A Very Happy New Year

I just want to wish you all

A Very Happy New Year

I will be adding new bears to the site on New Years day so please pop along.

Thank you for looking in


Beary Hugs



Jean and the Little Scruffs

16th December 2010

McDuff along with other bears, dogs and cats has been added to my website this week

The winner of the Christmas bear was Ursula from Berlin, Germany. I will be doing another free competition next year.

I would just like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Prosperous, Safe New Year

Take Care and thank you for taking the time to read my blog, buy my bears and be very important to me.

Bear Hugs

Jean

Little Scruffs

www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk

3rd December 2010

The Free bear competition is up and running. All you have to do to be entered to win this one of a kind 2" bear is let me know your favourite Little Scruffs bear. Please go to my website http://www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk and Email me so that I can put you in my competition folder . The draw will take place on 18th December.

Until 18th

Hugs

Jean

Little Scruffs

16th November 2010 A Bear Blog

Gosh, just noticed it has actually been just over a month since I last blogged! What with so many different online social outlets it is hard to know whether just to concentrate on one avenue or go with everything. If I was a more organised person I would do them all but spread them out so as not to bore and bombard people with my drivel!!

It isn't as if I have anything interesting to say actually. I have had a strange couple of months bearwise. After an incredible 2 years of flat out bear making I have gone pretty quiet on the website. People are still asking for custom orders and as always my customers are fantastic and make me so happy to be doing what I do. There are still a couple of days left for free postage.

I think it is about time I did a free bear competition so will be sorting that out for before Christmas.

Bye for now

Hugs

Jean and the Little Scruffs

www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk

13th October 2010

Had a rare day off from bearmaking today and went to visit my daughter Amy in Bristol. I love it there, it is such a mixture of everything!!! So many interesting shops, individual and quirky and we had a fantastic lunch at one of the many, many eating houses.
I finished a 2" bear last night! It took longer to make than my usual 4" bears as I was chopping and changing the style and size as I went along. I tried to take a decent photo but the lighting was bad so will add it to the website tomorrow
It would have been my brother David's birthday today. He died earlier this year after lots of suffering so I hope he is partying today in a better place.
I am nearly up to date with orders so will hopefully be back to adding lots more bears to the website
Bye for now and thanks for reading my blog
xxx
Jean
Little Scruffs

21st September 2010

Another glorious day here in France. All this walking to the Internet Cafe should be making me thin - in my dreams!!!!! Taffy has just been born, he might have to stay with me for a while!!!!

20th September 2010

Gosh this holiday is going quickly. I shall miss it here but will be glad to have broadband back again!!!!! I have just taken a photo of 2 of latest bears in the supermarket carpark, haven't got a clue if they have turned out but will try and upload now. Jock is a vintage velvet FatHead and still thinking of a name for the pink one.

Bye for now xxx

19th September

hat a lovely weekend this has been. It is glorious weather here in France although very cold in the mornings. I have plums, grapes, peaches and apples coming out of my ears from nice neighbours and our own trees, a bit different from back home with no garden!!! Just a short message to let you know that Barney, Paris and Kensington are no longer available from my website. Hopefully I will be back down here tomorrow to add a couple of new bears that I haven't yet photographed.

We are renovating our cottage and there isloads to do but I am just adding a photo of a little unit we found in a second hand shop and all the bits and bobs we have found in charity shops or I have made that goes with it. We have also found a 1950's kitchen unit in blue. I used to hate them but hopefully think it will go nicely in our kitchen

bye for now

Jean

wednesday 15th September

hello all, here are a couple of new ones to add to the list. Will be putting them all on website when back home but if you want any details you can email me or text my mobile. Contact details on my website http://www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk/

I have a little kitty and an old time bear. Notice I am being very basic with my photos and details lol

That's all for now

xxxJean

12th September 2010

Good Morning all on this lovely Monday morning here in France. I have managed to finish another 2 bears so hopefully will add them to my blog now. Non of the bears have bells and adornments as I have left them all behind in England but will add them on my return.

