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"a bear by kim"what a lovely day... i have had the most fun meeting all you t-ters and youre all so lovely, iv had just the best day ever.
im sure jane will be busy with all her pictures very soon and samantha potter can breath a huge sigh of relief at the amazing day she has sooo brilliantly organised. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Samantha.... you should be really proud of yourself you really did organise such a brilliant day and i bet im not the only one to feel proud to whitness such a breath taking event.
roll on next year, i cant wait xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
glad to hear it went well! can't wait to see pictures! :photo:
Bumpkin Bearsgreat to hear it went so well, I'm thrilled for all of you, can't wait to see photos,
Hugs
Catherine x
YorkshireI feel just the same as Kim - this show was fantastic 
It was lovely to chat with so many artists and cuddle so many great bears - I cuddled one of Jenny's (3 o'clock bears) - I feel so honoured!!!!!
and best of all I took a Kim bear home with me so I am feeling VERY smug with myself!!!
Happy Birthday tommorow Samantha and roll on next year!
Hugs Ali x
Hi Kim !!!!!!
I must second everything you said about the wonderful event - and how brilliant it was to meet so many luvverly TTers !
By the way folks , Kim didn't tell you she won 2 medals in the competition ..... and I was lucky enough to have my stall next to a new *star* !! 
:hug: :hug: :hug: all round 
Can't wait for next year Samantha ! :clap: :clap:
Mini Hugs , Ruth
Samantha I have to say..THANKYOU!! I was totally amazed that in this age of cutting corners you proved that by attention to detail, common sense and hard work you can put on an event of such quality, so full of inspiration and excitement. The venue was superb, artists and customers alike just couldn't believe how pretty the room looked and how hard you have worked to make it happen.
We had a great day and sold out completely, in fact it was so busy that we sold 12 of my 14 bears in the first 15 minutes! It was unbelieveable!
The challenge event went really well, the entries were all superb and I feel honoured to have won an award for my bear as the standard was very high indeed.
I am thrilled that we now have such a fine, prestigious event on our teddy calendar!!
I saw Shelleys rabbits in the fur today too and I have to say that they are absolutely superb and I spoke nicely to her and, if she has time ,she is making one for my sister in time for Christmas...Judi fell head over heels for a little bunny and it was sold before you could say 'Jack Robinson'
It was lovely seeing all friendly faces ..I never stopped chatting all day!! (No change there then!) Melanie Jayne, your baby is the best behaved baby on the planet, and he's so pretty!!!
Credit where credit is due..
PS: That Victoria Sponge cake was the best ever!!
Patsy Lake BearsSamantha what an achievment I am so glad that it all went off so well. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Past Time Bears:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: I just knew it would be the successful event that it apparently was! Congratulations, Samantha, for a job very well done!
I am so glad it went fantastically for all of you - it sounds like a great day! Looking forward to experiencing it in person next year!
WOW yes.... I second everyone's messages.....a truly fantastic and fun day....lots of my little critters disappeared.....thought I could now have a rest...but have a few more orders to make!
BIG thank you Samantha and all her family....(and just realised I didn't get to try the cake 
...I was on my way when the raffle started!)
I loved meeting all the TT-ers 
and found that Shelly now lives in the village where I grew up...what a small world! 
The bears were truly gorgeous Lynne :hug:
AM BEARSJust to say a really big thanks for such a great day. :clap: I visited the show as a customer and it was fabulously set out, a really friendly atmosphere and so many great bears! I loved the idea of letting people vote for their favourites in the four seasons challenge and had to put my pennies worth in! There were so many wonderful bears done for that challenge it was really, really, really difficult to find a favorite to vote on. My poor step daughter couldn't decide at all and I think voted for spring teds all round 
There were some really pretty little bears on Jack and Lila's stall that had butterfly markings on their head, though because I'd taken my more sensible half, I had to content myself with buying some supplies and longing for some of those bears. Any one by Kim would have done, but particularly the little red and yellow guy, he was stunning. Studio 44 had a lovely chap called Newton and I really, really wanted him, not to mention the Madabout bears, three o'clock bears, Ju-beary bears, Sally Ann Bears and those fantastic tiny flutterbies and Mary Myrtle Minatures, but all I got was no, no, no, no, NO! 
