Yet more technological problems: but coping/learning as one goes along.

Hello again Everyone - from Cy Bear!
Many apologies for the break down in posting - but technology has intervened once again. Apparently the internet connection Isobel relies on for doing all the Cuddlies work with her laptop failed - because something called "the router" broke down and the only remedy was for a new one to be supplied by the Post Office - who provide Isobel's broadband and telephone connections.  The router applies just to the broadband service, so she was still able to make/receive land line telephone calls. 

            This is what the lining of a Tiger (or any other) Arm Puppet looks like when first sewn 

 

Needless to say - because it seems technology likes to break down at week-ends - it was on the Sunday that the problem showed itself.  That meant no blogging session, not to mention all the daily Etsy routine tasks having to be put on hold as well.  When first contacted the Post Office Call Centre had Isobel crawling (no mean task nowadays with her still injured left hip) around electric sockets in our flat to find out which plug related to the router - and then applying the tests requested by the Call Centre staffer.  None of them worked, so - as it was Sunday - Isobel was told to ring for more technical assistance the next morning.

Here is what the latest Tiger Who Lost His Stripes looked like before being turned right side out

Monday dawned, and Isobel was on to the Post Office folks early.  She had to go through all the tests again, because this time engineers were involved, and apparently they never take anyone else's capabilities seriously!  We were promised a replacement router as soon as possible - because Isobel stressed her need for being able to communicate with the outside world on behalf of the Cuddlies.  A week later (last Monday in fact) she was again on the Call Centre line very early - to find out that somehow the router order had not left the Call Centre.  
Isobel was not a "happy camper" as you can imagine, and demanded to be put through to the Manager of the Call Centre!  This was not possible immediately - there was a 36 hour wait for such a conversation to take place.  Believe me, the flat was not a comfortable place for some time on Monday morning - but there was little Isobel could do about it - except wait for the arrival of the newly ordered replacement.  (A Manager did indeed call back within the stipulated period - with profuse apologies), but the matter had been largely solved by then!)
Settling in for another week of learning how to work her new Galaxy smartphone whether she liked it or not - Isobel was delighted (and very surprised) to get a special Next Day Delivery parcel from the Post Office - with the required router inside it.  The rest of the week has seen Isobel concentrating on making everything work - something that can take her a lot longer than it does younger folk. However, she linked everything that needed it (including the Printer) to the new router and the office systems are now functioning - for the time being.  (The Smartphone and Isobel are getting on better than expected by the way!)
She also unexpectedly linked up with Microsoft Help yesterday - something she's been trying to do for MONTHS, and someone actually remotely accessed her computer and seems to have put some of the problems to bed.  One or two still remain, but she's hopeful that having discovered a route in, she will be able to get extra assistance - when she has the time to be able to do it.  As long as the laptop works, she's happy to carry on because things are beginning to hot up on more than one front.
When she's not trying to be an amateur engineer, Isobel has been sewing as normal.  The Memory Cats were finished - and posted to Tulsa, Oklahoma.  She is waiting to learn about their safe arrival before telling you about the two that were still unfinished when she wrote about them on 6th September.  That should happen next week, because checking the Tracker Number before starting this post, we know they've arrived in Tulsa - the postal folk have not yet been able to deliver them because MsVS is currently "living" between two houses - the new one (where the parcel was sent to) and her previous dwelling, which she is getting ready to sell!  Always a difficult situation for everyone concerned, I should imagine!

Here the two bits of the Tiger are in place - awaiting the addition of its Head.
After the Cats, Isobel began another Tiger Who Lost His Stripes Puppet - this time for a Buyer (MsML from San Diego, California - the photos here were taken to keep MsML updated on how her commission was progressing!).  There's a real story attached to this one, which will form another blog, after I've finished the Memory Cats Saga.
Until the next time, then.  Stay Safe Everyone in the meantime.
Your Friend,
Cy Bear

News on the Tiger and Memory Cat Fronts

Hello once more Everyone!
Here's this week's bulletin from your Friend, Cy Bear - with good news on the escaping dog front (eventually).  She led the searchers a merry dance, but was finally persuaded into a trap set by the terrific team on Thursday morning this week.  She was nearly persuaded earlier in the week, but was scared away from the area she had chosen to "settle" by the early morning Waste Bin Collectors on Tuesday morning. In the end, she moved her area of operations - not too far away - and found some friendly dogs to play with on a small-holding located in a countrified bit of  Kirkby in Ashfield.  Here is Molly - on the run - but nearby where she found some friends to play with shortly after this was taken.

11+ days on the run beginning to take its toll

Clare - who was on site as much as possible compatible with getting her young son back to school after the Covid19 Lockdown, as well as it being the start of a new school year - watched how Molly (the dog's name) began to relax her guard (shortly after this photo above was taken), and was then guided by her doggy friends (and owner) towards what WILL BE a much safer existence than she has had so far in her life.  Arriving back at just after midnight on Wednesday/Thursday morning she's been largely sleeping off nearly 12 days on the run. 

Now begins the long job of getting her settled into the family - at her pace, not ours.

Meanwhile, life on the Coldham Cuddlies front has been moving forward steadily.  The latest Tiger Who Lost His Stripes order will hopefully be ready for posting tomorrow/Tuesday. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/650644825

 Isobel wants to send it tomorrow (Monday), but may not be able to do so because the Cavity Wall Insulation applied to all the buildings at Old Chapel Close recently needs to be inspected by those in charge of such things.  They're due to be calling in on Isobel between mid-day and 1500 hours.  She's hoping the Tiger will be finished by bedtime tonight - so she can post it tomorrow morning, while returning some unwanted goods - ordered recently from some people called Amazon.com.  (I don't know them from Adam, of course, being a Beaver Lamb Bear - but they do seem to be around a lot hereabouts these days!).  She's discovered she can hand the goods in at one of the Supermarkets where she gets her shopping done, and is going to try the system for herself in the morning - or as soon as she can afterwards.
Now an update on the Smith Memory Cat Project I mentioned a few weeks ago - in our post on 16th August, 2020. 

This one needs a Nose/Mouth Job, as well as his Tail being attached

Work on the Smith Memory Cat Project has moved ahead steadily.  Two are now nearly fully complete:  and the rest are in pieces. These now need to be assembled, stuffed and put in place.  Cat No.1 has had her ears changed, but now needs to have her tail added in the appropriate spot on the back of her skirt.  She now has dark blue sash around her middle (not yet stitched in placed), and will have a white collar (suitably embroidered with some of the colours her outfit is made with).

Waiting for her Tail and a Collar around her neck

The Snoopy Dog patch was carefully extracted from the shirt it was originally sewn on, and has been successfully added to the "shirt" made for Cat No. 2 (see below).  That Cat - a gentleman Cat this time -  also now has a Coat - lined with the Smith Family's "Lucky Ducky" fabric that came with the two original shirts.  This was also used to provide the decoration round Cat No. 1's green skirt.  There is still some sewing needed to neaten seams, and add buttons/button holes before that bit of clothing is complete, but we are getting there. (Ms VS has seen where we've got to - and is happy with what is coming along).  

Still requires the addition of buttons/holes and a head/neck and tail before he's complete

We'll be back again, hopefully, next week - possibly with the Smith Memory Cat Project down to it's last few pieces.  It's taken a bit longer than Isobel intended, but she didn't want to waste too much of the fabric by doing things too quickly.  There is a lot less material for her to play with on this project than she normally has to hand when making the usual Coldham Cuddlies toys!
See you all again soon
Your Friend,
Cy Bear.