29th December 2009

Hello Everyone,
Hope you all had a really nice Christmas. All is good here in the Little Scruffs household. It has been lovely having both the girls home for Christmas (back to washing everyday!!!) I have managed some bearmaking in between the festivities and will be putting 2 or 3 new ones on the site tomorrow if I get on with it today!! We have a few things planned over the next week before Amy goes back to Milan so the bears will be a little behind but it will be all systems go after that
I would like to wish you all a Very Happy New Year and thank you to all of you who have adopted a little Scruff from me.

21st December 2009

Well the last bear of 2009 has now gone on the website and I have promised to get on with Christmas, spring clean, visit and all and yet somehow tonight I have been playing around with a new design!!!! Perhaps just a couple of hours a day then hey!

Tomorrow it is taking back throws I bought the other day for my 2 settees that are looking too shabby for Christmas - they weren't big enough and they would have just got on my nerves everytime I sat on them. Then we are off to visit my brother David who has so much wrong with him, poor thing, that you always count your blessings when you come away from him, bless him.

Amy, my daughter in Italy said it is snowing really bad there and she is a bit worried that she won't be able to get home for Christmas - that just cannot happen, I won't allow it!!!!

Well I will love and leave you now and speak again before Christmas xxxx

17th December 2009

Hello, Little Scruffs here and only 8 sleeps till Christmas!!!! I actually sent most of my cards yesterday and decorations are up. I managed to sort my mess up with losing my website out and even went on my photography session although you wouldn't know it because I am not going to use any of my new found knowledge(!!) until after Christmas when I can sit for a bit and go through what I learnt or maybe call Paul back for a quick refresher more like!!)

I wonder who will be having their first Little Scruff for Christmas? I would love to hear from you.

Life has been really, really hectic (as I am sure it has been for most of you) and I have decided to have my last posting day as 21st December so that I can actually sort Christma out here. Also Amy will be coming back from Uni abroad and we haven't seen her for months so I shall be making the most of having her and Anna here for 2 weeks. Of course I couldn't go that long without making a few little ones!!

11th December 09

Well it is 1 o'clock in the morning and I have been on the computer all night trying to put right what I messed up earlier. And you wouldn't believe that what I was trying to do was save everything to my harddrive for safety and I ended up loosing my website. I really don't know if I am going to have to do a whole new website now. I have tried restoring my computer back to an earlier time but it hasn't helped so if there is anyone else out there that can't sleep and knows what I can do I would appreciate help greatly!!!
i am giving up now but this might be my onlt means of communiation for a while to let you know what is new & what has sold.

25th November 2009

Apologies for not adding much to the website this week. I have been busy in the background doing orders and will be adding a few bears that will be going to a shop in the next couple of days. I also am at a craft fair this Saturday in Lichfield at the GuildHall. I will be back soon so please keep looking in. This is one of the bears that will be going to Silly Bears in Aberdeen next week.

19th November 2009

Is anyone else finding that the hours in their day are getting shorter?!?! It is scary how quickly time goes by isn't it? Not sure what I have been doing since the last blog but the bears seem to be taking longer thank usual, perhaps I am on the computer too long (mmmm that could be it)
Just recently I seem to be making a traditional, then a doglike bear, then 'Fat Head' and back to the traditional although please don't ask for an identical one as I am changing my patterns nearly every time I make a bear and I am so disorganised that I just draw new head etc on card and put it in with all the others, never knowing which one is which. New Years resolution, well one of them had better be to make more notes and stop being so untidy!!

