Les Bears

How gorgeous is this......

2011-06-26T19:24:00.003+10:00

Linda Benson of Benson Bears is having another giveaway! How cute is this little guy! You just have to come up with his name for a chance to win him!

There's no place like home...

2011-05-09T15:40:00.008+10:00

Well we are finally back in our house after 6 months and I have to say feeling a bit unsettled, which I guess is only natural. We really enjoyed our trip to SE Asia. It had its highs and lows and at times was difficult but when you look back all the bad parts just fade away.It did make us appreciate the easy life we have living in Australia.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to The Patara Elephant farm near Chiang Mai ,Thailand. The farm is family owned and they are doing a wonderful job of caring for the elephants. They rescue them from circuses, logging and poaching. We were elephant owners for the day which meant doing their health check, cleaning and washing them, feeding them and taking them for a walk in the jungle. It was very scary perching on top of the elephant and excruciatingly painful on the inner thighs!! Giving Nui a brush before her wash

Not looking very comfortable!

Another highlight was our 5 day motorbike ride through the Central Highlands of Vietnam. I was a bit worried about spending 5 days on the back of a bike but our guides were great. They took us to all sorts of places we wouldn't have seen if we were on our own. And it felt a lot safer than being in a bus. The bus drivers are crazy - they overtake cars and bikes that are already overtaking vehicles. And the fact that there is a truck coming towards you doesn't seem to bother them. It was scary stuff!!

Setting off from Dalat to Hoi An

At the end of our trip we went to Sapa in the far north of Vietnam. We did a two day trek through the terraced hillsides .We were accompanied by heaps of hilltribe women and children who at the end of the walk wouldn't leave us alone until we bought something.They are really lovely friendly people.

This woman from the Red Dao tribe was sewing as she walked along.

Climbing down the terraces - it was muddy and slippery.It was also very cold and misty.

Worldwide Teddies Holiday Bear Show...

2010-11-21T09:17:00.003+10:00

Well the show has begun and what a wonderful selection of bears are available for adoption.

To see whats for sale go to http://www.teddiesworldwide.com/

Wee Nick was one of the bears I had for sale but he is now off to USA

Woodend -- here we come....

2010-10-25T14:56:00.005+10:00

Well its only a few days now till the Woodend Teddy Bear Show. I'm looking forward to the show and catching up with friends and family while I am in Melbourne for the week.

Meet Tobias who's ready for a game of tennis and Roslin .These are just two new bears who will be looking for homes at the show.

Valentino Retrospective ...

2010-09-05T09:00:00.005+10:00

Last weekend I went to the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art to see the Valentino Retrospective Exhibition. Some of the dresses were just beautiful and the workmanship - all done by hand - totally amazing. Some of course over the top and not my thing at all! If you get the chance to see it it's worth a visit.I tried uploading some pics but they seem to be copyright protected.

I have also just finished "Fey" a 2"/5cm miniature bear. She is currently being auctioned on ebay and you can see more pics of her there.

Finally finished.....

2010-08-18T17:31:00.005+10:00

This is the little bear I made with Linda B while at the Gold Coast in June. Brigit and I had a spare day so what better way to spend it than to make a beautiful Benson Bear creation. Thanks Linda for sharing your skills and talents.

Since then I've made "Podge" - an open mouthed bear, made from sassy mini bear fabric who is just 10cm/4" tall and has a fat tum!!! For more pics click here

How time flies!!!

2010-08-09T11:50:00.004+10:00

I can hardly believe its been over two months since I blogged! But life seems to have been busy - sewing , quilting , dancing etc. I've finally finished the bear I made with Linda Benson while we were staying at the Gold Coast. Just have to take his pic. But I have been making several little bears. This is the latest - Dylan a 3.25" /8 cm bear sitting on his little rocking horse. He's made from sassy mini bear fabric and I've knitted his little jacket.

Elysia and Nissa the Nasturtium Elf

2010-06-02T13:36:00.004+10:00

Elysia

Nissa the Nasturtium Elf

Well the Fantasy Ball is well under way and above are two of my bears that have been adopted.

Baby Filbert the dragon and Lilla are still looking for new homes.

Don't forget to vote for your favourite bear or critter in the Australian Creative Design Awards. Baby Filbert

Lilla

Not long to go...

