Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hey everyone-  Amazon.com has this same book 16.95-and there are several other knitted animal books as well, and if you spend $25.00 or more your shipping is free.......

Just thought I'd insert a little practical money info here.....but as my honey would say; "why start now?"

Judi- 

found an Oregon source for DK and Flash  by several different manufacturers....So I have some coming....I am looking forward to trying this.

I told my honey about the angora wool and he thinks I should make a couple out of the 'cheep' stuff cuz after I know what I'm about HE wants one out of the Angora!

You just never ever know with these guys!

Shelli

Our furbabies can be as important in our lives as our friends and for some of us more important that our blood family.  Therefore, it is not surprising the depths of your grief.  I am so so sorry.  It hurts and there is no way around that pain.  And it seems to happen all too often with our little furbabies, because their life span is so much shorter. 
I think your outward focusing is wonderful, and I dare say, a healthy way for you to incorporate your own grief. 

I'll be thinking of you tonight, when loss seems the hardest....rest well.

Di

Millie,

Your mother's death taught you something so incredibly important, and I am betting she knows that you learned the lesson well.  You are right, no one we love should die alone.  Nothing needs to be said, but a hand held can make all the difference.

My first year of nursing I worked in a small small community hospital.  A very old lady was there that I remembered from Sunday mass.  She was dying.  She asked me to call the local priest.  I did and he refused to come the half mile to the hospital.  It was Good Friday and he had services to conduct.  Even though she had been a 'good catholic' all her life.  I was devastated, not being able to believe that he refused 'extreme unction'......

I worked the night shift.  so I told her I would get my rosary after rounds and everyone was buttoned up for the night and I would come back and we could say the rosary together. 

I started at 10pm.  It can take 45 min. to do the rosary all the way through.  I got interupted many many times for various things and would come back and we would pick up where we left off.  Around 4 am I actually dozed off.  When I awoke, this dear sweet lady was still waiting.

When later we finished, she smiled and closed her eyes. 

Then she took a deep breathe-

and then she died.

Peacefully, quietly, serenely.

But she wasn't alone. 

I wasn't her first choice,  Nor probably her second or third or fourth.  I was her only choice however, and together we saw this through.

Death has always been a big part of my nursing practise.  Not because I wanted it, but because.

She taught me.  That just by saying a rather simple prayer, sitting with her and holding her hand, I was able to give her what she needed to finish her life cycle.  That this was as important as medicine and fancy technology.

Millie you would not believe how many people never learn what you have learned, and because they don't, people they love do not have as easy a transition as they might have had.

I am so proud of you that you learned this, it was the last, but perhaps the most important thing your mom ever taught you.  Dying is a continuation of living and what is life without love?

Yours,

Di

I woke up to Sky News, a sister of Fox News Channel, and heard your horrible horrible news. 

I am so terribly sorry.

It is ghastly, and the shock and pain to everyone in England will have no bounds and really, no solace.

My prayers, truly heartfelt prayers, go out to all in your country.  I pray that your leaders, and Mr. Blair, will be strong and lead you through this tragedy, in a levelheaded fashion.

(but then you Brits are known for levelheadedness, thank goodness)

Be safe, Jane, Penny, Rita, all,

Most sincerely

Diane

Oh Sue Ann.:lol::lol::lol:

It's obvious what my favorite subjects are.. gollygeewhizbears

gotta love 'em, they are apolitical, they are totally honest, and what's not to love?

DillyDallyDilu

Oh!  Yeah, Eileen, now I remember-gollygeewhiz, the last time I did any needle point was about 145 years ago...Now I know what to look for.  Boy, I wouldn't think it would go very far at all.

Thanks for the reminder and info

Dilu

I have a sweetie husband like that too.....I was quite heavy when we were 'courting'  and he said "you may be plump, but someday you'll be thin and I want you to remember who loved you first."

We only courted 3 months- got married 4 months after we met.....how could I let someone like that go.....

and he was right.....

I wish our society had a healthier attitude...I saw far too many bulimics in the psych hospital....young beautiful girls down to Auschwitz bodies....it was scarry

Caught between a Toblerone bar and a hardplace Dilu

Thank you  for a good giggle....our paper is pretty pathetic and would never have a cartoon like that, simply because the editor wouldn't understand it, and he would figure if he didn't get it no one else could either. 

Riiiiittttaaaaaa......are you there, how are you feeling?  We miss you and hope all went well.....post when you can,

We're all thinking of you and praying for speedy recovery

Bearygolly hugs

Dilu

OK girls,

Is tapestry wool the same as American 4 ply?  I have never heard of it before.....Need a little help here....

In the dark Dilu

Jane Jane Jane

You put me to shame

You're golly's so fine

I wish she were mine

I hope that someday

When I earn enough pay

you'll send her to me

and I'll say Gollyyippeee

Gollygeewhiz and a great big huggie

Dilu

Yayyyyyy Eileen......thank you so much for the link.  Actuallly it is possible to buy it if you can find it, even on e-bay, goodgollyfanatics have been snatching them up.  I lost out on a an auction but about $50.oo

Like Jane I will copy every page!  Thank you Sweetie.  I will love the pictures

Dilu

Thank you Marie-san....what a beautiful young lady you are....It brought me great pleasure to see you and your bear.  He's cute but you are beautiful!

Wonderful job, by-the-way, on the bear!

Re: 'heavy weight', welcome to modern western society.  So here's something to think about ladies:

Up until the Industrial Revolution it was good to be a plump woman-it meant that the husband was a good provider and society thought better of him.  Teva ( Fiddler on the Roof) stated he wanted a wife "with a proper double chin"  Botticelli painted fabulous nudes who were all 50 pounds over weight, Michelangelo didn't like doing women in his sculpture or painting and only did when it was part of the story- i.e. Can't have the Pieta without Mary holding the dying Christ.  Da Vinvi's women were pudgy

So when did we decided in Western Culture that it was wrong to be fat....is this a carry over from The Depression?  It is a CURIOUS thing to ponder..... now where's my Lindt bar?:P

Dilu

Kirsten

see there's an example-I don't know who was the first to put bows on a bear....but now we all do....and your idea of tying it upside down!!!

Gollygeewhiz what a great idea.....thanks

Dilu

Judi
you know I have to buy just about everthing off the computer, how many balls does it take to make a bear....of the flash eyelash.....I want to get started as soon as I get the pattern

Yippeee

Dilu

Thanks

Marie, ma amie, you promised us a pic of YOU!!!!!  We want to see you, if you are ok with it.....

I am glad you like her.....she really is small huh?  I get used to them until someone puts it into perspective.....now, is she making friends and behaving herself...

We have missed you you haven't been posting much.  I hope your back now!

Thanks,

Dilu

I should try one in a little kimono......hmmmmin silk.....hmmmmoh dear I do like that idea

I know very little about this customs stuff.  does anyone know where I can read up on it?

Dilu

Let's look at this a little differently.

There are only so many places on the head to put the ears.  There are only so many places to put the eyes.  Can't have a leg coming out of the head, now can we?

No one can own the basic shape of a golly or a teddybear.

And as you refine and grow as an artist, on your own, you will begin doing things that others may have done before you.  The only thing you can truly own is the character you inbue in your critter.

Perhaps a way to deal with it is to thank Mr. Minton....somehow....Acknowledging the influence on your work he has had.

A wonderful lady on this site told me that once someone jumped all over her claiming that the idea for a particular bear had not been original.  Well it had been original, but the two of them had come at the same idea from different perspectives. This lady was hurt and embarrassed because, like you, she has integrity.  She didn't want to have her reputation as an artist damaged by an accusation or malicious gossip.

But jealous and small minded people will make accusations, and they will try to damage reputations. 

I applaud you for your concern on this issue.

I think your bear is beautiful- and he looks really similar to your avatar, also adorable....so I can only think that this is part of you, your personality coming out, your fine tuning the creative process and finding your voice.

As  artists we have to be strong against those who will try to demean our work.  We have to be confident in our originality and knowledge that we haven't deliberately taken ideas from others.  And we have to maintain our personal integrity.

I don't think you will have a problem with this, as you posted a valid question with an open mind on how to solve a moral dilemma.  Your work is precious, and I sincerely hope you do not allow anything to hinder you, but that you allow yourself to continue filling the world with love.  Because that is what making a bear is really all about.  Love.

Thank you for bringing up the question.

Dilu

Shari

What a great idea.....I'm betting your great aunt is up there in heaven, poking her neighbors with her elbow and saying: "she's mine!"

JUDI
I agree with Eileen;  could you share some pics of your old English knitties
I would love to see them as well

Dilu

Awww  Sandy

I'm sorry I can't help you

BUT

Boy am I glad you came to play!:D:D
I hope you stay with us!  We have a lot of fun and there is always room for another beary nice new friend!

Dilu

We have a lot of fun....I hope someone will be able to help you....

Ahhhhh  but you see...I don't iron any of those things that I promised never to bring up again!:)

Shari I have used the air erase whatever it is that I am not supposed to talk about butonly in quilting and I thought they took too long to erase....I am a wee bit of an impatient sort......I like being in charge of when I spritz.....I have left the other thing I am not supposed to discuss on for a week. (quilt-cotton)  and still had no problems

Everyone have a wonderful weekend!!!

Gollyhuggins to all

Dilu

Oh Jane.....thank you for sharing about your wonderful kids....I am so happy to hear that Shakeybaby is still popular.....

There isn't one single human foible he didn't include in his work.....although Hot Wax in the ear as a murder tool.....I've never read thatr since.

Eileen....I had trouble with Chem....and it was a pre-req. for Nursing....I'm not really sure why....but it was and therefore I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CHOICE.  Pass or live with mom and dad and a 5 year old?  UGH!  So I just did it.  I don't know how I did it but I did.

I can't honestly remember any time in my nursing career where chem helped.  Physiology all the time I use it....chem......uh nope.

I with you Doodlyjane!  There are simply too many little golliwoggin lives to get going first.....not to mention their best friends!

OK

Onward and upward  ...... I am supposed to be looking for an African dress picture to copy......how did I ever end up here?

Must have taken a right turn! :)

Dilydilu:P

Heyyyyyy you guysssssss

PLEASE LISTEN TO ME THIS ONCE!!!!

For white or light fabric go to the sewing or quilting store and get the water erasable blue markers

PLEASE?!?!?!?

after you sew you spritz with water and it diassappears!  Honest

If I could afford it I would send one to each one of you.....

Quilters use them for marking, and I never had a problem with them not coming out.....

Now I use them for pastel and light bears.....they really really work and you wont have the show through problems anymore

Please try it......

Honestly girls, 

Do I ask that much of you????? :D:D

Try it you'll like it!!!

I have used on all my white mohair....

I'll be honest with you though, I have never tried it on synthetics....

Shari what an adorable angelbear avatar!  Really nice!

ok....I will never ever ever bring up the blue water erasable markers again :)

Dilu

You'll be sorry if you miss out on this tip.........

my lips are sealed.....my fingers are stilled.......

Oh Judi your knitties are adorable....absolutely adorable.....yes, knitting is very therapeutic..I had to teach myself as I am left handed, and mom and grandmom were all right handed....but it works.

The only thing I haven't been able to learn, uh, besides calculus, is tatting.  I love the looks, but come up all knots.

Eileen can you post some of your knitties? I would love to see them

Judi you are right....I'M INTRIGUED and will have to order some eyelash yarn and try it.

I had a friend who raised her own sheep sheared them and spun her own yarn,  I inherited her spinning wheel and all her rovings and left over yarn....It is very very soft too....I guess I will poke through it and see if anything will work.

Neat ideas ladies...thank you

Judi....do you sell your knitties?  Inquiring minds....and all that.....

Dilu

Yayyyyy Daphne!!!  I didn't expect an American to get it!!!

What happened to the Brits :D:D

  Does anyone still study Shakespeare?

I loved him when I was a KID. I was a weeee bit overweight as a kid and my absolute favorite was:

"Oh that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and resolve itself into a dew"  I rewrote the rest of it to fit the weight issue and had my class rolling on the floor when it was my turn to recite....

Even the teacher laughed.  I wish I had saved that little ditty.....oh well:(

I got an A but the teacher very politely requested that I "no longer re-write the Bard, as he was far superior to my meager attempts."  Ain't that the truth!:lol:

Well Duh!!!  I chose to believe it was a joke and giggled my way to an A in the class.....Literature was a piece of cake....

Calculus, uhhhhhh.......you really do not want to know!:(:(

I owe you some money Daphne my friend....I can either fax it or mail it.....which do you prefer?  Oh i could e-mail it as well:lol::lol:

Pen pen:  awww let the boys have their hedonistic orgy.:lol::lol::lol:....you'll still have the last laugh.......but whatever you do .....please do not destroy your bears.....can you imagine this world without your bears?  I can't.

Marie  I love your concept: "their heart and angel body...." :):)

Judi;  Teddy Bears and Golliwoggins are from heaven....cuz  the Tedster doesn't want to be without his best friend any more than we do....right?

Just think we can actually talk and not have to worry about spelling....when the time comes......hip hip hooooray

'God bless us everyone...."

hmmmmm I do seem to have a penchant for the British authors.....they were truly great!  Thank heaven we had them!:)

OK  Dilly over and out