Great News about My Mailing List

Today I had expected to show you my newest bear available for adoption.  However, it didn't quite work out that way. 

I posted dear Walter, my new 16-inch old-style bear, on my website yesterday evening.  About 15 minutes later I sent out an email to my mailing list.  I stepped away from the computer for a few minutes for a break.  And when I came back I was planning on posting Walter on my blog for all of you to read about, but Walter had already sold.  That's the quickest I've sold a bear yet (besides special requests, of course)--six minutes after sending the email to my mailing list. 

So, considering that, I think now is perhaps a great time to tell you a bit about a new happening on my website.  I am having a Spring Giveaway exclusively for my mailing list members.  The drawing for Sugar Plum the "elephump" will be on the first day of spring, March 21st.

I would be honored if any of you would like to join my mailing list.  You can join from the Mailing List box on the right side bar or by going to my website.  My mailing list members want to be the first to know about available Bingle Bears and critters.  But don't feel that my mailing list is the only place to get "goodies."  I promise I will be having a giveaway exclusively for my blog readers within the next few months--a  cute 12-inch bear!

Heaps of Hugs,

Cheryl

Oh My! A Disclaimer may be in Order!

Now if Pooh and Piglet looked that closely at my floors, shelves, or tabletops, I would be completely found out.  So, instead I will confess (with head hanging down).  My house is not clean.  It's all an illusion.

Our house is generally fairly tidy.  We get little piles here and there occasionally.  The art table often has several projects in various stages of done-ness lying about.  And we won't even GO into our daughters' rooms--I think one should have a permit to see that.  But in general, if someone came into our house and left quickly, it would give the impression of cleanness.  Note the key word--impression.

HOWEVER, our house is not the cleanest.  We have enough dust bunnies that I think it is time we named them because they are becoming a part of the family.  And a creative toddler (or I) could have a field day making pictures on the dusty shelves.  And if we had unexpected visitors, I would likely skid across the floor in order to shield their view from our bathrooms.

Now with my confession over, I plan to decorate the shelves with a few "dust pictures."

Heaps of Hugs,
Cheryl

Studio Tour--Otherwise Known as My Home

I'm so fond of seeing other people's studios and how they live.  I find it so inspiring.  Joanne of Desertmountainbear recently shared her lovely home and studio.  She reminded me that we don't just create in our studios, but in many places in our homes and lives.  So, with camera in hand, I snapped some photos of the places that I work and create.  Here we go, let's begin the tour!

We live in a small house, so I have supplies everywhere--stuffing materials in the pantry, felting stuff in a pretty tote bag, baskets with odds and ends, etc.  However, we do have a dedicated "art room" that the family shares, but the room is primarily mine and my husbands (he's a photographer).

My husband works on the right side of the big table--the computer, printer (below the desk), and his odds and ends are basically his photography "darkroom."

The green cabinet is where most of my bear supplies are. The 4 cloth boxes and the large bottom draw store my mohair. In some ways it is good that I don't have that much storage room--my self-imposed rule is that if I don't have room for the mohair, I can't buy it!

I use my featherweight at the end of the room to sew everything.  I like how well it works perched on my grandmother's old Singer treadle cabinet/machine. Oh, and the black box on the side table stores my big jointing disks.  By the way, our bird feeder is just outside the big window on the left.  How I love sitting here and watching the birds!

Here's our little office area where I do all of my computer work.  In fact, in the first photo, you can see our eldest daughter working on the computer from our art room.  I think I had a tag-a-long in this photo--notice our little black lump on the carpet (otherwise known as Bingley). 

This couch is where I often embroider noses, attach joints, and stuff critters in the evening.  The top shelf of the bookcase has become a safe haven for finished critters or critters awaiting clothing or important things like bodies and ears.  If you look closely, you'll see a bear head sitting in a pot on the second shelf.

And lastly we see the rest of the living room and the "big red chair" and ottoman where I like to read my bear books and occasionally use the laptop.

Goodness!  You've seen almost our entire first floor except for our kitchen and dining room.  Although, you have caught a glimpse or two of our dining room.  Thinking about it, I suppose I should have included a photo of our dining room table since I often create patterns on it while the kids are working on school.  Oh well.  Perhaps another time.

No place is safe from bear-working.  It's just all part of life!

