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Well done, Susan :). It's really heart-warming to hear this!
LOL, I just read what Kim wrote and can relate to that SO much! Sometimes a bear will lead, not follow....my latest bear started out as pink and girlie, and has ended up as a rather sleepy-looking boy instead! 
. He just changed...at some point in the process...but I'm not quite sure when...
So take heart in the fact that we all make bears that 'change' during making, and keep going! You never know, you might love the bear it turns into!
If I get stuck for a name, I pay a visit to http://www.babynames.com/. Even though I don't have an exact name in my head I usually know the gender, and have some idea of initial letter, or meaning, or even the origin of the name I want (eg celtic, welsh and so on). Failing all that, I ask my daughter!
I have a lovely piece of Helmbold's 50S/TDI (http://www.intercaltg.com/catalog2/tipped.html) that I've been plucking up the courage to cut into...it's soooooo soft with a slight wave, and I just know it has the potential to make a great bear (fingers crossed!).
She's lovely Pipa! 
Did you make her dress too? Glad to hear you're still making bears, even if a little more slowly! 
Ooooh, I really love shamus :love:. Hope you don't mind me saying, but he looks a bit sad, deep in thought....and in desperate need of a cuddle! :hug:
What a comical character! 
That's excellent Lynne, well done!!!! He looks great in the newsletter :clap:. I look forward to my intercal e-mails, and drooling over the bears/fur....
That's fantastic news Sarah, and well-deserved!!!! Enjoy the moment & keep on making your lovely bears, because I'm sure there'll be more moments like this in the future!
You're welcome Denise :hug:
Shari, I'm curious too, about why exactly you weren't supposed donate the money to the hurricane appeal. Are we not allowed to have charity auctions? Eek!
Jane, glad to hear you're feeling better today.....
Big hugs to Gina and Denise :hug: - I hope you both get to the bottom of these eBay problems you are having :(. As far as I'm aware, ebay relies upon people reporting auctions. I suggest you, and anyone else using eBay, becomes familiar with the ebay community forums. Questions related to pulled auctions often come up and there's a lot of information there if you sift through the discussions. It also used to be possible to talk directly to eBay staff (I think!), but I'm not sure if that's still available.
If you decide to post on the community boards (there's even one for dolls and bears!) register with a different ID than the one you use for selling. That way, if you ever get into any heated discussions on there no-one will know what your auctions are, so cannot cause problems for you... it happens. Honestly, my eyes opened wide when I started reading those boards....
Good Luck and let us know how it goes 
Oh, she's a sweetheart! The eyes look great , and her 'hair' is just wonderful!
You sound like me...I love my gadgets! Have fun 'playing' with them
Well, I just finished sewing my first complete bear with invisible thread and have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be....I actually found it stronger than the Gutermann thread I usually use. But because it's less flexible it does seem to tangle around fingers, body parts, joints more easily, and it's not easy to see :P.
Oh poor you, Jane! How awful :(. It won't be much consolation but you know how they say things always come in threes....let's hope this was your third and final illness for a long time. Take care of yourself, and don't over do it!
Oh, he's a little cutie! Shame about his leg though, but I guess that makes him even more special (and mummy will love him anyway!).
As for trimming, I find there's only one thing to do --- just go for it!
Matilda, do you have any webspace provided by your internet service? A lot of people don't realise they have that available to them. Only problem is if you move to a different isp of course.
I haven't used any of the other free services so I can't comment on those...the only thing I would suggest is to try to find one that has the least number of those annoying pop-ups, LOL.
What are we like? Comparing horror stories!!!
Mum was ok that time - yes, they caught it in time. She got fed up of the antibiotics and insisted on seeing a specialist, who made the diagnosis (she had a prior history of cancer too, so wouldn't you think that might have rung a few alarm bells?!). Geeze.
I'm with Penny. If your glands get really bad it might be better to take a trip to the A&E. I havemore faith in hospital doctor's myself, because they generally get more contact with a wider range of ailments. More 'hand's on', especially in A&E. I know you've had bad hospital experiences too, though... 
Unfortunately nothing's perfect! Just don't suffer for too long without doing something!
(As for dentist stories, nothing too bad to report - I just don't like 'em, . Eek!)
Well, I understand your situation Pipa, and have become more wary as I get older (which is why I do the research, so I can ask a few informed questions....). My mum had various negative experiences with GP's in her life. One time in particular she was treated for an infection which turned out to be cancer. And another time I was told something by the doc that I knew was totally untrue! Perhaps I should have mentioned my biology degree . But the way I see it, doctors are human, and the vast majority really do want to help as best they can...sometimes we might have to push a little for the right treatment, or insist on what we believe is right (we know our own bodies best, afterall). I have a lovely GP at the moment, and I'm not afraid to ask or say anything - and she's open if she's not sure about something. That's the way it should be imo!
Glad to hear you've got a good dentist. Now that's a whole other story...
Oh, what a gorgeous panda! I've only shaded the eyes so far, but will definitely try this method sometime (sticking the patches on). Especially if it means such a beautiful result - well done Sabine!
Gosh Pipa, I can't blame you for not wanting to go to the dr.s given all the bad experiences you've had :(. But please don't let these tragedies colour your view of the entire profession. I often research whatever I'm visiting my GP about (usually sinus related in my case). This upsets some GP's but not others! But it makes me feel a little more in control of what's happening :).
Hmm, it doesn't look like Emily Farmer has any grab bags for sale at the moment. They are definitely worth watching out for though.
I bought one of Emily Farmer's 'grab bags' off eBay some time ago and the fabric will last me for years! It's nice to have a selection of fabric to choose from, and there were plenty of different colours and pile lengths. Some vintage too :). It's a great way to stock up if you're not sure quite what to buy.
