New Career Opportunity for a Coldham Cuddy and ex Soft Toy Clinic Patient

Hello Everyone:  Cy Bear once more being allowed to tell you some splendid news.

The picture here gives you the explanation of today’s headline. (It looks a bit crumpled - because Royal Mail treated the envelope in which it was posted a little rough:  despite Isobel's efforts, we couldn't get the letter any smoother!)  

 The photograph shows Blue Bear (who once belonged to Alan, Isobel’s son-in-law - who never played with him, because he was too old when he arrived in his home) and William White Bear - one of the first Bears Isobel ever made for our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies.  They are shown sitting at the desk of the Director of the Journalists’ Charity - an organisation of which Peter was a Life Member, and which has helped  Peter and Isobel on several occasions in the past.  To say thank you, Isobel has given the Charity Blue Teddy and William so that they can be used as fund-raisers at future events which will take place throughout the year all over the United Kingdom (UK)- all aimed at attracting funds to look after retired journalists and their families when they face difficult circumstances.

Isobel’s cousins JohnD and RoyD took her out to lunch last week, and as they live only 10 miles away from the Journalists’ Charity HQ in Dorking, Surrey, England, UK, she asked if they would act as Couriers and give the Bears a lift there for her.  Today, we got a letter from the Director with this picture and the letter's contents were as follows:

“Dear Isobel

Our new members of staff…….   
 Many thanks and best wishes.  David (David Ilott, Director)”

How they will actually be used, we leave to the Journalists’ Charity:  but Isobel did suggest that maybe Blue Bear could feature in a year-round competition, visiting all the UK regional branches,  to find him a proper name.  Blue Bear is a bit unoriginal, isn’t it?  While William could be offered as a prize in a Raffle or Tombola at one of the important functions that get arranged by the various regions in the United Kingdom.  It will be interesting to find out sometime.  I’ll ask Isobel to see if we can be told - eventually.
 

William has attracted a lot of good attention when we’ve been to Craft  Fairs hereabouts, but, unlike our Light Brown Bears, Brown Bears like me, and Hairy Bears (now no longer available),  he has never been able to find a Forever Home, so Isobel decided something had to be done.  We can only think that being so completely White (except for his ear linings) potential Forever Friends and their families did not think he would be a PRACTICAL present for a Little Person.   I think he could, however, be a great companion to an Older Person, and be great company for them - without necessarily arguing with them!

 Blue Bear has been a patient in the Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) waiting for treatment while Isobel was busy with other  Cuddlies.  She’s treated them in the Clinic, taken templates so that she could introduce them fully into the ColdhamCuddlies family - I’m talking here about Little Sleepy Teddy (Etsy Listing #107350815), Tigger Long Legs (Etsy Listing #108763404), Loppy Lugs the Arm Puppet (who has yet to be listed - he's still waiting for a model to show how he works!) and the Kittens - but she eventually had no one else to treat in the Clinic, so she got to work on Blue Bear.  (Isobel here:  there are now three Bears lining up for renovation and rehabilitation, so the Clinic won't be empty for long!)

Remembering what happened when she treated Rusty, The Giant Bear (still the featured Patient in our Clinic listing to be found at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies (#79124185)- when she took him apart,the polystyrene ball stuffing spread all over the flat and everywhere we looked was covered with them - Isobel was careful where she took Blue Bear apart.  This time, she undid his head only down as far as his shoulders and then tipped him up with his head in a big black garbage bag and shook as many of the polystrene balls as possible into it.  Then she had to revert to dust pan and brush to brush those that stubbornly clung to each piece of the body, arms and legs - and head. She also resorted to her hand held Dust Buster vacuum cleaner, but being made of plastic, the balls all flew about inside it and it didn't  really work.   Finally, she turned Blue Bear inside out and shook him - with the result that what was left inside the Bear went everywhere on the floor of the shed where the dustbins are kept here at The Hospital of St. John!   It also spread outside the shed when the door was opened.  It looked as if we'd had a snowstorm for a while, but there was a strong wind that day, so most got dispersed!

