Poppy Appeal Craft Fair - November 2, 2013

Hello there Everyone!

Cy Bear on hand to tell you all about the first of our Craft Fairs for November 2013.  It was held yesterday morning (November 2) here at The Hospital of St. John in aid of the Royal British Legion Women's Section Poppy Day Appeal, and although I'm unable to tell you exactly how much was raised in total, I'm pleased to tell you that the ColdhamCuddlies stall covered their costs and Isobel was able to donate over and above the agreed sum to the Event Organiser.

Setting up the Table, with part of our garden in the background

The occasion was the official introduction in Heytesbury of the whole 2013 ColdhamCuddlies Novelty Slipper Collection, and here is a photograph of their specific display section on the table.

Isobel asks me to tell everyone that the pictures may seem a little over-exposed, but as you can see we have a big window behind the stall, and at the time the stall was being set up, the sun was blazing in! (I'm told that can add to the difficulties of any photographer, let alone one of the "hold up and click" school to which Isobel belongs!  However, we both felt it gives everyone an idea of what the slipper collection in its entirety looks like.)

They aroused a great deal of interest, and were it not for the fact that the potential buyers did not know the exact size of potential recipients of the slippers as gifts, Isobel would have made at least three further sales, to the ones she already has on her books.  All the customers said they'd be back:  we shall wait to see - and in any case, we do have another fair coming up in the Residents' Hall on November 23, and the likelihood is that many of the visitors will be repeat customers at that event, so we may be able to report definite sales at that event!  As the proceeds of that event are scheduled to be given in aid of the St. John's Residents' Social Fund, any donations may be split between the two events, depending on the eventual results!

This shows the ColdhamCuddlies stall fully set up ready for the customers to arrive.  You can get an idea of part of our lovely garden behind the standing-up Cuddlies, prominent among them being Charlie Coyote (Etsy Listing 67039032) and his friend The Country Gentleman Fox (Etsy Listing 59809283), not to mention three of our Cuddlies Bears (they have separate listings, and would take too long for me to give them here!) and the three Tigger Long-Legs (Etsy Listing108763404) - who Isobel tells me are the "very devil to keep sitting down on a shiny window sill"!

One of Isobel's fellow Womens' Section  members offered to take a picture of her on duty at the stall, and if she is looking a little flushed - it's because she had only just managed to get everybody arranged, and the sun was pouring in through the window behind her and she was somewhat hot and bothered as a result! Two of the recently replaced Baby Koalas (Etsy Listing 55190188) found Forever Friends - as First Christmas presents to great-grand children of one St. John's Residents and her sister-in-law. The latter lady also purchased one Black and White Plush Baby Bunny (Etsy Listing # 55187979) for another great grandchild who has just been welcomed to the World.  (So another two Koalas will need to be replaced!)

The ColdhamCuddlies stall was just one of several other stalls, and this one featured Christmas cards and other Christmas novelty gifts - presented by the House Supervisor at St. John's and her friend, and fellow staff member at The Hospital.  They travel around the local area visiting many other Craft fairs over the year.  MrsHJ (the former) often tells Isobel about them, and sometimes is able to arrange for us to be invited to take part in them at the same time.

In the background to this photograph, you can get a glimpse of what is called "The Old Building" (which has been in this spot since 1762).  This houses several apartments on two floors (without elevators!) - so those on the upper floors have to be fit and able to cope with the rigours of every day life!  (I'm so glad I'm merely a Bear made from Beaver Lamb - who gets carried around whenever he is moved from room to room!)  To differentiate from this building, the Resident's Hall is located in "The New Buildings"  (which were erected in 1972!).

Then there was a home baked cake stall - without which no worthwhile Craft Fair (or indeed any local produce stall) is complete was being staffed by another Women's Section member - aided and abetted by her grand daughter, undoubtedly being lined up as a future member of the Heytesbury Womens' Section Royal British Legion, which last year celebrated being in existence for 70 years- thus one of the oldest, if not the eldest, branch in the U.K.

 (The lawn area behind this table is enclosed in a sort of cloister like erection - which form a row of studio bungalows, and another two-storey complex - which were built some few years after The New Buildings.  There is a small Chapel and more apartments housed in these, together with The Administrator's office, but these latter part of The Hospital of St. John cannot be seen in this photograph).

These goodies had all been donated for the major Raffle during the Craft Fair (there was also a Tombola Stall, which featured many similar, but smaller items) and then there was a Raffle for this cake - made by Branch Secretary (MrsMP), who is also Heyetesbury Village Poppy Appeal Organiser.  She's a busy lady! The cake was won by one of the St. Johns' Residents and comprised a sponge cake, filled with clotted cream and home made strawberry jam) and decorated with sugar craft poppies.

Observant readers of this post might notice the lack of curtains to all the windows.  This is because the ones that normally hang at all of them are presently away being re-lined.  The sun had bleached the linings, which had been up for many years, and the Trustees decided it was time that the curtains should be replaced.  However, the outer layers were in such good condition, that it was felt all that really needed attention was the linings.  As always, when one does something like this in a piecemeal fashion, the task takes longer than it was originally envisaged!  (I  suspect the Residents (and no doubt the Trustees) are hoping they will be completed by the time the Christmas Carol Service to be celebrated in our Chapel and following Residents' Tea is held in the Hall on December 13th.)

All the remaining ColdhamCuddlies toys and slippers are now tucked away in their various cupboards in our flat, awaiting their next outing on November 23rd.  Meanwhile, Isobel has begun to make some Tiger Head Golf Club Covers, so she can fulfill an order she has had for some time from MrsHJ (mentioned earlier in this post) who wants  to give it as a Christmas present to a young acquaintance whose surname is Wood (As in Tiger Woods ... doubtless our wonderful Followers will be familiar with the name, if not the actual person.  Afraid it doesn't mean too much to me).

