Someone Has Moved

When I was little, there was a puzzle game that for one reason or another amused me. It was something that I returned to often, sometimes on rainy or cold days. Maybe you have seen one like it. It was called Changeable Charlie.

It was a picture of a man’s face broken into blocks. On each side of the blocks was a different picture. One had different eyes and one had different ears and so on. I even remember there was one with a fly on his nose. I always thought that was funny. Then you could give him crossed eyes like he was looking at the fly.

The following photos reminded me of that puzzle. These little bears and bunnies were very tricky.

Do these heads . . .

match these bottoms?

I think someone has moved.

Do these heads . . .

match these bottoms?

Okay you guys, someone has definitely moved.

Ah there we go – tops and bottoms in the correct places.

Now be good little bears and good little bunnies while I sew.

In Search of a Cupcake

On the way to the show in New York, we started out a day early so we could have a leisurely drive. We stopped about half way to spend the night outside of Washington, DC. That evening decided that it would be fun to get a cupcake from one of the many cupcake shops in the DC area. Here’s how the conversation went between me and my ‘driver’.

Him: Why don’t we go to one of the cupcake shops here?
Me: Okay, which one?
Him: I don’t know. Pick one.
Me: There’s one in Georgetown. We hardly ever go to Georgetown.
Him: Sounds good to me.

So – off we go, heading into Georgetown. We were going to find Georgetown Cupcake, park on the street, pop in the shop and pick out one cupcake each.

Things went as planned for a bit. We found Georgetown Cupcake.

M-m-m-m. Don’t they look delicious?

It was just about that time we both doubled over in laughter. Did we really think we were going to have a cupcake? Check out that line!

Every time we remember this adventure in search of a cupcake, we laugh and laugh. Next time we’ll plan way in advance and get in line at lunchtime.

What’s going/gone on here . . .

Today, on my desk, sits the rest of this little fellow. He’ll be whole soon.

These are the faces of some recently adopted former studio residents.

And this one hasn’t been seen much of anywhere, but she’s happily living in Wisconsin with some very cool bears – as I understand it.

Now, I think there’s someone calling me.  Yes.  I’m sure of it now.  It appears that I’ve been summoned back to my needle and thread.

As always, thanks so much for stopping by and thanks for all of your lovely and much appreciated comments!

Sun, Sand, Sea

In the previous post I showed you a few night photos of one of my favorite places.

Here’s a few in the daytime.

A breakfast view from the porch swing.

These rockers were also an option.

Saturday was sunny and warm with calm seas.

The tide was out when I took this photo of the sound.

Seaside butterflies in all different colors- some a brilliant purple which doesn’t show very well here.

Sunday’s Sea – as my husband said was “smooth as glass.”  It was.

Bye-bye beach.  See you next time.

PoQ

On a Friday night

from the last beach in North Carolina heading south

a slightly warm and gently calm tide rolling in and out

a favorite piece of quiet.

The Before and After Hat

While I was unpacking I came across my TBAI hat. Actually, it was the After TBAI Hat. Let me explain.

This was my hat before I went to the show, decorated with teddy bear pin/buttons. I will label this the Before TBAI Hat.

My idea was to exchange a button for a signature. That’s it. No other requirements. I didn’t make people stand on their heads or sing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. I didn’t ask them to name all the Presidents or the State Capitols. I didn’t ask them to solve any great mathematical equations. Nope. Just choose a button and sign my hat.

Now here’s the After TBAI Hat.

As you can see, quite a few buttons are missing. Yet, in their place, is a various assortment of autographs of friends, collectors, artists, friends of collectors, friends of artists and oh well, you get the idea.

I still have a few buttons left to giveaway. If I can remember, maybe I will take my hat on my next show adventure and see if I can add a few more signatures.

Oh yeah, does anyone remember that game – Button, Button, Who’s got the Button?  I loved that game – no great athletic ability required!

TBAI – Showroom/Gallery Snaps

Here are a few snapshots of the TBAI showroom and some of the gallery pieces.

