Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

You have the best imagination!!     He's got a where the wild things are / monsters inc. thing going on....totally cute!

:hug:
~Chrissi

Anything you find online you have to take with a grain of salt.  Just like the recent post about legitimate businesses there are entire websites built to lure people in and then either scam them or phish for information.  The site you've listed here came up as a phishing site for me,  "The website you are trying to view is a phishing scam site that steals personal information.".   They know that good people will want to do some research before signing up for something like paypal so these con artists take advantage of that, create a site filled with concerns and issues...all the while they might be creating an even bigger issue than paypal ever could have.  This paypal alternative they advertised could be a scam used to drain your bank account once you've signed up......who knows!

As far as paypal goes I've had it for years and (knock wood) have never had an issue at all.  Most times it's people not fully reading the agreement of terms before clicking "ok" OR not reading about all of the account options available. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Thank you for sharing this Tami!!       :hug:  :hug:

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm pretty sure that Marion (acid attic) has their link on her site and blog...she's worked with them (???)
She might be able to help you too.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Ok, so the risk management junkie in me wouldn't let this one die  :crackup:   It's the one thing I really miss still about my old gig.   

So after poking about online I found some really scary stuff and I take back my previous suggestion...don't email any of these companies about fraud..it looks like one big ball of fraud.  These sites are all easily set up using quickie template systems (one here is via godaddy registered out of NYC). 
Here's the scary part...which one is real, if any..how could you tell???  Nedgroup looks to be the true existing company. probably being used in this scam.

Look at the write ups vs names and photos between these 2 sites !! They kept only one name the same and that's how I found it..."De Wet" other names were altered. But the credentials are all the same...different photos, different companies.  Scary scary stuff.

http://true-vol.com/about.php
http://www.nedgroupinvestments.co.za/Co … de=EXECCOM

other sites all using the same names and or contact information:
http://lite-business.com/index.shtml
http://maticagold.com/about.php
http://apollo-first.com/

Off to bed now...got my quality assurance/risk management fix for the year!!  :crackup:  :crackup:

:hug:
~Chrissi

  I love Google!!!!
:hug:
~Chrissi

Ok, so I'm nosey and wanted to see if anything in the letter was legitimate.  The address and phone numbers match up perfectly with another investment company  http://true-vol.com/about.php   Look at the wording of their career opportunity pages compared to this letter your sister received. Big difference.  I'd forward this onto their Hiring, Risk and Security contacts listed, they might not be aware of their information being used for fraudulent purposes....if this is indeed the case. (????)

:hug:
~Chrissi

Like you've already found out run from this one!!  Sheesh, this is plain old ugly.  I can't think of one company that would require you to open a bank account. (A general rule of thumb: be hesitant of any upfront money requests or financial commitment when applying for employment. Period.)  The email/advertisement here is an awful mess of gobbledegook for any "leading corporation" to be sending out.
 
I feel for your sister and other honest folks who see this and are trusting.  If it looks too good to be true....it is.  A few months ago Good Morning America ran a whole series about work from home moms (and dads).  Here's a quick look at their topics, with lists of legitimate businesses to research. 
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Working9to5/story?id=2621388

Good Luck!! 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Sorry I can't help you with this one, but OH MY GOSH are they CUTE!!   
Awesome details n design!

:hug:
~Chrissi

How exciting for you!  Have a safe trip and we'll "see" you soon

:hug:
~Chrissi

I just bought 2 products by Aleene's recently...I haven't tried them yet, but all of their other products have always worked according to plan so I'm guessing that these would too.   Aleene's Stiffen Quik (a spray that gives you more control) and Aleene's fabric stiffener & draping liquid. The later you can thin/tint, etc

Good luck!

:hug:
~Chrissi

How cool Jodi!  Count me in    I was searching out jack in the box parts online..trying to figure out a way to make a bear in the box..thought it might be cute...those parts are EXPENSIVE :doh:   Getting creative with construction.... 

This is a super idea.  Take the negative and make a positive...that's the best thing to do for you, your health and your well being.  I try to think about being 110 years old and looking back on things....I doubt I'll ever say " Man I wish I'd told blah blah blah what I really thought"........they're not the moments or people who count, so I just forget 'em......they're inconsequential in the big pic.   

:hug:
~Chrissi

Wow..now that's working knowledge of photoshop!     Insanely cool stuff, thanks for sharing!!
I don't know anything about it either, but I know that my brother in law works with digital pens and tablets (he's an animator)...it's beyond cool to watch the process.

:hug:
~Chrissi

That's such an awesome thing to do!!! And you look Fabulous Charlotte!!  Wow, 14 inches...you must really feel the difference, feel so much lighter.  I always let my hair grow out long and then eventually cut it off to a shorter length, only to grow it out again (it grows SO fast)....the weirdest thing is washing it the next day...you want to shampoo the ends that aren't there anymore 

Again, you look great!! 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Kim this set is FANTASTIC!  I just love them....and how cool that your sweaters are yours start (literally) to finish.  Wow, I'd be so thrilled to own this set, your friend must be too!