 Next came the obligatory overnight bath and soaking to get rid of the dust which had accumulated over the years of being stored in an attic.   Once he was thoroughly dry, Blue Bear then took almost 2.2 kilos (4.4lbs) of polyester fibre stuffing to appear as he does today!   He's a big, very cuddly armful - and should make someone a great Forever Friend.

 As Isobel now doesn't have a yard brush, she had to confess her untidyness to the Site Supervisor on the Monday morning (all this action took place one Sunday morning a few weeks ago).  There wasn't a problem, but Isobel doesn't like leaving a mess anywhere!  She also didn't want to give other residents here a reason to complain!!

I’m also pleased to be able to tell you that Isobel has also completed her entry for the Royal British LegionWomen’s Section Annual Competition.  Entries have to be in by the end of October, so at the week-end she handed over Jubilee Rabbit - because 2012 has seen our Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrated all over the country - and here she is.

She's perched on the arm of one of the comfortable chairs in the living room, and is being a bit cheeky, in my view, showing off her bloomers!  The decoration on her apron, dress and collar reflect the red, white and blue that appear in the United Kingdom flag, as do her dress itself and her felt boots!

 We do have  a series of photographs showing how she was created, but we will wait to let you see them - when we know the result of the competition. She will be returned once judging is complete, and she will be listed.  Once sold, ten per cent of the proceeds will be donated to the Royal British Legion Women's Section (the usual procedure for all our UK sales).  At this stage, we think it is just for the Western Region of the UK - which means winners might go to the National level!  So, keep your fingers crossed - and we’ll tell you what happens, when we know ourselves.

Finally, talking about competitions, Isobel posted a few weeks ago (16/09/2012)  about the Go Bustards Trail Art competition which took place in Warminster, our nearest Town.  The result of that competition was that Buttons - Isobel’s preferred candidate - was indeed chosen as the Favourite.  The second prize went to Bertie Bloomer, and we’re not sure who came third.  Isobel has been told to tell you that Buttons has now gone home to roost until the Spring, when he will re-appear as the centre piece for Think Outside the Box’s exhibit in the Wylye Valley Art Trail in May 2013. ( Folks will remember that Think Outside the Box is the haberdashery outlet that Isobel gets lots of her sewing materials from.)

That’s it for tonight.  Isobel is away for a few days, so blogging will be on hold - and I'll be left to hold the fort.  But when she returns, she’ll have lots to tell you about - so until then     ..........    Good Bye.  Cy Bear.

Announcing the Arrival of Jemima Bunny, a Limited Edition (One of 2) Brown Plush Rabbit

Jemima Brown Rabbit (Etsy Listing #112432364)  has taken longer to make than many of the ColdhamCuddlies Rabbits, because her production process was interrupted by the sudden death of my dearest husband.  I’ve made several old friends, and some new Cuddlies since May, but I’ve now finally managed to complete her and am pleased to introduce her as the latest member of the ColdhamCuddlies Family.

Etsy Listing #112432364

Made with in a very soft Brown Plush fabric, similar to the other Lady Dressed Rabbits in the Shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies, Jemima measures  18“ (46 cms) from tip of ears to the soles of her feet, when lying down.  Like all my Dressed Lady Toys, Jemima is made to sit down - allowing her to look comfortable sitting on a dressing-table or a bed pillow, as well as being a cuddly armful for her Forever Best Friend.

I've found a new source for the Brown Plush Fabric.  It results in a more tactile feel and Jemima's new Best  Friend will find her a very soft, cuddly armful when they get together.  The dress is made from an unusual cotton-based fabric with a slightly elastic feature, and there is a background floral pattern which gives an embossed texture to the final product.

The various stages of Jemima’s production entailed sewing the various components separately before the sewing together could begin.
 

A calico body is first constructed, and before stuffing, is made so that she can sit comfortably.  Once stuffed, her shoes are sewn, stuffed and attached firmly to the end of each leg. Next comes the construction of her pale sea-green nylon pantaloons edged with white lace.  These are gathered and sewn in place over her shoes and at her waist.
 

Jemima’s skirt is then gathered, a ColdhamCuddlies label is attached (on the reverse side at the back seam) and then attached to the body waist line over her pantaloons.

