tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49523744955920589852024-03-05T08:51:15.021+00:00The House of BearsWe blog, we bake
We craft, we createHouse of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-54285292930068437442016-02-19T13:33:00.001+00:002016-02-19T13:33:01.478+00:00Catching upOoops, hello there. You caught me reading the male human's bird book. He joined the RSPB last week and this book was the free gift for joining. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/19/114.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/19/s_114.jpg' border='0' width='800' height='800' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />As well as twitching, I have been busy with arty exploits here and there. I really had a fancy for some spraying so got out my favourite colour Dylusions sprays and had a bit of a spritz, first directly onto the page and then some ghosting by spraying water through a stencil. I love this effect. I have no idea what I'll do with this page but the spritzing was great fun, and for once I managed not to redecorate the walls at the same time. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/19/115.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/19/s_115.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='200' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I also took part in another Lifebook class, this time by the very talented Donna Downey. The idea was to create using only black and white. Donna painted a beautiful vase of flowers, I sploshed some paint around a bit!!!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/19/116.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/19/s_116.jpg' border='0' width='196' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />To assuage my hunger whilst painting, Podgy made me the most delicious malt loaf. Yum, I had mine with Butter and Marmite.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/19/117.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/19/s_117.jpg' border='0' width='800' height='800' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Lastly, but not leastly.... Another Lifebook class. This one was called Fearless Painting. Annie Hannan (or Hamman, I forget sorry) paints in collaboration with her 3 year old daughter and says the process of ruining your painting so you can fix it is freeing as you don't get so attached to your work or try for perfection. I couldn't bring myself to paint quite so freely as she allowed her daughter to on her painting, so I added some magazine image eyes, a nose and mouth to make mine more fun. I really enjoyed this class. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/19/118.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/19/s_118.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Now it's time for a snack and a lie down, us bears need our sleep and nourishment you know.<br /><br />ttfn<br /><br />Love from Horace<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-55294945596737605732016-02-15T17:13:00.001+00:002016-02-15T17:13:37.774+00:00Mundane MondayHello, it's Horace your favourite blogging bear again. Isn't it miserable out today? ( UK). Unremitting rain which on occasion turns to snow, and a definite chill in the air too. Brr. I'm glad I have my fur coat to keep me warm.<br /><br />Anyway, where are my manners?? I bought you all some chocolates to share for Valentine's Day yesterday. Form an orderly queue.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/15/184.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/15/s_184.jpg' border='0' width='800' height='800' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />So, I guess you want to know what I've been up to? Apart from copious amounts of sleeping, I've been enjoying this year's Lifebook lessons, and think the classes are even better than last year. This may have something to do with the fact that this year I'm journalling into a book, so can see the pages building up. Whereas last year I journalled onto separate sheets of paper. <br /><br />One of Tam's ( Tamara Laporte - Lifebook creator) classes was called Quirky Birds. These were so much fun to sketch. The idea was to draw birds of various shapes then give them personalities of people you love, or things that resonate with you. I decided to make my birds into the humans I live with, and their cub.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/15/186.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/15/s_190.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />First, the human who belongs to me. She has a love of reading, especially Dickens, so of course she had to have a book under her wing. She also suffers temperature control problems so I gave her a nice wooly hat and scarf to keep her warm!! I used foreign book pages to decorate her as she also has a love of languages.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/15/188.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/15/s_189.jpg' border='0' width='158' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The cub is very girly, so I gave her cute pigtails in her hair, and made it long, as she always wears her hair long. She is decorated with sheet music pages as she loves music. She has a penchant for wearing odd socks, so of course the bird had to have odd socks too. Finally she has high shoes and a fashionable handbag. Isn't she cute?<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/15/191.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/15/s_192.jpg' border='0' width='241' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The male human loves pastys, Cornish pasties to be precise. Off I went to sketch him a pasty shaped head and eyes, and a nice big pasty under his wing, in case of hunger ( he loves his food). The male human also really likes walking, so what better decoration that a map? <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/15/193.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/15/s_196.jpg' border='0' width='237' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I was having such fun with these birds. I could draw them over and over again, and I may just do that at some stage in my Dylusions journal. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/15/197.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/15/s_203.jpg' border='0' width='204' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />For the time being though, I thought I should finish what I started. So I set to painting the birds and background. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/15/202.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/15/s_202.jpg' border='0' width='209' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I loved this class and am looking forward to the next Lifebook classes. I hope you've been having as much fun with your art as I am with mine. <br /><br />ttfn! <br /><br />Love from Horace<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-3493468922264308252016-02-03T11:30:00.001+00:002016-02-03T11:30:07.640+00:00In No Particular Order<br />Well hello there once again dear friends. Once out of the blogging habit it is hard to get back into. I keep deleting all my photos once I've posted them to Instagram, then realising I need them for the blog posts. Oh well.<br /><br />I've been keeping myself busy with art as much as possible to distract from the fact that last year's surgery may need to be repeated. Keeping all paws crossed that it's not the case but the pain is back with a vengeance. For those who don't know, last year was spent travelling to and fro the hospital, trying to find an answer for my unremitting back and hip pain. Turns out that once the powers that be eventually listened, I had an MRI which showed a disc prolapse that needed immediate attention. Because of the delay in diagnosis I'm left with permanent nerve damage, so now I can say I get on my own nerves. Haaaaaaaa. <br /><br />Anyhoo, I am thankful that I can still sit at the desk and create in stages. I recently completed a couple of Lifebook lessons, one was a class where we sketched a box which was to be filled with words of wisdom we'd learnt over the years. I adapted mine a little and made mine a box of inspiration with a quote to inspire me too. For the background I scraped texture paste through a stencil, it looks like more words of inspiration I think.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/03/27.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/03/s_27.jpg' border='0' width='194' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I decided the quote needed to be bolder so wrote over it in black Posca pen. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/03/28.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/03/s_28.jpg' border='0' width='197' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Another lesson was to journal all we wanted to leave behind in 2015 and cover over with happy. I started by journalling everything I'd like to leave behind. You can see some of the words poking through the Gessoed page. I then added a background page of trees from the human's nature type magazine, and a bear from a postcard. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/03/29.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/03/s_29.jpg' border='0' width='197' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I then added some texture paste. Which had been mixed with green paint. I scraped it on through a stencil once again, decided it was too in your face, and toned it down with yet more Gesso.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/02/03/30.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/02/03/s_30.jpg' border='0' width='212' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I finished the page with a sentiment - life is an adventure, as is the Lifebook course, which I can't get enough of right now. <br /><br />I'm off to watch another lesson. TTFN. <br /><br />Love from Horace<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-62701930303065314072016-01-23T18:52:00.001+00:002016-01-23T18:52:11.639+00:00Hot off the DeskHello from Horace again. Last year I joined Lifebook 2015, a year long art course hosted by the very talented Tamara Laporte. Although initially I enjoyed the lessons and kept up quite well, halfway through the year medical problems forced me to stop all creativity and I stopped almost all art. This year I ummed and Ahhhed about joining again but as I now have the super new creation station and am taking it easy health-wise I thought I needed some inspiration to get me back into art. So Lifebook 2016 it was. <br /><br />So far, despite joining later ( registration is open all year but I was about 2 weeks later than the start date of 1st January) I have already completed 3 classes. All by Tamara. She also invites other artists to teach lessons and show us different techniques. <br /><br />Lesson 1 is always a gentle warm up to ease us in and Tam takes her time to show us all of the lesson, never rushing through or presuming that everyone is to a certain standard in their art. I started with my blank, brand shiny new book<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/23/215.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/23/s_215.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />And dove straight on in with collage papers, neocolor2 watercolour crayons and white gesso, to form a lovely colourful arty mess.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/23/216.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/23/s_216.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I added some stencilling with acrylic paint<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/23/217.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/23/s_217.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Loosely following Tam's example as I went along.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/23/218.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/23/s_218.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I chose a word for the year - self. Not exactly as in selfish but more as in learn to take care of myself, love and accept myself and put my health first.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/23/219.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/23/s_219.jpg' border='0' width='201' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm quite happy with my finished first page. In fact, so happy that the very next day I started on lesson 2, but that can wait for another blog post. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/23/220.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/23/s_220.jpg' border='0' width='720' height='720' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />By the way, do you like my desk cover?<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/23/221.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/23/s_221.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />See you soon.<br /><br />Love from Horace<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-252131807767356862016-01-13T18:35:00.001+00:002016-01-13T18:35:02.038+00:00WedeskdayYippee, here it's not Wednesday, it's Wedeskday. The desk arrived flat packed early this morning and after an extra snoozelet I set to assembling it. The instructions are complex for a bear with a furry brain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/13/164.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/13/s_164.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />But with the help of my trusty electric super tool<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/13/165.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/13/s_165.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I think I managed to make a good job of it. I finished the drawers in super speedy time<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/13/166.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/13/s_166.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then it was onto building the desk itself<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/13/167.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/13/s_167.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Phew, it was making my fur hot to screw all these bits into place<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/13/168.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/13/s_168.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />But I was soon done, and thought I'd take a selfie on it<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/13/169.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/13/s_169.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It fits just nicely into the space, in fact, I think it was made for it. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/13/170.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/13/s_170.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Can you spot my paw in the picture? <br /><br />I may even create something on my lovely desk soon. Or I may just admire it a little longer.<br /><br />Love from Horace<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-72486098737920722362016-01-07T13:01:00.001+00:002016-01-07T13:01:40.677+00:00We All Need a Blog ResurectionHello there dear friends. My goodness. It's almost a year since I used the blog. It's probably also almost a year since I decided the desk didn't look right in the bedroom, so I dumped it! It was a very cheap, MDF type of desk, not that I have anything against MDF but this was very poorly made and it showed. Anyway. I was ruminating over my lack of creativity since the desk's demise. Now if I want to get arty I need all the art supplies taken into to the kitchen, which really doesn't work. Half the time I find I need other supplies and it seems I've only just begun creating when it's lunch or dinner time and I have to pack everything away to make room for food. <br /><br />I browsed several websites for desks and eventually found a lovely chunky style desk in Littlewoods<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/07/44.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/07/s_44.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />It's rather smart looking isn't it? It also has good reviews and will go in with the other bedroom furniture too. I went ahead and ordered it. Then we measured the available space for it. Ooops, it was 5 inches too long for the space!!! So now I need a 5 inch extension on the bedroom before the 15th January, when the desk is due to arrive. The male human seems to think that with some wriggling, we can manage to fit everything in, but there's a small set of drawers that can be sacrificed if not. I need to learn to measure then order, not assume then panic!<br /><br />I'm so excited to be having a creative space again that I can hardly sit still. I thought I'd pass the time by eating the rest of Santa, who was one of my many delicious Christmas presents. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/07/45.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/07/s_45.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />He was delicious, as was one of the mince pies our friends gave us when we went there for a takeaway dinner last week.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=16/01/07/46.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/16/01/07/s_46.jpg' border='0' width='800' height='800' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I shall be back to crafting soon so watch this space. -> <----<br /><br />Love from Horace<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-75979165394694014942015-02-14T19:03:00.001+00:002015-02-14T19:03:41.034+00:00Chasing Butterflies<br />Hello there once again dear friends. Horace here on this slightly warmer weekend to show you my latest journal page. <br /><br />So, now it's a little warmer, I've braved the desk in the bedroom. I admit, I had the electric fire plugged in while I crafted, it's certainly not warm enough without it just yet. I was feeling creative so pulled out the large Dylusions journal to play in. As you see, the desk is very well covered, the plastic cloth even covers part of the wall behind the desk. This is because last time I played with India inks in the bedroom, I upturned the whole bottle and it dripped down the wall, behind the desk, onto the floor.... The whole bedroom needed redecorating after that little mishap. Now it's cover everything or play in the garden only, and it's still far too chilly for that as yet!!