It's been a busy week: two orders received, both of which need some sewing to be done on Isobel's part. The first one is almost completed: the second one, from MrsSS - who is a returning Cuddlies supporter - is for two Baby Rabbits, one of our Dark Blue and White Fleece Bunnies, and the other a Grey and White Plush Baby Bunny. We've not got any of the latter in stock, so it's going to mean Isobel making some and getting one off as soon as possible after the first order is completed. (With the last guaranteed date for Christmas deliveries overseas being 10th December, Isobel has got to get her sewing fingers going, methinks!)
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| The Bunny on the left is the one destined for MrsSS. |
Following an unexpected, but much appreciated, order from MrPD, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, that we received on Sunday evening last week, Isobel has been busy making some new Owl Slippers. Our customer requested that his pair be made in White Faux Fur, so on Monday Isobel got to work - during the weekly get-together of the craft-inclined Residents of Old Chapel Close (named "The Busy Bees") - and cut out the pattern for the pair of Owl Slippers (we're calling them the Snowy Owls for the purposes of them being listed in our shop (www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.etsy.com).
This is the first slipper which is all but completed. The elastic has yet to be threaded through the blue double satin ribbon trim around the ankles (MrPD was offered Dark Blue, Green or Brown - to match Owls' eyes and beak. As you see, he chose the Navy Blue). Isobel is just waiting to hear the exact measurements MrPD needs us to cut the elastic to fit.
The photo above is what the second slipper is currently looking like. The head is ready to be lightly stuffed, and once the side-lining has been sewn all round the slipper, it will be turned inside out, so that the insole (lying beside the slipper in this photo) can be attached.
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| Remaining pieces of 2nd Snowy Owl Slipper |
Then the sides will be sewn to the upper and the whole slipper turned inside out. The outer layer of the slipper will then be sewn to the insole, The ribbon will then be attached around the ankle, after which the head will be attached - and hopefully, it will look a bit like this.
Then both slippers will have the elastic fitted through the ribbon trim and the pair of slippers will be ready to be packed and readied for dispatch to Amsterdam, Netherlands, Europe. We think that's likely to be Wednesday of this week. Meanwhile, here is another shot of the almost-done Slipper.
Now, Isobel has got to eat a bit of humble pie - at least that's what she says! After being highly sceptical about UK Parcel Force's ability to be able to deliver the Canadian Christmas Parcel in the 5 Working Days from dispatch claimed - or anywhere near that timetable, we got an excited message from MrsAS, Isobel's niece in British Columbia, Canada, to say that it did arrive on Wednesday of this week. As the parcel was dispatched on the Wednesday afternoon of the previous week, it only took 1 extra Working Day to get to its eventual destination, so given the distances involved and the remoteness of the location, that's really not too bad.
However, it would appear that it didn't entirely escape some adventures en route:
This is was what happened - and the damage would appear to have been deliberate (perhaps a Customs Officer just making sure that what was on the label was indeed true?)
However there was another picture that accompanied it - which showed that the top of the parcel did survive intact! So, perhaps it was just as well that Isobel did have so many knots in the string when she was tying up the package!!
It does give some indication of the treatment meted out to our packages when we entrust them to the international postal authorities! (Isobel did debate with herself if she should put "FRAGILE" labels all over the package - which is what happens when actual toys are posted everywhere - but decided that because they were Slippers, this should not be necessary! Given the treatment shown, she's now not so sure!).
So, the final installment of this saga will now have to wait until later this month - as the message from Isobel's niece indicates.
"Thank goodness it's soft items!!! But yayayay. It got here!!! James had to go to town today so he picked it up!! Now the anticipation waiting till xmas! Lol. Probably open them xmas eve with p.j.'s!!
. Thank you so much auntie!!! "
I've got to tell you, that Isobel and I are almost as excited to hear what the intended recipients think of their presents too! I believe it's been arranged that photographs will be provided - so, although we may not blog over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, you can be sure that some, if not all, will be shared in the coming weeks. MrsAS also told Isobel in a subsequent message, that her older daughter (aged 10, I think) asked if Isobel could come for Christmas! When told that we live in the UK, she understood that it was not likely to happen! Very nice to have the invitation though. (Isobel here: my travelling days over such distances are well and truly over, too!)
That's all folks for this week. Hope you're all well, and that you've not had too much cold weather wherever it is that you're reading this post. We've had some pretty sharp, wintry weather but I've been told it's not going to be as cold this coming week.
Until the next time then. Have a great week everybody.
This is was what happened - and the damage would appear to have been deliberate (perhaps a Customs Officer just making sure that what was on the label was indeed true?)
However there was another picture that accompanied it - which showed that the top of the parcel did survive intact! So, perhaps it was just as well that Isobel did have so many knots in the string when she was tying up the package!!
It does give some indication of the treatment meted out to our packages when we entrust them to the international postal authorities! (Isobel did debate with herself if she should put "FRAGILE" labels all over the package - which is what happens when actual toys are posted everywhere - but decided that because they were Slippers, this should not be necessary! Given the treatment shown, she's now not so sure!).
So, the final installment of this saga will now have to wait until later this month - as the message from Isobel's niece indicates.
"Thank goodness it's soft items!!! But yayayay. It got here!!! James had to go to town today so he picked it up!! Now the anticipation waiting till xmas! Lol. Probably open them xmas eve with p.j.'s!!
. Thank you so much auntie!!! "I've got to tell you, that Isobel and I are almost as excited to hear what the intended recipients think of their presents too! I believe it's been arranged that photographs will be provided - so, although we may not blog over Christmas Day and Boxing Day, you can be sure that some, if not all, will be shared in the coming weeks. MrsAS also told Isobel in a subsequent message, that her older daughter (aged 10, I think) asked if Isobel could come for Christmas! When told that we live in the UK, she understood that it was not likely to happen! Very nice to have the invitation though. (Isobel here: my travelling days over such distances are well and truly over, too!)
That's all folks for this week. Hope you're all well, and that you've not had too much cold weather wherever it is that you're reading this post. We've had some pretty sharp, wintry weather but I've been told it's not going to be as cold this coming week.
Until the next time then. Have a great week everybody.
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