Decision Day...........

Ive been deliberating the past few months on whether to keep my bear design business running alongside my new interests - or to close the door and start with a clean slate. After much discussion with hubby Richard I have decided that now is the right time to close it. It was in some ways easy since Ive been scaling things down for the past year or so - but - equally it has been my living for the past 16 years. However now the decision has been made I feel releived. Of course there will be people who I see regularly at the shows who I will miss and I hope we will keep in touch. I have a few stock pieces left which will gradually find their way to new homes and a ton of stock in the way of fabrics, joints, you-name-it that has collected its way into my workroom over the years. Probably most of this will be used in my workshops but I wont be restocking. Its a strange thing after all these years...............

The piece pictured is called 'Sweet Dreams' - its a little 10" bear dressed in her P.J.s. The little rabbit is tea dyed and the moon on which she sits took way more hours to decorate than it should! One of the things Ive really enjoyed in making bears is making 'mini scenes'. Some have been much more elaborate than this one - but all help to tell a story.

Looks like the next few days are going to involve letting everyone who needs to know - know what my future plans are - paperwork and yet more paperwork!!

New Directions

This is my first post here and Im not really quite sure where to start so will begin with a little background.

For the past 16 years I have worked within the collectable bear and doll industry - designing and making one of a kind pieces for collectors around the world. This has led to travelling and teaching in many countries - all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed.

However - now its time for something new and Im beginning a City and Guilds machine embroidery diploma course being tutored by Pam Watts which I am really excited about. This blog is named New Horizons to represent the changes in direction I am about to take. The piece pictured is also called New Horizons and is one of my all time favourite pieces and I thought it appropriate to use it as a link from my past life into the new!

Machine embroidery has been calling me for some time now and Ive enjoyed working away on my own with my books for inspiration but now the time has come to concentrate my efforts and see what I can do in a new field. I am looking forwards to the adventure!

For those who might be concerned about me leaving them in the lurch - dont worry - the classes for bear and doll making will still be going ahead. I will still be teaching my mixed media classes online. So my life will still include all the people who have been so kind to me over the years but my days will be concentrated in new directions. In time I hope it will lead to more fun classes as well as extending my knowledge and enjoyment of sewing.

Embroidered Apples

We have recently redecorated our kitchen and adjoining conservatory and I wanted to add a wallhanging of some kind to go with the new fresh styling. This particular piece was inspired after a visit to Art in Action which was held at Waterperry House in Oxford. The day we visited was so wet that exhibitors in some of the marquees were digging trenches to allow the 'river' to run out of them! Literally ankle deep and more in some places. Didnt stop the work being fabulous though and I came home fired up with ideas and ready to begin my picture.

This piece is about 24" X 30". The background is made up of pieces of upholstery fabrics, the apples are layered organzas - which were cut away after stitching and the backgrounds stitched with both free motion and automatic stitches, text and monograms. The gold diamonds are foils bonded and stitched. It was so fun and freeing to work I was almost sorry when it was finished!