Olly the Owlet has returned to the Family + plus a new Chum.

Olly Owlet, Etsy Listing # 107123292

Hello Everyone:  CyBear returning to the blogging fray!  It's good to be back, what with all the hiccups Isobel has been having with the computer and her connections (whatever they may - or may not, as in this case - be.)

We thought you'd like to see some up-to-date pictures of Olly Owlet, a smaller version of Ben Barn Owl (Etsy Listing 99686556).   Both versions have been popular members of the ColdhamCuddlies Family, and it's been a while since Olly was in the shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies.  That is because Isobel has not had time to replace him since he first disappeared - some months ago, what with one thing and another.

Yesterday was a bright, sunny day - when these were taken...

She's had the time recently because of the computer hiccups and the latest broadband disconnection.  It has meant that she got the time to actually sit down and make some toys!  Between you and me, she does spend an awful lot of time on the computer, when she doesn't seem to be doing that much (at least to a Bear like me!)  However, the broadband connection is due to be put right later this coming week - hopefully.  Meanwhile,she's operating on something called Wi-Fi to which her ISP connected her yesterday so she could continue blogging, trying to sell the Cuddlies on Etsy and all the other things she's getting involved in.

So, not only has she been able to make two more Ollys - and they've been renewed - but she's now making two more Ben Barn Owls - since both of the latest Twins have now found Forever Homes in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  The first one went early in May, but when HeatherB realised he was one of a Twin, she asked for the second one to join him.  Twin One (she'd earlier picked Twin Two out from an Owl Picture Parade!) left us at the end of last week, so should be well on his way to Edmonton and we hope to have pictures of them all together again, soon.

.......as well as a very windy one!

Another thing that has been occupying Isobel, when she's not been on the computer - is her latest line in ColdhamCuddlies products.  After the first experimental Golden Yellow Furry Slippers (Etsy Listing #152976020 - featured in our last post), we've now got a pair of Brown Rabbit Furry Slippers which have been specially ordered by one our neighbourhood friends here in Heytesbury.  MrsKV saw the Yellow fellows, and decided they would make ideal "joke" birthday presents for her two daughters later this year.

These have purple fleece linings - and won't be listed:  YET!

 So, the Brown ones were started while Isobel was in Normandy recently - and finished last week, and the next pair are waiting for the black plush fur to arrive from one of  our plush fabric suppliers.  Once that arrives, Owls will be temporarily cast aside (unless they've already been completed), and the second part of the custom order will be fulfilled.

They do have eyes - it's just that they so furry, you can't see them!

This time, rather than Rabbits - and to illustrate that any of the heads of any of us Cuddlies can be used - they are going to be Panda Furry Slippers.

These will have a black coat, white fleece lining and a black check ribbon  trim

We've decided to do a future post in which we show how the slippers are constructed.  It will be incorporating all three pairs, which are still currently experimental, as Isobel is making changes in their format as she goes along.  Slippers are going to become permanent Cuddlies in future, because (a) Isobel enjoys making them, and (b)  there seems to be definite interest in them - both locally and on Etsy as well, but until a permanent pattern emerges, Isobel thinks that tutorial can wait a while.  In addition, the two patterns that LauraC ( for whom the Golden Yellow Rabbit Slippers were ordered) sent to Isobel arrived yesterday, and will undoubtedly be used to create the final slipper product(s).  They will fit Children, Ladies AND Gentlemen!

Meanwhile, here is the rear view of Olly Owlet and Chum.

They did manage to stay upright - eventually!

 Good to be back with you again:  - until the next time!  Cy Bear.

Made to Fit - Personalized - Novelty - Golden Yellow Furry Rabbit Slippers - Custom Order for Laura Curtin of EightBoardsFarm

Etsy Listing #152976020

These Novelty Plush Fur Slippers form part of the 2013 New Product Offer from the Coldham Cuddlies, and were listed in  at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies earlier this afternoon.