The dress top, together with the arms - with paws attached - is arranged over the skirt at the waist .
 

Then her white muslin apron (decorated with dark blue ric-rac braiding) is sewn in place and finished off with a bow.

Her bushy white plush bob-tail is then sewn in place under the bow but firmly attached to her body (through all layers of material used in her dress to date).

Nearing completion, Jemima’s head - with ears and eyes in place is sewn onto the body and her blue collar (matching her shoes), decorated with white embroidered French Knots, is arranged and firmly sewn in place.

The final touch is the addition of her bright orange Felt Carrot, with juicy green felt leaf in just the right spot for her to nibble gently as she waits to be adopted to her Forever Home.

Please note:  the Carrot is a new, optional extra.  Without this addition, Jemima would cost USD43.40.  The Carrot itself is priced at USD4.10.

Dressed Lady Rabbits normally take me 5-7 Days to complete from cutting out the pattern pieces to achieving the final result.  All the ColdhamCuddlies are made in a smoke free environment and all meet international safety standards in terms of fillings, fabric  and other decorative features.

 Washing these toys is not a real option;  so the recommended age group for Jemima to find her Forever Friend would be from 3 years upwards. 

I no longer drive - so am dependent on public transport to reach the two local  Post Offices capable of handling Airmail Small Packets and Parcels near Heytesbury.  I access these Offices every Tuesday and Thursday or Friday each week.  Customers should bear this fact in mind if there is a deadline in their delivery requirements.

Jemima's weight means she can travel at the Standard  UK Royal Mail  Small Packet air mail postal rate, which varies according to the distance covered.  Normal delivery to the Eastern US Seaboard is anything between 5-10 Working Days and to the Western Seaboard it can take a further 7 Working Days.  It all depends on the aeroplane departure schedules!

Having finally listed Jemima, completed the Wombat Bunch Christmas order - a little ahead of schedule, the next item on the agenda will be the Royal British Legion Women's Section Competition entry - of another  Dressed Lady Rabbit.  Having already made three Calico Bodies for Lady Toys and a similar number for future Gentleman Toys, I've got the first stage done.  Tomorrow will see me cutting out pattern pieces and getting going with sewing machine (where appropriate), needles and thread and all the other associated implements. 

Be back again soon!  We've reached 220 Followers, by the way and the blog has now been viewed by over 8,500 people.  Thank you all so much for your support!  All the best.  Isobel

Catching my Breath - having survived the English Channel crossings

Well, I'm back after three wonderful days with family and their friends in Normandy and whilst I didn't see too much of the surrounding countryside - the weather gods were not being friendly, and we were surrounded by sheets of rain until the morning we left - the unfamiliar shops and beautiful cheese and wines more than made up for it.  So much so that plans are afoot for a repeat visit - but not until the official Spring time - when,hopefully, the Sun will have re-discovered where both Normandy and South West UK are situated (because it was evidently not much better here in Heytesbury while I was away with Philippa.)

The Channel was benign - especially on the outward journey:  coming back there was a bit of a swell, but as I was concentrating hard on sewing calico bodies for future dressed Lady and Gentlemen Toys for the shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies and the sensation was somewhat similar to aircraft turbulence (which has never worried me!) all's well that ends well.

Now, having caught up with all the social media tasks, read some of my favourite blogs and linked up with some of my favourite linky parties, I'm ready once more to start blogging here again, having caught my breath - and started to sample some of the cheeses purchased while I was away.  So, it's once again, somewhat of an update blog again today.

The Arts in the Park Craft Fair result was somewhat of a mixed bag.  At the moment, it looks like I have suffered a small loss - although two of my Fleece Baby Bunnies (Etsy Listing # 89020911 - a Purple/White and Pink/White one) found new Forever Homes.  Selling them did not quite cover the cost of the table on which the Cuddlies were displayed.

However, there were  two expressions of interest about possible purchases of Golf Club Head Covers - one already in stock and one using a Tiger Head based on the Tigger Long-Legs variations (Etsy Listing #108763404).

 Alas, I was not sufficiently fast on my feet to get a deposit from either potential buyer, so whilst expectant, I am not that hopeful.  Had I been a more persuasive seller, I would then have been able to claim that the event was a profitable exercise.  One lives and learns - and at least, I have been invited to attend a Primary School Christmas Bazaar in Codford, a nearby village, on December 1.  That is a direct result of my recent increased activity via Facebook, so all my social media blitzing is beginning to have some payback, it might seem.

In my last post (Now for a Miscellany Update -04/10/2012) I mentioned that ColdhamCuddlies had been selected to feature in an article in The Warminster Journal following the Slaters Barn Coffee Morning Craft Sale:  it's pleasing to tell you that apart from a photograph of the Organiser of the event, the only stall selected from that particular event was indeed our stall.  As ever, the scanner was unable to reproduce a legible copy of either picture or article, so you'll just have to take my word for it!  (Not my scanner's deficiency:  but the paper on which the publication is produced!)

The next items on the production list are the completion of the Wombat Christmas order - the two completed ones were taken home by Philippa yesterday,  (This saves me having to haul all four when I go to visit her at the end of October).

Two done:  two to go!

I have the third Wombat needing the addition of eyes, ears, nose and stuffing and the fourth still in pieces.  Then I've got to make a replacement Baby Hedgehog, as the latest one is destined for a  Forever Home in Chessington, Surrey as a First Birthday Present for a young lad who arrived in the World last December on Peter's birthday.   (So that's a very special present, as well as needing a replacement:   rumour has it one of my fellow resident neighbours has an eye on at least another one!).  I have also been asked to provide a Coyote for daughter Clare's best friend in Canada  She is expecting her first child early in December (where has this year gone?) and I've also said I'll make a dressed Rabbit for a competition entry from the Heytesbury Branch of the Royal British Legion Women's Section to the National Handicraft competition.

So I had just better close all this blogging down for now - and start sewing!  See you all soon.  Isobel

Now for a Miscellany Update

One thing I've learned as I've gone down the blogging route is that one needs to be flexible.  The best laid plans of mice and men (as happened earlier this year) have a habit of interrupting mine - and this week has been no exception, other than that this latest hiccup was a minor one!

 The modelling session for Loppy Lugs the Arm Puppet (LL) did not take place - the models' Dad, who works from home, had double-booked and it was not convenient for them to come earlier (because I had indavertently forgotten I was due at the doctor's for a minor consultation and could not be sure when the 'bus would deliver me home!)  I'm still find my way around the time-table, which seems to have a habit of changing almost at the whim of the driver!  When challenged this time, the driver rapidly got out his laminated sheet - to prove that he was actually only 5 minutes later than scheduled (whereas I had got there at least 15 minutes too early!!).

Thus, as I am now not sure when, or if,  a modelling session can be re-scheduled,  I've taken this photograph of  LL which actually shows how the extensions work as arms and legs.

I'm keen to send the Nottinghamshire-based loaned toys back home to their Toy Box with PamL, so having shown you a picture of the rejuvenated Loppy Lugs, as promised by Cy Bear in his last post, they will probably be parcelled up and sent off before the week-end.  I badly need the space, so that I can make my versions of the Arm Puppet, as well as get on with replacing some items in the Shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com!  Perhaps by that time, I may have found other models to show the Arm Puppets working.

Next, as the title for this post implies - being a miscellany means I'm taking the opportunity to introduce two potential new members of the ColdhamCuddlies Family - Percy and Petunia Pig!

 These two were actually made by Fred Bear's Best Friend, too long ago for her to remember exactly when!  She's having a major clear out of sewing items at the moment, because of failing eyesight, and it looks as though not only will I benefit from the addition of these two, but there's going to be a whole lot of decorative odds and ends coming my way too!  The hand-over will take place at the end of October when I am due to go and stay with Fred and Best Friend, PatC.  These guys, though stuffed, do need more filling in order to stay upright - they're presently lying flat on their backs, because after this picture was taken, their legs gave way under them.  That won't be a problem to fix though, and they also came complete with patterns for trousers and dress, respectively.

