Treating Ed Ted - the first step

Greetings once more Everyone:  Cy Bear allowed to contribute again, and pleased to be talking to you.
 
One development since we last posted about Ed Ted is that Isobel has received the swatches she asked for to make his new outer covering from her local suppliers.  Although there was a possibility this could have been done in mohair, we heard today that the cost of using it was higher than Isobel was prepared to consider, so we've had to tell our Etsy contact FatPumpkinBear in USA that we won't be doing business with them after all.  We're very grateful for all the help Karen from that site was prepared to give us, but the budget for the project would have been exceeded before we'd started had we gone down that route.   Isobel's normal UK supplier for plush fur fabric has provided a pretty near match - so, Ed Ted is going to be made in Honey Fur Fabric.  The order will be sent once Isobel and husband, Peter, have returned from a routine hospital visit in Salisbury  tomorrow.

So, while waiting to receive the sample fabrics, Isobel began the delicate task of taking Ed Ted to pieces.  She found that by and large, the seams were in very good shape, although some had obviously had to have attention in order to keep the old fellow in shape.  Even though the pictures we've shown of him show that his stuffing was in danger of coming out from his legs, they had actually retained their shape pretty well.  The worst treatment had been meted out to Ed's arms, which were in a very poor condition, but now the seams have been unpicked, Isobel is confident of being able to take a good pattern from all the original pieces.  She  can then applique the old bits onto a backing fabric and sew them in at the same time as sewing up the new outside covering.  This is method she established with Little Red Ted. (The story of that was contained in three posts in early April - see www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/The Rejuvenation of Little Red Ted).

Ed Ted is now in pieces and Isobel has thrown out the original stuffing - which caused her to do a lot of coughing and sneezing as she was dealing with it.  Here are some pictures she took as she set to work with her "quick-unpic" and scissors.

Ed Ted's front, showing the wood chip stuffing and kapok

This was the first seam Isobel "attacked", and then she separated the head from the body.  The stuffing from the head is shown next:

The nose is wood chips:  the rest kapok

When Isobel was taking the head pieces apart, she discovered that the nose had been embroidered through the fabric into the wood chips:  it made what remained of Ed's nose a little difficult to unpick, but she achieved it without damaging the outer fabric, thus preserving the shape for creating the template for later work.  Once the stuffing had been removed, it became obvious that the next stage (once all the pieces had been undone) would be to scrape the remaining stuffing sticking to the fabric and washing each piece by hand.  That's going to be needed in order for Isobel to be able to get the correct shape for each piece before she can applique them on to the backing fabric. Some ironing is likely to be required as well. You can see how curled up the seams are - and most of the kapok has been scraped off the material.

Head pieces, plus ears and eyes, and cotter pin attaching head to the body

Now, I could go on all night, but this post would then be too long - so I'll finish for tonight, and Isobel or I will continue with the next post - hopefully tomorrow.  Bye for now.  Cy Bear

First Bulletin on Ed Ted's treatment

Ed Ted wth some bandages removed

Following Cy Bear's introduction of Ed Ted, we thought you'd like a quick update on what is happening (or not) with the poor fellow.

I've heard back from Ed Ted's Best Friend, RFE, and he's given me carte blanche as to what I do with him to make him better.  That should cut down on the time frame for his treatment, as it's my intention - if I do go ahead with setting up the Coldham Soft Toy Clinic - to keep the patient's family fully informed at each relevant stage of progress.  If they're not an Etsy member, that can take time.  RFE is a busy chap, spending time in UK, Dubai and Italy, when he's not in New York (or some place else!)  So. he's difficult to pin down, to say the least.

The UK fabric supplier I've already contacted for swatches has yet to come back to me - but they have more than one shop location in the south of England, and the colours I've specified may not all be in the same place.  So there is likely to be a delay in finding the rolls from which to cut the swatches.

In the interim, I was checking on the Etsy Activity site of www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com last night and found one of my Circle friends had favourited a site called FatPumpkinBear - based somewhere in the great USA.  The name was enough to catch my attention, so I had a further look - and lo and behold, Karen the site proprietor supplies Bear fabrics, among other activities on Etsy.

