LJ BEARS

MY BEAR REACHES THE SOUTH POLE!

2012-02-28T17:40:00.000Z

Wow! My Bear OLLY has reached the South Pole with the guys. I am so chuffed to bits that TEAM MERCURY asked me to make their 4th Team Member. They came in second to the Norwegians but hey I am so proud of little OLLY and he did it all without a coat! but The guys Mark and Bill did extremely well too didn't they?

PREVIEW FOR HUGGLETS 26th February

2012-02-18T14:02:00.000Z

PREVIEW OF BEARS FOR THE HUGGLETS

Winter Bear Fest - Kensington, London

on the 26th February

Find me in Hall 3 111A

10.30 - 4pm

BATHROOM Part 2!

2012-02-18T13:56:00.000Z

Well its slow! but we have the underfloor heating down and the tiles fitted on top - not wired up yet though! the plumbing is all done and the shower tray has been levelled!. Radiator moved and electrics being sorted! Slow but steady:

NEW BATHROOM Part 1!

2012-02-09T13:32:00.000Z

Paul (hubby) is his wisdom, decided that a new Bathroom was now in order! so this weekend our old one was totally dismantled! As ever he had a helpful friend to keep watch and make sure that all the pipes were blocked off: How long will I be with out a Bathroom - well who knows! he's back with the day job now and there does not seem to be a lot being done evening wise! Will report back with pictures as it progresses! Fortunately just in case you we wondering we do have a separate toilet!!

Paul with BRAMBLE is work mate!!

ROBBIE for Burns Night!

2012-01-20T08:37:00.000Z

Time for a new Bear! ROBBIE ready for his Birthday on Burns Night the 25th January!

January going so fast again - busy with orders and making Bears for the Hugglets TEDDIES 2012 show in late February

http://www.hugglets.co.uk

also posted this month is SPLASH#4 off to Canada

and HEATHER to the UK

THIS MORNINGS MOON

2012-01-12T10:39:00.000Z

What a wonderful sight this morning when I opened the Bedroom curtains the sky was clear and there in full view and light was the wonderful moon. What a fantastic start to a new day.

1st NEW BEAR of 2012

2012-01-05T15:36:00.001Z

PERFECT IN PINK is my first Bear of 2012. Hope that you like her:
It was howling a gale here in Hampshire today so I knitted her a bobbly scarf to wear!

Perfect in Pink

TALITHA'S CHRISTMAS BEAR

2012-01-01T20:05:00.000Z

This year was Talitha's 2nd Christmas and I had 7 Story Books about BRADLEY The New Forest Bear, these have been written by Christine Rix and are on general sale in Book shops or via Christine herself (just e-mail me for details).
I created the Teddy for Talitha so she could have the Bear as well to bring the stories to life. I expect Mummy or Daddy are reading them to her, they are all about BRADLEY'S adventures in The New Forest and the Village's around here.

With love Talitha from Grandma xx

READY NOW FOR CHRISTMAS

2011-12-21T10:09:00.000Z

At last! I am ready for the Christmas Holiday. My workroom is a bit of a mess but that will wait until next week sometime! Tree is all up and the food is in or ordered - Time for a rest. Thank you to all who have adopted this year or have just viewed and read this blog - hope you have found some interesting posts. December the 21st is the shortest day and first day of Winter so it can only be onwards and upwards. Spring around the corner!

All that remains is to wish you a very HAPPY CHRISTMAS xx

TEAM MERCURY on their way!

2011-12-16T11:02:00.000Z

Team Mercury! Are a 3 man British Army team who will be competing in the Amundsen Omega South Pole Race:
They are 3 serving members of the British Army plus the 4th member OLLY below

THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY! GOOD LUCK LADS AND OLLY!

Follow them on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/132973759193/?notif_t=group_activity

LJ BEARS has supplied the teams official mascot and the 4th member of the Polar Team 'OLLY'!