It really was a pleasure to go to such a lively, friendly fair and see so many lovely bears...that was a fabulous event and Samantha should be really, really proud of herself... :bday: happy birthday for tomorrow anyway :cake:
What a lovely day we had! I would like to send Samantha and her wonderful family and friends a massive "THANK YOU" for organising such a lovely bear fair. :clap: :clap: :clap: The atmosphere was really nice from the very beginning. I think Jenny has just about said everything that I wanted to say about the day, so I won't repeat it all again, but I totally agree!
I didn't get around to see as many TT-ers as I wished and am sorry for those I couldn't get to chat to, to say "Hi", but nevertheless I think I talked all day! I was near to Kim and Ruth with their beautiful bears - and Kim, well, she did brilliantly! Well done Kim on all your successes today, you deserve it! :clap: :clap:
It was lovely chatting with Yvonne and seeing her gorgeous bears - well done to you too Yvonne with your medal! Very well deserved! :clap: :clap: And it was a delight to see Shelly's lovely rabbits! Ah!
I know I have missed lots out, feeling pretty tired at the moment and y-a-w-n-i-n-g an awful lot! Zzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Sleep well Samantha, have a nice well deserved rest - you and your family were just brilliant. And yes, the cakes were scrumptious!
Extra big hugs,
Marilyn
Wow! How wonderfully exciting to hear so many glowing reports. I can't wait to see all the pictures I just KNOW someone will be posting shortly.
:photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo: :photo:
Congratulations Samantha!!!! Looking forward to the pictures
Rufnut Teddy'sCongratulations Samantha, that is fabulous news. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :hug: :hug:
Looking forward to hearing more and seeing some pics, now go rest and put your feet up :hug: :hug: :hug:
puca bearsWow - thats great news :dance: :dance:
Congratulations all round, and especially to Samantha - sounds like you all had a fantastic day
very much looking forward to pics!
huggies
Maria
Well done to Samantha and to all the artists that took part!!
The sun shined on what sounds like a fabulous day all round. I was so miserable yesterday at having to miss it all. 
I can't wait to hear more and see some pics, bring them on....
Regards
Lisa
It was obvious to see that so many people had supported Samantha, a truly family event and not forgetting that Samantha was running this as a charitable event !! She had thought of everything. I am looking forward to next year.
It was lovely to meet and chat to lots of TT'ers Jenny, Lynne, Ruth Marilyn and I had the pleasure of chatting away to Yvonne all day... thats when she wasn't selling her lovely bears !!!!
I am glad to say I had a very successful day with my rabbits and sold out bar one. Which I am still amazed at (selling so many I mean) . Lots of people were very complimentary to me and I really do appreciate all you had to say.
Roll on next years event !!!
I can only echo all the wonderful comments already here WHAT A FANTASTIC EVENT..Samantha THANK YOU!!! :clap: :clap: :clap: for the most wonderful day, it was absolutely faultless.. the hall was just full of excitement all day.. the stands so pretty..definately a day of celebration...and a day I will never forget! :clap: :clap: :clap:
It was so lovely to meet many TT's yesterday....Jenny, Marilyn, Clare, Lynne and Shelly it was so lovely chatting to you...and of course Jane..with dreaded camera...I'm sure she will have lots of pictures to share soon! I'm so sorry to have missed Melanie Jane and her beautiful baby....so hi Melanie, catch up with you next time!
Shelly, and I had stands next to each other...and I have to say her Rabbits are absolutely exquisite, I was totally smitten with Master Pickle..so he had to come home with me..he's so gorgeous....thanks Shelly!!
I had the best day ever, and sold most my bears in the first few hours....and just when I thought it could not get any better....the challenge winners where announced....and I won in the Spring in the category!!!!...so I'm still on cloud nine!
CONGRATULATIONS again Samantha....really its you, and your family that deserve's a medal!!
Hugs Yvonne.
I just had to drop in to TT to say thank you so much for all your kind words. I am absolutely exhausted - but happy!! I feel everything went really well, and I had such wonderful feedback from both artists and collectors. It just makes all the hard work worthwhile when you receive such wonderful comments. Thank you to everyone who has also sent me an email. I will answer them all tomorrow as I am having today off to celebrate my birthday!! I have an amazing Gregory Gyllenship bear for my birthday which my husband, parents and brother all bought for me.
I've got lots of pictures which I'll also share as soon as i get round to it. My brother was filming all day, and he'll be producing a short video over the next week or two which I will add to the website when its ready.
