Apple Dumpling Diaries

You can find me on BEARPILE

2009-09-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

I thought I'd let you know that I've renewed my bearpile account and you can find me here. I've listed my new little bruin...Beatrice.

Thanks for looking.

The First of a Few

2009-07-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

I've decided to downsize my bear collection and will be offering a few of them within the next few weeks.. The first up for adoption is Tobias. I adopted Tobias in March of 2005 from the delightful bear artist Barb Clevenger of Mortimer Bears by Tallulah. Tobias is 18 inches tall and quite the hefty substantial bear. Tobias is made from honey colored copper tipped mohair with creamy white tummy and inner ears. He has a German glass eyes with leather lids.

Tobias is fully jointed with hard discs, cotterpins and locknuts. He firmly stuffed with polyfil include a few BB's in his chubby tummy.

Tobias has rather large feet as you can see. His pad are made from ultrasuede with stitched toes. I like 'em. As photographed he can either sit or stand (with a wee bit of guidance). Tobias wears a beaded necklace with gold bell around his neck. It is not removable. Tobias will come with his signed & dated hangtag that includes all his personal information.

If you are interested in giving Tobias a home please email me. He is available for $80 plus $12 Priority Mail shipping. International buyers are of course welcome. I will give you a shipping quote upon request.

Hugs,
Shantell & Tobias

3 Lil' Sweethearts looking for a new home!

2009-07-29T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy summer...106 today in my neck of the woods today. Whew!!

Here are three darling little girls ready for adoption. They are all made from cotton muslin, cotton quilting fabric for their dresses and handspun wool hair. Each Annie is approximately 10 inches in length and easily sits on their own. Each Annie comes with her own Birth Certificate.

Dear Jesus....
I really really want a new puppy! Please can I have a new puppy?

Strawberry Annie! - SOLD

Sunny Sunshine Annie!!

Annie are $35 each including USPS Priority Mail. International buyers shipping is not included. Additional charge of $8.00 for Global Priority Shipping

If you are interested in adopting one of my sweet little Apple Dumplings, please email me.

Thanks,
Shantell & the girls

Lovely Blog Award...who me?

2009-06-07T08:59:00.000-07:00

I just learned that I've received the One Lovely Blog Award from my friend, Melanie Clark. Considering I'm such a lazy blogger, I'm not sure I should be receiving any awards. Thank you Melly, you are such a sweetie.

So here's the skinning. I have to answer the following questions...pass them and the award onto 7 of my blog buddies who I feel deserve this award (I have more than 7...it's gonna be hard to choose). When I do decide, your assignment is to answer the same questions but change one question you don't particularly like or just want to change and replace it with one of your own making.

Have fun...

Here are MY answers...

What is your current obsession?

The Twilight Saga...I know, I'm sick! Creating quilts, teddy bears and Annies.

What is your horoscope and do you relate to it?

I am a Scorpio and very much a Scorpio. It's a burden to bear....HA HA HA!!!

What are you wearing today?

Jeans, tee-shirt & zip up hoodie

What was the last thing you bought?

Puppy toys for my son's new puppy, Koda. Before that it was stereo speakers for my younger son's graduation present. $$$$

What is your favorite Holiday?

Christmas...is there any other holiday?

A guilty pleasure?

I have too many to list

What is your must have item for Summer?

Flowers & plants...but I really need to buy a new computer. This old thing is gonna die on me before too long and at the worst time. I just know it.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?

I'd love to go to the UK and I'd probably take one of my kids...or all three. :o)

What is your favourite piece of clothing from your closet?

I don't really have a favorite...it changes all the time. I like cotton, comfy things that are NOT tight.

What is your dream job?

Giving unselfishly to those in need.

What do you consider a Fashion faux pas?

White socks with black shoes....socks with sandals...clothes that don't fit correctly

Describe your personal style?

Classic casual comfy (is that a style?)

What are you going to do after this?

Today is free to do whatever strikes me at the moment...but I need to go dry my hair. :o)

What are your favourtie past-times and hobbies?

Gardening, sewing & spending time with my children.

What are you proud of?

Raising three wonderful kids and actually liking them.

Have you got pets at home?

Four bratty outdoor kitties. They all adopted me. Unappreciative little boogers.

I now need to tag 7 others....I have to get back to you this part. I may need to toss them in a hat and draw the names.

Thanks again Melly for thinking of me.

My latest quilt project....DONE!