CHRISTMAS BEARS

2011-11-20T22:18:00.000Z

Well I have been busy on the Bears and not just riding the Bike across the country! Autumn is well and truly set in now so riding is on the back burner for a few months unless the days are really fine. Any way back to the Bears: Christmas Bears below, most have found new homes for the holiday but I thought you might like to see their pictures anyway!

BERRY MYST

CHRISTMAS BOX

HOT CHOCOLATE

JANGLE YEW TREE

WINTER BERRY

WINTER LIGHT

The Inquisitive Mind of a Child

2011-11-11T12:19:00.001Z

The Inquisitive Mind of a Child

Why are they selling poppies, Mummy?
Selling poppies in town today
The poppies, child are flowers of love
For the men who marched away
But, why have they chosen a poppy, Mummy?Why not a beautiful rose?
Because, my child, men fought and died
In the fields where the poppies grow
But why are the poppies so red, Mummy?
Why are the poppies so red?
Red is the colour of blood, my child
The blood our soldiers shed
The heart of the poppy is black, Mummy?
Why does it have to be black?
Black, my child, is the symbol of grief
For the men who never came back
But, why mummy, are you crying so?
Your tears are giving you pain
My tears are my fears for you my child
For the worlds is - FORGETTING AGAIN

CHRISTCHURCH, DORSET - POPPY LAUNCH

2011-10-31T11:20:00.000Z

Another Poppy Launch for Paul and myself, this time last Saturday at Christchurch in Dorset. Just down the road for us! Sunny and cloudy this time but a wonderful mornings fun had by us all. Once again all the bikes were well received, lots of people crowded into the little shopping square to see the Bikes and listen to the great band and watch the Army, Navy and RAF cadets with their competitions. All in all a great Poppy Launch for Christchurch, we shall be back next year to do it all again!
As ever pictures tell the story, hope you like them.
Promise I will get back to BEARS soon!!!!!

Meeting point!

Arrival at Saxon Square

Paul just had to climb the Cadets Wall! but did he make it with his old bones!

Of course he did!

Next the Army Cadets won the tug of War and chose to take the Legion Riders on!
Big mistake on the boys behalf, there was supposed to have been 6 Cadets on the other end
more like all the crowd!!!

We shall be back next year!

A WET SOUTHAMPTON POPPY LAUNCH!

2011-10-27T10:36:00.000+01:00

Paul and I left the home yesterday morning at 8.30am in torrential rain! Fortunately we do have all the 'gear' for the Bike but non the less the spray on the motorway was 'not pleasant'! to say the least. Only an hours ride for us to the meeting place this time. 24 Bikes turned up for the Southampton Poppy Launch at the West Quay Shopping centre.
There was a small service inside the shopping centre then one of the Marines abseiled from the ceiling followed by all the falling poppies. The cadets then took the poppy boxes through the centre and out to the waiting bikes where they were presented to 3 of the riders and then we all left through the centre with a great deal of noise as you can imagine!!
Pictures tell my story once again:

Wet on the outside, dry in the middle but still smiling!!!

Abseiling from the ceiling!

The poppies falling

Presentation of the poppy boxes to the Riders

TOPAZ is the SCORPIO BIRTHSTONE BEAR!

2011-10-25T17:07:00.000+01:00

Have now finished the eleventh Bear in my series of Birthstone Bears. TOPAZ is the Bear for all us Scorpios! ( yes its my Birthday this month too) those with Birthdays between October 23rd and November 21st. If you would like to see the other Bears in the series please visit:
http:www.ljbears.co.uk/BIRTHSTONEBEARS.htm
#1 has already been adopted to the USA but the picture below is of Bear#2 and is available now:

HEROES AT HIGHCLERE CASTLE

2011-10-17T17:26:00.004+01:00

Sunday Paul & I ventured out in the early hours 6.30am! to Highclere Castle. Only a 60 mile journey for us but made worse by the freezing cold and thick, thick fog from the minute we left our home. Not much fun I can assure you on a motorbike! There was no one on the road (I wonder why not)! and the motorway was empty but then we could only just see in front of us. Hypothermia was settling in on our arrival at the meeting point, the poor staff in the motorway service station must have been amused at 110 bikes all arriving and everyone dashing to find the air dryers for their frozen hands!!
All the bikes were on display in front of the Castle and the 30 that were in the display team (which included Paul) did a really good job considering they had not practised! or even performed anything like that before in a display arena, and on wet grass! No one fell over! Great day, very well supported again by the general public, several thousand people and the sun shone from mid day onwards. The high light had to be the AVRO VULCAN which flew over twice, what an aircraft in the sky to see, well worth waiting for that to happen. As always pictures below: hope you enjoy them.

