A Little Treat

"If only I could read" sighed Tiddy

I treated myself to a little something at the weekend , whilst visiting the bookstore Waterstones . It was an extra specially rare treat because it was completely F.R.E.E ! Those are always the best sort of treats for people who can be a bit cynical about "looking for the catch".
I read a review of the brand new tales of Winnie-the-Pooh in the Telegraph . It's an authorised , sympathetic sequel to the previous adventures of Pooh and all his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood , and I was enchanted , not the least by the introduction of a new female character ; Lottie the otter (which just happens to be one of my favourite creatures)

My son made a beeline for one of those tables mounded up with kids' hardback books and pleaded for Charlie Higson's new novel "The Enemy" . Glancing at it tetchily I noticed a Buy One Get One Free ( or BOGOF as we all know and love it :0) ) sticker on the cover - then joy of joys amongst the others was the new Pooh book too (ooooh seems even I can emulate A.A Milne !!) so with a quick flick through and no further ado .... I rushed off to the cash desk bearing my prize!

I have a special little soft spot for cuddly Winnie-the-Pooh who , having first been published in 1926 , is around the same age as my father . I have a distinct memory of looking through a paperback edition when I was only 3 and wishing I could decipher all that unintelligible code between the pages because I was certain there was a wonderful story in there which was being denied to me !
Later on another of A.A.Milne's works ; "When We Were Very Young", containing over 40 poems, was my favourite introduction to the lilting sound of words in verse - despite the fact it was first published in 1924 and harked back to a long gone era of Nannies and nursery teas . In fact I delighted in the utter charm of it ! As far as I can remember bears featured in several places .... particularly when little children stepped on the "lines" between paving stones so materialising them even in the middle of London!

I mean to enjoy my new book as soon as possible - maybe cosied up in the evening with a little dog on my lap , and perhaps a "little smackerel of something" to keep me going .... Tiddly Pom ....

T.T.F.N , Ruth XX

Trafalgar Day

This is a maritime flavoured post as today is Trafalgar Day , commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 ; made famous by the heroism of Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson who finally removed all fear of this country's invasion (it was thought to be imminent) , though at the cost of his own life . I know it is Trafalgar Day because it is also my father's birthday - "Happy Birthday" if you are reading this ! An amusing family anecdote tells that his own Grandmother insisted he should be named Trafford in honour of the day ! His parents preferred Reginald however - and "stuck to their guns" !

It has been suggested in the past that Trafalgar Day would make an ideal public holiday ; a suggestion ultimately quashed for being "offensive" to other countries (??) I think we are all quite capable of feeling a national pride in our past heroes whilst also putting their actions firmly in to historical context . Nelson was definitely a charismatic figure ; and after all he's been standing on top of that 170ft high Column in Trafalgar Square since 1840.

A few facts :-

*Nelson was only 5ft 4" tall.

*He joined the navy at age 12 , and suffered from sea-sickness , and recurring bouts of dysentery and malaria throughout his service.

* His arm was amputated with no anaesthetic during which he complained of the "cold" knives . He was also blinded in one eye.

*Before the Battle of Trafalgar he sent a famed signal to the fleet : "England expects that every man will do his duty"

*He wore full dress uniform with all his medals , remaining visible in the line of fire throughout , and was easily picked out by a sniper who shot him in the back.

* His renowned last words ; "Kiss me , Hardy" may actually have been "Kismet , Hardy" nobody is certain which he was referring to ; friendship or his fate ?At least he knew the battle was over before he died .

*His body was sent back to England in a barrel full of brandy , which preserved his remains on the long journey home .

Nelson's ship HMS Victory can still be visited in dry dock at Portsmouth . It was built between 1759 and 1765 , and is now the oldest commissioned ship in the world . I've actually been on it myself when I was a small girl , and I remember finding it fascinating and horrifying in equal degrees ; the decks are unbelievably cramped , the surgeonry was little above butchery and you can see the actual spot where Nelson died .



Here's to another 169 years up on the Column Lord Nelson !

T.T.F.N
Ruth xx

A Song of Autumn

There is a definite chilly tang to the air in the mornings and evenings bringing the turn of the season , and the end of the year even closer. I hope all those excited little baby Goldfinches tuck themselves up warmly at night ! I've probably mentioned before that I dislike all the plastic pumpkin-a-rama tat that shops insist on spilling off their shelves at this time ... but I do like a more gentle celebration of Autumn ; this poem is just wonderful and really deserves to be read aloud.