They are the result of  a meeting, via the Etsy Activity site earlier this year, when Laura Curtin  mentioned how she much would love some Golden Yellow Furry Rabbit Slippers and asked if I could possibly make them for her.

 (Laura and I have become firm friends since we first met (I think she followed me on Etsy, or it might have been the other way around!  Think the relationship can best be described as a fine example of how Etsy works when crafters get together and exchange ideas and views.  Laura has provided me with invaluable advice on how to tag, categorise and otherwise try to highlight the Cuddlies.  I've yet to put ALL her advice into practice with ALL the other Cuddlies.  It's on the "To Do" List!)

Now, I'm not usually capable of producing anything without a pattern:  however, my older daughter (whose memory is considerably better than mine) reminded me that in the early 1970's I made Felt Slippers for almost the entire family for Christmas presents - and having jogged my memory, she was also able to tell me how I did them!  (She used to sit and watch me doing them, and passed me the bits as I needed them - if memory serves.  See I'm quite good, once I remember!)

Thus emboldened, between us Laura and I have managed to produce a pair of  Foot Warmers, capable of taking socks if required, that fit her specific requirements (American Man's Size 10).  She wanted them over the ankles to the lower shin bone, whereas future models will reach below the ankle bone - with the same room for socks.  The specially requested Golden Yellow Plush Rabbit Slippers have been delivered, fit her well and even have their own names!

Jonty and Alistair - but I don't know which is which!

They consist of an insole to which an outer plush covering is lined with a  waterproof  fabric complete with its own black fleece inner layer.  Both fabrics are then sewn to the insole.  There is a plush covering of the insole, hiding the seams - in this case, it is made with the Golden Yellow plush.  (Please note, I have limited supplies of waterproof material;   I am currently seeking a long-term supplier for this, or a similar material).  There are plenty of various coloured fleeces with which to produce other models.

The plush and lining are sewn separately and fitted together so the seams do not show - either on the inside or outside of the slipper.  Animal heads - not necessarily restricted to Rabbits (they can be selected from any of the Toys available in the ColdhamCuddlies Shop) and the colours in which they are made can also be individually selected. Once the head is attached, each slipper is finished off with a satin ribbon edging with half inch elastic threaded through the ribbon.  The bow on each slipper conceals the elastic fastening - which is sewn in such a way to allow for adjustment - be it expansion or reduction, thus allowing for individual ankle conditions.

There are already 2 further Custom Orders in production - which will be listed when completed  One is for another Rabbit (in brown plush with a mauve lining and matching edging):  the other is for a Panda slipper - in black and white, with a white fleece lining.

To meet the Made to Fit offer, when ordering, the following information will be required:

(1)  Your normal shoe size.
 (2) If possible, a drawing of each foot - to accommodate individual shapes!
(3) Measurement of each foot from Toe to Ankle OVER the instep arch.
(4) Width of foot from side to side, OVER instep arch.
(5) Ankle circumference at top edge of slipper - to accommodate any possible swelling involved.

Armed with this information, it should be possible for me to meet your specific needs!

Slippers can be made for Children, Ladies and Men - once all the above information is provided for each person.

Prices are as follows:

Men's Slippers Size L-XXL                    USD61.40 per pair

Special Fittings (All)                               USD84.40 per pair

Ladies Slippers (all sizes)                       USD46.00 per pair

Childrens' Slippers (all sizes)                  USD34.99 per pair - all sizes.  Small ones can be as difficult to sew as  the larger ones!

Cy Bear's Farewell before they left for Florida

There will be a further post in which I describe how I made these particular models - and the two Custom Orders  mentioned earlier.  However, it will have to wait until the second pair are completed - hopefully in the next day or so.  During the process of our conversations while these two were produced and feedback received, Laura discovered patterns for Men's and Childrens Slippers, which she has kindly purchased for me and they are on their way here. It should, therefore, not be beyond my wit to alter these variations in order to meet future Ladies' orders.   These three experimental versions can really be described as "seat of one's pants" efforts. (I refused to accept payment for making these guys - except for charging the postage to get them to Florida - just in case they did not work.  The patterns are her way of repaying me I guess!)