We happened to be online at the same time yesterday evening and I think's she's actually got some golden mohair fabric (rather than the plush fur I normally use) which, allowing for the differences computer colours can be to real life, looks to be to be spot on. There were a couple of others sample pictures she sent which might also be a good match, so I've asked for swatches from her too.  So, I will have to hope that US Mail and Royal Mail co-operate and that I can soon be able to make a decision and place an order.

Ed Ted's next treatment stage is for me to take him to pieces and make cardboard patterns from which to cut out his new form - both in the fur (when it eventually arrives) as well as the calico base on which I shall applique his existing pattern pieces, thus preserving what I can of his original body.  From the pictures already shown and those that follow, you can see that he's in pretty good shape, except for his arms.  Also, his stuffing is dangerous - being wood chippings (as was the practise when Ed Ted was new) and kapok filling, both inflammable and thus a real fire hazard.  When one thinks of the open wood,coal and gas fires that were prevalent when he and RFE were young and playing together, it's little short of horrifying, isn't it?  But, then, no one realised it then......so, it's up to me to make him a safe Bear to play with.

Ed Ted from the left side, with his eye hanging down

Right:  that's enough for tonight's bulletin.  We've got a daughter for lunch tomorrow, which may prevent much getting done tomorrow.  So, there may not be a post from either Cy nor me until early next week.  Isobel

New Covers for Kitchen Appliances - Part 2

Greetings One and All!  Cy Bear here once more and delighted to be able to chat with you again.

Isobel, having re-started the blogging process yesterday, has asked me to take over today and here goes....as she said when ending her rather long blog last night, she has now completed the covers for her kitchen appliances sewing project and we'd both like to prove it with a couple of photographs to show some of the final products.

Left - Food processor cover:  Right- Toaster

New look for Isobel's kitchen counter

Now, having got that little project out of the way, perhaps we can now return to the REAL business Isobel is supposed to be working on - toys (which can be seen at our shop www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  Think she's mentioned that she is seriously considering a new section for the shop - which will involve renovation of soft toys, rather than just making new ones for her to sell.  We've already been involved with one such project where we re-made Little Red Ted, as well as making a brand new Bear called Big Red Ted. (please visit http://www.ColdhamCuddliesCalling.blogspot.com/The Rejuvenation of Little Red Ted.  There were three posts involved, with pictures of me in the third one, as well as Big Red Ted).

Isobel did so enjoy rejuvenating the little fellow that when a friend of the family mentioned he'd just found his old Bear (while engaged in the sad business of clearing his late mother's home) and that he was in a bit of a mess - she suggested that he send his Teddy to us to see if we could help to get him better.

Well, after thinking about it - understandably, folks are so fond of their Bears (and other toys) that they are sometimes reluctant to let them be mended.  It is, alas,  inevitable that they will never return to the way they once were, and folks are leery (good Canadian word for wary) of changes.  Anyway, the Teddy arrived yesterday in the post and although he is indeed a well-loved Bear, he has certainly been in the wars by the look of him.  Just have a look-see...

The new arrival

Isobel has had a look at him, taking off his "bandages" and is pleased to say that although this pictures looks somewhat alarming (to another Bear at least), she thinks she can help him return to his former glory - even though she may not be able to exactly match his original colour.  Fabrics and dyes have changed in the years since he was a new bear.  By the way, for the purpose of this exercise, he's going to be called Ed Ted, as his Best Friend has "Edward" among some of his names.  Easy to remember and pronounce.

Isobel has contacted her fur fabric supplier and found four different fabrics that might be nearly right.  She's asked for swatches to be sent and will then send them to RFE (Ed Ted's best friend) so he can choose.  Then, the remedial treatment can begin.

We'll keep you posted - and meanwhile, here is another picture of Ed Ted to end for today.  Bye!  Cy Bear

Ed Ted from the rear

New Covers for Kitchen Appliances - Part 1

Back again, having completed the domestic sewing project I'd been putting off for ages!