This is most of the showroom on the day of set-up.  This what you might call a before photo.  Before the artists are in place.  Before the bear collectors and their bears are allowed in.  Before the tables are depleted of their residents.  I don’t have an after photo.  Just imagine this photo with fewer bears and more people.  That would just about do it!

In the foreground you can see a few of the gallery pieces.  In the background the showroom.  I was so impressed by the absolute elegance of the whole place.  All the gallery pieces were so creative and many were utterly stunning.

I am delighted to share a random sampling of photos of the gallery pieces.  I didn’t take photos of each one.  Not enough time.  In fact, I usually have time to wander around downtown or along the waterfront, but no, instead I spent my time chatting to everyone I hadn’t seen in ages and some I saw only last week.  I know you can’t imagine me – me - spending time talking!

This was Little Women if you can’t read the title of the book or the tag.  It’s one of my favorite books.  What a lovely, lovely piece.

The Pied Piper – Look at those little faces looking up at the Piper – and their costumes, too.

I thought my sister might appreciate this one.  Johnny Appleseed.  She used to dress up as Johnny for her students.

George’s Marvelous Medicine.  Oh my!  Look at all the tiny labels on all the tiny bottles, not to mention the sweet bear too.

This is The Secret Garden.  Another one of my very favorite books.  I’ll bet you are wondering how I ever made it out of the showroom with so many of my favorite books interpreted teddy bear style.  It wasn’t easy, but the lure of friends, food and fun made it just bearly tolerable.

A show is a great place to get inspired, have fun and meet some really interesting and cool people.  If you have never been to one and you’re thinking about it, you should dip your toe in the water.

My next one is the Chantilly Fall Frolic Show and Sale at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia on Sunday, September 12th.  Speaking of which, I better go unpack from TBAI so I can get ready for Chantilly in just a few short weeks.

Thanks for visiting with me as I blogged about TBAI!

TBAI – Not all the animals were stuffed.

Yes, it’s true.  Not all the animals that we enjoyed over the TBAI weekend were stuffed.

On Friday, we toured an alpaca farm.

This is their view.

They let us get up close and personal with these fascinating animals

“You lookin’ at me?”

“Is this my best side?”
“Does it show off my lovely curls?”
” What do you mean I’m not an alpaca?”
”A sheep?  Really?!”

Then on Saturday, we met a couple of the Binghamton Zoo residents in the fur (or feather) as the case may be.

I don’t think I have ever felt softer fur than on this fennec fox.

And then what a gorgeous color on this parrot.

Next post – some of the stuffed animals from TBAI!  Mostly bears, and a few other animals maybe.  I promise no stuffed people though. Yes a few were stuffed from dinner but I didn’t take their photos!

The Mad Hatter’s Tea-BAI Party

I have loads and loads of pictures of the fantabulous TBAI Mad Hatter’s Tea on Thursday night, but I will try to share only a few of the non-blurry ones.

Less talk – more photos, Ginger.

First up - the décor:

Alice and the Mad Hatter.  Aren’t they terrific?

The White Rabbit.  Fabulous!

I didn’t mind being at this tea party!

Teddy Bear Tea Party Guest – up for adoption!

Next I will share . . .

- a few of the guests:

My blogging friend Cheryl of Bingle Bears and who is that with her?  That’s the guy I married.

This is Elanor of Shantock Bears and Lex – all the way from the UK.  Aren’t they a great couple?  Elanor’s work is spectacular.  Go and check out her blog or her website.

Next – we have- the action (or not):

I’ll let these photos speak for themselves.

This is Darlene again – always with a smile on her face!

And finally – the hats . . .

A few of the hats in all their wonderful, creative silliness:

Meg of Pinney Bears – also from North Carolina

The Voting BeginsClap!  Clap!  Clap!

All together now!

I would wear this hat.  Really.  I would.  Then I would take it home and let him keep me company while I sew. 

Now truly, I wish you were here.