:hug:
~Chrissi

I've LOVED all of your photos and have shared each of them with my hub...he's a sucker for a lil' puppy.  Keep posting pics, it's such nice stuff to open up and read     Who doesn't LOVE a puppy??!!   

Are you keeping these lil' ones??  It looks like you are, but sometimes breeders have clauses in their contracts where they can still show a pup, even after it's adopted.  I'm like Jodi...I'd never be able to part with them!!  Keep the pics coming

:hug:
~Chrissi

I think that they're mandatory in new construction in my state, but I don't think they're mandatory in all residences at this point.  I'm a real nightly news junkie and I don't recall seeing anything about it...could be wrong though.  Several states have made it an across the board law for new and existing homes, it's a good thing to know if you're selling a home...with inspections and all.  I'd have one (several) in the house regardless ...it's a pretty cheap way to safeguard against something you can't see or smell...by the time you feel it you're usually too sick to escape.

And since it's kinda on the same topic....make sure you not only replace batteries, but the detectors too.  Smoke detectors have a life of about 10 years tops. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Thank you for sharing this Michelle!!  If you're house uses gas it's just as important to have these detectors in your house! They are MUST HAVES.  Many smoke detectors now come with a carbon monoxide detector....they're 2 in 1 systems.   
When we first bought our house I freaked out with the idea of gas...I grew up with all electric.  I had like 6 gas detectors installed all over the house
BUT one went off during our first week in the house...I freaked.  It was a false alarm though....it turns out that certain sprays (cleaners) if used near the detector can affect it.  It being our first week I was doing a lot of cleaning and I used Lysol in one area and set the gas indicator off. It wasn't even a lot, just a simple spray, but the indicator was going nuts.  I felt so silly when the fire department told me that  :doh: But better safe then sorry!!! 
Glad you're ok and that you have those detectors in your house!

:hug:
~Chrissi

Hi Jennie!
I go out to Ebay everyday pretty much, regardless of whether I'm selling or not.
("market research"   )
I personally think it's slowed down a lot.  I've also noticed more last minute bidding rather than strong up front bidding....even for bigger/consistent names.  Anyone else seeing this?? 

Anyone else think that maybe the new bidding system has affected the "thrill of the bid" dynamic or maybe even put off a number of buyers???

:hug:
~Chrissi

What a truly awesome display!!  I want one from each! 
I'm personally really loving your little guy down in front, with the tipped fur.     (Georgie is wonderful too!  He looks even bigger than 22 inches...wow!)

:hug:
~Chrissi

Cartoon junkie over here so this is what it reminded me of......

http://www.freeaudioclips.com/music1/Co … figaro.wav

~Chrissi

Millie you're my hero :hug:   Thank you for opening your heart and home to these lil souls and getting them vet care.  You rock!!!

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

UGH!  Paula, I'm so sorry that you've been placed in this situation.  How horrid for you to have to go through!!!

This is where I start having questions.....about credit cards. I've never done a show before....ever. And I've got one coming up in the fall. I still have to figure out what I'm doing for cc processing....services, etc.  Now I'm a little concerned about fraudulent card usage.
When you do a show and you take a credit card and you wait to process it, like many artists have said they do (due to lack of phone access for processing).... and you have no idea if that buyer was indeed the person on the card or if the card has been reported stolen, etc....well, what do you do??? 
Is it absurd at this point (with all of the scams and horrid con artists in the world) to ask for a second form of ID with a credit card at a show??  Can we ask for a Driver's License, just like all retailers do for a check???  I'd of course phrase it in a positive way, maybe  "Protecting my collectors and myself from fraud is really important to me, so I ask to see a driver's license or second form of ID with check and credit card purchases."  ???????  Yes...no????
I know we all want to be warm and fuzzy...but we can still be warm and fuzzy and protect ourselves right?? Or is the chance of this happening so small that no one would want to upset a potential buyer by even asking for another form of ID ?????  I'm sure you Paula never thought this would happen to you.....what do we do?

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm not a flower gal...the smells get to me big time. I don't like any floral perfumes/scents (at all).   

But I do have some simple favorites...all from being a kid and needing to use my imagination in the back yard.  I love plain old white daisies....buttercups....johnny jump ups and snapdragons.  Snapdragons were instant puppets and the others were woven into chains for decoration and necklaces.  I'll still pick a Johnny jump up from a side walk crack...they always look like they could just start talking, they have those little "faces" painted in there

:hug:
~Chrissi

Oh my gosh Noah is so gorgeous!!  What a beautiful baby boy    Congratulations to you and your lovely family...the kids all look SO happy to have a lil' brother to spoil and love!!
Best wishes to you all!!!

:hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi