Although he arrived here in the summer, we've actually not had him "in person" since about mid-September when he virtually fell to pieces after Isobel had unpicked him and washed him very gently - by hand, in specially soapy mixture for delicate fabrics. We were a little worried as to how we were going to put him back into a Bear shape and our task was made a little easier when Golden Teddy arrived and spent a week with us - enabling Isobel to trace his shape (without taking him to pieces) and then taking him back to his home (at the back of Heytesbury Parish Church).
 |
| Golden Teddy and I before he returned home after helping us |
Then, Isobel had a problem finding fabric that would be suitable to make the new Tommy Teddy - eventually, after searching the local haberdashery outlets, sending an ear to Susan at Bear Basics in Wincanton (she couldn't help, alas) and finally searching the internet, Isobel settled on a pale blue and a pale pink fleece (the latter being used in the interim for the Baby Pink Rabbits that recently went to Saudi Arabia - which Isobel posted about on November 14, 2011 - "Welcoming Three New Baby Rabbits.)
Isobel began the process of making Tommy Teddy by tracing the various pattern pieces from the cardboard templates she'd created when Golden Teddy was with us. The pink fleece is not at all like the salmon pink Tommy Teddy's face and paw pads were originally made with. However, Philippa - Tommy Teddy's Forever Friend - had been sent swatches of materials (we got about four different shades) and had chosen these for the final version.
 |
| Tommy Teddy's pieces before being sewn together |
Isobel first sewed his head pieces together, put in the eyes - Philippa decided that Teddy Bear eyes would be better than the hand-made ones Tommy Teddy had somehow acquired during his earlier life, and then stuffed it.
Then she added the ears and embroidered the facial features:
Then Tommy Teddy's arms and legs were stuffed and attached to his body. Isobel finally stuffed the body and here he is before the head was added to the body
Finally, Isobel put the head on to the shoulders and there was Tommy Teddy looking like a new Bear. It was only at this point that we all realised that the finished version was a very big bear - even bigger than my friend Ed Ted.
 |
| Tommy Teddy - a frontal view |
Just to prove how big he is, and because most of our Followers have got used to seeing me saying goodbye to the Cuddlies when they leave the shop at www.coldhamcudlies.etsy.com for their Forever Homes, here is a picture of Tommy Teddy and me together!
 |
| Just see what I mean? |
Don't think I really need to say any more, do I? Tommy Teddy will be travelling with Isobel and Peter when they go to stay with Philippa next week.
Isobel also tells me to tell everyone that the blog will shut down for a few days, while our computer has an MOT - in the UK all cars have to have this every year, once they have reached the age of 3 and means they are roadworthy! Suppose a computer MOT is somewhat similar. Someone is coming to take it away while Isobel is away, and once they return, the computer will come back. The "doctor" is then going to set it all up again, and tell Isobel what NOT to do, so that it will work really well - and we can blog even more, and better!
Before I go - Isobel has heard from AB from Ardwick, Manchester that Brown Bear Plush Glove Puppet is "beautiful: even better than the photo". So, he's arrived at his Forever Home and it's a good way to end this post.
Good night everyone, and here's to the next time! Cy Bear.