I don't know about anyone else, but the thing I hate most in this world is housework.  I know - it's a necessity, but if I can find a way of making it easier to do, I follow it.  So, in the kitchen, to keep my various small appliances releatively dust-free - blender, steamer, slicer, toaster and food processor - I keep them covered.  That cuts down on the dust they collect and means I can be pretty sure I can use them whenever I need to, because - of course - I've cleaned them after use each time!!

About eight years ago, when I was in the patchwork/quilting mode, I used up lots of scraps I'd been collecting while making a larger quilt and made five patchwork covers for the appliances. Because they were quite colourful, I piped each one with a cream straight binding enclosing ordinary household string - we did not live too close to a haberdashery shop at the time, so I made do with what was close to hand.  It worked quite well, by the way - and was certainly less expensive than getting the piping to do it!   I lined each one with the stuff one uses when making curtains from scratch, and then finished each one off with straight seam binding in a colour that reflected the main one used in the patchwork.  It was a sort of wine-coloured binding and worked well.   However, after all this time, and several washes in the interim, the covers were beginning to look a little worn out and faded, and needed replacing.

Shortly after we moved here in 2008, one of our neighbours (two unmarried brothers, who are some of the best neighbours one can find) approached me (knowing that I am a sewer) and asked if I could help them shorten a pair of curtains they had inherited when they themselves moved in a couple of years or so before us.  Had a look and was able to help them - and in the process inherited the leftovers for any project I might create sometime in the future.

Then I got involved with making toys - first for friends of my daughters, then for one or two folks locally - then I learned about Etsy:  and the rest, as they say, is History, after I registered www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com. in January 2010 and started listing in September 2010, after building up some stock in the interim.

Then earlier this year, I remembered the green/cream patterned material I'd been given.  Found  I had just enough material from the curtain-shortening episode to make new covers for the latest generation of appliances in my current kitchen.  (Some appliances had had to be replaced after breaking down during the 8 years since I first covered them, and I had boxed and coxed to make the original covers fit the new ones).  So, I cut out the material, after roughly fitting them round each item fully intending to complete the project the next day.

However, then came my first Etsy order - very exciting - and since then, I've been fairly busy toy-making both via the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) plus local commissions and orders via the daughters and friends.  My mind was distracted somewhat further when I started this blog, so really the new covers project really did get left on the back-burner - until it became a matter of urgency that the old covers were replaced.  So, after my last blog on June 20th, I sat down and got on with the job.

Cover for the Toaster almost complete

Probably not the most eficient way of doing it, I got the pieces I had cut out, pinned them round each appliance, then tacked them and machined them.  Just to liven them up a little, I got some green straight seam binding, and some piping which can be used to decorate a cushion.  I had some black piping already in my sewing trolley, so did not have to buy in new.  I placed the piping into the binding, and pinned it so that the piping was in its own tube.  Then I pinned the two sides of material together, with the binding in between and machined the whole lot together.

Then I lined them, using the pillow cases in which my soft-furnishing outlet in Frome, Somerset, pack the polyester fibre I use for stuffing the toys - again, pinning round each appliance (and the cover), sewed the lining together and fitted both bits over the appliance.  Finally,  I've completed each cover by making a hem with plain white binding. I think the final product looks quite smart - and it certainly lightens up the kitchen a great deal!  However, time will probably prove that white straight binding is not necessarily the most practical colour to have chosen for the job!  It finishes the cover off nicely though!

Lining being placed over cover for the Blender

I took a couple of days to do the Blender, Toaster and Food Processor.  Then had a break - our social calendar suddenly became full! - and today finshed off the covers for the Steamer and Slicer.  Now all five are in place on my kitchen counter and ready to provide a dust-free service for a few more years.  I'll include pictures of the final items in my next blog. - just in time to begin telling you about my new toy project:  the Rejuvenation of Ed Ted (whose imminent arrival I did allude to in my last post).

Until then - happy days to one and all!  Isobel

Latest developments

A quickie tonight, because there have been some new developments in the life of the Coldham Cuddlies!

