs,

Ruth

It sounds like everyone has had enough winter this year, we have had terrible winds lately and when it happens the old trees start coming down around town. It is not as bad as the towns higher up the mountains though, they were hit very hard...at least we didn’t lose our power so stayed nice and cosy. The only thing I like about this windy weather is the nice soft washing from the clothesline. I am looking forward to getting out in the garden when it warms up as it is a bit of a mess at the moment… but then it usually is over winter. I had to venture out and tie up one of my standard roses that was being blown by the winds during the storms, there as some bulbs starting to flower as well as the Daphne, so not too long to wait for spring now. I do love the soups and slow cooked meals during winter and roasts and hot chocolate..mmm better stop there. I like that we have such dramatic seasons there is always something wonderful to look forward to like the first shoots in spring and crunchy leaves underfoot in autumn.

Britt won't get paid for her work experience Ruth, I don't know how it is in the rest of Australia, but when teenagers do work experience through school at a firm, it is completely voluntary.  Thankfully, she really enjoyed her week at the Lawyers and got to go to court twice for hearings.  She thought it quite funny how she had to bow at the Judge upon entering and leaving.

It must be winter!!!!! We had our yearly winter , warmer, soup day at "Bears and Friends" today. The room was full of polar bears and penguins.

Brett didn't get anything either!! Although there's a chance he might pick up a Saturday job out of it.

Kay that sounds intriguing! Wish I could come too

Susan I don't know what I'd do without my slow cooker...lamb shanks going in tomorrow! Hyacinths just breaking through now, so looking forward to their perfume filling the air.

Christine/Ruth, I think it may be up to the individual employers here, but I know my kids got paid when they did work experience, but that was years ago and I know things have changed a lot since then.

Kay, we need to train you...where's the photos??? We would have loved to see the polar bears and penguins.

Sandi, you need to get the whip out. I never thought. We always have a lovely day at "Bears and Friends". You have now prompted my mind and I will try next time.

It's so cold here, my fingers go numb sewing.

HI EVERYONE!!! Sorry for being a stranger but with one thing and another I don't get a chance to pop in. Grab the latest Dolls, Bears and Collectables for my  article on the Toowoomba Doll & Bear Show in May. I had to have the article written and photos on a disc and then posted to Simon within 3 days of the show! PHEW! 

I think we all have had enough of this cold weather! It makes me feel older when the cold gets into my poor aching joints. We are over the half way through winter  point...YEAH!  YES Kay it is too cold to sew or type and I am wearing my Damart gloves all day! CHEERIO! 

We had another fall of snow this afternoon...I love to see the  flakes drifting down from the clouds. It didn't cover as much as last time but still managed to close the roads in both directions of town. It is raining now so by tomorrow it will all be gone again but it is so pretty while it lasts.

Hi All!

Well it is school holidays and my brother came down with his twin 7 1/2 year old girls so Elkie had a ball. Then we headed for Perth for a few days and tripped around on the CAT buses and the train ...just for the ride...as Elkie loves it!!!!

When we got home on saturday it was Play Play Play!!!! Then on Monday I got a real treat in the mail....MY BLOG WIN FROM LINDA B!!!!!!

A Gorgeous , Adorable little bear called 'Mon' ( thanks to me) popped her head out of the box and got snuggled to death!!!!! She is just fabulous!!! The sweet little expression is heart stopping....wish I could do that Linda B!!!!!

Anyway I feel incredibly lucky to win her and it could be a while before she meets her brothers and sisters in the bear room!!!

This is the first year in Albany that I have felt I need to head north for the winter as the last couple of weeks have been soooooo COLD!!! Maybe I am just getting old...sob sob!!! Still had a nice few hours of warm sun yesterday morning and have to head off to the Target toy sale in half an hour as it is Elkie's 6th birthday next tuesday!!!!

Gotta go!!!! Hope everyone is healthy and HAPPY!!!!

Hugs Lindaxxxx