This project will have to wait until I return from a few days staying with Peter's brother, MartynM in Normandy, France (which happens to also be the home of Madame Lapin and Mons Reynard - both of whom featured in posts earlier this year during which their rejuvenation treatments in the Soft Toy Clinic were described in some detail). 

That jaunt takes place this Sunday, when elder daughter, Philippa and I take the Night Ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre - returning the same way, but during the early evening, Thursday, October 11.  This will be the first time I've been to France, so it's quite exciting - or will be, once I've got off the Ferry.  As one who can suffer sea-sickness on the Serpentine (a lake in Hyde Park, London - for those who might not be familiar with this site) the prospect of 6 hours on the English Channel is daunting indeed.  Am just hoping that as I shall be lying down, hopefully lulled to sleep, I shall be OK - just keep your fingers crossed, please!  Coming back, it's only 5 hours, because of the time difference,  but we are expected to be sitting up .......hm!!  Enough said, methinks!

The final batch of photographs shows the Cuddlies Stall at last Friday's Greatest Coffee Morning in the World in aid of MacMillan Cancer.

Some official photographs were taken for submission to The Warminster Journal  and I've tonight received a note from the photographer that the picture of us she submitted has been published in this week's edition.  I shall be picking it up from our Post Office in the Village tomorrow morning.  It's quite a record appearance, actually:  items submitted to the publication can take up to 6 weeks to be mentioned!  To be in within the week must mean they are clearing the decks for stories about the upcoming Warminster Festival - which begins on Saturday for two weeks - or they have been short of suitable material!

The Coffee Morning was more productive than I had expected:  two more Bears have been booked in for renovation therapy  for later in October, with the deposit for one already in the Bank!  Black Gorilla found a new home, initially at one of the Village pubs, The Red Lion.  However, the landlord was having his own Coffee Morning for MacMillan Cancer (with the proceeds being added to the Slater's Barn event the previous day) and BG was the prize for a competition to give him a name! (I had not told him what BG had been labelled up till then)  He ended up being called Banana, and was won by the owner of Slater's Barn, who happens to have invited me to lunch just the other day!  Not sure what is going to happen to Banana, aka BG,  now!

I have also been commissioned to make a Frog for a gentleman who is anxious to give it to his sister-in-law (who is apparently "mad about Frogs" - she has at least 40 of them around her house!)  Not only that, she has friends who are equally enamoured.  So on the basis of there being a potential market for these toys, and my having confirmed that I do have a pattern for one, these too will be added to the Cuddlies Family.  (Must admit, Frogs have never featured on my radar - I just don't like them, and they cannot really be described as "cuddly", can they?  However, who am I to argue with a persistent customer - who has already paid a deposit for the estimated cost and is prepared to wait until mid-to-late November for delivery!)

By the way, the Coldham Cuddlies stall will be repeated at the Arts in the Park show this Saturday, which is one of the opening features of the Warminster Festival.  A report on that - which will also include the result of the Go Bustards competition (another recent feature in this blog) - will have to wait until I get back from France.  I just will not have the time before I leave.

Thus, there will be a short gap in sumissions here.  Do hope you will continue to read and Follow us.  We're certainly getting more views (over 8,000 at the last look) and the number of Followers has risen to 215. Thanks, as ever, for the support!

Bye for now - from both Cy Bear (who will be staying at home) and me.  Isobel

Now for the Rejuvenation of the Lop Earred Rabbit Arm Puppet

Good evening again Everyone:  Cy Bear being allowed to tell you about the treatment of the last Nottinghamshire-based Patient in the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185).  Isobel has been calling him Lop Eared Bunny Arm Puppet and he, too, has spent the last few decades living in PamL's Toy Box and being played with when Little People visit her.

Now in my view, that is a very  long name to repeat every time one speaks about a chap, so  I’ll call him Loppy Lugs. (Peter always used to refer to his hearing aids as his “Lugs”, and this Rabbit’s ears were certainly floppy when he arrived.  Isobel has given him some new velvety linings and although they don’t stay upright all the time, they are certainly firmer than they once were, so Loppy Lugs (or maybe even LL for a briefer reference) is how I’ll carry on referring to him for this post.

