Spectator Sport

As promised, these are the felted mushrooms. I save myself a lot of wool by using acrylic yarn in the center of both the caps and stems. Though Rosalie mostly likes to watch, she has put color wool on a few mushrooms.

For the stems I wrap the yarn around a skewer, wrap wool around that, poke a few times with the felting needle on either side of the skewer and pull it off. This is when you can felt it securely and get the long shape. You can use this technique for arms and legs too!

These mushrooms are for Rosalie's wedding reception centerpieces.

For the caps I either make a ball of yarn and cover almost entirely, like the little one on the right or I make a larger ball and cut it in half with a sharp knife. This gives me 2 mushroom caps, like above.

I need 48 and right now I only have 6 more to go, yaaaay!

Bear in Between

 I picked up some mohair at the bear convention which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

 I'm using my Spirit pattern to make a dark brown, black bear.

 I've been working on it in between wedding crafts.

 Party favors which I'll show you after the shower...

 and a load of felted mushrooms for the centerpieces.

It's nice to work on my own project in between!

Please Make A Dinosaur

 So I made one.

My Spirit Soars

Two months of work has paid off! Spirit is finished with the help of Joanne Livingston. In fact I never would have tried this project without her help and encouragement. 

Spirit with one of Joanne's Reproduction Bears Stella.

I'm the happiest bear owner!!!

Please feel free to ask any questions you might have!

From Admirer to Maker of Realistic Bears

Joanne Livingston pulling the toes on Spirit.

Three years ago the thought of making a jointed teddy bear seemed unlikely. Today with lots of generous help and encouragement I've gone beyond that. If you want to meet the best people start crafting!!!

Joanne holding Spirit after showing me some of her techniques.

This is Joanne's hotel room at the...

Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Convention

presented by the
Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum
Clarion Airport Hotel
Philadelphia, PA • May 2-4, 2013

Joanne gave me some of her time on Thursday to help with finishing touches on Spirit. She had been consulting with me on this project since the beginning of March.

These are Joanne's bears that I made sure I picked up!

Joanne loves black bears and particularly a bear named Hope. She has used Hope as a model for most of her bears.

My initials on the left and Joanne's on the right. 

I'll never be able to really thank Joanne for helping me make Spirit and for being a wonderful blog friend. What I will recommend to people reading this post is to live generously. You'll find that you and the people around you will enjoy and live life more.

My brood.

Next post... Spirit!

A Tisket a Tasket

I wanted to fix-up and modify an old basket and I didn't have to do it alone.

There may be some people out there that recognize it.

Friends

My Sister Whines

The special title is because my sister reminds me how long it's been since I last posted. I've been working on a baby gift for the past month along with my bear.

 The lamb knit up pretty quick.

But who knew granny squares took so long.

It's already to go now though.

 I caught the girls playing king of the mountain or tippy turtles, whatever you'd like to call it.

Often I'll walk in the room to a huge splash as they see me and scramble back into the water, silly turtles!

Teddy Bear Convention May 2nd - 4th

Be there or be square: http://www.quinlanmuseum.com/convention.html

Artist Doll & Teddy Bear Convention

presented by the
Susan Quinlan Doll & Teddy Bear Museum
Clarion Airport Hotel
Philadelphia, PA • May 2-4, 2013

Optional Workshops: Thursday 8a.m.-5p.m.
Convention: Thursday 5:30p.m. to Saturday 9p.m

This is my last bear post until after the convention at which time I will show you how Joanne Livingston assisted me in finishing bear.

Bear's nose needs work, back paws need toes pulled and claws need to be inserted. I also need consultation on facial details.

And for those of you who are bored of bears, Prince William kept me company the whole time I've worked.

Not that Princess Skittles was happy about that. Don't lord it over her William...

cause she'll get you back when you're not looking!

Little Here Little There

Still working on the nose building up layers of Mod Podge. This will be sanded later to make it smooth.

I still have quite a bit of hair rooting and pulling to do.

All this will make bear look like Spirit Bear.

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&articles_id=314
picture by Andrew Cremata

Below is what I'll be doing:

http://desertmountainbear.blogspot.com/2010/06/making-face.html