A Collection of Browns - Renewed Plush Rabbit Glove Puppets to the Fore

Cy Bear being permitted to once again drop in to tell you about some new Coldham Cuddlies -Brown Plush Rabbit Glove Puppets we've now got in the shop at www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.Etsy.com.   They're replacing some girl Mad March Hare Glove Puppets who have  found Forever Homes some weeks ago.  Isobel was able to get them finished and photographed yesterday - while the sun was out, but not too bright.  Apparently, that's the best time to take pictures outside - or that's how Isobel is kidding herself anyway.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/193890786

When the heads were first cut out and sewn, Isobel intended them to be used for a pair of our Ladies' Rabbit Head Novelty Slippers which also needed renewing.  However, she found she'd run out of fabric and hasn't been able to replace it with anything that matches the existing heads.  So, finally, she decided to see if she could find some brown fabric that would make a suitable Glove Puppet.  She found some lovely soft  Brown Fleece - which alas is not a match, but is not too much of a contrast.  To finish them off, she's created a smart Tan  tie to fit under each Puppet's chin, and again, although the ribbon is not a match, it does seem to a good job co-ordinating the head and body.  There's yet another shade of brown included in the Puppet's paws - hence our title "A Collection of Browns"! The pictures was taken with both Puppets fitting over a knitting wool cone, into which the finger guide to work the Rabbits' Heads is fitted.

We have several of those, donated by one of the residents here at The Hospital of St. John.  She is a dab hand at using a knitting machine to make wonderful cardigans, sweaters and lots of socks - for all the hunting, fishing and shooting afficionados that inhabit Heytesbury and the surrounding villages.  The lady is one of the oldest residents here (being in her 90's) and normally gives the cones to the Village School for their crafting activities.  However, Isobel happened to notice a collection of them on her window sill on a visit, and asked if she could spare us a few.  We've now built up a collection of about a dozen, which will stand us in good stead for future Craft Bazzars where the Glove Puppets can be displayed to stand up by themselves. As I said before the heads are made with a light brown plush fabric, and the body - which will accommodate a man's large hand,  When Isobel puts her hands - which are quite small ones - into the space, her thumb and index fingers do find it difficult to get the arms and head  to work properly.  A full-sized man, however, using the Puppet to entertain a baby or young toddler would find there is plenty of scope for all sorts of manoeuvres.

The Rabbits seem to be enjoying the scent being wafted from the lavender stems,  They are growing in a bed  next to the wall on which the Rabbits were perched for this photo shoot.  I think there are some red fuschia plants in the background there too.

As you can see, they have yet another brown colour for their eyes - this time our amber plastic eyes have been used, both of which have metal safety washers to hold them firmly in place.  The head is stuffed with our usual polyester fibre which meets all international safety standards - and all together they both make for a safe, cuddly toy for children of all ages.  Their facial features have been embroidered with our usual black double knitting yarn.

Their paws have been sewn on with button-hole stitches, using some suedette material that we use for our Teddy Bear paws, when they are not having leather ones attached.  Isobel has also used the suedette fabric for the beaks of our Owls too.

There are likely to be some exciting developments in the COLDHAM CUDDLIES' world soon, which I'm not yet at liberty to disclose.  However, it's going to take up quite a lot of Isobel's time for a few weeks, so the blogging and toy replacement exercises may be somewhat intermittent.  She's determined not to let the schedule slip too much, but I've been told by her to give you an early warning! Till the next time, then. Your friend.  Cy Bear

One Coldham Coyote finds a new home - his Twin is still hoping!

Hello Everyone:  I'm giving Cy Bear a rest from his posting duties:  it's been somewhat hotter this week, and he spends a lot of time in the sunshine during the mornings, and the time has come for him to find a cooler spot so he can recoup his energies.  He finds writing quite an effort! He  has been in action as Coldham Cuddlies Mascot this week in that he's participated in a Farewell Ceremony for a Coldham Coyote, who is now on his way to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

This picture was taken before the Harrisbug Coyote had his tie attached, because I had not got the right width ribbon available with which to construct it.  However, it did provide MsHL, our Buyer, with an idea of what her present for her Mother would look like - but minus his tie - and I'm pleased to say that this photograph, together with pictures from different angles, enabled her to send back a message "He's gorgeous:  she should love him! " which is just the reaction I seek whenever one of my Cuddlies finds his/her Forever Home.

