Further Bits and Pieces

Hello again everyone!  As promised in my last post, this is Cy Bear signing on once more, this time to tell you something about the new members of the Coldham Cuddlies family.

First I'd like to introduce you to my new Bear friend, Silvery Brown Furry Bear.  We'll have to think of another title for him, but for the moment that is how he is listed on our shop site at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.

Etsy Listing #95205668

 He's the first toy that Isobel has made with the new furry fabric sourced from our polyester fibre/plush fabric supplier in Frome, Somerset - the Fine Quality Feather Company.  We've got lots more of it, so there will be some more Bears like him, but the fabric is also great to use for the body of Badgers as and when they join us in the shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.

A full frontal of Silvery Brown Bear

On the Badger theme, we've got the patterns enlarged by 400% (as described in an earlier post)  but Isobel thinks they are just a little too big for what she wants to do with them.  She thinks initially Badgers will make great Hand/Glove Puppets, and thus the head we've now got is going to overwhelm the hand/body part of the toy.  She's got some other things to do before experimenting by decreasing the enlarged patterns - if you follow my "Irish" as the saying goes, I'm told - but be reassured, Badgers are definitely part of the future plans for the Cuddlies Family.

Meanwhile, Isobel has completed, delivered and received payment for Barry, the Beaver - who has been listed at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com as Etsy Listing #95363559.  He was delivered to MrsM from near-by Warminster last week-end and we now look forward to hearing how Astrid from Denmark likes him.  Given her obsession with the animal, Isobel is hoping she'll really love him.  Here's his picture for the blog record:

Etsy Listing #95363559

Then, earlier this week, Isobel listed the Hedgehog Family in the shop - having replaced the original Baby, which went to his Forever Home during the recent Spring Sales Day here in Heytesbury, with two more.  She also did another Mother Hedgehog because one of our neighbours here had fallen in love with her.  It was Mother's Day here in the UK last week-end, and MrsES - the neighbour in question - was given both Mom and Baby as a present from her daughter!  So, instead of two babies, as originally planned, we are now back to a full Hedgehog family who do seem to be attracting quite a lot of attention on the Etsy Activity site.  Isobel finds they are quite easy to make - and actually did the two babies and Mom in two long sessions.  (For your information a "long session" means she was able to sew all afternoon and evening:  a "normal" session usually means it's evenings only.  The longer events take place at week-ends, while the others are week-day one).

Here are their pictures, and the Listing numbers in the shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com for those of you who want to have a look at them.

Etsy Listing #95652141

Etsy Listing #95653310

Etsy Listing #95653745

Daddy Hedgehog (they all have their own names in the shop) is probably going to also have a counterpart soon - looking like Mom and Baby in a prone position.  This is because MrsES does not approve of Hedgehogs that stand up and has asked to have one done especially for her.  In so doing, Isobel is going to offer that option to anyone else who might have a similar feeling about Hedgehogs who are upright - but not till she has made Cy Bear II for Mrs. IM in France (the Forever Friend of Mons. Reynard and Mme.Lapin - who are on their way to Normandy), completed Rusty Bear's treatment.  That began at the week-end and should soon be completed by this week-end.   (A step-by-step report will follow in due course, we promise!) and also the commission for 10 more Baby Koalas from Mr.RFE in Sequals, Italy!

A further point:  regular followers of our blog here at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com may recognise the Hedgehog furry fabric.  It has appeared in our shop before as the five different versions of Hairy Bear, as well as Hairy Bear with a Brown  Felt Muzzle.  As supplies of this fabric are becoming scarcer, with little prospect of renewed supplies, Isobel has decided to stop producing Hairy Bears - they were produced as a limited edition in any case - altogether so that she can make more Hedgehogs.  They don't use up so much fabric!

That is all for me to tell you for the time being.  Isobel will be back soon with the news on Rusty and other information.  Meanwhile, enjoy the Spring weather that seems to be occurring and take good care of yourselves.  Cy Bear

Bits & Pieces - another Cuddlies' update or two

Hello Everyone - Cy Bear taking over for a couple of posts, both of which are to do with our toys themselves.  Some are new to us in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com and some are updates regarding our former friends, now nicknamed the Travelling Cuddlies.

In one of her last posts, Isobel mentioned that we’d been sent some lovely photographs of Gold Plush Bear Glove Puppet from his Forever Friend, JS a.k.a as Mesatron from Liberty Township, Ohio.  He has not started on his travels around the USA yet, but Gold Plush Bear and JS are obviously getting to know each other well.

Welcoming

Shocked

Contemplating

Frustrated!

Interested.

 It’s great to see the different expressions that can come from just three fingers operating a glove puppet, isn’t it?

Ed Ted and his new Bear Friends

Then,  we have some pictures of the Italian Mob - they’ve not reached Sequals, Italy, yet but are likely to be getting very soon.  Meanwhile, these pictures were taken by our friend, MrRE when he and they were staying in Essex, before Mr.RE had to leave them safely in the boot of the Jaguar, until he could  drive them from England to Italy.  He’s been very busy lately, but hopes to return to the UK and drive them all back to his home in Sequals soon.

Those that can are saying "Hi!"

We have some lovely pictures of my friend Panda Bear - now at home in Neosho, Missouri.  However, Isobel has yet to figure out how to transfer them from the Convo section on the www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com site to this blog site!  When she has, we'll include them!

Next post, in a few days’ time, will be about my five new friends in the ColdhamCuddlies shop, which Isobel has just listed in the last few days.

Meanwhile, that’s it for tonight.  Goodnight - sleep tight everyone!  Cy Bear.

The Tale of Mons. Reynard - and an update or two

Greetings everybody - welcome to 140 Followers of www. ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com!  What a great feeling it is to have got this far, and there are still a few more days before the first anniversary of the start up post! Wonder if we can make it to 150 before that date arrives?

Before going on with the tale of Mons.R, just a quick update or two.  The enlargement of patterns from my early  Mothers' Day present from daughter, Clare, has been solved!  Our local Newsagent/Post Office is able to do it, provided each small pattern piece is cut out.   I now have a complete pattern for Owlets, together with one I discovered among my old collection for an Owl Hand/Glove Puppet (call them what you will!)  These will form part of a new Cuddlies Section (yet to be labelled) at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com Shop in the near-ish future.  The Beaver and Owls will be the first members - to be followed, hopefully, by  Badgers and Seals.

I've also received a message from JS,  a.k.a. Mesatron  - an Etsy Buyer from Liberty Township, Ohio, who is now the Forever Friend of the Golden Plush Bear Glove Puppet.  He's sent me a selection of beautiful pictures of the Puppet, which  will be used as a separate post very soon.  Not much writing involved and a lot of great photos - as well as being the first of several promised tales of his proposed travels around the USA!

Now, to carry on with the tale of Mons.R - as promised:

The beginning of the upgrade

After sewing up the newly-washed body pieces and stuffing them firmly with the polyester fibre, the arms - with paws attached - were slotted in and covered with the rejuvenated tan felt coat sleeve pieces.  Having found some golden yellow ric-rac braiding in my sewing store, I thought Mons.R would look rather modern and smart with this addition so added it as a cuff before pulling the felt on to the stuffed arm.

Then the brocade trousers, which have  responded well to the washing, were put on and sewn in place at both the legs - where the boots get sewn on - and at waist level.

Next come the boots - and although I really do feel they look good (once they're finally fixed on), I really do struggle.  It's one of the times I do realise my fingers are not as agile as they once were.  Plus, there is a tendency to sometimes overfill the boots with stuffing (difficult to get the legs on) or not put in enough (and then the toy becomes wobbly on his pins and thus incapable of standing alone).  Many of my toys don't, in the end - but carefully propped up against a book, shelf or by the tail - as in Mons.R's case - they do.  In any case, when being played with, it doesn't really mean much to the Forever Friend in question.

When it came to the waistcoat, after ruffling through my scrap collection, I came across this bit which seemed just right, contrasting well with the tans and gold already being worn by Mons.R.  Those of you who have followed this blog since the very beginning, may recognise this material as being that used  to cover the appliances in my kitchen, which formed one of  the early posts in March/April 2011.  While  cutting out the waistcoat this time around, I found this label which provides an imposing provenance, doesn't it?  Before it covered my appliances, the material had formed extra long curtains for one of our near neighbours here at the Hospital of St. John.  We do claim to be environmentally friendly here at ColdhamCuddlies - think this just proves it, don't you?

 

The waistcoats for the gentlemen toys can be made from felt, in which case I don't usually line them.  However, to avoid them fraying over time, when making the waistcoats from other materials, lining is part of the package, even though it doesn't show on the finished product!

The re-made head was then added, together with ears - with a brown nylon lining, rather than the dirty cream felt one he arrived with, new eyes and a more prominent nose than he originally had, followed by his stock - which I decided should be green to co-ordinate with his new waistcoat.  Having done that, and because I was still not happy with the boots, I decided to add a green felt turnover (which also serves to hide the stitching involved in attaching boots to the legs!) to add a bit more colour.  (The boots had been stitched, and unstitched, several times by then, and the self-colour turnovers were looking just a little "tired " by then!)

Then, having added the yellow braiding to the rest of the jacket, I attached the coat over the arms and waistcoat, and arranged the stock  so Mons.R.  looks smart all round the top half!  I did not finish the jacket at this stage, because, of course, his tail needs to be attached and the jacket arranged around it before everything can be sewn in.

The jacket is now ready to be stitched in place.  The arms are attached with a ladder stitch, the collar pulled round to settle nicely round the neck, and finally his gold button is sewn in place - hopefully keeping the stock where it should be!

Presenting Mons.Reynard - in his 2012 outfit!

He now awaits the return of Mme. Lapin - expected any day - from her 360 degree imaging session at Outsphere UK & Ireland in St. Albans, Herts. after which they will be both wrapped up and sent back to IvyM in France.  Before they leave, however, they will be accompanying Cy Bear and I to the Heytesbury Spring Sales Day on March 10 - showing the visitors just what happens when patients arrive at  the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185).

Until the next time - a new Bear is going to be stuffed later this evening.  So, there will be some more toys to show off than expected at the Sale. Bye for now.  Isobel

As promised: finally, the Tale of Mons. Reynard

Cy Bear has been talking about it, and I've been thinking about it, and now - finally - here beginneth the Tale of Mons. Reynard - with the first installment of his rejuvenation treatment.

