7 Years Cancer Free!

Today marks the Seventh Anniversary of my LAST chemotherapy treatment for Breast Cancer and I feel SO blessed!   It is God who brought me through it and it is God who continues to lead me day to day.  I took this picture in Ouray, Colorado and thought it was the perfect backdrop to share God's word.  This beautiful plant with pink flowers - rising towards the Sun - taking root along a broken down old fence.   God provides hope and a future for all who choose to believe. 

Have a blessed day!   I'm off to do my annual dance in the street!  xxxx  

My Bear Collection is Complete!

Today, I brought home the most precious bear and I couldn't be happier.   I have a very, very limited "collection" that includes only bears from my favorite artists and a few antiques.   I am afraid to become a true arctophile with bears everywhere for fear my family will have no place to sit.  So, I limit myself.   Today I was able to add one of my friend, Joanne Livingston's, Desert Mountain Bears to my "hug" and I am pretty sure my collection is complete now!

Safford was my choice (or maybe I was his) and he is a big beautiful boy made of creamy, dense mohair with airbrushed accents and a face that would melt the coldest of hearts.   He feels alive in my arms - honestly - like having a baby bear cub in my arms!

Joanne shared with me that her little dog "Thor" sits on her lap while she works and she commented that Safford looks quite a bit like Thor and I agree, he does!   I took a picture of Joanne holding Safford and Thor before I went on my way with my new family member (please excuse the poor photo - phone cameras and I don't get along too well).    Thank you, Joanne, for allowing me to choose - it was one of the most difficult decisions I've made in a long time but when I held sweet Safford in my arms, I could almost hear him tell me that he was the one and who could argue with a face like that?!   I love him and will cherish him always!    Hugs & Blessings, Janice

Picture of Joanne, Safford and Thor  :o)

Mom (and Grandma) Would be Proud!

This post doesn't have anything to do with bears or bear related projects but it does have to do with my Mom (and Grandma :o)   I decided to try my hand at a recipe I found on Pinterest today and I know my Mom (and Grandma) would be so proud of me!   I made my own Laundry Detergent from ingredients that both Mom and Grandma used to use.   It was very inexpensive and it works and smells great, too!    The recipe called for 1 Laundry Bar of Fels-Naptha Soap (grated small) and then you add 1 cup of  Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and mix in 1-1/2 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax.  You only need 1-1/2 to 2 heaping tablespoons per load.  I washed an entire load of towels and sheets/pillowcases and they all came out so clean and it's good for the environment!    I know in this day and age when there are dozens of types of laundry detergent to choose from, it seems kind of silly to make your own, but it was fun to give it a try and I know Mom would be proud of my ingenuity!  Have a blessed Sunday!   Hugs, Janice

 

Working on 4 Puppies at Once!

I was going to finish one more puppy from my "Tototoo" pattern before offering the pattern for sale.  My dilemma,  I could not choose a fabric to make it from!  So, I decided to cut out 4 puppies to solve the problem!   I am currently working on these 4 puppies (each one a different color and different density mohair).   Once they are done, I will post two for adoption from my website and two for adoption from eBay.   Then I will offer the pattern for sale, as well!  I hope you will check back to meet the pups!
Have a blessed Sunday!  Lots of hugs,  Janice

Finally Finished the Straggler!

Finally!  The last Gallery bear was completed tonight (or I guess I should say in the wee hours of the morning  :o)   Her name is April (I couldn't resist posting her on my website with an instrumental version of Simon & Garfunkel's "April Come She Will"  playing in the background)   She is made from one of my early patterns and it was a lot of fun revisiting this design!    She found a home as soon as I posted her but I thought I would show you her picture.  The Link to April's Web Page

I hope you have a blessed week!   Lots of hugs, Janice

Gallery Fizz Out!

The Gallery planned for last week fizzled out when a migraine decided to visit in the midst of creating!  I still plan to have one bear from the Show Gallery finished by April 10th and made available on my website. The next Gallery Show of Available Bears is scheduled for Sunday, April 28th at 7:00 p.m. Mountain Time, USA and hopefully it will go as planned!   Oh, and the puppy pattern I am going to be offering - that has been put on hold, too!  I am going to make a Yorkie from the pattern before I offer it for sale - so, be on the lookout for a Yorkie Booh made from my Tototoo pattern and after that, then the pattern will be made available for sale on my website and in my etsy shop!   Thank you for stopping by and reading my ramblings!   Have a blessed day!  xxxx