He left on Friday - following instructions received from Ms HL from San Franciso, California who wanted to give him as a present to her Mother, MrsHR - who is celebrating a significant birthday in mid-July!  As his travel documents allow him to travel via the International Signed For service - which UK Royal Mail guarantee will deliver him within 5 Working Days of dispatch - we are hoping that he will be in his Forever Home by the end of this coming week. 

Harrisburg Coyote, complete with Tan Tie and Cy Bear prior to departure

When the order arrived, I found that the original Charlie Coyote had actually already departed for his new Forever Den, but as there was time in hand, I offered to make a new one - with Free Shipping for the disappointment. The offer was accepted, together with my suggestion that perhaps he should be sent wrapped in suitable gift paper - for which I do charge an additional fee (£5.00 - USD 8.48 - plus cost of paper and suitable card).  On this occasion, the refundable Shipping Cost covered this additional charge, and there will be refund of the cost on its way to San Francisco, by Monday June 16, 2014 Alas, Charlie's Velvet Jacket has had to be replaced by a similar colour Moleskin Gilet (Sleeveless Jacket - a natural by-product of my using recyclable fabrics where possible), but other than that,this version is the same as his original model.  With experience gained over the years that https://www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.Etsy.com. has been in existence, together with the increased spare time available to me now that full time Carer duties are not required,  I can make one of these Dressed Gentleman Toys within 3-5 days of an order being received  (provided I'm not committed elsewhere, of course).  In fact, on this occasion two of the same Toys were made - with a slight variation in appearance.  Not noticeable to the naked eye - unless the difference is highlighted.

This one has a plastic moulded nose attached with a metal safety washer - whereas, his companion's nasal feature has been embroidered with double knitting wool. 

The latter has been the way my Gentleman Foxes/ Wolves and other assorted Toys with muzzles, etc. have been offered since COLDHAMCUDDLIES were opened in January 2010.  I only stumbled across the plastic noses earlier this year while browsing through one of the two haberdashery outlets in my local town of Warminster earlier this year.  The options have since offered for my  renewed Baby Koalas (Etsy Listing #55190188), as well as my recently introduced Wolves (Etsy Listing #178799382), together with the option of having their noses sewn as of  yore. Initially, the two heads were made, after the multiple bits and pieces involved in  a Fox/Coyotes Toy had been cut out - jacket linings, body, arms, paws and feet.  Then a photograph of both heads, side by side - as well as the two shown here - were sent for MsHL to decide which one she wanted for her Mother.

As a matter of interest, these two heads were constructed over a week-end, and the rest of the two Coyotes were completed between Monday and Thursday of last week. (It was the left hand head that was selected).  They have both been made with an off cut which allows me to make just one more head and two paws, so the remaining HeytesburyCoyote (where we live presently) - which will be listed in the Shop after this post has been published can justifiably be offered as a Limited Edition, as there will now only be one more version exactly like this one.

STOP PRESS - HELP!
I am having the utmost difficulty in locating Brown Plush or Faux Fur - which these fellows are made with.  Seemingly the dyes used are either too difficult to obtain - or, alternatively, the colour is so popular that the manufacturers I had available locally in the UK (online too!) are unable to keep up with demand.  I simply cannot believe that Brown Plush/Faux Fur Rabbits, Slippers, and Coyotes are not as popular as they once were.  If anyone has a link to a manufacturer I can contact, especially if you can recommend them for quality and price,  I'd be most grateful to hear about it - I have a definite need, if no one else has!!! There have been some interesting developments on the home front in the last week, which will be discussed shortly - once they have been confirmed and planning is under way.  In the meantime, I think this post has gone on long enough, so I'll close for the time being.   The Shop reorganisation proceeds - at snail's pace, because so much seems to be happening (see last paragraph), as well as in my social media activities on Etsy, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  I've long been aware that I've not been using them to full potential.  Whereas I probably still am not completely au fait with them, think I'm beginning to get a better handle on them.  However, they are time-consuming, and as yet - in common with everyone else - I've yet to find how one can do them all, and sew Toys - new or replacements - at the same time!  Anyone with any ideas are most welcome to get in touch!! Have a lovely week everyone:  it's been great chatting with you all once again.  Cy Bear will probably be back soon too.   Isobel

More Coldham Cuddlies - in Black and White

Greetings to Everyone:  Cy Bear back again.