As those of you who regularly follow us here know, Mons Reynard (Mons.R) has been a patient in the Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing # 79124185) for several months now.  He, and Mme Lapin (who is expected back from her 360 degree imaging procedure on Wednesday  or Thursday of next week), belong to my French-based sister-in-law, IvyM, for whom I originally made them over 30 years ago.  The exact date has been lost in the "mists of time".

When Mons.R arrived last August, he looked like this:

His "stuffing" did not allow a standing up picture

When I got to work on him, I was very pleased to find that apart from years of accumulated dust and stuffing that had deteriorated, there really was not too much wrong with him.  He needed a good wash, re-stuffing and a new set of boots, because the leather his boots are made from  in this picture was all that was available to me at the time of production and I never really liked them!  Plus, Edmonton, Alberta where we then lived was not as well supplied for craft materials then as it is now from all accounts.  In addition, I now have reasonably ready access to a selection of remnants of glove-quality leather and like to use that when making my gentleman toys.

In pieces, and clearly showing the dust on  Mons.R's  fur.

Mons.R's clothing - and broken boots!

Mons.R's boots had dried out so much over the years that once I got to work with my "Quik-Unpic " the stitches simply tore the leather as I worked to remove them.  As I'd already decided to change his boots, they were no loss!  His felt coat was in such good condition that I decided all that was required was a careful vacuum to remove his surface dust.  Then unpicking the stitching, and turning everything inside out would suffice to give him a "new" overcoat.  Felt, of course, does not respond well to getting wet, so I had been prepared to give him a complete new outfit, but really did not feel one was required.  I did decide, however, that modern fashion dictated that  some extra adornment might not go amiss.

The trousers have their own story which might amuse.  Some years before, shortly after Peter and I married, we were donated  an armchair by his mother who was packing up and moving permanently to Canada.  The chair had always been known as "Peter's" Chair, and woe betide any family member who sat in it when the "owner" was present!  However, over the years it had become - well - shall we say a little shabby.  So, I decided to have a go at some soft-furnishing and try to recover said object.  We found the material together, I think, in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk - the nearest big town to where we were then living - and after some hesitation, the deed was done.  Forever afterwards, it was known as the Gold Chair!  Alas, when we ourselves moved to Canada, the frame was in no fit state to accompany us, but I did retain the remnants from the project - and Mons. R was the ultimate beneficiary, as they became his trousers.

To return to the present, though:  I was not sure how the brocade would respond to washing after all these years (nearer 40 than 30!) but decided to have a go.  Using the well tried technique of soaking all the material designated for such treatment in cold water overnight, the next morning I gently washed each piece in lukewarm water and soft soapy detergent - and boy did the dirt come out!  I then rinsed them well  and pegged them on to a clothes maiden perched over one of our radiators.

Everything was dripping wet here - but the trousers did still cause some concern!

By the afternoon of the same day, everything but the trousers was ready for pressing into shape, so I waited a further 24 hours, and we were ready to begin the rejuvenation treatment in earnest.

There is a significant difference already in his appearance I think you will all agree!  Here is Mons.R's head ready for his ears to be replaced, with two new glass-look plastic eyes, complete with metal safety  washer.  (I had made his original ones using felt, and he had always had a somewhat "oriental" look, which somehow did not look quite right to me!)   His new boots are ready to be sewn together and the head and ears are resting on  his newly vacuumed felt coat!  You wouldn't think that the felt was over 30 years' old would you?

Showing Mons.R's original eyes!

Right - time to end this post:  the second installment will follow in a day or so.  I've got to do some sewing for the upcoming Spring Shopping Day this week-end, as you know, and there are still some more toys to make.  I've done 3 replacement Baby Koalas and cut out a new Bear which I hope to have complete in a day or two.  So the next post will have to be fitted in somehow.

In the meantime, goodnight, take care of yourselves - and be with you again soon.  Isobel

Squaring some circles: plus more updates

Introducing the new Mons. Reynard

Greetings once again - from Cy Bear.  Just thought you'd like to see what Mons. Reynard now looks like.  Isobel will be posting about his rejuvenation process in the next couple of posts, but because today's post has no illustrations worth posting, we thought we'd introduce him before the step-by-step process is described.

Mons. Reynard upon arrival in the Soft Toy Clinic

I'm in Isobel's bad books - because apparently, I missed the whole point of the Hedgehog pattern story.  Not only did Mrs.VY from Neosho, Missouri find us the pattern, but it actually was located - not in the U.S.A. but not that far away from us here in Heytesbury!  The source was another Etsy shop, of course, (bekabeka75 and that is based somewhere near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK!!!)  When it was explained to me, I realised my mistake - it's just Isobel and I have different editorial priorities, I suppose!  So this can be the update on the original update!

