Please bear with us

Please bear with us whilst we wait for our telephone and broadband line to be reconnected.The white wires in the picture are supposed be be joined, that was until our builder decided to cut through it. Being fair to him, the wire was not very deep under the path.
So sorry for any delay in either answering emails or updating the web site.
Bearst wishes from a very quiet house.

Maureen and very unhappy Keith

underneath the arches

Hi
Here is what we have been up to this weekend, replacing a single rose arch with 2 new ones, watched by Sid the squirrel, who wa smore interested in being able to get to the peanuts put out for the birds. I can't wait until our new climbing roses start to grow and then flower, fingers crossed because neither Keith or I have green fingers.

Bearst wishes
Maureen

busy weekend

what a busy weekend, I have just put my latest creation, pictured above, onto my web site, been shopping for most of Saturday, I need some retail therapy for a break from bear making, that is my excuse, not sure Keith understands, LOL.

Also been counting the birds in our back garden for a survey by the RSPB, had the pleasure of seeing many waxwings last week, it appears they were travelling through Aylesbury on their way to warmer climates, a very pretty and sensible bird.

Now I am cheering on my football team, West Ham, in the FA Cup.

Bearst wishes

Bearst wishes for 2011

Back from holidays

Hi, we have just returned from a great break in Las Vegas.
The photo above is from the Bellagio Conservatory, an amazing free attraction, although, yes, you guessed that Keith says it looks like me.
No doubt Keith will be putting some more photos onto the web site later.
We saw Diana Ross, Terry Fator, Phantom of the Opera twice, and Rod Stewart, sorry to say that Barry Manilow cancelled his show.
All in all a really great time.
It is hard to come back to the UK with such cold temperatures and to recover from jet lag.
Thanks for your patience, all your emails will be answered as soon as we can.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

Evita at new Aylesbury theatre

HI
Myself, Keith and a couple of friends have just been to the first night of the touring Evita at the new theatre in Aylesbury, our home town.
What a wonderful production, 1st class, congrats to all the cast and crew involved.
We all loved it, although the seats in the theatre are not that comfortable.
But it saved us travelling up to london to se the show.
Well done every one.

my little Cupcake

This photo is of Cupcake with a special card I have made.

Cupcake - breast cancer charity panda

Cupcake is now on eBay, all the profits will go to the Breast Cancer Charity.

Full details and the link to eBay is on my website.

http://www.mawspaws.com.

Please note, there is no postage/shipping to add to the final bid, as I will be pleased to take care of that.

Thanks for your support.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

Teddies 2010

Hi
Well what a wonderful day at Teddies 2010 yesterday.
The drive into London was straight forward and we did not get lost, that was a nice change.
Then after setting up the show began, and it was great, we met so many of our collectors and some new ones now.
I was so pleased with all the positive comments I was given, it really is appreciated and keeps me going.
I know I have said that before, but I really mean it.
So a very big thank you to everyone we had a chance to speak to and especially those of you that adopted one or more of my creations.
Thank you.

The photos Keith took have come out with a red mist over them, but if possible I will add one to the blog later.

Now we are looking forward to our holiday and have seen that other friends have had the experience of a chocolate pizza, we cant wait to try it out.

Thanks to all of you that sent birthday wishes to our grandson, he had a great day, and my how the years past, he was 2 years old on Saturday.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

Dental torture

Hi all

We have all been there, I had to go to the dentist and the torture was not only in the dentists chair, my how expensive things are nowadays, for 2 crowns, the bill, just short of £1000.

My do I have to be careful what I eat now, no hard toffee for me, but cream cakes are fine, LOL.

I have also been trying to get some creations ready for my big show in London in Sept, also trying to keep the web site ticking over.

Our garden has really suffered from a lack of water, it has rained all around us, but we have missed out, it has been such a shame for the plants.

So glad that July has now passed and looking forward to a better August.

At least our hedgehog, Horace , has been visiting us every night for his food, sometimes bringing friends with him, well we think he is a he, to prickly to pick up and have a look......

Enough of my moans and groans, back to making a new creation for the web site.

our other passion

As most of you know we are not green fingered but do love our little garden.
When some trailing lobelia came out as shown in the picture, we thought we would win the world cup. Well at least our lobelia is putting on a good show.
Keith has spent ages trying to find out the flowers name, but has failed, so we will just enjoy it without it real name.

4 hedgy's and waddesdon manor

What a great day yesterday was, Keith and I spent a few hours at a mansion near our home, thank goodness it is not our house, the bills would be enormous, LOL.
Then I just had to wake Keith up, we had 4 hedgehogs having fun in our back garden, we are not sure if Horace our original hedgy has found a mate and there was 2 offspring or if we have some new visitors.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

back from our holiday

Just getting back into the swing of things as we have just returned from a wonderful week in Spain.

Thankfully our flights were OK, after the volcanic ash problems.

Had a lovely time and stayed at out favourite hotel in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol.

The Yaramar is the tall blue hotel in the photo, with the other photo showing the view from our room.

Must say a big thank you to the wonderful staff at the hotel
although we had some very sad news whilst there, the resident pianist, who we had known for many years and had a special tune that he played for us, theme to Titanic, has passed away just a week before we arrived at the hotel.

There was also a great internation fiesta that eventually some photos will go up onto the web site..

Now it is back to work for both myself and Keith, who is getting through the emails that need replying to.

Congratulations

Hi
It is congratulations to Kim in Ohio, USA, who was the lucky winner of Rosebud in the Easter Draw.
Thank you for all the wonderful comments you sent regarding the draw.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

Easter Gift Draw

Rosebud draw
My way of saying thank you for your support and Happy Easter.
Check my web site for details, but you need to join my website email update list to have a chance to win Rosebud.
Bearst of luck.
Maureen

great weekend

What a great weekend we have just had, we had a very tiring visit from our grandson, who has far to much energy for his granny and granddad. Bless him

new creation on Ebay

Hi

Feeling a bit better this weekend, but my word how long does this cold stay around. Thank you for all the get well wishes.

Keith has put Cider on Ebay for me, there are links to him from the web site. The auction ends in a weeks time.

Bearst wishes

wonderful birthday

Thanks to my sister, Elizabeth, for the wonderful handmade birthday card, photo above.

She came to visit me and had been baking cakes, just for me, well Keith did have a couple. They were gorgeous, at my age I have given up counting the calories, LOL

I must say a big thank you to everyone who has sent cards and emails, they really made my day.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

Happy New Year

Well after a great holiday in Las Vegas, and yes the fireworks on the top of The Aria were just for us, LOL, yes new photos are on the web site.
If you ever come and visit us, dont ask to see the holiday photos, Keith took over 450, yawn, LOL
We saw the Blue Man Group whilst we were in Vegas, I loved it, a bit to modern for Keith, LOL.
After a very pleasant Xmas, although Keith has been really rough with bronchitis, it is back to work now, but through the blog can I thank everyone for the wonderful cards that have been sent, and for all the support over the past year, everyone is so kind, it is really appreciated, thank you.
Bearst wishes for 2010 from myself and Keith

Put on Xmas wish list

Hi
I guess this will only apply to our UK friends, I have just watched the most fantastic concert on DVD. If Keith had not treated me to it, it would have been on my xmas wish list.
It is going to show my age, but Take That, The Circus Live, is excellent, reminds me so much of the shows we have been lucky to see in Las Vegas, I guess Cirque du Soleil had a lot to do with it.
Fan-tas-tic
Bearst wishes

This is it

Sorry this is the first blog for a while, but time is just flashing by and I do not know where it goes, especially as I am trying to get some new creations completed before we go for a break in December.
Just been to see the Michael Jackson documentary, This is it, I did not really know what to expect, but really fascinating and enjoyable a masterful entertainer.
What a shame we will never get to see the real show.

