What Happened to the Blue Rabbits (and All Cuddlies!) when They go to Forever Homes or Work

Hello Everyone:  Cy Bear back again, despite things still taking a little longer to happen than they used to when the laptop was functioning before the new hard disk was fitted.  We're delighted to tell you that the Blue Rabbit Saga has come to an end, with the departure on - Friday - as planned - of Blue Rabbit No.7.

Here is No,7, standing on top of the radiator in the living room, under a silk-printed picture of The Fobidden City in Beijing, China - which has been a feature in Isobel's home since the 1980's when she and Peter lived in Canada, and is a present from a Chinese scientist who became a friend of theirs, although - alas - they have lost touch with that family since.  It happens, unfortunately:  and the picture is part of what is known as "The China Wall" in our Family.

We thought you'd like to see what happened to ALL  the Blue Rabbits - including the two Oscars -), who were part of the original packages) once the Farewell Ceremonies they all went through had happened.

First of all, they all move to the Bedroom, where the bed becomes the focus of attention.
 

I then get out of the way, and Isobel  gets the wrapping materials together prior to getting the Blue Rabbits (or any other COLDHAMCUDDLIES Toy for that matter) prepared for their respective journeys - whether within the UK or globally.

Here you can see, in the foreground, the polyester Mail Envelope (the biggest size we can lay our hands on!) plus the reel of cellotape and required scissors to get the job done. On the left in the back ground is the chemical free tissue paper (Blue Rabbits required two separate pieces, cellotaped together, because they are such long legged - and with big ears too!- toys) and the box in which the bubble wrap which every travelling toy is encased in before being put into the envelope.

Because we didn't want the ears to get unnecessarily bent in transit, Isobel cut off a piece and wrapped the ears separately before wrapping the Rabbits in the tissue paper.  Then the wrapping process began, until the package looked like this:

With me in the background (I supervise EVERY package that leaves the COLDHAMCUDDLIES premises!), here's Blue Rabbit No: 7 in the tissue paper, and the next photograph shows the roll of bubble wrap the parcel ends up being finished with:

The bubble wrap roll is conveniently just wide enough to place a Blue Rabbit in the middle of it, so Isobel just cut off sufficient for a single overlap and then cellotape was used to join up the package on the sides and at the end.  Then the Toys are put into the Mailing Envelope, which is then folded in such a way as to make it easier for the postal authorities to cope with, put into Isobel's shopping trolley (the Blue Rabbits were actually longer than the trolley bag, usually) and ended up in the local Post Office the next time (usually the following day) Isobel was going shopping.
Because of the size and shape, all the Blue Rabbits had to be treated as medium-sized parcels (instead of  large letter-sized packages!) so they all ended up being sent Second Class, but Signed For - which Royal Mail promises to deliver within 3 Working Days of dispatch.  As it was Friday morning that Blue Rabbit No.7 was dispatched from Kirkby in Ashfield, it will likely be Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week before he gets to Oxford.   Ms KA, our Oxford Against Cutting contact, will likely have to pick him up from the Sorting Office so it may well be Thursday or Friday before they meet each other - because Isobel was told that MsKA is very busy organising a Poster Campaign aimed at schools in their local area before the summer holidays begin.  Apparently, it is at that time in the year  that the information warning about the dangers of Female Genital Mutilation is most required.
Isobel and I are already missing the Blue Rabbits - they did take up quite a lot of space and time, however enjoyable it has been getting to know them!  However, we've already started on another long-term project - Teddy Bears.  This coming Monday, Isobel is going to a meeting of a newly-organised Craft Group set up at St.Barnabas Cathedral in Nottingham (where we've already attended a Christmas Bazaar in the past) where a group of congregation regulars are using their various crafting skills to make things for sale - with a percentage of their cost going to help fund the cost of the Building's maintenance.  Isobel is making  small dressed Teddy Bears, based on these two friends of mine - 

Little Ed Ted (L) and Little Red Ted

One of the Ladies in the group has already said she will make Isobel a pattern for a Priestly Cassock and once received, we'll make them up in Black, Maroon and - if requested to do so - in White as well.  Then, possibly, these new additions to the COLDHAMCUDDLIES Shop will be called Padre Bear, Bishop Bear, and Papa Bear.   Keep watching this space, Folks!  Meanwhile - have a good week Everyone.  I'll keep you posted! Your Friend, Cy Bear.

Returning from a Technology Wilderness.......

Hello there Everyone! 

Cy Bear back with you all again!  Do very much hope that you've not forgotten and/or given up on us!

Blue Rabbits 3 & 4 before being wrapped up and prepared for their trip to Oxfordshire.

 Isobel has been suffering many technology-related travails during the month-long absence from these pages, and we're still not completely back to normal.  We're nearly there, but with Bank Holidays in both the United Kingdom and the USA (where they are commemorating Memorial Day this Monday), the various Help Desks that have become a feature in Isobel's working life recently are not working at their usual rate(s)!