The Hedgehogs (all three of them) are ready for their introduction to the world on Saturday, March 10.  Isobel has taken some pictures, but they will only be circulated among her immediate family until then.  The Baby was completed this afternoon, and since then, we have managed to cut out three replacement Baby Koalas.  Isobel would love to be able to have another Big Koala ready by then, but doesn't think time will allow it.  Instead, because she is familiar with the pattern, she will try to get at least one new Bear made, and may take a second one to work on while she is attending the Spring Sale at the Heytesbury Primary School.  She might as well keep her fingers moving while waiting for folks to come round and buy.

 It may also attract more people to our stall, as well as the new look!  I must say, I'm looking forward to sitting on the emerald green crushed velvet - should be a lot more comfortable than my usual perch:  on the top shelf of a bookcase in our hallway!

Regular readers may recall that there were problems when we first tried to use the Mini Photo Studio Isobel purchased as a Christmas present to the ColdhamCuddlies enterprise.  One of the lamps did not function properly, so it was sent back to be replaced - following all the instructions on the documentation that accompanied the initial package.  We heard nothing for almost a month, so Isobel got busy on the telephone at the beginning of last week.

The warehouse from which it was sent apparently had not receive the lamp, but they were happy to send a replacement - provided they still had some in stock - as Isobel had provided them with the necessary order number etc.   We could expect the replacement within 4-5 working Days.  Well, on the 4th day after the 'phone call (last Friday, February 24 to be exact) a large package was delivered from "The Sunday Telegraph", under whose auspices the special offer had first appeared.  The package looked suspiciously like the original that arrived on Christmas Eve!    Then on Saturday morning, by post, the replacement lamp arrived.  Thus, over the week-end, we potentially had  not one, but two, Mini Photo Studios here!  On Monday morning, we rang the Telegraph Special Offer Department and they admitted they had erred.  The second, unopened package, was duly picked up on Tuesday, Isobel has checked the replacement lamp works, and we can now proceed to use the Mini Photo Studio properly.  There should therefore be much better photographs of all of us from now on - at least in the www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com shop, if not always here on the blog.  It's a bit fiddly to put up and takes time - which neither of us has when posting on this blog.

Finally, although we are still waiting for one more pattern book - the Mother's Day present to Isobel from her younger daughter, Clare - the first book has arrived and Isobel has identified at least two new patterns she would like to try out.  However, first of all, the patterns have to be enlarged by 400% to the right dimensions to make the right-sized toy.  Now, Isobel is able to sew and make us toys from existing patterns, but she's not really very good at drawing - ANYTHING.  These patterns are on a page with 1cm squares.  She needs the patterns to fit 5cm squares, which her son-in-law, Alan, tells her means they have to be enlarged by 400%.  She believes him:  because like drawing, maths is not a strong subject for her either!

A week-end or so ago, several minutes (it felt like hours!) were spent trying to enlarge the patterns using our home printer.  Isobel got the pictures enlarged by 200%.  But she and the printer gave up after that.  Too much paper and printing ink were being wasted.  We're now trying to find a print shop near here that can do the job for us.  So far, the nearest quick print facility we've been able to locate is either in Bristol (28 miles away) or Salisbury (20 miles) - hardly economic!  So, we've asked Philippa to look out for one for us - she thinks there is one in High Wycombe, where she lives, but we've got to find out if it opens on a Saturday (the only day when she's not working in London).  Her office normally has a machine capable of doing it, but they've just moved into new premises and their big printer has yet to find it's berth there!  And they are so new in the area, that local suppliers are still being researched.   So, Philippa is finding out for us this week-end from her end in High Wycombe.  Isobel is going to see if the village printer - that also doubles as our local shop, newsagent and Post Office - can do it.  If we're lucky, Owls and Badgers will definitely be added to the ColdhamCuddlies family soon:  otherwise, it will have to wait until Isobel masters the enlargement-by-drawing method.  We'll keep you posted!

Right - that really is the last of our updates.  Nice to have been able to tell you all  about them.  Till the next time.  Cy Bear.

Reporting the departure of the Italian Mob

Isobel has just given me the green light to tell you about a very unexpected, but very happy,  mass departure from www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com of two of my Bear friends (Light Brown Furry Bear - Etsy Listing #69778197 and my special friend  - because he was made to look slightly like me, after Isobel had made me! - Brown Plush & Felt Bear - Etsy Listing #69777037), as well as all the Baby Koalas we had in stock and my good friend Ed Ted and new friend Big Koala!  They have all been packed away together - so none of them will be lonely - in a black bin bag and placed carefully in the boot of a Jaguar car that is going to be transported to a place in Italy named Sequals.

We've now got a lot more space in the various cupboards that Isobel stashes the toys awaiting their Forever Homes, but it means we have got some gaps that need filling before the Spring Craft Fair coming up in the Heytesbury Primary School, in March.  Still, as Easter is coming (so I am told - as a Bear that really doesn't mean much to me) and Rabbits and Hares are apparently highlighted at this time of the year, Isobel will have to concentrate on them rather than us Bears for a while, I expect.

Isobel and Peter's long-term friend, Mr.RE was the prime-mover in this massive movement out of our Shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) -  as I've only just met him, and being a very polite Bear, I decided to address him more formally.  Before he left to go back to Italy with the Cuddlies Mob, he took some pictures of Isobel and I (for publicity purposes, I overheard) and he took one of me, by myself.  Wonder what do you think of it?

This was taken within the new Mini-Photo Studio, trying out different backgrounds

Mr. RE also took several of Isobel and I together, which we are going to use as profile pictures for the various sites on which the Cuddlies operate or are mentioned (don't know them myself, but you - our Followers which now number 120 as of today!) will know what I mean.  Then, finally, we had a tremendous photography session in which I took part in the traditional farewell  pictures before our Cuddlies leave for their Forever Homes.

Here are some of them, including some in which Mr.RE decided not to feature me - because there simply wasn't room on the chair for all of us, and he wanted some of his new Cuddlies friends, whose Forever Homes are going to be where children of his family and friends live in Italy and elsewhere.  Not sure where the "elsewhere" bits might be, but I don't think they're going to be in England, anyway.

Light Brown Furry Bear and me - taken in a chair in the Residents' Hall

By the time these farewell pictures were taken, Isobel had taken over the camera - while Mr.RE moved us and the chair around so that shadows could not cut across us.  It was a very bright sunny day, and the Resident's Hall has windows on both sides of the room, as well as at one end, so there was an awful  of light causing lots of possible shadows.  We got moved around a lot before Mr. RE was satisfied, and we still got some shadows - but the overall effect was one we could all live with!

Here is Big Koala - or Mr. K, as Mr.RE has decided to call him. (I don't know whether that is his original name, or one that was decided on recently).    I'm sorry to see him go, as he has been a ColdhamCuddly for rather a short time.  Still, I can look forward to another Big Koala soon, because it was always understood that when Mr RE came to take his really long-time friend Ed Ted back with him, Big Koala would go too.  They'd lived in the same home for a long time - and shared space in the same attic for quite a bit of that time as well.  Followers of this blog will recall that his renovation/re-creation was posted about late in 2011, and Isobel had wondered if the original Big Koala had real Australian origins.  Mr.RE confirmed that his late father had brought him home for him when he was a little boy.  Mr.RE's father was an airline pilot and Australia was one of his usual destinations.

The Koala Family line-up, with me being allowed to participate

Ed Ted and Me - it was bit of a squash for both of us in the chair

Ed Ted, as many of our Followers may remember, was one of the first Patients in the ColdhamCuddlies  Soft Toy Clinic  - EtsyListing #79124185 - and had to wait a few months for Mr.RE to find the time to come and collect him after his treatment had been completed.  He and I had become quite good friends - and he used to accompany Isobel and I to various Craft Fairs to illustrate how Bears and other toys can be rejuvenated.  He was the lead feature in the ColdhamCuddlies Shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/Soft Toy Clinic - Etsy Listing #79124185) and since his departure has been replaced by a recently renovated Bear - Tommy Teddy - as the lead thumbnail photograph.

"The Italian Mob"

Ed Ted and Mr. K cannot really be classed as The Italian Mob, because they are being returned to their original Forever Home - never mind that, that has changed from somewhere in a place called Essex, England, UK to a place called Sequals, Italy!

There's going to be another post coming up in a day or two - featuring our two new Glove Puppets, listed earlier this week as Melissa and Melinda Mad March Hare Plush Glove Puppets - as well as news of another impending set of departures (featuring 4 Baby Rabbits and Auntie Brenda Brown Rabbit - who heading for their Forever Homes (not sure if they are likely to be together, or spread around the family of a Mrs. SP from Medford, Ma, USA! 

Oh - and another development:  the labels Isobel and Mr.RE had been working on towards the end of last year are almost ready for use!  Samples were received on Tuesday morning, while Mr.RE was with us - which was convenient!  It was a real coincidence, because we only knew Mr.RE was coming to see us a couple of days before he arrived, and the labels had been being prepared several days prior to that.  After some slight changes were discussed, Isobel today gave the go-ahead for the order to be completed.  They should be with us in a week to ten days, I think.

Whatever else can be said, the Coldham Cuddlies, Isobel and I seem to be on a bit of a roll at the moment!  Long may it continue, as long as Isobel can keep up with the necessary replacements!  Bye for now.  Cy Bear

A new look - and several more departures to report

My word, what a few days it has been - and Cy Bear and I are just coming up for air.  On Friday, we got a telephone call from Ed Ted's Best Friend to tell us he was definitely coming to see us on Monday (previously, it had been a case of he would "try to") and we were to tell Ed Ted that he was going home with him!  He also enquired as to whether Big Koala (Etsy Listing #07982660) was prepared to travel back to Italy with him - indeed he was!

The meeting between the two former patients from the Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) and their Best Friend, RE was a sight to behold, and extremely gratifying to witness.  Everywhere RE went in our flat, Ed Ted went with him, and when Big Koala was re-introduced, apparently RE, without thinking, did to him what he had always done as a young lad - turned him round and round, from head to toe, like a top.  (That was several decades ago, you must realise!)  RE really liked his new appearance and the tactile nature of his new plush fur.  Success all round, then!  (But another replacement task ahead for me!)


The visit lasted a little longer than initially intended, with an overnight stay and a second lunch (it had been 12 years since we had all been together, and there was a lot of catching up to do).  Even with Peter under the weather still - it's now 4 weeks today since the bug attacked and we're going to have to do something drastic to get him better - we all enjoyed ourselves.  However, it meant I had more time to put RE to work on behalf of the ColdhamCuddlies - helping me work out the lighting positions for the new mini Photographic Studio. (We found one of the two free-standing lights were defective, so it's on its' way back to the distributors for replacement).  However, I now have an idea of how to make the best use of the studio for  future photo sessions - when the gardens are not available (as they are not today)  Winter has finally arrived. and although there has been bright sunlight, the minus temperatures on offer do not encourage outside photographic sessions!

Even though the Photographic Studio was not really put into use very much, RE - who has been a professional photographer in the past - did give me some pointers and also took some more photographs of Cy Bear and myself, so that we can vary the profile pictures here at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com, our shop (yet to be accomplished) and on the main Google site enabling our access to this blog.  These have been posted this evening, and hopefully will attract a few extra visitors to each site eventually!  We thought that folks might be getting somewhat tired of the same pictures ad infinitum.

Taken in the Resident's Hall, here in Heytesbury  and shows my arthritic fingers - alas!

It also meant that RE had a show and tell session being introduced to ALL the Cuddlies Family and, guess what?  Light Brown Furry Bear (Etsy Listing #69778158) and Brown Plush & Felt Furry Bear (Etsy Listing #69777037) are also on their way to Italy, as are the four remaining Baby Koalas!  The ColdhamCuddlies shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) is now seriously depleted and I've got an even bigger task of replacement ahead of me if I'm to have enough toys to show off at a Craft Fair we've just been invited to attend at the Heytesbury Primary School on Saturday, March 10th.   Cy Bear was kept busy having his usual farewell photographs taken with most of them.  He also took part in other shots too,  as well as one by himself (as shown here).

RE and Cy were trying out different backgrounds in the Photo Studio here

There were several more photographs taken yesterday, which will form the next post - because they will describe the departure of all the Cuddlies that I've told you about earlier in this entry.  Think we'll have to describe this lot as the Coldham Cuddlies' Italian Mob - to differentiate from our already established French Connections.  To include the pictures here would make this a very long post, so I'll end now - and leave the desciption of the farewells to the Italy-bound travellers to Cy next time.

Good-bye for the time being.  Isobel

Beauty Parade of Bears, its results + updates

Did not intend to post this evening, but so much is happening, that if I don't, I'll forget!  So....here goes!


The Beauty Parade of Bears, referred to in this post title,  took place yesterday afternoon following a request from one of my fellow residents at The Hospital of St. John who asked to be shown my current Bear Collection.  She has a grandson living in Australia who is dying to have a furry friend - preferably a dog or cat - but whose parents feel he's not yet old enough to look after one.  Granny has  been deputed to find a substitute, and just before Christmas (during one of the Tea Parties organised for us residents) we chatted and agreed to meet in the New Year to discuss matters further.  Yesterday was the culmination of that chat!

Four Bears awaiting inspection and selection

Prior to Mrs. JS's arrival, I arranged the four current members of the Cuddlies Bear Clan on our bed, and laid a selection of the plush fur fabrics in front of them - in case she decided to choose a completely new specimen instead. (With the light on them,  and at that angle, the new fur fabrics - on the centre and right front of the photograph do show their colours a bit better than in my last post!)  The inspection duly took place, and after wavering between Hairy Bear with a Felt Muzzle and Hairy Bear 4, the latter was selected, paid for and removed from the line-up!  (William White Bear was deemed an unsuitable colour  for a six-year old boy and Light Brown Furry Bear was "too like a Koala"!  Hairy Bear 4 will therefore be accompanying Mrs. JS to Sydney, Australia when she leaves on February 29, and we've been promised a picture of the meeting between grandson, O and his Hairy Bear at an appropriate moment.

Speaking of arrivals, I received telephone call this afternoon from MrsPW (who recently purchased Ferdinand Fox for her Victoria, British Columbia-based daughter's birthday).  Ferdy is now happily ensconced in Canada, having had a very speedy journey.  He left Warminster one Saturday morning and arrived in Victoria the following Tuesday!  Now that is very fast travel - Mrs. PW must have timed her postal arrangements to coincide exactly with the airmail 'plane departing from London Heathrow!  Another happy ending to report, I am pleased to say.

Another view of Ferdy in the Spring sunshine

Updates on the Toy pattern search are due - the Beaver pattern I was urgently seeking was downloaded on Monday afternoon - a testament to the speed of the internet!  After all, it was only Saturday evening last week that the possibility of my making a Beaver was even mooted.  I have now printed it off - and have all the instructions as to how to proceed as well.

Incidentally, I have picked up a very helpful tip from this venture - how to cut plush fabric without creating a shower of loose fur in the process!  Am sure everyone else who works with the fabric knew it already, but by following the instructions for Barry Beaver (as he will be called for the purposes of his eventual appearance in the www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com Shop) for the two replacement Brown Rabbit Glove Puppets  last night, I have managed it without having any spare fur on the bedroom floor or flying about in the air either!  One lives and learns - every day!  Barry can be created as either a Glove Puppet or a Stuffed Toy using the same pattern - truly a good fit for proposed new members of the ColdhamCuddlies Family

Am pleased to say that my younger daughter, Clare - the really crafty member in the Morrell family (she can crochet, knit, stitch, dress-make, weave - just for starters!) - together with her husband, Alan, have kindly been searching on my behalf.  They have come up with a vintage toy pattern for a Raccoon.  Thanks to their efforts, it is apparently on its way - but has yet to reach me.

Clare has also found several vintage toy pattern books (circa 1960's - the very era when I first began this toy-making lark!) which she intends to present to me for this year's Mother's Day present!  (We celebrate this festival earlier here in the UK - during Lent, rather than in May as you do in the USA and Canada).  Apparently there are a huge number of animals available - but whether they include the Hedgehog, Badger and Guinea Pig I am still looking for remains to be seen.  Roll on Mother's Day! 

Incidentally, I have also been challenging my fellow bloggers with artistic tendencies, particularly those with the ability to create the custom made patterns I need.  You never know someone may emerge from this source as well.

Meanwhile, I'm pleased to announce that Madame Lapin has returned, safe and sound, from  her St. Albans 360 degree imaging adventure and is settling in once more to await her rejuvenation treatment.  She travelled in enormous comfort, well wrapped in tissue paper, enormous bubble-wrap - which must have protected her from all the inevitable bumps involved in postal travel and I've suggested that I hope her return trip - for the "AFTER" pictures - should take place in 2-3 weeks time.

Having said that - I'd now better get on with editing this post and settling into sewing up the two new Rabbit Glove Puppets.  So....Cheerio for the time being.  Isobel

Looking for Patterns for new animals + other matters

Cy Bear looking in - with some interesting items for all of our followers!

The link below is from the company that Isobel is dealing with in getting the 360 degree pictures of Madame Lapin (mentioned in our recent post dated January 13 - when we told you that she was on her way.  This picture is already on the Outsphere website, but under their logo.  Isobel has told PaulN that she'll send the ColdhamCuddlies logo, as he requests, when the whole treatment is complete!  Exciting isn't it?

http://oms.outsphere.com/admin/popup.php?m=5a173ff8-41d2-11e1-acf1-003005ed931c&product=Madame_Lapin_before

Now to the title of this post in particular.  When Isobel was in Warminster, going to St. George's Catholic Church this week-end - as she got to the door, a lady who was handing out the service sheets asked if she was "the lady who made soft toys"!  Could this be a direct result of the recent Warminster Journal article she quoted in another of our recent posts ("Pre-Christmas publicity":  11/01/2012)?  Needless to say, she responded in the affirmative.

The lady, MrsM asked if we could make a Beaver - for her young grand-daughter, who has been "into Beavers" since she was three years' old.  We're not sure how old she is now, but Mrs. M and her husband are due to visit Denmark, where the young lady resides, in April.  Now Beavers have not featured large in our Cuddlies Family to date, but it looks as though they just might in future.  When Isobel got back home, after she'd had supper with Peter, she sent out an APD (All Points Broadcast) to everyone she thought might be able to give us a lead to a Beaver pattern. 

We've been very lucky - thanks to Isobel and Peter's neice, AnaliseS - who lives in British Columbia, Canada and whom we supplied The Lacey  Foxes, and a Koala and Baby Rabbit to date.  She gave Isobel a link - and behold, we now have access not only to a Beaver pattern, but one that can be used as a stuffed toy or a glove puppet!  Isn't that exciting?  While on the site, she also purchased a pattern for a baby Penguin!

This is specially good news, as on Friday morning, Isobel went round to Fine Quality Feather Company in Frome to purchase some more polyester fibre.  She'd run out and was unable to finish the two new Golden Bear Plush Puppets she's made (replacing our original one, who is on his way to Liberty Township, Ohio, USA by the way - my farewell picture with him is below).

Getting ready for the journey to the USA

While she was at the factory in Frome, Isobel also picked up the off cut plush fur fabrics they'd put aside for her and here are pictures of what she's come back with!

The actual colour of this fur is darker than it shows in this picture.  Isobel thinks this will become the replacement brown fur for Brown Bears - because she doesn't think there will be any more Hairy Bear fabric after she has done two more Bears.  Then the other new plush looks like this:

 We're not sure what we will make with this, but badgers are a possibility

Isobel is also thinking of Chipmunks and Racoons, as she seems to remember they have stripes in their fur, too.  So, they were added to the list of patterns needed in the APB I've already mentioned, as well as Badgers and Hedgehogs.  If any of our Followers know where we might find patterns for these other four contenders for places in the Cuddlies Family, we'd be very grateful to be told.  Alternatively, if you know of any old toys, in yours or some else's attics or basements Isobel would be equally interested.  If you wouldn't mind, she would take it to pieces (rejuvenate them - if necessary) and make templates from them and return the toys to the senders.  Costs of getting them us would of course be met by www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.

Then, finally, for this post anyway, Isobel and Peter were speaking to their France-based sister-in-law, IvyM mid-week.  She is the Forever Friend of Madame Lapin and Mons. Reynard and was interested to hear about developments on that front obviously;   but just guess what?  When she was visiting us just before Christmas, she was very complimentary about ME!  Isobel happened to mention that she still had enough Beaver Lamb Fur to make another version of me, and IvyM has asked Isobel to make it for her, with all costs of the production met by her!  So.....add that to Isobel's list of To Do's!  Mind you, I'm not so sure about another real Beaver Lamb Fur Bear:  but, if it's going to be living in France, then our paths are not likely to cross that often.  I do rather enjoy the status of being a Unique Bear.

