Mutz's Tootsz Blog

The Show Has Begun!

2011-11-18T14:46:00.000-08:00

I already had one of my pieces sell! The show started an hour ago. Please take a look!

Christmas Treasures Online Bear Show

2011-10-16T15:32:00.000-07:00

Watch for details!!!!!!

Halloween Pin Preview

2011-10-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

Also going to be in tha Halloween trunk show and am previewing the pins I am bringing

See http://www.halloweenstudiotour.com to access the Online Halloween Show

And http://marthasbears.blogspot.com/ for the trunk show!

Featured in Teddy Bear Review

2011-10-07T15:29:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that Bear Bones Halloweenie was featured in Teddy Bear Review Magazine!

Dont't forget to look at the online Halloween show!

Online Halloween Show - Starting October 1st!!!!

2011-09-17T14:54:00.000-07:00

A Halloween Trunk Show

2011-08-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

IGCC Newsletter

2011-06-19T14:58:00.000-07:00

I signed up for the International Gollywogg Collector's Club Newsletter while I was at the Philly show. I got my FIRST copy and was delighted to find a terrific review of the Philadelphia Doll and Teddy Bear Show! I got a great mention in it with a picture of 2 of my gollies and a picture of me at my booth. The show was so busy that I hadn't gotten a picture on my own to share. Thought everyone would like to see.

If anyone is interested in signing up for the newsletter you can contact Jan Ross at Gollyfest@aol.com!

Dolls and Bears of the Philly Show

2011-06-11T09:01:00.000-07:00

I just want to give you an idea of the scope and calibre of the artists at the Philly show. I did not have time to make notes on all the artists. But here are some of their creations!

Sorry These are already Sold!

2011-06-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is "Golly, It's Summer!" It was a OOAK piece I did for the auction at the Philadelphia Teddy Bear and Doll Show. As you know the Golly is the teddy bear's BEST FRIEND! This guy was ready to give his lucky teddy bear friend a bike ride. He was all dressed up for 4th of July.

This guy is a Punkin Weenie. He was Sold at the Philly show as well.

This is a new Day-Of-The Dead Halloweenie. He is #1 in an OOAK series. He was sold at the Philly Show too!

ONLINE HALLOWEEN SHOW STARTNG OCTOBER 1, 2010

2010-09-24T13:51:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but Halloween will soon be upon us. I am again participating in this Online show. It starts October 1st, 2010. Check it out by following the link on the sidebar.... IF YOU DARE!!!!!!

Hee Hee Hee It's Me, It's Me!

2010-09-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

My mom found this vintage photo that I had never seen before! Guess witch one is me!!!!!!

I'm on Etsy!

2010-09-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

I have opened up a new Etsy shop. You can find this new Pumnkin Halloweenie as well as some other bears at my new shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MutzToots

SOLD

Hats, hats, hats!

2010-08-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

TBAI was so much fun. I think the best part of it was the "Mad Hatter's Teaparty". Here are some of the hats that were worn. I won't detail the names of the artists & collectors because as you can see everyone got in the spirit of Alice in Wonderland!

Two New Hallowenies

2010-08-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

I just completed 2 new Halloweenies. The first is Uncle Sam. He is made from tan sparse mohair and has his Halloween costume needle felted directly onto the mohair. He is all patriotic in red, white & blue, has blue glass eyes and even his own wool roving goatee.

Uncle Sam # 1 of OOAK series.$195.00

The next is a Vampire Weenie. He is costume is black, purple & green. He has a green & purple face with black glass eyes.

Vampire # 2 or OOAK Series $185.00

TBAI 2010

2010-08-08T15:49:00.000-07:00

Thought I would post a picture of my challenge piece for TBAI. The theme is Children's Classic Novels. I picked Treasure Island as my subject. I features an 11 inch Long John Silver. He is made out of tan, blue, brown & black mohair. Has a red silk scarf and sash, and is leaning on a wooden crutch. He is wearing a black felt hat and has a multi-color needle felted parrot on his shoulder. He is accompanied by a 6 inch Jim Hawkins who is mad out of tan, red & black mohair. Jim is carrying a needle felted Skull & Cross Bones flag. They are overlooking a treasure chest that opens to reveal a treasure of gold coins. Everything is standing on a base that is scattered with sand, shells and even a needle felted skull.

Off to the Teddy Bear Reunion in Clarion

2010-06-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

I couldn't leave without posting a few pictues of my "Spectacular" piece for the show. Titled "Snow Day"

Needle felted ornaments

2010-05-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

Ornaments have been taking over too.

More than just mohair

2010-05-31T11:47:00.000-07:00

I know a few of my friends have been after me saying I haven't been blogging enough. I just haven't been able to get a way from my needle felting. These are a few of my larger projects that have been keeping me busy. They are from 6 inches to 9 inches tall and all have porcelain dolls that I have needle felted around. They range in price from $150.00 to $225.00.

Felting Fever

2010-03-21T13:35:00.000-07:00

I have had felting fever. I started out trying to reproduce the spun cotton ornaments my mom gave me & they have exploded. They are so fun to make! I can't stop myself. I took pictures of a few.