Our trials have included problems with both the laptop, and smartphone, both caused by a shaky input of a Google password via the latter, which caused that august organisation to upgrade EVERY ACCOUNT we are linked to on Google to the "new" email address, and it then not syncing with sites like our Etsy.com shop.  On the laptop front, we had  hard disk failure, corrupted operating system and finally, when they were replaced, the need for updates on the latter, and different browser system versions operating nowadays, compared with when we first started on Etsy.  At least, that is what Isobel believes the problems to be.  She thinks that the Google bit is now righted.  We still await help from Etsy Support, who have sent back a Recovery pathway for Isobel to follow - but she has sent back some further questions about which password she has to input, and where/when: she doesn't want to have to start out all over again!!  And, we THOUGHT Technology was supposed to speed things up!!!!(NOT!!!).

In the meantime, sewing has continued apace and we are now at the point that Blue Rabbits 4-6 have been completed, posted to (and received by) the Oxford Against Cutting (OAC) offices. We then received a bonus order for Blue Rabbit No. 7 - which MsKA (our OAC contact throughout the Blue Rabbit Saga) has decided will become a prize for her good work to the Young Girl Star in the OAC film which features the Original Photographs on which Oscar, the original OAC Blue Rabbit Mascot 

is based.

Blue Rabbit No.5

 Blue Rabbit 7 is currently at the sewing-the-individual-pieces-together stage (which we've shown in our recent posts) and Isobel hopes to have him en route to Oxford by the end of this week.

As a reminder - here's the pieces being putting together bit of the process illustrated

Once Blue Rabbit 7 has been presented, we're going to ask MsKA for permission to upload pics from the OAC website, of all the Blue Rabbits together at work (or have one taken), and some of their newly acquired friends.  If granted, we think that it will round off this latest saga in the COLDHAMCUDDLIES Shop life, and we can embark on pastures new.  Of course, we'll always be prepared to return to the Blue Rabbit "world" should other schools or interested parties, who use the Special Tutorial Pack (which includes the Blue Rabbits as an optional extra) want their own Blue Rabbit Models to enhance their presentations on the important facts about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) - which is at the heart of all this activity on the OAC and COLDHAMCUDDLIES parts.

In the interim, Isobel finally managed to figure out just how to make our leggy Cuddlies stand up better.  That part of our Toys' anatomies has always been a weak spot for us, and Blue Rabbit 5, as well as No.6 (shown immediately above here) are now made in this new way (as well as in the future!  The result of an 0530 brainwave one morning in this production process!!).  I'll let you into the secret at another, suitable time, but believe me, it does make a world of difference!


I ended our last post at the end of April, with some photos of a potential new Cuddly offering - Unicorns.  The following week, Isobel handed over some more of her non-fitting wardrobe to the Samaritans Charity Shop here in Kirkby in Ashfield, and met another new potential Cuddly.  He was purchased, and will follow Pink Unicorn into the Toy Animal Hospital to undergo the same "treatment", during which Isobel will "harvest" another Toy Animal pattern - to be used to introduce another new Member of the COLDHAMCUDDLIES Toy family.

He looks like this  - and when ready to be displayed in our Shop (COLDHAMCUDDLIES.etsy.com) will become the FIRST Dog Toy we've made since our 2010 beginnings.  However, the planned future of both these sample toys has been slightly amended.  Instead of joining the Cuddlies'Shop, to find a new home for them, Isobel is going to give them both some additional stuffing and give them back to the Samaritan's Charity Shop. That way, they can make a little bit more  money from them than they already have by Isobel's purchasing them.  Their original labels will be retained too - hopefully this can be a truly win-win situation all around.

Here's to this week's new beginnings.  Thanks to all the hiccups recently, the administration of the Shop is hopelessly behind, and Isobel is going to take the opportunity of re-vamping the whole thing - new descriptions, new tags etc.  The summer months are traditionally a quiet time for us and we're determined to be back to normal routine well in time for the September Holiday occasions.  We'll keep you posted as we go along, of course.

Meanwhile - have a good week Everyone.  It's good to be back again.

Your Friend, Cy Bear.

Blue Rabbits No.2 and No.3 Ready for the Off + New Cuddlies in the Offing.

Good afternoon, Folks!  Just a little later than normal, because Isobel has been doing some needed admin jobs before embarking on this week's bulletin here.

Cy Bear greeting you all - and hoping that you've all had a good week, and are ready for what the next one will produce!  We seem to have returned to Winter - we even had to turn the central heating back on yesterday, because the temperatures have plummeted and we're now awaiting the proper onset of an English Spring.