I was going to make a very sophisticated little pink bear for the Fat Heads but she was having non of it!!! She wanted to be a proper Fat Head, scruffy and worn like the rest of them!

Anyway I did try to upload to my proper website http://www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk but unfortunately I can't do it so they will all be put on the site on my return. But if you would like to know more details of any of the bears just give me an email or text littlescruffs@yahoo.co.uk or 07929310275 . I aim to check my emails every other day while I am here. 2 more weeks to go.

I hope anyone who did Hugglets had a very successful day. Speak soon xxxJean

10th September 2010

oh got to be really quick as I have very little battery but just adding 3 very basic photos of latest bears. Please contact me if you are interested for details. I will be back on on Monday.

I remembered every thing except adapter plug!!!!! What a wally. Better go before I lose everything xxxxxx

8th September 2010

What a nightmare not having internet§ My usual internet cafe attached to supermarket is on holiday for a week, I came to this place yesterday and it was closed and was told about another internet cafe. I went in with my laptop only to find it was a graphic design office specialising in internet sites§§§ Anyway I shall have to wait until next Monday to add photos of new bears when I can use my laptop again.
All is good here in France and our neighbours are superb. Whoever said the French don,t like us? Everyone is so helpful especially as we are so rubbish at french.
I have neary finished a large tradition bear in the style of Cath but in a rust vintage velvet it is one of my favourites I have to say.
I shall keep in touch over the next " weeks;
Hugs
Jean,
Little Scuffs
www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk

20th August 2010

Well I am pleased to say I have at last finished an order for 25 bears all the same! As I was putting the finishing touches to the last one I had an email asking for 20 of one of the bears off the website and I didn't know whether to be happy or not as I love doing just what comes to me. But after a bit of investigation I am unsure if it is a genuine enquiry so I might not have to make that decision.

Got a couple of moans about services this week. I sent a Royal Mail Special next day delivery to my daughter on Saturday and 6 days later it appears to have gone missing without trace with important documents in it. Thankfully I have never had a bear go missing.

The other moan is also connected to my daughter. She lost her purse last weekend so on Saturday I cancelled all her bank cards and she ordered another card which the man said would take 2 -4 working days. As she was on her own in Bristol with no money he arranged an emergency payment which cost £5. When the card didn't arrive by yesterday I rang them and he hadn't even ordered it and the bank said well she could just go into a branch there and withdraw money at no cost! So that man if you are reading this- have a nice day!!

I am off to post Little Scruffs around the world today, one is going to America, one Australia and one Wales. I was very pleased to send a couple to Honalulu recently. I always wanted to go to Hawaii as a child and the bears going was the next best thing!!

I am excited about doing a swop with a fabulous Dutch artist. The bear is going to be a surprise but I know it will be wonderful as he makes divine bears. I will post a photo when I receive him.

I am off to France again in September but this time I am going to try and keep my website updated and even send the bears from there. I will post on the bears page nearer the time. You are welcome also to reserve bears. If you are a new customer I ask for a deposit of £10 to reserve.

It's a bit rainy here today in Evesham. Have a nice weekend everyone

Hugs

Jean

Little Scruffs

29th July 2010

Hello from lots of Little Scruffs!!!

We have just come back from 3 weeks in France and the bears above are what I made when I was over there. They were just having their last wish at the old Wishing Well there!!

What a different lifestyle it is there. In all the time we were there we only saw 3 pieces of litter!!! Wish we could get through to people here that it's not cool to chuck your rubbish on the floor- or could it be that the French just don't stand for it like we do?

We picked our girls up from the airport on Tuesday. It was so lovely seeing them. Anna had just spent a month with Amy in Spain where she has just finished her University year abroad and we hadn't seen her since April. She is cooking Paella tonight! We all went for a meal yesterday and saw the film Inception- all about dreams within dreams.It was very good but I kept nodding off lol.

We have had no joy on our house sale so I think I am going to have to knock up a website and try and sell it myself

Now because everyone seems to be on holiday now and I can't stop making bears I have lots up for adoption so take advantage of free postage for the next week by adding Free postage please in the instructions when paying through paypal.