Amy, my daughter who is at Uni in Milan, had her purse stolen on the tram the other day. She was miles from anywhere and didn't have a penny, or ticket to get her home. I contacted the bank and they were so unhelpful. Considering we live practically next door to them, both have accounts with them for years would they listen. "She has to ring us herself" me "But she has no money & a pay as you go phone with hardly anything on it and it costs her 73p a minute to phone, can't you phone/text her?" "No" Grrrrrr
Finished Pud today and have started an alpaca bear now.
Hope all is good with you
Nite Nite from me & the Little Scruffs

7th November 2009

Well just to say the Misi event was wonderful. I had such a good day, lots of sales and met some lovely people. Must do it again. Too tired to sew now so Nite all and speak soon xx

6th November 2009

Just to say I hope some of you can make it to the Misi handcrafted goods event at Paintworks in Bristol tomorrow. Would love to see you there.
I am in the middle of a new creation. A different head design which I am quite excited about. I am putting a tradition body on him but think he will also look good with the short legs so might do those as well. This one is in red and should be on my site on Sunday if I get a move on.
Have a good weekend everyone xx

1st November 2009

Well the sky loooks black outside. Was out at 7 o'clock this morning for our usual walk and got absolutely soaked through - saved having a shower!!! Just in case I don't blog again this week ( am convinced my broadband provider is going to cut us off while the changeover occurs!) i just want to let you know that Misi ( Make it sell it) are holding their first craft fair at Paintworks in Bristol on Saturday 10.30 till 5.00 and I will be there with my bears of which I am going to brink along some of my early bears that I will sell real cheap. All the stallholders will only be selling handmade goods - jewellry, Art, wood, sewing, knitting, cards etc so there should be some fabulous original christmas presents there for you. So far I only know the postcode in Bristol which is BS4 3EH but it is in the Artisan quarter I believe and Bristol has some excellent shops and things to do there. Come and make a day of it :)

22nd October 2009

Hello everyone, I really don't get to blog very often- what with flickr, twitter, Misi and of course my website, and that's before I start bearmaking lol . Anyway I thought I had better blog today just in case I have trouble getting into my website. Now this is because today my husband Mike retires and the company he works for have paid all broadband bills etc. Somehow I have a feeling that when we change over there will be problems and we will be without internet for a while. I really hope not but just in case, I will go to internet cafes to check emails but may not be able to access my website to make changes. Should be able to blog though.
I will leave it for now.
Hugs from me and the Little Scruffs
xxx

5th October 2009

I have just finished a tiny old bear with long arms and very different proportions to what I have been making recently. I am out today so hope to get him on my site tonight. Hope you had a good weekend :)

It's the 1st of October 2009!!!

Gosh where does time go to?? The last few weeks have been so busy for me. Hugglets was a lovely experience and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. I have been busy with orders and have now got myself up to date but I do so wish I had a little slave that I could say " Tidy up my work room, untangle all the cottons etc that are in such a mess, do my paperwork and don't forget the oven needs cleaning" too!!!!

The good website guide is asking people to choose their favourite website. The winner is able to do lots of improvements with their site so I thought if anyone fancies voting for mine I could make it so much better lol. I myself have actually voted for Misi.co.uk but I would be very grateful for a few votes myself. ( You would need to go to thegoodwebguide.co.uk by the way)

I finished Peanut last night but can't seem to take a good photo of him .

On the personal side I went to my nieces wedding on Sunday which was fabulous and a good chance to get all the family together and went to a Clairvoyance event a couple of days ago with a friend (Such utter rubbish. Talk about clutching at straws lol)

Hope all is well with you. Speak soon xxxxjean & Little Scruffs

11th September 2009

Phew that's the last bear I am making for Hugglets Bear Fair on Sunday. I have been making non stop for over 2 weeks now and am exhausted!! I have really missed putting the bears on my site and chatting to everyone so I don't think I will be doing many more fairs this year apart from the Misi Event in Bristol on 7th November.
Amy, my lovely daughter, is going to Milan on Tuesday to start her uni year abroad and still has nowhere to live. She has had someone contact her regarding a flat over there which seemed just a little bit to good to be true and it turned out it was a scam. Luckily she sussed it out but the person was so convincing.
Anna, my other lovely daughter, has started her teacher training this week so she is experiencing 9 till 5 - a strange thing for students!!
Mike and I are staying in London tomorrow so that I don't have to get up too early. Unfortunately he agreed to take me before he realised Birmingham City (his team)were playing Aston Villa!!!
Thank you everyone for being so supportive and I will be putting bears on the site again next week. :)

29th August 2009

I am very honoured to have some collectors (now friends) who are very clever artists . This painting has been done by Helen Jones who specialises in pet portraits but paints much more- including Colin here!!! If you would like to see Helens work please go to http://www.visionfinearts.co.uk/

An update on Hugglets. I now have 2 weeks to go until the bear fair in Kensington. I only allow myself to stop bear making for a few minutes here and there so am getting on pretty well. I shall post photos nearer the date and if anyone would like to order let me know. I have discovered just how much time I am saving by keeping off the computer!!! I shall be back to normal after the show though and adding bears more often.