As our head line indicates, the Blue Rabbit production line has continued apace - during a particularly busy work for Isobel - and apart from a few more stitches required to strengthen Blue Rabbit 3's arms so that they will withstand lots of hugs, he's now ready to join Blue Rabbit 2.  Isobel intends to post the two of them off to Oxfordshire tomorrow morning (from neighbouring Sutton in Ashfield's Post Office, rather than our usual one in Kirkby in Asfhield) when she meets with one of the other "Hedgehog Gals" (there are normally three of them - the third lady is away for a few days visit to the Continent) for a fortnightly cup of coffee.  Hedgehogs do form the basis of their get-togethers, but the three ladies seem to cover a multitude of subjects and times goes by in a flash for them.  What with Easter etc. it's been sometime since a chat has taken place between any of them, and Isobel is looking forward to it - immensely.

Meanwhile, before the two Blue Rabbit travellers get wrapped up, there will be a farewell photograph with me in between them - and then they will be prepared for the journey tomorrow:

No.2 is on the right

No.3's arms are currently a little long and he looks more like a scarecrow presently.  When he's had the extra strengthening "treatment", Isobel  believes he will look a little more welcoming  as does  No.2!

Meanwhile, during the week, Isobel made the acquaintance of a pink and purple Unicorn Toy during a visit to one of the local Shops in Kirkby in Ashfield late last week.  She had just arrived on the shelves of the Samaritans Charity Shop - where Isobel had just donated some of her still wearable clothes (which she now is drowned by, following her recent Slimming World membership results). 
 

Her plan for Pink Unicorn is that initially she will become a Patient in our Stuffed Animal Hospital  ( https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/589621523/animal-toy-hospital-toy-bear-specialist?ref=shop_home_active_1) - because she does require some stiffening up, so that she can stand up better.  But, before that happens, she's going to be taken to pieces, so that Isobel can create a card- board template so that we can become producers of Unicorn Toys in the not too distant future.  As we all know, Unicorns are magical Toys, and one's imagination is thus unlimited  - and from the mutterings I've heard since Pink Unicorn arrived, I think Isobel's is going into over-drive!  We'll keep you posted as to what emerges, of course: but in the meantime, here are a few other views of our new arrival:

View from the rear

Viewed from the front

Whilst Unicorns may not be as popular as they once were - we're pretty confident that when the COLDHAMCUDDLIES version hits the "shelves", there will be plenty of potential Forever Friends for them!  But before that happens, Pink Unicorn will be restored to her present glory - and made to be a somewhat sturdier model than she currently is!  She will then join the future COLDHAMCUDDLIES  Unicorns and seek a Forever Home of her own.

Have a good week, everyone:  see you all again, next week! 

Your Friend,  Cy Bear.

Updated Photograph posts and latest Blue Rabbit Progress Report.

Hello again Everyone! 
Cy Bear greeting you on a lovely sunny Sunday Afternoon from the middle of the UK (or so I've just been told!).  Sitting in Isobel's bedroom, one really doesn't realise EXACTLY where one's home is located - at least if you are a Beaver Lamb Bear  like me, anyway! First I've got to apologise on behalf of Isobel and I for missing out two of the photographs we promised you last week - because, for reasons best known to the technology involved in recording these posts of ours, although they showed up in draft form when we had read and edited the post, the photographs themselves did not show up.  Isobel only discovered this major error this afternoon, and has tried to rectify this today.  They've been recorded in a different way this time around, and hopefully will remain posted in last week's bulletin.  Just in case, and hopefully by repeating them here, we can ensure that the evidence of  Oscar Blue Rabbit 2's arrival (and acceptance as a New Cuddly Friend) by MrSS's grand daughter, MsV can be seen by you, our Followers here as well.

Introduction:

Acceptance!

The whole scene is too good not to be broadcast to all of our Friends and Followers, we feel. And, so to the latest news from the Blue Rabbit Production front:  Blue Rabbit 2 is ready for dispatch to MsKA of Oxford Against Cutting (OAC):  because of the interest created amongst our friends here, both at Old Chapel Close (and Isobel's wish to create maximum publicity among them for the cause for which we are all targetted), he will remain with us until Blue Rabbit 3 is ready to go to Oxfordshire - hopefully by the end of this coming week.  They can then travel together - and be used if required while waiting to be joined by the remaining three Blue Rabbits.
Last week, we showed you the components involved in creating a Blue Rabbit Model - for the purposes of creating a cuddly armful for viewers of the OAC Film created to assist in educating young girls in the unnecessary practice that is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  This is what happens next to the various pieces shown in our blog ("Blue Rabbits:  Progress to Report..." - 15.04.2018):

All the separate pieces get collected together - to form two basic pieces (The Body and The Head).  As Isobel progresses through the ranks of the eventual Six Blue Rabbits which comprise our order from MsKA, she is finding ways of improving on their construction - and Blue Rabbit 2 is no exception.  In the picture above, we've improved on the arms - which hopefully will be better able to withstand any extra stresses involved in being hugged by their future young friends.  They have been much more firmly attached for a start.   The Body now looks like this:

(Slope due to uneven seat on which Blue Rabbit 2 is standing!)