2010-05-25T08:50:00.006+10:00

Its only 6 sleeps until the Fantasy Ball . Don't forget to vote for your favourite entry in the Australian Creative Design awards. Here's another Sneak Peek of my critters you'll see at the Fantasy Ball.

I've also just finished Baby Alaska a miniature polar bear. He is currently being auctioned on ebay. You can see more pictures on ebay.

A Sneak Peek

2010-05-05T08:55:00.004+10:00

I am just about to head south for a short break so thought I would whet your appetite with a "Sneak Peek" of the bears and critter I will have for sale at Teddy Bears and Critters Fantasy Ball which is an online show from 31st May to 6th June.

May Labour Day weekend

2010-05-04T07:20:00.006+10:00

We just spent the weekend at Bell, a small country town at the base of the Bunya Mountains about 3 1/2 hours drive from Brisbane. We were there for the wedding of Jess and Adam. The service was held in the very small chapel at Jimbour and then drinks and canapes were at Jimbour house a very old building , with beautiful grounds.

Jess looked absolutely stunning as did the bridesmaids and the little flower girl and page boy were a delight. I mustn't forget Adam and his boys - all dressed in their long coats somewhat reminiscent of Mr.Darcy

Soooo. ... cute!

The reception followed back at Bell in the memorial hall. The country hall had been transformed and it looked amazing. Jess who is an events manager for Brisbane Convention Centre did a fantastic job.
It was a great wedding - good food , wine and plenty of dancing.

Busy,busy,busy.....

2010-04-13T07:08:00.006+10:00

Life seems to have been so busy lately with little time to do the things I want to do. But things are settling down now and I can back into my bearmaking,quilting and painting. I am madly working on my pieces for Teddy Bears and Critters "Fantasy Ball" of which the deadline is looming.

Sally is my latest creation that is currently being auctioned on ebay . You can view more photos there. This is the first time I have used Lou Bear fabric from South Africa and I was pleased with the result. It is a combination of mohair and viscose. It doesn't show up well in the photo but is actually a very pale pink.

I'm Back...

2010-03-21T14:31:00.004+10:00

Well its a long time since I did a post .... too much has been going on .... so my bearmaking has been very quiet. But I'm back with a few new littlies.

I finished Flossy last night - soo cute!

Flossy the miniature bunny is just 1.75"/4.5cm tall. I knitted her little jacket - how fiddly. I'm so pleased that Judy has her knitting needles out again! Flossy is being auctioned on ebay .Click here for more info and photos.

The next little fellow is Davy who is 3"/7.5cm tall and is having a great time on his rocking horse.He is wearing a hand knitted jacket made by my friend Judy Buist

To purchase Davy go to ebay.

And finally here is Mackenzie wearing a silk ribbon and vintage lace. Mackenzie is 3.5"/9cm tall.For more photos and to purchase go to ebay

Maleny has had only 7 rain free days since the beginning of Feb and we are getting very tired of this weather. I am amazed at how quickly mold starts growing and washing just doesn't want to dry. I had to resort to the dryer today. The mold even grows on the inside of the windows!! Anyway at least we have plenty of water not like those in the southern parts of Oz.

Time For A Sneak Peek!

2010-01-13T13:55:00.003+10:00

Just thought I'd whet your appetite with a "Sneak Peek" of my bears for the "Be My Valentine"online bear show which is being held on 13th & 14th Feb. Thanks to Linda B and Linda D for help with this!

Benson Bears Blogiversary and a Giveaway!!

2010-01-13T10:58:00.004+10:00

For all those bear lovers out there - you have a chance to become the proud owner of a Benson Bear! Just take a look at Bears in The Bush blog for a chance to win. Heres the link http://bensonbears.blogspot.com/2010/01/blogiversary-and-give-away.html

I have 3 minature Benson Bears in my collection , made by Linda in the 90's. They are quite different from the realistic bears Linda now makes but I still love them.

Rain ,Rain and More rain...

2010-01-09T09:28:00.005+10:00

Well its been raining here since Christmas Eve and there is more to come! We shouldn't complain as now our water tanks are overflowing and everywhere is looking lush and green! The cows in the paddock over the road are certainly enjoying the luscious grass which grows at an incredilbly quick rate here. You need to mow about every 5 days or else it just gets away!
Finally my bears are finished for the Be My Valentine on line bear show being held on 13th and 14th Feb. When I work out how to do it I'll post a "Sneak Peek"
Below is "Michel" another little creation wearing a hand knitted dress made by Judy Buist. She is currently being auctioned on ebay.

