Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

That is good advice Connie.I have been making bears for 3 years now and that is the only way I will work.I start with the head and only if I am happy with that will I cut out the rest of the bear as with all the trial and error that you do at the beginning of bear making you might find what fur won't suit a 9 inch bear might suit a 12 inch etc and at least if you are not happy with the head you can start again and haven't spent all that time sewing a body that is not going to get used.
Laurie :hug:

Your bear looks fine Richy-his face just looks like it needs a bit of a trim.Like Gina says study other peoples bears to see how they do it.The trimming can be an art in itself though and I am still learning.The best way to try to see your bears progress is to work in short mohair( similar to your avatar bear).Even though this might not be the look that you are after it will be a lot easier to see how your features are turning out on your bears and whether you are happy with this look.Any of the bears that you end up not finishing I would use these to experiment with and try out new techniques.I used to do this and it helps to think that the bear has had some use-before he ends up in the bin .I hope this info is of some use to you .There is many trial and error in making bears and when you have just started making bears you seem to have more error but hopefully this will improve over time.
Laurie :hug:

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Daphne :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance: .I recognized the style as yours as soon as I saw him
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Clare :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
When is the baby due?
I hope all goes well for you   
Laurie :hug:

       
You would never expect to see those lovely animals on your front lawn
Laurie :hug:

There will be many feathered friends with slippers like that :crackup:
Laurie :hug:

What was the last magazine you bought?
Teddy Bear Club International.
What did you have for dinner last night?
Homemade fried rice and stir fry.
Who did you last speak to on the phone?
Can't remember as it hasn't rung for a few days.
What was the last tv show you watched?
X factor.
Whats the best thing that has happened to you today?
It is still early so I am still waiting :lol:
Have you ever broke a bone?
No.
What are you really bad at?
Trying not to spend money-the temptation is too great
Your favourite food?
Chicken or prawn curry from the takeaway-yes I know healthy options.
Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes.
Your favourite season?
I love spring as it is the start of the lovely weather to follow.Well hopefully anyway.But a close second is Autumn.
Do you collect anything?
Yes bears
What do you wish you had more time for?
EVERYTHING!!!!
When is your average bedtime?
Between 12pm and 1am.I am a bit of a night owl and its the best time for a bit of peace and quiet with the kids in bed.

Congratulations Heather :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance: -please post piccies :photo:
Laurie :hug:

I love them both Chrissi but I do have a soft spot for Dreamer-I just love his little face.    
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Catherine-Leo is lovely and so is his fur  :dance:  :clap:  :dance:  :clap: 
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Julie :dance:  :clap:  :dance:  :clap:
I love the xmas scene-it must have taken a lot of time to make
Laurie :hug:

     
Laurie :hug:

Fantastic photos Denise
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Maria :clap:  :dance: :clap:  :dance:  :clap:
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Tina :clap: :dance:  :clap:  :dance:  :clap:  :dance:
Laurie :hug:

The arm in the photo is one of my childrens Gaby.I think that they were trying to get him to sit still long enough so he could have his photo taken.There is a lot of swearing in the house at the moment as everytime hubby goes aaah look at him and runs for the camera Brian has moved by the time he gets back
Paula we got into Siameses about 15 years ago when we lost our moggy and couldn't find a cat to replace him apart from a Balinese(SiamesexAngora) and from then one we have stayed with the breed.They are a lively cat especially if you have more than one and if you don't mind them chasing around and racing up and down the stairs or getting woken in the night when they jump on you as they have chased each other over the bed then they are the cat for you   
Laurie :hug:

Where I live there is a national newsagents called wh smith and they seem to be the only place to get the bear magazines from but luckily in my village they have just started to stock tbci so it can save me a 15 mile round trip to get it.I do subscribe to Teddy Bear Scene too and should subscribe to tbci as well as it would save me the hassle of trying to get the magazine and having to guess if it is out as I am never sure of the date.If you go to all the big supermarkets they stock all the other craft magazines but no bear  mags
You do wonder if it is because there is such a big interest in all other crafts but not in bear making but then saying that so many people do not realise that bear artists and collectors bears exist so if more shops stocked these magazines would there be more interest in bears.
I buy magazines as I love to keep up to date with things in the bear world and just like to read about bears,bears and bears.
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Gemma :dance:  :clap:  :dance: :clap:  .They are both great entries but I especially love the pink one 
Laurie :hug:

Congratulations Judi :dance:  :clap:  :dance:  :clap:  :dance:
Your work is always outstanding
Laurie :hug:

I thought you would all like to see some pictures of Brian(his name comes from the Magic Roundabout-childrens tv many years ago )
He is 15 weeks old and is a red point Siamese and we have had him just over a week.We lost our gorgeous 3.5year old Balinese cat a few weeks ago to lymphoma of the kidneys and all the children loved him and we also have his brother and he was lost without him and had no one to play with so hence the new addition to the family.He hid up for 2 days behind the sofa but is in to everything now and is chasing around the house with our Balinese boy and having a great time.He has a great appetite and eats a lot more than our other cats.Siameses have such great personalities and once you have one I think you will always have one.We can never replace the one we lost but Brian helps to fill the big gap in our lives after we lost him.
Laurie :hug:

I would like to give it a try Paula as long as I can finish it in time as I have 5 commissions at the moment   
I think it will be really interesting to see how different everyones bears turn out and of course we want to see yours Paula at the end of the challenge. :photo:   
You have my e mail address Paula as I am on your mailing list.
That sounds like a good idea Birgitte 
Laurie :hug:

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I am glad that she turned up Christine-panic over :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
She is a beautiful doll
Laurie :hug:

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:
My children loved it
Laurie :hug:

I love a man in uniform-maybe thats why I married a postman .Mind you a nice policeman or fireman would be even nicer
The person below me has just finished decorating their house.
Laurie :hug: