As promised: finally, the Tale of Mons. Reynard

Cy Bear has been talking about it, and I've been thinking about it, and now - finally - here beginneth the Tale of Mons. Reynard - with the first installment of his rejuvenation treatment.

As those of you who regularly follow us here know, Mons Reynard (Mons.R) has been a patient in the Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing # 79124185) for several months now.  He, and Mme Lapin (who is expected back from her 360 degree imaging procedure on Wednesday  or Thursday of next week), belong to my French-based sister-in-law, IvyM, for whom I originally made them over 30 years ago.  The exact date has been lost in the "mists of time".

When Mons.R arrived last August, he looked like this:

His "stuffing" did not allow a standing up picture

When I got to work on him, I was very pleased to find that apart from years of accumulated dust and stuffing that had deteriorated, there really was not too much wrong with him.  He needed a good wash, re-stuffing and a new set of boots, because the leather his boots are made from  in this picture was all that was available to me at the time of production and I never really liked them!  Plus, Edmonton, Alberta where we then lived was not as well supplied for craft materials then as it is now from all accounts.  In addition, I now have reasonably ready access to a selection of remnants of glove-quality leather and like to use that when making my gentleman toys.

In pieces, and clearly showing the dust on  Mons.R's  fur.

Mons.R's clothing - and broken boots!

Mons.R's boots had dried out so much over the years that once I got to work with my "Quik-Unpic " the stitches simply tore the leather as I worked to remove them.  As I'd already decided to change his boots, they were no loss!  His felt coat was in such good condition that I decided all that was required was a careful vacuum to remove his surface dust.  Then unpicking the stitching, and turning everything inside out would suffice to give him a "new" overcoat.  Felt, of course, does not respond well to getting wet, so I had been prepared to give him a complete new outfit, but really did not feel one was required.  I did decide, however, that modern fashion dictated that  some extra adornment might not go amiss.

The trousers have their own story which might amuse.  Some years before, shortly after Peter and I married, we were donated  an armchair by his mother who was packing up and moving permanently to Canada.  The chair had always been known as "Peter's" Chair, and woe betide any family member who sat in it when the "owner" was present!  However, over the years it had become - well - shall we say a little shabby.  So, I decided to have a go at some soft-furnishing and try to recover said object.  We found the material together, I think, in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk - the nearest big town to where we were then living - and after some hesitation, the deed was done.  Forever afterwards, it was known as the Gold Chair!  Alas, when we ourselves moved to Canada, the frame was in no fit state to accompany us, but I did retain the remnants from the project - and Mons. R was the ultimate beneficiary, as they became his trousers.

To return to the present, though:  I was not sure how the brocade would respond to washing after all these years (nearer 40 than 30!) but decided to have a go.  Using the well tried technique of soaking all the material designated for such treatment in cold water overnight, the next morning I gently washed each piece in lukewarm water and soft soapy detergent - and boy did the dirt come out!  I then rinsed them well  and pegged them on to a clothes maiden perched over one of our radiators.

Everything was dripping wet here - but the trousers did still cause some concern!

By the afternoon of the same day, everything but the trousers was ready for pressing into shape, so I waited a further 24 hours, and we were ready to begin the rejuvenation treatment in earnest.

There is a significant difference already in his appearance I think you will all agree!  Here is Mons.R's head ready for his ears to be replaced, with two new glass-look plastic eyes, complete with metal safety  washer.  (I had made his original ones using felt, and he had always had a somewhat "oriental" look, which somehow did not look quite right to me!)   His new boots are ready to be sewn together and the head and ears are resting on  his newly vacuumed felt coat!  You wouldn't think that the felt was over 30 years' old would you?

Showing Mons.R's original eyes!

Right - time to end this post:  the second installment will follow in a day or so.  I've got to do some sewing for the upcoming Spring Shopping Day this week-end, as you know, and there are still some more toys to make.  I've done 3 replacement Baby Koalas and cut out a new Bear which I hope to have complete in a day or two.  So the next post will have to be fitted in somehow.

In the meantime, goodnight, take care of yourselves - and be with you again soon.  Isobel

Mercantile Muse: And that award goes to......

Mercantile Muse: And that award goes to...... www,ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com. Many thanks for the helpful boost!

Squaring some circles: plus more updates

Introducing the new Mons. Reynard

Greetings once again - from Cy Bear.  Just thought you'd like to see what Mons. Reynard now looks like.  Isobel will be posting about his rejuvenation process in the next couple of posts, but because today's post has no illustrations worth posting, we thought we'd introduce him before the step-by-step process is described.

Mons. Reynard upon arrival in the Soft Toy Clinic

I'm in Isobel's bad books - because apparently, I missed the whole point of the Hedgehog pattern story.  Not only did Mrs.VY from Neosho, Missouri find us the pattern, but it actually was located - not in the U.S.A. but not that far away from us here in Heytesbury!  The source was another Etsy shop, of course, (bekabeka75 and that is based somewhere near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, UK!!!)  When it was explained to me, I realised my mistake - it's just Isobel and I have different editorial priorities, I suppose!  So this can be the update on the original update!

The Hedgehogs (all three of them) are ready for their introduction to the world on Saturday, March 10.  Isobel has taken some pictures, but they will only be circulated among her immediate family until then.  The Baby was completed this afternoon, and since then, we have managed to cut out three replacement Baby Koalas.  Isobel would love to be able to have another Big Koala ready by then, but doesn't think time will allow it.  Instead, because she is familiar with the pattern, she will try to get at least one new Bear made, and may take a second one to work on while she is attending the Spring Sale at the Heytesbury Primary School.  She might as well keep her fingers moving while waiting for folks to come round and buy.

 It may also attract more people to our stall, as well as the new look!  I must say, I'm looking forward to sitting on the emerald green crushed velvet - should be a lot more comfortable than my usual perch:  on the top shelf of a bookcase in our hallway!

Regular readers may recall that there were problems when we first tried to use the Mini Photo Studio Isobel purchased as a Christmas present to the ColdhamCuddlies enterprise.  One of the lamps did not function properly, so it was sent back to be replaced - following all the instructions on the documentation that accompanied the initial package.  We heard nothing for almost a month, so Isobel got busy on the telephone at the beginning of last week.

The warehouse from which it was sent apparently had not receive the lamp, but they were happy to send a replacement - provided they still had some in stock - as Isobel had provided them with the necessary order number etc.   We could expect the replacement within 4-5 working Days.  Well, on the 4th day after the 'phone call (last Friday, February 24 to be exact) a large package was delivered from "The Sunday Telegraph", under whose auspices the special offer had first appeared.  The package looked suspiciously like the original that arrived on Christmas Eve!    Then on Saturday morning, by post, the replacement lamp arrived.  Thus, over the week-end, we potentially had  not one, but two, Mini Photo Studios here!  On Monday morning, we rang the Telegraph Special Offer Department and they admitted they had erred.  The second, unopened package, was duly picked up on Tuesday, Isobel has checked the replacement lamp works, and we can now proceed to use the Mini Photo Studio properly.  There should therefore be much better photographs of all of us from now on - at least in the www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com shop, if not always here on the blog.  It's a bit fiddly to put up and takes time - which neither of us has when posting on this blog.

Finally, although we are still waiting for one more pattern book - the Mother's Day present to Isobel from her younger daughter, Clare - the first book has arrived and Isobel has identified at least two new patterns she would like to try out.  However, first of all, the patterns have to be enlarged by 400% to the right dimensions to make the right-sized toy.  Now, Isobel is able to sew and make us toys from existing patterns, but she's not really very good at drawing - ANYTHING.  These patterns are on a page with 1cm squares.  She needs the patterns to fit 5cm squares, which her son-in-law, Alan, tells her means they have to be enlarged by 400%.  She believes him:  because like drawing, maths is not a strong subject for her either!