Very early at Highclere, no one else about yet!!

Paul and I had a good look around the static aircraft well before everyone arrived, later in the day you could not see the aircraft for all the people around and in them!

The boys will never live this down : practising their display outside the arena without their motorbikes!!!

Video link below to see the boys in all their glory!!!!

The Royal Horse Artillery and gun carriage

This was the War Horse! absolutely brilliant, after a little while you forgot that 3 men were working him! He strolled around the Castle grounds most of the afternoon.

And finally the AVRO VULCAN: if only you could hear the noise from that wonderful aircraft

AUTUMN BEARS!

2011-10-11T18:13:00.000+01:00

LITTLE CEDAR, AUTUMN GLOW and MILKY WAY#2

I am sort of still here! been a little under the weather of late but loved making these Autumn Bears, the colours are changing rapidly here in the UK now and there is a definite Brrrrr in the air in the early evenings, just three more weeks and we move our clocks back an hour! then it will really be Autumn and dark.

GOOD SHOW IN LONDON!

2011-09-12T19:48:00.000+01:00

Well that was a hectic day yesterday - 92 miles from here in Hampshire to Kensington, no rain on the way there but thick white cloud and an empty motorway at 6.30am!
Arrived at 8.30am and the people were already lining up outside!
Paul and I had a wonderful day, chatted to lots of customers and friends, some we have known for over 10 years and some very new customers. One even from Singapore who ordered a Bear from me several years ago it was really good that he went to the trouble to find me and come and say hello. Several of the Bears found new homes and those that are remaining are now on the website and listed below:
http://www.ljbears.co.uk
Pictures below for you:

LUPIN

GRENADIER GUARDSMAN

MAYFAIR

HONEY BEAR

LOU LOU

As always a big thank you to our customers that we saw yesterday and thank you to so many of you for adopting one of our Bears x

PREVIEW OF BEARS FOR HUGGLETS, LONDON 11th SEPTEMBER

2011-09-06T20:52:00.000+01:00

I think I might just have time to create one more Bear for the Sunday Show but in the meantime here are the Ted's ready and waiting!

LUPIN - BOUNCER BUNNY - PIZZAZZ

GRENADIER and COLDSTREAM GUARDSMEN
RUBY - MOCHA CHOCA CHINO - MILKY WAY

MOCHA GRANDE - CHESTNUT and little
HONEY BEAR!

SEATON, DEVON ILLUMINATED CARNIVAL

2011-09-05T10:11:00.000+01:00

Paul and I headed back to Devon again this past weekend 3rd/4th Sept for the Seaton Illuminated Carnival. Once again as members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch we were taking part in the carnival with the Motorbikes. This time we were at the front behind the fire engine and the Sea Cadet band! What a Carnival, they certainly know how to put one on in the West Country. Extremely well supported too, with thousands of people lining the streets all in the darkness. There were at least 40 marvellously lit colourful floats with a good five or more majorette troops and all the Royalty floats too from the neighbouring towns. The colour and the lights were fantastic and the noise! The largest float at the end of the parade was 100 ft long! Once all had passed the Sea Cadet band played and the bikes lined up with them for the Sunset service. Afraid this time the pictures are not very good - it was very dark and the lights were very bright so your imagination will have to come in hand this time!
I did take a few pictures of Seaton itself just before breakfast on Sunday but it was a very cold and cloudy morning.

We stayed overnight at the Eyre Court in Seaton
just 100 yards from the Sea, more Seagulls as a dawn
chorus!!!!