Although Isobel has a stock of Golf Club handle covers ready for use, she has had to knit some different ones for this particular assignment.  Not only did MrsHJ want a stripey cover, but in the intervening period since getting the order, Isobel had used up all the Tiger print plush fabric we had and when she ordered some more - it was a completely different colour.  Isobel is going to make at least two Tiger Golf Club Head Covers so we can list one in the shop, while providing MrsHJ with hers, but she may also have to make another set of Tiger Head slippers, because we're going to have to be able to display them as an alternative to the one already on offer in our shop, which will have to become a OAAK (One of a Kind) Cuddly, which they already are really - because their faces are somewhat different from the original pair - who were sold while Isobel was away in Nottinghamshire recently.  Here is what they now look like!

Etsy Listing #156629069

.So, I'll close this now and enable Isobel to get sewing - and checking out the Shop and her Etsy teams, which she likes to do at least once a day.  Until the next time, do hope you are all keeping well.

Your friend, Cy Bear.

Some additional details - and the promised photograph

Hello everyone!

In his last post, Cy Bear promised you a photograph of our Jubilee Rabbit with her new Forever Friend.  When I was listing the Baby Bunnies who also featured in Cy's narrative, I suddenly discovered the missing picture of MrsCD's little Grandaughter J and here it is!  Jubilee Rabbit has been re-named, I think -Elizabeth (because 2013 is our Queen Elizabeth's 60th Jubilee Year) - and although she's a bit more of a handful than J can accommodate at the moment, am sure it won't be long before they are difficult to part!

And now, here are the newly listed Baby Bunnies - not necessarily in the same order as they appeared in Cy Bear's Post.  However, they do show each one with their specific Etsy Listing.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166959760/baby-bunny-toys-baby-rabbit-purple?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166949424/baby-bunny-toys-blue-fleece-boy-or-girl?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166947912/baby-bunny-toys-pink-fleece-washable?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166974565/baby-bunny-toys-white-fleece-washable?

Am now off to get on with the replacement Slippers that are required for the upcoming Craft Shows, as well as complete the cutting out and sewing of the three further Baby Koalas that I deem to be required for the forthcoming Coldham Cuddlies' outings.

Until then, here's to the next time!  Isobel

Getting back to Normal - with some way to go!

Good evening, Everyone!

This is Cy Bear signing in once again, because Isobel feels it is time that I did.  She's been back home for nearly two weeks, now, and what with one thing and another, blogging has had to take a back seat.  She's been sewing madly to make up replacements for the sales we were fortunate enough to make while she was staying in Nottinghamshire (plus all those that happened while she was busy creating the 2013 Slipper Collection).  All this while keeping up with all the internet activity that selling from our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies requires, she's got herself involved even more with Teams.  That  in turn means she gets chatting to one and all, which then means less time for the Cuddlies - and so on......ad infinitum.

However, just after we returned, Isobel renewed contact with one of our Heytesbury friends, MrsCB who had mentioned that she would like to have some Koala Slippers made for her little grand daughter's Christmas Present.  This Little Person is actually now the Forever Friend of our Jubilee Rabbit and we've been given a photograph of her sitting on Granny's lap on her first birthday.  For some reason, Isobel has been unable to transfer it to the blog, and she'll have to see if we can get another one.  If we're successful, we'll include it in a future blog, but meanwhile, where are some photographs of what Isobel has been able to do since getting home.

However in the past few days, progress into the backlog of replacements has been made.  All the fleece Baby Bunnies have been replaced, and we now have four representatives of each of the colours we previously sold under the one listing - Etsy #89020911.  The Baby Bunnies are going to be listed separately this time - rather than being just collected into one single mention in our shop, and you can see the Pink collection above.  The original Etsy number will therefore be deactivated, once the new listings have been published.

Apart from the Pink bunch, we also have four Blue Bunnies

Four more White ones

And, finally, four Purple ones - even though they look like dark blue ones in the photograph!  Apparently, this can happen when some versions of Purple are printed from digiial camera shots.

The Purple Bunnies here are actually showing their "ColdhamCuddlies" printed labels in this picture, which makes at least one of them look a little wobbly.  When they are listed, these will be hidden, but every toy leaving our Shop these days carries his or her tag.

The original collection Fleece Bunnies all had green holly leaf collars on and then had red ribbons attached (they were one of our original Christmas time offerings).  This bunch of pesky critturs (believe me when they are let loose, they can be handful!) are presented collarless, but should anyone want to have ribbons attached - so they can become Pram or Cot Toys - they only have to mention it to Isobel when ordering, and she will endeavour to fulfill their request.  They are also all washable.

Isobel has also been able to finish three (of the six she plans) more Baby Koalas.  Our last one found its Forever Home via MrsPL (Clare's mother-in-law) who in 2012 was the source of several of our Cuddlies, who were originally Patients in our Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing#79124185).  She's hoping to have the other three ready in time for our first upcoming Craft Fair, which is due to take place on Saturday, November 2 in the Residents' Hall here at The Hospital of St. John.

Etsy Listing 55190188

These little fellows always make popular Stocking Stuffers, and with Christmas coming up, Isobel was anxious to ensure we had supplies ready for the three Fairs we have coming up in the next five weeks.

Replacements for the Tiger Head Slippers (Etsy Listing #156629069) are almost complete.   (Thereby hangs an interesting tale - which will be told shortly!) and there are Frogs Head Slippers (Etsy Listing #16076058) to be done before November 2 as well.

Oh, and another thing - also time consuming:   Isobel's writers' block from which she has been suffering was broken earlier today when, after weeks of staring at a blank page and being unable to think of any story to tell, she woke this morning (at 0500 hours) with not just one, but two, possible story lines.  So, they have to be fitted in somewhere, and at least one sent off to the Academy of Childrens' Writers so that Assignment 3 can be judged, commented on and the next stage of  her writing course ticked off.