All the best to you everyone:  it's so good to be back blogging once more.  Isobel

Computer troubles - again: a trip to France, plus a New Direction for Cy Bear and Friends.

Hello Everybody - it seems a long time since both Cy Bear and I were blogging here, but life has been somewhat of a whirlwind of late, and it has not been aided by the continuing saga of my battle with the new computer.  I love the computer itself, but it seems to have a fatal attraction for viruses - no matter the security protection against such invasions that are in place.  To the point that, for the second time in the three months  I've had the darn thing, a second screen appeared - (almost by magic).  It slowed everything down;   every- thing I did got duplicated - while I was bombarded with special offers.  Plus the announcements that I'd won things I didn't want, while being prevented in doing what needed to be done!

 The first time it occurred I laid the blame entirely on myself and unfamiliarity with Windows 8:  the second time has made me think it might just not be ALL my fault.   Having the benefit of a friendly young techie relatively handy (but not free from charging!) I got the whole thing cleaned up for me first time around.  However, the thought of another paid session with said young techie (they're all young to me, these days!), I decided to contact HP Support to see what, if anything, they could suggest.    Having spent an inordinate time on the telephone with the helpful Hewlett Packard techies yesterday - they rang me back half-way through the long-distance session, fortunately - I was told how to return the computer to its "factory default" position (to quote one of my new- found friends):   and then told how to start up again.  The trouble is that I now don't trust the computer.  Nor do I want to waste my time loading everything I need onto it - for everything to go wrong again in a few weeks.  I cannot spare the time involved- more anon!

 So, as I've got something like 289 days of Warranty Cover  in hand, am going to exercise my consumer rights to see if I can get a brand new Sleekbook 15 Laptop model - and hope that I can develop the same friendly relationship with it that I've had with my back up computer - a Compaq Presario, on which I am happily producing this post, that has served me well for several years.  The prime reason I decided to go for a new one was that the hinges broke - plastic fatigue.  A lap top needing to be propped up with three reels of cellotape is not exactly compatible with an efficient workplace.  It was also becoming somewhat out of date!  Besides, I need a reliable computer - which brings me, in a round about fashion, to the second bit of this post.

When Cy Bear and I last posted earlier in mid-May, I was about to go for a holiday to Normandy - and it's since returning that all the computer problems re-emerged.  The trip over the English Channel was as smooth as travelling on glass - thank goodness.  Because it was the first SeaCat voyage of the 2013 season, all passengers (not many, as it was an 0700 BST start, on a frosty Thursday morning) were offered a free glass of wine, courtesy of "Le Capitaine" half-way through the crossing.  Having accepted - it was good drop of red wine that I chose! -  felt brave enough to even get up from my comfortable seat and wander around the boat.  That did not last long:  after looking out of a nearby window, I was sufficiently alarmed at just how close the English Channel surface was to the floor on which I was walking, to rapidly return to where I'd started and buried my head into a copy of "The Lady" magazine, to which I subscribe weekly,  until the end of the voyage.

Le Havre - as we came into port - the sea was like that  all the way over!

This time around, the weather was not as bad as it had been in October.  We actually managed to have lunch  al fresco twice  -

and I was able to see something of the Normandy countryside - very pretty, with all the pear and apple orchards in blossom, with the promise of a good crop of fruit to produce the cider and perry (pear cider) for which the area is famous.  (Reminded me of my young adult days, when I spent week-ends in Kent before many of the orchards - for which the county was famous - were dug up).  Kent was not called the "Garden of England" for nothing!

Nearby Farm, with it's Orchard in blossom

We still had plenty of rain for most of the time, but it didn't stop one being able to take the dog for walks (even managed to do a 12 kilometre jaunt - about three and half miles - one day), taking in the local views.  

I was also able catch up with Cy Bear's twin - Peter Bear - seen here on the left.  He was made last year and used up the rest of the Beaver Lamb coat from which Cy Bear was created. When making him, I corrected the mistakes  made in Cy's production, so he is a safer option for Little People to handle.