BORING BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!

2011-08-30T13:46:00.000+01:00

Well as you all know Paul and I live on the edge of the New Forest In Hampshire, to the West is the sea side town of Bournemouth and to the East is the port of Southampton. Our roads during the past bank holiday weekend were crammed solid with Cars and Caravans all making their way to the Forest, Sea and Ports.
We have learnt not to bother travelling over this weekend as it is one very long traffic jam in all directions. So it was a weekend of some work and some tidying up of the garden. It all needed doing and at least it did not rain. The pond in the front garden being to biggest challenge! Pictures below to show the improvements! and as you can see despite all the rain the flowers are still performing very well. As always JAZZ has to be in on the act - she is never far away when we are gardening:

We can see some of the fish once more!

A beautiful pink water lilly was hiding!

JAZZ never far away!

And of course our flag is always flying
high in our garden:

ROMEO HAS HIS JULIETTE!

2011-08-16T21:32:00.000+01:00

Last February I made Romeo

and he found a lovely new home with Monica and her family. Well Romeo needs a Juliette! so last week she left my workroom to meet her Romeo:

This is what Monica had to say: Juliette has joined her Romeo and he is over the moon at meeting her as are we. She is absolutely gorgeous in every way.

Romeo simply couldn't believe his eyes when we opened her travelling box and out she clambered with her cheeky grin. They make a wonderful couple and are now snuggled together gazing into each others eyes as they get acquainted.

Her curly fur is a beautiful colour and her little face is so cheeky and happy that you simply have to smile when you look at her.

Thank you so much from Romeo and all of us at Four Paws House.

Sending you lots of beary hugs from Romeo and all of his beary friends.

Best wishes

Monica

SHORT BREAK BACK HOME FOR PAUL & MYSELF!

2011-08-16T21:15:00.000+01:00

Paul and I took a break away from work for the past few days and made the 200 mile journey on the Harley back to the place we both grew up in - Clacton-on-Sea in Essex that is on the East coast of the UK. My baby Brother Colin and his Wife Sue and their son John live there and it was a great opportunity to say Hello to them all again after a very long time. We had a great few days, and found a big change in the little seaside resort that we grew up in. Pictures below as usual will tell the story:

Sue, and my Brother Colin

Sue, Paul and Colin

Our Pier!

The wind turbines have changed our view

Under the Pier

Very early Monday morning

ANDOVER CARNIVAL DAY!

2011-08-01T15:47:00.000+01:00

Sunday was Andover Carnival Day and as members of the Royal British Legion Riders Branch we were invited to take part in the carnival alongside the RBL carnival float. It was a very, very hot day and as usual at these events a lot of hanging around waiting for the time to roll! There were 26 floats in all each about 40ft long - quite an impressive display.
4 o'clock saw the Carnival pull away and by 5.15 we were still going! only just though as the bikes were over heating and some had stopped all together, not a breath of fresh cooling air and we are realizing that being at the end of the procession is not a good idea on a motorbike! We did make it to the end of the procession but had to wait for the bike to cool before we could make the journey home. Some pictures below for you hope they tell their own story:

Bears on Parade Show

2011-07-18T14:33:00.000+01:00

The past weekend saw our Teddies On Parade Show: there were a few hic cups with the Pay Pal Buttons but all in all it was an enjoyable show. Five of my 10 Bears found their new homes and I had an order for a Cat! Pictures below are of the 10 Bears:

Mayfair, London Zoo Louie, Kensington, Carnaby and Chelsea

Three Guardsmen, Christopher Robin & Alice

Visit my website: http://www.ljbears.co.uk
to see who is left!

A really big THANK YOU to all who visited my page over the weekend I had some lovely
comments from you. Also a Big THANK YOU to those who gave a Teddy a new home, all your Bears are on their way this morning, except for Kensington who is waiting for a ribbon!
We had some good fun with the Chat Room, such fun talking to other bear makers from Singapore and New Zealand. Breakfast tea time for one and evening coffee for the other, so very strange. I enjoyed chatting with you all.
I know Daphne will not be reading this! but I must just say thank you to her and to her wonderful Dad for making such an event happen so smoothly. All your efforts were much appreciated.