Having got fed up with no business cards to hand out - it's beginning to be a problem! - and having found that getting them printed off line, using local businesses, were prohibitively expensive (we are still a small operation with small funds to play with!) I bit the bullet last night and spent a long time working on a new design.

Have used the artwork for the banner in both this blog and the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) and using a white matt finish cardstock, have included all the relevant contact details for ColdhamCuddlies and myself, giving myself the title of Toymaker!  That is, after all, what I am, isn't it?  The internet source I have gone with is the company which the original, incorrect batch came from.  (I have to admit, that the problem was probably all mine, because I was even less adept at using the computer than I am now, and did sign the proof as being correct!).  The cost is about a quarter of the cheapest I was quoted hereabouts, including delivery and Value Added Tax and I can expect them within 21 days.  So, no contest really, is there?

Second thing is that it looks as though I am about to make the acquaintance of a second Teddy Bear in need of rejuvenation.  Think I've mentioned in an earlier post ("Looking on the Bright Side - Continued" - early in May this year, that following the Rejuvenation of Little Red Ted - there were three posts about that earlier too,  that I am seriously thinking of offering a Soft Toy Clinic option, as well as the Shop to be seen at (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  Our long-time friend R.E. has just 'phoned to say that his Ted is in a jiffy bag and he just needed our postal address!  I've not forgotten about this new potential business, and the new arrival is just the trigger I need to really put plans into action.

Think I shall formulate the plans - and blog about them shortly - particularly as I don't really know what is coming to be treated!  Just to remind readers, here is a reminder of what happened to Little Red Ted!

Starting the treatment

Little Red Ted completed, with Big Red Ted and Cy Bear!

Now, I had better get back to the domestic sewing projects I mentioned in my last post a couple of nights ago!  Two are complete:  four more to go!   Then it's back to the toys!

All the best .  Isobel

ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch

ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch: "Hello there! Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering..."

Just keeping in touch

Hello there!  Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering on the back-burner while I've been enjoying the toys!  Cannot put them off any more, so, while I'll still be blogging, it may not be concerning the toys.  May include some pics of what I'm up to in this field:   let's see how I go on.

On the other hand, there are some updates on previous posts:   the potential sale of  a Fox or two to the local primary school in Heytesbury has yet to take place.  Although I contacted them in May, only heard from them today.  They must have got the vibes I was sending out that I would call in unannounced!  With the school year-end in sight, money is not available for such "frivolous" (my description, not theirs) purchases so we have agreed to leave a get together until September - the beginning of a new school year - when hopefully money will be available.  Have booked a table for their Christmas bazaar though, and got a toe in the door - which was the general idea in the first place.  As a former School Governor, I had an idea that funds would not be readily available at this stage of the school year!

Have been trying to get prices for the replacement business cards I really am beginning to need.  So far, none have beaten the internet site who made the mess-up on my previous set.  So, may have to return to them, this time being a lot more careful before pressing the final button to set the whole thing up!  Will try to do it in daylight this time, rather than at night, when inevitably one is tired and not as accurate in proof-reading.

Am really excited to report that following a contact with Stephi of StephisWhimsys (a fellow Etsian), I was able to purchase a Bear and Doll magazine with several possible bear patterns.  As I've said before,  I'm not into dolls - although some of the patterns are charming in the magazine.  But the Bears templates offer some distinct possibilities for future Cuddlies creations.  They will be based on the patterns in the magazine, but not  follow the instructions entirely.  Don't want to run the risk of infringing any copyright still vested in them by the magazine publishers.  Still, it's very exciting to have some new directions to follow.

Have also been given a lead to a newish Art Gallery in Warminster - our local town - which seeks to feature local artists.  A kind friend enquired whether the owner would be interested in featuring a Cuddly or two, and she was kind enough to say she'd like to meet me.  So, now, it's a question of finding the time to go and meet her, introduce some Cuddlies, and see if we can do business.   Such actions are a new direction for me, so will have to be carefully considered.

It's now getting late - I need my beauty sleep:  husband is well in the Land of Nod, so had better go and join him!

Until the next time.  Isobel

Cy Bear and Miss Prim