A New Future for Teddy Bear Thornton Beckons

Hello Again, Everyone! 

I'm so pleased to be back once more this week, and delighted to be able to tell you all about the final episode of Teddy Bear Thornton's treatment, and his progress to his future life.

This is the picture with which I ended our post last week, showing how TBT's facial features came about, and using the eyes with which he arrived in the Animal Toy Hospital last November.

Isobel then set about "building" the rest of TBT, so that the Head could be attached and TBT prepared for this journey home to Rotherham, South Yorkshire - in time to become a special Christmas Present.  The photograph below, shows the Head (before his facial features were added; stuffing only took place in this case after the eyes were fitted - then the stuffing is done, and the ears and facial features sewn.)  

Also included are the newly re-created arms (with new brown leatherette padding replacing the pink and red baize used earlier for his paws) and the body pieces sewn together ready to be stuffed as well.  The legs were there, but somehow got missed from in the picture!

Once all the separate pieces had been stuffed, Isobel attached the limbs to the still empty body, then filled in the body, and added TBT's completed Head. 

MEET THE 2018 VERSION OF TEDDY BEAR THORNTON

Before Isobel wrapped  TBT up in the packaging in which he had arrived, the usual Farewell Photograph with Me was taken:

When Christmas Day arrived (TBT got there just the week-end before the Holiday), we gather that TBT was handed over to his new Forever Friend, MsAT, that he was admired both on the day, and over the Christmas Holiday by everyone who came to meet (or renew their acquaintance(s) with him).  The following photos show him with his immediate Family members, three generations of Thornton Ladies:

Early in the New Year, MsAT sent Isobel a message a few days after he'd gone home with her.  Apparently, he now has a new long term name - Benjy (MrsAT's Grandfather who originally gave TBT  to her when she was a young girl was called Benjamin, I believe - so that's rather appropriate, isn't it?).  She also sent us a couple of picture of  Benjy in his new home, but presently, Isobel can't remember where she "hid" it among all her files.  I'll see if she can get them sent to us again, and we'll include them in another post soon.

Meanwhile, I'll close this episode - and look forward to telling you about two more Patients who came into the Toy Animal Hospital (https://www.etsy.com/listing/670854959/dinosaur-toys-rejuvenated-animal-toy?ref=shop_home_active_1 ) at the same time that TBT was a Patient.  It's curious how things happen:  we've gone almost 5 years without anyone needing assistance in that quarter:  and then we were asked to treat three - very different Toys - all at the same time.

See you all next week - fingers crossed!  Have a good one everyone!

Your Friend,

Cy Bear

Treatment offered Teddy Bear Thornton - Part Two.

Very Happy Mothering Sunday wishes are sent to all Mums and Grandmothers who may be reading this story today (oh, and everyone Else too!).  That's what Mother's Day is called here in the UK, and it's always celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.  In some churches all the children at the main Sunday service are still given small bunches of flowers (usually daffodils - and when they used to be wild in the UK, primroses), which they then give to their Mothers.  Some churches still do have that lovely ceremony, I'm told:  but being a Beaver Lamb Bear, I've never attended one myself.  Do like the idea, though - so I hope it will continue (and prosper) in the years to come.

Now, back to the story of Teddy Bear Thornton (TBT for convenience here) and his treatment in the Coldham Cuddlies Animal Toy Hospital - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/670854959/dinosaur-toys-rejuvenated-animal-toy?ref=shop_home_active_1  When the mohair fabric arrived from Isobel's supplier, TBT and I inspected it with interest.

The furry blanket on which TBT and I are sitting happens to match  TBT's paw covering well, doesn't it?

We think it was a pretty good match, given the passage of time, adventures and other events, including life in an attic for an indeterminate period, that TBT had survived.  Also the fact is that dyes and fabric manufacturing has changed over the several decades we're talking about.  (When matching mohair for repair purposes, it's actually the backing fabric into which the mohair is attached that is used to get the results being sought - not the outside furry bits).

