An Inundation of Tiger Arm Puppets - And Some Consequences

Hello there Everyone:  Cy Bear back once more, and a little later than intended.  Nevertheless, we are back again.

In last week's post I said one of the reasons we stopped posting last October was because we began to get several orders for our Arm Puppets, most of whom were based on our Tiger Who Lost His Stripes. ( https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/650644825/tiger-puppets-without-stripes-tiger?ref=shop_home_active_7    Well, while preparing this week's chat, Isobel went through the orders she had received, made and sent to their various homes (all over the United States of America), and we thought we would share the locations of where these members of the Coldham Cuddlies family now find themselves:

Listed in the order in which they left us - starting in October 2019, the Stripe-less Tigers are now living in:

          Perkassie, Pennsylvania
          Boyds, Maryland
          Longboat Key, Florida
          Indianpolis, Indiana
          Iowa City, Iowa
          Saint Louis, Missouri
          Lancaster, Pennsylvania
          Flushing, Michigan
          Raleigh, North Carolina
          Medina, Ohio
          Walkersville, Maryland  - where two now live together

All of them were made with what has become Isobel's fabric of choice for making our Arm Puppets (where possible), Premier Plush - except for one, which is what this post is going to be about.  We normally get this from the fabric shop Isobel used to frequent when she and I lived in Wiltshire, prior to moving to Nottinghamshire in 2014.  Called Fabricland, they have several "brick and mortar" shops in the West of England, and she used to buy the materials needed for Cuddlies over the counter from their Salisbury Shop mostly.  She could easily reach it using the local 'bus service  then. Since arriving in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, thanks to the internet, we've been able to maintain our links there with no problems - until now. 

Because our flat is considerably smaller than where we previously lived, storage space is more limited, so Isobel buys replacements in 2 metre (just over 6.5 yards) at a time.  Due to the orders coming in at such a rate, and with the arrival of the Covid19 Pandemic in the UK, our usual supply line became somewhat less reliable.  Being a fabric warehouse, materials needed for the specialist needs of the UK National Health Service understandably had a priority rating for the Fabricland staff, who were working with fewer people in their Warehouse as well.

That seems to have coincided with Isobel having a "senior moment" on two different occasions.  First time around, she ordered the wrong colour:

A selection of the fabrics from which Isobel usually buys for our Tigers taken from the Fabricland online Shop site.

The colour we usually go for is called "Khaki" and is shown here on the right side of the photo, next to the white version.  For some reason, and we can only think it was because Isobel ordered it just before going to bed that time, we ended up with what is called "Rose", next to the Red and Black versions.  Quite understandably, when fabric is cut out, and the customer makes a mistake, he/she has to take what arrives, and get on with life.  Isobel was cross with herself and when checking to see which WAS the right colour, again she must have been not concentrating, because the replacement for the replacement that  arrived looked  like the fabric on the other side of the red material shown in the photo! 

That, we discovered is called "Mustard", and Isobel cannot for the life of her understand how the mistake happened once again (except that it could have been in the evening again, and colours look different when seen under electric lights these days).  It was her fault, as she had clearly ordered "Mustard", rather than Khaki.  We had to accept that the mistake was once again ours  So, valuable space was being taken up by 4 metres of potentially non-usable material!  (However all is not lost .... that could mean at least another blog post or two!!)

However, back to the Tiger saga:   Fabricland were unable to guarantee the second replacement delivery in the time needed, because they too were awaiting delivery of the Khaki fabric! (Another possible reason for the wrong colour choice:  the Khaki having been temporarily withdrawn while delivery was awaited?)   Isobel just HAD to find matching material for the back of the second Tiger Who Lost His Stripes that was due to head for Walkersville,Maryland! within days.   Thus we were faced with the dilemma of all Crafters worldwide.  Matching exactly fabric from a different source, whose dyes and original fabrics might not be an exact match. All knitters regularly face this problem: but so far, in the 10 years that COLDHAMCUDDLIES has been operating, this is the first time we've had to! 

Not really an exact match, was it?