A Song of Autumn by Adam Lindsay Gordon

‘WHERE shall we go for our garlands glad
At the falling of the year,
When the burnt-up banks are yellow and sad,
When the boughs are yellow and sere?
Where are the old ones that once we had,
And when are the new ones near?
What shall we do for our garlands glad
At the falling of the year?’
‘Child! can I tell where the garlands go?
Can I say where the lost leaves veer
On the brown-burnt banks, when the wild winds blow,
When they drift through the dead-wood drear?
Girl! when the garlands of next year glow,
You may gather again, my dear—
But I go where the last year’s lost leaves go
At the falling of the year.







T.T.F.N ,
Ruth xx

I've been so , sewwww busy !!

I'm currently using every minute of every day to complete a first batch of Limited Edition pieces for Teddy Bears of Witney - I was ridiculously excited when I received the beautiful 2010 catalogue in the post ! I can honestly say , with hand on heart , that I'm proud to be contributing 2 designs to such a gorgeous selection .... I'd love one of all of them ; it's a bruin-feast for the eyes !

Next up I have a swap to complete and a secret magazine project ;0) .... and then a few more L/E pieces (some of them are already sold !)

T.T.F.N Ruth xx

**I have a great P.S to add here ; rush on over to Sandi Smith's "Bearly Sane - Blog of a Bear Nut" to take part in her wonderful Pay It Forward Giveaway - leave a comment on the P.I.F post and your name could be drawn for a delightful prize such as this journal and notebook bound in handmade paper. Entries by Monday 5th October - go on have a go !


(Photo courtesy of Sandi Smith)

Nearly the Best Thing in the V & A ...(Nostalgia Alert !)

Prince Charming (By Adam Ant/marco pirroni)

Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome

Prince charming
Prince charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome

Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards

Prince charming
Prince charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome

Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you
Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you

Prince charming
Prince charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you're handsome

Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don't you ever, don't you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards

Prince charming
Prince charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Prince charming
Prince charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of..

I had a wonderful day at Hugglets on sunday ... but I spent the day before going round the Victoria and Albert Museum - and you certainly can't see everything in a day- and I couldn't wait to get up to the Theatrical Gallery because I knew Adam Ant's (aka Stuart Goddard's ) Prince Charming costume was up there ! Ohhhh , how my sister and I used to love that song video , right at the height of New Romantic popularity ! Goodness , how I sighed and drooled over that Boho'/ N.A Indian /Regency Buck look he had going on ! Well , it gave me enormous pleasure to see the outfit right up close ... wasn't that keen on Jimmy Page's suit and Elton John's bicycle costume in the same case though . They just weren't Ant-tastic to me :0)



Look at this amazing glass chandelier in the V & A entrance hall as well - it was spectacular in scale and design .

All in all it was a tiring , but totally enjoyable weekend ; Hugglets is just the most fantastic venue to be around bears (and their people) and I was really pleased with how I did . Although my 3 hamsters were universally admired , and many people commented on them, they have all come home with me ... perhaps they're a bit too naughty ?? :0P

Ta Ta For Now ,
Ruth xx

Quick Pics !

I've just got time to post these Hugglets Preview pics ; 3 hamsters (Ginger Nut , Marzipan , and Fudgie)- pretty vintage-y "Esme" and 3 all-fours micro bears which are 9 tenths of an inch high by 1.1" long .

Must fly back to my preparations now ,I'm so looking forward to the Fair ; I can't wait !

Mini Hugs ,
Ruth xx

Chatsworth Marbles

As time is short I thought I'd share some interesting photos with you over the next couple of posts , whilst keeping my chat (or typing finger) in check !

These are all marble statues from Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, which was the home of Georgiana - who was portrayed by Keira Knightly in the film "Duchess".

Ashley took some great shots in this "sculpture room" which contained some extraordinary pieces ; like the enormous lions (at least 3 times life size) and delicately realised dogs which I had to resist stroking . I find it fascinating that these statues are fashioned from material which is aeons in the making , and I'm sure the sculptor took a very long time to finish each one , and yet quite a few seem to capture a fleeting moment ; a freeze-frame of an instant . Who knew that such transience was held within those slowly evolved blocks of rock ?

I find many of the statues' hands , and faces extremely beautiful - also folds of cloth and feathers ; they are moving and somehow peaceful . Their artists were masters of their medium and their work can still take your breath away .



















Until next time ,
T.T.F.N Ruth x