Donated Booh Bear for Children's Hospital Charity

Earlier this year a dear lady who collects my bears (Karen Baldwin) contacted me and asked if I would be able to help her raise funds to help the Children's Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland purchase an MRI Scanner.   Karen is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist in the U.K. and she became involved in this quest as she had a friend who's child battled cancer and had to travel many miles for his MRI scans.   Being a cancer survivor myself and remembering how it felt to just travel far enough for my chemo appointments, I can't imagine these small children, who are gravely ill, having to travel for hours for their much needed scans - scans that are mandatory to track and pinpoint the cancerous cells.   Please help the Children's Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland raise funds for an MRI Scanner. Send PayPal Donation to: karen.baldwin@cbtservices.co.uk     Donation of $1 GPB will allow your name to be entered in a drawing to win this Booh Bear! Please do not mention "raffle or drawing" on your Donation as PayPal will not allow this.   Karen will send your ticket numbers after receiving your Donation.  The drawing will take place on May 19th and Karen will email the winner.  Postage will be paid by Karen. ** Please note **  I just heard from Karen that there will be 5 bears in this drawing - so when you buy a ticket, this will give you a chance to win one of 5 bears!  Celia is one of them and then there will be 4 other artist's that have donated bears to the cause, as well.  THE CHILDREN, KAREN AND I THANK YOU!  The winners have been drawn!  Thank you so much to everyone who participated.  They raised over $500 GPB for the cause.  The winners are as follows:   **** 467 - Rachel Moran  396 - Faye Ward  127 - Ciara Callaghan  365 - Jean Doherty  and 208 - Nysha Nelson ****  

Something Different!

I started this little one over 4 months ago and finally just finished her this weekend!  Charley is made from really pretty (no longer available) viscose fabric from Tyber in Belgium.  It's the type of fabric, I feel, that lends itself to being distressed quite well.   I plucked, sanded, clipped and snipped and just otherwise "abused" this little bear so she would look and feel like an old friend.   Her outfit is made from an old Raggedy Ann dress that had seen better days.  I love the print on these vintage fabrics.    I have one more bear in my UFO (unfinished objects) stash, maybe I'll get to her in another 4 months! Have a great week!  xoxo,  Janice

New Pattern Designed for Noble Bears & Fabrics

My latest little teddy, Murissa, will soon be a star!   I designed her pattern for Veronika of Noble Bears & Fabrics so that she may sell the pattern in her store.   Veronika will have the pattern ready soon!   It was such an honor to be contacted by her as she carries some of the most sought after artist's patterns.  I feel very blessed to be included among them.   Thank you, Veronika!    Since Veronika paid me for the design, I decided not to set a reserve on this little ted and put her on ebay with $1 start and no reserve!  If you have a moment to peek in on Murissa's auction, this is the link ... Murissa Teacup Teddy Ebay Auction
Thanks so much and have a blessed Sunday!  xoxo

A Grandmother's Love ...

It's been over 2 years since Mom passed away and I still miss her so very much.  "They" say with time, it will get easier (whoever "They" are, I'm assuming they are people who have lived through it and can attest that what they profess is true) but there have still been so many times when I look to Heaven and tell her I wish she were here and ask her out loud "what would you do Mom?"   Just saying it out loud helps me feel better.  My grown daughter has been having some difficult times lately and I have asked God and Mom to watch over her.  Well, this past weekend, I believe Mom was doing just that.   Early Saturday morning, my daughter was sitting next to an open window with just a screen separating her from the outdoors.  It was very quiet and she said she whispered through the screen "I love you Grandma ... I miss you" - she said at that very moment, a hummingbird appeared out of nowhere, with fluttering wings, suspended in midair within inches of my daughter's face.  She said the little bird stayed right there for what seemed a few minutes.  Mom loved all birds but hummingbirds were her very favorite -so much so, that we had one carved in the corner of her gravestone.  Such a special, loving reminder that we are not alone, that even though our loved ones are no longer with us here on Earth, their love lingers to help us through our difficult times.   Here's to better days, my dear daughter.  Just knowing Grandma is here has to help tremendously.   All our love, Grandma and Mom