GOLDEN GIRLS!

A phone call from two very dear friends, Cindy and

Darlene, on Saturday night brought the news that

both my Golden Teddy Nominees had won! I did think that they were playing an early "April Fool's Day" joke on me, but another call from Alice the next day gave me further evidence that it may be true!!

Sue from Teddy Bear Review sent a message today that made it official. And the logo shown belongs to both little girls.

I am so grateful to all who voted for my little bears!

I wish I could give each of you a hug - but know that my thanks and hugs belong to you.

I will offer both Mimi and Maude on Ebay with no reserve very shortly. I'm preparing to leave next week for the teddy bear show in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, on November 15th, and will try to get the ebay template done when I return. If you aren't on my emailing list and would like to know when they will be available, just email me through my website: http://www.donnaandthebears.com/.

If you are going to the Ann Arbor show and would like a sneak peak of bears going with me to the show, let me know!

Kitties visit to the Veterinarian

The kitties are feeling fine and visited the the Oaks Veterinary Clinic today for their shots. Oh, by the way, their names are Rocky (Rocky the Flying Squirrel) and Cleo (Cleopatra). Rocky is pictured flirting with Dr. Hannah Adams (in the white coat) and Assistant Tracey Ellis who is also a glass artist.

Dr. Hannah showed me a great way to entertain them by letting water drip from the faucet. They LOVE that! I'll just hope they don't figure out how to turn on the tap while I'm away.

Their baby kitty photos can be found in an earlier post.

All in all, Rocky and Cleo didn't mind the visit or the shots.

What a thrill to have the Panda Sisters pictured on the postcard for the Bright Star show coming up in Ann Arbor! They came in the mail yesterday and were such a great surprise. The Panda Sisters have already been adopted, but I'll have lots more pandas at the show. If you'd like to get more information about the show just follow this link:

http://www.brightstarpromotions.com/SneakPreviews/AnnArborTeddyBearShow2009SneakPreviewBrightStarPromotions.htm

Marc Andre - Flower Elf wins URSA!

The kitties and I have been under the weather but all are fine now. They had an upper respiratory infection that they brought with them from the shelter and have had a couple of rounds of medication. I had something - who knows- but am fine.

We (cats, bears, humans in residence) we thrilled to learn of our little Marc Andre the Flower Elf winning the URSA award in his category in the recent competition held by Bright Star Promotions. I must pass along how he got his name. Well, you know our love of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Their goalie is named Marc Andre Fleury (that's flower in French). Get it??? At first he was to be a leaf elf, but he just looked so cute in the middle of a sunflower. Well, that's how a little elf gets his name. There will be lots of little leaf and flower elves - hope you like them!!!

Kitties are feeling right at home!

The new little ones are fitting right in as you can see! Still no names.

Kitties!!!

My son, Jason, and I visited the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and adopted two kittens. There were so many and we would have loved to bring home the lot. We chose a little boy who is two months old, a fluffy kitty with extra toes on his front paws that look like thumbs! He's a pretty sandy color. The other kitty is a little girl, white with gray markings. She looks as if she has eye liner on making her very beautiful indeed. She is 5 months old. The animal shelter is staffed with wonderful volunteers who made us feel very good about adopting these little ones. We still haven't come up with names, so if you have a suggestion, please let me know!

What a weekend!

TBAI was just amazing! I had such fun visiting with folks who seem like my family that I visit each year and meeting some new "family" member this year as well. As I reported from the hotel computer, my "yellow submarine" piece won 1st place which was awarded on Friday night at the Banquet. On Saturday morning before the show began there was a breakfast which included the TOBY Public's Choice awards for 2009. The Editor of Teddy Bear and Friends magazine, Kathryn Peck, and the Sales Manager, Kellie Love (don't you love that name) were there to present the trophies ....AND the Panda Sisters WON!!!! I was already weapy from an award given to dear Cindy Malchoff who does all the work to make sure TBAI is a success and couldn't believe it when the Sisters and my name were called. I hope I said something intelligent but especially got through my thanks to the magazine and to all who take the time to vote. Congratulations as well to all the other winners. I won't list them here if they haven't been notified yet.

I took photos on my deck this morning and had trouble with the beautiful crystal trophies "fogging up" as we went from the air conditioning to the outdoor heat! The Sisters are with their adoptive family, but I still have their photos pictured with the trophies to remember them by.

I am so appreciative to all those at TBAI who selected my piece for the award and all those who voted for the Sisters! Love to all, Donna