Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Holy Smokes look at that gorgeous view you have!!  Wow, I'm totally jealous (in a good way!).  That first shot is just lovely..winding road, the woods, a beach and a full RAINBOW to boot!!! 
10 minutes either way lands me at a gas station.... closest thing to a rainbow is a pack of Skittles

Thank you for sharing your pics!! Just awesome

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

Good Luck with your new adventure!!  Keep us posted if you can    PA will miss you , but your bears totally have that Colorful Sunny Florida thing going on     

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

:clap:  :clap:  :dance: Congratulations :dance:   :clap:  :clap:   Very much deserved and I'm so happy for you all    :clap:  :clap:  :clap:

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

Congratulations, he's GORGEOUS!!  And I bet he's thrilled you went with all neutral colors this time  
Congratulations again!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

Cute print Gail!! 
I was taking a pic to share my colors, so funny you asked    
I'm going to finally use some pink and purples that I hand dyed a couple of months ago. The original cream will be the head...thinking I'll go the custom hat route...not sure yet. 

HA!  When I got back to the studio table after uploading my photos I found that someone else decided that SHE wanted to pin and sew this particular bear.  "Someone's been sitting in my chair" 

:hug:
~Chrissi

If your friends and family are asking for a commercial patterned bear of course you can ask for cost of materials....you'd go broke otherwise. 

Other's patterns can't be sold/marketed for profit (or as you're own)....you're not doing that at all. 
I know lots of ladies who make bears, jackets, baby items, holiday craft thing-a-ma-bobs, and special somethings for their families (using store bought patterns) and use  a "handmade by____" or "made with love by_____" tag on it....never giving design credit, so don't drive yourself nuts over it.  You're not calling it your own, they know it's a store pattern you've used a lot, no one is being deceived or doing anything shifty......HAVE FUN!!  and share pics

:hug:
~Chrissi

I hand sew the mini's, I don't think there are many who use a machine for those.....although I've seen some who do machine sew wee little mini bears and I'm amazed. 

BUT I machine sew all others that I can because I adore my machine.  I use a Singer Featherweight from the 1950's.  It's so pleasant to use that I LOOK for things to sew.    Double sewing all seams is a joy!!
I could never have sewn 6 inch bears on my former machine. It would have eaten the fabric up, and this was a "very good" machine. I was so amazed when I tried on the Featherwight.  The control and perfect stitch is like nothing I've seen from the newer machines. I love my machine and I tell it that all the time     

:hug:
~Chrissi

Great picture!  And perfect timing, I have to thank you for the instant inspiration!! I've used your little guy #5 for shading on my latest bear!!  He matched the coloring perfect and I loved his big dark eyes.

5 has got the cutest shape...look at those long legs!!  I kinda feel bad for the little guy, having to wear all that stuff around his head, but I guess it's for his own good in the end.  The pics on your blog are awesome too!! Thanks for sharing it all

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi there,
I know a lot of folks here have diet restrictions, eat "healthier" foods and snacks, and might have this stuff in their homes right now. I eat this stuff all the time, but haven't had it around for a bout a month or so. All of the cases of illness have been little kids I think, which is sad because parents use this stuff for lots of reasons...the vegetable part, it melts almost instantly so poses little choking hazard, easy take along snack for kids.  The recall is for all sizes/barcodes/exp. dates/etc.  Throw out what you have. 
:hug:
~Chrissi

Robert's American Gourmet Food Inc. recalled all its Veggie Booty snacks across the U.S. and Canada because the mix might be contaminated with salmonella, regulators said Thursday.

Fifty-one people in 17 states, mostly children age 3 and younger, were infected with potentially deadly salmonella bacteria linked to eating Veggie Booty, according to a statement posted on the Food and Drug Administration's website. The snack, which contains vegetables such as kale and spinach, is sold in grocery stores and over the Internet.

I've been thinking about this question myself lately.  I can't say honestly the exact time it takes because I've never tracked it in exact "working minutes and hours".  Like most of us I'm in a studio in my home so getting up to make tea, walk the dogs, switch the laundry, work on portfolios, make business related items, create a listing,  or take 5 minutes to post out here is all still part of the "day".  I'm just finishing up a bear right now and with the next one started I am going to note all "real time" of creating.  I'll note each time when I start and when I stop, keep a little log, and then add up the minutes/hours.  It's not going to be helpful to anyone else really, we all work at different paces and in different styles.....but it's still very much worth knowing.   
:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm in!   :dance:  Great idea Paula!!

:hug:
~Chrissi

ewwwwww I want him!!      Totally adorable...love the ears and the lil' collar.  I adore his look, I like pre-loved...but this is perfect.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Airconditioning, room temperature water (it's supposed to be better for your system) and eating "COOL" foods .....juicy tropical fruits are made to cool the body and they're in season so eat up!!   My treat: Edy's Strawberry Fruit Bars, love those on really hot summer nights sitting out back :teddybear:. We've got ceiling fans in almost all of the rooms too...every home decor show I've ever seen RIPS out the ceiling fans as soon as they set foot in the house, but I love them for heating and cooling reasons.

I gotta tell yah though, I always heard that thing about dry vs humidity and I don't buy it    I've lived in humid summers my whole life and after being in Vegas in the summer I was praying for 90 and humid at home.  I felt like I had a hairdryer on high pointed at my face all day long, it was unbearable for me personally. Either way hot is HOT and I'll move to Alaska with everyone who's going.  I Love the winter, snow, and COLD    

:hug:
~Chrissi

PS...Play in the water!!  The hose and an old fashioned sprinkler are a summer time staple over here with us and the dogs.  This is last summer....but nothings changed 

I hate it when the dictionary does this:
Main Entry: hab·er·dash·ery
Pronunciation: -"da-sh(&-)rE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -er·ies
1 : goods sold by a haberdasher
2 : a haberdasher's shop
Ok, well that tells me NOTHING   :crackup:  Don't yah just hate it when it does that?? Then when you clicked on haberdasher it said a man who sells "notions", but didn't give the origin of the word.

I guess it's like our general store over here, which are so far and few between they're more "tourist attractions" than real stores.  I think I was born in the wrong generation...I want the haberdasheries, general stores, corner soda shops, and drive in theaters back

:hug:
~Chrissi

I hera you Paula!!  My sisters are both art teachers, luckily our county still has a really decent art program. The yearly art show produces work that is, well astonishing!  I try to guess the ages of the kids and I'm always blown away. These kids are incredibly gifted and their talents have been nurtured, but sadly so many aren't getting that in their own schools anymore. Whether it's funding or testing needs pushing the arts out... the arts are being cut in so many districts.  But parents can do so much to fill that void, even if they're not "crafty" or artistic themselves. Kids are naturally inclined to be creative, you just have to cheer it on and support it.

My niece wasn't even 2 weeks old when I bought her "first sewing machine"     It was more of a fun thing to give my sister really, but I couldn't help myself.  I use a singer featherweight myself and when I saw this little working toy machine I had to buy it for her!!  I plan to teach her all about bear making 

You mentioned all of the classes you took! I still have all of my pieces that I made in school....an apron in sewing, a cookbook filled with recipes we made in cooking class, a wall mounted iron coat rack from metal shop (that I welded myself, even thought the teacher was inclined to do this "hard part for the girls"..no thank you I'll do that myself!....and a paper towel holder in woodshop!! The classes may seem like a joke to some, but it really gives kids an idea of what it takes to MAKE something.....that not everything just lands on the shelves at the superstores because of magic. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Ok, that first photo is just sick   It's like having a toddler in the same position...that's an assault rifle!  It's the ultimate sicko advertising for kids....if they think joe camel and Snap Crackle and Pop are influencing kids, this sign here takes the cake.  Sheesh what's wrong with this world??

The second one can come to my house for lifting groceries, gardening and laundry after he's done at Daphne's.   

:hug:
~Chrissi

My thoughts exactly Tami. 