All the pieces having soaked in lukewarm soapy water, they looked like this after their second rinse

Meanwhile, TBT's individual pieces - or those that were usable anyway - having been washed, dried and pressed flat were used by Isobel to create templates so that the new body could be cut out.

You can see the cardboard template pieces on the right from which TBT began to emerge

Here were all the pieces that were required for Isobel to put TBT back together. (The smaller pieces are the original, rescued bits, together with its' matching new one). He actually had more bits than she is used to having when making a Coldham Cuddlies Bear these days, but once she had worked out exactly how they fitted together, sewing began - and proceeded quite quickly, once all the original pieces had been matched and tacked together.

TBT's new head/face, waiting for his original eyes to be fitted

Where possible, Isobel actually sews each original piece to its matching component in the new version (with the wrong sides together - furry side on the inside of the finished toy).  It means the original Teddy Bear still "exists", even if it can't be seen - and it also reduces the need for too much extra stuffing.  Many Teddy Bear owners are also much happier thinking that their old friend is still with them (rather than consigned to general waste) - and actually results in a slightly larger Toy in the long run because the new version's seams have to be that much bigger.  So, more Teddy Bear to hug eventually!

Above New Legs and Body ready for stuffing:  Arms and Head in lower row

The pads were created using a mock leather fabric Isobel uses for just such a purpose - and it can also be used when she's making Owls' beaks, and other bird claws and such like when creating new Cuddlies for our shop  (https://www.etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies)

TBT coming to life - the mouth is almost exactly where it showed on his original pieces.  

Inspecting TBT on arrival, we noticed that he'd come with signs of having a brown woollen embroidered nose and other facial features  - but as most Bears usually have black ones, Isobel decided to give him the latter colour.  We used his particularly well kept eyes.  His ears, having been cut off to be used in the matching process, Isobel provided a completely new pair, without using the original ones - which had shown more wear than the rest of TBT's original body pieces.  (Ears often do get used to "haul" teddies around by their devoted owners!  Not that I'm saying that actually happened to TBT, you understand!). 

All that was required then was to "build" the new look TBT - ready to be sent to MrsAT in time for planned the Christmas 2018 hand over.

I'll show you the finished article next time around, as well as some lovely photos sent when TBT and his Forever Friend, MsAT met on Christmas Day.  Meanwhile, do hope everyone has a terrific week - whatever you are planning to do.  See you all then!

Your Friend, Cy Bear

News from the Coldham Animal Toy Hospital

Hello Everyone from your Friend, Cy Bear.

Once again, thanks to a mixture of technical issues (solved for time being, seemingly - fingers tightly crossed!) and off line matters needing Isobel's attention (both at home and elsewhere), blogging has had to take second place.  However, today, we're hoping to once more start a regular routine - until the next "issue" takes over!!

Since we moved to Nottinghamshire in 2014, the services of our Animal Toy Hospital haven't proved that popular.  We did try a spell of advertising on a countrywide advertising platform, but didn't get any response.  After a time lapse though, we received unexpected enquiries from several different sources, and we have three recent patients in the Animal Toy Hospital to tell you about, so let's first introduce you to a magnificent Teddy Bear who arrived with us in November last year.

He didn't actually have a name when he arrived, was well into his sixties in age, and belonged to a lady, MrsAT who hadn't realised he was still "alive".  Her sister was involved in downsizing her home, and when clearing her attic came across the Bear - which both ladies thought had been thrown away long ago.  (Different versions of this account are such a familiar story in the Teddy Bear world, by the way!).  MrsAT had been given him by her Grandfather, and she decided she'd like to give her Grand Daughter MsAT (she's at University, rather than being a "little girl", which is why I'm calling her this) this Bear -  renovated - as a Christmas present.  MsAT, who apparently likes vintage/old things, was over the moon at the idea, so MrsAT  - having found our Animal Hospital via Google, asked Isobel to have a go.  