I have lots of materal that I will be adding to the website in the next few days also

Hope you are all well and enjoying the summer- it's nearly August!!!

Hugs

Jean and The Little Scruffs

1st July 2010

Hello everyone, Can you believe it's July already!!! And it's still hot!!! I am not going to have computer access or my landline from tomorrow so if you see anything on the website that you want could you either send a message to my mobile or leave an email and I will try and pick them up as often as possible. It will be back in action on 26th of this month when I should have new bears to add on.
I have managed to add 3 to my site today - Little Jim who is a real cutie and Darby and Joan, an old fashioned couple!!! Can't load the photos here today but they are on my website http://www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk
Just abit about my girls. Anna has now finished her teacher training so is now a fully qualified R E teacher who just needs a job!! Amy has just finished her year abroad this week but she is staying till the end of July to chill and Anna is going to spend the month with her- alright for some isn't it!
Have a lovely summer everyone, speak soon
Hugs
Jean
Little Scruffs

18th June 2010

Tomorrow I will be at the Arts and Craft fair on the Promenade, Cheltenham. I have never done it there before but am looking forward to it as Cheltenham is such a nice place and we are just by all the good shops! Also there is a great bear shop nearby called The Pied Piper where Georgie and her girls are always most welcoming, and there are usually some Little Scruffs hanging about in there! I believe there is also a Food & Drink fair the same day. We are close to a park so bring all the family!

Evesham property for sale

Today I am going to blog only about my property for sale on the offchance that it is just what someone is after!! No bears involved.
We live in a large Georgian apartment in the heart of the small market town of Evesham in Worcestershire. The apartment is above 2 shops but when you are in the property it is very private as we have no one living either side of us. We moved here 7 years ago when our daughters were at Prince Henry's High School and it was the best move we could have made. The school is an excellent school and they both did very well there. Because we live in the town centre our flat was a great meeting place for the girls and their friends before their nights out on the town.
Here is a link to the estate agents details. Please look at the room sizes and don't forget there is a private roof garden. The photos aren't very good but give a bit of an idea of what it is like.

Now anyone with teenagers wishing to give them a great education and a fun life we might even be interested in a swop so long as your house is cheaper as the reason we are selling is because my husband has retired and we have bought a run down cottage in France that needs doing up.
Thanks for looking

1st June 2010

It's the 6th month already!!!! Where have those month gone to?? The little bear above sitting in the life buoy belt is on ebay at the moment-(vintage style miniature mohair bear) He is one of my favourite styles of bears and I love making them- the tattier the better. I seem to be getting more requests for dog like bears recently though.

Mike and I were walking past our local cafe and antique shop The Gateway, the other day and saw a wooden unit for sale. I went in to enquire about the price and this old bear was sitting amongst some old dolls. I just couldn't resist him :) Oophs he has gone to the start of the blog???

We have just bought a cottage in France. It wasn't my idea at all but it's been Mike's dream for a few years. We haven't got a stick of furniture in it and it needs loads of work doing to it. I am trying to get hubby to understand that making it habitable would be the best idea to tempt me over there, not doing the garden!!!!!! Will post some photos next blog

Enjoy June and speak soon. If you want to be notified of new bears please let me know or go to my website www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk

Hugs

Jeanxx

16th May 2010

Good Morning All.

No car boot today as it is raining a bit here this morning. I love picking up old bits and pieces and vintage material from there that I can use for making the bears with. Last week I bought the little wooden Triang cart that I have put my new bear Bingo in. The worn out looking bears are still my favourite even though lots of the more cuddly bears are going faster at the moment. It's a good job every one has different tastes though which is why I try and make lots of styles .

Well on Friday we are signing for our new house in France. When I say new,I mean new to us cus it's pretty old. My husband is really excited about it and can't wait to get there. I am staying behind to catch up on my orders and because I want it half habitable before I go over!!!! He keeps inviting people to visit but from what I can remember of it they probably wouldn't want to go just yet!!! The house was furnished when we saw it and apparently they are taking most of the stuff. What makes me think we will be left with an old mattress and broken fridge!!