The facial features were then sewn onto one of the Head pieces we showed you in last week's Post - and looked like this - before the head was stuffed and sewn on to the body. This last action happens AFTER the final facial feature is added after the stuffing goes in - the Blue Rabbits' mouths.  

We are pleased to say that our whole relationship with OAC has been a friendly one, and we've made it clear from the outset that if any of the Blue Rabbits do become "victims" of  'over-loving', when Isobel next visits daughter Philippa in High Wycombe, both she and MsKA are going to meet - and any repairs will then be discussed and undertaken.  This is part of the COLDHAMCUDDLIES contribution to the work of the OAC Charity - at least in the initial stages - and because these 6 Blue Rabbits are destined for use by the Charity itself!   Any future arrangements, with other users of their own Blue Rabbit models will be subject to discussion. Isobel does take pride in making long-lasting toys, but this IS the first time in her toy-making career that she has produced Toys that will be working for their living - as opposed to being playthings for children (of all ages!).  So, we're not entirely sure if these Blue Rabbits will last as long as say two of  Isobel's former creations - both made in the 1980's for family members in the UK, while Isobel was living with her family in Alberta, Canada.  These Toys are currently still going strong and living in Plymouth, Devon, UK. This is Madame Lapin (she's spent most of her life living in Normandy, France sitting on a lady's dressing table - until recently going to live with Isobel's great niece).  This photo was taken when she arrived in the Animal Toy Hospital ( https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/589621523/animal-toy-hospital  - in 2011.  She really didn't need much more treating in the Clinic, other than being washed and having her clothes starched and ironed:

The other Patient, Monsieur Reynard (with a similar background)  looked like this when he arrived with Madame Lapin - and really only required a bit more stuffing.  

However,  his boots did need replacing, as they weren't made with leather (and were splitting beyond repair) - and we had acquired (and still have!) plenty of off-cuts for making Toy Boots, so while we replaced them, Isobel also gave him a new jacket.  We do have photos of both Toys as they looked at the end of the their Hospital visit, but it will take us a bit of time to find and reproduce them here.  Hopefully, next week we can show you the finished photos! Meanwhile, to revert back to the subject of Blue Rabbits - which are occupying Isobel's thoughts at the present time, naturally! - Blue Rabbit 3 is under production:  his feet are ready for stuffing and attaching to the legs, the eyes are ready to be sewn into place on the chosen head piece, and one arm has been sewn (cutting out of Blue Rabbit 3 took place on Friday evening, and sewing started in earnest yesterday).  We will keep you updated as the time goes on! Have a lovely week, every one: we've had some beautiful hot weather over this week, but expect to revert to "normal English Spring conditions" for the up-coming week.  What is that?  Well, usually, April Showers:  these days, we're not quite sure- except that we're not likely to hit the high temperatures of last week for a while, anyway. Good Bye for now:   Your Friend - Cy Bear  

Blue Rabbits - Progress to Report: Global News about Cuddlies whereabouts

Good afternoon, Friends - Cy Bear checking in with this week's news on these fronts

Blue Rabbit production is now underway - with the decision that the last version of the Toy sent to MsKA last week is acceptable as  "cuddly" and with full approval being given for the new soft fleece fabric now being used.

With that go-ahead received, Blue Rabbit 2 is under way - as you can see from the pictures below:

Body and head pieces are on the left, with the white front to the fore.  Background right, shows a foot under construction, with the two cheeks sewn - ready to be turned inside out before being attached to the head piece which will carry all the facial and other Rabbit features.

All the other bits and pieces (said facial features) that go together to eventually end up as an OAC Blue Rabbit Toy:

From the left: - another view of the incomplete foot piece and the two cheek pieces.
Next, going right:  Front:  an ear, waiting to be turned right side out:  showing the inter-facing attached to one of the pieces.  
Along the rear of the above picture:  the two leg pieces (one showing the right side-on the right) with a completed foot, waiting to be stuffed before being attached to the leg of the next Blue Rabbit Toy (No.2 in the series).
You can just see the white cotton-tail - requiring stuffing, once it has been turned right side out.   Just below, in the centre of the photograph, are the two eyes (which get sewn on to one of the head pieces), together with the Blue Nose - which awaits stuffing before being attached.
Next to the facial features, is an ear that has been turned inside out, and shows the dark blue fleecy "inner" ear .
Last, but by no means least, are the two arms/hands also needing to be turned inside out, before being stuffed and sewn to the body pieces.   (Isobel is still working out how best to attach these - to ensure, a far as possible - that they remain attached to the finished Rabbit Bodies once they are In Service as it were!)
The fluffy, fleece material is subject to intense fraying - so to be as sure as possible that they can withstand some hard wear, Isobel has decided that ALL the many seams involved are/will be over-sewn before the pieces get turned to their respective right sides before the Toy is put together.  So far, this has involved two afternoon/evening sessions of intense sewing.  But, this version is coming together a lot quicker than have the previous three Blue Rabbits, which - as you will recall - have involved the original OAC Oscar Blue Rabbit - which is still available through our Shop (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/575240082/oscar-rabbit-custom-order-toy-with?ref=shop_home_active_33).  

