PuffinR, our Newest Patent in the Clinic, prepares for his treatment.

Hello Everyone:  

Cy Bear here to tell you about PuffinR, (as he has been registered) normally a resident of Warwick, Rhode Island, New York, U.S.A - but now registered as our latest Patient in the COLDHAMCUDDLIES Stuffed Toy Animal Restoration Clinic (https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/79124185/stuffed-toy-animal-restoration?ref=shop_home_active_1)

Puffin R upon arrival after a 6 day journey from the USA

So that we could prepare PuffinR's perch in the Clinic, Isobel asked for  some background information about this unfortunate bird.  He has been the Forever Friend, since his first birthday, of NR, who is now 4 years old, (with an upcoming March birthday).  PuffinR is a Boy Bird, although for a short period - after NR's sister arrived in 2015 - he was a girl.  He's a popular member of the family, and is described by DadR as "always being a silly bird"!  PuffinR is also sad that "the dog was mean to him - but "everyone has learned the lesson that it is necessary to keep stuffies off the floor when dogs are around"!

So that he didn't feel hungry as he set out on this "Puffin adventure of a lifetime", NR suggested that he travel with a lollipop - which you can see in the arrival picture.  Upon arrival, Isobel suggested to DadR that PuffinR must have slept all the way through the journey, since the lollipop had been untouched.  We then reassured PuffinR's Family that he was in safe hands by sending this photo of him and me (and the lollipop!)

Sitting on a chair in our Living Room.

You can see that the lollipop is still untouched.  Between you and me, I don't really think that lollipop's are Bear food, so I suspect that the item will be returning to the USA once PuffinR's treatment is completed.  I think that will go down well with NR - who when told about the intact candy (the American for a sweet - the word used over on this side of the Atlantic Ocean) said to his Dad that "Puffin must be saving it for him"!  

For the information of our Followers, here is the "low-down" on poor PuffinR's current state of health (or not, as the case may be):

He's really not got a functioning beak:  that  will have to be totally rebuilt.
His two feet have been ripped away from his body, but remain intact.  Isobel will try to fix  them to the new body, because they are usable.
His entire front (chest) will have to be replaced, because there are holes around each side, as well as those visible in the photo above.
He no longer has any eyes.  Two more will be needed.
The stuffing you see attached to his feet, is all that is now left - after the Dog's attentions, and PuffinR having had a bath prior to his travel across the Atlantic Ocean.

His right wing (which you can sort of see in this photo) is pretty intact, and will be used to provide the template for both wings when the new PuffinR is created.
His left wing (sticking out at the back of this photo)  must have been used by the dog to both pull the Toy apart, as well as shake it, as it has been stretched completely out of place, as you can see from the picture below.  It's almost the length of the whole existing body.  Both will need replacement.

The first step for Isobel is to take PuffinR apart and find how he's made!  She can then create a cardboard template so that she can cut out the replacement pieces to put PuffinR back together again.

As I said earlier, PuffinR has already had a bath (DadR confirmed that this had taken place, because the thought of a travelling Puffin toy in a package smelling strongly of Dog "was not a palatable one"!).  So, once PuffinR is in pieces, and the replacement pattern created, we plan to tack the original pieces to their matching sections using the new material,  before sewing the body together.  He will then be re-stuffed.  Once the final PuffinR has been created, the tacking will be removed (as the original toy pieces will be held in place by the stuffing).


Previous experience when we've been restoring our Patients is that PuffinR may well end up slightly bigger than he is at the moment.  Isobel was surprised at how small he is actually - we'd got the idea from the original photos that he was a much bigger toy than he is.  He's about the same size as one of our Baby Koalas - see below

Mind you, this Koala is fully stuffed:  I'll measure them when PuffinR is restored

Having said that,  DadR says that "though Puffin was never a large bird, the size of his personality fills the room".

While awaiting PuffinR's arrival, Isobel did some research with the two main on-line fabric suppliers we use and asked for swatches so that matching could take place as quickly as possible.  Some have have arrived, but on inspection, not all are as good a match as we are seeking.  (One does have  to allow for differences in fabric manufacture and dyes used - so an absolute match is not going to be possible.  Also colours pictured on the internet also can be misleading).

Since PuffinR arrived though, we've established that he is made with fleece, so on Saturday morning, Isobel decided to take PuffinR with her on a reconnaisance trip to a haberdashery outlet in Mansfield, the nearest big Town to us here in Kirkby in Ashfield, and has successfully matched all the colours, in the usual fleece fabrics available to us, that we need to achieve PuffinR's "New Look."  On the basis of "getting it when you see it", quarter metre pieces of all the colours have been purchased - to be put into use early next week.  We now wait for Isobel to undertake PuffinR's recovery operation, by creating the new template to put him together.


The exception will be the feet, which could have been replaced with felt, if need be - but as I mentioned earlier, PuffinR's existing feet will actually be usable, and will become the only pieces to be visible of the original Toy. However, we are delighted that none of the original PuffinR will be discarded, but will form the basis of each piece of the restored body.

What Isobel will be using later this week in PuffinR's re-creation

(Quarter metre is the smallest length we could purchase for this exercise, so there's going to be fabric left over.  Afterwards, we hope we'll be able to make some versions of  our own PuffinR's as we think they'll make great additions to our Plush Bird Toy collection. This will be done using the template Isobel hopes to create to restore PuffinR.  Excitingly, the lemon fleece we found is a better colour-match for PuffinR's beak - and, additionally, currently unavailable from our two internet sources.   The leftover material can be used to make some suitable Easter Chicks and Duck Toys, something Isobel had been considering as additional Coldham Cuddlies for 2017).

PuffinR's family will be sent a copy of each post from this blog while he is being treated.  DadR's last comment this week to Isobel indicates that much of their  "extended family is quite entertained by this entire endeavor. I think they'll be excited about the blog as well, so I hope to bring you some new readers.  (We both look forward to welcoming them to our existing Band of Followers!)

Cy Bear, by all means, should share in Puffin's largesse. It's not often a patient arrives with a present."  (Isobel had said that she'd "try to keep my paws off the lollipop while Puffin is being treated"  - I'm feeling a bit offended by that!  As if I would!)

So, I'll end this report from our Toy Restoration Clinic - with the wish that you all have a great week.  In the interim, I shall ponder DadR's remark about "Puffin's largesse".......

Your Friend, Cy Bear

The Latest Cuddlies Updates after a busy Week

Hello there Everyone - Cy Bear back again.

It's been a busy old week for us in the ColdhamCuddlies Shop (www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.etsy.com) and as official Mascot for the enterprise, it's been decided that I'm the one to do this post this week.


It's shorter than usual - Isobel is headed for the Helper's Party being thrown for all those who assist the Clergy at St. Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham, and as one of the regular Readers, she's been included in the mass invitation.  Clare, Alan and GrandsonE are also included, and it's the sort of occasion that goes on as long as it goes on.......until the last man/woman decides it's time to go home and resume "normal" life.  So, this is being drafted on Saturday, and will be posted when Isobel returns to our Flat "on the day".

Early in the week, we checked our Etsy Accounts page to find that payment for the Black Plush Baby Rabbit ordered at the beginning of last week-end by MrAP from Neumacher, Aberdeen, Scotland was en route to the Shop's bank account in the UK.  So having established which one of these four Baby Bunnies was the one destined to make the journey - 

Isobel packed up the selected Toy, wrapped it up and carried out her usual administrative tasks associated with sending a Coldham Cuddly to meet his Forever Friend.  

This time, MrAP chose an all Black Baby Rabbit (the one between the white-chested Baby Rabbit and the one with an orange ribbon around his neck) - which can be difficult to differentiate when we are placed close together for the purposes of a Farewell ceremonial photograph.  (You can just see him appearing over my right shoulder).

We also established that the said Forever Friend is a Baby (many of our Baby Toys do actually find themselves as gifts to adults, you know!), the usual Farewell Ceremony took place before the wrapped  Baby Rabbit disappeared into the polythene postal envelope in which our departing friends make their journeys - globally quite often, but this time as far as Scotland, UK.

Then, excitingly, on Thursday afternoon, we received an enquiry regarding possible restorative therapy for a damaged Puffin Toy, the much-treasured companion for a young boy called NR, living with his family in Rhode Island, New York, USA.  DadR had contacted one of the members of an Etsy Team for which Isobel is a Leader, and as the lady herself could not assist him,  she introduced DadR to Isobel.  Alas, the Puffin had been involved in a "discussion" with a family friend's Dog, and  had come off worst in the encounter.  Puffin and NR  have been very close companions, since NR's first birthday,  and DadR was desperate to see if  our Stuffed Animal Toy Restoration Clinic 

(https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/79124185/stuffed-toy-animal-restoration?ref=shop_home_active_1) could accept Puffin as a Patient.


Some photographs were sent showing the extent of Puffin's injuries, one of which is shown below:

DadR provided three pics, but these are the ones indicating the worst damage.

The excited canine had torn poor Puffin and had a great time extracting the stuffing!  By the look of the injuries, it seems a not insurmountable task, so Isobel  said she'd like to have a go at meeting the challenge of restoring Puffin to his former look.


DadR  gave us the following information when we last heard from him on Friday evening:

"We plan on taking Puffin to the post office in the morning, pack him with some travel treats, and say good-bye while he undertakes the trans-Atlantic journey from Rhode Island to Kirby in Ashfield. It will be a Puffin adventure worth telling for a generation."

We'll be able to give DadR a better idea of what will be involved  when Puffin reaches us, but the main problem is likely to be finding the right matching fabric with which to undertake the necessary repairs. Permission has been granted for us to provide a blow-by-blow account of the treatment here in the blog as it proceeds, so we've got at least a couple of posts for you to look forward to in the not too distant future.  As usual, day to day care of our prospective Patient will be left to me.

