Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Yeah Daphne....do you think that my head chopping tantrum was any help? 

You talked me into it...so today while I was out shopping...I bought some clippers with guards...cheap...so if they don't work very well...I can shave the cat the next time I catch him with a baby grey squirrel in his mouth.....grrrrrrrrrrrrr!!  I know it's instinct and I should be thrilled him brings them to me...but can't he PUHLEEEZE do them in first...AUGH!!!

Also, scored on some great sheer ribbon in a rainbow of colors...include rainbow...for less then a $1 a roll....YEAH...happy camper.  Even if I don't use it on bears it'll be great for fancy schmancy gift wrapping!!!!

Kim, I bought it at Joann Fabrics...after grumbling about their lack of anything remotely related to bear making I saw it the other day when looking for something else.  Go figure...

I've been holding off buying much mohair until I get my pattern tweaked the way I want it.  Call me frugile...cheapskate...whatever...

So...I made my little Taffy bear (see Sweet As Cotton Candy if you haven't yet) and no matter how careful I was while closing her little seams I found that the fur easily matted and to me doesn't look as shiny and fluffly in those areas.  I carefully picked and picked and picked as I went but it took me FOREVER to close her up and then picked some more and brush out her seam areas.  I finally gave up because I was afraid she'd be have bare spots before it was over. 

Is this typical with denser fur?  Or am I missing some technique?  I now you can trim the seam allowances prior to sewing and that helps but I still feel the need to pick out every wisp.

Shantell

Oops...I meant to put this in Teddy Tips & Techniques...see I can't follow directions very well

Thank you ladies...she was fun...frustrating...and I learned a few things.  I need to accessorize her a little and then decide if I want to try and sell her.  I'm not confident on my skills yet...seems I always run into something I'm not sure about.

Shantell

Poor Peta Princess...

Oh Rita how incredibly generous of you.  I only wish I was in the position to help in some way as well.  We will be making a donation but it just seems like it's not enough.

Good for you...I'll keep you and your "family" in my prayers.

Shantell

Here you go...the first from my second pattern...

I've named her Taffy...simply because Cotton Candy is just too long.  She a fluffy ball of super soft pink/white synthetic fur.   She's sits at approximately 11 inches.   I've created a little heart-shaped pouch made from cotton muslin and trimmed with heart machine embroidery.  I then filled it with copper bb's and placed it inside her tummy for weight along with the polyfill.   I carefully scissor sculpted around her face so you could at least see her eyes which I've backed with white felt giving her that darling little baby girl sweetness.   I've also given her a hand scultped nose from polymer clay.  Her paw and feet have also been carefully scissor sculpted from the same synthetic fur.  I photographed her standing, however she only does that with a little help as she is still a baby.  ;)

I have yet to accessorize her as I'm debating on what I want to do but I wanted to share her tonight anyway.

Thanks for peeking!!

Shantell

Which do you prefer for closing up your creations or attaching ears?  I've only used the regular straight needle in various lengths but am wondering if a curved needle would be better?  Any comments?

Shantell

Lovely work ladies...which makes me want to try it myself....so I'm going to order the beginners kit that Dilu talked about in another post...but before I do...should I be ordering some extra wool stuff or is there enough in the kit to actually do something or just tease me?

Shantell

It's spectacular...

Sounds like a silly question but does the fur smell?  I just remember as a child that I thought fur coats stunk.  My mom had (still has) a beautiful coat trimmed in rabbit fur.  It was very expensive at the time she got it and I just remember thinking the fur was smelly.

Just curious?  I have no intentions of working with real fur...but I've thought of adopting of few and that's the only thing that has held me back.

Shantell

I don't watch television...in fact much to many peoples surprise I don't even own one...but I've been perusing the various newsites on the web and to be quite frank I can't even begin to fathom the extent of the destruction that has taken place.   Everytime I read something new I feel sick...sad...angry...frustrated...overwhelmed.  Then I begin to think that just a few days ago I was grumbling about something so insignificant in my own life and I often wonder if these type of things happen as a subtle reminder that even though my life is FAR from perfect, I'm very fortunate to have a safe warm roof over my head, food in my refrigerator, a cozy place to sleep tonight and friends and family who love me. 

So...even though I can't save the world...I can pray and I do believe miracles happen.

Shantell

Dilu...oh no...I meant it...I chopped the entire head up into little bitty pieces of fuzz...had to make an entire new head....which is turning out better anyway.  I had a complete temper tantrum...just didn't throw myself on the floor screaming and hollaring...I'll do that next for Daphne

How sweet...you are just really cruising along with this bear biz stuff....good for you!!!

Shantell

Oh Daphne...I'll scream with you.  I got so frustrated embroidery a nose (which I've never had a problem with thanks to reading about it ahead of time) that I ripped it out several times and finally took the scissors to the poor bears head and chopped it up...NOW I have fur everywhere...but boy do I feel better...:D

Good Luck...I'm sure Shelli can help you!!!

I love him...reminds me of Clarence the Cross-eyed Lion from my very young childhood.  I had a stuff animal of Clarence and at the time I thought he was enormous...actually he isn't that big at all...my mother still has him...crossed-eyes and all...but very well loved.

Does anyone else remember that TV show?

I agree with Laura Lynn on the colored tissue.  I wrapped a shirt up for my daughter once for her birthday and it bled on the new shirt....I had to go buy her another one...couldn't hardly return it    I always add a little something unexpected to my packages...even if it's just a bag of Dove chocolates or a simple homemade thank you card...depending on my mood...and the buyer as well.  I love it when I get surprises.  I bought a doll from a lady in Australia and she not only sent the doll & all it's accessories but the most divine huge bag of chocolates...I bought from her again...just for the chocolate... :)

Shantell

I'd like to add my hello to everyone I've missed as well.  Often times there is just so much going on it's hard to keep up with it all. 

Welcome to the group...

...took pity upon by poor little avatar and foo foo'd it up a bit.  Didn't she do a lovely job?  Such a sweet lady...

Thanks Jane!!!

Shantell

Being the eternal optimist that I am...perhaps he hasn't received your messages yet.  Where does this person live?...has he, his family or friends been affected by the hurricane and now potential tornadoes, etc.  Perhaps there is just a simple logical explanation as to why you haven't heard from him yet.  Although it would seem strange to not acknowledge an incorrect invoice and not question the amount...if it were too much I'm sure he would have.

I have feeling it will all work out for you as well...I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers for an easy resolution.

Shantell

Kim, did you email the seller and ask them?  They might remember or even know for certain. 

Shantell

Glad to hear you are on the mend Daphne.  Also, that you have such a wonderful nurse to take good care of you...milk it girlfriend...for all it's worth

You'll be back to bears in no time...but enjoy catching up with all your reading, etc.

Shantell

He kind of reminds me of the cute chubby kid from Appling Dumpling Gang...Spanky!!

No such luck...I am incredibly disappointed in our craft stores around here.  I didn't realize just how lacking they were until now.  I guess there just isn't a demand for bears in my neck of the woods.  I know there's a pun there somewhere I just can't grasp it today.  They do however have some cute adornments so I shouldn't complain to much.

I just need to sit down and decide...I've been living with too many Libra's for too many years...my decision making skills have been seriously influenced.