By the way, two replacement Golden Bear Plush Glove Puppets will be listed on the Shop site (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) very soon and will form the content of the next post here shortly.  The replacement Panda Bear Puppets are well on the way to completion.  Then, Isobel will probably be undertaking the treatment for the French Rabbit and Fox toys.  They have been patients in the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) since November last year.  They have been very patient (pun not intended!).   It's all go in this household!

With that comment, I'll end this post!  Good night for now!  Cy Bear.

Rejuvenation of Big Koala

This looks like being a joint production between Cy Bear and myself - since he mentioned my involvement in the various stages of rejuvenating Big Koala (as opposed to the Little Koalas (Etsy Listing #55190188) already in the ColdhamCuddlies shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  This turned out to be a much more involved job than I had originally anticipated.

When Big Koala arrived as an in-patient at the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) in mid-summer 2011, he was a very heavy toy indeed and really could not be described as either cuddly or soft.  He was very heavy and hard and as his Best Friend, RE told us, had sat on a bed for all the time he could remember - never having been played with at all.  He really did not encourage cuddling or playing.  He just SAT - as this picture of him shows:

In the garden, with his friend Ed Ted

When I began to assess him, it became obvious that he was not going to be able to get the same treatment that Ed Ted had received for example.  Although looking in a lot better shape than Ed Ted had on his arrival, once I began to unpick the stitching, I found that his skin was actually real hide, very tough (through being over 40 years old) and quite unsuitable for recovering with a new fabric coat.  So, while still being careful to keep all the pieces in the same order, I resolved to create a new template, and once that had been achieved to discard the skin all together.

Koala's back pieces ready for a template to be drawn

The rest of Big Koala's bits and pieces, with his base on the right

I then separated the skin from the stuffing - which was absolutely rock solid, felt somewhat sticky to the touch and had a very faint whiff of eucalyptus or some such odour.  This caused me to conclude that the stuffing could well have been eucalyptus bark.  I had to use my hand-held "Dust Buster" vacuum to clear it from the hide and collected some of it in a plastic bag - shown below - prior to discarding everything to do with the original Koala toy.

Koala's original stuffing

Once this process had been completed, the cardboard templates of New Big Koala were put in my usual envelope filing system to await his reconstruction.  The Christmas Bazaar, Christmas itself and other family events intervened, so it was only last week that I was able to get down to cutting out the new member of the ColdhamCuddlies family, and start the sewing process.

Cy Bear taking over from here - at Isobel's insistence!  She found the reconstruction process a lot easier than taking Big Koala apart had been.  The sequence of putting the parts together is also completely different, apparently, to the way she does the rest of us Bears, but in the end a lot easier.  There are a lot fewer seams involved and, of course, no joints to be taken into consideration.  His eyes went in much easier than Isobel has found to be the case when making some of the other Cuddlies, so she is very pleased with the new pattern she now has to offer friends, family and visitors to our Etsy shop at www,coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.

She made the head first - and to begin with wasn't too sure that she had got the seams in the right order.

As it looks here, his muzzle is far too long and pointed, and she was somewhat concerned that the leather nose would not show up properly.  When she came to put the head on the body (shown below), she realised her mistake - she had not sewn up enough of the neck area, apparently! - quickly corrected it and the result was much more satisfactory.

Body, without stuffing, but with claws in place

Big Koala's claws are made from some of the dark brown leather off-cuts Isobel has been able to source from the Dents' Glove Factory in Warminster, Wiltshire, and taken from one of the only original claws on Big Koala in his previous guise.

Isobel then had to stuff both pieces of the new Koala frame.  His eyes were put in before she began stuffing the head and ears - the other Bears' ears do not need that treatment, but Big Koala's do.  Then the two bits were sewn together, leaving an opening at the top of Koala's back through which the stuffing has to be  pushed.

Please ignore the electric tooth brush, and broadband connection hub in the background, if you can!

This picture shows Big Koala with his two pieces in place, but minus any stuffing.  Once that had been done, Isobel closed the gap, and hey "voila" (as the French would say), there was the new, modern Big Koala ready to be introduced to the world, once Isobel had embroidered in his mouth.

When measured up against Hairy Bear 4 and me, he is just about the same size in height  - 36cms  from his base to the middle of his forehead over his nose (14-1/4 inches).  He is actually fatter than any of us Bears, but doesn't have the separate arms and legs like us.  However, his girth is 58 cms, if he is measured between his arms and legs (22-3/4 inches) and Isobel says he took as much, if not a little more, polyester fibre to complete.

Showing the different shape that Big Koala is

So, when she's done this blog tonight, Isobel  is going to list him in the Etsy Shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) at the same price as she charges for all of us Bears (except me, of course). As the Official Mascot to ColdhamCuddlies, I'm not for sale!).

As a final picture - here is one of  the ColdhamCuddlies' Koalas all together. 

Good night to you all - Cy Bear and Isobel.