Bear Bones featured on Skull A Day

2010-02-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

Bear Bones, one of my Haloweenies was featured on Skull-A-Day today. I am thrilled. This is a blog I have been following for a while now. The blogger featured a skull everyday for a year & it has grown since then. To see Bear Bones follow this link: http://skulladay.blogspot.com/2010/02/skully-bear.html

A Golly Is A Teddy Bear's Best Friend

2010-01-28T18:23:00.000-08:00

I actually finished this golly before Christmas but didn't post his picture until now. He is one of my Halloweenies, a bear dressed up like a Golly. He is11 inches tall & made from tan sparse mohair. His outfit is needlefelted directly on to the mohair and is done in tones of green, teal & blue accented with green glass bead buttons. He has blue glass eyes.

Bears dressed up for Halloween,
In costumes sweet or horrible,
Freaky, cute, or in between,
They're really just adorable!

#2 in a OOAK Series SOLD
Golly Weenie is $185.00

January is for doing new things

2010-01-10T15:16:00.000-08:00

My mom gave me these 4 German figurines. They are old and have been in my family ever since I can remember. I have always loved them & the little cardboard village that they lived in. I decided to give a try to reproducing them. I have been doing som research on them & am going to give it a try. Wish me luck!

Christmas Swap

2010-01-10T15:07:00.000-08:00

I recieved this lovely bear in an ornament exchange all the way from the Netherlands. He is so cute & small that he fits inside a handpainted glass ornament.

Happy New Year To All

2010-01-10T15:06:00.000-08:00

Hoping everyone had a Merry Christmas & a Happy & Safe New Year. I am trying to get caught up after the Holidays. I just want to post a couple of pictures from Christmas. This is my son Scott & my grandson Preston on Christmas day.

Join Me in Thanking our Troops

2009-11-21T16:31:00.001-08:00

Please go to a Xerox sponsored site called: http://www.letssaythanks.com/ to send a postcard to one of out troops.

Butterfly on a red flower

2009-11-20T17:40:00.000-08:00

A few days ago I uploaded a few pictures into the "Nature" folder of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Readers picture site. To my surprise, they moved this one to the "Best of Our Readers Photos" folder. To see more of the pictures you can click this link: /www.jsonline.com/multimedia/photos/46413542.html?page=1 There are some really great pictures on there!

Willie Nillie

2009-11-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

This is Willie Nillie a nine inch tall bear. He is made from scruffy multi-tan toned mohair and hand-dyed orange woolfelt. He has black glass eyes that are backed with orange woolfelt. He has tan woolfelt pawpads. His nose is needlfelted out of hand-dyed orange roving. He is wearing a colorful purle vest that is accented with orange blanket stitch. His matching hat has an orange elastic chinstrap to help him keep it on. All of his clothes are removable, but he told me he feels rather silly without them. He has the smallest jinglebutt I have ever done!

I finished him just before going to the Chicagoland Show and on my way there he told me that I had his name all wrong. For some reason I thought his name was Merlin, but he set me straight, his name is Willie Nillie. He is $165.00.

Chicagoland Show

2009-11-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how time has flown since the Chicagoland show. It was a wonderful show by the way & I would highly recommend it for next year. There was a real buzz of excitement in the air. We had lots of fun thanks to our hostesses Laura & Daphne.

On Line Halloween Show

2009-09-26T12:04:00.001-07:00

I am particiapating in an online Halloween show! A spooky time will be in store for all. It starts up October 1st! I have been able to take a quick peek at the artists displaying and it looks like a gouhlishly fantastic show. Mark your calendars

Clarion 2010

2009-09-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

I am signed up for the show in 2010 in Clarion. This is a very special show because it only takes place every 5 years. One of the things that they request at Clarion is that you send in a piece for auction based on a theme. The theme for 2010 is Holiday. I picked Halloween (go figure) for my Holiday and designed a new kitty. Her name is Boo Boo Kitty. She is 10 inches tall & is mounted on a heart shaped base. She is made from short, sparse, black mohair and hand dyed orange with black fleck long mohair. She has orange woolfelt accents & paw pads She has emerald green glass cats eyes and a sweet stitched face with just a little bit of a Cheshire grin. Her long corkscrew tail peeks out from a black polka dot netting skirt and she is sporting a vintage gold tinsel boa. She has a bat shaped balloon companion who is made out of black sparse mohair and vintage orange synthetic fabric with woolfelt ears & accents. This little guy has wired bat wings for posing. They both have white horsehair whiskers.

Meet Haystack

2009-09-12T10:23:00.000-07:00

Autumn is soon approaching, and Haystack is sporting all Fall colors. Haystack is 18 inches tall and is made from Short black mohair, long mohair that I dyed to a rich golden orange. She has orange woolfelt paw pads. She has large amber eyes that are accented with white orange and sparkly black. She has an orange stitched nose & mouth.

She also has a seven tone jingle-butt.

She is $375.00

To The Zoo When Teddy Artists Play

2009-09-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

We all got on buses...
TO THE ZOO!

Follow the Teddy Bear Tracks!

OOPS! How did George get in here with the animasls?

It was the first time that I have stayed for the after TBAI Picnic at the Zoo. It is a lovely zoo with lots of flowers, a carosel, & of course animals. The was also lots of delisious picnic food & we also got a visit from a couple of animals!