From the "get-go", it was obvious that TBT (Teddy BearT) had been a much loved Bear, as you can see from these photographs:

Isobel promised to give him back looking as nearly as he might have done at the beginning of his life - but as everyone knows, she cannot duplicate new toys exactly, and restoring someone back to his youth when one is quite a lot older (especially without photographs) can be an additional challenge.  One thing that was agreed on from the start though, was that TBT's eyes would be used in his new look.  As there was just a faint trace of his original mouth left on his face, Isobel said she would try to copy that as well.  How we did, we will show you later.

TBT travelled by post from Rotherham, South Yorkshire (which is not too far away from us here in Nottinghamshire) and he just fitted in nicely to the box you see him in.  That was kept for him to travel back in, together with the packaging which you can also see.  TBT's treatment took the usual format - beginning with Isobel unpicking the seams that made him in the first place.  (The pink paw pads were obviously an addition to his original ones, which were actually red baize ones from what we could see - unless, those too, had been a replacement for the more usual brown pads that Bears of this age usually have).  

Why do we think this?  Isobel suspects that TBT could well have had some past trauma (such as being involved in wartime bomb damage perhaps, and was restored so MrsAT could continue to love him).  That scenario could well explain the mixture of stuffing (using anything/everything available at a time of wartime shortages) with which we found him when we were carrying out the restoration project.  MrsAT was unable to substantiate that thought:  so we will never know, nor do we really need to.

Parts of the original mohair covering was pretty thin by now, so it was difficult at times to keep it in one piece.  However, Isobel managed to do it sufficiently to save the necessary pieces for use in the restoration process.  Here are some of the stages BEFORE his original pieces were given a luke-warm soapy bath, rinsed and then left to dry naturally.

Beginning with the head: his nose had wood chip stuffing, plus an unknown woolly stuffing for the rest of it.

The cotter pin holding his head to his body was massive

TBT's stuffing:  again, unusual and we think indicating a previous treatment process(es), including the red paw pads

Washed pieces drying, before a template for TBT 2018 was created

While this process was going on, Isobel had taken one of TBT's ears, and sent it to our Mohair Bear fabric suppliers, who came back with the best match he could find - given the time lag between his original arrival in MrsAT's family and 2018.  (We learned that our supplier was assisted in this process by another professional animal toy restorer- just happened to be in the shop at the time Isobel asked for help, so we know we couldn't have done better! They got a letter of thanks for their help, needless to say!)   Isobel discussed it with MrsAT who agreed that construction of the new look TBT could go ahead.

I'll tell you all about that process the next time we get together.  Hopefully that will be next week:  in the meantime, have a great week Everybody - and here's to the next time!

Your Friend, 

Cy Bear.

Despite Technical Glitches, Bears Galore - This Time not All of the Clerical Variety

Hello again Folks!

Cy Bear back again - and so pleased to be too.  Thought I'd begin by showing you this:  the beginning of a new look for Coldham Cuddlies.

Currently, this is only visible at the head of our Shop Page - and is the result of wonderful help provided by one of Isobel's Etsy friends and a Leader in one of the Teams of which Isobel is a member. We've retained the original Orange, Green and White of our corporate colours (if you can call us "corporate"!!).   Our friend has always been there for Isobel when she gets into Team technical difficulties (rather more frequently than Isobel likes, really!).

We've had the banner you can see at the head of this post since the early days of ColdhamCuddlies in 2010 (provided, then as well, by a kind fellow Etsian - because we wouldn't have known where to begin!) and Isobel decided that the arrival of 2019 was perhaps a good time for a change of "look"!  We plan using a version of the new banner here soon - when we're sure that technical glitches are over - and also with our business cards.  But we've got a large number of those with our existing design to hand out, so that will have to wait for a bit.

Sorry we were missing last week, but yet again, a technical glitch caused Isobel to be temporarily deprived of access to the laptop.  She has, however, been getting better acquainted with her smartphone (about time, I would say - given that she's had one since it was acquired in November 2017 - in time for the Winter Christmas Bazaar at Thoresby Hall!).  That's happened, because she's found some books that explain exactly how to use a smartphone, and they've really helped her!  That did enable her to keep abreast of some developments in our Shop, even though all is not well there, either.  The listing pages for the Shop are subject to hiccups (caused since technical changes by Etsy itself - the platform from which all the Coldham Cuddlies' activities are launched)  Everyone involved with Etsy.com have been affected in one way or another, and it's taking time for us to all get used to the new changes.

