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