Stash Building

I have some new designs in my head and now partially on paper. These will be for a new shiny shop which will specialise in some really elegant collectors bunnies and bears .  More on this shop when I get the details finalised and have finished some yummy scrummy items for you to look at and hopefully add to your bear and bunny collections. As a result, I have been swelling my stash with some delectable supplies, and finding a new fabric shop called Dots and Stripes, I feel sure I shall return to. I got some printed cords which I have to tell you I spent SO LONG searching for a nice supply here in the UK for before I found this shop. Was really pleased with the speed they arrived too. I hate to wait, don't you?

Mohair yarn with a subtle shot of silver

Gorgeous Donegal Tweed from Wharfedale Woolworks

Aforementioned corduroys from Dots and Stripes

Hmmmm, decisions decisions, which fabric shall I put with this one?

These I have firm plans for.

If you are curious, why not add my new shop to your etsy favourites to be the first to see what I have been creating with these and other scrumptious goodies.

Teddy Bear Tuesday

Today's Teddy Bear Tuesday is all about the gorgeous vintage style bears from Kelly of Blondeheart. She has a blog called 'A Stuffed Life' which can be found here.  I love all bears with no exceptions really, but every now and again a style really tugs at my heart strings. I love Kelly's style.  I have picked out some of my favourites below (some are sold, sorry).  You can visit Kelly's own website here or find her at etsy here, where you find she has not only bears, but bunnies, a snowman and even pumpkin characters. These are all fantastic creations. Do go look, but only buy Sugar Plum if you are buying her for me, or I may sulk. She is my top pick.

Also, let me just take a mo, to remind you that in 1 week it will be valentines day and I have a three bears myself that would be perfect for your chosen one or for you if you would like to drop your other half a not so subtle hint. I will post 1st class so in theory you have till the end of the week to get one in time.

Victoria

Rufus

Juliet

Felipe

Fliss

Ok, so the last 2 were foxes, but very valentiney dont you think?

Teddy Bear Tuesday

Couldn't decide who to feature this week, so have done a treasury over on etsy of some I really like.  Please visit the treasury here to visit the individual items. Hope you enjoy my little selection.
This is my ted. The screenshot changes everytime I add something to my favourites and I can't find a way to capture the treasury on here, so please click link above for the actual treasury. Yell if you know how

Teddy Bear Tuesday (on a Wednesday)

Oooops! Well, that's me all over isn't it?  Always late.

Today I wanted to tell you about Sew Special Bears. The lady that makes these is one of the reasons I decided to make teds myself. I have always loved bears and last year my interest was very much renewed. One reason was that cursed shopping channel showing me Charlie Bears (I will tell you about those another day). The other was Jackie at Sew Special Bears.  These are not mass produced bears, but very individual and often one off  creations of gorgeousness.  I do not own a Sew Special Bear yet, but one day I shall treat myself.  Seeing what Jackie had created gave my the inspiration to try myself. I have included a few pictures of my faves and wanted to also tell you she has a prize draw running on her website with fabulous prizes up for grabs. Click the highlighted link above and it will take you to her home page where you can find details of the draw and all her lovely bears.

Teddy Bear Tuesday

I have to say, this is not an original idea, more one borrowed. It seems only fitting that the first teddy feature should be from whence it came. The Patchwork Ark. I have never been very fond of Tuesdays, so I am hoping that doing a little ted feature every week will help lift the Tuesdayness of it all.

Look at just some of my picks from her store

Mr. Buttons

Jing Mei

Emily

I also wanted to tell you about a giveaway at Bearbits. A gorgeous little fellow called Bouton. Click on the store name to take you to the giveaway on her loveley blog. I just love the banner picture. Wish I had thought of that.

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Firstly I would like to wish all my readers a Happy Christmas and New Year. Lets hope its a good one as they say in the song.
Like lots of us, I made a few gifts for presents and have had to save them up for now, so as not give the game away. I didnt make lots this year it has to be said, but here is a round up.

For my sister in law, who loves elephants, I got a cute miniature kit from The Old Pincushion . This made up and popped in a lovely teacup.  My brother cant moan about more elephants taking up too much room with this one can he?

For Mum, I purchased some lovely theraputic gels from Simply Beautiful Cosmetics. Whilst not handmade, these are fabulous and definitely to be recommended. They are not in the prettiest of packaging and I wanted to perk up the presentation a bit.  The cup above came as part of a pair so I tried my hand at candle making and made Mum a pretty teacup candle and packaged it all up to look pretty. it is a shame I didnt photograph  it pre- pink cellophane as you cant see it really, but you get the idea.

I made a cosmetics bag for Mum in law but forgot to take a picture, doh!

Whilst in the wax vibe, I made this one for a friends gift too.

For my other siter in law I opted to buy handmade from a lovely fellow etsy seller.  I have admired her work for some time and was lucky enought to win these gorgeous hand tatted snowflakes for my tree in her giveaway.

No, dont worry, I am not a cheapskate, I didnt give these as my gift to her. I ordered her this gorgeous pendant from Heathers range. Do check out her shop at Tatiana Rosa. You will not be dissapointed.