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/234.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_234.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='175' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My page background consists of old book pages which are liberally sprayed with Dylusions and other mists. Then I added some texture paste through a star stencil and waited 10,000 years for it to dry so I could paint my stars. Next time I think I'll mix the colour into the texture paste before applying it!<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/235.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_235.jpg' border='0' width='263' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I wanted to add some stamping to my background. I keep all my stamps in these A4 ring lever arch ring binders. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/236.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_236.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='201' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Inside the ring binders are A5 plastic wallets that I pawchased from The Works, a shop that sells a bit of everything really, books, stationery, art supplies.....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/237.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_237.jpg' border='0' width='264' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I chose my favourite Tim Holtz background stamps, these are very well used.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/238.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_238.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I dipped the stamps into white acrylic paint<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/239.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_239.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />And randomly stamped the image across the page. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/240.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_240.jpg' border='0' width='238' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Last Christmas I received this horror colouring book, it has images from films in.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/241.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_241.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I think this is the child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. He suited my theme idea perfectly. I coloured then cut him out. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/242.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_242.jpg' border='0' width='216' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Next I sorted through my veritable stash of ephemera and found some flutterbyes. Perfect.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/243.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_243.jpg' border='0' width='218' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I need another jar of Golden matt medium, this one is down to scrapings now. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/244.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_244.jpg' border='0' width='227' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I used the Cricut for my wordage, and my favourite Type Candy font. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/245.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_245.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I wanted the page to look like my man was attempting, but failing, to catch the butterflies, hence the bigger butterflies were nearer his too small net. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/246.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_246.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='184' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Here's the completed page, Chasing Butterflies. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/14/247.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/14/s_247.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='214' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Time for small smackeral after all that creating. <br /><br />TTFN<br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-88696862534466863242015-02-11T10:27:00.001+00:002015-02-11T10:27:51.558+00:00WOYWW - Lifebook doingsHello there and welcome once more to the Wednesday fun that is <a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">WOYWW</a>, a fabulous blog hop where we all nose at desks across the world. Click on the link, read the how to and join in the fun.<br /><br />This week I'm still in the lounge due to the bedroom, where the craft desk is, still being a little chilly. I'm hoping it'll start to warm up in the coming weeks but for now the emergency desk will do me fine.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/11/50.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/11/s_50.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm creating a dream catcher as part of my Lifebook class. The background is made from old safety envelopes, then painted over with metallic paint. What a shame the shimmer doesn't show on the photos as it looks fabulous on paper. <br /><br />In the class, the tutor adds a doily to the page, I had a doily stencil so used that and stippled white acrylic through. I then poked holes through and added some string, from which I dangled Sizzix heart die cuts. These were all painted with the same metallic paints as the background.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/11/51.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/11/s_51.jpg' border='0' width='198' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I may add some dangly words to my page. I haven't quite decided yet. I'll let it sit for a while until I decide. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/11/52.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/11/s_52.jpg' border='0' width='197' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm off for a blog hop before I pack my stash away. See you soon.<br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-15316304983972371132015-02-05T10:28:00.001+00:002015-02-05T10:28:22.290+00:00It's Never a Good IdeaHello, it's me, Horace here again to show you my completed page from this week's WOYWW post. I was in the middle of finishing my page, which was in response to too much over sharing of personal lives on social media. I came to the conclusion that it's never a good idea to air your dirty laundry in public, and as I thought this furry thought, a vision of dirt stained laundry flapping on a washing line rippled through my brain. I just had to get my journal out and create. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/05/134.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/05/s_134.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My laundry was drawn, coloured and cut and my washing poles drawn in, and a simple sky and grass background added. I glued the tops of the laundry over the string washing line and left the bottoms of the clothing free, as if the washing was flapping in the breeze. I halved my mini pegs so my journal still had half a chance of closing. I added a sentiment with marker pens and hey presto, my thoughts are recorded. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/05/135.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/05/s_135.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='198' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />See you soon. <br /><br />With love from Horace.<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-11729182596302328382015-02-04T10:01:00.001+00:002015-02-04T10:01:54.831+00:00WOYWW - Dirty LaundryHello dear friends and welcome once again to another <a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">WOYWW</a> , the first in February. If you're wondering what that strange acronym can mean then click on the link and be transported into a world of blog hopping and desk noseyness, hosted by Julia at Stamping Ground. <br /><br />So what am I doing this week? Abandoning the desk in the bedroom for a start. As the weather grew colder, so did the north facing bedroom. This, coupled with the lack of light in the room lead me to set up my emergency craft station in the lovely warm south facing living room. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/04/36.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/04/s_36.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='200' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After seeing various over sharing posts on many social media posts, an idea for a journal page crept into my furry mind. I'm of the (maybe old fashioned ) opinion that dirty laundry should not be aired in public, no matter what the provocation. I felt strongly enough to have a little visual rant in my Dylusions journal.