2009-06-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

I finished my latest quilt project yesterday while watching TV. It's so nice to just sit with a nice soft quilt draped over your lap and hand sew at your own speed. I find it very relaxing.

I had to stand on an end table and the arm of an overstuff chair on my tippy toes to get ALL of the quilt in my picture. I'm glad I didn't fall on my butt...now that would have looked funny.

Enjoy

WIP and a quick Howdy!!

2009-05-07T18:20:00.000-07:00

I'm alive....just been a bit busy these days. I'm working on a custom order quilt for a friend. It's something I haven't done in a long while and am thoroughly enjoying my assignment. I'm considering doing more of it...anyone interested. :o)

Just wanted to pop in and say Hello and say...Oops! The lazy blogger is back!!!

For the Love of Quilts

2009-03-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

I think everyone should have their own quilt...even a new baby. So after going through all my quilt books, choosing fabrics in just the right color scheme and obsessing as I always do, I finished this little crib size quilt for my dear friend, Aleta and her little grandbaby. I forgot to photograph the backside (silly me) but it's the middle shade of pink with cream polka dots...and oh so cuddly soft flannel.

Hugs,

Off and running...to the vet!!

2009-03-05T16:56:00.001-08:00

For those of you who have been following the continuing saga of Skippy and her babies, we finally caught her and she spent a lovely day at the vets being spayed. Okay...maybe not so lovely for her but it was for us. After 16 kittens in three years, we are thrilled to finally be kitten free. I shall miss the fun of kittens but not the work that goes into caring for them, protecting them from preditors and then having to give them up to new homes. I've spent many many days in tears after sending them to their new homes and I still miss each and every one.

This picture is just a prime example of Skippy. She has a mind of her own and I just love her to bits. Surrender is looking up at her wondering "how in the hell did you get up there?" LOL

When we picked her up they commented that "yes, she is wild." Well, duh...we told you she was. Apparently when they opened her carrier to put her in the kennel she EXPLODED and they had to net her. She was all teeth and claws.

Oh...and her "flipper", they think it's a congenital birth defect. If it were an injury, it happened when she was very very small and there is no way to tell for sure...but they tend to think she was born that way. It is amazing none of her kittens had any kind of problem. Not even a bob-tail like hers. Mother Nature is strange.

Thanks for sharing my love of cats, kittens and all things purry.

Shantell

Spring Please!!! Winner is...

2009-02-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

Chrissi Catherwoods!!!

Thank you everyone for your lovely notes. I love getting blog comments so much. I do have a confession though. I've become very lacks at leaving comments for others which is something I must rectify.

Hugs to all!

A few changes & a big THANK YOU!!!

2009-02-20T07:39:00.000-08:00

I've thought about this for some time, decided to do it and then put it off. I've finally made the big change. I've updated my Apple Dumpling name to APPLE DUMPLING DESIGNS to include my sweet little bears, cute little dolls and any other tidbits I might come up with in the future. I have new hang tag/business cards coming any day. New tushy tags for both my bears and dolls...and a brand new Banner to use that matches my blog banner. That's the big thank you...to Daphne of Backroad Bears for creating my new "stuff" and really for rescuing me from my myself. LOL You can find me at www.appledumplingbears.com, www.appledumplingannies.com, www.appledumpingdesigns.com. They will all redirect you to HERE...my blog.

Now to get busy creating...

P.S. Don't forget my blog giveaway (see previous post). It's not too late...I'll pick a name on February 28.

Spring Please!!! ~ Blog Giveaway

2009-02-17T10:33:00.000-08:00

As promised, I'm doing another blog giveaway. I just love them...participating in them, crossing my fingers hoping it's my name drawn and even more doing them and giving away a little something special from my own hand & heart.

If you would like to win this violety, stripey barefooted Annie just leave a comment stating "Spring Please." You can always leave a comment even if you don't want to win. Those are lovely too!!

Annie is about 10 inches tall. Created using tea-stained 100% cotton muslin & wool hanspun curly hair. Her dress & bow are made from quilting cotton. Her features are all hand painted & sealed.

I'll draw a winner on February 28th.

Thanks for peeking!!!

I'm doing it again...

2009-02-07T07:41:00.000-08:00

...another blog giveaway. Stay tuned!!!

Sam...Sam I Am!!!

2009-02-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

Meet the newest bear from my workshop, SAM! He's sort of new design...more like a revamp of an older design. :o) He's 10 inches tall give or take a hair or two. He's available from me directly for now. His adoption fee is $85 including priority shipping to the US. International buyers please add $10.

Thanks for peeking!

Lollishop Now OPEN

2009-01-25T16:49:00.000-08:00

I finally did it. I opened my Lollishop this afternoon. The girls would love it if you would take a peek... HERE!!
XOXO

Thank you!!!

2009-01-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

I've been given the blog award by my dear friend, bear-maker extraordinaire and mother to 2 gorgeous puppies, Daphne of Backroad Bears. Check out her cutesy little blog here.

"The authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming. This blog invests in proximity in space, time and relationships. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends .They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandisement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these awards are cut, even more friendships will be propagated. Please give your kind attention to these writers! Deliver this award to 8 bloggers who will choose 8 more, and include this cleverly written text in to the body of the award."

I would now like bestow this lovely award to the following:

Aleta - The Silly Bear
Shelli - Potbelly Arts
Catherine - Bumpkin Bears
Nicole - Raggedy Old Annies
Wendy - Whendi's Bears
Diane - DudaDaze
Vivianne - Gotta Share This
Tina - Cherry Hill Cottage

I've chosen these lovely bloggers because in some way they inspire ME.

Shantell

Tagged!!!

2009-01-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

Well, it finally happened...I've been tagged by my friend, Laura Lynn of Teddies by Laura Lynn. It's taken me a few days to get to this...I've been a little sidetracked. I'm to share 6 random things about myself and then tag 6 of my blog friends.

Here is to goes...6 random things about ME.

1. Shantell is my middle name.

2. I had all three of my children BEFORE I married their Dad and now I'm happily divorced.

3. I'm completely tone deaf...I can't sing or play any instrument although I've tried. I do sing in the car and don't care if anyone is watching me. LOL

4. I love the smell of babies and puppy breath.

5. I'm not quite 6 ft tall and have a terrible time buying pants. I have to order my jeans online most of the time, except Levis. I sometimes can get them in TALL at the store.

6. I collect and wear funky socks every day. I hate plain white socks.

Here are the rules:

THE RULES (for this game of tag):
1. LINK TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU
2. POST THE RULES ON YOUR BLOG
3. WRITE SIX RANDOM THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF
4. TAG SIX PEOPLE AT THE END OF YOUR POST AND LINK TO THEM
5. LET EACH PERSON KNOW THEY ARE TAGGED AND LEAVE A COMMENT ON THEIR BLOG
6.LET THE TAGGER KNOW WHEN YOUR ENTRY IS UP
7. DON’T BREAK THE CHAIN (not actually a rule)

I'll post who I choose to tag soon. I need to check out who hasn't been tagged since so many of my blog buddies have been tagged 1 or 2 times. How much randomness can one person come up with. :O)

XOXO

First Annies of 2009

2009-01-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

Gosh, two post in one day!!!

Here's a picture of the two Annies I talked about in my earlier post. Annie in Yellow Flowers and Annie in Polka-Dots. I may change their names yet. I can't decide whether to individually name them or call them all Annie something-0r-other. It's a dilemma...LOL

XOXO

Case of the Lazy Blogger...

2009-01-06T08:17:00.000-08:00

...that's me! I've signed on at least a dozen times and then just sit here and stare blankly at the screen. I'm sure you can relate.

I hope all my blogging friends had a wonderful holiday. I had a lovely time with my kids...it's so much more difficult (at least for me) to buy for them now that they are grown. They have opinions, likes, dislikes, etc...and they make them known. :O)

I have two new Annies complete and ready to make available as soon as I do their little photo shoot. The mohair/alpaca has been staring at me and lurking in my dreams. I just haven't decided exactly what I want to do with it yet...it's like having words on the tip of your tongue and not being able to spit them out. The ideas are there just not as clear as they should be.

Enough blabbering...I'm here, alive and ready for a super duper 2009.

Hugs,

BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

2008-12-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

We are having what the weather folks are calling an "Arctic Blast". Although I don't have snow in my little sheltered part of the valley, it is bitterly cold. It's odd where I live...it can snow within a 8-10 mile radius and we won't have a smidge...I have a love/hate relationship with that. We do, however, get that ugly freezing rain stuff...YUK YUK YUK.

I took this photo above a couple days ago just before the sun peaked over the hill. It was so beautiful with it's pinks, oranges and even a touch of purple. I wish you could see it in the picture. Sigh.