We've also recently received an unexpected, but truly pleasurable,  update about our version of the Puffin Toy who was a Patient in our Stuffed Animal Toy Hospital a couple of years ago. The Current versions can be seen in our shop using this link (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/583130199/puffin-stuffed-toy-kids-room-ornament?ref=shop_home_active_5).   Some time, after the Patient had returned home, the second Puffin Isobel made at the same time - so that the family could choose which version was most similar to the original, damaged Toy who arrived in a pretty poor state, if you recall -  (here's a reminder, in case some of you don't!!) - found a new home on the opposite side of the United States - in Washington State.

Puffin R as he looked when he arrived as a Patient early in 2016

The latest news (and picture to prove it) is that Puffin 2 is still well and entertaining his Best Friend - who recently celebrated his latest birthday (we're not sure exactly how old MasterM now is:  time does go by so fast these days!).  GrannyLS who ordered the Puffin as an Easter present, sent us the photo - together with permission for us to use it here (just before Easter this year!). Thank you GrannyLS!  We can't help thinking that this might actually have been the first time the two got together:  because we'd hazard a guess that Puffin 2 might not be looking quite so smart, had they been together for the period in between his leaving us and this photograph!  (Perhaps, GrannyLS could bring us up to date on that score - when she's had a chance to read this post, of course!).

On the Oscar 2 Front, we're delighted to tell you that he's arrived safely, and presumably has spent the week-end getting to know what life in Oklahoma is going to be all about.   MrSS kindly confirmed the news Isobel had already got (because we're several hours ahead on the international time scale stakes - and the USPS Tracking system advised us that Oscar had been delivered!) that Oscar 2's trip had been accomplished, albeit slower than we had hope it would be.  That's the problem about international business:  once a package has left the UK's jurisdiction, there's nothing left for us on this side of the Atlantic to do but check, watch and hope for speedy, safe deliveries. With the Easter holidays intervening on this occasion, the journey did take about a week longer than we had hoped it would.  But, we're all delighted to hear that the traveller has landed safely.  Very shortly after he'd arrived - judging from the fact that the initial introduction appears to have taken place in a car (maybe after Oscar.2 had been picked up from the USPS sorting office?), these two photos were taken:  looks as though there's been instant rapport established, doesn't it?  Thanks MrSS (fond Grandad of MsVS):  technology can be terrific - when it works!!

Introduction.

Acceptance!

And, on that note, I think we'll end this week's post.  See you all next week folks.  Although where on earth last week went, I do not know!

Your Friend - Cy Bear

New Looks for Old Friends: and updates on New Ones!

Hello Everyone - and a belated Happy Easter, just a week late. Cy Bear delighted to be back again and allowed to share some things that have been happening in the COLDHAMCUDDLIES' world since we last met. First of all, news about Oscar 2:  thanks to the tracker number allocated to him when he was posted from our local Post Office, we've tracked him as his journey to Tulsa has continued.  The Easter holiday having intervened, it would appear that he got held up once he got over the Atlantic Ocean, and has only just begun his trip across the U.S.A.  Last night, MrSS told us that he'd surfaced in "Queen's, New York" on Saturday, and when Isobel opened up the computer this afternoon, we learn that he's now "in transit to destination" (hopefully direct to Tulsa - rather than via Chicago, as happened to one of Isobel's previous commissions for MrSS).  During the week before Easter, Isobel embarked on the Batch of 6 Blue Rabbits on order from the Oxford Against Cutting (OAC) charity - to be used to cheer up the children and young girls who watch the film in which Oscar, The OAC Mascot Rabbit stars.  Photos of Oscar 1 and Oscar 2 can be found in our last blog post (25th March, 2018), and the one below shows the first Blue Rabbit - which Isobel posted to MsKA from the OAC last Wednesday afternoon.  He travelled Signed For Royal Mail parcel, and Isobel found out that the local postman had tried to deliver Blue Rabbit 1 on Friday, but - because the address we have for MsKA is probably her home one - he's probably spent the week-end in the nearest Royal Mail Sorting Office.   We're hoping to hear early this week which body version MsKA and the Charity's Nurse feel will meet the important "cuddly factor" - between Oscar 1 and 2 and Blue Rabbit 1 (the latter having the fuller body).  The Blue Rabbit's fluffier neck also fits better on to the new body, resulting in a Toy that is more evenly balanced all around.  We'll keep you posted on the verdict, but meanwhile, Isobel has decided that she's going to start work on cutting out and sewing the head and ears for the rest of the 5 remaining Blue Rabbits - so that there will not be a mad rush at the end to meet the current deadline (May 1 - with some allowance for a few further days!)

