I Ain't Got No Body........

This is what my desk looks like when I am preparing for a show. I have six bears all in various stages of creation. The poor little heads keep looking at me and begging for their bodies. I had better get a wriggle on as I need to have them photographed and submitted by the 19th January. The Show I am preparing for is the Teddy Bears and Critters 14th February 2009, 24 hour on line show. I will let you see another preview closer to the date and with the little peeps looking more like bears, I hope!!!!

Look Who I Am Babysitting....

My brother has an Alpaca farm here in South Australia, about 8 hours drive away from us. In January he and his wife are going to an "Alpaca Conference", and guess who is going to the farm to mind the Alpacas!!

I am so excited as there are several babies at the moment. The newest is this little fellow Toby. This photo was taken when he was only 24 hours old. When they are babies they are called "Crias". I can't wait.

CUBBY - Looking For a New Mama

Here is dear little Cubby, an 11 inch young fellow that I have created in an antique style. Cubby has just gone onto Ebay to look for a new Mama. Here is his link if you would like to take a peek at some more photos of him:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280295094984&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=018

Things Are Tight......

You know things are tight in England when....

CLARA In Her Sunday Best....

Here is my latest little bruin, Clara. She is wearing a vintage dolly dress with a piece of vintage millinery near her ear and an old photo badge. Clara is now on Ebay if you would like to pay her a visit.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280293100509&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=018

.

"Any Mother could perform the jobs of several air-traffic controllers with ease"!!

Lisa Alther

QUINN - A New "Old Boy" Now On Ebay.....

Please meet my latest little fellow on Ebay, young Quinn. I have created him in an antique style, and he has a little ruffle made from vintage American ticking. If you would like to pay him a visit, here is his link.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280290534433&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

.

Motherhood.......

Children are like sponges, they absorb all your strength and leave you limp...................But then give them a squeeze and you get it all back!

Might Be The Cutest Photo Ever....

I think this might just be the cutest photo ever taken!!!

Who Is Who in Bearmaking Online Show

I will be participating in the Who is Who in Bearmaking online show on Saturday 29th November, 2008. The show runs for 24 hours and if there is any Boot Button Bear that you would like to adopt, you simply email me and I will arrange everything for you. A link to the website for the show is http://www.whoiswho-in-bearmaking.com/ and I have a few bears to show you as a "sneak peek".

Decisions....Decisions...

In this position, I wonder if it is better to hold on or let go? I think I would let go.

Let's Be Buddies......

I just love photos that make me smile, and this one is no exception.

Look at that wonderful trusting face on the little monkey. Isn't it beautiful?

.

Mama Said I Couldn't Go Out Without My Coat......

Isn't this the best picture. I can just imagine his Mama Elephant telling him he couldn't go out without his rain jacket. Could you imagine dressing him up in this.

I thought he could probably have a matching umbrella to hold with his trunk.

.

We Aussie Love "Big Things".....

We Aussies seem to have a love of "big" things, as tourist attractions in our towns. The very first one was the "Big Banana" which was erected outside the Gift Shop of a Banana plantation in Queensland. It is 5 metres high and 11 metres long. I think the idea must be that you are driving along, see this whopping great thing, and decide you must have to stop and have a look. Do any other countries love to have "big things" as tourist drawcards? We have lots here in Australia, and I shall show you some more over the next couple of weeks. Some of them are just plain weird!!!!

.

Which One of Us........

Which of these two isn't very keen on having their photograph taken?

Big hint....not the one with four legs!!!!!!

Named After My Grandpa.....

Here is my latest little old boy, Claude. I named Claude after my dear Grandpa, who is no longer with us. This little fellow just reminded me of him, he was just the sweetest, kindest man. I am sure he would think it funny having a bear named after him.

Here is a link if you would like to pay Claude a visit at his Ebay auction.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280279351624&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=018

.

This Is Right Up My Street.........

Every year around this time, our street is lined with the most beautiful trees full of white blossom. It lasts for about a month, and then, one day when they are ready, a gust of wind will remove them all like a magical snowstorm. I think it is probably the closest I shall ever get to snow!!!! So this is our dear little street. The hills you can see in the background are the Adelaide Hills. Adelaide City itself is situated on a plain, but we are surrounded on each side by the sea and the Mount Lofty Ranges. The hills are a great place for a weekend drive, with lots of lovely little towns, bakeries and wineries.

.

Who Loves a Sailor.....

Here is my latest little boy, CUTTY, an 11 inch little fellow created in an antique style. I always think that bears lend themselves so well to the old sailor look.

CUTTY has just gone onto ebay, and you can find him via my Ebay page on my website www.bootbuttonbears.com if you would like to pay him a visit.

Now That's A Hat.......

Goodness me, will you have a look at this hat. What was her Mama thinking?