Some of My Favorite Faces of TBAI

2009-09-03T09:02:00.001-07:00

I am always amazed at the caliber of the artist at TBAI. Again, I couldn't take as many pictures as I wanted. These are just a few of the amazing creations.

TBAI Day Of the Show

2009-09-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

As usual I start out taking pictures of peoples booths & the get sidetracked. I get too busy talking and admiring other artist's work.

Great News too! Dian Pete won a First Place People's Choice Award for he gallery piece!

When Teddy Bear Artists Play

2009-09-03T08:07:00.001-07:00

On Friday we sere treated to a seminar on Photographing Teddy by Donna Griffin. Followed by a game of Combo Pictionary Chirades hostessed by Martha Burch.

TBAI Reception

2009-09-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

All dressed up! One of the fun things about TBAI is that there is a Wine & Cheese reception on Thrusday night. Everyone dresses up. Can you recognise your favorite teddy bear artists?

TBAI Day 2

2009-08-29T18:03:00.000-07:00

On the road. We had my van pretty well packed ato the fullest. We drove straight through from Cleveland, doing a little sight seeing along the way We stopped at a very pretty wayside just accross the New York border. Dian & Donn stopped to take in the information & the gorgeous view!

We also stopped at an antique mall in Salamanka, NY where we found the biggest Woody we have ever seen. Here are my parnters checking him out!

TBAI 2009

2009-08-26T17:46:00.001-07:00

We set out for Binghamton, all piled in my van. I was traveling with Donna Manthe & Dian Pete. First day, Wednesday we got as far as Cleveland.
Our hotel had a great view.... if you took a walk, and a super pizza place nearby. Great special for 3 bear artist'on a budget!

2009-08-26T17:32:00.001-07:00

adopt your own virtual pet!

Addopted my own virtual bat. Hoping to get him squared away in the sidebar so yoou can feed him. Meet Duane

New Weenies

2009-08-09T12:01:00.001-07:00

Just in time for TBAI I have 3 new Weenies They are all dressed up for Halloween. The first is a hippie-zombie just dug out of "The Day of the Dead" and her autumn colored friend. The last is a punkin head. All are 11 inches tall & made from tan sparse mohair. They are needlefelted directly on to the mohair.

Punkin Weenie is SOLD

A Witchy Weenie

2009-07-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

I am starting to get geared up for Fall. This is a Witchie Weenie. Made from light tan mohair with needle felted features, she has blue glass eyes, orange eybrows and a big toothy grin. She is a black dress sporting green & orange stockings. She has multi colored hair that is also needlefelted in.

She is #2 in a OOAK series.

$185.00

My Best Birthday Bear

2009-07-05T15:31:00.001-07:00

This is my dad's teddy bear. My mom gave him to me for my birthday. As I previously posted I had repaired him & given to her for Mother's Day. I still can't get over the fact that she was willing to part with him.

When we had him appraised, Ken told my mother that the teddy should have new eyes. He looks all bright & beautiful now that he is cleaned & has his new eyes. I love him so much!

More Birthday Bears

2009-07-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

My sister works for a company that does estate sales. She collects all the over-loved bears she finds & gives them to me. Here are the other two she gave me.

This little guy has plastic eyes & is very worn. Someone has even tried to re-weave him in places. He has a large hole under his arm and his feet are collapsed like empty slippers. He is so well loved that he even has a pronounced butt-crack.

This one is a big guy. He is sitting in a child size rocker. He has a pom nose & very little fur left. He has big floppy ears. I think he is a fairly new bear that was nearly loved to death. If you look close you can see he has had a "crotchectimy".

First of my birthday bears

2009-06-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

This is the first of the other bears I got for my birthday. He is really sweet with bright glass eyes, but he lost his ears somewhere along the way!

Happy Birthday to me!

2009-06-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely day. It is my birthday! I had lunch with my mom, sister & husband. I got flowers and a birthday cookie and go figure...bears. I was so surprised! My mom GAVE me my dad's teddy bear! He is the one that I repaired for her for Mother's Day! He is so wonderful & I have loved him since I was a little girl.

My sister works for an estate sale company and she gave me 3 in the fur bears, several teddy books and several other teddy related item. I will try to take some pictures this weekend to post.

My neighbors just stopped by with a teddy bear made of cupcakes! Their girls made it for me.

What a beary wonderful day!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day everyone!

My mom took my Dad's teddy bear along with us to the Schaumburg show. Ken Yenke appraised Teddy for Mom. It turns out he is a PETS bear with a music box in his belly. I had opened him up about a year ago & fixed his music box. Ken also suggested that I give Teddy a bath & new eyes because his eyes have been gone for years. I gave him back to Mom for Mother's day but forgot to take pictures of hime before he went home. I will borrow him back & post some pictures. He looks almost new!

Pictures From Schuamburg

2009-05-10T16:48:00.000-07:00

The Schaumburg show was a lot of fun. Lots of wonderful people there! Am uploading a few pictures.

3 New Weenies

2009-04-25T18:08:00.000-07:00

Zombie- Sold

I am just posting quickly, tomorrow is a big day, the Spring Schaumburg show. I am bringing 3 new Halloweenies to the show. They are Bunny Weenie, Zombie Weenie & Bear Bones. Bunny & Zombie are $175 each. Bear Bones is $165.

