Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Earlier this year I made a quilt square. The first one I had ever made. Was very proud of it too. I made it specifically to submit for the citizenship quilt, to commemorate citzinship day. Which was last Weekend.
I recieved a letter from the immigration department saying that my square had been accepted. Well that was nice. I didnt think I would hear anything else. But I did. I recieved an invitation to join the unveiling of this quilt in Canberra. Because my square was one of those not only accepted but USED to make the quilt. Well I was well and truely chuffed. I wrote a letter saying that I was unable to make it but if and when it comes to Perth I would then love an invitation.  WELL I recieved a letter from the Local Federal Representitive here, who said that he has seen my square which a photo had been faxed to him and would like to invite me to join the celebrations for citizenship day here in Perth. Again I was well CHUFFED. The week before as you all know (because I havent been shy about it)       The 2 bears I entered in the coastal doll& bear show won ribbons and an award. I got a trophy:lol:   Earlier this year My hot water system blew. It took the stove top out with it as well. The oven was already on its last legs. I disliked my silly little kitchen so decided that this was the right moment to get a new kitchen. A good aquaintance of mine that I attend hyrotherapy with is a cabinet maker (retired) He is 86yrs.
Offered to make up the kitchen to my specifications. WE built this kitchen together. I could'nt be more proud or more grateful for the way things turn out for me. Every time I look at this bench (solid Jarrah) my goodness it is beautiful, I tear up. Something of my friend will go on for a long time after he is gone. I got the kitchen that "I" wanted not a carbon copy of a gazillion(I love this word. no apologies for pinching it):lol:others.
Well thats me up to this point. I love my life.

Did anyone see the movie "LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL" I cried at the end. It really hit a cord.

                                                        NEXT.....

AMANDA!  I had forgotten about father Ted.:lol::lol::lol::lol:
There is nothing like a British stcom to chase the blues away and just laugh for the sheer fun of it!!!!!!!!:lol::lol:

Another one of my favorites is RED DWARF. It's an accquired taste:lol:
SMILE every body be HAPPY

False modesty Daphne.:lol: That bear of yours in way cute. Love that beautiful big nose.
Now I'm off to see your patterns:)M

nance, Thankyou for going to all that trouble. I have no training in pattern making but as an artist it just made perfect sense to do just as you do.:) So thankyou for confirming for me that I am on the correct track. Hey, it works for me.

I love the cat. He has a lovely stretch to him. Nonchalant:)

matilda

Sue ann, a CHOOK, is a rooster or a hen. It is not gender specific. Down the pubs they have chook raffles where the winner gets a frozen fowl in a hamper.It's endemic on the aussie physchy(spell?):cool:

Life is such fun ova 'ere.:lol:

That cell phone takes great shots. I love him. He's such fun:)

I emailed the ebay details to a few friends I thought might be interested. Good luck All the best:)

It's not actually the nose Nose. it's the muzzle the end bit that the nose sits on. I give it a wee squeeze between two fingers. It's just so difficult to resist. I like it to be really solid.
I think this must be a hanger on thing from when I first started making bears. I was in awe of the proffessional artist bears. They all had these beautiful hard muzzles. It wasnt until I was given a book on bear making that I found out what I was doing wrong. The wrong filling!!!    GO FIGURE!!!! I had no idea there was such a variety.:lol: ooohhh such embarrassment.:lol:

When I have dyed my fabrics of course they end up getting rinsed out. Believe it or not I personally have found no difference.Other than the fact that the edges where cut were weaker. Horse's for course's in my book. Do it if you like it , don't if you don't like it. As a rule I dont.
:(If you suffer allegies I would advise a wash. Because the fabric has had a chemical spray. It's in order to keep the bugs away while in storage and container ships.
You'll wash now won't you?:)

What do you wish to know.?

Again thankyou all for the entertainment.:lol: Shelli I know what you mean about the little fluffy ones having a place. Brigit of "Brigit Bears" makes the most darling wee mink bears. The scissor sculpting she does on their faces is just exquisit(spell?)
Melissa I looovvved that bear of yours . I peeked in the link scott left.  I love the colours.