Vegetarian Christmas Turkey

2009-12-30T17:28:00.009+10:00

I just had to share the photo below with you. My son is a vegetarian and for Christmas Day he cooked a rather unusual turkey!!!

Fruit mince turkey,roadside roo and wombat!

Greetings...

2009-12-23T07:18:00.003+10:00

There hasn't been much work done as far as bears go for some time, but with Teddy Bears and Critters "Be My Valentine Show" deadline looming I really need to get my act together and do some bear making, but there always seems to be something in the way! And I find it very hard to concentrate when so much is going on. The most recent bear I made was the Christmas gift for the quilting group. Actually it's a pin cushion - poor bear!!

Anyway I'd like to thank everyone for your support during 2009 and wish you all a happy and safe festive season whatever you do and see you in 2010.

How gorgeous is this....

2009-12-22T08:26:00.003+10:00

Linda Benson of Benson Bears is having another giveaway! To have a chance of winning you just have to come up with a name for this cute little guy.

More Quilting

2009-12-22T07:26:00.004+10:00

In November I started making a convergence quilt / wall hanging.which was a project I'd had in mind for a while but just couldn't get started. I followed the instructions in Ricky Tims book "Convergence Quilts" I used four fat quarters of fabric which were cut into strips and joined and then cut and pieced again. I found it hard to visualise the end result and hoped the fabrics work well together. I used some Japanese fabric. The Japanese pine tree motif has been machine and hand quilted and appliqued.
I'm really happy with the end result and I will probably hang it in my bedroom.

Patio Pets....

2009-12-02T16:58:00.003+10:00

I've just returned from visiting friends and while there saw a Patio Pet in the making!

You may well ask - what is a Patio Pet??? Well these are handmade caricatured sculptures made from a combination of woods and metals. These creations are made by a friend of mine - Murray Hinwood who has just moved to Maleny. What a lovely way to remember your best friend who is no longer around. I would love to have one of my old boy Toby. Here are just a few of his dogs but you can see more on the Patio Pets website

Toy Poodle

Kelpie - ready and awaiting for action!

The Schnauzer Family

Christmas Swap Bears

2009-11-23T08:49:00.006+10:00

Sandi from Teddy Bears and Critters Australasia decided it would be fun to do a Christmas Bear Swap with other members.My swap was with Laraine White - Raine Bears from New Zealand.
Here is Miko a 14cm tall bear that Laraine made for me. Isn't he just so cute and aren't I so lucky!

And this is Nicholas - 10cm tall bear I sent to Laraine.

A new album has been created on the TBACA website where the swap bears are displayed. You might like to have a look at them . Just Click here

Back Home...

2009-11-08T11:25:00.010+10:00

Well its ages since I posted but that's because I've been tripping around Victoria catching up with family and friends. It was a nice break but also good to be back home and back to life in Maleny and back to dancing,which I had really missed.

While away I did manage to visit a few quilt shops but was very restrained and didn't buy any fabric but did find a book I liked on Japanese quilt blocks.
I also spent a day with Sandi. We lunched,shopped and visited Kim at Bear Essence which is now in Tooradin and talked all things bear.
My latest creations are Neva and Mariette. Neva just 4"/10cm tall, is rugged up ready to go tobogganing. He obviously is planning an overseas trip as it is far too hot here at the moment for duffel coats and snow. His Duffel coat is another piece of knitting from Judy Buist.

Mariette stands just 6" / 15cm tall. Her dress has been made from vintage lace and hand dyed lace.

Quilting Time...

2009-10-13T07:51:00.010+10:00

I've been busy making bears and finishing off orders so it was a nice break to have a day of quilting. I decide to make a Quilted Clock for my neice who has just had a baby. So as well as the bear I still have to make for him I thought the clock would be something a little different. So with the help of fellow quilter Linda Graham - Soft Clox who gave me some hints and tips I created this golly clock.I was very pleased with the finished result even though a few small errors but hopefullyI'll not make those mistakes with the next one.

I have made a few quilts over the last few years . My first one was a golly quilt which I designed. It was a lot of work and had to be unpicked and the blocks resewn - nobody told me you had to measure the blocks and my cutting out was not very good but I was happy with the finished result.

This quilt I made in a class with my quilt group "Fat Quarters". It was designed and taught by Margaret Smith. Sadly Margaret recently lost her battle with cancer so I was pleased to have done this class with her and to have finished it so she could see it.

The next quilt I made for my sister-in-law Sue. It was 18months in the making but from what I hear from some quilters that's not a long time. I had made another quilt from the same design in a class with AnnFerguson from Quiltopia.

Meet Simon....

2009-09-29T18:13:00.008+10:00

Well its been a busy time over the last couple of weeks in the "Les Bears" household. After Gary left for USA I only had a few days on my own before my friend Judy arrived. And as you can imagine we've hardly come up for air!!! But while we've been chatting I've also been very productive. Suddenly I had orders from friends who wanted bears for friends, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. So with deadlines for these bears fast approaching it has been work, work work. But they are all finished and ready to go to their new homes. The bears were made from my patterns, Meg -12" and Huxley -14",very traditional and very big for me! Judy was kept busy knitting their jackets.

With all the big bears out of the way I've been able to get back to my miniatures and "Simon"was created. He stands just 2"/5cm tall and is wearing one of Judy's miniature creations - a duffle coat. He is just sooo... cute!!!

Catching up with friends

2009-09-17T07:39:00.003+10:00

Yesterday I had a lovely visit from friends Cindy and Derek. Many of you would remember Cindy and Derek from Beary Cheap Bear Supplies a mail order bear making supplies business which they owned for nearly 14 yrs. Cindy and Derek are just about ready to leave Australia to move to Phuket,Thailand. A new adventure starts for them ...

How Time Flies....

2009-09-09T05:45:00.012+10:00

When you're having fun.......well being busy.

What a busy week its been. We've had friends and family staying, friends over for lunch, bear classes ,dancing classes and on Saturday and Sunday the Dare to Dream on line bear show.

What an amazing selection of bears and critters! And such a well organized show. A big thank you to Sandi for all her hard work.

Leo my 1 1/2" rabbit was adopted and yesterday Mei-Mei my 2" panda also found a new home.

Mei-Mei 2"/5cm SOLD

Leo 1 1/2"/4cm SOLD

On Saturday I had an email from Lyn wanting to adopt Leo but it went into my spam folder and I didn't discover it until yesterday. But she decided to take Mei-Mei instead and on Sunday we lost internet connection and didn't get it back until the show was well and truly over, but there was an email from Robyn wanting to adopt Leo. Aren't computers great..... when they're working and how reliant we have become on them.

Hunter and Honey are both awaiting new homes. You can also view the bears and critters that weren't sold at Teddy Bears and Critters

Hunter 2"/5cm $140

Honey 2"/5cm $140

Last night we had dinner with neighbours - great food , wine and company and today its back to work to get some orders finished.

Its Sneak Peek Time

2009-08-31T19:27:00.007+10:00

With only a few days left until the Teddy Bears and Critters on line show I thought it was time to give you a little peek at my new bears and a critter!

I have to say I had no idea how to create this photo but once again Sandi came to the rescue. Many thanks Sandi. Don't forget to visit the Dare to Dream show this Saturday starting at 10am.

Teddy Bears and Critters Spring Challenge

2009-08-22T13:10:00.005+10:00

Meet Freya - she is my entrant for the Teddy Bears and Critters Spring Challenge. You can view the entrants here http://www.teddybearsandcritters.com/springchallenge.htm

The flowers in the scene are created by my sister-in- law Jennifer Findlay , glass artist http://www.jenniferfindlay.com/

Beautiful one day perfect the next.....

2009-08-22T12:03:00.008+10:00

This was what we used to say when we first moved to Queensland back in 1982 and we still seem to say it. Yesterday it was the most perfect day. Relies are holidaying at Maroochydore so we took them to Noosa for the day. We did the walk through Noosa National Park which follows the coastline. The weather was perfect and the sea crystal clear and that beautiful aqua colour - magic! It has to be one of the best places in Australia. We saw a turtle swimming, goanna sunbaking,bush turkey running along the sand and heard lots of birds singing.

Granite Bay from Noosa National Park

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree......

Goanna basking in the sun

New Sydney Doll Show

2009-08-17T15:40:00.004+10:00

I spent Saturday and Sunday at the Doll show at Blacktown Leisure Centre in Sydney. My friend Judy accompanied me on Saturday. There were few bear traders there and the only ones I knew were Claire and Norm Newell from Claire Bears. There were lots of dolls, some collectables ,miniatures and lots of bits and pieces that you often only find at doll shows .There was a steady stream of people through all day and while there were none of the familiar collectors faces I usually see at bear shows I did sell patterns and kits to some new bear makers.