Heaps of Hugs,

Cheryl

Yippee Skippy! Bearbits is Having Another Giveaway!

Yep, you read it correctly.  Ginger of Bearbits is having a Spring Giveaway, so I suggest you spring on over there and check little Blossom out.  Click HERE and, whoosh, you will be there!

Heaps of Hugs,
Cheryl

Thoughts on Beauty

This morning was one of those unusual clear, bright winter mornings.  I wasn't in a hurry to do anything and I settled down into one of the wicker chairs in our art room next to a big picture window.  Every branch of every tree sparked white with a fresh coat of ice from a late evening rain yesterday.  It was all so lovely, so I slid open the lace curtains to better see the bird feeder just outside the window.  My reward was a beautiful female cardinal.

Now I don't know exactly where cardinals live and don't live, so I have to assume that some of you may not have cardinals in your next of the woods.  Here in the northeast, the male cardinals are the stars.  Paintings of their bright red plumage decorate so many Christmas cards, boxes, and other home decorations.  They certainly stand out in our snowy winters.  However, the female cardinal gets jostled completely out of the picture to the point that many people may not know her if they saw her.  (Female cardinal photos by Bob Mullen.)

Well, our little girl kept coming back to the feeder over and over, each time alternating with her flashy mate.  She was so stunningly and quietly beautiful.  I was simply in awe over all of the colors in her feathers.  Golden creams, rich browns, light cocoa, pale peaches.  All of these beautiful colors melting seamlessly into the others.  Absolutely splendid. 

And underneath all of these gorgeous colors hid a surprise.  Her bottom tail and wing feathers, normally hidden beneath her muted earth colors, are bright orange-red.  I was totally mesmerized!  I watched her come back again and again until she had had her fill and I sat there absolutely still and facinated. 

Like so many female birds, she is considered more bland than her male partner.  She is overlooked and often forgotten.  But, oh my, talk about breathtaking.  She's elegant, graceful, and beautifully attired.  Instead of flash, bling, killer high heels, and a "look-at-me" dress, she's wearing pearls, pumps, and the ever-classic shift.  But don't be too hasty in judging her, because under that subdued elegance is a secret.  She's quick, bright, and listens to her inner call.

I wonder how often the same may be said for some of us.  Many in the world may not immediately notice us, but the reward is great for those who do take the time to stop, notice, and learn about us.

Heaps of Hugs,

Cheryl

Wheeeee! It's a Snow Day!

Yippee Skippy!  Look at all this SNOW!  I feel like a little kid on a snow day.  It looks SO pretty outside--I do so love a new snow especially when it sticks to everything.  Everything is all fairyland-like and glowing.  I'm sorry for complaining these past two posts, but it does get tiring when the snow is old and drab.  And I really LOVE the summers here.  They are so mild and lovely.

Look at our patio this morning!

Here's the view from our other set of French doors that lead out onto our patio.  Matt had to shovel a path so that Bingley could get outside.

Now Bingley can go out! 

Notice the piles are well over halfway as tall as our garage.  I thought of taking pictures of our yard, but it's just all white--it's hard to tell how much snow there is out there.  And guess what?!  People just 10 miles north of us get TONS more snow than we do!

Enjoy your day!  I know I will.  I will be enjoying the sparkly new snow from our warm and cozy home while I drink hot cocoa and work on bears.  What could be better than that?!

Warmly,

Cheryl

P.S.  I should have some new photos of critters this weekend.

Snow and More Snow

Yes, we have snow and more snow and are going to get even more snow.  So many things have been cancelled--the schools are closed and even the libraries have closed early today.  I really am looking forward to spring, but I can't remember a time when spring has sprung earlier than May.  It seems like we always get snow in April and the occasional snow in May is unusual, but not unheard of.  I remember many years ago, we had 5 feet of snow fall within 24 hours in the middle of April.

So, to keep us in a snowy mood, I think a snowy song is in order.  And Winnie-the-Pooh (A.A. Milne) has the best one.

The more it snows (Tiddely pom),

The more it goes (Tiddely pom),

The more it goes (Tiddely pom),

On snowing.

And nobody knows (Tiddely pom),

How cold my toes (Tiddely pom),

How cold my toes (Tiddely pom),

Are growing.

Thinking warm thoughts,

Cheryl