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/04/37.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/04/s_37.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I drew some clothes, coloured them then added smidges of 'dirt' with my Albrecht Duhrer watercolour pencils. I cut the items of clothing out and added them to my 'washing line' .<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/04/38.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/04/s_38.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='169' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I found some cute mini pegs in The Range, perfect for my page, so I spent this week's pocket money on a pack.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/04/39.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/04/s_39.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />My washing line was some string from an Art from the Heart purchase.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/04/40.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/04/s_40.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I made holes in my washing poles to feed the string washing line through. It'll add some texture to the other side of the page when I come to journal on it.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/02/04/41.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/02/04/s_41.jpg' border='0' width='250' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Now I just need to add the pegs to my washing to complete my page. I think I'll have a little blog hop before finishing though.<br /><br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-10728386565018524582015-01-29T15:30:00.001+00:002015-01-29T15:30:42.227+00:00A Vicious CircleHello again. I thought you might like to see my completed page from this week's WOYWW post. I collaged old road map and book pages over the whole page, Gessoed over then added some texture paste through a stencil around the edge of the page, being careful to avoid the middle. I then used a circle stencil to create a large circle in the middle of the page with more texture paste. I used a LOT of texture paste on the circle and it really stands out. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/29/149.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/29/s_149.jpg' border='0' width='223' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Next I cut some artful arrows from a Sizzix die and positioned them around the circle. I used a marker pen around them to make them POP. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/29/150.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/29/s_150.jpg' border='0' width='175' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Finally, I cut words using my Type Candy Cricut cartridge. This is my most used cartridge as it has several fonts in one. I dripped some blue acrylic ink from the circle outwards and hey presto, a journal page. The Vicious Circle.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/29/151.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/29/s_151.jpg' border='0' width='201' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />See you soon,<br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-53242113621683115162015-01-28T11:03:00.001+00:002015-01-28T11:03:13.580+00:00WOYWW - a vicious circleHello again dear blog hoppers and followers. It's that time of the week again where us <del>nosey</del> inquisitive WOYWWers get to snoop at desks of crafters across the globe courtesy of Julia at <a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">Stamping Ground</a>. Go and check out her blog, take a pic of your desk and join in the fun. <br /><br />This week I'm working in my large Dylusions journal. I have an inkling of an idea for a collaged page so am starting with some old road maps ripped and stuck randomly onto my single page spread. The RHS has already been decorated with another attempt at the whimsical lettering page from a Lifebook class. Although I'd already completed the lesson on watercolour paper, I liked it enough to have another play in the journal. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/28/84.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/28/s_84.jpg' border='0' width='212' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The LHS will be filled with the ripped road map pages and any other co ordinating papers. As you can see, I already have some papers to the left of the desk waiting to be ripped and glued. I'm not entirely sure where the page is going right now, but that's half the fun of journalling isn't it? <br /><br />Right, I'm off for a blog hop before completing my page. TTFN.<br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-87559057035712445942015-01-27T16:02:00.001+00:002015-01-27T16:02:10.898+00:00Quilty PleasuresHello friends, it's Horace here today, and probably will be for much of the blog postings from now on. The other bears have abandoned their blogging but I shall try and keep up with it. <br /><br />I've been feeling in a stitchy mood of late. I made myself a quilt not so long ago, and was pleased enough with it to want to make another for the cub. I bought some purple fat quarters, which I cut into 8" squares with a quilting square, so much easier than trying to measure and paw cut 40 plus squares to an exact size. Once cut, I began to piece them all together in a random pattern. This part takes me ages, as I always find I have two matching squares next to each other. I then have to play quilty jigsaws until it looks as random as possible. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/213.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_213.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='158' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Once stitched together, I found the pattern had completely changed anyway, despite stitching row by row, then length by length. I think I inadvertently turn some of the rows before I stitch the length, oh well, it's random enough, if you ignore that pink line going on!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/214.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_214.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='190' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Every quilt needs binding, but it's so expensive to buy. I always make my own, out of cheap sheets bought from Asda ( other supermarkets are available!!) I bought myself a 2 1/2" ruler just for this purpose. Just in case you need to know, to make bias binding, you fold a sheet of fabric into a triangle, then cut down like so, this allows you to cut along the bias (meaning the fabric is stretchy, rather than taut.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/215.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_215.jpg' border='0' width='190' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Once I'd cut enough long strips to travel the length of the river Nile, I began to piece the strips together, to make one continuous strip of bias binding. This is done by putting right side to right side, at right angles like so....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/216.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_216.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='161' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I then sewed a straight line down the fabric<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/217.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_217.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='248' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />You should end up with this, cut off the excess fabric, taking care not to cut into your stitches.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/218.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_218.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='177' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Leaving you with a line of fabric. Press this for a smooth finish.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/219.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_219.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='118' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Here's my bias binding, I wonder, if I left one end at home, how far I would get with the rest of it? It is rather long. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/220.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_220.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='257' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I made sure I had enough to go all around my quilt... I did, and more, and more....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/221.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_221.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='135' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Next, I took my quilt top and used some temporary spray to adhere it to my cotton wadding. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/222.