As with all the Patients in the Clinic, once he had been taken to pieces  he found himself immersed in lukewarm, soapy water and left there overnight.

The pieces had been rinsed at this point

Isobel had always intended to take a template from him, because he is the first Arm Puppet (as opposed to Hand Puppet) she has ever come across.  She feels there may be some customer interest in him when he gets listed in the shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies.   So next morning, she hung LL up to dry out and once that result had been achieved, she drew round each piece on cardboard and cut out the pattern.  These are now in their special filing envelope and will be developed after the Craft Fairs that are coming in the next two weeks, and once Isobel has been to France for a few days at the beginning of October.

Then the sewing together began and here is a shot of the first stage - both ears put together, beside the original very faded lining used originally for LL.

 Isobel says that basically, LL is a pretty simple toy to make.  His body is a rectangular piece of material, folded over to have a front seam.  The sides have two holes cut in them at the top and bottom of the resulting fold.  These make what passes for LL’s limbs, which are basically two smaller rectangles of the same length, with one of the rectangles cut into two equal pieces.  The long, uncut one becomes his arms and the two shorter ones his legs.  The ends are then pulled through the side seam holes and sewn in.  Hopefully the pictures show this clearly.

When complete, the “arms” are looped over the playmate’s head and shoulders.

 Once the legs have had the same treatment, you can see that the legs are joined together with white elastic.

That's because these have to expand to go over the playmate’s lower body and allow sitting,  if necessary.  It is difficult to explain, which is why Isobel has decided to find a child model and photograph LL and playmate together - giving everyone an idea as to how he is made to work. (It may well be that the elastic will have to be shortened - the bit from which the length was measured had expanded and lost it's elasticity!)

It's great to be able to tell you that Isobel has been able to borrow a child from the Village.  He is actually the Best Friend of a Bear that was an earlier Patient in the Soft Toy Clinic.  The Patient was called Teddy, and Isobel just needed to give him some more stuffing - he’d been loved so much by AdamW (the Best Friend I’m talking about) that he’d got very scraggy.  Also the seam on Teddy's back had come adrift.  It only took Isobel about half an hour to mend him, so he was not a proper Patient.  

 However,  when Isobel was going to get her newspaper from the Village Shop yesterday, she met AdamW’s mother and asked if she would mind lending him.  No problems:  so the photographic session is set for Tuesday evening next week, and then we hope to write the “How To Use Loppy Lugs and Enjoy him properly” post - probably by Isobel, this time.  (Lucky encounter actually:  as getting just one model if Isobel had gone to the School might have been a problem:  lots of children might have wanted to be models, and making a choice could have been difficult!)

Isobel did find that LL had not really been sewn terribly well, and she has high standards - as you must by now realise!  So, she has neatened all the seams involved by using straight seam binding - which should mean LL can last for even longer once he returns to Nottinghamshire.

When the body was ready for attaching to the head, Isobel then had to sew the head together.  Here is LL - from different angles, and also showing LL’s neck, which is where the hand goes to manipulate his head when a Best Friend and LL get together.  

 LL now has more stuffing in his head then he had, which means there is not as much room for the hand to fit in if an adult is working LL, but Isobel hopes it will be fine as it is for when AdamW has a go during the modelling session next week.  (It's another reason for having this modelling session - so we can iron out any snags for future Arm Puppets).  As you can see, LL has a nose, but no mouth - so Isobel is going to add a mouth, which may not show up as well on LL as it does on our other toys - because, as you can see, his fur is very fluffy.

Once the head was complete, both bits of the Puppet were sewn together, and LL is now in a chair waiting for the final photos to be taken.  When he was originally introduced to you early in July, the photograph Isobel took of him was not very good -  because he is so floppy and there was no way to show him properly.  Which is the reason Isobel decided on the modelling route.  So, you’ll all have to wait until that session has taken place to see the completed Loppy Lugs!