It is not often I blow my own trumpet but the following was sent to me and Keith, and it brought a lump to our throats, and makes all our hard work worthwhile

Dearest Maureen and Keith,
It is with tears in my eyes that I am writing this response. You're so wonderful. With all the business you do and people you come in contact, I'm amazed at your personalized service. You make me feel as if I'm the only adoptive parent you have. Thank you.


I am hoping to get to the NEC Craft show this weekend, if you are going or have already been, please email me with your thoughts on it.
Better get back to sewing.
Bearst wishes

Aunt Else 1917 - 2009

We have just had the very sad news that my Aunt has passed away.

She will be very sorely missed by all that knew her.

God bless

Maureen and Keith

The following was sent to us by a friend in the USA

The Rose Beyond the Wall
By A. L. Frink
Near shady wall a rose once grew,
Budded and blossomed in God's free light,
Watered and fed by the morning dew,
Shedding its sweetness day and night.
As it grew and blossomed fair and tall,
Slowly rising to loftier height,
It came to a crevice in the wall
Through which there shone a beam of light.
Onward it crept with added strength
With never a thought of fear or pride,
It followed the light through the crevice's length
And unfolded itself on the other side.
The light, the dew, the broadening view
Were found the same as they were before,
And it lost itself in beauties new,
Breathing its fragrance more and more.
Shall claim of death cause us to grieve
And make our courage faint and fall?Nay!
Let us faith and hope receive--
The rose still grows beyond the wall,
Scattering fragrance far and wide
Just as it did in days of yore,
Just as it did on the other side,
Just as it will forevermore

busy couple of days

Hi

Well what a fantastic day we had at the Teddies show in London on Sunday 13th Sept. We met some of our UK collector friends, some of whom had travelled a very long way to come to the show. Without wishing to sound big headed, I had some really wonderful comments about my creations, they were really appreciated, thank you.

I was so busy I did not get a chance to have a good look around, and more seriously the credit card did not get much use.

Thanks to everyone for their support and to those of you who could not make the show, thank you for your patience with the addition of new creations to the web site.

That was Sunday, onto Monday with a bang, we had to do the front garden wall, well Keith did, I just supervised, part of it looks like a dogs hind leg, but it is supposed to look hand built, well I think that is the expression, Only the top bit to go on now.

To finish the day we have just watched with the greatest pleasure our favourite musical, this time a film version of Phantom Of The Opera, we have seen the show in London and every time we have been to Las Vegas it has been as must see show, Vegas is unbelievable, our only wish is that we could actually contact Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber just to say thank you for the most amaxing production in the world, perhaps one day we will be able to contact him.

If you are visiting Vegas, go and see Phantom, you will love it.

Thanks again

Bearst wishes

Maureen and Keith

Alpaca's in Buckinghamshire

Hi

We have just returned from the wonderful Bucks County Show, my favourite day out and only 15 minutes away from where I live.

This year they had Alpacas on display, really quirky looking animals, as you can see from the pictures, but really great for their coat, makes some wonderful creations.

A great day out, well done to everyone concerned.

Well, Hugglets Teddies 2009 in London will soon be here, I have been really busy making some new creations for the show, some of them are now on a special page on my website.

I hope you like them.

Latest news about Jake is that he is now running around, I cant keep up with him, LOL.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

what a couple of weeks

What a past couple of weeks, having a mini heatwave, well heatwave for here in England, far to hot for me.

Also Wimbledon Tennis has been a must for me to watch on the TV, and we nearly had a british man in the final, well nearly, one year perhaps.

Good luck Roger in the final, what a record he could break.

At least most of the garden plants survived the heat, and my orchids really put on a good show.

However, I must get back into making some new creations, especially as the London Hugglets show is not that far away now.

So a new kitten has just gone onto the web site, hope you like her.

From a coller Maureen , and Keith, Bearst Wishes

Hi
We had a visit from Jake, and his parents just had to come along, LOL.
What a handful, now 9 months old and his face says , rascal, just what he is, in a lovely way.
Some more photos of him are on the web site.
Great fun, but how quiet it is after he went home.......
Better get back to bear making.