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_222.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='132' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I then added backing fabric - another sheet from Asda cut to size- and sewed in between all the lines of the squares, this took me ages, I only have small paws and the quilt was rather large. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/223.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_223.jpg' border='0' width='205' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Now it was back to the binding. I followed a Youtube tutorial for this, first I sewed the binding to the front of the quilt, leaving enough to fold over and hide the sewn line. I then flipped the quilt over, folded the bias binding tight, and began to sew. Next time I make a quilt, I may look for a tutorial for machine sewing the binding on front and back, as my paw sewing skills are not that good.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/224.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_224.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='158' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Anyway, I eventually completed the quilt, and presented it to the cub yesterday as an early birthday present. She seemed to like it, and hopefully it will keep her warm in the coming cold spell we've been promised! <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/27/225.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/27/s_225.jpg' border='0' width='186' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-12753561055182311632015-01-21T10:11:00.001+00:002015-01-21T10:11:42.733+00:00WOYWW - It's Despicable!!!<br />Hello there on another <a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">WOYWW</a> Wednesday in January. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/21/31.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/21/s_31.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='225' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Is it cold where you are? It's a little chilly here but nothing compared to up north (UK) I've been keeping busy with art journalling, both the Lifebook course and anything else that takes my fancy along the way.<br /><br />A while back we watched the Disney film, Despicable Me, after which I had the urge to draw the minions. Recently I was flicking through my art journal and found the blank right hand page next to my minions. I decided to draw another character from Despicable Me to tie in with the left hand minion page and searched the Internet for a sketch to follow. I found <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/17565/1/1/how-to-draw-agnes-from-despicable-me-2.htm">Dragoart</a>, a web page chock full of drawing tutorials on many subjects, including the characters from Despicable Me. I decided to copy the tutorial for Agnes, and here she is ready to go in my journal. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/21/32.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/21/s_32.jpg' border='0' width='204' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I decorated my blank journal page with old book papers, Gessoed over the top then used my Neocolours to make a colourful background for Agnes to sit on. I tried to coordinate the colours with the minions. As you can see, once I've finished creating I'm a bit of a neat freak, in fact, sometimes I tidy as I go, which can be incredibly annoying when I realise I've put away something I need again!! This picture was taken before I glued Agnes down on the page as I was debating whether to add more to the background. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/21/33.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/21/s_33.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='196' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />On the book chair to the right is a canvas I started decorating last year. I got so far and didn't know what else to do with it, so I've left it out hoping inspiration would strike, so far it hasn't! The panda to the front of the desk is my lovely ipad cover, and to the back you can see a mini pooh beanie, which the cub bought me for Christmas, and yes, it really is that dull in the bedroom during the day. We have 4 lights in there and sometimes still check that they're all on. The joys of a north facing room! <br /><br />Anyway, I have actually glued Agnes onto the page now, and here she is. I decided not to add more to the background. Sometimes I go a little crazy and throw everything at the page, but for this I decided less was more. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/21/34.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/21/s_34.jpg' border='0' width='269' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />See you soon, <br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-21583397488323643912015-01-15T15:57:00.001+00:002015-01-16T21:32:02.268+00:00Jarred OffHello again. After yesterday's post telling you all about my <a target="_blank" href="http://www.willowing.org/life-book-2015/">Lifebook</a> journal jar, I thought you might like to see the finished product. I think when you last saw it the jar was completely undecorated. I started by gluing on some sheet music and old Jane Austen book papers. I then Gessoed over the jar, and scribbled on some neocolour 2 crayons. These were blended with a damp paintbrush.<br /><br />I had some flower stamps which I had never used, this was the perfect project for them as they are long and thin. I stamped fairly randomly over the jar on all sides. Then I was stuck wondering how to finish the jar.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/15/116.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/15/s_116.jpg' border='0' width='212' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I didn't want to write on the jar but I wanted it to reflect the fact that it would be a jar of memories. I looked through my stash and found a book of mini text. Rather than write one word or sentiment, I thought I'd go for broke and add every word that went with the theme. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/15/117.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/15/s_117.jpg' border='0' width='183' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Around every side.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/15/118.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/15/s_118.jpg' border='0' width='230' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Sometimes accidentally repeating words, oh well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/15/119.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/15/s_119.jpg' border='0' width='207' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I had an awful lot of words that were apt.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/15/120.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/15/s_120.jpg' border='0' width='208' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I thought I should use a sentiment for the top, Tam, who hosted this Lifebook class used the phrase 'jar of awesome' but awesome is not a word I use. I didn't want to write 'perfect' so went with the simple statement ' my year'. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/15/121.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/15/s_121.jpg' border='0' width='237' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I've started filling the jar already. At first I thought I should write down one good thing every single day, but realised this was setting myself up for failure, and spoilt the spontaneity of the project. What if I just add things as they happen. Some days I may find three lovely things to write about, other days may pass without me adding anything, that's okay. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/15/122.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/15/s_122.jpg' border='0' width='203' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />At the end of the year, or periodically through the year, I can open my jar and read lots of lovely happenings. What a great way to lift the spirits.<br /><br />With love from Horace. <br /><br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-23481220468611073322015-01-14T10:50:00.001+00:002015-01-14T10:50:36.598+00:00WOYWW - Lifebook creationsHello there from Horace on a sunny (so far) Wednesday. I can't believe it's time for another <a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">WOYWW</a> already. If you're wondering what the acronym could possibly stand for, click the link and have a merry old time visiting desks across the world. <br /><br />So, what am I up to? Well it's more Lifebook creations from me. I think Lifebook will be featuring a lot on my desk this year. So far I'm loving the classes, and I'm finding, even if you don't want to follow exactly what the teacher is doing one week, you end up creating your interpretation of the class. This was the case for me last week, when we had a class by Roben Marie Smith. She created a tag from her previously made art work, and although it was lovely, I didn't want to scan in any of my art work, instead, I took my over stuffed embellishments box and made a double sided tag, one side kicking out the old, and the other welcoming in the new.