Schaumburg Spring Show

2009-04-11T17:27:00.001-07:00

I wasn't sure if I was going to make it with all the things that have been happening in our house lately. I will probably feel a little guilty about leaving Scott for the day, but I will be at the Schaumburg Spring Show! Go to http://www.bright-star-promotions.com/ for details!

You Are my Sunshine - My TBAI Challenge Piece

2009-04-11T17:13:00.001-07:00

You are my Sunshine, my only sunshine.

You Make me happy, when sky's are gray,

You'll never know, dear, how much I love you!

Please don't take my sunshine away!

I can still remember my Grandma singing this song. It was one of her favorites, and therefore one of the first songs I ever learned. I still remember being in her kitchen, helping her with the dishes and singing this song.

Sunshine is a 16 inch mohair bear. She is made from super soft yellow mohair that is tipped with just a pinch of brown. She has light amber glass eyes that are embellished with satin cord and shading. She has a brown stitched nose and a sweet sweet smile. She is wearing a beautiful covered straw hat that is embellished with satin & lace roses. She comes with her own giant sunflower.

Hunny Bunny

2009-04-11T16:55:00.000-07:00

Meet Hunny Bunny. She is a soft 21 inch bunny with the most loveable warm dark amber eyes. She is vanilla-honey curly mohair with tan paw pads and a tan stitched nose. She is wearing a vintage lace collar held on a burgundy velvet ribbon. She has a marvelous jingle butt!

Hunny Bunny has a very special name. I always take something to work on almost everywhere I go. While my husband was in the hospital, Hunny Bunny was my project. I sewed her at home & took pieces & parts to work on when I visited. So she has seen me through a few rough times. I named her after my "pet" name for my hubby - Hunny Bunny.

25 Years!

2009-03-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Just a quick blog to say that we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on Tuesday. We had been planning a big blast out party. We had hired a friend's band & were going to celebrate in style! Had to cancel everything. I am NOT complaining!

We had a quiet dinner at our favorite restaurant, Caterina's. We had one of our first dates there & have gone there almost every New Year since we have been married. We have known the current owner since he was bussing tables when the restaraunt belonged to his dad. It is always like going home to be there. It was a lovely evening and I am so glad we could celebrate it together!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

2009-02-14T16:04:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you are taking the day to tell someone you love them! I know I am.

It is hard to believe but at this time last month my husband & I were in the emergency ward at the hospital. We were both hit by a car while helping a driver get out of the ditch in front of our house.

I came through with no broken bones. I still have a large heomatoma that makes me look like I have a 3rd kneecap.

My husband was another story though. He had to have stitches to the back of his head & his knee was badly injured. He had surgery 2 days later. He still has a long way to go until he is recovered. He just got his stitches out & will have to wait at least another month before he can even put weight on his leg. Then the real fun starts. More therapy. It will be quite a while before we will know what happens next. Could be more surgery.

I thank God every day that Scott's injuries were not any worse than they were. And I give Scott extra kisses and hugs especially for Valentine's Day.

Please hug everyone that you love today!

Christmas Is For Kids - WKLH

2008-12-19T07:55:00.000-08:00

I gave myself an early Christmas gift this year. I took a 1/2 day off work in order to volunteer at Christmas Is For Kids a party sponsored by WLKH my favorite local radios station. http://www.wklh.com/ .They do have streaming programing on their website if you want to listen. This Christmas event gives a wonderful Christmas meal, a sack of toys, and a visit to Santa to underprivileged kids in the Milwaukee area. WKLH has been doing this for 28 years and has over 4000 people each year. I had a wonderful time.

I did various thing throughout the afternoon. I assembled & lined cardboard trash cans, was the door guardian, greeted people & directed them to the food, and later helped disassemble the hall.

This is Carole Kane (right) and a couple of volunteers.

My Good Bears Den was able to donate bears to this event this year too. They were handed out by a couple of clowns. As you can see they were appreciated.

It was great to see all the smiling faces of the kids! I plan on doing it again next year.

Cookie Roundup - Weight Watcher's Turtle Cookies

2008-12-12T15:59:00.001-08:00

Hi All,

I hope you are all enjoying the cookie exchange! Here is a recipe that I lifted from the Weight Watchers site. I thought maybe someone would like a lower calorie version of this Christmas classic. I have not made them yet but am planning on doing so next week. My WW leader says it is a killer recipe though!

I am also posting a recipe for a family favorite: Pumpkin Bars. Scroll down to the post on December 5th. I KNOW this is a wonderful recipe & it's easy too!