Goodness me, another week has flown by and Isobel has not yet got down to posting here.  So, I've given her a severe reminder, and she's allowing me to choose three more of my recently renewed COLDHAMCUDDLIES friends to be the subject of today's chat with you all. As the choice is mine, I decided to have a Black and White theme today, beginning with the Wombat Hotwater Bottle Cover.  Now, I know they are strictly not Toys, but they are based on a Badger pattern we have in our files.  (That reminds me, I must ask Isobel when she's going to make a Badger - she keeps telling me that she has plenty of suitable faux fur fabric in her store cupboard.)  However, back to Winston Wombat and his friend, who presently doesn't have a name (and between you and me, I'm not sure which one in this picture is Winston, and which one isn't!).

Isobel calls them our "Three in One" Cuddlies - because not only are they a Hotwater Bottle Cover (their tails are where the bottle head fits when the bottles have been filled), but they can be Bed Decor  ( presume that means they can sit on pillows like they are shown here?).   Both of them are stuffed with their own pillows - all filled with the polyester fibre used to stuff all us Cuddlies.  (It meets all international safety standards, by the way).  Then, the third way they can be used are as Pyjama or Nightdress Cases.  They are lovely and soft to touch and have plastic eyes fixed with metal safety washers.  Their noses are made with black felt, into which Isobel has put some stuffing - just to make them look more like noses, rather than a black patch on the front of their heads. Then I'd like to introduce you to Panda Bear - who is a great friend of mine.  His legs are made to move, but the rest of him doesn't and he's a bit smaller than me.

Panda is made with Black and White Plush, and his eyes have black felt backings held in place (as well as stitched in place) with brown plastic eyes fixed with metal safety washers.  Isobel embroidered his claws with white embroidery yarn and his nose has been sewn with black double knitting wool.  I'm told that Coldham Pandas have found homes in Saudi Arabia and Missouri, U.S.A  for starters:  wonder where they will turn up next? While on the subject of Pandas, Isobel has just renewed some of our Glove Puppets, and taken their pictures among the flower beds here at The Hospital of St. John.  Here is a photograph of the remaining one in our shop (https://www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.Etsy.com.) - his partner in crime having gone to his Forever Home in Australia just before Christmas last year.

This time around, though, Panda Glove Puppet has blue eyes - which I think suit him rather well. Perhaps  Isobel was running a bit low on the usual brown ones she uses for the Pandas and other Bears.  Then, before I forget - and to demonstrate the versatility of the Pandas, they can also become Golf Club Covers - as shown here.

Finally, still on a Black and White theme - here are the Coldham Kittens. 

They came into the Coldham Family via the Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) when the original Kitten was a Patient about two years' ago.  That Toy had spent most of the past 40 or so years in a Toy Box kept in Alan's childhood home and had been made originally by his sister - who is a very clever designer of something called Lingerie.   (You'll know what that is:  I'm afraid I don't).  Anyway, White Kitten arrived looking somewhat dusty and in need of a good bath.  So, Isobel took him to pieces, gave him a luke-warm bath - part of our usual therapy for Animal Toys that need some tender loving care - and then made a template from the pieces before sewing him back together again.  He was then stuffed and sent back to live with Alan's Mother in Nottinghamshire.  (Isobel saw him when she was last in Kirkby the week before last, as the Toy Box has now been moved to a new home, and Clare and Alan now live in his childhood one).  