Time I closed this down, I think - so Good Night, and God Bless for now.  Cy Bear

Goodness, Gracious, Me - as the saying goes!

Good evening everyone.

It's great to be back here posting directly once more - although, don't get me wrong, it's been great to be able to do it when I was away from base as well.  Thanks to Clare and Alan for allowing me access via their wi-fi hub for hours of internet fun while I was with them for five weeks, which passed all too quickly.

Since returning home last Saturday, have been trying to get myself organised - what with the need for replacements for Cuddlies who have found their Forever Homes, picking up orders from where they were left before I went away (the Frog Slippers went to MrsJW - a.k.a. my Podiatrist, who keeps my feet in order!):

I've also received a custom order for a pair of Childrens Small Size Slippers - with Koala Heads.  This is for  a lady from Heytesbury, who is going to be in Australia for Christmas, but wants her London-based baby grand daughter to have some Australian-type slippers for her second Christmas!   Obviously, I cannot show those here yet, but this is what they could look like - but in a smaller size!

Since Monday, I've cut out and completed four replacement Purple Fleece Baby Bunnies (two with white chests, and two completely self colour) and today have managed to sew three all White Baby Bunnies needing to be replaced.  They are currently in their component pieces of ears, cotton-tails and body and will be put together tomorrow.  My fingers were complaining at the end of the afternoon sewing session, so decided to stop and go on line for my daily surfing session.

When all the replacements are finished, I am planning to list them separately by colour.  Not only will this increase the number of listings in our Etsy shop (www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies), but it will make it easier for buyers to find them when looking for Christmas Stocking stuffers (I hope!). Fellow members in the various Etsy Teams I have joined all keep saying that the more listings one has, the more folks will visit one's Shop.  So, that's what this is also all about.

After going on line, though, I am reeling with surprised shock.  I have just discovered that my Cuddlies have been featured in four different Treasuries today!! That's a first.  Am always being told that the more Treasuries one is featured in, the higher the chance of sales appearing - so, here's hoping!!!

www.etsy.com/treasury/MjcwMDExNzR8MjcyNTEyNjcxNg/the-richness-of-go...

www.etsy.com/treasury/MjM3NDMyOTd8MjcyNTEyOTczNg/kingtreasury-232

www.etsy.com/treasury/NjEwNzYyNHwyNzI1MTI4Njc2/kingtreasury-232

www.etsy.com/treasury/NjQ5OTMzNXwyNzI1MTI3ODE4/autumn-greens-kingtr...

If you feel like it my lovely Followers (all 349 of you, not to mention my Google+ ones as well) - and also if you have the time to spare - you may like to click on these Treasuries and see what clever folks we have on Etsy.

It's also a first that I've been able to figure out how to list more than one thing at a time.    It's only taken three years on Etsy to be able to figure it out and now I've finally done it.  Just you wait now, folks:  I'll be posting multiple listings till I'm blue in the face!  It's always been a complete mystery before, so don't ask me how I figured it out today.  St. Barbara (patron saint of computing, I believe) must have been watching out for me.

I'm a bit late today, what with the Treasuries action, as well as sewing three new White Baby Bunnies.  They are in their component bits, ready to be put together tomorrow.  My fingers were complaining of over work by the time I did them this afternoon.

Then, later, when checking another of my daily sites on Etsy, I discovered that the Cuddlies had been featured on yet another Treasury.  Don't exactly know what is happening, but it's not an unpleasant feeling! However, pride must be coming before a fall here;   because I've just tried to create a tab for this last  Treasury, but cannot seem to be able to do it!!!!  Anyway, suffice to say, that I'm chuffed to bits, and if you go through all these Treasuries and heart them (if you can from outside Etsy - not sure if that is possible, but hey - why not have a go!) that will just make my day.

All this has been on top of the unusual, but very pleasant, feeling of being able to pay in a goodly sum into the Cuddlies bank account - which includes the sales made while I was in Nottinghamshire, and about which Cy Bear posted last week.  Cy did a great job over-seeing the empty cupboard while the Cuddlies and I were in Nottinghamshire!  We're glad to be back together again - and all the travelling Cuddlies are back in their accustomed plastic bags - waiting their next appearance at the next Craft Fair (on November 2).!

So, all in all a great day.  Wonder what will happen next?  Until the next time.    Isobel

News from Nottinghamshire - Holiday is almost over!

Hello Everyone!  Cy Bear signing in again, with the latest bulletin from Isobel.

She is getting ready to return home again.  All things being equal, ColdhamCuddlies's life will revert to normal with effect from mid-day(ish) Saturday, October 12.  In the interim, Isobel has deigned to let me (earlier today) that she's had the time of her life with daughter, Clare  and her husband, Alan, and given me some other things to tell you before she gets back to Heytesbury.

While Isobel is away, I thought I'd just slip this one in!  This picture was taken of me just before my friend Bernard Bear left for (his Forever Home (I wrote about him in my last post on September 20, 2013) , and shows me sitting in my flat-guarding position while Isobel has been away for the last five weeks.

 I can tell you that she is returning having sold our Tiger Slippers to MrsPL (Clare's mother-in-law) who wants them for her great nephew, who is awaiting the arrival of his baby sister - expected any day now.

While making replacements for these slippers (Etsy Listing #156629069 - and the largest size for the Childrens' Slippers in the 2013 ColdhamCuddlies Slipper Sales Campaign), there are going to be two more Tigers' Heads made to make Golf Club Head Covers as well.

We've had a request for one of those, for a golfing friend of MrsHJ.   (She is the House Supervisor at The Hospital of St. John (where you will remember Isobel and I live).  MrsHJ has a friend with the surname of "Wood".   One of the Tiger's Heads is destined to be a Christmas present for this young man,  While she has been away in Nottinghamshire,  Isobel has knitted three different versions of a black golf club handle cover, with a choice of orange spots and two different orange or black stripey offerings. When MrsHJ has chosen the one she wants, the other one will be listed in the shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies as another Golf Club Head Cover offering.  The spotted version will likely end up as a Leopard Head Golf Club cover - and both these versions will form a future post here on this blog.