See this cute little ornament...

I RECEIVED him in the ornament exchange from Tammy of Beckoning Bears. Yes, the same Tammy who won the Blog Giveaway. Isn't that funny. Let me explain a little. In the ornament exchange, the recipient of the ornament you make may not be the person who is making an ornament for you...and it's all in a Secret Santa kind of fun. Anyway...small world and I adore him. I sure hope the person I sent off Mr. GingerBear gets her ornament soon or I'm going to be very unhappy with my post office. :O(

Enjoy...stay warm and toasty.

5A State Football State Champions...AGAIN!!!

2008-12-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

What an exciting game!!! My son's high school football team, West Albany Bulldogs, won the 5A state title again for the second year in a row...this being their third year in a row in the finals (losing the first year after 3 overtimes). This is just an amazing bunch of kids. Many of them, including my own son, having played football together since they were in the 6th grade and now they are graduating seniors. It just makes me all teary-eyed talking about it.

Here's an article in this morning's local paper that talks about those amazing seniors...check out their stats...41 - 1. That's 41 games WON...with 1 LOSS in three years. Not to mention that as a freshman team they were undefeated. Isn't that incredible. They ROCK!!

I don't have photo's of my own and if you are a sports mom, you'll probably understand that taking anything that doesn't fit in your pocket is not a good thing. There is a lot of jumping up and down cheering, yelling and general rah rah rah'ing for your team. So...if you can't jam it in your pants pocket, coat pocket it stays locked up in the car. My camera isn't a toss in your purse kind...dang I should have bought TWO...I think that every time I go to a game. LOL So if you want to see addtional photos here's a few of the game and celebration for your enjoyment courtesy of our local paper.

Game Gallery

Thanks for indulging one very proud mom!

P.S. My kid is defensive lineman #57...the still sporting a full beard left over from "No shave November"...don't ask. :O)

I'm not suppose to but...

2008-12-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help showing off my little Christmas GingerBear ornament. I made him for an ornament swap that I sign up for and I sure hope his new mom/dad like him.

GingerBear stands at a wee 3 inches tall. He doesn't really like to stand but prefers to sit or better yet hang from the Christmas tree. :O)

Thanks for peeking in. I so appreciate it.

Shantell

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

2008-12-01T09:07:00.000-08:00

The Drawing Basket

But before I say who it is....stop scrolling would ya...I'd like to say thank you to everyone who posted such lovely comments and to those who for whatever reason couldn't post (silly Blogger) or just wanted to email privately. THANK YOU!! It really means a lot to me to know that my little dumplings bring a smile to your face.

Annie & Babette waiting...and waiting...and waiting some more!

And the winner of the Apple Dumpling Blog Giveaway is....Tammy, Beckoning Bears

This was really fun for me to share my birthday month with all of you. Now, on to Christmas...

XOXOX,

Shantell

Annie & Babette!!

2008-11-17T16:21:00.000-08:00

Here they are, my blog giveaway duo...10" Annie & 3" Babette.

Annie & Babette

Babette (close up)

There's still time to sign up by either posting a comment here or on my original blog giveaway post below or by sending me a private email. You have until November 30th and then I'll draw on December 1st. Whoo hoo!!! I just love celebrating my birthday all month long. Fun fun fun!!!

P.S. I'm not liking my new light tent very much or else it's not liking me. Definitely gotta learn how to work with it...always something to learn. :O)

Hugs,

Happy Birthday to Me Blog Giveaway

2008-11-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

I finally made up my mind...gosh that was hard. LOL

I will be making a wee 10 inch (I'm guessing that's what she'll turn out to be) Annie and a wee teddy for her to hold. Doesn't that sound cute? So if you want to participate in my Apple Dumpling Blog Giveaway, just leave me a comment or send me an email and I'll put your name in the drawing. I'll post of photo of the duo once I have them complete.

The deadline will be November 30th. Oh...and if you send someone new to my blog....I'll put your name in twice. How's that!?

Blog Giveway Perhaps

2008-11-06T14:38:00.000-08:00

November is my birthday month...44 (I swear my mom was just 44). It's also the beginning, for me at least, of the holiday season for sharing & celebration so I'm thinking about a first time Apple Dumpling blog giveway. I haven't decided just what I'm going to do...a bear...an Annie or maybe both...maybe the two together.

Stay tuned!!!