Peter Bear's Forever Home is now with MmeIM, my sister-in-law, who is also the Forever Friend of Mme Lapin and Mons. Reynard - both former patients in the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185)  and both the subjects of their own posts here on this blog.  Peter Bear now occupies pride of place on MmeIM's dressing table, while the other two Associate Cuddlies have been wrapped up in preparation for becoming New Best Friends to MmeIM's little grand daughter, CM - when she is a older.  She's just four, and still at the age where  toys can be roughly handled.    After all that Mme Lapin and Mons. Reynard have gone through, and in deference to their age,  it is felt that Little One needs to be  older to properly appreciate them.

However, all three of these Cuddlies formed the basis of a story that Cy Bear authored a few weeks' ago which I submitted for a competition being run by the Academy of Children's Writers - who are based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK.  I learned about this competition via "The Lady" and, having been encouraged by some of you wonderful Followers' comments on this blog to consider writing for children I decided to try my luck:  "nothing ventured:  nothing won" etc. et al.  Closing date for entries was April 30, and to be honest, I'd forgotten about it while away in France.

A Normandy Spring Scene

Yesterday, the following letter arrived from the Academy of Children's Writers, which opens up some interesting new possibilities for Cy Bear, the Blog and myself.  Forgive me if I quote it quite extensively - because the contents are extremely exciting, and I want to share it with you all - since it's thanks to your support that this new opportunity has occurred.

"CONGRATULATIONS on your recent entry "Cy Bear's ColdhamCuddlies Blog" for our 2013 "Write a Story for Children" competition.  We received over 2,000 entries again this year and the overall standard was extremely high.  A list of winners is printed below for your information.  We hope to have the winners' permission to place their stories on our website shortly.

Although your story did not win one of the prizes you did reach the final 250.  To reach the final 10% the judges thought that you have an understanding of what young people like to read and that impressed them.  This is a quality that is invaluable to a would-be children's writer.  The judges suggested that I make this particular point when writing to you about your entry as we are only writing to the 10% of entrants who are short-listed.

I suspect that you have had some experience in this field - possibly in telling stories to young relatives and friends.  This suggests to me that with a little effort your talent could be developed to enable you to produce work of publication standard........"

The letter was signed by "Shirley A Cousins, Director"

The letter further contains an invitation to consider participating in their 10-unit writing course - details of which are available to those who are interested at www.childrens-writers.co.uk.  Not one to let a chance like this pass me by, I'm going to have a go.  Where I'm going to find the time to fit the studying in, I don't know.   However, we are given 2 years to be published - guaranteed by the course apparently:  otherwise the entire course fee is refunded!  So, wish me luck - and here Cy Bear and I go!

La Boffetiere - where I stayed - with a field of Rapeseed in the foreground

Regular bulletins will appear, normal toy construction will carry on - with some new items on schedule for introduction in the next day or so.  Meanwhile, Good Night from both of us!  Isobel

Unusual Patients in the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic

Hello Everyone - Cy Bear calling in to see how you all are, as well as to tell you about some unexpected Patients in the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsty Listing 79124185) who have been occupying Isobel for the past few days.

 While the job is now satisfactorily over, have to tell you that her mood has not been as happy as normal, because - as I think she has made plain in previous posts, as well as in her listing for the Shop at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com - she's not really "into Dolls".  However, an acquaintance here in Heytesbury heard about her Clinic, and the fact that she's a Toymaker, and kept pleading with her to help her special doll friends to get some new boots.  Eventually Isobel had to agree and so the Chad Valley Dolls came to visit.  They are called that because the label under their skirts says so.