I'm thinking that this person wasn't talking about "politics"(as in elections/voting/candidates) at all, but referencing something else that she found not to her tastes.  And that's fine.  But to pass it along to others, especially those you're mentoring isn't cool. Like Tami I focus on the positive and support those aspects 100%..........yah get what yah put in

TT has been an absolute gem for me and I tell as many people I can about it.  It's sad that this student/new bear maker may have shut the door on friendships and opportunities based on one person's opinion.  That's a shame.  Makes you wonder if the teacher doesn't want the student to find new techniques or even "teachers".....maybe teach is threatened by the incredible array of knowledge that TT holds?  Sadly enough some folks are like that.

:hug:
~Chrissi

That's my take too.  I've always supported smaller stores over big chains when and where I can....I never do big bookstores I do Doylestown Book Store instead, I don't do chain restaurants I do the little fish restaurant with the owners right there almost everyday, I supported the local small pet supply shop for years until big chains forced her out (she still grooms so I still use her over the big chains).....but for sewing notions needed in a pinch I really loved my Ragshop around the corner.  My local JoAnn's is actually very nice too.  It's always neat and organized, the ladies are helpful, and they have the sewing center too...with machine servicing.  Just bummed to see them all go...if one didn't have something the other did. 

Diane, you're probably right I don't think I would cope!   I really like to parooz the shops, and lots times I'll get an idea just from a visit.  Online purchases alone would be hard for me to get used to.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Jared,
Blockbuster has it now.  Rent it right away..it's truly fantastic!

Jodi....one of my favorite parts was when they did little flashbacks of her childhood....her looking out the window as her parents went off to a party...Oh, that was just done so well!!  Neverland had the same exact "magic" to it.   

:hug:
~Chrissi

Oh my gosh, Jodi, I'm watching it right now!!  I just got up for a glass of chocolate (soy) milk and decided to pop online for 2 minutes!!  I'm IN LOVE with this movie!!  Not quite at the end yet....but will buy a copy tomorrow for sure.  Awesome movie I too give it 5 stars and a BIG

:hug:
~Chrissi

I plan to do at least one lil' girl bear for the event and just today found the perfect fabric for the skirt of her dress.  The top of the bolt was pink and read "fabric for a cure".  Reading that I had to go with it! 
Pretty isn't it? 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Cute Cute Cute!!  Your Godmother will be in love when she sees this little one! 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Is there a conspiracy against crafters and sewers?  In recent months major fabric stores over here are dropping like flies.  Walmart has decided to no longer have a crafting department with fabrics in all stores (they're going with "party supplies" instead)...and new Walmarts will not carry at all.  Hancock fabrics (one I'm not as familiar with) filed bankruptcy and closed retail stores, Ragshop (is 3 minutes from me & where I grab thread and little things all the time) is shutting down all of it's stores as of this week...and according to the manager at my shop JoAnn's is announcing the same in mere days/weeks . Can't confirm that online anywhere, but she seemed pretty sure of it.

-ugh-

With crafting, sewing, quilting, knitting, etc on the rise what is going on?  I shop online for lots of stuff....but never for fabrics or yarns.  I need to see and feel those things prior to buying. I need to see the print and true colors up close (not just a little photo of a print next to a shiny quarter for size relation)

Luckily we have one smaller mom and pop sew shop and a reputable quilt shop within 15-20 minutes, and I do prefer them for fabric.... but I'm still sad to see my Ragshop go.....(no more around the corner for last minute thread needs)....and I'm so sad to see this sudden shut down of supply shops in general. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

I have a funny system for picking names, nothing scientific but it's worked so far    I wouldn't at all be offended by or opposed to changing a name if a collector asked.  Recreating a hangtag is easy enough...couldn't guarantee recreating a name accessory if the materials were vintage or something...but a tag is easy to update!  If a bear speaks to you, but the name is not your favorite, why not just change it?   I did it with 2 of our shelter cats and they adjusted just fine....the bears would too 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Can't wait to see all of your bears in their entirety...only a few more days.....eek!.....I have one more bear to photograph and send off for the deadline     

:hug:
~Chrissi