Once Blue Rabbit 1 had left us on Wednesday, Isobel than began work on preparing a lot of new Cuddlies' listings for the Shop (all renewals, because we've not had that much time to think of  - or indeed, make - brand new Cuddlies just recently).  We're hoping that's going to change shortly!  However, while doing this rather boring chore, Isobel decided to do something she's been thinking about for some time.  She picked out Yellow Plush Sleepy Teddy (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/591139164/sleepy-teddy-bear-cuddly-toy) and Sleepy Koala Teddy Bear (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/581542311/sleepy-koala-bear-koala-teddy-bear?)  and gave them both a face lift - . Both Toys owe their origins to a Brown Plush Sleepy Bear originally belonging to Isobel's son-in-law, AR (made for him by his talented elder sister, so family legend goes), who had been one of our first Patients in the Toy Animal Hospital (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/589621523/animal-toy-hospital-toy-bear-specialist?).  That Brown Version didn't actually have a mouth on its face, and when the first Yellow Plush Teddy was made Isobel was still finding her way around the treatment routines (and didn't think about changing the look in subsequent versions!)  This week, though, she decided both should now have new faces - and here are the current "new looks".   First Sleepy Koala Teddy Bear: Before treatment:

And this is how our current Sleepy Koala looks now - with a different nose and a "smiley" mouth:  (this has still to appear in our Shop!):  

Isobel also opened up the eyes more, and has given Sleepy Koala (who doesn't look quite so drowsy now, I think!) a "shave" around his nose and mouth, so they can be seen better (and so HE can see better himself!). We're unable currently to find an old picture of  Yellow Plush Sleepy Teddy - because in her excitement at re-listing the Toy, Isobel forgot to keep one!!  We're sure that somewhere in our records, we will be able to find one - from an old blog post for example - but it will have to wait until another time.  However, THIS is what Sleepy Yellow Teddy now looks like (and believe me, he looks a whole lot happier, as well as not quite as drowsy!!).  They're called "Sleepy", because of the way they're made - sloping backwards against a pillow or cushion is their preferred way of "sitting"!

New Mouth and Nose, and some tidying up around the mouth too

It's still a little early to tell you about any reaction to the publicity activities Isobel has embarked on, and she's been a bit under the weather thanks to an infected tooth this last week too.  She (and I) are sorry for not posting last week - but it was Easter Sunday, there was a family lunch party up the road  to which Isobel was invited (and thoroughly enjoyed too!) so by the time it was over, as well as not having that much to tell you about anyway, we decided a week's rest from blogging was perhaps the best route! Think I've been chuntering on long enough for this week now - so will close.  Hope you're all beginning to get some Spring-like weather wherever you all are:  there's been a slight improvement hereabouts! See you all soon.  Your Friend,  Cy Bear.

More Developments on the COLDHAMCUDDLIES Public Relations' Front

Good afternoon everyone. I'm giving Cy Bear a rest for today - he's been hogging the limelight here for a few weeks now, and we don't want him to get too used to the idea!!  Besides, he's a little sad this week, as one of his long time friends, Jasper Teddy Bear has left the COLDHAMCUDDLIES store for his own Forever Home. 

We always have a tinge of regret when one of our own leaves us, and Jasper has been waiting for a niche ever since he was made. However, we're delighted to say that he's moved to a Forever Home where he could be more than just a Playmate for his new Forever Friend.  I'm going to refer to this COLDHAMCUDDLIES customer as JFF (Jasper's Forever Friend) because to type it out every time would take more time that I currently have at my disposal. JFF, who is still a Toddler,  has some potential developmental problems, which can cause him to get very wound up emotionally at times, and his parents thought they'd like to see if a Big Teddy (larger, as well as heavier and furrier than those JFF already has in his collection of cuddly Bears) might help him calm down when the world threatens to overwhelm him.  Professionals with whom the parents deal, as well as information from the many other channels available to them, suggest that a "tool" Toy such as Jasper can be very helpful in stormy situations, and we look forward to hearing how the new Friendship carries on.   Initial findings are encouraging! There are plans, if required, to make Jasper an even heavier Bear - by sending him back to the Stuffed Animal Toy Hospital  (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/589621523/animal-toy-hospital) so that I can perform an operation on him and add suitably wrapped-up weights into either his paws or his tummy to make him even more comforting for JFF.   We'll keep you posted as to developments, as we at COLDHAM CUDDLIES would love to help youngsters with special needs to fit into their surroundings more happily - and we believe we can provide other Bears,

a Big Blue (or any other Colour) Whale or two -

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/566375716/bertie-blue-whale

or even a New Cuddly Toy - yet to be made -  to serve in this therapeutic capacity.   Meanwhile, Oscar 2, the second version of the Blue Fleece Rabbit Mascot for the Charity - Oxford Against Cutting (OAC) - has been completed.  We told you about developments on that front last week, and here's a photograph of Oscar 2, before he was wrapped up (in chemical free tissue paper, followed by being rolled up in bubble-wrap - to protect his ears in particular - against the rigours of international postal service treatment!) and then placed in a plastic AIR MAIL envelope ready for his journey to Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.  