See you all again soon:

Your friend,  

Cy Bear.

In the steps of the Pilgrim Fathers....

Hello Everyone!


Cy Bear is taking a back seat this week, because he was on guard at home in Nottinghamshire when this visit to Plymouth, Devon took place in early Autumn last year.  When deciding to give you a change from Toy News, this week, I had not intended to choose this piece for exactly this week-end: however, with America in the news as rarely before, it does seem to be an appropriate heading for this week's blog!

Last September, elder daughter, Philippa and I were spending a few days exploring this bit of the UK - me for the first time: Philippa  on this day, catching up with her best friend from University days, and renewing her acquaintance with  her honorary nephew and nieces.  Having found our way from where we'd been spending our holiday to Devon, we were taken to the ferry point which would deliver us to the centre of Plymouth, which was our intended destination.

This is the view of The Dockyard - from Plymouth Hooe, near the spot where Sir Francis Drake is reputed to have played bowls as he waited for the arrival of the Spanish Armada way back circa 1588.  The Fort buildings stand guard still and face the mouth of the River Plym, as it enters the English Channel.

Once we'd left the car, we made our way down to the boat station - and I have to confess to being a little leery of the impending journey across the water.  The trip was only due to take a matter of minutes,but I've never been that good on TOP of water. even though I'd managed well enough the day before during our visit to Dartmouth - but that trip had involved literally crossing a narrow strip of water: this looked a whole lot more open - and the boat we were heading for did not look that sturdy!!

The boat goes over pretty well every quarter of an hour or so, so we all piled in and set off - with me resolutely look anywhere but the immediate horizon - although as you can see from the photo below, the sea was as calm as millpond.  

Having reached dry land quickly and safely, we then had a thoroughly pleasant hour walking through the cobbled streets of Plymouth - with many of the buildings really not matching parts of the age of the road, due to the Town Centre having been all but obliterated during the WW11 Blitz of the City. 

We were headed for the tall tower at the end of the street - the Headquarters of  Plymouth Gin.  As we had youngsters with us, and really weren't in the mood to top our spirit supplies that day,  I just took a picture of the factory - closer up

and then we headed off down the side streets - which are well worth browsing through.  Then we found ourselves getting nearer the dockside once more.

While we waited for the ferry to return and pick us up for the return journey, we were followed by the miniature train which chuffs it's way around the City - and was in this case headed in the direction of the Fort.

Just before we got on the boat, I managed to take this picture of the steps from where the Pilgrim Fathers are said to have finally embarked on their journey to the New World.  Thought our American Followers would be interested in seeing them - and they lend credence to the title of this post.  The sun wasn't really in the best place to show the steps to their best advantage, but I think you can get the drift!

Having suffered no ill effects on the way in to the Town Centre, I was not quite so hesitant about the return journey.  Even managed to take this photo of the water back to our starting point - which showed that we were going slightly against the tide, and therefore creating a bit of a swell behind us.

However, no ill effects were felt and we returned to our friend's home for light refreshment before returning back to Paignton, where we were staying with my Cousin.  Once again, we were fortunate in the weather.

The technical issues I've been having with my Facebook accounts might be beginning to get solved,   Not quite sure, but links seem to once again be becoming established in the right way.  Hopefully this will result in all the work I've been doing on that media site actually having the right effect in increasing views and visits to our Shop.  I'm deeply grateful that the Facebook Help site seems to have understood my plaintive calls for help - fingers crossed!!  Now let's hope I don't create mayhem once again as the future unfolds!

The final Golf Club Handle Cover (replacing the one send just after Christmas to our customer in Runcorn) is finished - and now resides in our newly established stash of Handle Covers. From the lack of contact from our Cheshire-based customer, it would seem that the Yogi Bear Golf Club Cover did fit one of her Friend's clubs.  A very satisfactory outcome if that is the case.


Next in the construction stakes is a replacement pair of  Polar Bear Slippers, which forms one of our two new listings I'm planning on publishing later today.  I've not sufficient photographs of these Baby Slippers on their own, but some with both Panda Bear Kids Slippers that the Polar Bears travelled with to Italy (in October last year) are being used as a starter.  Now that Christmas is well and truly over, I feel it is appropriate for both to be published, and once the replacement Polar Bear models are completed, I'll replace the photographs in the listing.

Hopefully, the new Polar Bear Slippers will be almost done by this time next week, and then I can get on with some more Small Animal replacements.  New arrangements for displaying a selection of our small animal toys - Monkeys, Bears, Rabbits, and Piglets, as well as a selection of our Nursery Mobiles - in the new premises of our friends "The Artful Buttoner" have been made.  Several Cuddlies found new homes over the last year through that outlet, and we are hopeful that this year's selection will be equally successful.


With that, I'll end this week's bulletin - hope everyone has a great one Next Week!


Your Friend, Isobel.