Virgin Atlantic, beware..........

Long time no blog, but a good reason, we have just been to Las Vegas, a place you either love or hate, I love it.

The holiday started off terribly, we had booked our seats with Virgin Atlantic 6 months ago, only to arrive at the check in desk to be told they had been given to someone else, we were very upset with all the hassle and were given the quote of the year from the Virgin person dealing with us, "no point asking for a supervisor, as they will say exactly what what I have said" , so what is the point of having supervisors. Mr Branson would be proud of this, I am sure, but I doubt that he ever hears about these problems We were also lied to about where our new seats were. All of this and we have been Virgin Flying club members for years.

We have flown numerous times with Virgin, but now realise not to believe what has been said to you, and confirmed. so be aware....... and beware........

When we got to Vegas it was like walking around with a hairdryer on full blast, the temperatures, into the 100 for a number of days, far to hot for myself and Keith.

I have wanted to see The Lion King for years, and luckily it has just opened in Vegas, so we went and saw it at The Mandalay Bay, what a great show, well worth the wait. Yes we went again to see our favoutite show, Phantom, blown away with it, as usual.

The heat got to Keith who struggled all the time we were there with a terrible cough and throat infection, so we were very upset not to be able to meet our friends Maurine and Al.

Now it is back to work, but trying to get over the jetlag first, so it has been some gardening and the bear making will start tomorrow.

Keith has started the computer work, but also trying to get over the jetlag.

very sad news from las vegas

This past weekend we heard some very sad news from Las Vegas.
Danny Gans had passed away suddenly at the age of 52.
We have stayed at the Mirage a number of times and we always felt he was looking after us as he peered down from the huge bill board that was outside the Mirage.
We saw his show, and were so impressed with his talent, and friendship.
Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends, when we return to Vegas we will know he is now looking down on us from a greater height.

Dolly

Inspired by some of my collector friends, I have just made Dolly, pictured with my latest miniature creation.

The knitting of Dolly was fun and brought back strong memories of when I used to watch my mother knit way, I just wish I could knit as fast as her, Dolly seemed to take ages to finish.

The new miniature will be going onto the website soon.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

not enough hours in the day

Hi
I am really looking forward to Hugglets on Sunday, not exhibiting this time, just a very good look around and chat with everyone.
Keith is moaning because there is not enough hours in the day for him to do all that he needs to, he has been helping a friend with her web site getting a preview of her bears for sunday, and also trying to revamp the new homes pages on my website, so if you have sent photos to us with your creations in their new home please bear with him.
Look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday .
Bearst wishes
Maureen

Hugglets Feb 22nd 09

It amazing what turns up when you are having a sort out.

I have just found the very first book I brought about bear making.

With Hugglets show in London coming up I thought I would share a photo with you.

I am looking forward to visiting the show , as I will not be exhibiting at this show, that should give me plenty of time to have a good look around and chat with everyone.
Bearst of luck to all the exhibitors.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

kept this quiet

What a busy last few days, the birthday card above was made by my sister, Elizabeth for Keiths birthday. I think it is one of her very best, the Vegas New York New York is 3D, but very hard to capture when photographed.

I am in the middle of making a new miniature bear, he will be appearing on the web site later this week.

Finally we have just had a couple of inches of snow and it has caused real disruption, and we have more snow to come.

Here in the UK we are unable to cope with a small amount os snow whereas other countries have far greater amounts and still manage to carry on.

At last we have not had the power outages that a friend in Canada had for a few days, also a friend in the USA has a similar situation.