Also, one Baby  Koala has also gone to MrsPL as a "Welcome to the World" gift for her new great neice.  (He's the one on the right of this picture - the one with a very determined look on his face!)  That means some replacements will have to be produced in very short order to re-stock our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies.  We've almost run out of our Koalas in the Shop!   There is another Craft Bazaar opportunity scheduled for early November and these little fellows do make great Christmas Stocking Stuffers, as well as ideal Baby Shower and First Toy gifts!  They have also been one of our best sellers since ColdhamCuddlies began in 2010.

While she has been in Nottinghamshire, Isobel was also able to visit a long-time family friend who lives in the vicinity.  MrsPC - who was the originator of the Pig Twins (about whom I wrote in our last post) who are now in their Forever Home in Italy.  MrsPC was also the source of the pattern template for our Snowy March Hares (Etsy Listing #125962011) and just happened to be celebrating her birthday earlier in October.  The visit took place the week before the actual date, because Clare and Alan had other family commitments on the actual date.  MrsPC's birthday present from Isobel was a pair of Grey Furry Rabbit Slippers (her choice) -  it's nice to know that they fit like a glove and

The first  photo we've been able to show of ColdhamCuddlies Slippers doing what they are made for!

when MrsPC telephoned to wish Isobel  Happy Birthday earlier this week (the actual date was Ocober 8 for any of our Followers who might like to know!) she said that for the first time, she was "actually looking forward to the cold weather"!  They have been listed in our shop under Etsy Listing  #162884385, and when she has time, Isobel plans to make another pair (although the ribbon might be changed, as we're getting short on the mauve ribbon).

MrsPC just might be getting her wish, because believe me, it's got very cold over  here in  the last few days in the UK as a whole.  I'm unable to comment on what it's actually like down here in Wiltshire , because in our home, Isobel and I are always warm as toast - and in the  bad weather, I don't go out!

I'll end this post now - and doubtless Isobel will be back doing it herself early next week, or maybe, even later in the week-end.  Here is another photo of the latest Slippers - another UK Ladies' Size 5 pair.  I should imagine there will be a blog about them. to back up the listing in our Etsy Shop - to give potential buyers an idea of all the Slipper choices now available in our Shop.

Good night and good bye for the time being.  Cy Bear

Some Cuddlies in their Forever Homes -and our latest news.

Hello Everyone!

Cy Bear back again, even though I'm at home in Heytesbury, and Isobel is away staying with her daughter, Clare and husband, Alan in Nottinghamshire.

Regular readers of this blog should now be aware that Cuddlies can now come in two versions.  The ones Isobel makes, like me - and those she restores to a new life in our Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185),  Recently, because we both feel the latter become honary Cuddlies while they become Patients, she has called her hand-made ColdhamCuddlies (CC), and those that are treated in our Clinic we have labelled Associate Cuddlies  (AC).  All our Patients qualify, but so do toys like the Pig Twins, who were listed in our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies until they were invited to go to Italy to meet their new Forever Friends.

The Pig Twins were the first Associate Cuddlies, because Isobel only finished  them off by providing their clothes, as they had originally been made by our good family friend, MrsPC.  It was their arrival that made Isobel decide to create the Associate Cuddly tag - so that everyone who comes to stay with us leaves feeling they are part of our family.

The Pigs left Heytesbury on August 5 this year at the behest of SnraCF who wanted them as a First Wedding Anniversary present for her son DP and his wife, MTC.   She promised to send us photographs of the gift-opening ceremony, which took place over the first week-end  of  September.  You can read more about the Pig Twins in our post dated August 5, 2013 entitled: "The Pig Twins have Flown - to Italy"

Receiving the Present

The First layer removed

The Forever Friends together for the first time

SnraCF is a fellow member of the Etsy Seniors Rock Team, one of the regular Etsy Teams in which Isobel is a participant,  and we've been told that her family are expecting to be joined bya Little Person sometime in April 2014.  Depending on the gender of the Little Person who does arrive, we have been asked to provide a small Piglet to complete the family as a Welcome to the World present sometime in April 2014.  Isobel has a suitable pattern from which to produce either a little Boy or Girl dressed Piglet, so we'll keep you posted, obviously.

Then I was really pleased and excited to hear further news from my friend, Bernard Bear, A.C.  His Forever Friend, MrGS sent us a picture of Bernard sitting comfortably in his own armchair, and Isobel and I thought you'd like to see him.  

Accompanying this photograph of Bernard, was the following message from MrGS:

"Bernard with his two original older friends, Hephalump and Dog who are 

both in a very sad state, but pleased to be reunited."

The following photograph shows Bernard's two long-term friends better, and I'm so pleased to be able to have it remind me of the good time we had together while he was a Patient in our Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic!

With that, I'll end this post.  Do hope everyone is having a good time - and that everyone is well.  My guardian duties continue while Isobel is away - and it would appear that she is having a great time while staying in Nottingham.  The preparations for the Big Bash are coming together well and the Birthday Girl had a great day earlier this week - by all accounts.

Good night everyone - until the next time.  Cy Bear.

Here Come the Owls - The Final Piece for the 2013 Cuddlies' Slipper Collection

Three months ago - or thereabouts - I set out on a new venture for the Cuddlies - Novelty Slippers,  Having responded to a challenge from one of my fellow Etsians,  LauraC  of EighBoardsFarm, who wished she could have a pair of Yellow Plush Slippers, I was challenged to have a go.  Now, many of you know that  I'm not normally a great one for making ANYTHING without a pattern to work with, but was reminded by one of my daughters that way back in the 1970's, I had made a lot of felt slippers for Christmas presents.  With that reminder as a starter, the Yellow Rabbits became a reality - after a couple of false starts - and the decision to have a selection of slippers in three sizes for Kids, Women and Men - preferably in time for Christmas - was formed.

