It was - as it always is - great to be at the Goring Christmas Craft Fair this year, to meet and hug new and old friends.
I am very pleased of course that my Teddies were a big success. Even now, with the Fair over, I am still receiving very nice comments and requests.
I do hope to go again next year!

22 November

The last two small Teddies that I made for this year's Goring Christmas Craft Fair are Arlo, who is very fond of flowers (particularly white ones), and Jayden, who strives hard to Always Be Good.
Jayden really believes in the Magic of Christmas, and this is why I have made him my special Christmas Teddy this year!


15 November

With autumn now very much in evidence in these parts, my new Teddy, called Daniel, is perfectly in tune with the season. Wearing his favourite elegant bow tie, he goes out into the garden to admire the scenery and drink in the incomparable sweet aroma of fallen leaves. He pauses, settles comfortably, and starts reminiscing about the good old days. When evening comes, Daniel is still out there in the garden, and tarries when I call him back into the house. It is only when I mention a small glass of port waiting for him inside that he finally ambles back...

My latest bear, completed today, is Edward, who has a passion for travel. Edward is always in a bit of a hurry - he has places to visit, trains to catch, guidebooks to read... Wherever Edward goes, his slightly battered but much-loved and extremely roomy suitcase goes with him. It is usually so heavy that Edward sometimes growls with the strain when trying to pick it up)))

29 September

I have received what is probably the most unusual order ever: to knit a winter hat for one lovely little fellow. On closer acquaintance, the chap in question turned out to be a snail! As you would expect, he cannot stand the cold. This is hardly surprising, because he comes from Down Under, where, as we know, it is always hot. His name, by the way, is Sydney. So now Sydney is ready to face our bitter British winter. Not only has he got a woollen hat, he has received a nice matching scarf as well!

15 September

Earlier this week, I completed a very imporant and quite unusual project.
I had to make four near-identical copies of an old and much-loved bear called Freddie.
To get the pattern right, I first made a prototype in a different fabric.
Once this was approved, I went on to make the four siblings.
They have no names yet, but I hope they will be just as much loved as Freddie has always been.

The first Teddy I made this year was for a very special occasion indeed - the wedding of my own eldest son! What I came up with was Robert - a bear so determined to see all the wonders of the world that he has decided to become a sailor. He has got himself a proper sailor's neckerchief and even a traditional sailor's chest! His first voyage, however, was not by sea but by air, and he now lives in Moscow with my son and his beautiful wife.

15 March 2019