A week-end or so ago, several minutes (it felt like hours!) were spent trying to enlarge the patterns using our home printer.  Isobel got the pictures enlarged by 200%.  But she and the printer gave up after that.  Too much paper and printing ink were being wasted.  We're now trying to find a print shop near here that can do the job for us.  So far, the nearest quick print facility we've been able to locate is either in Bristol (28 miles away) or Salisbury (20 miles) - hardly economic!  So, we've asked Philippa to look out for one for us - she thinks there is one in High Wycombe, where she lives, but we've got to find out if it opens on a Saturday (the only day when she's not working in London).  Her office normally has a machine capable of doing it, but they've just moved into new premises and their big printer has yet to find it's berth there!  And they are so new in the area, that local suppliers are still being researched.   So, Philippa is finding out for us this week-end from her end in High Wycombe.  Isobel is going to see if the village printer - that also doubles as our local shop, newsagent and Post Office - can do it.  If we're lucky, Owls and Badgers will definitely be added to the ColdhamCuddlies family soon:  otherwise, it will have to wait until Isobel masters the enlargement-by-drawing method.  We'll keep you posted!

Right - that really is the last of our updates.  Nice to have been able to tell you all  about them.  Till the next time.  Cy Bear.

Squaring some circles: updates following

Cy Bear here - bet you've been wondering where I've been!  Isobel has been busy recently, what with finishing Mme. Lapin and sending her back to St. Albans for her "After" 360 degree pictures at Outsphere UK & Ireland, and then rejuvenating Mons. Reynard (job now finished - and awaiting Mme Lapin's return so that we can complete the farewell ceremonies - with ME in charge! - before they go back to France and Mrs. IM., sister-in-law to Isobel and Peter.  Although the rejuvenation of Mons. Reynard is complete, Isobel will not be posting about the process  until the departure time approaches, as she feels it more appropriate to include the farewell pictures when she does the piece(s).  Suffice to say, Peter cannot believe "how clean" he now looks!

So, while we wait, Isobel and I feel it right to bring you all "up to snuff" as an English saying goes on what else has been happening in the world of the Coldham Cuddlies (www.etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies).  There seems to have been quite a lot, although the shop is still a little bare - and we hope it will tie up some loose ends for you - as it does for us.

Way back in October last year (in a post entitled "Just checking in - and playing catch up as well! /02/10.11) Isobel mentioned that she was working on some labels for use with us Cuddlies.  Well, it's taken some time, and we've gone to more than one possible source, but Isobel finally decided to try the manufacturer of those name tapes that mothers/children of former, and current,  boarding school pupils will recall - Cash's Name Tapes.  By "googling" that into the computer, Isobel was directed to the site of a company called Woven Labels UK Ltd who not only produce those kind of labels, but labels suitable for crafters too. 

The artwork was sent, a price suggested - which initially was for 500 or 1000 labels!   Isobel responded that given her work rate (at that time, anyway) she could be dead before that final number was reached and wondered if they could give her a price for, say, 250.  They came back - remarkably fast - and a price was agreed.  In the interim, both Peter, Isobel and Mr. RFE (responsible for the original artwork) had had some further ideas, and the artwork was changed a little.  We've now got to the point that we have a sample label to show you - it's been sent back, because they've got the colours a bit mixed up.  But, basically, if the line with "@ tiscali.co.uk" is woven in the same colour as "ColdhamCuddlies", we've got 250 labels shortly on the way.  Now Isobel has got to figure out where she's going to attach the labels to us Cuddlies!  That's her problem, not mine!   Here's what the sample looked like when presented:

Label as presented.

We want, if possible, for the label to  be easily recognisable as the Coldham colours, with its similarities to our banner in this blog and that of the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).

As Isobel comments:  "It takes me back to my school days - just before term began, when all the new items needed name tapes to be attached!"  Whilst her mother did some of them when she was first at school, latterly, due to Mother losing her sight, it became one of Isobel's duties! That I believe was between 1951 and 1957!  Well before I was thought of as a  Bear, even though I was then still a Beaver Lamb Fur Coat.