Having first finished some commissions in our Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing # 79124185),  now - some weeks later -  I can show you the final item in the ColdhamCuddlies 2013 Christmas Slipper Collection.  They are  Owl Headed  UK Size 12 Mens Novelty Slippers made with some of our special, but limited supply, of  Brown and Gold Flecked Plush fabric.

Etsy Listing #162884385

This time, we feature Owls Heads, using a pattern that I've been wanting to use for some time.  They are originally from a vintage pattern for a Glove Puppet made in felt, but I decided to try and convert it into a Plush Head which I could then attach to the Mens' Slipper pattern that LauraC had found for me during our initial conversations about her slippers.  We've already listed https://www.etsy.com/listing/158936304/mens-size-9-to-10-novelty-plush-slippers?, which represent the Mens' Medium Size model and https://www.etsy.com/listing/158098231/mens-novelty-koala-bear-faced-slippers? our Small Size Mens' offering.

These Owl Heads have been hand made in the same fashion as all the slippers.  They both have a Memory Foam insole covered in fabrics which hopefully will prevent slipping on floors.  They are NOT  GUARANTEED not to slip, but as long as care is taken where feet are placed, they should not let the wearer down.  Going outside in them - particularly if the surfaces are wet - is not recommended.  In our view ColdhamCuddlies' Slippers in particular, and all Slippers in general,  are indoor footwear, not outerwear!  In the Owls' case, their foot covering is made with faux leather and the body of the slippers is attached (both on the inside and outside) by ladder-stitching all round the perimeter of the insole.

These are the Owl Slippers seen from their rear view.  The fabric colour is difficult to convey even though they were taken in daylight, with a north facing window behind me.  It was  raining too hard at the time for one to attempt an outdoor shot - and in any case, following my remark about outdoors not being an appropriate place to wear them, perhaps an outdoor setting for the pictures would be equally inappropriate!

As with most of the slippers in the Christmas Collection, the lining has been made with Cream Poodle Fur fabric, and the ankle is trimmed with golden satin ribbon, through which elastic has been threaded to fit the wearer.  Adjustments can be made via the seam positioned in the middle of the back of each Owl Head.  The ends of the ribbon, rather than having a bow (as with our Ladies' Slippers - shown with a pair made not with Plush fabric, but with a moleskin type fabric - https://www.etsy.com/listing/160760658/ladies-novelty-slippers-green-frog-heads?) are crossed under each Owl Head's chin and fixed to the front arch of each foot with a wood toggle-shaped button.

This photograph shows the Cream Poodle Fur  lining and Gold satin ribbon trim, with the elastic seam before the ribbon was tied and fitted to the front of each slipper.

This is the Right Owl Head Slipper - and here is the Left Slipper -

If this Owl Head looks as though it's had a hard night on the tiles, it's because when the photos were taken, neither slipper had been stuffed with the tissue paper that currently replaces the wearers' feet!  As the photographer,  I was unable to undertake having a hand in the slipper to support each head, while actually shooting the frame!  Before they are displayed at the upcoming MacMillan Cancer Greatest Coffee Morning in the World Craft Fair next Monday, September 12 not only will there be some tissue paper in place, but I hope to have a better illustration of both Slippers up in  www.Etsy.com/Shop/coldhamcuddlies as well.

Meanwhile, I'll end this post - not quite sure when the next post will occur, but it could be before the end of the week!  Until then, hope everyone is well, and hopefully enjoying some crisp, fine autumnal sunshine.

Good night and God Bless! Isobel

Celebration Time -The ColdhamCuddlies Shop is Three!

This should have been published yesterday - but, although drafted, the final publication button was omitted - because I got involved  in something else!  Am sure everyone has had plenty of such moments!  Isobel


Good afternoon Everyone!  Cy Bear here - on a Big Day for us Cuddlies.

Today, SEPTEMBER 12, 2013, the Coldham Cuddlies shop on Etsy (www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies)   is three years' old!  Actually, it is the day on which the first five items were listed in the Shop, and we have now got 59 items available for sale - from Big Teddy Bears like me,  various other kinds of  Bears,    Rabbits galore, and Foxes, Coyotes, Frogs, Beaver and a Wombat - not to mention a variety of Slippers in various sizes. (Isobel actually joined Etsy in January 2010, but spent six to nine months after doing that making some Cuddlies - which included me).

 Isobel is actually away from Heytesbury at the moment, but thanks to technology (which I don't understand, being merely a Bear, made from Beaver Lamb Fur), it is the Slippers that Isobel wants me to tell you about today.  She's been making them for the last few weeks, and is actually working on the last pair she wants to include in the 2013 Slipper Collection, which are being launched for sale today!  So we felt that you might be interested to hear how she goes about making them.

She's made slippers for Children (in Small, Medium and Large sizes), Ladies (also in Small, Medium and Large Sizes) and when she's finished, there will be the same variety in Mens' sizes too.  The Mens' and Childrens' versions are based on patterns she was given by her friend LauraC who operates two Shops herself on Etsy (one of which is www.Etsy.com/shop/EightBoardsFarm), while the Ladies' ones are wholly Isobel's own invention (based on a custom order from LauraC some months ago).  Most of them are made using the special plush fabrics we are lucky to have sourced locally, but we are more than prepared to make them in any other fabrics folks might like to consider for a pair of warm winter footwear.
Indeed, the Frog Ladies Slippers (Etsy Listing #160760658 ) were made in some moleskin-like fabric, not our usual furry plush materials.--

While making the Ladies Size 6-7 (Large) versions recently, Isobel took some photos as each step was reached, and this is how the process goes - featuring some Panda Head Slippers:

Ladies Panda Head Slippers - Etsy Listing #155281164

First, we use a pair of memory insoles that Isobel can get from a local multi-purpose store in Warminster.  The insoles have a diagram of  every size variation for Ladies and Mens shoes - in UK sizing.  She then cuts out the shape for a Ladies' Size 7 slipper following up by drawing the shape of both left and right feet  on the wrong side of a some faux leather fabric - allowing for about a one inch seam all around each insole.  Then the leather is tacked on to the insole and the finished bits look like this:

The right slipper has its' piece of poodle fur lining ready for fixing later on in the process.