UNEXPECTED DAY OUT TO BEER in Devon PECORAMA

2011-07-04T10:35:00.000+01:00

It was 86 miles to Beer in Devon for the Royal British Legions' 90th Birthday celebrations held at PECORAMA (model train museum). Beautiful early morning start nothing on the roads, our ride down to Devon is always wonderful the ups and downs as you near Devon mean you can see for miles around you, and being on the Harley we are just that bit taller than a car. It was a wonderful day out, very well supported again. Just six bikes this time, (there was a lot on this weekend with the Riders Branch) we should have been in Cambridge on Saturday and Lincoln on Saturday afternoon/Sunday. However circumstances change and we found our selves heading West! The Model trains were fun and the little Railway was fantastic. Paul and I had Earl Grey Tea and sandwiches in the old Pullman carriage, very 1940's - wonderful. Anyway the pictures will tell the rest of the story - hope you like them:

The Rainbow Garden!

A secret door and Garden!

and Paul in the sercet garden!

At our dedication and plaque ceremony, we all rode there on the little train, through a long tunnel around the mines and waterfalls and ponds and through gardens. Big kids playing Trains - what fun the poor little engine could hardly pull us all!

LEST WE FORGET

This plaque was unveiled
on 3rd July 2011
to commemorate
90 years of support by the
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
to serving and retired members
of the Armed Forces and their
dependants

And finally what a wonderful view for our plaque to look out over

So if you are ever in Devon do take a look around PECORAMA - I think you will find it well worth the journey then find our plaque as you ride around on the train and remember all our lads in uniform.

MY PREVIEW PICTURE FOR THE BEARS ON PARADE SHOW

2011-07-02T10:17:00.005+01:00

This is my preview picture for the BEARS ON PARADE ON LINE SHOW:

To see all the remaining 74 artist bears both miniature and over 5" visit:

http://www.teddiesworldwide.com

and don't forget to vote for your favourite Bear x

TEDDIES WORLDWIDE ONLINE SHOW

2011-06-30T16:04:00.000+01:00

'Bears on Parade'

Hello again to you all, this is just a heads up for the online Show.

The show will commence at 4pm (New York Time) July 15 to 4pm July 17th ... thats 9pm UK time

I have created 10 new... especially themed Teddy Bears and as so many have requested them, 4 of them will be under the $100 mark too!!

A COLLECTOR'S CHOICE AWARD
will be held for the first time at the show .. During the preview for the show, collectors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite preview bear. The winning bear and its creator will be announced during the show!

So be sure to VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BEAR STARTING 1st JULY

Here is the link for the preview page , it will go live at 9pm UK time, 4pm New york time on the 1st JULY
http://www.teddiesworldwide.com/

ARMED FORCES DAY ANDOVER 26th June

2011-06-27T12:44:00.000+01:00

A very hot day was spent yesterday at Andover for another Armed Forces event. Very well supported again with lots of activities for everyone. The little TIGERS children's motorcycle display team were brilliant. Taking their little bikes through fire and over ramps.
http://www.tigersmotorcycledisplayteam.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9&Itemid=14

The Red Devils parachute display team flew in, the strong sunshine made it difficult to see them up at 5,000 feet, but as always a very impressive show: You get the idea though!!

And of course no Show would be complete without handful of Motorbikes! there were a good 25 from the Royal British Legion Riders Branch

VETERANS DAY PARADE WEYMOUTH 19th June

2011-06-20T11:10:00.000+01:00

Yesterday Sunday 19th June saw Paul and I take the Harley for its first long ride since the engine rebuild! It was the Veterans Day Parade in Weymouth and we have attended this for the past three years as part of The Royal British Legion Riders Branch. The Branch is made up of Military Veterans and still serving members of the Armed Forces as well as non members of the Armed Forces all who have an interest in riding motorcycles. We now have just under 5,000 members, scattered all over the UK. I think you will find the pictures below tell their own story, this parade is well supported in Weymouth and the people go to great lengths to dress the part! The parade too a good hour from beginning to end and as always it was a pleasure to be part of such an event:

Our Harley in the middle!