<br /><br />In my case this was goodbye expectation, hello acceptance.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/14/40.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/14/s_40.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Anyway, you're here to see my desk this week aren't you? I'm taking another Lifebook class, this is week 2 also, but a class with Tamara Laporte, making a 'jar of awesome'. The idea is to decorate a jar, then fill it with slips of paper on which you write all the great things that happen throughout the year. These shouldn't be bigs things, this is about celebrating the small stuff. After all, that's what makes life great, isn't it? <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/14/41.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/14/s_41.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I've chosen sheet music and old book papers to cover my jar. I'll cover that in Gesso then add something pretty to finish it off. As you can see, all my other Lifebook creations are still sitting on the desk too. I'll decant those into my 'Lifebox' later, but for now I'm enjoying seeing what I created every time I walk into the bedroom. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/14/42.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/14/s_42.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='199' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'll have a little desk hop, then come back and finish off my jar. <br /><br />TTFN,<br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-74043892937151992662015-01-10T11:11:00.001+00:002015-01-10T11:11:24.427+00:00A Beacon of LightHello again from Horace. I thought I'd show you my finished page from the Lifebook Beacon of Light class. I was so impressed with the class, Tam takes you through the stages of first sketching, then painting the whimsy girl, and she's so encouraging too, her enthusiasm and positivity rub off and when she declares she 'loves' her work it gives you 'permission' to love your own. Normally when I create I look for what's wrong in my work, this time I looked for the positives. I still found myself looking at the eyes and seeing they weren't equal but I then found myself thinking 'it's good enough'. I have np idea about shading, but I just copied Tam. Is my picture perfect? No, but you know what, I've decided not to care. One and a half years ago I could not draw at all, so I shall be happy with the progress I've made and look forward to learning more, or just having fun, or both. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/10/54.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/10/s_54.jpg' border='0' width='196' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />On a silly note, the male human here received a fish eye lens for Christmas and I asked him to snap a picture of me<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/10/55.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/10/s_55.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='207' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Don't I look odd? My ears have disappeared!!! <br /><br />I'll be back soon with my week 2 Lifebook makes and other waffle. TTFN. <br /><br />With love from Horace<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-48870527087591830602015-01-07T12:41:00.001+00:002015-01-07T16:19:00.386+00:00WOYWW - arty exbeariments<br />Hello there, it's Horace here with you for the first <a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">WOYWW</a>of the year. Click on the link to find out all about Julia's fabulous desk nosefest! <br /><br />Isn't the year flying by already? I've been absorbed in my Lifebook class but managed to sneak in a page in my large Dylusions journal too. I wanted to try out all my lovely Christmas goodies, which included a rather impressive 4 sets of Dylusions stamps. Lucky lucky me. I also received a mini watercolour Moleskine journal, which I was eager to try out. I did my usual of creating two pages at once. Here's the desk post play. I like to leave the journals open for a day or two after so I can see what I've achieved.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/07/68.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/07/s_68.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='198' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />This is the mini Moleskine book<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/07/69.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/07/s_69.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='106' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />And here's a close up of the large journal page. It always irritates me, if, when meeting people for the first time, their first question is 'what do you do?' As if your job defines you. As I don't work I'm constantly stuck for an answer. My dear friend bought me the Dylusions quotes stamps and in the set I found the perfect answer to that question ' Mostly I just sit around all day being fabulous'. I just had to use it on this page.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/07/158.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/07/s_158.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='189' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/07/159.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/07/s_159.jpg' border='0' width='262' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I also received a couple of new stencils, I was a very spoilt bear. Just look at the depth created with a bit of texture paste scraped through the stencils<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/07/71.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/07/s_71.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='268' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/07/72.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/07/s_72.jpg' border='0' width='212' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />I'm hoping my inspiration lasts the whole year. At the moment I want to create constantly, if only my energy matched my enthusiasm. <br /><br />I'm going for a desk hop. See you soon. <br /><br />With love from the Horace. <br /><br /><br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-19302665712155208542015-01-03T10:42:00.001+00:002015-01-03T10:42:05.197+00:00Lifebook lifebearHello friends. It's Horace here with you today. I haven't posted since last year (!!!) so thought it was time to come and chat. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas full of fun, friends and family, and of course a little bit of feasting. Ours was very quiet but lovely nonetheless. <br /><br />I was very lucky to receive some wonderful presents<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/57.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_57.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='261' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Especially of the sweet variety, this is from Clarissa, my love interest. I think she must be keen, don't you?<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/58.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_58.jpg' border='0' width='227' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Dinner was delicious<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/59.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_59.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='160' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We played Rummikub in the afternoon<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/60.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_60.jpg' border='0' width='273' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />And Podgy made some shortbread for afternoon tea.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/61.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_61.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='212' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />I was lucky enough to get <a target="_blank" href="http://www.willowing.org/life-book-2015/">Lifebook</a> for Christmas. For those of you who don't know, this is a year long art course, the idea being that YOUR art is good enough, that YOU are good enough. There are a zillion different teachers and a lesson every single week. <br /><br />Participants can either follow the course to the letter, using art to heal, following a meditation to get started etc, or just use the art class as a guide, to make 'lovely art'. The great thing is, the classes are not at all prescriptive, and it really is up to the individual how they interpret the lessons. <br /><br />I couldn't wait to get started so on 1st I created my warm up page. This is where you have fun getting messy, and also choose your 'word' for the year. Because of being unwell, and finding it hard to accept the limits of the illness, I thought I would choose the word 'enough' as in ' let whatever you do today be enough', but, as I started creating my page, The word ' accept' was floating around my furry brain. Of course, you can choose more than one word, but I decided 'accept' was perfect as my main focus.