Well done to everyone who won a medal and a massive well done to everyone who entered the challenge!! The entries were simply amazing!!!
I've only done a quick bit of adding up, but it looks like we should have over £1000 to give to the British Heart Foundation!!
I'm not sure what else to say - I'm still too tired to think straight!! Thank you so much for everyone's enthusiasm. You all really did prove that the artist bear world is definitely alive and thriving!!!
Roll on 2009....(but not too quickly!!! 
)
To Smantha and all those teddy bear artists taking part- this is such good news to hear- All those sceptical "bear people" sit back and complain about the "lost world of teddy bears" or go out and take up the challenge to get it going. This is a good example of what working together achieves.
Daphne is the other person here in TT who is striving to achieve and get the same results.
Well done to all.
Lynette
Wilmslow CheshireI would also like to express my thanks to Samantha and family for a very well organised fair with so much attention to all the small details .So much effort had been made making it look pretty and all the yummy home made food .There was a lovely atmosphere all day ,Stratford was hot and sunny ,I did nip out for half an hour later on and it was nice to meet so many tters and put faces to bears ,ha ha
hugs,
Louise xx
Country BearsOooooh it was a wonderful show - I was exhausted by the time we got home, but a nice happy tired!! The work that Samantha and her family and friends put in was just incredible - they were on the go ALL DAY LONG!! I want to personally thank them for all their hard work, they were all wonderful. x :clap: :clap:
I just have to tell you about some of the highlights of my day:
* The delightful reception and help we received upon arrival in the unloading area, the lovely gentleman who carried belongings and showed us to our table ( I 'think' he was Samantha's dad - lovely!) - I immediately felt 'at home'
* Getting to see other artist's I knew from here and recognise from magazines etc (I sent my daughter round to take some piccys but hubby has the camera for the school trip today so will look at them later ) and seeing their wonderful bears in the fur - they're often so different to how you visualize them in pictures.
* Catching up with Kim and Lynne in person, and watching Kim stealing the show with her cute bears!! Yummy!! I'm totally in love with her red and yellow one!!
* Watching Jenny get vitually mobbed at the start of the show It was like having a rockstar in the room!! And of course imagining what that must feel like.....
* Seeing MJ with her baby and missing mine.... Great to see you again MJ xxx
* Of course seeing Jane and her daughter Sarah again, Jane was taking lots of piccys too - lovely to see you again Jane xx
It was a lovely day, thank you again to Samantha who I had the pleasure of being next to for the day, and will visualize her mum flying around with trays and clipboards all day for months to come I'm sure!! She was very proud of Samantha, we all are too. Oh and Happy Birthday today sweety xx
Well this message has taken me about 2 hours to write as my little one is not a happy bunny this morning!! Best be off, speak soon!! xx :hug: :hug:
I just want to whole-heartedly endorse all the lovely things that have already been said - it was a wonderful day, fantastically well organized and with a lovely atmosphere. I enjoyed every minute!
I am one of the old-timers who can remember the fairs that used to held at this venue and so it is great to see The Civic Hall back on the bear calendar.
It was obvious that Samantha had put a great deal of thought into the many little touches that really made it such a special day. For example, we were met at the car with an offer of help to get everything unloaded and shown to our stand - a wonderful start! The little welcome bags for the exhibitors contained a pen - a lovely touch as I'm sure I'm not the only one who has arrived at a fair to find their only pen won't write. I could go on and on....the catering, the pretty balloons, etc, etc. Nothing was overlooked
As many others have mentioned, there was obviously an incredible amount of hard work, research and preparation that went into the fair to make sure everything was perfect - and it certainly showed on the day.
So to Samantha and her family: a huge THANK YOU for all your hard work.........and I am already looking forward to next year!
Back Road BearsSamantha,
:clap: :clap: :clap: :dance: :dance: :dance:
I am soooooooooooooo happy for you and the great success of your show!!! I was thinking about you all day yesterday! I KNOW how hard you worked, the long hours, the worry, the lists, the last minute ideas, wanting everything to be perfect, putting so much at risk, hoping for the best and all the while wondering how it will all turn out...... How wonderful to hear that every little thing you did produced a wonderful and successful day for everyone!
Congratulations!!! And thank you for showing the world that teddy bear shows are still wanted and needed and can be very successful!
:hug: :hug: Daphne