Lined up ready to go!!

A sneaky picture taken of Paul!!

Oh!! he managed to find me and take a sneaky picture too!!!!

Still waiting to go!!

Lined up at the end of the parade! Look at the cloud for JUNE!!

Great day and thank you the the towns people of Weymouth

RUBY The BIRTHSTONE BEAR

2011-06-15T22:20:00.000+01:00

Am working just a little ahead of myself this week! Have finished the Birthstone Bear for the Zodiac sign of Cancer. Which is June 22st to July 22nd. She is such a wonderful vibrant red colour and she wears her little heart shaped crystal ruby on the ribbon around her neck. Numbers 1 and 2 have been adopted but I am taking orders, I hope you all like her?

RUBY June/July Birthstone Bear 11" tall

Latest Bears!

2011-06-14T10:02:00.000+01:00

May/June was the month for the Gemini Birthstone Bear - I made PEARL, enjoyed making this lovely white Bear and even made the little necklaces of Pearls to go round each Teddies neck, my beginnings at jewellery making are growing!

#1 headed for the USA very quickly followed by numbers 2, 3, 4 and 5

The June/July Bear is coming along now ready for all those Cancer Birthdays!

I did make a smaller version of Pearl at just 8" for Sue (my Sister in law) 60th Birthday on the 7th June.

Then lastly this past week I had a commission for a little ones Christening Bear - 'AXL' he is a 15" cuddly Bear, with blue and silver trimmings

ready for the end of the month

Lastly was the competition I ran at the beginning of the month - I made 'Mocha Chocó Latte' and opened this competition only to my mailing list members. Sue Douma from the USA was lucky one! and Mocha Chocó Latte is well on his way to her now.

Am now still working on your orders and commissions also the BEARS ON PARADE on line Show next month. The link below should take you to the new Website for this:
http://www.teddiesworldwide.com

OUR VERY POORLY HARLEY

2011-05-28T21:03:00.000+01:00

Well it looks as though we have driven our poor Harley into the ground! It is not well at all! all the engine has had to be stripped down and re-built! We have not been able to ride it at all this year, it has been a slow process determining what was wrong and then fixing it. We have driven the poor old Bike hard though over 14,000 miles in two years!

Hopefully we may hear the wonderful noise of the engine again by the end of this Bank Holiday weekend, then it will have to be run in and then we shall be off again! However, shall we keep this Harley Road King! or is it time to find a new one! Shhh we must say that quietly or it will never start!

FLORA & FAUNA!

2011-05-21T18:02:00.001+01:00

Still no rain for us here in the South of England, but the garden is looking lovely and everything is blooming well with a bit of additional water from the can! The Poppies are at their best at the moment, the little un-opened flowers look like fairies slippers!

We have several clematis climbing high in the garden too, they are looking wonderful too

Just the one miniature Rose out at the moment the beautiful orange against the green leaves is dazzling, with a little rain water they will all be even better.

Hope you are enjoying your garden too and you are having more rain than we are!!! Not that we want too much - it must no when to stop!

Two Bears for the website:

2011-05-07T16:15:00.000+01:00

Two new Bears for the website this week: I am not sure where the week went - it must be all the missed Mondays! with the Bank Holidays it makes the week so short.
Anyway this is PEBBLES:

This is a beautiful faux fur in all the shades of the colours that you would find on the Beach. Not too large a Bear at just 10". He is available now on my website looking for a new home, perhaps by the Beach?

Next we have: DANIEL my honey bear!

He has found himself in rather a sticky situation! He has eaten all the honey but the Bees obviously think there is more to be had! A small Bear for me at just 6".

Hope you like them - until the next time! Beary hugs x

TWO NEW BEARS ON THEIR WAY!