To keep going on at the Cookie Exchange please link here: Melbear's Quality Collectibles http://melbears.blogspot.com/

WW Turtle Cookies

POINTS® Value: 2Servings: 24 Preparation Time: 18 min Cooking Time: 10 min Level of Difficulty: Easy

These cookies are reminiscent of those famous caramel-and-chocolate candies but with one catch: They contain much less fat.
Ingredients
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1/3 cup(s) unsweetened cocoa
2/3 cup(s) sugar
1/4 cup(s) reduced-calorie margarine
1/4 cup(s) fat-free cream cheese
1 large egg white(s)
2 tbsp fat-free skim milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 spray(s) cooking spray
24 piece(s) caramel candies
24 pieces pecan halves

Instructions

Combine flour and cocoa in a small bowl; set aside. Beat together sugar, margarine, cream cheese, egg white, milk and vanilla extract in a large bowl; add flour mixture and blend well. Chill dough at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on baking sheets about 1 to 2 inches apart. Press a caramel into each cookie and flatten; top each caramel with a pecan half. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets and then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Yields 1 cookie per serving.

© 2008 Weight Watchers International, Inc. © 2008 WeightWatchers.com, Inc. All rights reserved.WEIGHT WATCHERS and POINTS are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used under license by WeightWatchers.com, Inc.

Make Over Bears

2008-12-12T05:53:00.000-08:00

Here they are all made over. I took them apart. Took off their ears, made them smaller & moved them off the top of their heads so they wouldn't look like Mickey Mouse. I reset their eyes to they would look straight forward & they van give you a sincere look. They have new noses & each has just the hint of a smile. What a fun project. I think they are much more lovable now!

They each still have their needlepunvhed heart. but now also have a key & tag that reads "KEY TO MY HEART".

Bear Makeovers

2008-12-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

These are two unwanted bears that I made when I was first making bears. They weren't the handsomest bears ever made. They both had pretty big ears, bug eyes that were going in different directions & faces only a mother could love. I decided that I would give them both a "make-over".

Hopefully I have improved over the years I have been bear making. I wanted to keep their "old" look and give them new faces so maybe they will find homes.

Christmas At The Thornton's

2008-12-07T18:35:00.000-08:00

We are all decorated for Christmas. I always have my big tree in the living room, decorated with all sorts of ornaments. I love unwrapping them all & thinking of the person I got each one from. I have ornaments that were made for me by my grandma, my mom, my sister & others. I also have my teddy tree in our sun room. Only teddies & bears allowed on this cute little stick tree. I have my mantle decorated with the "good" ornaments - breakables that we don't want the kids into. My little village is set up with it's train & a Santa that flies around the village. I also have several Santas that I have made over the years.

Cookie Roundup

2008-12-05T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hi, I am participating in the qdpatooties Annual Cookie Roundup. Although this is not a "Christmas Cookie" it is one of our family favorites & it is so good at this time of year. Hope you try them & Enjoy!

Click here for the next Cookie Roundup link: Melbear's Quality Collectibles http://melbears.blogspot.com/

Amy's Punkin Pie Bars

1-1/3 cups flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar. divided
3/4 cupp(1-1/2 sticks) cold butter or margerine
1 cup old fashioned or quick oats, uncooked
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 pkg (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened
3 eggs
1 can (15 oz) pumpkinn
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 13x9 inch baking pan with foil (Mold foil over bottom of pan laving 3 inches extending over the short sides. Pop pre-formed molded foil into pan & cruch exteded sides to form handles> Use handles to lift baked bars out of pan)
Grease foil lining.

Mix flour, brown sugar & 1/4 cup of sugar in medium bowl; cut in butter with pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles course crumbs. Stir in oats & walnuts. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture. Press remaining mixture onto the bottom of the pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Beat cream cheese, remaining 1/2 cup of sugar, eggs, pumpkin & pumpkin pie spice in a small bowlw electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Pour over crust, sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake 25 minutes. Lift from pan using foil handles & cool completely. Cut into 24 bars

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-30T15:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

The turkey on the left is a 16 lb turkey the turkey on the right is a 36.5 lb turkey. GOBBLE!

I am a little late posting this for a reason. We always celebrate Thanksgiving 2 days late. We started having Thanksgiving on Saturday years ago because my step-son has always had to try to make multiple places, and we have some hunters in the family, so it just seemed logical to wait. It actually turns out wonderfully for us because we have a full 2 more days to prepare.

Thanksgiving is my husband, Scott's favorite holiday. He is a "foodie" and quite the chef. He loves to think up or find new recipes to try. This year was no different. We had cranberry & apple compote, 2 kinds of dressing, peas & celery root, yams & rutabaga, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, his own recipe for pumpkin pie topped with tiramisu, and of course turkey. We have a wonderful friend who "grows" turkeys so we get our turkey fresh. This year we got a 36.5 lb turkey and Scott decided he wanted to do a second turkey (16 lb) on the grill. We always invite family and a bunch of friends so we always have a great time.

Scott & his turkey.

After Halloween

2008-11-03T16:38:00.001-08:00

Vampire - Sold

Witch - Sold

Pirate - Sold

Ballerina - Sold
Well Halloween is over & I was so busy before the Schaumburg show I didn't have a chance to post these cuties. Each one came with a tag that said:

Bears dressed up for Halloween,

In costumes sweet of horrible,

Freaky, cute, or in between,

They're really just adorable!

All four of these Halloweeniez were adopted.

Halloweeniez

2008-10-05T13:16:00.000-07:00

Golly - Sold

Punkin Head - Sold
Frankie - Sold

Monkey - Sold

There once was a bear den who decided to have a Halloween Party. They all decided to dress up for the spooky party. These are the Halloweeniez, bears dessed up for Halloween. All are up for adoption.