Oscar 2 was handed in to our local Post Office in Kirkby in Ashfield yesterday morning at 1015 GMT:   (I've just checked on the Royal Mail tracker site - and Oscar 2 has been "handed over to the Overseas Postal Service for delivery to the United States...")

Just so you, our Followers, can compare the new version against the original, here's another copy of Oscar 1:

The latest version has also resulted in a "fuller" white chested body (hopefully making it more cuddly - as requested by MsKA).  Oscar 2's ears have been stiffened with the addition of some interfacing - similar to the stuff used in stiffening collars in any dress-making project.  His ears are more pricked as a result - and do seem to stand more erectly those of Oscar 1.  Oscar 2's neck has also been shortened, and fits lower on his shoulders, and as a result he's not as top-heavy as his predecessor.  We think, if MsKA of the OAC decides to keep with the original pattern, future Blue Rabbits will need to have slightly sturdier legs (near his feet in particular!) to make sure he's even steadier on "his pins".  
I heard back from MsKA last Monday that she leaves the choice of the eventual pattern to Me!  So, during the last week, I've managed to get the patterns shown in our post last week enlarged - so that, for comparison purposes, the resulting Rabbit Toys will be a similar size to the Oscar Blue Rabbits, and my next task is to cut, fit together the pieces and then stick them onto cardboard to provide me with long-term templates for the alternative Blue Rabbit "look".  I'm not prepared to be the final arbiter for the Charity's Cuddly Blue Rabbit Toys (they have to be "just right" in my view for their important task), so the current arrangement is that the first New Blue Rabbit will be sent to OAC.  Then MsKA and the Charity's Nurse will decide which version they consider to be the cuddlier Rabbit Toy.  Then, every future OAC Blue Rabbit will be made in the chosen pattern. Watch this space, Everyone!
On the Public Relations/Publicity front, there have also been developments.  Our Yell.com advertisement (mentioned last week) went "live" mid-week last week.  Developments, if any, are awaited - but meanwhile, I've been building up the site filling in the blank spots with text and photographs.  The latter still need to be increased - when time allows.  (I think this is the link to the site!  =  https://www.yell.com/0040562964/60)


Then, I've also dipped my toes into the water with a Facebook advertising boost. I'm not sure how this will pan out either, but since Facebook were kind enough to give me a £30.00 advertising coupon, I decided to give it a go!  Have booked a space until April 29th, (and co-inciding with an Etsy.com-wide sale as well) potentially spending £29.00 in total in this "campaign" (advertising a 20% discount on ALL items in our Shop).  Again, developments (if any) are awaited - with interest:  here's that link for you: https://www.facebook.com/ColdhamCuddliesStore/photos/a.374270566005652.81723.235481409884569/1495753120524052/?type=3 Another site to check out as the days go by!!   As it's a "freebie", and this is a FIRST for us, there's NOTHING to lose!! Cy Bear (or I) will be back next week - all things being equal!

COLDHAMCUDDLIES Near Future is RABBITS - Lots of Blue Rabbits in particular!

Hello Everyone - Cy Bear back with you once again, with some updates.

Isobel has been busy continuing the re-tagging and re-titling that is an every day (seemingly) chore when one has an Etsy.com Shop like ours - in case you need reminding, ours is www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.etsy.com. - but there have been two particular developments this week that we feel Our Readers may find interesting.

The first, some further news on the Oscar Blue Rabbit front:  our contact at Oxford Against Cutting (OAC)) - MsKA - sent an email last Friday afternoon, saying she had been able to identify funding for the 6 Blue Rabbits her Charity's Nurse hopes to use in her educational presentations to school children from May 2018 onwards.  We've been asked to make them "fatter" and "more cuddly" than the original prototype Mascot Rabbit Toy we created - and told you about in our post dated February 4th, 2018 ("Introducing Oscar Blue Rabbit......").  Here's a picture  - just to remind you what Oscar looks like:

 Isobel has also been asked to make his neck "thicker" too - but we're not absolutely sure that changing the templates we've got for Oscar will actually convert well into the kind of Toy MsKA is seeking:  something that little - and not so little - girls will want to hug and cuddle. 

To overcome this potential difficulty, we asked our Friend, SS - puppeteer extraoradinaire from Tulsa, Okalahoma for his thoughts (as he designed the original Oscar template for us).  Just to be sure, he suggested two other Rabbit patterns which might fit the bill better.  They've been sent to MsKA for her thoughts - because Isobel is not actually going to begin the OAC commission until the week-beginning 26th March, 2018. 