The plan then is for Isobel to wrap up all the Nottinghamshire toys, place them in an envelope and send them home to their Toy Box.  Then, the next thing on the agenda, before Isobel begins on the Christmas commissions (6 of them so far), she is going to attend to Blue Bear - whom you may have forgotten about.   Must admit, I had:  because he’s been in another room all this time.  He’s a Big Bear - like my friend Tommy Teddy and Golden Teddy - so was sitting down in a big chair out of the way, while Isobel attended to the smaller toys' treatment.

Until the next time then:  hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about this new Friend of mine.   Cy  Bear.

Kittens Ahoy - Black and White Furry Kittens are looking for a New Home!

I've recently signed up for a Etsy Team Handmadeology e-course to help in marketing the Cuddlies.  Thus, from time to time, when listing new Members of the Cuddlies Family, I shall be immediately posting here - as suggested by the tutors on this course.  Be warned, there may be similar postings appearing shortly on my Facebook pages, as well as on Pinterest and other marketing sites - again, as recommended by the Course tutor(s).

Etsy Listing #110444487

These Black and White Furry  Kittens, jointly featured under the title  Kittens Ahoy, are both taken from the same template, which I created while the original Sleepy Kitten model was a Patient in the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic (Listing #79124185).  He was one of four toys requiring treatment who have now also become models for Coldham Cuddlies in the last few weeks.   Sleepy Kitten’s original home is the Toy Box kept by my son-in-law’s Mother, PamL, for visiting Little People to play with:  as result  he had become somewhat care-worn before arriving for attention in the Clinic. 

Sleepy Kitten originally was only going to have a wash and brush-up:  however, while staying with the Cuddlies Family, he was seen by a neighbour looking for a present for her newly-arrived grandson and I have been asked to do a Black version - but with blue eyes.  The Black Furry Kitten here has brown ones - even though they are not as visible through the Black Plush as are the eyes on the White Furry  Kitten.  It may well be that the Blue eyes will continue to feature in future.  The Furry Kittens are easy to make and both versions together took  just two evenings’ work.  They will make ideal first toys and could feature at Baby Showers, as well as be Christening gifts - although older children will find them a comforting armful.

This is the Black Furry Kitten

and now, White Furry Kitten

If Buyers are interested in reading about Sleepy Kitten’s treatment regimen, before these two Cuddlies appeared on the scene, there is post about them on our blog at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/09/12/2012.


Measuring 8 inches (20 cms) high (middle of head to base over nose) and 11 inches  (20.8 cms) round their backs to the junction of their tails, a further 7  inches (10.9 cms) can be added for their tails, which are not stuffed.  Using Black and White Plush fabric, with Crystal Safety Eyes, both versions are stuffed with polyester fibre meeting all international safety standards and have facial features sewn with Double Knitting yarn.  There are no sharp edges, so are fairly described as a safe toy.  Both Furry Kittens are made in a smoke free environment - as are all the Cuddlies.

The next photographs show each Kittens' rear views:

They weigh 5.5 ounces (165 g) and can therefore travel at the Standard Small Packet rate charged by United Kingdom Royal Mail, as they will fit easily into a medium-sized airmail envelope.  Buyers should be aware that I no longer have ready access to a car, and am dependent on public transport to reach the nearest Post Office willing to handle most of  the packages produced by the wrappings used to encase a travelling Cuddly.  I live equi-distant between two such Shops:  and usually travel on a Tuesday and or Thursday or Friday each week to one of them.  Customers with a deadline to meet should therefore take this arrangement into account when ordering.

This marketing lark certainly requires a lot of work!  But then, who says social media is easy?  It will be interesting to see if doing this each time one lists a new item in the shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies results in a higher sales figure!  Will keep you posted:  meanwhile, wish us luck, please.

All the best for this evening.  Cy Bear will be back soon - I'm hoping to borrow that elusive child model Cy Bear was talking about in his last post, tomorrow (unless we've all drowned in the downpours we suffering at the present time:  although I have to add we're not getting it as badly as some of the other parts of the United Kingdom are - thank Heaven!).