Having cut out the poodle fur lining and outer plush fabric to fit around the outside of both slippers, Isobel then tacks them together, with wrong sides facing, so that they look like this:

In the background of this picture, you can see the unstuffed Panda head on the right, the black plush ears in the middle, and the front foot insert Isobel uses to make sure that the fabric goes round - allowing room for toes. She stitches the ColdhamCuddlies label on before attaching the outer straight edges to the insole.  They have been cut to not quite reach the tip of the toe, because Isobel puts a gusset in around the toe area, to allow for maximum wriggle room - and for really cold-blooded individuals among our friends, there is room for a sock to add extra warmth, if required!

Here, we have the slipper with the outer edge, complete with lining, sewn to the insole, the Panda head  ready for stuffing, complete with its eye patches in place, and the ears ready to be turned inside out prior to being attached to the stuffed head. Once the head is stuffed, and ears fixed, Isobel apparently attaches the bottom of the head to the poodle fur lining and then ladder stitches the outer edge to the head around the neck. She then ladder stitches around the whole outside of the slipper, attaching the outer fabric to the leather-covered insole.

The final piece of construction involves sewing the black and white checked satin ribbon edging around the ankle area of the slipper - so that the finished item looks like this (sideways-on view here).

Then here is what the slippers look like from the rear:

 

The Panda Head Slippers have joined the rest of the collection and are currently packed safely away in the Cuddlies carrying case all ready for the MacMillan Cancer Greatest Coffee Morning in the World sale we've been invited to appear at  on Monday, September 23.  By then, Isobel hopes to have completed the Large Mens' Size slipper, which features an Owl Head (another version to my friend Ben the Barn Owl Etsy Listing #99686556 ) - and another new introduction to the Cuddlies family.  We hope to have them listed shortly and feature them in another post early next week.

Until then, I'll end this story - and look forward to being with you again shortly.  It's nice to think that while I'm sitting on guard on the bed in Isobel's home in Heytesbury, I can still be with you here on the blog too!

Good night!  Cy Bear

A New Associate Cuddly - Meet Teddy Johnson!

Hello Everybody - Cy Bear once more being allowed to post about the latest  Patient in the ColdhamCuddlies Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185).

Teddy Johnson (TJ for short - it's a bit of a mouthful otherwise!) did not stay long with us, because overall he was in a very good condition, as you can see from the picture below.

His coat was in remarkable condition when you consider what some the Bears look like when they arrive for treatment!  But over the years, he'd been cuddled to the point that his stuffing had become withered and he'd lost his voice.  So, his Forever Friend, MrsEJ, when she saw what had happened when Pooh and Brown Bears had been Patients in the Clinic, asked Isobel to see what she could do for TJ (Teddy Johnson is what we decided to call him, because - as in a great number of cases, he'd always been called Teddy by MrsEJ.)

As we already had a Growler in stock (that is what Bear's voices are called when Isobel has to order them), the week after he had arrived in the Clinic - and because we were already treating Bernard Bear - TJ went with Isobel to the weekly Produce Stall in Heytesbury Church (which is where many of the cases seem to originate from!)  The Growler was tipped up to produce the sound that it made, MrsEJ said that was just what she wanted, and back into the plastic bag he was being carried in went TJ, accompanied by his Growler. What Produce (which I understand to mean vegetables, cakes, pies and coffee) and Toy restoration have in common, I just fail to comprehend!  However, in the last few weeks, we've had Pooh Bear, Brown Bear and now TJ arrive after weekly visits paid by Isobel to these events - so there has to be some connection.  I'll never understand humans.

While he had been staying in the Clinic, sitting on the Lloyd Loom Chair which has become the Waiting  Room, Isobel noticed that his paws was not very clean, and that his claws had started to come to pieces.  So, when  trying out the Growler, it was also decided that TJ would also have some brand new paw pads made for him, and that his face would be treated so that his nose and mouth were easier to see.  MrsEJ said she would not mind if his mouth was straightened if Isobel decided he would look better.  

Once Bernard Bear had been finished and sent on his way home, Isobel got to work on TJ.  His head was in very good condition, and the stuffing was still quite firm, so it was left alone. 

Looking at him, Isobel decided that the slightly quirky look of his mouth - with a slanting smile on one side of his face - gave him a bit of character, so she retained it when re-embroidering his mouth.  She drew the shape of his original nose before cutting away the remaining wool yarn used, and then re-placed the nose with some new double knitting yarn.

Then she undid the back seam and removed the stuffing.  It turned out to be a mixture of cotton wool and kapok, that quite literally disintegrated as it was taken out of TJ, creating quite a lot of dust.  No wonder he had become so limp over the years!  Then we had to put the Growler into his tummy.  It was first wrapped in a layer of polyester fibre, and put in the middle of his body.  Growlers come in a tube like structure, with one end having a set of holes.  Depending on whether a Bear talks when he leans forward, or backwards, the Growler is fixed with the holes set facing in a certain direction. ( Isobel never remembers, and has forgotten as she is typing this, but she has a set of instructions to which she refers each time a new Growler is required.) Quickly filling the rest of the space in TJ's body, his body was made much plumper and the seam sewed tightly together again.  Then Isobel turned her attention to the limbs.

