Isobel is currently still busily immersed in making Tigers - whether our Arm Puppets, or more recently Orange Tiger Toys - so she thought you'd like to see what she's been up to when not helping me write this blog.
The former uses the same pattern as our popular Tiger Who Lost His Stripes Arm Puppets (two of whom have recently found their Forever Homes with a new good friend of the Coldham Cuddlies, Mrs ML). Thus one Orange Tiger Puppet (pictured below) is currently on its way to MrsML's nephew and wife in New York, accompanied by our most recent addition to the Shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies) our Orange Tiger Toy - which is intended for their 6 months old daughter, MsR:
This Tiger Toy is being accompanied by a matching Orange Tiger Arm Puppet shown below - both of them are travelling in the same parcel via the usual Royal Mail Tracked and Signed For Service and are due to land in their Forever Home sometime next week - all being well. (In these Covid pandemic times, one can never be totally confident of what is normally a pretty trouble free service!).
Ready to be wrapped and packed up to travel to Brooklyn, New York
Although not intended specifically as a Halloween present, we're all hoping that this bundle of potential family fun will get to New York in time for this year's commemoration of all things spooky, even though neither of these toys can be classed in that category! (Unless, of course, to begin little MsR is a bit startled by the bright colours, and dark stripes). Equally, not every child is immediately intrigued by toys that don't have their full number of paws/legs! As Toy makers, Isobel and I have to be ready for the odd initial hesitance in accepting a new toy in a family: although, to date, that has not lasted too long (fingers crossed).
Getting acquainted prior to the start of their joint journey
The lighting for the last two photographs shows that these were indeed taken just before the two toys were readied for their trip (just as Isobel had finished sewing the Puppet, and then going to bed on the evening before they left the UK!). So not really a photograph: just a quick snapshot!.
It's been sometime since Isobel has been asked to use this Orange Tiger print fabric, so there was even greater care needed in trying to match the stripes in such a way that everyone didn't get eye-strain with the decorations going in all different directions. Making so many Tiger Who Lost His Stripes Puppet versions has meant Isobel having rather lost that skill in a way. However, we're both satisfied that the final outcome is not too much of a strain for family onlookers and their friends.
MrsML (of San Diego, California) is fast becoming one of the ColdhamCuddlies best customers, because not only did she decide to keep the two Tiger Arm Puppets that comprised her initial order to Isobel, but she's ordered another, smaller version non-stripey Tiger Arm Puppet for her best friend's grand daughter living in another part of New York). (Isobel is close to finishing this smaller Tiger Arm Puppet).
Then she has been asked to make two more Tiger Toys (imitating this Orange Tiger, but using the Biscuit Premier plush fabric we use for our original Tiger Arm Puppet), plus another normal-size stripeless Tiger Arm Puppet - with all of them being sent to the same address in another part of California. You might say, we're inundated with Tigers presently! Its a very good thing Isobel enjoys making these toys!! Far from being overwhelmed though, we'll happily accept requests from all-comers!
With that, I'll end for this week. Hereabouts, we are expecting to be put into the highest tier of Covid 19 Lock Down measures in England this week (maybe as soon as Monday, but more likely on Wednesday). That means Isobel will be more restricted than she has been lately, but she can still visit Team ACE, her family 3 doors away and also do her essential shopping. She's well prepared, and will continue do her best to keep safe - something we BOTH urge all our friends who read this, and support the Cuddlies, to make sure they do too.
See you again next week!!
Your Friend
Cy Bear.