There were 10 of them in the end, and these are the first two.  All of them had names, which could be found on the aforesaid labels under their skirts (on the flip side), but Isobel did not really get to know them, and just dealt with them one at a time.  We took these two back, and once they were completed got three more and replaced their boots. Then Isobel went to collect what she thought were the remaining four.  However, in the interim, an extra doll emerged from the pile of other toys which the Lady, who I shall refer to as MrsP, collects, so she came back with the remaining five, finally completing the task on Sunday afternoon.  They were returned Monday  morning and are now happily ensconced  in their usual place on a bed in MrsP's home.

This photograph clearly illustrates the problem:  the boots with which they were supplied when originally purchased (we're not sure exactly when) had just simply fallen to pieces, and the Dolls' legs were all covered with socks belonging to MrsP's husband, MrB (shown in the foreground).  He wanted his socks back - understandably - so Isobel got to work. The Doll at the rear has had the plastic boots removed, and in the process Isobel discovered that the legs are made with stockinette and stuffed with nylon fibrefill.  Now she's not too keen on the latter - it can be somewhat inflammable - but as she had not been asked to re-stuff them  (they didn't really need it) and she wanted to get them home again as soon as possible, she left that bit alone.

While stripping off the already disintegrating bits of boot was quite easy, actually unpicking the seams to get rid of the turnover at the top of each boot was a nightmare, as Isobel found out with the first foot - as was removing ALL the plastic bits - demonstrated here.  Being stockinette it ladders very easily - with the result the first foot looked this when the treatment was completed. You can see there is little, if any, plastic covering left - but it was actually keeping the seams in place.  So, after this first attempt, Isobel left a little plastic in each seam, and so stopped the laddering taking place quite as badly.

As time went on, Isobel also became more adept at removing the plastic turnover which was very tightly sewn in with red cotton and a thicker white twine, but the first one was a bit of a disaster. Also, she had to sew the seams up as she went along, otherwise the stuffing would come out and the foot would become separated from the upper leg.  In all, each boot took about an hour and a half to take to pieces and sew together again, and then have the new brown boots sewn in place.  After the first two or three Dolls, this became a somewhat repetitive process:  so while to begin with, Isobel made them one at a time, by the time the last group of five arrived, she made ALL  the boots together, and somehow it made the process seem a whole lot faster!

Here are the first two with their new boots - I think these two were called Susie and Debbie - and one had white ric rac trimming round the turnover of her boots and the other had some yellow trimming.  Isobel also used light green and dark green ric rac trimming, and in the end three dolls had the light green and yellow decorations, while there were two each with white and dark green.  Isobel has now exhausted her supply of all her ric rac, so will be replenishing when she comes back from France in about ten days' time (or she might see what she can find while in France!)

The boots themselves were made with the fabric  Isobel normally uses for the paw pads for us Bears, of which - fortunately - she has quite a large stock.  Despite the amount used for this task (enough for 20 separate boots), we still have plenty left for future Bears, so there's no problem there.

Before being returned, the final five Chad Valley Dolls were lined up on Isobel's bed, leaning against the pillows, with me perched in the middle just to see that they behaved themselves.  Actually, they were all impeccably well-behaved I am pleased to report, and we hope that they will be comfortable in their new smart boots - as well as MrB being pleased to get his socks back!

(  Isobel intervening here:  Everyone is allowed a change of heart - and I'm no exception.

 Having completed this task, despite the drawbacks listed by Cy Bear in this post, I have taken the grand decision of being prepared to accept some Dolls as future Patients in the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic - suppose a change of title will now be required:  I'm open to all reasonable suggestions.  The point has been made that there must be many dolls of a similar vintage as the Chad Valley Dolls who may be requiring re-stuffing or a makeover similar in content to these girls (Cabbage Patch Dolls spring to mind).  It seems a silly stance to take if I can help put them right and make them last for some more years - so they give pleasure to another generation. 

 So - henceforth:  Dolls with ATTACHED  stuffed arms and legs,  but NOT those with the difficult joints involved in keeping them attached to their torso, or those with china heads etc., will be welcome to visit the Clinic.  I look forward to meeting them - but just hope they don't invade in quite such numbers! 

