Fantasy & Fancy

Just want to tell you about a new blog by my friend Sandi Smith, Fantasy & Fancy. She hasn't yet told us what she has planned for this blog, but I know it will be something wonderful. Her first post, The Child Within, reminds us of the dreams and imagination of our childhood...something many of us tend to forget as we get older and busier. I will nurture my child within. Thanks, Sandi.

Visit Sandi's other blog...Bearly Sane -- Blog of a Bear Nut.

Swap Bears

This is Emma from a new line called Puppy Grrls. She's even cuter in person than in the photo.

Nancy Dontigney is the artist behind Puppy Grrls and Dog Patch Critters. She has a wonderful imagination and all of her pieces have a happy and whimsical look about them. I've wanted one of Nancy's critters for some time and I recently asked if she'd consider a swap with me.

She just happened to be working on a new line that she thought I would like, but she wanted it to be a surprise and wouldn't tell me anything about it. Emma arrived last week and I was overjoyed with her especially since we are currently owned by two wheaten Scottish Terriers and previously had our own little Emma Girl. She seemed to be created just for me.

Patrick was Nancy's choice of my bears and he now lives happily in sunny Florida with Nancy and all the Dog Patch Critters.

Thanks, Nancy, for being open to a swap. I love my little Puppy Grrl.

New Bears

Joseph and I are leaving town this afternoon but I wanted to post three new bears before I leave. The bears were part of the Black and White Ball. Though my bears didn't find homes, the show was a huge success and exceeded everyone's expectations. If you have any questions, please send me an email or leave a comment and I'll respond when I return on Monday.

Top Left to right: Harlow - Zi Shan

Below - Oakley

Black & White Ball

Undressed and Ribbon-Bow Bears

will be available today.

6 June - Undressed and Ribbon-Bow Bears

Dates and times are for Australia.

For those in the US and Canada

this date is June 5.

West Coast - 3:00 pm

Central - 5:00 pm

East Coast - 6:00 pm

Please check the time for your area.

Black and White Ball

It may be May 31 in the U.S. but it's already tomorrow in Australia. The Black and White Ball will begin today:

West Coast begins at 3 pm

Central begins at 5 pm

East Coast begins at 6 pm

If you need to find the time for your part of the world, just click here. Hope you'll be there.

Black and White Ball

The Black and White Ball is just around the corner. If you'd like to sneak a peek at the bears and critters that will be available during the Ball, just click on the link. Sandi tells us she is overwhelmed by the creativity of all entrants. While you're there, take a look at the other photo albums.

Sandi is putting the finishing touch on the Venue. She is amazingly organized and so on top of everything. Here's just a bit about what she has planned for the week:

June 1 - Introduction and unveiling of TACDA entrants

June 2 - Dressed Bears arrive

June 3 - Vintage Bears arrive

June 4 - Nominees are officially announced

Minis arrive

June 5 - All Critters arrive

June 6 - Remaining Bears arrive

June 7 - Finale and Award Presentation

I hope you'll be there.

Sneak Peek for Black and White Ball

Sandi has been hard at work on the upcoming Black and White Ball. More than 100 artist bears will be shown during the show. Here's a wee peek at my bears.

The show runs from June 1 through June 7. Sandi has something a little different planned for each day.