She is just the most gorgeous little poppet with the sweetest face, dress and necklace, but how could Mum make her wear that hat? I wonder how long she kept it on before pulling it off. I think is it one of the most unusual vintage childrens hats I have seen. What do you think?

The First Member of the Floyd Family.....

I have been working for sometime on a new idea I have had for a collection of bears from the one family....and here is my first arrival, Miss Amaleen Floyd of the Floyd Family. Amaleen is the sweetest young poppet who is bright as a button and is the teachers favourite in school.

You can visit Amaleen via the Ebay Listings page on my website www.bootbuttonbears.com

.

Charlotte's Looking for a Mama.......

This is my latest little girl, Charlotte. She is 16 inches tall and is made from the most luxurious, soft mohair. It was just so beautiful to work with. If you would like to visit Charlotte to see some more photos, you can find her via the "Ebay Listings" page on my website at www.bootbuttonbears.com

Aussie Food Again..........

I am just getting you all "in the know" if you come to visit our wonderful Australia one day, and you will know all the yummy things to try. These cakes are called "Lamingtons" and if I do say it myself, no one makes them better than my Mum!! They are a small square of plain sponge cake which is dipped in melted chocolate and sugar and then coated in desicated coconut. They are a real Australian tradition. No one is quite sure where they got their name, but it is believed that they were named after Lady Lamington, the wife of the Queensland Governor Baron Lamington back in 1896. Poor love, perhaps she had a reputation for eating lots of cake - I know I have!!!!

.

Don't Get Mad........

I'm really a Canary.........

A New Little Girl.......

Please meet my newest little girl "Paige". She is a little antique style girl who is 9" tall. Paige has been made from a sparse mohair, and has been given a gentle "make-over", but the wrong way!! She is also wearing a little aged vintage dolly's dress. You can find Paige on the Ebay Listing page on my website at http://www.bootbuttonbears.com/

Thanks for peeking......

.

On-Line Show this Weekend.....

Here is a sneak preview of the six bears I shall have available for the Teddy Bears and Critters On-line show this weekend. The show starts at 8am Australian Eastern Standard time and runs for 24 hours. You can vist the show here at www.teddybearsandcritters.com and if you see a bear you like you can purchase it from me direct. Times around the world that the show is beginning are:

Los Angles USA 3.00pm Friday

Washington USA 6.00pm Friday

London UK 11pm Friday

Cape Town South Africa Midnight Friday

Rome Italy Midnight Friday

Moscow Russia 2.00am Saturday

Abu Dhabi UAE 2.00am Saturday

Beijing China 6.00am Saturday

Sydney Australia 8.00am Saturday

Wellington New Zealand 10.00am Saturday

I really hope you can pay a visit to the On-Line Show on the weekend as there will be some wonderful bears and critters available. Do you think I will be able to stay awake for 24 hours!!!

And Now For Something Exciting......Washing...

This brings back such memories of my childhood and I think it would to most Australian children of my generation. Luckily in Australia, our weather lends itself to drying washing outside, all year round. No-one ever had a clothes drier. This is called a "Hills Hoist" and every Australian garden had one. You peg your washing on wire which is strung around and around the frame, and it would then wizz around in the wind, drying everything brilliantly. We also used to get in such trouble when we were little for climbing up and hanging on to the hills hoist and having someone swing us around. It tended to bend the poles a bit, and left evidence as to what you had been doing. Clothes Driers are more common now in Australia as more and more people live in apartments and smaller properties. Lots of us though, still always dry our washing outside. Told you it was going to be exciting didn't I......

Lucky Little Mary....

This is my latest little poppet called Mary. She was the luckiest little girl and was adopted straight away.

You Let Go First...

My brother works with Aboriginal communities in some very remote parts of South Australia. Last week he was travelling in the Nullarbor region and he came across this amazing sight. A snake was trying to eat a lizard tail first and the lizard was quite obviously letting the snake know that this just wasn't on!! After about 20 minutes, they both decided to let go and went off quite happily on their separate ways. I am so glad they both decided to call it quits!!!

Beautiful Buddies......

Isn't this just the most beautiful picture of two gorgeous little souls. The emotion in the little monkey's face is just precious.

A Little Boot Button Bear......

This is little PIP, and she really is a little one for me. At only 6", that is about as small as I go. Everytime I make one this small, I have a complete new respect for the artists who make mini's. They really are a whole different ballgame. You can find PIP on my website at www.BootButtonBears.com.

Best Mates .....

Don't these two little girls look wonderful together. You can just tell that they are best buddies. I love the way they are holding hands, and the dear little dog wants to be with them, but he is still distracted by something off in the other direction. I also love the little overalls they are wearing. It looks like they take their teddies everywhere with them. It is such a natural looking photograph. These little souls are probably old ladies now with their wonderful memories. I wonder if they still have their teddies?

Ever Eaten A Frog Cake.........

I suppose every city has its strange quirks of traditional. One of ours in Adelaide is that we invented the "Frog Cake". In the 1800's a Bakery was born which was later to be known as Balfours. In 1922 they developed a wonderful little cake which was to become their trade mark, and it was known as "a Frog Cake".

The cakes are made in the shape of a frog's head, and consist of a square sponge cake coated in jam (the frog's body). The frog's head is made from a firm butter cream and both the body and head are covered in fondant icing. In 2001, the Balfour's frog cake was name a Heritage Icon by the National Trust of South Australia.

It was such a treat when I was little to go to town for the day, and have a cup of tea and a frog cake - sheer heaven. I think we must be the only city in the world that has something you can eat as a Heritage Icon!!! If you ever visit us in Adelaide, you simply must try a Frog Cake!!!

A Bad Hair Day.... Poor Love.....

Aren't we lucky nowadays all the products we have to keep our hair in order. Also, being able to jump in the shower and wash it so easily and dry it. Have you ever thought of the poor women of say a hundred years ago, who couldn't wash their hair as often (it was considered unhealthy to wash your hair too regularly), and who didn't have hairdryers, straighteners and various products to keep it in check. I know wealthier women in the olden days had little curly headpiece wigs to attach onto the front of their forehead to make their hair look fuller. I would have been in such trouble as I have the finest most hopeless head of hair. Look at this poor darlings bad hair day.

Don't Forget......

To smile and laugh everyday.....

Stunning Mother and Baby

Isn't this photograph just stunning. I know that in years gone by, people having their photograph taken were encouraged not to smile or show emotion, but I don't think this young Mum took any notice. Look at the joy on her face. Do you think it is a little girl or a little boy. Little boys were dressed so pretty back then, it is hard to tell.

Another Lesson in Aussie Culture...

I need to warn you about something if you ever come to Adelaide, and that is our "Pie Floater". It is sold at several outlets in the city and it is a favourite with late night revellers. I am educating you about this so that you know to refuse if it doesn't sound your "cup of tea". A pie floater is a traditional Australian meat pie, covered with tomato sauce (ketchup) and then it floats upside down in a plate of thick green pea soup. It is one of the most filling things you will ever eat, and the few that I have had, I have never been able to finish it all. It is a favourite of several celebrities apparently, like Billy Connolly and Joe Cocker, and they always go and have one after a performance if visiting Adelaide. Don't say I didn't warn you.......

Another Cutie....

Have a look at this adorable little soul. Can you imagine how much effort her Mum must have gone to with that outfit for the photograph. I don't think I would even know where to start ironing it!!!

New Little Jenna

This is my latest little girl Jenna. She loves to play dress-up and has been playing Nurses all morning!! She still has her little dolly patient in her pocket!!! Jenna is 10 inches tall and has been aged in the Boot Button style of a reverse makeover!!! She is currently on Ebay and you can find her on the Ebay Page on my website www.BootButtonBears.com

An Australian Favourite....

I thought I might write some information on my blog about our Australian way of life for any overseas visitors to this site. We recently had a visitor from America over for dinner, and it was amazing the strange things that they had been told about our country. Perhaps I can let you in on a little bit about our way of life.

Aussies are very keen on a food spread called "Vegemite", you may have heard of it. It is considered as much a part of Australia's heritage as kangaroos. It is actually an Australian obsession that has become a unique and loved symbol of the Australian nation. A Vegemite sandwich to an Australian kid is the equivalent of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to an American kid - but the taste is quite different!!!

Vegemite is a yeast extract spread and it is made from leftover brewers' yeast extract and various vegetable and spice additives. It is very dark, almost black in colour and it is thick like peanut butter, it's very salty, and it tastes, like, well, let's just say it is an acquired taste. Australian children are brought up on Vegemite from the time they're babies. It is said that Australians are known to travel all over the world with at least one small jar of Vegemite in their luggage, for fear that they will not be able to find it.

So, if you are ever visiting Australia, you really must be brave and try our Vegemite!!!!

Upcoming Show...

I am really please that I have just finished my six bears which will be available at the Teddy Bear and Critters online show which will run from 24 hours straight. It all happens on Saturday 27th September and if you would like to find out more, you can visit the website at http://www.teddybearsandcritters.com/. Sandi Smith of BearlySane is organising everything for us and has done a brilliant job on the website. I have created six very different bears for the show, ranging in size from biggies to little'uns. I hope you can pay us a visit on the 27th September.

Isn't this photograph of a little Victorian girl just gorgeous. She has the most amazing eyes doesn't she? I am really fascinated by old photos and love to collect them, especially older pictures of children with their bears.