Similar pricing arrangements will apply as those currently used for Bears and Co. - namely 

 Minimum charge = USD 38.25 (GBP) £25.00 (a.k.a Consultation Fee), plus cost of materials and labour - latter being VERY reasonable!

Postage - customer responsible for sending Patient:  ColdhamCuddlies responsible for the return journey. )

Now, this post will be the last, from either of us I think, until Isobel returns from France on May 23:  she's going to visit Peter's brother and his wife in Normandy (as she did in October last year) and we both hope the weather will be better this time than it was then.  She's going as a foot-passenger on the Catamaran (whatever that is!) service from Portsmouth to Le Havre - and has to be at the dockside by 0600 BST on May 16.  That is early, and no train would get her there from Warminster for that time, so she is leaving the afternoon before, and will be overnighting with a niece whom she has only met once before - and that was 40 years (almost to the day!) ago.  I'm looking forward to hearing all about that meeting, as well as the trip to France.

So, until the next time, take good care of yourselves.  Cy Bear!

Introducing the Barn Owl Twins - with pictures taken before one left for Canadian parts!

Sorry to have been away from ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com for so long - but it has been due to matters somewhat outside my control.  The new computer and I do not seem to the best of friends at the moment - because having got rid of unwelcome visitors in the form of unwanted adware and trojans, connections then got "corrupted".  These various descriptions are not only unfamiliar territory, they sound simply terrifying to one as technophobic as me. The replacement router/hub/call it what you will arrived mid-day today, and after having the computer taken over by a techie based in India, for heaven's sake!, I'm up and almost running at full steam.  There's one more hurdle to overcome:  in the meantime, I'm becoming very friendly with my ISP technical support desks, who have been most helpful and doubtless will be called up again before too long.  The remaining hiccup seems to be the responsibility of either the computer manufacturer (HP) or the software provider (you guessed it, since I'm still struggling to get to grips with Windows8).  It's getting to contact someone that takes the time, I'm finding!

Meanwhile, some replacement ColdhamCuddlies have been made (and two dispatched almost immediately - as described in our last post "Some Hails and Farewells to tell you about" (29/04/2013) - and I now have a potential new line which will be worked on over the summer in time but is principally aimed  for the Christmas market although they will be on offer prior to that future date.  Given the way the weeks pass by these days, that will be upon us before we know where are!  I'll fill in the new line details in another post, but meanwhile thought you'd like to see the remaining new Barn Owl Twin - with most of the photographs taken outside in our garden here in Heytesbury.  The pictures do include the one who safely arrived in Canada by the way.

Barn Owl Twin - Etsy Listing #99686556

The reason I am so sure he's still in our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies is that his beak is somewhat straighter than the Twin now in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. who is shown in right of this picture taken of them sitting on a convenient nearby tree stump.

The Owl Twins's pictures were taken outside on one of the first Spring-like day in April - when the sunshine managed to pierce the seemingly everlasting gloom that has persisted since the New Year, although the wind was still mighty chilly!  We've also been lucky enough to have some lovely, warm sunshine over our recent May Bank Holiday week-end:  we're all just hoping that means we will have a summer this year - because it was lovely to feel the warmth of the sun on one's back as one took photographs or walked around the village with visiting friends.

Here are the Owl Twins spreading their wings to catch the sun's rays while sitting on one of the many stone walls in our lovely garden here in Heytesbury.  The following two shots are showing them at different angles!

Both these guys took me about a week to make, and although I mostly followed the instructions contained in my pattern book, I'm finding that as I continue to make the Cuddlies, I'm developing my own way of doing things, not necessarily in the order that the pattern states.  Suppose that's to be expected,  but I do admit to feeling a real sense of satisfaction in achieving the final results - DESPITE how the pattern recommends!  In any case, if it looks all right when completed, what's the problem with the actual modus operandi?

In the next post, Cy Bear (or I - depending on how we're feeling) will include a similar photographic story of the arrival of the new Frog Cuddlies.  Meanwhile, it's good to be back, although proceedings will be interrupted for a week after May 15 - when I'm off to Normandy once more, and hoping that this time I'll be able to actually see the countryside with the sun shining.  The portents are not good:  but here's hoping!

