Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Bobbie,

for me it loads fast, no matter which banner or how many, but I am on an extremely fast broadband connection. I agree with your web guru though that the banner shouldn't change. In this case the banner is used like a title and keeping it the same makes it easier for the visitor to feel at home on a site. That's why the layout is often the same (title, links, frames etc.), while only the contents of a page changes. Don't get me wrong, I love all your banners, but when they change I almost feel as if I left your site. The same applies to the shifting place of links to different pages (sometimes below the banner, sometimes on the right side). The "header" and if applicable footer of a page (or its sidebar or whatever) should best be the same on all pages, just a little different highlighting to mark where you are.
At work we had a hard time understanding that at first, because everybody wanted to be creative and design their own pages, but now we have a great site with similar design elements, but different content. Maybe it helps if you look at the site at http://www.nrm.se

I finished a lace knit shawl I had been working on for about a year, on and off between bears. Yeah! Got more UFOs lying around though, all sorts of crafts, crochet bears, cross-stitch, knitting. Hmm, I should start a quilt 

You can get the straight loop eyes from Christie Bears and Admiral Bears in the UK. I have to admit that I rarely notice mismatching among my glass eyes, but that may be due to my own poorly matching eyes 

Sarah, the checked box makes sure that the proportions between height and width stay the same. Say, if the width is 1.5 as much as the height in the original, it should still be 1.5 as much in the resized image. Or in other words, if height to width (h:w) is 3 to 4 (3:4) it should stay that way, not turn into 5:2 or something. Hope that helps.

 
:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:
Don't worry Bobbie. People rarely listen to my advice. 

Yikes Jane!   I keep all crossables crossed that you won't have to suffer the damage.

Well, I don't want to sound smug, but use a Macintosh. In theory, Macs can be implanted too, but as far as I know it hasn't happened yet. I keep a guard program running watching for any unauthorized transmissions going out from my computer (none detected so far) and my built-in firewall on, as well as all the security configurations that our hub offers. Honestly, I would never dare connect a PC to the internet or at least not use it for sensitive information, but that's just me. 90% of all home computers are Windows PCs, which makes it much more worthwhile to hack Windows than Mac. On top of that, experts say that Windows is a lot easier to hack than other systems.

The other solution for you if you use a PC and are worried, would of course be to wipe your harddisk with a really deeply formatting program and then reinstall everything clean, including protective programs, before you ever go online again. And make sure you subscribe to regular (daily) virus updates and that your anti-spyware is always up-to-date.

Here in Sweden some banks offer one-time card codes for internet shopping. You create a card number and security code, which are valid for a short period, such as 24 hrs or a week or whatever you need and then you use that number for a single payment transaction. If its stolen its no longer valid and your real card number is never transmitted. Different banks use different methods and different ones for PC and Mac, but its pretty safe. Choose a bank that offers this or other safety solutions (such as a box connected to your computer, encoding your card number or things like that) and thus force the banks to come up with better security. Its really their fault and as customers we should demand better security, especially if they won't take the fall in the case of theft.

Sorry this happened to you Paula. Last year my bank's server was hacked (not that they ever admitted that, but it was on the news) and my card was used to buy computer stuff for $2,000. I cancelled the card as soon as I found out, just a day after the theft, when checking my account online. They even stole the security code and the bank tied to pin it on me, but quickly retreated and re-imbursed me. Took them three months to close the investigation, during which I had my money only temporarily awaiting the final decision. The police dropped the case two days after I reported it. They would have had a chance to catch the guy when he picked up his goods, since i discovered it almost immediately, but nooooo. I lowered my card limit and have different cards for internet shopping and brick and mortar shops. Never give my card to a waiter who disappears with it either. Banks almost always cover the damages, since they want us to use cards and they don't want to invest in better security (which is availbale), but it sure is a scare.

Michelle, so sorry you had an accident. :hug:  I've never broken anything, but I've heard that actually hurts less. Make sure to see a doctor though. I once thought I sprained an ankle, but it turned out that I had torn tow of the three ligaments in it. I had to have surgery, but nowadays I think they just give you special stabilizing shoes and it heals on its own. Very painful when it happened though and I always think putting ice on swellings doubles the pain. Hope it heals quickly for you.