Following a frantic on-line search (aided and abetted by daughter Clare) Isobel was able to contact a fabric warehouse which is located about 1.5 hours drive from us - rather than almost the other side of the country, as is Fabricland!  However, the lock down regulations in place in the UK meant that we were unable to actually drive to the new fabric source.  We had to rely on their judgement about the colours we were only able to provide via the internet - not always the most reliable medium when one needs a perfect match.   Driving to Fabricland HQ, located in Bournemouth, on the South Coast of England,  would have meant at least  6-8 hour drive, even with the wind behind us - and equally forbidden in present circumstances.

Isobel contacted the Mother of the two children who were looking forward excitedly to getting their own Tiger Who Lost His Stripes to play with and explained the situation.  MrsLB was wonderfully understanding, and more than open to the possibility of having one Puppet look slightly different from the other.  (Fortunately the missing piece would actually be on the back of the finished Puppet).  So, Isobel went ahead and ordered just enough of the "Honey" plush fabric stocked by the new supplier, Plush Addict - based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.   Prior to this  "hiccup", Isobel had offered to embroider the initials of each child in the lining of each Puppet, so that there would be no mistaking which Tiger belonged to which youngster.  Now, with one with a slightly different coloured back, there COULD be no argument!

The Plush Addict replacement:  definitely more acceptable

We were lucky in that the material arrived almost by return of post - and when actually compared to the original front of the Puppet (and its arms) the new arrival was not that different, and certainly unlikely to worry a young man, intent on playing puppets with his bigger sister!!  Whew!!!
The project was eventually finished and both puppets travelled together early the next week after all the excitements.  Our usual Farewell Ceremony took place, and here's a photo of the three of us before they were packed up and dispatched on their way to their Forever Home.

So what happened next?  Well, I think I've said enough for this week - and if I'm going to get back into our usual publishing regimen, you'll only have to wait a couple of days (instead of a whole week) to find out!

Until there, do hope everyone has a good end of week - and see you all again, (hopefully) on Sunday.

Your Friend,

Cy Bear

Heigh ho! Back once more - after quite an absence.

Hello Everyone!  Cy Bear here, starting the conversation.

It's been a long time since Isobel and I were here, but we've jointly decided it's about time we corrected the situation.  So, here we go.

2019 was a kind of difficult year for Isobel after her fall in May, when she broke her hip.  Rehab took longer than she really wanted, but it progressed satisfactorily for all the experts involved.   We'd only just re-opened our blogging, when she became very busy with several orders for our Tiger Who Lost His Stripes Arm Puppet,

Our Tiger Without Stripes Arm Puppet in 2019

and more repeat orders for Sister, Bishop and Padre Bears (all of whom were needed as Christmas presents).  We had posted about most or all of  these various toys just before this happened, thus there wasn't much point in repeating ourselves, so we didn't!

There are some newer members of the Clerical Bear Collection needing to be added - see below

Then after Christmas, when orders for any Coldham Cuddlies goods normally tail off, the orders for the Tiger Arm Puppet took off skywards, and Isobel got some unexpected custom orders from people who wanted arm puppets to look like other toys or, even, dogs.

So, as posts can't get written when Isobel is sewing, I've been sitting in my normal place on her bed, waiting to help her in this task, when the time was right. There didn't seem to be much point in telling you all about which Puppet was being done - since you already know how they are made.  Similarly the same can be said about telling you about the Clerical Bears - the Bear bodies are all made the same:  it's only their "uniforms" that change, and you've been told about how they come to be made too.  So, I'm afraid the blog has languished ..... but there are very good reasons now for resurrecting our weekly posts from now on. I'll tell you about that shortly, before I close this week's post.

The real  "Pink Nuns" live and work in several US States.