If anyone is going to Hugglets PLEASE come and say 'Hi' to me. Speak soon Hugs jeanxx

17th August 2009

Hello everyone. Just had to put this lovely picture up taken by David of the bears in the Sweet Peas!

I don't seem to have put so many bears on my site lately but I have been very busy in the background doing orders. Also I never seem to get so much done in the Summer, perhaps it's having the girls home?

i have finished little Barnaby today. Here is his picture . I am starting a shaggy dog type now before another batch of oldies

Speeak soon xJean

5th August 2009

Well, did I come back from my 11 day holiday in Spain nice and refreshed?? Not really! On day 3 I slid down an incredibly slippy slope - (one that you would have claimed compensation in UK for!!!) and my leg bent back. Apparently I have strained my something tendon and damaged my cartilage. So now I can't walk the old ladies dogs for a few weeks! And I hadn't touched a drop!We did have a nice time though and managed to fit lots in and I also managed to make 3 bears.
I feel I should be tackling a new style bear now and all day long I have been hoping for inspiration - it hasn't come yet.......
I am excited about doing an Event in Bristol at the Paintworks on the 7th November arranged by www.misi.co.uk This is a website for all things handmade which I belong to and is such a friendly group. So I am looking forward to meeting everyone face to face and of course there will be plenty of bears if you want to come along. I shall be giving details shortly.
The lovely daughter Amy has cooked another fab meal now so speak soon
xxJean

18th July 09 Important information

Hello All,
Just to let you know that I won't be able to access my website until 30th/31st July. If you are interested in any of the bears before then could you email me at littlescruffs@yahoo.co.uk and I will get back to you. Or if you are prepared to wait for the bear in question you can pay and will send it on 31st July. Hopefully I will be able to update my blog and emails

Percy

Forgot to put Percy up

15th July 2009

I can't believe it has been nearly a month since I last blogged! The time is going by so fast. I have just this minute finished a bear who I think will be called Robert Hamilton. I can't take a photo now because it is too dark but hopefully he will be on the website tomorrow.
I did a really silly thing yesterday and put a bear on my site and added him to Misi.co.uk as well and 2 people bought him within minutes of each other!!!! Luckily it all ended happily but I won't do that again, it will be one site only!
It is my daughter Anna's graduation tomorrow from Warwick University which luckily isn't too far away so best away to bed now
Hugs
jean

Where is the sun?

We have friends coming over this evening. Whenever we go to theirs Pat always cooks a delicious meal. Tonight the weather was supposed to be beautiful so I thought I could do a crafty and go for a drive in the country- get fish & chips followed by a walk by the river. I was cooking a pud I am not that bad (well actually is strawberries & cream cooking??) but it is really dull here. Sun come out now!!! I have added Fritz to the website today, a cute little Fat head

have a good weekend all xxx

Forgot to add these photos

I forgot to add these 2 lovely photos that were sent me of some Little Scruffs in the garden of their new home. Beautiful photography by David- thank you

15th June 2009

Can't believe we are half way through June already. I have just added Miles to my site, a real saggy old looking one with a big head.
Last week I went to a bear fair as a customer, had a go on the raffle and won an artist bear! He arrived today and is lovely.
I seem to have a thing about my local community centre/police station (Grr) yesterday Mike (hubby) went for a bike ride - fell off really hurting his leg and arm- and somehow managed to loose his keys. I followed his route on a very long walk but only managed to find someone's credit card!
Today I went to the community centre - huge queues, gave up and phoned instead. the operator said no-one was answering and we proceeded to have a moan about how stupid the system is. I said no-one would have waited in the queue to hand the keys in anyway! - rant over.
I have just taken Sophie the lovely Airdale a walk and am now wondering what sort of bear to make. maybe a small one?? Think I might have a mooch in charity shop for inspiration first and buy a teapot - gone mad on Earl Grey Green Tea.
love to everyone and if you want me to make certain style,colour of bear ask away - I never make you buy them if they are not what you expected!!!
x

Friday 5th June09

Sweet little Pete has just been finished. He is only 3" tall and fully jointed. I have just sold Max and he is going to a very good home with lots of his brothers already there.

I am having another - "I don't know what to make" day!! I have just cut out a new design but still something is telling me to do something else?? Any suggestions welcome Lol

Maybe a panda - I shall go and have a rummage in a bit.

I have just come back from feeding the ducks - I always try and make sure the lovely mallards have more than the Canadian geese & swans - they are so sweet :)

31st May 09

What a disastrous fair I have just been to. It was such a shame because I think we all wasted a day. It was soooo hot and we were tucked away from everyone and just no-one came along. Needless to say we all packed up and left early. Oh well, met some nice people at least.

Forgot to say

Forgot to say that the red bear I put up yesterday sold!! I have dyed some mohair a lovely yukky greeny blue and might do another odd eyed bear, there is something rather appealing about bears that are old and well loved!

29th May - sneak preview

I have just finished a bear and can't upload it to the site tonight due to hosting problems but I will put him up here now. Not a very good photo as it is night time and also Ted looks much nicer in real life. He is under 4" tall including his ears and he has a hanging head and strange button in one eye.

Further details tomorrow

28th May

Well my block has gone ,thank goodness, due to a chance rummage through my sewing box. I am now making a very different bear to my other Little Scruffs . I have completed the head but until it is on the body I am not sure what the end result will be although I am getting rather excited!!!!

28th May09

Just put Smithy on my site- having a block with knowing who to make next????? I have just spent a couple of hours tuning a television for my daughters' bedroom!!

27th May 2009

I am nearing the end of a red vintage velvet 'Fat Head' which I am making with someone in mind. I have got to take the 2 Jack Russells out in a bit that I walk for a disabled lady through a charity called The Cinnamon Trust. they are right little characters. Matty is only young and not used to meeting other dogs so he is a bit of a nightmare with them and Scruffy plays deaf alot just totalling ignoring you when you call him - he is obsessed with trees. I will take photos of them today.
We also take Sophie a large Airdale out. She is gorgeous, just like a cuddly teddy bear but very strong and she belongs to a tiny 90 year old lady. I really don't know how she copes. Dorothy is a lovely lady and really has her wits about her. The other day a rough looking woman knocked on her door and asked if she could use the loo. Dorothy said " You must be joking - if I let you in the dog would go for you straight away - anyway there is a toilet opposite in the park!!!" Sophie would actually have licked her to bits lol

Mr Nobody!!

I have been trying out a new bear this week- thought he could be the first of my 'Nobody' bears!! He is just a protype but thought I would give you a peep - you have to laugh! He is made from mohair and string jointed so his arms and little legs do move. Would like to know what you think. Just about to start another little bear now as they have been popular this week.

New Bear

Just a quick blog to say almost finished bear that will go on the site tomorrow. I have got loads of new ones in my head and hopefully won't have too many distractions this week so will be able to crack on with them.
Had a night out with the girls I used to work with on Friday and a trip to Bristol to see my daughter on Saturday plus a very long walk with friends today so that's it for a few days for me - back in hibernation tomorrow!!
On the last day of this month I will be at Evesham Arts Centre which is just up the road from me. It is an open day Art for All where there will be all sorts of arts,crafts, drama demonstrations etc. I will put details on my Fair page tomorrow

6th May

Well I have been a rubbish blogger this week - where has time gone to?? The bank holiday I spent teaching and I am in the middle of 2 new designs - at this stage I have no idea if they are going to work or not!! I certainly hope so.
I have just realised that I haven't changed my sale of the week either so I will be doing that tomorrow - haven't decided which one yet.
I now have a whole room all to myself to fill (okay it already is!!) with bearmaking supplies. I have been sharing a small part of it with my husbands' tools and rubbish but he has now been sent up in the loft! I might be able to decide a bit quicker what I am going to use now it is on display - sadly I won't be able to convince anyone that I need more mohair!
I shall try and get a new bear up by tomorrow night so it's good night from me

2nd May

I am having trouble uploading photos today so i will put a photo here of Bobby which appears as a cross on my bear page.

