I have not posted anything lately and there is a reason.  My sister & I have always had a dream of owning an antique shop.  About four years ago, we decided that we could work together and started working toward that goal.  About three years ago, Becky purchased an old bank building in Prairie City, Iowa.....it was built in 1889 and was in terrible shape.  She has been working on that building for a long time using contractors for electrical, plumbing and HVAC.  I have helped her with removing plaster to expose brick walls and painting.  We will be laying salvaged flooring from an old church in Iowa and then sanding, staining, and sealing.  There will be much to do after that, but we have decided it will be ready at that point for our grand opening.  Please check out our handout below for information on our grand opening in June.  We are also doing our first show together in Des Moines, IA this coming weekend.  It is called Junk Jubilee.  We will have antique, vintage, primitive and architectural items for sale.  We have been working like crazy to try to get our items ready for the show.  We will set up for the show this Thursday.

I have had to put the making of teddy bears on the back burner until the show is over.  I have stopped working  on a bear which I will be offering for sale.  It will be posted on Facebook when done.  I am anxious to start working on teddy bears again.  I am posting a photo of the start of the bears head.  He or she will be about 19" tall when done. You can check out my Facebook page at aDORRablebears Facebook Page.

The weather is still crazy here in Iowa.  I have been trying to get some vintage pieces sanded and I haven't been able to do much due to the rain.  I don't want to sand in my garage because of the dust, and I can't sand in my driveway due to the rain......so I have been working on my front porch in a warm coat.  There is a chance of snow tonight.  I can't believe it's almost the end of April.  We will most likely go right to hot & humid weather.

I hope you are all enjoying the somewhat warmer weather.  More next week.......

Grand Opening Information for Mud Pies & Sassafras Tea



aDORRable bears Work In Progress, April 2013

Kelly Bug

This is Kelly Bug and she was created about 15 years ago.  I love her face and I love the fabric she is made from......which I cannot get anymore.  She is named after my oldest daughter.  I took her photo amongst my flowers and I also enjoy the color in the background.  Took this photo with my Father's vintage Minolta...back in the day when I still used film.  My how times have changed

Gemma ~~ Before & After

Here is Gemma as a work in progress and after eyes have been set, nose & mouth have been sewn and face has been clipped, plucked and distressed.  So much of the personality emerges in the last steps of bear making......

Gemma

Here is Gemma....heading to her new home in Missouri.  She is 20" tall, off white German mohair, antique boot button eyes, perle cotton nose, wool felt paw pads and stuffed with poly & excelsior.  Gemma wears a vintage sweater and carries a purse from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. 

Benjamin

Penn The Patriotic is made from an antique horsehair lap robe, antique boot button eyes with red felt inserts behind them and felt paw pads from antique spats. He is wearing an antique men's collar and antique flag bunting as a sash. He is stuffed with excelsior and polyfil.  There are imperfections on the lap robe and the felt paw pads....which adds to the old traditional look. He will be heading to Collins Gifts.

Ruby loves her vintage Valentine.....the teddy bears make her heart go pitty pat!

It's officially February and I am happy to start posting some scanned images of vintage Valentine postcards.  I am always on the lookout for any vintage holiday card which also shows a teddy bear.  Christmas cards are plentiful.  I have not yet found any Halloween, Thanksgiving or Fourth of July postcards with teddy bears.  I have seen very few for Easter and Valentines Day.  I am always excited to find one and particularly to find one I have never seen before.  I was checking out one of our local antique malls one evening this week and happened upon the most wonderful fold out Valentine Card which also contained teddy bears and was made in Germany.  It is in perfect condition.....I was thrilled.  Also found another with a polar bear on it.  You just can't beat the graphics from the early 1900's.  I will post both of those later in the week.

This gorgeous card is just delightful.  The children are beyond precious and it is so very cute that a child is driving a car with his goggles on.  The colors are vibrant and gorgeous and it is made even better by containing both a sweet dolly and apprehensive looking teddy bear.  I hope you enjoy these cards as much as I do. 

I'm not so much a fan of Valelntine's Day because of what it has become.  It has gone from being a sweet holiday to give your 'crush' a special acknowledgement, to a holiday of high expectations and greed.  I would much rather receive a card on a random day that would speak volumes to me.....'hey I was thinking about you today and wanted to let you know. 

The cards I will be sharing are a tribute to the sweetness from the days of old.....

Are you getting ready for Valentine's Day?  How do you celebrate?  I'm sending some love your way....

I'm back in the newly cleaned and organized studio after a lovely holiday break.  It's fun to work on the beloved bears again and I want to try some new patterns and some new distressing and some new looks this year.  Maybe even some new critters.  I hope your new year has started off well.  Have any of you made any resolutions for the new year?  I usually do not.

Here is my first work in progress for 2013.  She was sewn before Christmas but patiently waited until now to be born.  You can see her face start to take shape and that is the most fun.  When those eyes get set and the nose goes on, it is such a joy to meet the new personality.  She is a special order and will have the name Gemma.

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy New Year to all of you.  May 2013 bring an abundance of Love, Health & Prosperity your way.  Whether you go out to party or stay snug in your home, I hope you stay safe.  God Bless!

These are a few of my favorite things.............also known as a box of happiness.  I hope you are enjoying the season.

 

I will be 'decking the halls' this weekend after a much needed deep cleaning. I love seeing the tiny white lights tossed in with greenery all over the house. I must remember to take photos and post after I get everything set up.   If you are like me, it's always a work in progress with items added or moved daily. 

I hope you are all taking some time to sit a spell and enjoy your lights with a cup of eggnog and luscious sugar cookie.

 

 

 

 

I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and that you survived Black Friday, if you chose to go out and brave the crowds.  I was exhausted after a long day of cooking, cleaning, organizing, schlepping and cleaning up.......my cozy couch was calling my name. 

 

I love the holidays and Christmas is so special to me.  I love the music, the deocrations, the family time.....it evokes such warm and wonderful feelings of days past.  Even with the chaos of shopping, people seem to be nicer, happier and more generous.  I truly do wish we could keep that spirit year round.

 

Enjoy the holidays!