2 Shows in October

2008-10-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

I am so busy! I have signed up for 2 shows in October this year.

The 1st is The Kohler Doll & Teddy Bear Show in Kohler, Wisconsin. It will begin on Friday night with an Open House reception, Friday October 10th at the Nursery Window. Anyone interested in coming, please contact me at mutztoots@yahoo.com. The show is at a beautiful facility the American Inn on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $5.00. Website for more information is: http://www.nurserywindow.com/events.html.

The 2nd show is Bright Star Promotions Teddy Bear show at the Scahumburg Marriott (Yes, the same place ABC had their shows). It is Sunday October 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 4p.m. Cost is $6. There is an Early Bird Shopping event that starts at 9:30. Cost fro Early Bird Admission is $15. For more information http://www.bright-star-promotions.com/valerie9.htm

I am going to have some great new pieces for Halloween so come see me!

Back From TBAI

2008-09-03T17:28:00.000-07:00

Martha Burch, Donna Manthey & I started out for TBAI on Wednesday. Drove as far as Cleveland, stayed over night & started out again for TBAI. We decided to stop at an antique mall along the way & to our surprise we were greeted with a parade! How did they know we were coming???

We got to TBAI in time for the evening Wine Tasting & Meet & Greet. How much fun! We all got dressed up and got to mingle. Mindy Kinsey from Teddy Bear & Friends was there to award the TOBY Award winners. The most marvelous thing to Martha won The Public's Choice Award! I have never seen Martha speechless since I have known her & she could not say a thing! Shew was still walking on clouds when she got back to the room.

This is Johni Jacobson & her husband John.

TBAI is an absolutely exciting show. The 2nd night was an hour of voting for the best of the challenge pieces. Here I am with Jack Skellington. Then there was an hour of Preview Sale. What a flurry of activity & excitement!

The show itself was great and very busy. I am afraid I ignored most of my artist friends and kept pretty much to my booth. I met wonderful collectors from all over.

Kelly Graham & Daphne Blau are artists I did get pictures of.

All in all I cannot wait for next year to do TBAI again.

Wi State Fair 4 Blue Ribbons

2008-07-23T03:46:00.000-07:00

As is our family tradition my Mom & I (and my brother recently) entered items in the Home Economics Division of the Wisconsin State Fair. We have been entering and going to the judging every year since 1979 and both have a many ribbons for the stuff we have entered.

This year was no different. My mom won 2 ribbons this year a second & an eighth for a tote bag and a purse. My brother had an astounding 48 entries in the photography section & won 15 blues & all sorts of lesser ribbons (I lost count).

I had 4 bears/critters entered and won 4 Blue Ribbons!!!!!! They all will now be on exhibit until the end of the Fair.

TB&F & TBR

2008-06-15T16:47:00.001-07:00

Holy Cow! I can hardly believe it. I am in both Teddy Bear & Friends and in Teddy Bear Review in the same month! Both issues are doing the preview for Teddy Bear Artist Invitational (TBAI) in August. My entry, Jack Skellington, is in both magazines!

More Schaumburg - Spring 2008

2008-04-27T17:43:00.001-07:00

I really did not have the time to get out from behind my booth to take pictures! I did manage to take some piccture of people who came to visit me. Laura Mathews had an interesting friend packed away in her purse.

Jo Martinson brought along a young lady who had just made her first teddy bear. I also had the opportunity to preview the bears tha Jo is making as the souvineer bear for the Good Bears show. (They are great!)

After the Schaumburg Show

2008-04-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

I hope you all made it the the show because it was a wonderful show. There were a lot of people there & it seemed like people were finding lots of things to buy.

I had finished up 2 bears just the week of the show and took pictures quickly. Meet Bo Jingles & U.R. Mine. Bo was one of the first adopted at my booth right away at Schaumburg. UR came back home to stay with me for a while.

U.R is a fluffy tan bear with green eyes, a white woolfelt collar and tie. Bo is an all white bear with brown accents. Both have Jingle-Butts.

TBAI Chalenge Piece - Jack Skellington

2008-03-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

I know it is a little early to think about August (or Halloween) when there is still all that snow outside but, I thought I would preview my TBAI Challenge piece on my blog. The challenge was to create a cartoon character. It took me a long time to decide just what I wanted to do but then, it came to me. Jack Skellington was perfect. He is just the type of character I love to do... spooky & weird!

So here he is... My interpretation of Jack Skellington. Jack is 23 inches tall (standing on his custom wood stand). He is a mixed media piece composed of sparse short black and white mohairs accented with black woolfelt with stationary joints. He is standing on the Pumpkin King's head which is made of orange mohair. The faces of both Jack and the Pumpkin King are needlepunched using 3-ply embroidery floss. His hands are wet needlefelted natural wool roving over wire. Jack's head is removable and will sit comfortably in his hand. He has black woolfelt shoes and a black woolfelt bat pendent. Removing his head will reveal a wet needfeflted brain stem.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-01-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

I want to wish everyone a healthy, happy, safe & prosperous New Year!