Now for some news about our recent departures:

Hairy Bear (with Light Brown Felt Muzzle) has arrived safely in Sequals (his departure was announced in our post dated 10.02.12).  The last time we heard, he was sitting in the middle of Mr. RFE's sofa and very comfortable after his postal journey.  Mr. RFE's cat, Snow (who adopted Mr. RFE a couple of years' ago and is totally white in colour) has decided Hairy Bear is nothing to worry about.  Having sniffed him, pushed him about a little, he has since ignored him.  So, the presumption is that Hairy has been accepted.

The Panda Bear, destined for Neosho, Missouri also arrived safely at his Forever Home - and has been christened Peter Panda by Mrs. VY, his new Forever Friend. 

Now, here's an interesting anecdote:  during various conversations between Mrs.VY and Isobel, it was established that they both had an interest in Hedgehogs.  Mrs.VY, when a girl of 10 or so, had had two real ones and  has loved them ever since.  Isobel, as you know, has been searching for a pattern for one so she could add them to the Coldham Cuddlies Family at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  Well, a day or so later, Mrs.VY - whose Etsy Shop specialises in vintage toys - sent Isobel a link which provided a pattern for a whole family of hedgehogs!  Isobel clicked onto it straight away, found there was only one available and purchased it immediately.  Result - it arrived in Heytesbury last Friday (February 24), and once  Mons. Reynard was completed (on Sunday), she cut out Mr. Hedgehog.  He has now been finished, and Mrs. Hedgehog is partially complete - the body needs to be stuffed, the head attached to the body, as well as the four feet.  Then Baby needs to be cut out and sewn.  Isobel is really pleased with this addition to the Coldham Cuddlies fold - and will be revealing them as one of her new products at the upcoming  "Spring Shopping Day" being held at the Heytesbury Primary School on Saturday, September 10. They should be quite easy to make up once she has got used to the new pattern(s).  The first editions are always slower than those that follow!

The Rabbits (shown below) that we sent to Mrs.SP in Medford, Massachusetts, although posted a couple of days earlier, only got to their destination at the end of last week.  However, they have been gladly received and more will be heard about them around Easter time (mid-April, I am told) when pictures  of them with  their respective Forever Friends will presumably be taken - and provided to us.  Here's a picture of the whole bunch, before they were packed up and sent off - you may recall, Mrs.SP was given a choice of the Baby Bunnies before they left us, and those selected are shown, with their labels in front of each.

Selected for dispatch to Medford, Massachusetts.

The Spring Shopping Day is turning out to be a lot bigger than Isobel had originally expected it to be.  It's arranged to last from 1000-1600 hours on March 10, which had meant that Isobel might have had to leave early so she could get lunch for Peter (who has complicated dietary requirements which only Isobel can fulfill).  However, Philippa (elder daughter and Forever Friend of Rusty Bear - still waiting for treatment in the Coldham Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) and former patient, Tommy Teddy) is coming to visit that week-end and is more than happy to deputise (and well able to meet such requirements).  Thus Isobel will be able to stay for all the time required as, in addition to our stall, there are going to be 15 other sellers exhibiting, with wares on offer covering Jewellry, Homemade Cakes - being provided by the Jubilee Committee (those arranging the village's celebrations of our Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June), Single Estate Extra Virgin Italian olive oil, Ceramics and lots of other specialities, most of whose traders are sited in Heytesbury and it's surrounding villages.

For that reason, Isobel decided that she really needed to make more of an effort to exhibit us Coldham Cuddlies.  Up till now, she's taken us in our respective plastic and other carrying bags, and plonked (that's the best description I can come up with - there's been no attempt at "arranging" us!) us on the table reserved for us.  From now on, we will be shown on a background of emerald green plush velvet covering the table (we should all look good on that!) and the front of the stall will be decorated with a banner that Isobel has recently purchased from BekahJennings' shop - an Etsy shop which specialises in making hand-made banners for all occasions.  This was a customised order for Isobel, and consists of handmade cards with a yellow background and green painted labels spelling "COLDHAM * CUDDLIES" all linked together with a lovely bright orange ribbon.  Isobel intends to drape the front of the stall - with the crushed velvet background - with this banner.  I think it should look good and the Cuddlies Family (or those that currently remain will stand out well.  Isobel is (planning  the replacements!)