These little Kittens were made some months later, and this latest photograph shows them basking in the sunshine on one of the many stone walls that divide our garden - and incidentally, make very useful places for Isobel to use as photographic bases and/or backgrounds.  Both have been made with the same Black and White Plush fabric as the Pandas and are stuffed with the same polyester fibre mentioned earlier. Isobel, apart from helping me with this post, has been very busy catching up with Shop activities, making Treasuries and sewing Coyotes - one of whom is due to leave us at the end of this coming week to find his Forever Home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.  He's destined to become a Companion Toy for a lady's mother, who is celebrating a significant birthday in the middle of July.  This shows that Coldham Cuddlies don't just have to be Toys for Little People.  We pride ourselves on being Companions for People of all ages. I'll  end now:  hoping everyone is well and having good summery weather.  We keep seeing the sun for short intervals here, and then it disappears behind thick clouds.  So far, we've not had too much rain, but it has meant Isobel has not been able to do any more photoshoots - not that she's had the time for that just recently! Good night.  God Bless - and see you all soon, hopefully!   Your friend - Cy Bear

Colin the Koala - the Next Step

Greetings Everyone - after a slightly longer interval than originally planned.  Isobel is now back home in Heytesbury but wasn't able to blog, as she had hoped;   because of all the things she wanted to do when she was staying with Clare and Alan.  (As well as not feeling like it for another).  She has to feel like writing a post, and I was too far away to be able to prod her into doing it!  Still better late than never.
It's a relatively short post this time around, but we thought you'd like to know that Colin, the Giant Koala, had a safe journey to Kirkby-in-Ashfield to his Forever Home, and is now safely ensconced in what will be the "Baby's Room" when that important person arrives.
Before leaving, however, we couldn't let him depart without the formal ColdhamCuddlies Farewell Ceremony - duly recorded in our traditional manner. I do have to admit to feeling somewhat dwarfed by Colin, and the Lloyd Loom Chair in which he resided until he left for his Forever Home now looks extremely empty!

Both of us can sit up without help!

Before he had this photograph taken, Colin had been wrapped up in a very big plastic bag - which is what the polyester fibre used to stuff us Cuddlies arrives in from our source in Frome, Somerset - Fine Quality Feather Company.  That was used to cover the back seat on which Colin travelled from here to Nottinghamshire - because the Clare's car had been heavily used during their recent move to their new home.  What with one thing and another, she didn't feel the back was clean enough for Colin, without him actually sitting on the bag all the way.

The plastic bag contained Isobel's various bits and pieces (not in her travelling case) - and as you can see, Clare's car is blue!  As for Colin, well he blends into his surroundings rather well, doesn't he?

Poor Clare had a very long day- spending nine and a half hours all together driving to and from her home and was delighted when the journey was over! (There was a short break between the journeys, when they had lunch with one of our neighbours.)  Colin now has a comfortable spot in the room that has been designated for the new arrival once the adoption process Clare and Alan are involved in has been completed:  the next important date is sometime in July.  

But, before she left, some photographs were taken of Colin getting to know Alan, Dotty the Dog and Clare in their sitting room.

Dotty is not unnaturally wondering exactly what, or indeed who, is sitting on top of her........  Oh,by the way - it is not planned that Colin will be treated in the same way as the toy that is on the floor between Alan and Clare! He is the currently much loved (a.k.a. chewed) "Santa" from whom Dotty is rarely separated.  (I'm told he still squeaks - a bit!)   Dotty's toys are always kept downstairs, where she reigns supreme.  The two cats, Mo and Alfie have the run of the first floor (together with their toys)  - and it's always a battle between Isobel and the cats as to who will occupy the spare bedroom!  This time around I gather the result was Isobel 7:  Cats 0.  However, they are still becoming accustomed to their new surroundings, so at a future date, the scores might not be so one-sided.  They do come downstairs to ensure that their food and well-being is maintained, but spend their days upstairs basking in the sunshine (when it appears!) and following the biggest sunbeams.

Normal service on this blog will be resumed shortly - as Isobel is rapidly "getting into the groove" once again. 
 Until then, this is Cy Bear signing off!

Living with a Student - and more tales of the 2014 Shop Spring Clean

Hello again, Everyone.  After the Koalas Saga, its me, Cy Bear, here to have some fun with you all once more. Let's clear one thing up though:  the "student" is not me!  Isobel has signed up for a month long course being run by Etsy.com (in case you'd forgotten, our Shop can be found there at https://www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.etsy.com) which we're all hoping will result in her making the Shop more "relevant" to internet search engines (whatever they may be - as a Beaver Lamb Bear they don't mean much to me).  I believe the idea is that we're hoping it will mean more Cuddlies finding more Forever Homes - which means more work for me, saying goodbye to them all!  The Course is all part of the Spring Cleaning session in the shop apparently. It's been sometime since we've told you about the renewal programme which involves lots of new photographs being taken of my COLDHAMCUDDLIES friends, and thus me being able to tell you some more about each of them, as they get renewed.    Today, I'm going to concentrate on our Hedgehog Family -  here is  Daddy Hedgehog who, rather unusually, is made in an upright position.  