Pattern 1

Pattern 2

We think by using the pricked ears from one of the patterns (Pattern 1), and the body, head and limbs from other, rounder pattern (Pattern 22), we'll achieve what MsKA is looking for.  The original request from MsKA was for a toy that closely resembled their design for The Blue Rabbit - star of the film promoting their Charity's work in the field of  Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)  (You'll be told the results of this consultation as and when we know the answer!) 

Isobel is actually making Oscar No2. at the moment - and we're hoping that he will be en route to Tulsa by the end of next week, so that the OAC Order can be started.  Isobel is incorporating the suggested amended "looks" into this latest version, just to see if they WILL work, or if they could be improved by using the new pattern.

Meanwhile, because Oscar No1 used most of the existing fleece in our stock - Isobel has purchased another batch - which, needless to say, looks almost the same colour, (but not exactly the same) - but feels somewhat softer and cuddlier.  OscarNo2 is being made with the new supply, as will the proposed Batch of Six!

Here's a photograph, taken on our dining room table of the fabrics we will be using:

You'll see that we've got two different fabrics in the darker blue colour:  a length in Dark Blue Fleece, and a smaller amount in a matching polyester material.  All future Oscars' noses will all be made with the Blue Fleece, as it was with Oscar No1 and  we used that fabric for his ear linings as well, because we hoped that it would help them to stay pricked up!  We're not sure that is going to be a really long-term solution though (and may well suggest that Oscar be returned to our Toy Animal Restoration Clinic- for a free Make Over as a result). Oscar No2's ears, as well as having Blue Fleece linings are also being stiffened with a layer of inter-facing - which looks as though it will provide a longer-term answer to the floppy tendencies caused by fleece fabric in all cases.  (The loppy ears shown in Pattern 2 shows the "look" that Oscar No1's ears could end up with, if left as they currently are!)

In addition, all COLDHAMCUDDLIES Rabbits, whether dressed or otherwise, or whether made with fleece or plushes, have ears made with polyester or satin-type linings.  We're going to give MsKA the option to choose, once we've got a response about the patterns.  In the end, it's a question of "feel", as well as "look" as to which way the decision will go, we suspect.

Talking about Makeovers, which we wrote about in our last post, we've embarked on a new path - in particular to do with the Toy Animal Restoration Clinic, (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/589621523/animal-toys-mended-toy-bear-special-care?ref=shop_home_active_1 ) whose services have long been a part of the Shop's activities.  Since moving to Nottinghamshire, we've not had as many Patients visiting as we would like, so Isobel began to research how we could make these services better known to the "Great British Public" - in a way that is different, but much the same, as we attempt to do via the Etsy.com route.  We had our sewing machine repaired earlier this month, and while she "googled" to find out where our local Sewing Machine Repair Shop was located (in the next Town, as it happened - Sutton in Ashfield), she noticed an advert for yell.com (the on line version of that long running publication "Yellow Pages").  She telephoned the number on the site, and actually met a Consultant to discuss her options last Friday. (Co-incidentally, he was with us when Isobel received the news about the 6 Further Oscar Models!)

The result of this is that we are trialling - for an initial 3 month period (of an annual offer) for an advertisement site for the Restoration Clinic.  There will also be a link to our Etsy Shop on there, and we can include up to 25 pictures there too, plus that old on-going bugbear "keywords"!!  It's going to be aimed at customers living in "London Central" and "Nottingham" areas for which there will be a monthly fee (which can be covered by our existing funds currently, as well as from the results of the OAC Order).  In addition, we will be getting coverage - for free during the same period - in the Chesterfield, Derbyshire and Mansfield, Nottinghamshire areas (both larger Towns located near to where we live).  If nothing materialises in the first 3 months, the contract can be cancelled.  If business does arrive, we will have the option to continue the advertisement for the specified 1 year period, or upgrade the site to a full website.  Isobel feels that after 8 years trading, COLDHAMCUDDLIES needs to expand it's borders - so please wish us luck (we already do have a suitable domain name that we can use). The site is due to "go live" sometime during this coming week (beginning 19th March, 2018). 

Interestingly, the yell.com Consultant was kind enough to suggest that our services can be regarded as somewhat of a "niche" one! Saleman's "talk", may be, but looking at their existing classifications, there didn't seem to be THAT many others offering such a service, and given that many of those have their titles beginning with "T" = Teddy Bears", the fact that ours is going to be labelled COLDHAMCUDDLIES,  and "keywords" will incorporate "Animal" in them,  might (we say just MIGHT!) end up with our services being seen higher "up the page", than many of the others UK-wide, not just in the areas we're paying for!  It's true:  after all, we've had Dinosaurs, (see below)  Dragons, as well as Puffins and multiple Teddy Bears admittedly, as Patients since we started out in 2011!

Here's hoping!   See you all next week, hopefully!

Your Friend, Cy Bear.