This post has gone on long enough.  There are still some more items to update you on, I believe:  in which case, I expect Isobel will be suggesting I tell you about them in the a future post soon.  Meanwhile, cheers for now.  Cy Bear.

BESTeam Feature Blog - for February 26, 2012 promo

The Boosting Etsy Shops Team's goal is to offer support
and promotion of one another's Etsy shops primarily through our
personal Blogs, and also through our Twitter Accounts and Facebook Fanpages.
Commitment to this common goal is what makes our team the BEST! 

Patty’s Dream Designs is the first Etsy Shop I'd like to feature today.

Patty, who became a BESTeam member the same day as I did earlier this year, is a jewellery designer/producer par excellence, with a work-rate that leaves me totally breathless.  Every time I go on Blogger.com to check what my selected bloggers have posted about, Patty is usually there - with at least half-a dozen new products to boast about.  Heaven knows from where she gets her energy:  wish I could borrow some of it!

The particular item I’ve selected to feature this time around is a Peridot Swarovski Crystal Necklace with matching ear rings.  I’m a great fan of Peridot as a gemstone:  I’ve been lucky enough to inherit two sets of Victorian jewellery of which I’m very fond.  Patty’s modern version has therefore attracted my attention for that reason.  It stacks up jolly well against it’s older counter-parts, I might add.

Patty's contact details are Blog:  pattysdreamdesigns.blogspot.com;
 Facebook:  www.facebook.com/paages.Pattys-Dream-Designs/206760559365056
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Coe2-coe
StumbleUpon: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/pcoe6

Peridot Swarovski Crystal Necklace

It’s great to hear about a younger person’s dedication to dress-making and ambitions to become a full-time seamstress. Stitch Princess, the Etsy shop owned and operated by Faith Snowden is the next BESTeam member I want to feature in this post.  Her dresses are all wearable - whether bridal creations, evening gowns or just lovely daytime wear.  My choice from her current offerings in her Etsy shop is one of her versions of a reversible Flowery skirt.  My particular favourite  is the red, white and blue (so very patriotic for an English person in this year of our Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations!) panelled version.  It actually takes me back to my young days (in the 1950’s !) when dirndl skirts were all the rage,  and skirts were meant to swirl, while dressing them up (or down, as the case might be) or just be comfortable .

Flowery Skirt OneSizeFitsMost Reversible Skirt

Faith has a really great selection of other dresses and skirts, so why not check out her shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/StitchPrincess?  You won't feel you've wasted your time!


Danielle Saletzki is a clever person who manages to operate two Etsy Shops at the same time and she's my third selected feature for this post.  One Shop specialises in retro/nostalgic photography, while the other - a recently started venture is known as ChickyDs - and  indulges her love of ribbons and fabric head adornments (Bow, Flowerclips, headbands, as well as branching out into pillows.  One of these pillows particularly attracted me - Owls in Trees, made with a corduroy fabric picturing multi-coloured owls in trees.  Since I’m considering going into the owl business myself shortly, this piece is particularly appealing.

Owls in Trees 18" Corduroy Pillow

So these are the three  shops I've selected for this BESTeam feature blog.  If there are any of you with an Etsy Shop looking to boost your visitors, why not check out the BESTeam Forum and maybe join the team.  If they allow me in, they'll be more than happy to have you become a member too.  They're a wonderful group of people and all most encouraging and helpful too.


As part of my BESTeam commitment, throughout the coming months (provided they accept me as a full time member) I hope to  be posting short features of each of the fabulous shops and talented craftspersons representing the team.  What is BESTeam?  It's The Boosting Etsy Shops Team and our goal is to give support to each other and to help promote each others' Etsy shops through blogging, Facebook and other social networks.  If you are an Etsy shopowner and are interested in learning more about BESTeam, please visit the team page on Etsy or have a look at the BESTeam blog.