I always seem to be attracted to the bears  that are of a style I dont make. Like 4 legged grizzlies. I love them. The more realistic the better. I also like substance. When I pick it up I want to be able to feel it. I also like them to be stuffed tight.
I have a very bad habit of pinching the noses of bears. I know its rude. I'll do it in front of the artist. I'm shocking I know but I just cant help myself. It's compulsive. That nose needs to be hard. It's the first thing I check. If it is'nt hard then I lose interest. I'm a shocker !!!I know!!!. I try so hard not to touch the bears.I do. Honest. My resolutions are easily broken when I see a bear that's just dying for a cuddle. ...........Dont hate me...:(:(

I turn my old doll needles into hat pins. You can add all sorts of things to the end. tassels beads flowers pompoms etc... I use gumnuts myself. They look brilliant with antique stlye bears.    Just a wee thought....

Hi Helena, loooovvve that bear. Such a cutie!:)

Thanks Melissa, You just explained clearly something that has been worrying me, when it comes to my large bears. I am definitely going to give your way a try.I have a good feeling that it is going to work.!!:cool:

I just thought of something ladies!!! (yes it hurt)
The one little bear I made  I attached the head on with a bead at his neck. I have done this before with tiny mini's, where I have used a bead between body and limb. They are just thread jointed. But the bead gives some stability to the thread and the shape of the bear.
I tried it this way because I can remember that when thread jointing I always seemed to pull the thread too tight and that would put pressure on the fabric which made dents.   The beads elimenated that problem.
Not too far into the future I will be able to post my bears so that you will be able to see" what not to do" when making bears.:lol::lol::cool:Hope this helps.

We'll have to put a stop to that  Millie. WE can't have you having fun!:lol:

I popped into your website Sue Ann. Was DREADFULLY DISAPOINTED.:(:(
Where are the CHOOKS???????? WE WANT CHOOKS, WE WANT CHOOKS......etc...:lol::lol::lol: 
                 
matilda

My what a big boy is our Pickwick. Just Gorgeous Paula!!!:)

My goodness DEB you crack me up. :lol:Leave it to you to make me laugh:lol::lol:
Has anyone a spare eye they can lend to Deb???:lol:

They are just stunning Judi!! Just absolutely stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You leave me absolutely speechless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your artistic talent..............it's..............it's .....just......so .....amazing......:cool:

what ever you do, DONT SNEEZE!!!!:lol:

DEB! I'm a wee bit worried about the pickle custard that apparently goes with it.:lol::lol:

I liked it. It fells like  an antique shop in Venice. Love the Bunny, she's a real darling.:)

I LOVE THAT MONIKER OF YOURS: TWISTED WHISKERS. Brilliant, wish I had thought of it.:lol:I use a clear plastic sticky disc type thing on one of my fingers. Which ever one gets that really painful bleeding hole because it wont take anymore needle pushing.They are called.....THIMBLE-IT you get 64 dots per pack. I've only used half of my pack so far. Had them for two years.Absolutely brilliant for sewing minis. I sourced them from a patchwork quilting table at a fair.   The address on the back says...Sailor Corp. of America Fayettville. GA 30214     They market them as a ...Self-Adhesive Finger Pad.
Because I have this weird thing happening to my wrist and elbow, when My hand goes into it's spasm I pop on my  KENKOTHERM wrist wrap. Honest this thing is really good. I get at least another hour or two by wearing it. Otherwise it would be up to aweek before I could go back to sewing.I swear by it.  And as Dilu said giving your hands and wrists a facial is wonderful too.!!!:)

If I had known you weremaking dessert, I woudnt have logged off so soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:lol::lol:

Sue anne are you pregnant???????:lol::lol:

I do a pretty mean caramel chocolate fudge cake. :cool:
Just your sense of humour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
givvus a yell if u get lost. see ya soon:lol:

BL***Y BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Amazing Fantastic
I WANT YA ROOSTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The bears nice too.:lol: