And some more bears...

I got a bit carried away yesterday.

I was supposed to be marking a set of books, but was easily distracted into experimenting a little instead.....

Of course this fellow still needs to be sewn up....

I took the blue one to work today - and have now been asked to make two more, to be taken to Germany in two weeks time.

And here are some more that were made at the workshop I went to.....

(I think that's probably enough bears now!!)

Fat 1/4 Bear

What a handsome chap.

Well, I thought so anyway, so I went to a workshop today organised by Nottingham Patchwork Group

As pessimistic as usual, I assumed that I wouldn't get it finished, so didn't take everything I needed with me. But I was pleasantly surprised not just to finish, but to finish with about 40 minutes to spare! So my bear isn't sporting a ribbon (and on the journey home one of his arms fell off, but I think that's due to my poor ladder stitch rather than anything else).

Here's the table of completed bears....

... and some not so completed bears.

This is my effort ...

.. and this is what it became.

He does look very unhappy - it could be because his arm is being held on by a pin in this picture, or it might be because I overstuffed the arms, so that they stick out at 90 degrees instead of dangling in a comfortable manner - or it may be because I sewed his mouth on upside down, so he isn't smiling...... but perhaps he just looks very worried...

I have to say, I actually think I will make some more of these for (un)fortunate small children of my acquaintance (once I've found out where I can get safety eyes and stuffing from).

But one of the best bits was the fact that it got finished.

I know that seems almost pathetic, but at least I was able to come home with a finished object, rather than walking in the door brandishing a collection of what quite frankly looks like a bundle of scraps, and having to describe what they might one day become.....

NPG

There's nothing more self-indulgent than spending the whole evening sewing - and what could be better than spendng that evening with a group of likeminded friends.

So every month I make the 70 mile round journey to Nottingham to go to the gathering of Nottingham Patchwork Group. We meet in the Mechanics Institute and much hilarity is had by all.

And it's customary to take along some work to be getting along with - so I took some needle-turn appliqué, following a workshop with Connie Cole in Burton Joyce.

Well, people keep telling me how soothing and relaxing it is - and it probably is - when you get the hang of it. I'm trying to do a wallhanging of a geranium, and all I can say is that it looks nothing like a geranium - unless it's a very rare breed with pointy leaves. It's getting more and more worn and tattered, the longer I hold it in my hand.

I'm determined to finish it though, so will persevere.....