As regular readers of this blog will know, we do make Bears that are bigger than the recently introduced Clerical Bears, and in recent months, we've made three of our Big Plush/Faux Fur Bears - as well as having a couple of  Patients staying in our Stuffed Animal Hospital -https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/670854959/  (that's another story, though!).  We have also been asked to make an Elizabethan Bear (see photograph below), using the Clerical Bear pattern as a base.

This was the result of  an order from our good friend, MsKA - who asked Isobel to make seven versions of my good friend, Oscar Blue Rabbit early last year (2018).

One of the Oscar Rabbits - under construction

Then one of  Isobel's Friends from St. Barnabas Cathedral - and a long time family friend of  the family -  asked us to provide two plush Teddy Bears for young friends of hers who were leaving the UK to live with their parents in Papua New Guinea.  This she did, and here is a photograph of the two of them before they left us to meet their Forever Friends.

Finally (for this week, anyway), yesterday, Isobel was able to hand over the most recently created Coldham Cuddlies Bear - who is actually the 15th version of our Hairy Bear:

It looks as though this Bear is going to become a Lady Bear - which is a somewhat unusual outcome for us Coldham Cuddlies!  She is possibly going to be named  "Izy" - according to MrsGW, who has become a friend of Isobel over recent months, while both of them attended the weekly session of one of the local Slimming World groups.  She loved a farewell photo she was shown, before the 14th Hairy Bear left us - just before Christmas 2018 to live somewhere in Leicestershire, UK.   Izy was handed over yesterday (and is due to join a seemingly large collection of Teddy Bears).  With that outcome, I'll end this week's post.

Getting Acquainted

We're gradually catching up with the events of the last few months when this blog was temporarily off line.  But there are still a few more items to tell you about, and I hope to be back again next week - provided there are no further technical hitches!

Until then, have a great week, Everyone!

Your Friend, Cy Bear.

Introducing the Current Members of the Coldham Clerical Bear Collection

Hello there Everyone:

Glad to be back again, and this time with only our usual break to deal with.  We're still as busy as we were last week, but Isobel is about to complete the final order received pre-Christmas (off-line) and then we will be able to keep to our previous regular order schedule.

This week has seen the arrival of another order for a Brown Sister Bear (a picture of her is included at the end of this post)- and as she has not been commented on in a post from us before, Isobel thought it appropriate for us to bring you up to date about what has happened in this sphere of the Coldham Cuddlies World since September last year.  

The photograph below shows what the original group looked like (with me supervising "The Bunch") when they were all ready to be presented to the outside world - pre the Artisan Craft Fair in October 2018, which was their official presentation date.  They had actually been unofficially introduced to the St. Barnabas Cathedral Parish before the Craft Fair, when Isobel displayed them throughout September between 0900-1200 every Sunday during the weekly Coffee Mornings that follow the two Masses - and they generated a lot of interest, as well as potential orders:  some of which did actually follow through!

We'd already received an order for Padre Bear 1 (front right, next to one of the Missionary Bears), who winged his way to Tulsa Okalahoma once this photograph was taken).

His departure was followed quite quickly by an order for a Bishop Bear - which came from a London, UK customer, with suspected links to the Anglican Church, because of the address to which "His Grace" was sent. 

Farewell Photo before Bishop Bear departed to a Westminster, London, UK address

As I said last week, to date the orders that have been received - and completed - have resulted in £70.00 ($90.25 USD) being paid into the St. Barnabas Cathedral Restoration Fund.  We've got £15.00 ($19.34 USD) waiting to be paid over to the Fund, and last evening received another order from MsCW - resident of Lawrence, Kansas, USA -  for a "Brown Nun", which joins another similar version of our Sister Bears, which will head off  to Tulsa, OK when she is made very shortly. That will result in a cheque for a further £25.00 ($32.24 USD) being handed over to the Cathedral Dean, once these two ladies have been cut out, sewn and completed.  