Etsy Listing #95652141

This latest picture shows him in more natural surroundings than his previous picture did, and he looks as though he's enjoying the Spring sunshine too.  We're very fortunate here at the Hospital of St. John because we have a lovely big garden, where the residents are encouraged to sit, walk or otherwise enjoy their surroundings.  There is a resident Site Supervisor who looks after all the gardening, and fits light bulbs and things when they go wrong.   There are all sorts of flower beds (with not too many flowers in apparently - although there seem to be some nice bluebells for Daddy Hedgehog to smell) and other nooks, crannies, and ancient walls (some of which have been around since 1766-77) which Isobel can use to take some unusual shots of us Cuddlies.  

  Daddy Hedghog can be made to look more like Mommy - seen below - but we think he's an unusual Cuddly Plush Art Doll the way he is.  

Etsy Listing # 95653310

Both Hedgehogs are made with some lovely fluffy Dark Brown Faux Fur fabric that we've got in our fabric cupboard.  The pile is quite long and there are black and cream flecks throughout, which makes them material look as though there are real hedgehog prickles.  At least our Cuddly Hedgehogs make soft, fluffy and safe Toys for anyone from birth upwards.  

   (Isobel says it's awful to cut and sew, because it flies all over the room when she's making the Hedgehog Family - but that's the case with all the faux fur and plush fabrics used for us Cuddlies)

Etsy Listing #95653745

The picture showing the current Twin Baby Hedgehogs clearly illustrates the flecks in their dark brown fluffy pile.  These guys have proved very popular as first birthday presents since Isobel found the patterns for them.  Thereby hangs a story -
When she first picked up the fabric, she used them for our Hairy Bears - there were seven of them in total, but really was looking our for a pattern for hedgehogs.  She happened to mention her hunt to one of her Etsy customers (who bought one of our Panda Bears (Etsy Listing #55269914) and lives in Missouri, USA)  and learned that MrsVY was a real hedgehog lover. She'd had real ones when she was a child and really liked them, but by the time of their Etsy conversation, she was "into" Panda Bears!     (Not all Cuddlies go to children you know:  we think quite a lot of them are bought by adults for children, but they don't always reach their intended Forever Homes!).    

Hedgehog Twin One

Anyway, a couple of days after their Panda Bear conversation on the Etsy site, MrsVY sent us a link which was offering a vintage pattern for the Hedgehog Family.  Isobel purchased it - and then found that the Seller was actually based in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK! (What a small world!)    Anyway, once the pattern arrived, Isobel set to - and the rest, as they say, is history.  Isobel has since made cardboard templates for all versions, and now she's demonstrated she can make patterns  bigger, she'll have no trouble in enlarging the one for Mommy Hedgehog, should a Buyer prefer to have Daddy looking like her, instead of the way he is.  

Hedgehog Twin Two

 Although we've shown each member of the Hedgehog Family separately, there have been several occasions when Mommy and Baby have gone to the same Forever Home together.  All three can also be bought at the same time - in which case there would be a discount offered.  Isobel would be absolutely delighted to hear from anyone wanting to do that - or indeed to buy just Mommy and Daddy (whichever way the latter was standing!).    (We no longer have an example of a Hairy Bear in the Shop, because there isn't an unlimited supply of  the Hairy Faux Fur. The fabric really does look better as a Hedgehog, but if anyone fancies a Bear (shaped like me, but in this fluffy material, just get in touch with Isobel, and I'm sure she'll be happy to oblige!).   That's enough for this post I think.  Isobel is busy working on editing how the Shop looks when people visit it on line, so she's going to be quite busy.  She's also going away for a week, starting May 21, when she's going to Nottinghamshire to visit Clare and Alan.  She's taking the computer with her, but no sewing, so she'll probably be doing a post on my behalf while she's away.   In which case, I'll say Good Bye for this session - and look forward to being with you all again at the end of the month.  Until then, hope everyone is having a splendid time.    Your Friend - Cy Bear.