By removing the paw pads, which were made of a felt like material, Isobel was able to get hold of the cotton wool/kapok mixture from each limb and then re-stuffed each arm and leg.  Then, discarding the felt pads, each one was replaced with beige glove quality suede leather.  TJ now has a much smarter, longer-lasting set of paw pads.  The claws were embroidered back with the same double knitting yarn Isobel had used for his nose.  He now looks like this.

TJ Bear is now safely back home with his Forever Friend, Mrs EJ and back sitting on the bed on which he had been residing before his treatment.  As a result of his treatment, TJ Bear has been awarded the status of Associate Cuddly in the ColdhamCuddlies Family archives - as are all the ColdhamCuddlies Patients.  He can also now stand up with a little assistance, and Isobel did have some photographs which showed him doing so - however, somehow, in transferring them from camera to the computer and now to here, these have disappeared.  As TJ is now back home again, you'll just have to take my word for it that he does now stand up!

The Slipper manufacture has been carrying on - with a hiccup or two - but Isobel is now down to the last two pairs needing to be sewn before she leaves for her holiday with Clare in Nottinghamshire.  That happens at the end of the week, and I shall then be left on guard sitting on our bed here at The Hospital of St. John - an onerous responsibility which I take very seriously! 

However, I shall not have as many toys to keep an eye on this time, as the plan is that not only will the 2013 Novelty Slipper Collection be travelling with Isobel, but also several of the Cuddlies too.  There are plans for at least two Craft Fairs at which they will be on display, and who knows,  maybe one or two more may appear.   I'm told that the computer on which we post these blogs will be going too, so there will be some posts being published while Isobel is away - if she has time, that is - but I shall obviously not be posting them.  So, this will be the last contribution from me for a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Isobel has just received back some very encouraging comments on her writing attempts which she submitted for Assignment 2 for her Writing for Children Course - and is intending to take Assignment 3 with her - to prepare for the next stage in this exciting and challenging enterprise!   She's going to be busy, is'nt she? We'll keep you posted!

Goodbye:  until the next time!  Your Friend, Cy Bear

This time our slippers feature.....FROGS,

Good evening, everyone:  here we are, Thursday already, and I've not blogged since the week-end.  I just wish there were 48 hours to each day, not the normal 24!

As you know, I'm  presently deeply involved in making slippers for both sale (and display) shortly, and these are the latest in the series.  We're offering two pairs of Mens slippers (Small and Medium sizes - the Large has yet to be produced, but are in the pipeline):   and Childrens' varieties in Small - Fox Heads, Medium - Leopard Heads using Leopard Print fabric, and Large - Tigers' Heads, again using an Animal Print Plush Fabric.  Now I've embarked on the Ladies, and these are the newest - destined for Sizes 2-3 (UK) Ladies feet.

These Green Moleskin type Frog Head Ladies Slippers  are part of the 2013 ColdhamCuddlies Specialities Product Offer available with effect from September 2013.   They are listed as examples in our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop.coldhamcuddlies - in case someone requires them as a gift for overseas family members.

They are made from a pattern that has developed since the first, experimental Rabbit Slippers emerged earlier this year - following extensive conversations between a particular Etsy contact and myself -  please visit  https://www.etsy.com/listing/152976020/yellow-rabbit-slippers-novelty-gift-men?  During the ensuing  production process, Size 5-6 and 7-8 slippers have been produced, but these were the result of local neighbours' commissions.  They are about to be reproduced for sale here on Etsy - although their listings do already feature in our Shop.  These can be seen here  https://www.etsy.com/listing/153816646/ladies-novelty-slippers-brown-plush? and also  https://www.etsy.com/listing/155281164/ladies-panda-slippers-novelty-gift-black?

These Green Frog Head Slippers have a Memory Foam insole base covered by faux leather - which has a matt finished, but CANNOT be GUARANTEED slip proof.

The outer layer is made with green moleskin type fabric, with a white lining, and is sewn on to the insole together with a cream Poodle fur fabric lining.  They are attached in such a way that no seams are visible - thus preventing unnecessary seam contact with an individual's skin.  The sole of the slipper is separately sewn with a cream Poodle fur lining and the entire slipper is then encased at the ankle with a Green Satin Ribbon edging, through which 1 cm (1/2") wide elastic has been threaded.

To ensure a satisfactory, personal fit, sufficient leeway has been created for the elastic to be pulled to meet individuals' requirements.   An opening under the ribbon bow allows access for any adjustments to be undertaken.  While there are no feet "in residence", the toes are currently stuffed with tissue paper in order to hold the slippers shape!

These slippers usually take me between 3-4 days per pair to produce from cutting out the fabric pieces to completion.  They do not have to be Frog Heads - the choice is down to the Buyer, who can visit our Shop site to review the other Toys' Heads - and arrangements will be made to accommodate any choice of Animal or colour specified.  The pattern is based on slippers I made one Christmas (way back in the 1970's) for all the male members of my significantly large family - but those were made with felt, and didn't last as long as I believe these will.

To ensure the finished product is "Made to Fit"  when ordering  ALL the following information will be most helpful, but are  not absolutely vital.  The items highlighted with a ** ARE needed however.

Frog Slipper for the Left Foot

(1) Your normal shoe size. **
(2) Colour combination(s) - if different from those shown**
(3) If possible, a drawing of each foot - to accommodate individual shapes!
(4) Measurement of each foot from Toe to Ankle OVER the instep arch.
(5) Width of foot from side to side, OVER instep arch.
(6) Ankle circumference at top edge of slipper - to accommodate any possible swelling involved.

This is for the Right Foot - despite the apparent twist  at the toes!

Armed with this information, it should be possible for me to meet your specific needs!  Otherwise, they fit or they don't!  I am always prepared to re-work, provided any returns have not been damaged in the process of being sent back!  So far, it has not been necessary.