Who, or what, is a Brown Nun, I hear you ask?  Well, she was the first Custom Order generated during our pre-Craft Fair displays from a long-term St. Barnabas Cathedral parishoner, who was keen to give this version to her Great Grand Daughter as a Christmas present. (There were at least two further orders for Padre Bears during the pre-Craft Bazaar displays). This began something that is now developing into quite a tradition - of Custom Orders from Buyers, who wish to commemorate their own experiences with the "real thing" - personal encounters either during childhood, or as adults.  We've completed two further versions of this particular Sister Bear - who reminded our original customer of Sisters who had served in the Cathedral Parish when she herself first arrived in Nottingham.  They are made "in the style" of a Poor Clare Sister.  (Isobel uses the same basic pattern for all our Sister Bears, no matter the difference in colour and style of their "looks"!)

 (to distinguish her from our original Sister Bear in the Coldham Cuddlies Clerical Bear Collection - who has a Black Veil and Habit.)

As the weeks have passed, Isobel decided that our original Sister Bear (seen in the first photo here)  looked a little "bare around the neck, so that when the first orders arrived for an Original Sister Bear (we're not going to call her a "Black Sister" for obvious reasons), all future versions will now look like the second Sister Bear (which headed for the same Tulsa home that Padre Bear went to) a few weeks into the sales season.  Isobel also intends to add a collar around our original Sister Bear, but she's been so busy what with one thing and another, that there's been no time to dress her properly!!  We're hoping to redress this omission shortly though!

Our Tulsa-based friend, MrSS was our original first enthusiastic customer for the Clerical Bears and stated his intention of buying at least four different members of the Collection, including Padre Bear and the initial Sister Bear (with collar attached!).  Now, Isobel knew that MrSS lives in an area of Oklahoma, which is served by an Order of Nuns known as the Order of Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters - who dress themselves in a Pink and White Habit. 

MrSS was thus offered a choice a choice when ordering his second Sister Bear (he has a small grand - daughter - who featured in my last week's post by the way) whom he evidently loves to spoil (and we at Coldham Cuddlies benefit as a result!).  This Order of Nuns is referred to as "The Pink Nuns" locally, and so too will our "Pink Nuns"!!  As we are anxious for the entire Clerical Bear Collection to be as inclusive as possible, Isobel suggested he might like to have this version made in the darker Fleece which had been suggested for one of our original Missionary Bears - shown below:

Presently, we have two different Orders of Sisters serving the Cathedral, one of which is known as The Little Company of Mary.  They are based in Hyson Green, a part of the City of Nottingham, where they were originally founded, and the current Leader of the local Community, Sister AMcD has become very friendly with Isobel since she and the Bears made each others' acquaintance last September.  Just before Christmas, Sister A asked if Isobel could make a Bear replica displaying their somewhat unique colour veil.  It took some doing, but eventually we were able to find some fabric which provided a pretty good match for their head dress.  It has recently resulted in the appearance in our Shop of our "Blue Nun"   

We have been told that Sister Blue Nun now occupies a prominent position in the Little Company of Mary's Hyson Green Heritage Centre - which Isobel intends to visit to learn more about the Order's work sometime soon (when time allows).  On 7th February, a special celebration Mass was held in the presence of  Bishop Patrick McKinney, Bishop of Nottingham, to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Order's Founder, Venerable Mary Potter being declared Blessed by Pope St.John Paul in 1988.  Blessed Mary Potter's remains are actually interred in the Cathedral - and at the service, a special banner (created by Members of the Cathedral Artisan Crafts Group) to commemorate this Anniversary was blessed by the Bishop.  (Isobel belongs to this group, and the proceeds of our sales of the Clerical Bears do get included in that Group's overall contributions to the Cathedral Restoration Fund). 