Good night and here's to the next time - in a day or two.  Isobel

Some Hails and Farewells to tell you about!

Warm and Happy Greetings to you all - Cy Bear signing in to bring you up to date on various happenings in the ColdhamCuddlies world.

Now that the computer has been returned, Isobel seems to be getting to grips with things although there are still some problems.  She's found a programme (whatever that is - it's foreign to us Bears, of course) that will tell her how to work with Windows8, and looks out for it in the daily post.  It hasn't arrived yet, but when it does, guess there won't be too many posts happening while she plays with the computer and, hopefully, digests the contents of what ever is in the package when it arrives.

Meanwhile, in between computer hassles, Isobel has been busy with some replacements.  Starting off with our Barn Owl friends, she decided to make two of everything when she replaces Cuddlies who have found their Forever Homes.  Just as well she did in the case of the Owls, as no sooner had she made the two of them, and even before she renewed them in the Etsy Listings for the Shop, one of them was purchased and is even now on its way to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - his Forever Home is going to be with AndyB's Grandma - who, according to HeatherB (Andy's  Mum) is "very fond of Owls".  He was parcelled up and sent off before we could have one of our traditional Farewell pictures (with me in the photographs), but here is a picture of the Owl Twins before one of them left us.

The Twin on his way to Canada is the one on the right of the photograph.  Isobel put numbered labels under each Owl's talons, and HeatherB chose the one she wanted her Mum to get.  So, there will now have to be another replacement Owl once the other jobs have been completed.

The next replacement project Isobel had on her list was to produce another Green Frog.  She duly cut him out and was almost ready to stuff him, when she showed him to the lady who comes to look after Isobel's feet (I believe they are called Podiatrists).  Well, no sooner had MrsJulietW seen the unfinished Frog, but she said she'd buy him once he was completed.  Isobel told her that she still had the Green & Orange Frog (Etsy Listing #116285186) if she would like to see  him before making up her mind finally.

MrsJulietW took one look at the fellow on the right, and bought him on the spot.  Apparently she is "Frog Mad" - as she described herself, and I'm told that when Isobel went into Warminster after her treatment, her car is full of frogs - of all shapes and sizes.  At least six others were on the back window ledge, there were some hanging in the car itself and there were even some on the dashboard!!  So our Frog won't be lonely!  I've since learned that her house is called "Frogwell", and that MrsJulietW has some real frogs, as well as us toys ones!  This meant that we had to have another two new Frogs in the Shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies.  They are slightly different - because we now have an Orange and Green Frog (the colours are switched from the that shown in the previous photograph) as well as a Green Frog (in the same two shades of Green).  Isobel will be doing a post about how she makes Frogs sometime soon, so we'll show you the two new Cuddlies properly then.

Then, at the week-end, we learned that Beau Fox has a new Forever Home.  His Forever Friend has a birthday coming up later this month, and her friend HelenS asked if we could possibly send him to Lochgilphead in Scotland.   I think that is in the UK, because the parcel that has been made up so that he can be posted off tomorrow (Tuesday, April 30) doesn't have an Air Mail sticker on it.  So, this afternoon, before Beau Fox was wrapped up in tissue paper and bubble wrap, and while the sun was shining, Isobel had a photo session in and around our grounds here at Heytesbury.  Here is the official Farewell photograph of Beau Fox before he goes to his Forever Friend.

Then, because it was such a lovely day, we decided to take a photograph of me with the remaining Barn Owl Twin.

Then, we can show you all the Cuddlies we've been telling you about today - including the two new Frogs.

Which is why this post has been entitled "Some Hails and Farewells to tell you about".    Good night - until the next time.  Cy Bear!