Below is the inside of the card, with the famous Vegas saying, What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, LOL.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

most embarrassing

I have just been the centre of the most embarrassing situation at my local post office.
I went to post a panda off to Wales, all going really well as I had my glasses on.
I put my card in the machine to pay and all went through OK, I took my glasses off and put them in my handbag, start of problems.
When told to take the card out of the machine, I spent ages pulling at the top of the machine to get the card.
Then everyone around me starting falling about laughing, I looked around and saw that they were laughing at me, quick check, no my skirt was not tucked into my nickers, LOL.
I had been pulling at the top of the machine, only then to find out the card was inserted in the bottom of the machine.
Needless to say I saw the funny side of things and I was crying with laughter myself as I left the post office.
Must remember to send Keith over to post office with next lot of parcels, or to just keep my glasses on.
Bearst wishes
Silly Heinz

Jake at 18 weeks

How time flies, Keith and I had a day off today to go and see Jake, although he is now 18 weeks old, he now looks so grown up, especially dressed up in his faded jeans and roll neck sweater.

He is already a right little character and didn't even cry when Keith had a cuddle, although he already prefers ladies as I got a cracking smile when I picked him up.

To top the day off had a wonderful visit to Hobbycraft, and brought some lovely things.

A great day off

There are some more photos of Jake on the web site.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

my birthday - thank you

My, how the last year has flown bye, it only sems a little while ago I was celebrating my 21st bithday, again, LOL.
Keiths new nickname for me this year is Heinz........
Thank you to everyone who has sent either cards or emails, you are very kind, and all of them are most appreciated.
Take care
Bearst wishes
Maureen

Snow in Vegas and back to work

Yes, we went to Las Vegas and had some real English weather, it snowed on the Strip, luckily although they had to close the airport and cancel flights, it was a couple of days before we had to come home.

We had a great time, and Keith has put some photos onto a page on the web site.

Xmas has come and gone, so it seemed a good time to have some retail therapy, although I did manage some in Vegas, LOL.

After all the talk of the sales, I spent 4 hours in our town centre and hardly found anything to buy, very disappointing.

So is back to work for me now, and some new creations will be heading for the web site within the next few days.

May I take this chance of wishing you a very Happy New Year and bearst wishes for 2009, from myself and Keith

Seasonal Greetings

Early Seasonal Greetings to you, we are away from the computer from 5th Dec until just before Xmas, hence the early good wishes.

What an extremely busy year that is coming to an end, thank you for all your support and friendship.

At least I have managed to wrap up all my Xmas presents, slightly more organised than last year.

The last of the Xmas creations have been put onto the web site and have been adopted, so now it is a case of getting ready for a well deserved break with Grumps.

Thanks for all the lovely emails about Jake our grandson, he is doing fine.

Lastly, from myself and Grumps, ( Keith ), may I say a heartfelt thankyou for all you support over the past year, and wish you all a Beary Merry Xmas and a peaceful and Happy New Year for 2009.

Bearst wishes

Maureen and Grumps

breast cancer charity bear

I am really pleased to have put my breast cancer chairty bear onto ebay, all the money reaised will go to breast cancer charites,
more details of her and larger photos are on my web site.
The item number is on the homepage.
best of luck if you make a bid.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

special collection now on web site

I am very pleased to announce the new Special Collection on the web site, it really has been fun getting Sooty, Sweep and Soo ready for their appearance. I hope that friends overseas know who they are, i used to love them when they were on the TV here in the UK.
Thanks to everyone for their emails about Jake, he is doing fine, there is a special photo of him on his page on the web site with a gift from a friend who lives in Canada, than Brenda-May.
Keith has been pulling his hair out, well he would if he had any to pull out. LOL. our email company had a problem, but they now say they have fixed it. It is made worse because the problem is not in our hands, Keith and I both hate not being in regular contact, and it shows just how much we rely on modern communications.
Hope you like my new creations.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

now granny Maureen

After a very long wait, Jake has made myself and Keith very proud grandparents, although that makes us feel very old. LOL.

Congratulations to Martin and Leona, Jake weighed in at 8.6 lbs.