Make way for the Coldham Koalas - Part 2: A Happy Ending in sight

Hello again Everyone - good to be back, after an eventful week (outside the Etsy world) which took more time than intended.  Isn't that always the case when one lays careful plans for maximum use of one's time? Anyway, when we left the Coldham Koalas story last time, I promised you a photograph of the newly made Baby Koalas - with the newest additions all having new plastic noses, as opposed to the wool embroidered ones used to date.  I  like both versions - wonder what everyone else thinks?

Etsy Listing # 55190188

They're all sitting happily among the Aubretia plants edging a flower bed in one of the nooks and crannies that abound in the garden here at The Hospital of St. John. Now to the saga of Colin the Giant Koala - the Cuddlies specimen that I was "persuaded" to produce by a customer who turned out to be what I believe is described a "spammer".  I returned to the conversation between him and I begun before Easter, when he told me he would pay the initial deposit when his pay cheque arrived (due on Good Friday - which is when my suspicions as to his real intent were definitely confirmed!).  When I attempted to renew the conversation on the Tuesday after the Bank Holiday, Etsy informed me that the person "did not exist" - even though there were some 15 or 16 messages between us on record!  So, the entire episode was reported as "Spam" to Etsy.... and life went on. While I try to persuade myself I needn't have gone along with his suggestion, in my last post I described how I responded to the challenge posed by the buyer, because until then I had been quite positive I was incapable of altering an existing pattern.  I'm pleased to say that subsequent events have proved me wrong - which is what the rest of  this post is going to be all about! The first step in creating Colin was, of course to create the paper pattern for him.  My normal patterns are made using discarded cardboard cereal packets. ( I do try to maintain ColdhamCuddlies' recycling credentials as much as possible.)  However, enlarging Big Koala's (BK) original template to become a 24 inches high Bear needed larger pieces of cardboard than was available, so a packet of 2" (5cms) square graph paper was acquired the next time I was in Warminster,  and BK's individual pieces fitted on it.  The difference in overall dimensions between the intended Toy and BK was about 5 inches so I drew the shapes an extra 2-1/2" bigger around all the shapes.  The finished article did look enormous, but the process had begun!  For those interested in vital statistics, these are Colin's  final ones:

                              Height: 27 inches.  Girth (around the base) 48 inches.  Weight: circa 4-5 lbs
The enlarged pattern pieces just fitted on to the Silver Grey Flecked Faux Fur fabric offcuts in my stash.  Making Colin was pretty straight forward - but being so much bigger than the standard ColdhamCuddlies toy it took just a bit longer.  Added to which the beautiful, furry fabric used has a tendency to fray, so every seam had to be over sewn to maintain the Toy's overall integrity.  Still, as it was the Easter week-end, once all the necessary Easter church celebrations were attended to, I had the time, the weather was not that good, and by the Tuesday after Easter I had got to the stage that the Body and Head were sewn together, and the mammoth task of stuffing him was the next step.

This picture shows his body - waiting for the head to be sewn on - sitting on what the family calls the ""Office Chair" (because that is what it used to be when we had an office!).  It  now serves as the place for the stuffing to sit waiting to be used in the toy-making process, as well as being somewhere some Cuddlies have been photographed in the past.   When completed, Colin took over 2 kilos of stuffing - because I wanted him to be a firm armful when completed.  (All stuffing, over a period of time, does relax, and the last thing one wants in a big toy like Colin is for him to go floppy when being played with.)

This is the first photograph  of Colin, perched (without being propped against the wall) on one of my pillows.  The next shows BK sitting just in front of him, to give you some idea of the size difference.  (BK's vital statistics being - Height - 14 ins (30.55cms):  Girth (at widest point) - 21 ins (50.35 cms):  Weight - 15.5 ozs (438 g). 

Both of them didn't fit on the pillow, so they were both placed on my mattress - which had been stripped for the weekly change of sheets!  Not the best shot of Colin, but for the purposes of this blog, it will have to do.   While stuffing was in process, it quickly became obvious that the single leather claws that look fine on BK were simply too fragile to look realistic for Colin.  So, I unpicked the end seams on arms and legs, cut out four more pieces and sewed the leather together - with button-hole stitching around the fingers.  Then each hand was lightly stuffed, and I attached the claws using ladder stitch.  The fluffy faux fur conveniently hides any of the stitching that was used, so no one is any the wiser - except those of you who are reading this post, of course! In the meantime, my daughters were being kept apprised of the saga of the spamming buyer.  When the first picture of Colin was circulated to them, Clare - my younger daughter, who with her husband is currently negotiating the complicated process of adopting a child (or children - a sibling group could be accommodated) suggested that Colin would be the perfect candidate for the Nursery when it becomes a reality.  She reserved him on the spot!    So, later this month, when I am due to go for a week or so to stay with Clare and her husband, Alan, I am being picked up by Clare.  Colin will be strapped in with his own Safety Belt on one of the back seats of her car - together with all the other impedimenta I cannot seem to travel without!!!  (As I'm coming back to Heytesbury by train, that will of necessity have to be considerably restricted.  Because, no matter which way I travel - via London (which I prefer to avoid) or cross-country, there are at least two change of trains involved!!!)  Interestingly, there's not that much difference in the time it takes between a car or train!  It's a matter of convenience, and inevitably, cost! So there is a happy ending.  Colin  will have a Forever Home after all.  His picture will remain in our Shop (www.Etsy.com/shop/COLDHAMCUDDLIES)  as a replacement could well be in the offing.  He was such fun to make, although the recent foray to replace the stuffing he "ate"  has indicated that its cost is sky-rocketing, and may necessitate some increases in charges for future Cuddlies.  My source is still considerably less expensive than purchasing from a normal haberdashery store, but even so - these things have to be taken into account! Before leaving this post, here are some other pictures of Colin, frolicking - if someone of his size can do such a thing - in the garden.  Thank goodness the weather is enabling me to take lots of new photographs of the Cuddlies - which are appearing as each is renewed or re-listed.

Sitting sideways in the Coldham Bears' favourite mulberry tree

Trying to climb up the tree - not very successfully

A view from the rear

Colin sitting unaided - with a neighbour's azalea plant to show off his furry coat

And finally, a mug shot - if it should ever be needed!

With that, I'll love you all - and leave you for the present.  Hope to be back soon, probably with Cy Bear at the helm, with some more stories about recently renewed Cuddlies - and, maybe, a description and a few pictures of The Hospital of St. John and its lovely grounds (as requested by several of you lovely Followers).   Until then - Good Night and Good Bless.  Isobel

Make way for the Coldham Koalas! And a sad case of being taken for a ride.

Well it's now been some weeks since I was involved directly with this blog - other than in guiding Cy Bear, of course.  So, having been up to my eyes in Koalas just recently, I decided to write this next post, especially as it's a day or so later than intended.  (Blame email issues this time:  at least it makes a change from computer worries!).  Think they've been resolved, but I'm still somewhat wary! However, back to the Koalas.  You wonderful Followers here will be familiar with our Baby Koalas (Etsy Listing #551901188), many of whom have found Forever Homes around the globe.  Some of you may recall an early patient in our Stuffed Animal Restoration Clinic (Etsy Listing #79124185) who needed to be completely remade - as his original real Koala hide was about to disintegrate, and his owner wanted to preserve him - for old time's sake.  He ended up looking like this and for the purposes of the Clinic, was named Big Koala (not very original I know, but it described the situation as it was!):

 

When completed, Big Koala (BK for short) - together with a bunch of  Baby Koalas and our very first Big Teddy Bear Patient - Ed Ted - all went off  to live with their Forever Friend, MrRE in Sequals, Italy.  Here is a photograph of them waiting for their journey to begin, but minus Ed Ted.  There were actually another eight more Baby Koalas who joined the party later!  