2011-04-27T20:15:00.000+01:00

Just two Bears to post this week, had time off over the Easter Holiday! and we have another Bank Holiday this coming weekend! So first off this week was a Silver Wedding Anniversary Bear for Susie and Andy, their Anniversary was last December! but I get there in the end! He is heading for the United States as I write x

Then off today was Jay Jay, the January Birthstone Bear for Susan.

I am still working on your other orders - I will get to them all in the end

London getting ready!

2011-04-27T18:42:00.000+01:00

Some pictures taken in London today, flags flying and the sun shining!

SPRING CLEANING, BEARS and EVERYTHING ELSE!

2011-04-21T21:47:00.000+01:00

Beautiful blue skies and hot sunshine, unheard of for the UK at Easter Time! What have we all done to deserve this? Paul was up the ladder over the past weekend cleaning the outside of the house! His idea not mine!

We have also had a little house guest staying with us for the past three weeks, her owner has been visiting family in the United States. Bramble is Chloe's Sister
and Jazz's half Sister, so all three do get along very well indeed. We have thoroughly enjoyed having her to stay, although to watch Bramble eat is an experience in its self!
If I said her food lasted her 3 seconds that might be an exaggeration!

Bramble not going too far without her Teddy!

And lastly my newest Bears - Firstly the May Birthstone Bear ESME, lots of shades of green for this May Bear, equally perfect for that Spring Birthday or just a beautiful coloured Bear to add to your hug.

Finally came my little ray of sunshine, Summer Days, could not resist hand dying some white straight pile Mohair in bright sunshine yellow to make this little Bear. As it is Easter Weekend I gave her mauve paw pads and satin ribbon for her neck. Just a baby handful at 6" tall.

HAPPY EASTER to you all, and enjoy the wonderful sunshine if it is with you!

BEARS ON THEIR WAY!

2011-04-12T09:10:00.000+01:00

Two Bramble's Bunny are heading for their new homes, one to Illinois,

and one to California

Have also sent the April Birthstone Bear, Diamonds are Forever off to his new home in Tennessee,

and the last shipping for this past week was The Royal Wedding Bear on his way to Ontario, Canada

Thank you to all my wonderful customers, your Bears are in the air as I type!

TEAM MERCURY

2011-04-05T21:34:00.000+01:00

Team Mercury! Are a 3 man British Army team who will be competing in the Omega South Pole Race in December 2011

I am so pleased to say that LJ BEARS will be supplying the teams official mascot and the 4th member of the Polar Team!

I have just received the following message from Capt W. Morris: ...I took the idea to a Charity auction Night hosted by one

of the Main sponsors (DATONG). The bear was the highest

earning lot and attracted a lot of competition,

it finally sold for £570 to a Mr Jason Blood,

who is the brother of the MD. He was thrilled to win and would

like to call the bear Olly (after his son)

The night in total raised £3715 a great result!

We have raised in excess of £34,000 now and will keep going until we get to our £60,000 target.

APRIL Birthstone Bear

2011-03-31T20:13:00.000+01:00

Its been a hectic time but I have managed to finish the APRIL Birthstone Bear in time for the 1st April. I have named him 'Diamonds are Forever'! Thought he represented the black and white diamond very well by making him a black and white Panda type Bear. I found him a lovely heart shaped crystal for his neck and finished him with a large satin bow. He is now on the website and ready for a wonderful new home x www.ljbears.co.uk

The warm Spring Sunshine

2011-03-25T17:23:00.000Z

The warmth of the Sunshine has at last seen my fishes emerge from the depths of their pond. This is the first time we have seen them all swimming near the surface for many months

Today they have even taken some food, not much but if it doesn't get too cold again over the weekend we may see them more often now.

As always though, the two ghost Koi are not so keen! They are still hiding just under the surface, if you look closely you might just be able to see them?

Earth Hour on Saturday 26th March

2011-03-22T21:26:00.000Z

Click the link below to register for EARTH HOUR this coming Saturday at 8.30pm
WHAT IS EARTH HOUR?

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change.

In 2010 a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world. from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Earth Hour is organised by WWF, we are one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organisations. Our mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature.