<br /><br />Her's my page in splatted form, before I added my word<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/62.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_62.jpg' border='0' width='198' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />And here finished. The mini envelope contains my intentions for the year, not resolutions, which are easy to 'fail' at, just ideas of how I'd like to live the year, IE, relax more.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/63.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_63.jpg' border='0' width='183' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I used my lovely new Dylusions stamps for my word. I didn't want to write on my first piece as often I dislike my paw writing, although that's something I'll work on this year.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/64.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_64.jpg' border='0' width='197' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm now one third of the way through the main lesson for this week, creating a whimsy creature. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=15/01/03/65.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/15/01/03/s_65.jpg' border='0' width='199' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Only one week in and already I'm really loving this course. <br /><br />Ttfn, <br /><br /><br />With love from Horace. <br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-49877977320641760562014-12-24T15:41:00.001+00:002014-12-24T15:41:32.182+00:00Podgy Bakes Christmas<br />Hello there, it's Podgy the baking Panda here with you today. For those of you who have been sleeping the month away, let me tell you it's Christmas Eve today. For those who didn't know that...... PANIC!!!!!!<br /><br />We're all prepared and just waiting for the fat guy in the red suit here at The House of Bears. I thought I may as well indulge in some festive baking. Do you all like shortbread? We love it here. I consulted my trusty cookbooks for a recipe and found the ideal one in The Great British Book of Baking (first series)<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/306.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_306.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='213' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />For those who don't have the book, here's the recipe<br /><br />150g unsalted butter (very soft) <br />40g icing sugar<br />200g plain flour<br />50g corn flour<br />Caster sugar for sprinkling.<br /><br />I whizzed up the icing sugar with the cubed butter in the Kenwood, until it was soft and creamy looking. I then sifted the flours on top and whizzed until the mix came together as a firm dough.<br /><br />Then came the hard work, rolling out the dough, pheweee, I'll have huge muscles after this.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/307.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_307.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='212' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I wanted shaped biscuits, so pressed some out, in my own inimitable style<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/308.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_308.jpg' border='0' width='217' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I re rolled my dough, whilst gathering flour on my fur!!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/309.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_309.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='212' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Then pressed more festive shapes. I think I'll need a thorough licking down after all this!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/310.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_310.jpg' border='0' width='188' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I baked my biscuits at 180c / gas 4, for 18 minutes, left them on the tray to firm up for a few minutes, then decanted them to the cooling tray.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/311.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_311.jpg' border='0' width='188' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Goodness, there's enough here for a hug of hungry bears.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/312.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_312.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='231' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I think I'll start with this one. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/24/313.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/24/s_313.jpg' border='0' width='275' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Wishing you all a safe, happy Christmas. We hope it's all you would wish for, and for those facing troubles, we wish you peace and better times to come. <br /><br />With love from the bears<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-4120775230697876782014-12-20T20:10:00.001+00:002014-12-20T20:10:48.283+00:00Impatience is My Virtue<br />Hullo there. Did you know it's 5 days until Chritstmas? As requested by one of our dear followers, we took a festive photo by the tree. I hope you like it.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/20/267.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/20/s_267.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='193' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Anyhoo, I decided to write a post mainly to show my finished page from the WOYWW post. I left you watching paint ( or rather, distress stains) drying. My page was all to do with my frustration waiting for our pawly fridge freezer to be fixed. I hate waiting, and I get stressed when things go wrong and are beyond my control. We waited 17 days from the fridge/ freezer breaking to being fixed, and it seemed a very long 17 days indeed. As usual, I journalled my emotions. <br /><br />On top of distress stains I layered texture paste through a harlequin stencil, then once this was dry I added more distress stains, some alcohol inks, more distress stains, even more distress stains........<br /><br />I then added my image, which was stamped on tissue paper, which disappears once glued onto the page with Mod Podgy. I stamped my sentiment in the same way. I had some very gluey paws after that feat, let me tell you!!<br /><br />The end page was quite pleasing though, a play on words to suit my pawsonality. I think it says it all. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/20/268.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/20/s_268.jpg' border='0' width='200' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The fridge freezer is working now, humming along nicely and full of delicious cheeses and party foods, ready for a feast fit for a bear on Christmas Day. In case we don't post again, we wish all our followers a Very Merry Christmas, a safe and Happy New Year and peace and happiness to all. <br /><br />See you in the New Year for more bear antics. <br /><br />With love from the bears<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-14560701364229784122014-12-17T09:59:00.001+00:002014-12-17T09:59:16.151+00:00WOYWW - Merry Artmess<br />Hello there. Wednesday again? Wow, isn't December steaming on? I've been busy wrapping Christmas presents for my love, Clarissa. I hope she likes what's inside, I made her a paw made book. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/17/42.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/17/s_42.jpg' border='0' width='264' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I've not really indulged in any Christmas themed crafts this year. I didn't even make all of the Christmas cards, but resorted to buying charity cards instead. Podgy has baked a few Christmassy treats, but with the fridge freezer being out of action the last two weeks, even that's been difficult. Still, it's being fixed today so hopefully he'll fill it with mince pies and other delights.<br /><br />Now, the real reason I'm blogging is the wonderful world of <a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">WOYWW</a>. If you're confused by the acronym, click on the link and see what it's all about. Join in and share your desky delights with the world, like me. <br /><br />Here's my Wednesday mess for this week, the bright beginnings of an art journal page, plus a smaller art journal that I added texture paste to whilst I was decorating the larger journal. Sometimes it's easier to work on two pages at once, especially for the stuff that takes ages to dry. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/17/43.