That rounds up the handmade gifts for this year, except to show you this cute pair of foxes I finished for a loveley customer in Canada. They are travelling as we speak. I love foxes, I think they are my absolute favourite to knit.

Just a quick reminder that I have 25% off lots of items in my shop until 7pm Friday so its a fabulous time to snap up the things you may have had your eye on. So do have a peek whilst you are on the computer.
Bargains here

   xxxxxxxxxxx   See you in 2012 xxxxxxxxxxxx

SALE TIME

Ok folks, as the Christmas shopping fury is over for this year, it is time for you to treat yourselves.  Like the high street (which will be noisy, busy and infuriating no doubt), I am having a sale on my teddy bears. There is a whacking 25% off all the bears from 9am tomorrow until 7pm next Friday.  I have lots of bears planned for next year and would like some space for them so why not take the opportunity while they are a wee bit more affordable.
The bears are here, but do have a peruse of the whole shop. We have so much more than teds.

Oh, and if you are an etsy seller and would like to use the sale tool I did to create this sale very easily, just use this link  http://www.etsyonsale.com/sellers?referralCode=GRAQHFN6YV  to take you to a very helpful site. Do look at the you tube instructional video. Tells you quickly all you need to know.

Beary Gift

I have been hanging on to show you this, for obvious reasons.  My good friend had her birthday today. She has long admired my bears and gave me some lovely red silk which she loved but found hard to work with.  So the logical thing was to make her a bear of her own and use her beautiful silk.  I love her and even my husband said he rather liked her too. What do you think? Sadly, it was a bit dark the day I took her mug shots and they dont do her justice really.

More Cuties in the Shop

With the last payday before Christmas coming up for lots of us, I expect many of you, like myself, will be thinking about the present shopping.  I have just listed these 3 little cuties in my etsy shop in time for the busy shopping season.  I dont know about you, I do not relish a trip to the shops at all.  These are my smaller ones with no joints, pom poms or small pieces, so are really nice for smaller children. I would probably say not under 3`s but it is your call.  At only £15 each, they are very affordable and if you buy more than one the subsequent ones ship free.  In addition to these bunnies, there are 2 little foxes in the shop, and if you have witch friendly kiddies, there are couple of witch bunnies in the same small style.

Dont forget, there are some lovely stockings and cute mittens for your tree in the etsy shop, with a selection of some of my bears and bunnies.



Terry

Ria

Raymond

Dont forget about the artist bears for those bear collectors on your list.

Rufus

Now, I think I may go pour myself a nice coffee and indulge in a mince pie.

More New items to show off

I have been busy making stock for the shop. I have just put these 2 in the etsy shop for now. I have opened a shop on folksy to cater for the UK market a bit more and am gradually adding things to that. Pretty much everything is one of one, so, if you see it in one and then in the other, there is still only one. I dont envisage it being a problem at this stage, but there are one or two things which you will only find in the one place.



Tabitha is my first cat design. More to follow



Rufus is a gorgeous raspberry red. He has a sister on the way shhhhh dont tell him yet he will get too excited!

New Bears in time for Christmas

The giveway is now closed folks. I shall be collating the entries and making the draw later on today.
I have completed 2 new gorgeous bears for the shop. Click on the pictures to take you to the listings. Dont forget, I can set up interest free layaway listings for you if it makes it easier. Just ask, even  a 3 way split will be done by Christmas and as long as we time it right, with you for Christmas too.

Kiki, a ginger and white Panda

Victoria is a 18 inch beauty

BOO!

Its getting to that time of year again!  Yes, Halloween!  I,  for one, love it.  I usually try to do a few projects for that special time.  Nearer the time I shall prolly do a batch of themed cupcakes.  Take a peek at last years if you didnt read my blog last year. I so made too many but they were so much fun to make.

Well, I have just listed the first two collectable cuteycritters on etsy this afternoon and hope to have made 2 or 3 more before the end of the month.  Click on the pic captions to take you straight to the listings or visit my shopfront to browse everything.  Oh, and please do tell your mates to come and say `Hi` (or Boo!).  We always like new buddies here at Cuteycritters.



Toby has been to the Pumpkin patch, but now he would like some goodies please.



Willow is all dressed up for some witching, but she is a good girl really.


Couldnt resist this picture of Toby trying to trick or treat the dollshouse folk.  He will scare them half to death. Poor things.

If You Go Down to the Woods Today

Anyone for a picnic?

Well, if you know me its not really a big surprise and there's no woods.  Sorry, but needed a catchy title.  I have made a couple more bears last week and this week.  I had a delivery of some lovely super luxury faux fur and am like a pig in the proverbial mud.

This weeks lovelies are
Firstly, little `Lawrence` is a wonderful bluey dark grey and he stands at around 15 inches.

Click to go to Lawrences' listing

Next one is `Clover`. I adore Clover, she is so so soft and irresistible in cream and alsatian effect faux furs.  These furs are softer than my cat!!! and she is really soft.  Clover is 18 inches tall.

Click to go to Clovers' listing

I obviously am really hoping that these little dears find new homes but secretly not losing too much sleep over it when I see them as a group, I am not desperate for them to leave. Hubby is hoping you snap them up as he "does not want the house full of bears!"  Silly soul doesn't realise that, like most bear artists, I will just buy my favourites from other artists collections.