Note to Leona, next time please speed up the delivery..LOL

Favourite day out

What a great day out we had yesterday, The annual Bucks County Show was held close to where we live, I have put up some photos onto the web site, under Fav Day Out.
Congrats to everyone involved, so much hard work, but really a great day out, I love the big bulls.... and the coloured sheep.

Olympics & new creations

Hi
I have been glued to the TV watching the wonderful Olympics, well done to all the competitors, they have my utmost admiration, especially the big boys in the Lycra, LOL.
Have managed to add 3 new creations to the web site, and thanks to everyong who asked to adopt them, myself and Keith really appreciate the support.
Well back to watching the TV, and I guess working on some more creations for the Kensington show, which is fast approaching.
if you are coming please let me know, and come and say hello, I am really looking forward to meeting everyone.
Bearst wishes
Maureen

suffering in the heat

I like warm sunny days but the last two have been humid and unbearable, I have trouble stuffing my bears everything sticks to my fingers so I thought I would share a few things with you. am still busy making bears for the web site and kensington, and yesterday we heard that California had a bad earthquake, one of my collectors lives in Chino Hills, which was the epicentre of the quake, and we were quite worried about her but all appears well, thank goodness, and the best news was that a bear she had adopted arrived the day after the quake, so a happy ending to the story

bears, birds and fuchias

What a busy time of the year, adding new bears to the web site, making some creations in preparation for the London show I am exhibiting at in Sept, trying to keep the garden tidy and chasing squirrels from the garden.

The photo shows the view I now have from my conservatory, the fuchias are wonderful, so delicate, and yes the background on my web site is one of our flowers. Keith is well chuffed with the picture of the Peregrine Falcon he managed to take.

Must get back to work.

Bearst wishes

Maureen

Keith is mad as march hare LOL

Thanks very much for all the great emails about the new creations and the way the web site looks now, they are much appreciated.
Just as most of you know, Keith is crackers, mad as a march hare, well the latest idea just confirms this.
We are looking for some plant containers to put some beautiful roses in, in the front garden, Keith has come up with the idea of either bidets, or toilet pans, is he potty or what. LOL
Any ideas on what I can do with him, will be gratefully received
Bearst wishes
Maureen

great time of the year

All the time spent in the garden is now showing wonderful results, the rose above is just beautiful.

The new frog water feature is up and working, so long as the sun shines, will be interesting to see how long it takes the birds to get used to him, and then have a bath with him watching, LOL.

Keith still has eye problems, and so is restricting his time on the computer.

When they are better, no doubt he will be doing an updated garden page to bore you all. LOL

The new panda that went up onto the site today has just been adopted, thanks for all your interest, I just wish I could make things quicker.

Take care

Bearst wishes

back from holiday

Yes, the above picture is a trainer having a sleep with a lion, taken at the MGM Vegas Lion Habitat, we have just got back from a wonderful holiday in Vegas, rather warm first couple of days, 107 was top temperature,with high wind and low humidity, it was like being in a sauna with the hair dryer on full blast, we were silly to go out in it, to warm for both Keith and I.

Saw Cher, I loved her show, Barry Manilow, KA another amazing show from Cirque du Soleil,
and Jersey Boys, the best show of its kind we have ever seen, great story, great music and wonderfully produced, well worth seeing.

It is back to normal now, doing the washing , going shopping and getting back to making some more mawspaws creations, but Keith wondered if you can spot me amid the old men of Vegas.

Bearst wishes

Blackbirds and Blanche

Very disappointing morning, we have just seen that the blackbirds have given up on their nest, after sitting on the nest for 10 days the eggs have not hatched, so sad news.

Blanche has just gone onto the new look web site, if you have time to test the site out and email me with your thought, I would be very grateful.

Bearst wishes

new pandas, blackbird update

I have just added a couple of new pandas to my web site.

Mrs Blackbird is still sitting on her nest, with Mr Blackbird doing a great job protecting her and the eggs.

Found out this week what sex our grandchild will be, also the possible name of Martin & Leonas baby. Keith does not know the name so I have to keep that a secret, that will be hard work. LOL