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/17/s_43.jpg' border='0' width='280' height='176' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Anyway, my page is all to do with the fridge freezer breaking ( see about two posts below for the boring story) and how I hate to wait for people to come to the house; you spend the day constantly looking out the window, wondering if every little noise is a van drawing up, dashing to the bathroom and imagining you hear a van pull away at that moment.... I guess I am just an impatient little bear at heart, and this page will reflect that. <br /><br />As you can see it's a bright page, I used my much maligned distress stains, first adding Gesso to my page, then smearing the distress stains randomly over the page. I added a spritz of water and let the colours run into each other a little, leaving to dry thoroughly before adding more colour. I then went mad adding drops of alcohol ink in complementary colours. Texture paste scraped on through a stencil added some depth. I'll glue the image on once everything is properly dry. I've stamped it on tissue paper, and if I add enough Mod Podgy to the page,the tissue paper will magically disappear, leaving the image behind.<br /><br />As you can see, I'm still at the watching paint dry stage right now, always such an interesting pastime, I think!!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/17/44.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/17/s_44.jpg' border='0' width='259' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />While I'm waiting, I'll go and peruse some other WOWYW desks. TTFN for now, I hope no one is too stressed with Christmas preparations. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the occassion. Xxx<br /><br />With love from the bears<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-51935076226518695332014-12-13T16:30:00.000+00:002014-12-13T16:30:01.625+00:00Sew Sew<br />
Hello there dear friends. It's Horace here yet again with another sewing project to show you. You know when you first start to sew, and you buy every single scrap of fabric you see, just because it's pretty, and you're sure you can find some use for it? Well, that was me when I first got my sewing machine. I didn't even have any idea if I could actually make anything, never mind an idea of what to make. At cub school, I had been bottom of the class at anything arty, and my sewing skills were certainly lacking. I couldn't follow a pattern for the life of me, and following written instructions left me scratching my furry head in confusion. I am a visual learner, so I turned to Youtube in the hunt for easy to follow tutorials that did not have 55 million stages for one simple make. <br />
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I found so many great tutorials, including several for making zipped bags ( or purses, as they insist on calling them in America). As you only need some squares of fabric and some wadding, I thought this would be a great project for my veritable stash of fabric<br />
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I didn't have any matching pieces of fabric, so went for contrasting colours for the outside of my bag.<br />
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I adhered my fabric to the wadding with temporary sticky spray.<br />
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I then cut around the wadding, <br />
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I find when I try to sew in a zip with my zipper foot, the fabric starts travelling to the left of the machine as I sew. Is it just me? Does my fabric try to escape my furry clutches? Anyway, eventually I managed to sew the zipper to both the outer and inner fabric.<br />
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I decided to add some stitching to the outer fabric, for a more quilted look, <br />
Don't look too closely, or you may see my wonky workmanship!<br />
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It gets worse, oh well. These are only for my use. I don't think my quilty stitch is suitable for present making just yet. <br />
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The bags will come in handy for various bear needs; a small smackeral perhaps, or some arty bits and pieces, or both? <br />
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With love from the bearsHouse of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-23905852094068436772014-12-10T10:50:00.001+00:002014-12-10T10:50:40.599+00:00WOYWW - I'm a Bit BiasedWell hullo there again. I think I have the right day this week, last week I posted my <br /><a target="_blank" href="http://stamping-ground.blogspot.co.uk">WOYWW</a> desk on Thursday, I was totally convinced it was Wednesday! I also forgot to add a link to Julia's blog, where you can find out all you need to know about this fun phenomenon. This week I'm on the right day, and have the link up too. Go me!<br /><br />So, what is on my desk this week? Well, I'm making bias binding from sheets bought from Asda. I need a veritable amount, and bias binding is not the cheapest thing to buy, so I thought, how hard can it be to make my own? Not very, is the answer. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/10/40.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/10/s_40.jpg' border='0' width='191' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />As you can see above. I bought a 2 1/2" quilting ruler to aid with the cutting. My bias binding needs to be 2 1/2" wide and I am hopeless at cutting a straight line, so decided this would be a good purchase. There are lots of youtube videos on how to make bias binding, so I won't attempt a convoluted explanation. It's all to do with folding your fabric so it is cut on the bias ( means it is stretchy, I think).<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/10/41.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/10/s_41.jpg' border='0' width='236' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Once I'd cut 3 million strips, I needed to sew them together, to create one continuous strip of fabric. I kept sewing the strips together until I was left with this, below.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/10/42.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/10/s_42.jpg' border='0' width='228' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I'm almost buried in bias binding!!! I think that should be enough to edge my quilt!! <br /><br />Now, before I start on that task, I shall visit some old friends at their desks. See you all soon. <br /><br /><br />With love from the bears<br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952374495592058985.post-63419971064253753472014-12-06T17:44:00.001+00:002014-12-06T17:45:33.825+00:00Baby it's (not) Cold in ThereHello there everyone, isn't December zooming by? Do you have your decorations up yet? We put our tree up on December the first. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=14/12/06/376.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/14/12/06/s_376.jpg' border='0' width='139' height='280' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />For some reason, our tree always looks blue on photos. There is nothing blue on it at all! How odd, it's a green tree with fake snow ( of course, even in The House of Bears, it doesn't snow indoors. The decorations are all gold or brown and the lights are all white. <br /><br /><br />It was a mixed day for us, lovely and relaxing whilst decorating, then rather stressful when I went to the fridge for a small snack, only to find it was warm inside, and everything in the freezer was either partially or completely defrosted. Not knowing how long it had been faulty for, we couldn't take the chance on using anything, and had to chuck away about a months worth of food, including all the Christmas party food, I could have cried. <br /><br />Looking on the bright side though, on checking the guarantee, we found it ran out the very next day. I was on the phone right away to report the fault. Unfortunately, an engineer can't come out until next Tuesday, so we are fridge and freezer-less until then. That's of course, if it's an easy fix. <br /><br />I didn't realise just how much stuff goes in the fridge, from spreads and cheeses, cold meats and drinks, to the opened jars and all the little bits you pop in there, just to be on the safe side. <br /><br />I hated throwing out so much food, it really goes against my belief that we should try not to waste anything, and having a completely empty fridge and freezer is very alien to us. We usually stock anything that can be stockpiled 'just in case'.<br /><br />The irony is, we had just made a large donation to the local foodbank, the second that week, we'd donated lots of tinned goods and pasta etc! Isn't that typical? <br /><br />We are very lucky though, we have been able to afford to shop daily, and of course, having the fridge freezer one day from guarantee was unbelievably lucky. One day later and we would have been worried about how to afford to either fix or replace it. We can't wait to have it up and running again though. Hopefully in time for Christmas. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />With love from the bears<br /><br />House of Bearshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16213181654644632081noreply@blogger.com0