Be My Valentine is almost here

Don't forget the online Be My Valentine show this weekend.

The show runs a full 24 hours so everyone should have a chance to log on at their convenience. am Artists from around the world will be participating and starting times will vary. You'll find a list of starting times at the show's website.

On the west coast of the United States the show begins on February 13 at 2 pm and runs until 2 pm on February 14. I think I'll need a couple of naps during the show.

A forum will be available during the show and everyone may participate. All you have to do is register; it's painless and it's free. You'll be able to make comments and "chat" with the artists.

Updated Slide Show

I've updated my slideshow with more current bears. Most have been adopted, but not all so if you have a questions about any of them, please send me a note.

And now I'm getting to work on the bears for Be My Valentine.

Mostly ready for Spring Fling. . .

My photos and descriptions have been submitted, Nancy's busy working on the artist "booths," and everyone is getting anxious for the conference and show. Nancy gave me a sneak peek at my "booth" and I can't tell you how excited I was seeing my bears as part of this event.

I hope you'll take a look at the show because in addition to "new and aspiring" artists, like me, there are many professional and master artists participating and their work is amazing and an inspiration to new artists.

I want to especially thank Kiki and Ron of Kiki Haynes Photography, La Quinta, California, for their hard work in getting my photos before the deadline. I very much appreciate their "above and beyond" efforts on my behalf.

Where's the summer gone!

Where did our summer go? My normal routine has been turned up-side-down; my house is in a mess; it's miserably hot and humid in the desert; I've had blogger's block; and, my desire to keep up has been greater than my will to do so.

Last weekend Ashley and I went to our first ever bear show in San Diego. I loved it...so many wonderful bears of all sizes, shapes, styles and colors. I did take my camera, but became so wrapped up in trying to see everything, I forgot about taking pictures. I did manage to buy a few things, however. This little guy is Tweedle-Dee, an adorable little brindle Scottie from the studio of Sunnie Bears by Sonya Shaw. These are Sonya's pictures, but I'll eventually get a few others up. I also purchased a vintage black Scottie not quite as big as Tweedle-Dee, but they've become great friends. I also managed to pick up a couple of yards of mohair. You can never have too much mohair.

Another very exciting thing for me this summer was the opportunity to enter a swap with Julie Bolton of BEARS...Strike a Paw. Julie kept Petey after photographing him, and I received some cards from photos she'd taken. I was thrilled with that, but then she contacted me and asked if I'd mind if she used Petey in her very first bear calendar! Mind! Holy Cow, how could I mind? I can hardly wait to get my copies of the calendar. Check out Julie's website. She has photographed bears by artists from around the world, and, in some cases, used the artist's photo to create a variety of all occasion cards and, of course, the inaugural 2008 16-month calendars.