Claire and Norm Newell

Sunday was much like all two day shows - very quiet, which is disastrous as you always find something to spend your profits on.

How does your garden grow?.......

2009-08-09T12:54:00.011+10:00

Well, if you live in Maleny it grows at a great rate as do the weeds. When we moved here two and a half years ago everyone told us to be careful what we planted as things grow to about 3 times the size here. Well its true. Just look at the lemon I picked today - its huge and if its like all the others it will be full of juice.I made a lemon meringue pie which called for the juice of two lemons - it was so sour we could hardly eat it!! Juice of half a lemon would have been enough.

I have had little success growing carrots - they just don't seem to germinate . I put this down to insects and birds having a feed on the seeds, until I pulled out what I thought was one big carrot, but it was a whole lot joined together. All the seeds must have washed in together. I'm not the best gardener!

This week I also managed to do a revamp of my website. It was something I'd been wanting to do for sometime and even though I should have been madly sewing for the Sydney Doll Show next weekend,the computer kept getting in the way. Anyway its finished for the time being.

I did finish a 5"/13cm tall bear named Rachel. Rachel is made from a short pile golden mohair with matching ultrasuede paw pads. I knitted her some cute stripey overalls. And now back to work!!

Beginings....

2009-08-03T07:35:00.010+10:00

I'm often asked how I started into the wonderful world of bear making..... so here's my story.
I was walking through the Riverside markets in Brisbane one Sunday morning with my daughter, Emily and we came across a lady selling bears. They looked so gorgeous that I thought then that I would have to find out how to make one. When I questioned the seller about where to buy fabric she was totally unhelpful and wasn't going to divulge her secrets!! The following week I was collecting the fees from one of the YMCA playgroups ( I used to work for the Y) and the playgroup leader knowing that I was into all sorts of crafts asked me if I knew of anyone who taught bear making. She then told me about a good book she'ds seen ( The art Of Teddy Bear Making by Jennifer Laing) and where I could buy some supplies. So on the way home I picked up the book got some fur - Synthetic and plastic joints - and that weekend my world into bears started. I went to the craft fair to buy eyes and there I bumped into Gerry's stand. A visit the following week to Gerry's ( she used to work from a very small room off her house at Rosewood) and I was never to be the same again. I just had to keep making bear after bear. Everyone (friends and family) thought I'd completely lost the plot! That was in 1993 and in 1995 I was made redundant from the YMCA and so bears became full time and I also started working for Gerry in her new shop which opened in Brisbane Arcade.

But my bear making goes back many years before when I was about 7 or 8 yrs old. I grew up in England and at primary school we used to spend some time learning a variety of crafts. I remember sewing dolls clothes and I made a little bear then with glass eyes - more like a koala. He sits in one of my cabinets along with Sooty the first bear I made in1993.

Sooty and my first bear

Its all too hard ...

2009-07-30T07:16:00.005+10:00

I knew this blog thing would be a learning curve but why does it all have to become too hard!! I still can't get the Post Comments to load - it just doesn't want to do it!!! Thanks Sandi for your help but...

Anyway on to more interesting things. I managed to finish a bear yesterday. Her name is "Sophie" She is an old styled traditional bear which I made from felted mohair which I like to use. She is 18cm/7" tall which is a big bear for me. I dressed Sophie in a jacket that I made from a lacy collar that I hand dyed, and which was handknitted by my friend Judy Buist. It ties at the neck with a silk ribbon and a glass bead which was made by my sister-in-law Jennifer Findlay. Jenn creates the most amazing glass beads - http://www.jenniferfindlay.com/

I've finally got started...

2009-07-28T18:27:00.019+10:00

After much procrastination I've finally got started ! Although I am wondering what I am going to write. I've never been much of a diary writer so we'll see what happens.

It's a glorious morning here in Maleny with yet another beautiful sunrise and the mist lying over Lake Baroon. Its going to be another beautiful day in paradise.

Today would be a perfect day for gardening but as I am stuffed up with a cold and flu like symptoms I think I will just have to have a lazy day working on some bears I need for the upcoming shows. I suddenly realised that the Sydney Show was only 2 weeks away not the 3 as I had thought. Hope fully tomorrow I will be able to post some new creations