Sadley our old cat Badger died this week. He was 14 years old. We now have no pets at all and although I am itching for another dog I know it wouldn't be the right time just yet.

It is supposed to be nice here in the UK later so I hope everyone has a nice lazy day.

Speak soon

Hugs

Jean and the Little Scruffs

26th April 2010

I keep starting this blog & not finishing it!!!! I hope everyone had a nice Easter and you weren't stranded abroad anywhere. I have a friend who went to South Africa for 3 weeks and she will have been there 6 weeks by the time she gets back poor thing. It is a good job our visit to Valencia to see our daughter was only for a few days. She loves it there but she has so many things go wrong that I can't wait for her to come home!!! While we were there she had her purse stolen with her front door keys in. Unfortunately her flat mates were away on holiday and she couldn't get back in for a few days. We bought her a new camera as part of her 21st present and withing 2 weeks she has had that stolen as well. I think by the sounds of it there are professional thieves going round these packed clubs and no-one seems to do anything about it. I say stay in and stop your mum worrying!!!!
The bears are going well and I am still ploughing through shop orders. i have added new ones today so I hope you can take a look.
We have our property on the market so I am having to try really hard to stay tidy- it is not me, I like having everything around me so I know where it is. Whenever anyone comes to see the house it takes me ages to find where I hid all the mohair etc!!!
For all of you who have to "proper work" you will be having an extra day for bank holiday soon so enjoy
Hugs from the Little Scruffs and me

9th April 2010

My baby is 21 today!!! We visited her in Spain where she is at uni a few days ago. She is on her way to Paris for a few days as I speak but is not very well at all poor thing. I hope the antibiotics work so that she doesn't have a ruined holiday, at least she can't drink!

I haven't been able to put as many bears on the website as usual as I have quite a backlog of orders. We also have just put our apartment on the market and are in the process of buying a house in France. My husband is trying to persuade me to live there permanantly but that is not going to happen!!! So if anyone wants a huge flat in the middle of a town (Evesham) but very private with a roof garden going cheap let me know!!!

The weather here in England is looking really good, must do a carboot to have a clear out. Have a great weekend everyone

Hugs

Jean & the Little Scruffs

31st March 2010

A fun little picture for you of the bears in a race!!

Well it is the 31st and I will be glad to see the back of this month. A blog should be ablout good and bad so I will have my little wallow. My brother died last week. He had had diabetes for around 12 years and his was the very worst form. He lost both his legs, went blind , had strokes and heart attacks and suffered a lot of pain. He is free from that now for which we are grateful but this is just to say that if you know anyone with this please get them exercising and eating healthy. Sorry about that.

It was also a month for lots of other grumbles but I won't go into those now and just count my blessings .

On the bear front things have been going very well. I have lots of orders and not enough time in each day but I am loving my job (job!!!) all the same.

I have added a panda today- a new design by me with a large centre seam head.

We are off to visit our daughter for a few days soon in Valencia where she is at university so I am really looking forward to that.

Take care everyone and have a lovely Easter

Hugs from me and the Little Scruffs

17th March 2010

I want to thank 3 people for nominating me for Sunshine Awards and they are as follows:-
Dawn Bevin @
http://dawnbevinsdesign.blogspot.com/

Sprinkles Sparkles

Gallimaufry
I very much appreciate it, thanks ladies!!

Sunshine Award RulesThe Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world.To accept the award:

Place this award on your blog or in a post

Pass the award on to 12 bloggersLink the nominees within the postLet the nominiees know they have received the award by commenting on their blog

Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.I guess we all know what it is like to write a blog sometimes, and feel like no one ever reads it, so the awards are a lovely way to show each other appreciation and spread the word :)

So here are my nominees:

Marijke van Ooijen

A Fenland Beary Blog

Delicate Sparkles

Designs by Isis

Diary of a Nutty Knitter n ...