We are certainly going into the new year with plenty of changes in our house! My husband Scott has a new job which has us up between 4:00 & 4:45 in the morning every morning. It has been an adjustment to get up that early & to try to get my body accustomed to going to bed earlier. I am currently trying to rearrange my schedule to get more "creative" time. Am making extra time in the morning and am trying to leave the dishwasher full and picking up the house until after I am home from work.

Another new thing is that our son, Scott, has moved back in with us and is currently making an apartment in our basement. He has our grandson Preston with him every weekend. It was really wonderful having Preston in the house for Christmas! He has been keeping Grandma running & our living room was a huge mess with all the wrapping paper & gifts!

I am in the process of getting my show schedule together for 2008. I am planning on doing the Spring & Fall Schaumburg shows this year. I have also been accepted for TBAI in New York. I am really excited about this show because it is a juried show and they only accept 55 artists in it every year. Most of the artists who do it are repeat artists and they only accept a limited few new artists every year so I feel really privileged that they have accepted me! I will keep you posted as my schedule fills out the rest of the way.

Thank you to all my friends & customers who have supported me in the past year!

All the best for 2008!

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T15:19:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays at the Thornton residence. We have so many things to be thankful for. We invite all our family and our friends for our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday. My husband, Scott, (who is a real foodie) is always in his glory in his kitchen! This year we are going to have a 24# turkey & a 16# turkey and all the trimmings. We will have about 30 people for dinner.

About a year ago my sister, Betsy, wrote a letter to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explaining that Scott loves to create new recipes and try them out at Thanksgiving. A little over two months ago we got a call from a reporter asking to do an article on Scott & our Thanksgiving. It turned out great! To see the article & get Scott's recipes Click on this link: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=679971

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone! By the way I highly recommend the Pumpkin Tiramisu and the Cilantro Salad Dressing!

Fuzzy Slipper Night - Schaumburg

2007-11-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

As promised, 2nd blog on Schaumburg. We had a blast at Teddy Talk's Fuzzy Slipper Night. We had a little party open to anyone with a love for teddies and fuzzy slippers. It was such a good time and started out with a fun little ice breaker game which was a scavenger hunt. We were given questions to ask questions of each other to find out what was unique about the other person. An example being: find someone in the room who has run a marathon... or find someone who lives west of the Mississippi. The only one that fit me was: find somone who has been snorkling! There were prizes fot the game and door prizes and a prize for the best Fuzzy Slipper Night outfit. Brenda Snedon was the winner of the best outfit.

Michelle Lamb Class

2007-11-07T17:52:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate to be able to take Michelle Lamb's class on bear faces at the Schaumburg Teddy Bear Show. I have always admired Michelle work and it was lots of fun taking a class from her. I am posting a few pictures I took during the day.

Starting with the bear head I was working on

Before

and during the class

Laura Mathews, Daphne Blau & Lisa Thoms during the class

Donna Manthey & Cathy Bock

Michelle demonstrates a technique

Schaumburg To be Continued...

Time Goes Too Fast

2007-10-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

Well it is almost time for the Schaumburg Show & time has just been going too fast. I had wanted to do a post on the Kohler show because it was really great. There was a wine & snack reception and the show itself was really lovely. My Mom came along with me and we had a great time even if I had the devil coming out of me.

But it has been much more important for me to work on more for Schaumburg. I can't wait. I am posting a picture of Bear Bones a new monhiar bear that has his skelleton costume needlfelted directly onto his fur. He is 12-1/2 inches high & will be appearring at Schaumburg!

New for October

2007-10-03T17:08:00.000-07:00

Lot's of new things for October. This will not be a long post because I am getting ready for the Kohler Show.

I have been carrying my needlepuch with me and have done quite a few things with that. I also have a some new critters that will show up too!

Black Cats

2007-09-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween is fast approaching..... and I starting up with my cat collection. First is Archie & Clawd. Archie is a mohair cat with felted face. He is perched on Clawd an orange pumpkin with inset woolfelt features. #3 of a OOAK Series

Next is a tabby Pop-up toy. You can make him dance a scary dance. He moves side to side & up and down. He is mohair with woolfelt features.

Taboo is made from sparse black mohair. His face is needlepunched in black, orange & lime green. He is jointed and has a wired curly tail. He is #2 in a OOAK series.

Trying something new

2007-08-30T17:22:00.000-07:00

I have been needlepunching for some time now and have always loved it. I recently got my sister to try it & she has gone wild! Well, she has gotten into the finer ways of doing it and has convinced me to get a Super Luxo Russian punch & a stretcher frame. It was a little bit of an investment, but the results are well worth it. This is a 5 X 6-1/2 inch frame box that I have made a Golly & Ted for. The design itself is 3 X 5 and is composed of thousands of punches. I am really hooked and am planning to do a bunch of things for my shows.

A Rare Find

2007-08-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Lookie, Lookie! My sister was at a rummage the other day & spotted this. She called me at work and & ran out at lunch & bought it. It is a 6 inch brass bear bank. It belonged to the woman's grandmother & she was trying to clean out & decided the bank must go! Now my only dilemma is to keep it or sell it........

State Fair WINNERS!

2007-08-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

Every year my mom, my brother & I enter the State Fair judging. It was a successful year all the way around. My brother took 14 ribbons for photography. My Mom took 3 ribbons in sewing. I entered 3 things in the teddy/soft sculpture catagories & got 2 Blue Ribbons & a White! It is so much fun to watch the judging & my Mom & I go every year. We have been entering since around 1970 and have won ribbons every year. I really gets your heart pumping when they pick you your piece & when you get a Blue Ribbon it is wonderful. The only sad note on the day is that Art lost his little pal Moe at the Fair. I still have a call in to see if he turned up at the department Lost & Found.

Watch For Falling Knives

2007-08-29T17:39:00.000-07:00

I had a little accident just before the 4th of July. I was getting ready for work, and as usual, I was putting away some dishes that I left to dry on a dish towel on my kitchen counter. I put away the glasses & forgot that I had a paring knife left on the dish towel. I shook out the towel & the knife landed point down in my foot! I was hoping that it would not be a problem, but I couldn't put any preasure on my foot so, off to Urgent Care for stitches. I called my boss & explained that I wouldn't be in.

Well I got to work the next day on my crutches, only to find that my cubicle was hung with plastic knives (some with red ink blood), and a sign warning "Watch for Falling Knives"!

Whew... Is it hot!

2007-06-26T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess this is what we live for in Wisconsin...hot weather. I keep reminding myself that in 6 months it will be cold here again & I should enjoy every minute of hot....yeah right!

I decided to work on some smaller projects in this hot weather so I am not holding onto mohair & getting hotter. I just finished this wallet purse. I needlepunched a bear for on itin red, white, blue and browns.

I also got a rare chance to babysit for my grandson Preston last weekend. I only took 80 pictures, but I think this is the one I lke the best.

Indianapolis, IN

2007-05-22T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ok. You know it is trouble brewing when Martha Burch, Donna Manthey & I get together... but put us in a van with all our bears, and well it was a fun fest. We all drove & roomed together for the Indianapolis show last weekend. It only took us about 10 hours to get there because we had detours to eat and for antique malls, not to mention those necessary potty stops!

After all that time in the car even the teds were getting silly!

Martha's bear couldn't have been that drunk, because he was adopted at the show the next day.

We were up and ready at 7 am to set up for the show. Then had a quick breakfast in the hotel atrium. The show opended at 10 and there were collectors waiting to get in.

I brought along a couple of new items... needlepunched baskets. They sold right away.

I was able to snap a few pictures.

This is Martha Burch our driver & room mate.

To see more picutures from the show visit the Bright Star site at:

http://www.bright-star-promotions.com/ShowReviews/TIN-7-ShowReview.html

Schaumburg IL Spring 2007

2007-04-18T17:34:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful show at Schaumburg this Spring. I stopped in at the class that The Bear Guys were running. Shane & Steven are wonderful artists and are a bunch of fun to be around. We had dinner with a bunch of artists and then went for a ride trying to find Hobby Lobby. None of us had the slightest idea where it was I wound up at Target instead.

The show was really well attended. There were over 40 artists ane there certainly was a buzz in the air. It was very difficult for me to get away from my booth for any amount of time. Fortueatley Laura Mathews took pity on me & gave me a break a couple of times. (& I never got a picture of her). All in all it was a very fun show!

Esther Zonitsway

2007-04-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Esther Zonitsway is a 13 inch tall bunny made of sparse tan mohair. She has a jointed head and an unjointed wired body, and has an orange stitched nose and amber glass eyes. She is wearing her best carrot skirt and a soft moss colored vest that has blanket stitching around the outside and around the carrots on her vest in front and back.

Ivanna

2007-03-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

In my usual style, my image of Ivanna seemed to disappear on me. I am uploading a picture again. Let's hope this one sticks!

Just when I uploaded my new picture...my old one came back. I am leaving both up for good measure!

I was planning on taking all 3 of these guys to Schaumburg with me, and then something great happened! Hoppin' Don sold! One less critter to take along with me.
Hip Hop Hurray!

Hoppin' Don D Bunnie Trail

2007-03-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hippity Hoppity! I have been at it again. This is "Hoppin'" Don D. Bunnietrail. Hoppin Don is a freestanding 14 inch bunny (without his ears). He has a jointed head & has wired arms and legs. He is made from sparse tan mohair and off white woolfelt. He is sporting an offwhite wool vest that has needlepunched eggs on the front & backpanels.

Ivanna Bea Abunnie

2007-03-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

I have been getting in the mood for Spring and so is Ivanna Bea Abunnie. She is a 14 inch bear who has decided she woud rather be a bunny & has dressed up in her bunny outfit. She as a very shapely figure and is wearing a non-removable hood with bunny ears and a big fluffy tail. She is carrying her own mohair carrot. Ivanna is wired to be freestanding an has amber glass eyes.

February 2007

2007-02-25T19:45:00.000-08:00

I have been toying with the idea of creating a blog so I can use it to post my new creations and share a little of what is going on on my life.

This is one of my newest Art Tickblast. He is accompanied by his pal Mo Stleesunny. Art is a 13 inch mohair snowman with a friendly smile, jointed head and wired body. He is freestanding in his red boots and has a felted woolfelt hat.

Mo is a fully jointed stick bear