You can see the difference in size between the two Coldham Cuddlies Koala versions.  I've always intended to make another  BK to replace the original model, and took precautions to ensure I had a template of the Patient while he was undergoing treatment.  However, it was not until earlier this year that I decided to go ahead and make him, this time using the same faux fur fabric used for our Koala Head Mens' Slippers (Etsy Listing #158098231) -

No sooner had that decision been taken,  than an enquiry landed in the convo section of our shop at www.Etsy.com/shop/COLDHAMCUDDLIES from someone quoting the Etsy Listing for the Baby Koalas, but seeking a bigger version.  To begin with, the idea of  Big Koala in the new fabric seemed to suit his requirements, so I offered to make it and take pictures of the finished article - even though he seemed to be set on an even bigger version.  I was hoping that when completed, BK would melt his heart!!  It seemed unreal that there even could be a Buyer lined up before a Toy had actually been made! To cut a fairly long story short, the new version was made - quite quickly as it happened, because there are not that many different component parts involved.  The new version BK now looks like this:

He's sitting very comfortably on top of a privet hedge in our garden at The Hospital of St. John where we all live and I think has turned out pretty well. (Have to confess though that the faux fur pile on his head is actually lying in the wrong direction, which gives him a somewhat different look to the original Big Koala, but the rest of him has his fur going the right way!)  He's a very cuddly armful, wrong pile direction or not! Now back to the prospective client.  While he was very taken with the final outcome, even allowing for the look, the customer was still insistent that he'd like him double the size!  Now my Friends, I am not the adventurous type when it comes to patterns for my Cuddlies.  I like to stick with what I know and am familiar with.  However, I'm now three years into life with COLDHAMCUDDLIES in its current incarnation, I've made many more Animal Toys - in various sizes and descriptions - and the challenge was just too much for me. I also was beginning to think that perhaps the customer was leading me on somewhat - and I suspected that this could be the basis of a classic spamming exercise.  Nevertheless, because I am blessed with quite a good stash of this particular faux fur, and because I was keen to see if  I could overcome my hesitation about enlarging a pattern, I agreed to go ahead and try to meet his  needs (and believe me - by this time,  he was talking in those terms!) and try to come up with a Koala which was as near as possible to the 24" in height the customer was literally yearning for!  Girth etc. was not mentioned, but that was the ideal height!  I suggested that a down payment of a third of the estimated cost would at least get me started and also stated categorically that I would not proceed until those funds were in my local bank account in Warminster.  The immdiate answer was that was fine, but his next wage cheque was not due until the end of the following week (Good Friday, as it turned out).   However, by this time, my interest having been thoroughly piqued, I had purchased some graph paper with 2" squares and had actually enlarged all the BK pattern pieces - although the customer was not aware of this I hasten to add.  My mind was made up:    I was going to make a Giant Koala come what may.  If worst came to worst, and my suspicions got confirmed, then I'd try to find him a Forever Home - either via the Etsy Shop, or maybe by donating him as a Raffle Prize, or the reward for guessing his name, to one of the Charities I have connected with in the past. I think this post has now gone on long enough:  so I'll complete the Koala Saga next time around.  In the meantime, I've just received a picture of the latest Koala, Kili Whitestar as he is now known, sitting on the end of a table in his Forever Home in Maryland, USA

. MsAW, Kili's new Forever Friend tells me that he is very comfortable perched just there - although he is constantly on the look out to avoid being knocked flying by her cats!  As I said to her in response - that's a very much more exciting life he's now leading.  (He had previously been living in a plastic bag with his other Baby Koala Friends).   The last one of his batch has just been joined by three new Baby Koalas, all of which have got plastic noses, instead of the embroidered ones they've all had to date.  Having come across a local supply, I'm trying them out for size.  They were only completed last evening, and I've not yet had a chance to take photographs of them - but when I do, I'll provide them to illustrate the difference in outcome!   Probably, this will happen in the next installment of The Story of Colin, The Giant Koala - coming soon.

PS:  While searching in my photo files for Kili's picture, I came across this photograph of BK, Ed Ted, the four Baby Koalas and one of our Light Brown Teddy Bears (Etsy Listing #69778158) who formed the initial party en route to Sequals in 2011. (I'd forgotten that Light Brown Bear had formed part of the contingent!) They travelled across the English Channel and across mainland Europe from the UK  in a black garbage bag in the boot of MrRE's Blue Jaguar car, but this photo taken was before their epic journey across the Channel  began.  Followers of this blog can read all about these fellows in posts written in early 2011 by accessing our blog archives. Meanwhile, until the next time - Good night and God Bless!  Isobel