The bears new home

I have just been sent photos of 2 of my bears in their new home. The photography is just stunning - I think I am going to have to move house and sneak them in for a photoshoot every time I finish one ! thank you so much David. I have to share them!

Jones

Well I have just put Jones on my website. A cute little 'Fat Head' I have had a very unproductive week with the bears ,what with birthdays, girls home and that horrid thing called housework, and am desperate to get cracking again.
Didn't hear from the police - what a surprise!!

Mrs Angry!!!

Went a walk in park earlier. It was about 5.45 when we got to the busy childrens play area where we encountered a group of drunken idiots sitting close by. One chap was having a pee up a tree and blatently exposing himself to the children. I shouted at him and he gave me a mouthful of abuse. A Polish man came up to us with his daughter and told us that he had phoned the police at 5 o'clock because they were driving across the grass where the children were and being abusive. Now.... the police station is 3 minutes away!! We charged up there and told them what was happening. The woman on the desk couldn't open the door to tell a policeman to go and sort them out, she had to ring whoever they have to ring. The conversation she had with whoever she was talking to was just ridiculous. She kept having to explain where the incident had occurred and it appeared they didn't know where it was. She then mentioned that 6 o'clock was changeover so they were being briefed before they went on duty - couldn't help wondering if this was why no-one had turned up earlier, perhaps they didn't want overtime! She told them I wanted to them to call me - it is now 9.44 and not a peek! Rant over

Hubbys Birthday!

Well it is hubbys significant birthday today - he has taken the day off and we have been a nice walk in the park and he has been to the gym while I scrubbed and cleaned!! Now we are off to see our daughter in Leamington. She is studying hard (I hope) for her final uni exams. After a picnic in the park we are off to Birmingham to see my brother and then out for a meal with Mikes' Brother and wife. I shall be taking my sewing while we sit and sunbathe of course.

My favourite bears have both been sold which I am part sad about but highly delighted that they are going to a very good home together.

21st April 2009

I thought I had better change the layout of my blog so have started again! As it is only 7.40am nothing much has happened today except that I have had a nice walk around the park by the river. Mr Foo and Bear went on my site last night and Bear has been sold. Poor Mr Foo feels a bit unwanted!!
On to some much needed housework now as I believe the weather is going to be glorious today so I might be bearmaking on the roof again!

Rooftop bathing

I have just been on my rooftop sewing a bear, it was fab. First time as we have to get to it through the loft and at last after 6 years we now have proper loft ladders so I am not afraid!!! So private as well - just us and the pidgeons!! Making 2 bears out of 100 year old upholstery velvet.

Stratford upon Avon bear fair

I will be having a stall at Stratford Upon Avon Holiday Inn at the Bear Fair on Sunday 1st February. Please come and visit and say hello to me and my Little Scruffs

Valentine Elephant

Well I have just finished a little mohair elephant created especially for Valentines day. He has shiney red ears and paws and stands just over 4" tall. to see his details visit my website at www.miniaturemoharbears.co.uk or see him on http://littlescruffs.misi.me.uk which is a website especially for handmade products

Little Scruffs miniature bears

3rd January 2009 Hello and welcome to the 1st Blog by me. I have been trying to create a blog for a few days now by other means and someone suggested blogger.com and so far so good - it seems really easy. Even so I will make this very short until I know it is up and running and visable to all. I have been making miniature bears from mohair and other material for about 7 years now. I have a website http://www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk/ and sell to various shops. I love old bears and trying to recreate the old look. Speak again when I know it is working okay

Jean

Little Scruffs