Giddy kipper dolls

Helen @ The Beading Lady

incy wincy stitches

Inspired Brides

Blimey only managed 9 and it won't let me put any more- will put the rest up later as don't want to lose this lot!!!

11th March 2010

I am having trouble with my web hosting today and can't change my website at the moment. This is the panda I will be putting on later so please email me if you are interested. Hopefully normal service will shortly be resumed!!!!!!

28th February 2010

Wow what a lovely day I had doing the Hugglets bear fair today!!! Sold loads, had lots of shop orders and had a lovely time meeting people and seeing Marijke who I met in September and we had tables next to each other. We did a bear swop and I am now the proud owner of a beautiful bear which I will photograph tomorrow. Thank you Helen for coming on your long journey, it was great to see you and sock monkey is a favourite in the Grogan household. Julieann from Silly Bears in Aberdeen is just as nice in the the flesh as I expected and I enjoyed the day enormously.
I will get some more bears on the site tomorrow hopefully and speak soon
Hugs
Jean

23rd February 2010

Only a few days till the Hugglets bear fair in Kensington, London (this Sunday 28th at the Town Hall) and then things will get back to normal.

I hae been working flat out so that I have plenty of bears for it and there is no way that they will all go on the day so next week I shall be listing them all on the website http://www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk/

Will blog next week when it's all over

Lots of love

Jean

Little Scruffs

26th January 2010

I will not have a computer for a few days so this will be the last post until maybe Sunday. Hopefully I will have a couple of bears to add on. I am just adding an image of 2 bears I will be taking to Hugglets with me. If you are interested in either of them let me know. They are both made from an old mohair pyjama case. i just love using vintage material. They are sitting on an old hankie saying 2To dear mother - 1951" I thought it would make a lovely Mothers day present.I think I should have been born 100 years ago. driving around in an old Ford Popular.... mmmm maybe I was!!! Actually there would have been no computers and no chance of me buying supplies so maybe not! Have a good week and see you soon xx

23rd January 2010

Hello and a quick Hello at that!! I have just spent a complete morning trying to photograph some bears and editing them with a new photo editing program. I haven't got a clue what I am doing!!!!! I have been really busy with orders this week so haven't got much up on site. I find the taking photos and uploading them to site takes up so much time that I think for the next few weeks with Hugglets coming up I will be doing a couple at a time. I will be keeping a few Hugglets bears a surprise - not that I have made any yet!!! Hubby will be away for a week soon so I am planning to hibernate and make, make, make.

Speak soon and have a good weekend :)

19th January 2010

23 years ago today I was even bigger than I am now Lol I was living on a farm on small island in the Orkneys called Stronsay and I had been whisked by private plane to the mainland to give birth! I went into labour on a Sunday morning when there were no normal planes so had my own private one. I gave birth to Anna the next evening. She has gone back to her roots this week as she is on 8 weeks teacher training at Bourton on the Water and is living on a farm.

I have been busy bear making this week and here are a couple of photos of bears that I have just added to my site

Have a good week everyone

Hugs, Jean

www.miniaturemohairbears.co.uk

11th January 2010

The 11th January 2010!!!!!! I really haven't been hibernating, it's much too nice walking out there in the snow. Here in Evesham we hardly ever get any so it has been a real treat. We have had an extra week with our daughter Anna as her uni has been closed and Amy was lucky enough to have no delays with her flight back to milan.

I have been keeping busy with the bears doing orders and as the last few days have been pretty quiet I might get around to sending a newsletter out!! I have been trying to do a proper newsletter for months now without much success and always seem to bungle it up. I long for one of the girls to bring home a new boyfriend and him to be a brilliant computer expert who would sit with me for hours showing me what to do!!!

I will be at Hugglets in London again at the end of February and at the moment need a bit of inspiration to make something different . Think I need to tour the Charity shops, often see something there!

Intentions this year, apart from the old diet thing, is to be more organised, post more blogs and make even more bears!!!!

Keep well everyone, and thank you for looking AND if you make a comment I will answer you or give you 10% off Lol