The Latest Foxes and how they joined the Coldham Cuddlies

Earlier in April  - 08/04/2013 to be exact, under the title "Attempting to Re-start the Posting Process...", I threatened to tell you how our Country Gentleman Fox and Beau Fox appeared in our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies.  The post was really a repeat of the Etsy listing for each Fox, plus a few extra items to make it a little more interesting (hopefully!).    I hadn't intended the gap in the process to be quite a long as it has been, but having completed the reports on Turner Bear's treatment, there were some unexpected delays in getting the new computer back, and it's really only today that I've been able to try to post about the production process for Foxes.  So, here goes:

As ever. these Cuddlies are made with separate calico bodies, which are then stuffed and made ready to have their clothing attached.

Country Gentleman Fox (CGF) 

As I go along, I'm finding that it's better for me to get all the bits and pieces sewn together so that heads, tails, boots, jacket (with arms and paws attached in this case) are ready to be put on the body as soon as trousers and waistcoat are in place too.

While waiting to attached the jacket, I used some rubber bands to hold CGF's newly-cut tassels in place at the top of his boots.  The suede leather was a tad inclined to stick out instead of facing downwards, and I experimented with the rubber bands which just happened to be at hand.  It actually worked quite well, and  I shall be using this as a patented Morrell method in future - when the need arises.

This rear view of CFG shows the white tip that all my Gentlemen Foxes are given - to distinguish them (as in real life) from the Ladies whose brushes are all in natural chestnut plush.

Once this fellow was completed, the process began all over again for Beau Fox -  whose apricot
pink fleece trousers make a change from the white felt johdpurs that my Gentlemen Foxes tend to appear with. The fabric happens to be left over from making the The Pig Twins earlier this year.  As I didn't have sufficient for another whole Pig, Beau Fox's johdpur trousers seemed the best place to use the remnant up.

 The waistcoat is a rather smart blue plaid fabric, which was part of the haul I received when I last picked  up  my fabric supply from the Fine Quality Feather Company in Frome, Somerset some weeks' ago.  (The Three Buchanan Foxes' dresses - described in our posts "Making the Buchanan Foxes, Parts One and Two - 18/02/2013 and 25/02/2013) - were part of that consignment), and I have some other unusual plaid fabrics to use in future - whose destiny has yet to be decided.

As I was finishing the waistcoat, I decided to see what might happen if I put the sleeves in at this point, rather than waiting to insert them in the overcoat/jacket.  I had some rather nice royal blue velvet remnant to hand, so decided to use it for Beau Fox - to show up the waistcoat, and also decided not to hide it when attaching the outer garment.  I also thought that a little light blue ric rac added a certain "je ne sais quois" to the overall look - what think you?

His boots are made with a lovely crimson soft glove leather remnant I have in my leather collection, and I then added the white stock to finish the overall look.  At that point, I did waver:  because he actually looks quite smart as he is - without the full jacket.  However, having cut out the jacket, I went ahead and completed it - and actually think he looks even smarter than before, especially with the double breasted fastening, which allows the waistcoat to be viewed, as well as the scorpion type emblem embroidered on the white felt stock.  This is what makes creating my Cuddlies such enormous fun - without an original pattern, I'm absolutely lost:  but give me a pattern, and my creativity has almost no bounds!

This last photograph was taken just a few days ago, with the sunshine blazing and the garden here at The Hospital of St. John just beginning to burst into flower.  I also took some of CGF at the same time, as well as one or two of them together.

Now that Spring is beginning to show it's hand, I shall endeavour to take as many photographs outside as I can.  Obviously, while the production process is in hand that does also mean that some still have to be taken in the work-room, but I do think daylight makes such a difference to showing off our Cuddlies!  Hope you do too.

Have got some outside shots of the Owl Twins (now only one still looking for a new home) as well as two new Frogs to show you.  That will have to wait until next time.  In the interim, I'll close this post  - and wish you all a great week-end.  Seems like it was  only yesterday when I was posting about AndyB's Christening in Edmonton, Aberta! - and yet it is 6 days ago, already and Clare arrived back in the UK earlier today!   How the time flies!   Isobel