Before closing, let me include a picture of the latest two versions of our Brown Nuns: 

They were originally intended to respond to an order from another St. Barnabas parishoner, who has bought several Clerical Bears - for herself, and as gifts for her friends - as well as be the final purchase from MrSS.  However, while making them, Isobel got a little "wild" with the iron, when pressing the hem of the Sister Bear she was then working on  - and although the scorch doesn't show, Isobel knows about it:  and that makes it definitely not suitable to offer as a new Clerical Bear in our Shop!!  So, this "damaged" Sister Brown Bear is going to join in the Coldham Clerical Bear Collection - so she can be seen (but not too closely!) when they are called upon at future Craft Fairs - or special anniversary events at the Cathedral, which in 2019 celebrates 175 years since it was originally built!!  More of that anon, I am sure!!

So, we've brought you up to date with what has happened with the Clerical Bears - and look forward to telling you about other activities in the Shop during the period when our communications has been interrupted.   See you next week, hopefully.  

Have a good one, Everyone: 

Your Friend, Cy Bear.

Did you miss us - as much as we've missed being here?

Well Folks - a very Happy New Year to all our Followers!  A little late maybe, but better that than never.  (For a few weeks recently, we've feared that indeed this could be the likely scenario!!)

Betty Yellow Bunny getting prepared to travel to her Forever Home in the USA

Believe me, Isobel and I did not mean there to be this long a gap in communications here, but what with one thing an another, it went on longer than we ever thought it could!  A lot has happened (mostly technical, and everyone who knows Isobel, knows what that can mean!).  However,  that gives us the chance to create several new future posts - and, as always, news from the COLDHAMCUDDLIES does not really date.  Be assured, though, that the Shop -  https://www.etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies  has had several additions to the Family, the Clerical Bears were duly introduced, and are proving popular, and Isobel is just finishing off orders that were received after the Christmas deadline, where the Buyers were all prepared to wait. (This year, the run up to the Holiday was hectic - and included two Animal Toy restoration projects as well!)


So, let's begin with the catch up!  Having just re-read our last post, there is such a lot of it to do, that we'll be here for ages if Isobel were to do it bit by bit.  So, some of the subject matter - such as a Clerical Bears update -  will be "squashed" up, and issued in instalments. Others, we might do in coming weeks, as a full blown post, as they are new Cuddlies in the Shop, or catching up news on those who've found new homes like Betty Yellow Rabbit.  We did mention in our last post in September 2018 that she had surprisingly been ordered by one of our long-term, good friends from Tulsa, Oklahoma - so we thought we'd begin with a bit more about her today.


To begin with - here's a photograph of the Clerical Bears on display at the Artisan Craft Fair early in October, when they made their official appearance.

The spiral staircase used to great effect here is one we'll borrow, when we need to, for future Craft  Fairs at St. Barnabas Cathedral - because it was "found" while the Craft Group were preparing for the inaugural Show in October. (There have been three additions to the Clerical Bear Collection - all different Sister Bears, who have been specially ordered - so this news will have to form a post all of it's own!)


We're pleased to announce that since the Show, we've contributed £70.00 to the St. Barnabas Cathedral Restoration Fund (at £5.00 for every Clerical Bear sold), and Isobel has another £15.00 collecting in our bank account.  There are several potential orders in the offing, so we'll wait a week or two (on all fronts), before we pay in/tell you more about them. (The Sister Bears are way ahead in what could be called "The Clerical Bear Stakes" were this situation to be a horse race!!).  Several Padre Bears (3 at least) have found homes, we've sold one Bishop Bear, but so far, no interest has been expressed in either of the Missionary Bears or the Vicar Bear.  There's plenty of time yet, as we're going to keep them in the Shop with no time limits set on when they'll be withdrawn.  They've got plenty of potential good to do yet!!!


In Betty Bunny's case, she had a trouble free trip to Tulsa, but unfortunately, the zip code Isobel was given was incorrect!  Betty Bunny was within a whisker of being sent back to the  UK by United States Postal Service (USPS), when Isobel - who likes to check on our Cuddlies' progress when they are en route to their Forever Homes - alerted MrsKD (the actual Buyer here) that Betty should have arrived!  The zip code error was then discovered.  Fortunately, the family in Tulsa got together, informed USPS of the correct zipcode, and MrSS (son of MrsKD) - who has received several parcels from the Coldham Cuddlies (and is still being supplied, incidentally!) was able to take Grand 
DaughterV, accompanied by her Mum, to pick Betty Bunny up.

After they met, MissV feeding Betty Bunny with her carrot, to help get over her journey

Still inseperable - several weeks down their road.

Right, I think we've gone on long enough for this weeks' post.  Isobel will try to organise things a bit better so we can get you updated on COLDHAMCUDDLIES' World events/new members and new looks since we were last together, and we'll pick up from here next time we get together.


It's so great to be back again chatting to you all. Do hope we can take up where we were getting to when we all last were together.


Your Friend.

Cy Bear.

This Week's Update on The Clerical Bears + Other Developments

Hello there Everyone - from Cy Bear:

So good to be back, and able to bring you the latest developments in the increasingly busy world that has become The COLDHAMCUDDLIES Clerical Bear Collection.

During the week, Isobel was able to finish off the first Padre Bear - ordered by MrSS from Tulsa, Oklahoma (mentioned in last week's post).  He left for the United States on Wednesday afternoon, which meant that he probably didn't actually get to an aircraft until Friday.  (Isobel has just used the Royal Mail Tracker Number checking system, and learns that Padre Bear is "In Transit", leaving the UK.)  So he's definitely en route.   

Here's a finished picture of him:

Isobel was able to get The Clerical Band of Brothers and Sister together- and  Padre Bear 1 is in the centre of the group:  (numbering them, in an attempt to keep them in order, will be the "name of the game".  The initial Sample Models will not count in that record, as we intend to keep them to ourselves!)  It was only when looking at this picture on the camera before we cropped it for use here, that Isobel realised she must stop her current modus operandi of "plonking" the Bears in any old pose.  We need to make sure they are looking, and standing, facing the same direction!  However, this does show the Group getting used to their future "duties". 

Then Isobel took a Farewell Photograph with just me to wish him well prior to his being wrapped up and put into a polythene airmail postal envelope, labelled and addressed, together with the requisite Customs Form that we have to complete on all parcels headed towards the USA and Canada.

Although the last two photos were taken while we were posing on Isobel's bed, we feel that The Clerical Bears can equally well fit onto a Study Desk, an Office Bookshelf or any other convenient place where their Forever Friends put them, so they can survey their surroundings - and keep the peace?

As soon as Padre Bear was packed up, Isobel began completing Sister Bear 1 - who had been ordered off line by MsMP when The Clerical Bears were first being set up en masse for display two weeks ago.  To get a head start for the production line, Isobel  cut out 5 sets of bodies, heads and ears, all of which are made in the fleece fabric we're using for this project.  So, when getting on with Sister Bear 1, all that was needed was to cut out the pattern pieces required for her habit, veil and boots.  This meant we were able to complete her in time for Isobel to hand her over to MsMP (having alerted her to the delivery time on Saturday evening by email/and Messenger - after attempts to telephone her had failed.)  

(NB;  Last Tuesday, Isobel  went to Derby to get another supply of the fleece.  Although the fleece was still available, in the interim a new supply has come in - and we have been subject to the usual hazard of re-supply that Crafters (knitters, as well as sewers) the World Over face - changes in dyes.  The newer batches, once our original supply is complete, will appear in a slightly different colour tone).

Sister Bear 1 was a bit more of a problem to complete - there are always one or two Toys that just don't go to plan, and alas, she was one of them.  All the hiccups were overcome, however, and this is how future models of  Sister Bear will look (although, of course, they won't be exactly alike, because Isobel never can do that!):

Sister Bear 1 revealed

There are slight differences between Sister Bear 1 and our original model shown here - as a reminder:

Original Sister Bear Model

Apart from her head/face being somewhat smaller than the newer version, our original Sister Bear didn't have a collar:  she always looked a bit bare around the neck, so Isobel has decided that as Sister Bear 1 does have one - and in our view, looks more "complete" - this is going to be the future look for this member of The Clerical Bear Collection.  (Incidentally, two of the human Sisters who are on the Cathedral staff were introduced to The Clerical Bears this morning.  Both were highly amused by the depiction of Sister Bear - and promised to spread the word around the parish community!)