I just got myself the same Canon Rebel last month, so it doesn't really count as a Christmas present. Its called 400D over here, but same thing. They are a bit over $1000 here in Europe, but I got a good deal. As I had a Canon system camera before I know my way around. The 10 Mpix are only good when its a system camera (you know, with mirror and you can change lenses). They do make compact cameras with 8-10 Mpix now, but those are actually often worse than those with fewer pixels. I love my Canon and I already had a number of lenses and other stuff from my old non-digital one. Try the serial function on something that moves, like an animal. Its fun to take lots of pictures in a row. I never did that with film because it could get expensive very quickly.

Books: the hilarious "Knitting Rules" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (am already have through it LMAO), other needle work books, one of the latest patricia Cornwell crime novels, two of Terry Pratchett's disc world novels, Zits day-to-day calender, ipod cases (according to hubby they were on sale 'cause I have an old model ), German teddy magazines from my mother  (can't get any in Sweden). Now you all know my weird and varied tastes. I am in a knitting phase. It always was my first love and now that its in fashion again yarn stores are popping up where there wer none for years and books are flooding the market. I thought I knew it all, but there are so many new and fascinating things to discover, that knitting is out-competing bears at the moment. Don't throw me out, I still make one now and then. 

What a cutie Bronwen. They do have a mind of their own, don't they. Centre seam bears do have a gusset, its the gusset that is made in two parts. I heard that way was invented by Steiff to be able to use the fabric more economically.

I missed the party! Had a bad headache and forgot  No way I can read 33 pages. Holy cow, that must be a record. Way to go guys. :crackup:

What a shame. I hadn't heard since I am only on this board (hard enugh to keep up). Sorry it didn't work out. Kerryn and Bronwen did a great job. :hug:  Maybe some time in the future, Bearwitched can be reborn.

I just went to see what's new on Bearwitched the webzine and all I get is some hosting company's screen telling me that the domain has expired. Has Bearwitched been closed? Did I miss a note here on TT? Sorry to see it go. 

Gemma, I'm sure you didn't mean any harm when you started this, but I immediately felt uncomfortable and I second what Daphne said. I love many different artist's bears and others I'm not so fond of, which is just my personal taste and preference. I even may have different tastes in a few years. This thread however can easily turn into a popularity contest and I don't think that's in the spirit of TT.

Going to Aleta's tea party. Tea, bears and like-minded friends, life can't get any better. :hug:

That was the first bear making book I got and I loved it.

Hi Marlane,
you take apart your artist bears? Shudder  Remind me not to sell one to you 
I don't have experience with pop rivets, but I have heard of them and Edinburgh sells them. Did the joints move at all? I'm having a hard time imagining how this works too. Hope someone else can help.

Oh Sandra, I feel for you!      Take your time and come back when you feel like it. We'll be here to support you.  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Welcome to TT Paul! Sorry, don't knwo any resoruces for you, but you made me very curious. Can you post a picture of your boat? I'd really love to see it.  :photo: 

Congrats Marion.Yes, they are marvelous. I have the first kangaroo Wendy made    Wanda the roo is so wonderful that I just had to have another of Wendy's critters.  

I joined Aug 20, 2005 when I realized why the E. board had gone so quiet, started posting soon after I think. I'm not very chatty compared to some, but its a lot for me as far as internet boards go.

I won and adopted Wendy's (Matilda huggables) platypuss Wallace P. Puddler and I am sooooo happy!!     He is cute and lovely and so amazing. A true piece of art. I am not usually a collector since I can't justify spending money both on supplies and on critter, but i just had to have him and I can warmly recommend to everyone, get a puddle from Wendy. He has extra joints in his feet, which makes him extra poseable and he sits so well with them. The needlefelting is extensive and impressive.
He came lovingly packed and accompanied by small angels, his pet rock "Rock" and a -uhm- holiday pompon critter. I feel so lucky  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
Thank you again Wendy!  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Congratulations Dilu! It is soooo well deserved.  :hug:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

How beautiful, both trees! Tami, speaking from a small and overstuffed apartment I am quite jealous of your spacious, beautiful home  We only get a tiny table tree and my hubby gets laughed at when he buys it. Its not a manly big tree I suppose. 
In Sweden we put the tree up in the morning of Christmas Eve and take it down 20 days later. I like the custom of putting it up before Christmas, but its just not done here. Instead, we have 4 candles and light them on the 4 Sundays before Christmas (this year Xmas Eve falls on the fourth of those advent days). I do it German style with a wreath made of some pine twigs, 4 candles, some decorations.