2014 Show and Tell - Part 1

Hello again! If you are visiting Kayzy's Critters for the first time, or revisiting after my long absence from the blogisphere - thanks for popping in. I'm slowly easing back into blogging, this time by 'showing' you a few photographs taken at three bear shows I attended this year. I'll do it in two parts, the first being for the shows held in Adelaide this year:

1. Adelaide Hills Doll Guild's Doll and Bear Show at Hahndorf - April 2014

 My dear friend Kay Schulz and I thoroughly enjoy sharing a show table whenever possible, and this show was no exception.

Kay makes beautiful critters of all kinds (see pics), and I especially love her creations in mink.

 

 

 

 

2. SA Reborn Doll Guild Show at Fullarton - October 2014

 

Again Kay and I shared a table, and this time Kay designed and made some matching signs for us both. Being a perfectionist, Kay wasn't happy with them, but I think they look great, don't you?

Special friends Valma and Geoff Bolton (Teddys Bits) travel all the way from Sydney to Adelaide twice yearly, to provide us locals with all things needful for bear-making. It's always a joyful time when we see them, and here we see Valma and Kay chatting happily together.

Sadly for this post, I was enjoying myself so much at these two shows that I took a very few photos. However, Kay was much better at it, and her photographic record of the shows may be found on Kay's blog by clicking on these links:  

Adelaide Hills Doll and Bear show 
or 
South Australian Reborn Doll Guild Show.

Next time: 2014 Show and Tell - Part 2 (Woodend Teddy Bear Show).

A Grand Tale

When we became grandparents, five years ago, I began collecting soft toy critters from our local charity op shops, so that when the grandchildren were ready, the animals would be on hand.

Critters crawling everywhere (note Giraffe on left side of bottom line-up)!

Thus, any room or surface in our house can become a resting place for one or more of these critters (they do seem to roam around), and grandchildren Beren (5) and Kestrel (2) always ask for a few to play with when they come, Giraffe being a firm favourite.

Kestrel's favourite Giraffe (and favourite Dad)

However, recently their animal play escalated to monumental proportions, with every critter in sight being conscripted.

The children had dropped in for morning tea, but we quickly came to realise that although the morning tea was enjoyed,

   Morning tea,             plans and dreams,        mischief in the making

in Beren and Kestrel's eyes it was just preliminary preparation for the real business of the visit: the creation of - you guessed it - a zoo!

The lounge room was the chosen location for our zoo and initially chaos ensued. However, under the guidance of the zoo patron (moi!) it was soon decided to provide separate areas for critters needing similar conditions, e.g. desert, water loving, farm, tree climbing, etc., and soon the zoo keeper (Beren) and his helper (Kestrel) were happily finding suitable food for their charges, including grass for farm animals, gum leaves for koalas, honey for bears,  bamboo for pandas, and a lamb bone for the lion, who was especially hungry.

Let me show you our zoo animals.

Before too long we had our first visitors to the zoo, and our zoo keeper showed them around, at the same time checking that his animals were happy in their new environment.


He brought several to the zoo hospital for treatment, and I am happy to report that all recovered quickly, thanks to the care of the zoo patron, who is also a trained critter nurse.

Look what I found in the cupboard, Nana!

In the meantime, the enterprising zoo helper discovered that she could open the cupboard where the 'special' critters are kept, and proceeded to transport them to the zoo (I am grateful that the zoo staff are quite careful in their handling of all critters in their charge!).

POSTSCRIPT: 

Because the zoo was such a successful enterprise, a follow-up visit resulted in another zoo being built. This time, however, the zoo staff lost control of their animals, and an unsuspecting zoo visitor resting on a nearby park bench was totally buried beneath a zooful!

Poor unsuspecting zoo visitor buried alive

Thankfully, he was rescued, none the worse for his adventure, and seemed in no hurry to leave the zoo.

"Hi" to Hahndorf, "Bye" to Some Critters

Amidst the beautiful Adelaide autumn weather, there was excitement in the teddy bear and doll community, as we headed for the Adelaide Hills Doll and Bear Show held at Hahndorf each year in April.

My friend Kay Schulz of Kay's Kids and I were to share a trading table again, and the anticipation of spending the weekend together made the early start worthwhile. We were also looking forward to catching up with beary friends, some of whom come from as far away as Sydney (1430 kms).

Kay and Kay - what a team!

On arrival, there was the usual rush and bustle of setting up, but thanks to Kay, who had done most of the work on Friday afternoon, all I had to do was place my critters on our table and make them comfortable.

Within five minutes of the doors opening to the public, Kelvin had charmed his way into the heart of a lovely lady, and he waved goodbye and headed off to his new home.

Kelvin (bottom right) says goodbye to Kaylee and Joy

Then dear Steve was descending from his bicycle and departing with his new mother.

See you later, Nana Kayzy!

Kay was also enjoying success, with her lovely bears and elegant pincushions being appreciated and adopted by discerning collectors. 

Some of Kay's lovely creations

After first rush, I grabbed the opportunity to have a quick look around the hall, and to take some pictures of friends along the way. To see more of their work or contact them, click on their name:

Valma Bolton of Teddy's Bits

Valma Bolton of Teddy Bits

On the right is Annette Henderson of Dreamweaver Bears

Annette Henderson of Dreamweaver Bears













Gabi of Anibeck Creations

Gabi with her exquisite Anibeck Creations

Gabi made this darling squirrel

Val Potter - Bear With Me Bears

Val Potter of Bear With Me Bears

Shirley is smitten with Wilbur (Kays Kids)

Meanwhile, back at our table, one of my girls was making the most of the day. Shirley, introduced to Wilbur, was instantly smitten, and refused to leave his side for the rest of the weekend. (I can see I'm going to keep an eye on those two!)

On the other end of the table Sandi stood dreamily alongside Scruff, her new best friend.

Sandi and Scruff

Later in the day, an earlier visitor returned to make an important decision - "Should I adopt San-Shu or Mei-Lei?"  After some deliberation the decision was made - it was Mei-Lei. Although San-Shu and I were sad to see her go, we knew that Mei-Lei was going to a loving home so we were glad, too.

Mei-Lei (on the right) farewells San-Shu

Before the show, I assisted with judging the competition bears for the first time - a rather daunting task, but very interesting. Pictured are the major prizewinners.

All in all, the Adelaide Doll and Bear Show was great fun, and Kay and I are already planning our participation in next year's event.

Bunbury break-out!

"They're very quiet in there," said Dad.
"Oh, I'm sure they're working hard on their school work," said Mum. "I saw Mackenzie Stuart hard at work when I checked awhile ago, and he is a good influence on the younger ones."

"Nevertheless I think I'll just check on them," Dad responded.
 One look into their room told the tale. School books were lying neglected on the desk, and not a bear or bunny was in sight.
"I wonder where those rascals have got to!" called Dad, and headed out into the garden.

Peekaboo!

Sure enough, there they were - out in the sunshine and enjoying the beautiful autumn weather. Dad didn't have the heart to herd them back inside to their school work. Instead he just took some pictures, and joined the fun!

I can see you!

Look at me, Dad - I can fly!

 Me, too!

Swinging is even more fun with a friend!

Hey, watch out, Peta - be careful you don't fall!

I am invincible - I can even stand up on the swing!

Ah, but can you do this? Look, Dad, no hands!

I could if I wanted to, but I'm having a rest right now.

Enough of all this exercise - I'm sleepy!

Welcome to our new friend Elena, from Serbia -
so glad you've joined in the fun!