Register now to take part. You'll be an important part of WWF's global event

Earth Hour 2011 will take place on Saturday 26 March at 8.30pm (local time).

By registering you'll be adding your support to our message to government that we want urgent action to tackle climate change and safeguard the natural world.

http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/about_earth_hour/

Up & Downs of a weekend!

2011-03-15T16:44:00.000Z

Had a really wonderful start to the weekend with the Blooming Bear on line Show which ran for 36 hours this past weekend. My Show Bears! Pussy Cat, and Bunny all found their new homes.
Lavender Blue travelling to United States, Morning Glory is heading for Canada and Brambles the Bunny is hopping his way to the United States too. Willow the Pussy Cat is staying in the UK. Little Harriet the Hedgehog was unlucky this time, never mind though she is having fun with me! Had orders for two more Brambles the Bunny both for the US so I shall be a busy bunny too!

Then disaster struck - my little Cocker Spaniel Chloe really did become very ill and it was a dash to Vet on Monday morning and a trip to the hospital. She had an operation for a hernia and so glad to say that she was back home by tea time. These animals are just so resilient aren't they?

This is little Chloe still asleep after her traumatic day, she is 9 years old and it was
such an anxious wait waiting for the Vet to call to say all was well.

Anyway she has had a good long sleep for most of today and I expect the licking of the wound will start tomorrow and she will keep me running around after her trying to stop her! Her Sister Jazz is enjoying the walks on her own but is sleeping with her all night! Chloe is on three small meals a day at the moment, Jazz is very happy with this arrangement she can always eat food - and if you have to feed one you have to feed them both!

Chloe & her sister Jazz

Blooming Bear Show

2011-03-05T11:34:00.002Z

Next weekend sees the opening of our on line show. A preview of all 75 Bears from the different Artists around the world is already showing the link to see them is below:
www.teddiesworldwide.com

My Bear for you to see is LAVENDER BLUE, still very shy as you can see! I have created 5 new Bears! well I say Bears, but they are not all Bears! so you will have to wait and see! Shall look forward to the opening of this show next Saturday 12th March

Doobie

2011-03-01T16:21:00.000Z

The picture below is of Doobie a Teddy that I made in 2000! He arrived back home with me two days ago for a visit to the hospital part of my workroom! During home improvements in his new home he lost an eye, so Doobie has been back for a beautiful new pair of eyes. I have brushed his lovely coat and re-arranged his smart ribbon and I am so pleased he looks so good after 11 years.

Today I packed him safely into a new box and sent him back to his home. It was lovely to have Doobie here for a few hours and to know that he had been so well looked after.

Farewell Doobie I hope you enjoyed your stay in the New Forest.

HUGGLETS SHOW YESTERDAY

2011-02-28T12:04:00.000Z

A very long day but well worth all the effort, we were in the Basement and right next to the Ladies Loos but everyone found us with no trouble at all. Personally we had a tremendous day, definitely no recession in Kensington yesterday! We found it very well attended, even in our basement!, saw old and new customers, and it is always great to chat with you all. Met Carole who was Brackenwood Bears but she gave up Bear making some time ago now but it was lovely to say HI again. Bought some lovely new fabric so hopefully there will be some news Bears for you to see soon.
Libby & Natalie were there from Hamleys Toy Shop doing the rounds and clutching a huge blond Bear they were going to add to their shop. They placed an order for another collection of Bears - so I shall be busy in the weeks to come.
Thank you to you all who came and said Hello yesterday and we shall see you again in September.
Picture below of our stand yesterday

This should be fun!

2011-02-26T19:29:00.000Z

My first Blog! not really used to this but guess I shall learn.

Will start with the Show in London on Sunday at Kensington Town Hall.If you come along to find us you will need torches as we are in the
Basement! table 111A Hall 3
I have made 8 new Bears

BLOSSOM 8"

MAGIC of SPRING 8"

ROSA 8"

EASY RIDER 8"

ROSEHIP 15"

PURPLE HAZE 14"

ZANZIBAR 14"

DESERT SAND 18"