Good night:  and God bless.  Isobel

The Rejuvenation of Fred Bear - Part Two

Good evening everyone!  Cy Bear back once more - thought Isobel was never going to let me have another chat with you again:  but she has been busy sorting out the Clinic Patients, so there has been a reason.  Anyway, she did say last week that I could tell you about the rest of Fred Bear's treatment so here goes.

There has been quite a time lag between Part One and Part Two of Fred Bear's rejuvenation.  Isobel first told you about it in our post on August 8th this year.  Since then, Fred has been in a plastic bag keeping the dust off him, so this is how he looked as Isobel began to treat him about 10 days ago.  (He's been home for nearly a week now, but this is first time I've been allowed near the computer!).

On the ironing board, without any stuffing

 With no filling, Isobel found it easier to get to work on Fred's face to begin with.  His ears needed stitching in place, and Fred's Best Friend had requested that the "wonky ear" be sewn back where it was when he came to us - as she'd got used to how he looked with it that way.  Then there were several holes that had developed over the years all over his face, but principally around the muzzle area.  Isobel carefully darned these and filled in the gaps.  Then she got some fresh black Double Knitting yarn and sewed the eye area exactly as it was when Fred arrived, after she had taken out the existing black wool - which had faded and got rather threadbare.  Fred was also given a better nose and a mouth - which looks a little crooked, but the area where the stitch had to go was very thin, even though it had been darned, and the heavy black yarn sunk into the darned area.  PatC, Fred's Best Friend, said he'd always had a crooked smile, so she was quite prepared for that when she saw him again!

You can see the darned areas - a little!

Once the face was finished, Isobel stuffed the head, and sewed the seam at the back of Fred's head using ladder stitching.  That way, there was not too much of a seam to be seen.  Overall, it was Fred's head that had lost most of his fur over the years. We think he's nearly 100 years old, because he was not a new bear when he came to live with PatC and she's older than Isobel by quite a few years - or so I have been told!  (Us Bears are far too polite to mention our Best Friends' age, even if we know it.)

Then the paw pads were cut out, using the existing ones as a pattern, and Isobel very carefully removed any remaining vestiges of the last two variations on each paw.  She stuffed each limb from the end (she had left all the limbs attached to the body as the cotter pins used to fix them were so thick and stiff that she would have been unable to reuse them had she taken them off.  She did with some of our other Bear Patients, but did not want to damage Fred's existing coat in any way.  Here are some pictures showing the limb treatment in progress.

The pads were made with chapagne coloured chamoix leather

Then came the Growler.  This next picture shows Fred with his arms and legs stuffed and re-padded, and holding the growler before Isobel fixed it in his stomach, surrounding it with stuffing so that it cannot be felt from the outside. 

Growlers are "big" pieces to go inside a Bear's stomach!

It was fitted, again at PatC's request, so that Fred "spoke" when he was tilted forwards.  I'm told that you can have them fitted so that Bears talk when they lean backwards too!  Isobel just needed to position the growler in a special way to achieve the required result.

Once the growler was in place, Isobel stuffed Fred's body very firmly, to allow for the usual relaxing that happens after us toys get the polyester fibre inside us, and Fred was ready to be sent home.  Here are some more photographs of him before he was wrapped in chemical free tissue paper, and then had a covering of bubblewrap to keep everything in position when placed in the large polythene envelope for his journey home.  He was posted on a Tuesday - when Isobel goes to Zumba class, in the village where there is a Post Office that will handle parcels of Fred's size - and he arrived back home in Lincolnshire the next day.

So ends another successful treatment in the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185).  I'll be back soon to tell you how Lop Eared Rabbit Arm Puppet got on with his treatment - but Isobel needs to find a child model so she can demonstrate how the puppet works.  It's slightly more complicated than the Glove Puppets.  I believe she is going to visit the Village School later this week - when it decides to stop raining - and ask if she can "borrow a pupil" for this purpose.  Who knows, she might get some orders for the ColdhamCuddlies version of the Puppet - because, of course, once the pictures are taken, Lop Eared Rabbit, Long Legged Tiger, Sleepy Kitten and Little Brown Ted can then return home to their Toy Box home with Pam L.

Good night.  I'll be back soon - promise!  All the best.  Cy Bear.