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Thanks everyone. The problem is that his head is finished (well the whole bear actually)...eyes and eyelids in place, nose embroidered etc., so I'm leery about soaking him in anything. I might try the alcohol and see if that works. The pen was a TUL, it's kind of like a uni-ball. I will look for a permanent sharpie next time I'm at the store. Alison, do you ever get the backing wet after you have traced with the sharpie? Kim, I thought about shading the rest of the seams, but I would want to do that to the whole of the bear right, and not just the head? Thanks again!
Shanna
so cute!
So I had a ding bat moment and after tracing my bear out with black ink (oops), and sewing everything together, I decided to wet the mohair to fluff things up. I guess the backing got a bit wet and there are a couple of areas where the black ink bled onto the backing so it's a bit gray in a couple areas on the head. I was able to cover most of it up when I put on the ears but there is still a small section uncovered. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get this off? I could just kick myself, I can't believe I did this! I'm usually pretty cautious about using black ink to trace and only do it with the darkest fabrics, but I wasn't thinking. Maybe this bear will just have to end up living in my own collection.
Thanks everyone!
Shanna
I vote become a graduate student. That certainly did on number on my bear making obsession!
Thank you! I do love the support and encouragement that comes from fellow artists on this board! It's easy to get discouraged in a slow economy.
Really cute. I loved reading about how your cat steals the ears and thinks dogs can't be taught. Funny! I've been telling myself that I should make a blog. How difficult was it?
Shanna
I have on occasion, but plan on doing more of it as I'm going to be in Rhode Island for the summer. I can't wait to do bears at the beach!
Karen,
that's funny that people think it's a real cat! You must be flattered that they are just that realistic!
Shanna
I just posted this guy on Bear Pile. He is my very first fox and was lots of fun to design and make. I hope you like him!
Shanna
Breathtaking as always! I love the poses you place your bears in..they are so sweet. Thank-you for sharing!
Shanna
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win him. I am going to enter right this very moment!!
Shanna
Cute cute cute!! What is she made out of? This makes me think that I need to design an elephant, they are so much fun!
Shanna
she is divine!
thanks everyone!
Thanks Paula-
I agree, her bears are just stunning. I wasn't sure what level the tutorial would be at. If a totally new way of thinking about the nose would be explored. I'm sure I will get frustrated enough in the near future to purchase the tutorial. Sometimes getting that needle through a mini nose is a challenge. I don't think I've ever seen a tutorial on miniature noses. I wonder if that is addressed.
Shanna
I was just wondering if anyone has taken the e-teddy nose tutorial ($15). I must admit, as far as bear making goes, the noses are my biggest challenge. I'm usually happy with the end result, but sometimes it is just so time consuming (and frustrating when you have to pull out a nose and start over). I've seen several good free tutorials and was wondering what people thought of this one.
Shanna
They are both just beautiful bears. I missed the swap deadline this last time around but am excited to participate in the next one.
Shanna
Debora-
I had the wrong blog, no wonder! Thanks I can't wait to read about your journey.
Shanna
Debora-
I sent you my e-mail address (I think 
) so you can add me to your mailing list! I am excited to see your bears when they are finished. I clicked on the link to your blog and didn't see much that pertained to your newly adopted daughters. Keep in mind that I am slightly (ok, very) blog ignorant. I'm sure my mom could find them in a heartbeat. Is that information just in older posts?
I also have a bachelors in biology, what is your sister doing for work? Do you know what she emphasized while getting her degree? There are so many little sub fields of biology. I must admit as a biologist with a bachelors degree I found attaining a job in my field extremely difficult. This is why I am back in school (though I do have a particular fondness for academia). Hopefully after the masters degree (if I'm not a student FOREVER, which is what it feels like), I will have an easier time. I think the past couple of years have been hard for many. I actually graduated from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. I am in Minnesota now and must say that I desperately miss those mountains. I lived on the west side of and hiking was so convenient. I loved going into Woodland park to study at Java the hut. I wonder if that is still there? I also adored Breckenridge and Winterpark when I was fortunate enough to do little overnight visits. I could live there again, that's for sure! Soak it all up for me, okay?
Shanna
Thanks!
I always do the searches and never come up with what I'm looking for. I must be doing something wrong! I appreciate you finding them for me.
Shanna
Deborah-
I have two adopted siblings and my mom is an avid follower of many of the international adoption blogs. She is crazy about them and will often show me what is happening with one family or another when I come over to visit. The adoption process, I've learned, is always complicated with lots of adjustment periods. I too have put my bears on hold until just recently. I've been working on a Masters degree in biology and have been too busy to devote any time to the wee ones. However;l this summer my circumstances are going to all me to just focus on making bears (well, and a little thesis writing if I can muster up the motivation) and I am so excited about this. I wish the market for selling them was better. It can get discouraging. So the bear in your personal photo, is he done now? Will you be posting him for sale?
Shanna
Deborah,
The bear in your personal photo is so cute! What happened to have you put him on hold? Congratulations on your adoption! I had a bear that was nearly finished for a long time, but he had all of his parts, I just wasn't completely happy with him and didn't know how to change it. I'm still thinking of tweaking him a little more.
Shanna
