The Work Table in May

Much as i am fascinated by anatomy and the physiologistics of how things are made, i have qualms about blogging the Bovis Bears during their transition from tailor-chalked parts to fully formed bears. I know this is silly. It seems indecently intrusive, somehow, like maternity scans on Facebook or Princesses with cellulite in bikinis via a long lens.
  But i am a crafter now and when i was starting to make bears last November, i was infuriated by the mystique i often came up against when i needed to know exactly how to fix a nose, for example. Today's post isn't a How To, just a twitch of the wizard's curtain.

These are the turned-down paws i have designed, more like bear paws, less like hockey-sticks. I made these by making a cut at the wrist ( oooh i'm flinching!) and re-attaching this top part of the paw at a right angle to the arm centre-seam, then sewing the paw pad to it in the usual way.

They prefer it!

In the foreground of this picture there is an out of focus un-filled bear with a loose head and his leg lying beside him. I was getting on very well with him until i realized i'd run out of 25mm joints. He's going to be lovely, eventually. There is a pile of pinned and partially tacked bear potential - 2 more, and in the centre a remarkable creation in red velvet awaiting claws and a smile. The elephant in the room desperately needs it's pattern modifying and the little knitted cat is on the face-list.

  My own old bear, Pinky, with the surgical scars personally oversees all work at the sewing table, offering invaluable advice and coaching.

Here is Seamus' Polar Bear again,all clawed and clipped. His friend is a little black bear, the first i have made using amazing black plush faux fur.

He strokes like the silkiest cat, perhaps black bear cubs feel a bit like this too.

Roberta

This is my beautiful friend, Bobbie. It's short for Roberta, after the eldest of The Railway Children.

She is 2 and a half now and has been with me since she was 4 months old. 

She needed a bath!

Much blacker when she was very young.

With the lodger - still a pup in arms at 4 months.

Bobs is 7/8ths German Shepherd and 1/8 Labrador - her Great Grandfather's Labrador genes show mostly in her ears which need wind-speed or a very loud knock at the door for them to stand up.

This afternoon i took my Big camera with us to the park for the first time. My fears about taking the camera out are a combination of being mugged and being caught not knowing precisely how to use it properly. Also i'm still a bit shy with a camera. However, although i'm sure i could photograph the plants and insects in my garden, exclusively, forever, it's a bit of a waste of equipment.  

Bob had a lot of fun with a Lime branch.

Back at home, she was horrified to find that our latest stray cat had had his black and white mates round and chased one up the Birch tree before i could stop her.

He made it down later!