I'm delighted to tell you, that we've already received an order from MrSS for his first Sister Bear (he's mentioned he wants to buy 3 in total!)  She will be made and dispatched, after we've completed the order received from a London-based Buyer, MsNE  for a Bishop Bear.  We think, but haven't yet been able to confirm, this could have Anglican connections - given the address to which "His Grace"  is headed.  Isobel plans to cut out Bishop Bear later this evening, or early tomorrow morning and hopes to have him en route by the end of the week.  (One passer-by the Display Table this morning in St.Barnabas Church Hall indicated she would like to buy a Bishop Bear - next week, so fingers crossed!).  The purchase pattern for The Clerical Bears is beginning to take shape in an interesting fashion!

The developing Work in Progress schedule  means that we then have to cut out and make the latest version of  a Tiger Arm Puppet, which has been purchased via our Shop (www.COLDHAMCUDDLIES.etsy.com) by MsSD from Brandon, Mississippi, USA.  We will then return to the Clerical Bear Production Line to complete Sister Bear 2,followed by Padre Bear 2 - who was ordered this morning when Isobel set up the Sunday Morning Display in the St Barnabas Hall Repository.  (We also have the prospect of another sale - for Bishop Bear 2, mentioned earlier (and a Sister Bear 6 - if we include the Tulsa orders here), with both potential Buyers stating they'd come back next week with the funds.    

Today's confirmed order was from a fellow attender of the 1000 Mass, who actually paid us by card - enabling Isobel (with Daughter Clare's technical assistance!) to use our PayPal Card Reader for the first time!!  We're getting so technical, you would not believe!!  (When she opened the computer before starting this post, Isobel found that PayPal had already notified her of the payment - so IT WORKED!!!!).

What has been a pretty busy week was rounded off with an unexpected, but totally thrilling order from MrsKD - who wanted to buy Betty Bunny Rabbit for her Great Grand Daughter, MsVK.  This order contained a special message for Betty's Forever Friend, which will of course be incorporated in a special card.  Isobel texted MrsKD while she was on the 'bus home from Nottingham after today's Clerical Bear Display to discover whether Betty is intended as a Christmas Present, a Birthday Gift or indeed to celebrate upcoming Thanksgiving in November - and if she wants the parcel to be gift-wrapped.  It's all part of the  COLDHAMCUDDLIES customer service.

Betty Bunny was originally made as a Custom Order from a Lady in the UK, wanting her little daughter to have a similar Dressed Yellow Rabbit to her own - but who still wanted to keep hers, which had a blue check frock like Betty.   Isobel made one dressed in Blue Gingham check, and one with a Blue Floral Pattern and the Lady chose the Floral Pattern.  Betty has been residing in the Big Toy Bag (on which she and I are pictured here) for some time, so she was a little shocked to hear that she would be leaving the Rabbit "Burrow" for Tulsa, Ok , USA sometime next week.   (Yes, MrsKD is part of the same family - we at COLDHAMCUDDLIES are beginning to wonder how we ever managed without the support and friendship, plus design expertise, on offer from that direction!).  I've been having a gentle word with her - so that she won't be too shocked when the farewell ceremonies take place - probably Wednesday or Thursday next week.  

It's likely to be the latter, because Isobel has to represent the Old Chapel Close Tenants Association at the funeral of one of our Residents on Wednesday afternoon  (who died sadly very soon, and suddenly, after arriving in our midst).  As that is the usual time she has her weekly play session with GrandsonE, she's booked for that this week on Tuesday afternoon. So, already the week looks like being as busy as the last one was!

See you all next week - hope you all have a good one.

Your Friend,

Cy Bear.