Etsy Listing #160760658

Slippers can be made for Children, Ladies and Men - once all the above information is provided for each person.  However, please be aware, that no matter the fact that they are made in the same way, just as I can never produce a completely identical toy, the same holds true for a pair of Slippers.  I have noticed, however, that even with the mass-produced variety, although they may look identical on first sight, they can vary in fit when a foot is actually inserted!  But, isn't that the joy of HAND MADE?

A pair of Ladies Size 4-6 (UK) are in the process of production. Number One slipper is almost complete - all it needs is elastic being threaded through:  however, Slipper Number Two has not worked as well - the seamstress trying to do things too quickly, I fear! (I had only taken 2 days to do them so far!) So, the work will have to be undone - and re-started:  oh, that's another "joy" of HAND MADE!  It's not too difficult to undo something that has gone more than slightly skewed!  And it also shows that I must allow at least 3-4 days for each pair to be sure of an acceptable result!

Back again soon - meanwhile, it's both hands to the slipper - with the trusty "Quic Unpic" to the fore! (Makes a change from applying them to unsuspecting Bears!)  Good night  lsobel 

PS:  These Slippers have already found a home!  The lady comes to visit me every six weeks or so to treat my feet - and she is frog mad.  When she saw them yesterday during her latest visit, she agreed to purchase them at our next meeting - in mid-October.  Meanwhile, I have permission to display them on my stall as "Reserved - Already Sold"!  Let us hope that is an omen of things to come!

Treating Bernard Bear - Part Two

Greetings Everybody - this Cy Bear back again itching to finish the story of Bernard Bear's Treatment. 

He'd been sitting in the Lloyd Loom Chair (next to the bedside table where I sit when I'm not guarding Isobel's bed during the daytime) for a while before Isobel was able to get around to opening the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) to treat him.  So he and I kept each other company and as he is such a big Bear, his leaving to go home again has left quite a gap in the ColdhamCuddlies family.

Now Isobel left off the description of Bernard's treatment with him in pieces, hanging on the clothes maiden after he'd had an overnight bath.  So, the next thing we had to do was to sew up the limbs, leaving the ends where the paw pads are fixed, open.  Isobel then attached new plastic safety joints to the arms, legs and head and attached the new paw pads to the arms.

She didn't sew them all round the paw, because she needed an opening through which the stuffing could be pushed.  This picture shows the pads ready to be sewn to each limb, and Bernard's two new ears ready to be attached to his head.  The head and body are placed on top of each other at the back of the photograph, on the right hand side.

Then it was time for Bernard's face to be replaced. First, having removed the remaining left eye before Bernard had his bath, two new amber coloured eyes were fitted into the holes that were left in his face.   Isobel removed the existing nose yarn and gently drew the shape of his whole nose.  Then she embroidered the new feature within the new lines, followed by a new mouth - which followed the exact line it had been sewn previously.

Stuffing was then pushed into the hole left at the back of his head where Isobel had unpicked the seam to ear level.  As soon as he had been properly stuffed - he no longer looked quite so severe.  It was because the wood chipping and cotton wool mixture had deteriorated that his face had shrunk - which gave him the severe look he had when he arrived:  here's a reminder!

Then the head was fixed to his empty body with the largest plastic safety disc we were able to locate and Bernard looked like this.

Bernard then needed to have his ears attached.  These had to be made with completely fresh mohair fabric which actually matched him a bit better BEFORE he had his bath, than it seemed to do when we first attached the ears to his head.  However, in electric light the difference did not seem as obvious, and he does look so much better with two ears in place now, doesn't he?  It must have been very difficult for him to properly  hear what was going on around him before he became a Patient in the Clinic, I think.

(A complete match with Bernard's original mohair fur was always an unlikely proposition:  dyes and production processes have changed greatly in the intervening period since he was first made, and the fabric Isobel managed to find was the closest her supplier could find for us).

Isobel then turned her attention to the holes in Bernard's body.  The biggest one has been by the top of his left arm, so she used the new material to patch the hole - you can see it in this picture, and as there was a  smaller hole at approximately the same spot near the top of his right arm, another patch of about the same size was attached there.  That made Bernard look more balanced we thought and he certainly seems to agree!  Another patch had to be attached on his left leg, which I'm not going to show you - largely because Isobel forgot to take a picture of it!

Then all the limbs were each stuffed, and the paw pads on his arms sewn into place - closely followed by a similar stitching to his legs.  The discs were then threaded to his empty body through the same holes where the limbs had previously been attached and the body was then stuffed.  He was firmly stuffed with the polyester fibre which meets all international fire and safety standards, and he now looks like this. 

His arms look a little out of shape in  this picture - partly due to the angle Isobel took the photograph (he's a big Bear to accommodate in our photographic sites in the flat where we all live!) but also because the discs are somewhat smaller than those they replaced.

Bernard's paw pads are now made from glove quality tan leather and are much softer to touch than the ones they replace - and I think look a lot more comfortable, as well as a better colour now he is a cleaner looking Bear!

Before he left to go home, we had one of our Coldham Farewell photographic sessions, and this one of Bernard and I sitting on Isobel's bed is the best of the bunch!

I'm very pleased to tell you that Bernard travelled in comfort in the back of the car belonging to MrGS's friends who live in our village.  He was carefully strapped in with the car seat belt and we have since learned that MrGS is very satisfied with his new look.  He is apparently sitting in a comfortable armchair in his Forever Home awaiting the arrival of various grand children to play with him when they come to see MrGS.  We have been promised some photographs - and when they arrive, I promise we'll feature them in a future post.

Meanwhile, I'll end this - with the hope that you are all enjoying this last Bank Holiday before Christmas as much as Isobel is:  she has her elder daughter staying for the week-end, and they seem to be very busy driving around the area in Philippa's car doing various errands, one of which has been to stock up with bags of stuffing so that Isobel doesn't run out when making up the slippers and Christmas presents she hopes to be making in the upcoming weeks!

Goodnight to you all.  Cy Bear.