Now, the entire world has been affected by something called the Covid19 Pandemic - which as a Beaver Lamb Bear really hasn't affected me directly, but it has had quite an effect on Isobel.  No...she's not actually been ill, but because she will be 80 years old later this year, she was told to "self-isolate" so she didn't catch the virus.  That has meant she's been under my feet ALL DAY, every day since the middle of March.  But while she's been very busy finding all sorts of other things to do on the computer,she hasn't had the time to properly sit down and write here either.  Self isolation for her has meant that she's not been allowed out of our flat - not even to visit Clare and her grandson, who live just 3 doors away since the "lock down" (which is how it is referred to everywhere) started. She even has a stranger (who is not allowed to come into the flat) to do her weekly shopping for her.  She can go out once a day - for exercise, and get "essential supplies" like milk (which is done at the local corner store at the end of the driveway to Old Chapel Close).

Our Poor Clare Nun is also not included in the picture of the Clerical Bears either.

The way it works is:  Isobel writes out a shopping list for the week (as she does every week anyway) and posts it (via the computer)  to the Volunteer (as the helper is called) the evening before the shopping is needed.  The Volunteer - a lovely lady called MrsCN - does it (or as much as she can if it's on the shop shelves), and when she's finished packing the items in her car, she rings  to tell Isobel  how much she owes the organisation (Age UK - a really terrific charity!) she works for.  By the time MrsCN arrives at our flat front door, Isobel has a cheque written out to pay Age UK, and hands it over while having a quick word - with at least a 2 metre (6 ft plus) distance between the two ladies, as well as Isobel handing over the previous weeks' empty shopping bags.  Then MrsCN goes off to deal with her next "isolated customer",  Isobel picks up the shopping bags, unpacks the goods and puts everything away.  This has been going on for 11 weeks now - and looks like it will be repeated for several weeks, if not months, to come.

Until a week ago, it also meant that I was perched on the window ledge of the living room window in our flat - bit of a change from my usual perch:

If Isobel had the time, this is the view she gets while she sews the Cuddlies

Shortly after lock down began, all around Kirkby in Ashfield, lots of Teddy Bears and Rainbows popped up in people's windows - in an effort to cheer everyone up as they were walking around the Town.  Even though not many people can see me (as we live on the first floor) and the complex is not directly on a road, some of the Carers who come to look after the other ladies and gentleman who live in Old Chapel Close can see me.  So Isobel thought she would give me a change of view - from sitting on her bed all day, looking at a wall.  It's been fun, but then I've also been needed a lot for farewell photos, as each Arm Puppet (be it a Tiger, Rabbit, Blue Teddy or Teddy Bear Dog - which you'll hear about in upcoming posts) is got ready to be dispatched to their new homes, almost without exception to somewhere in the United States.  Sitting in the window has meant that she hasn't had to carry me from the bedroom to the sitting room every time such a ceremony takes place.  Now the orders have slowed down, I am hoping I can remain sitting in a comfortable armchair in the living room, as there's so much more happens for me to observe - than my usual spot in the bedroom!

Sister Breda, our "Blue Nun" whose community was started, and is still based, in Nottingham is missing too

Meanwhile, Isobel is exploring how to get help from the UK Department of International Trade (DIT) in publicising the Coldham Cuddlies Shop, using a new website (whatever that is) that is being "built" for the Coldham Shop by an outfit called Yell.com - which is known as https://www.coldhamcuddlies.co.uk.  That has actually been in existence for some time, and initially was meant to publicise just the Animal Toy Hospital and the Patients being treated there.  The website is being changed now so that not only the Hospital is highlighted, but also the Shop and this Blog too.  At least I think that's what Isobel is working towards.   I don't know about these things, and suspect Isobel is busy finding out!

Newest addition to the Clerical Bear Collection:  Fr Dunstan Bear, OP (a special order)

It will be easier for the Department of International Trade) when they become involved  to help Isobel in her task of getting us all better known globally.  Which is why Isobel has been so busy on the computer of late. They do the sort of thing she and Peter tried to do when they lived in Canada until 1987 when assisting small companies in Alberta to export overseas - especially, the Middle and Far East.  Both areas Peter knew when he was a International Business Journalist, before he and Isobel got marred, and the family moved to Alberta in 1975.  Obviously exporting stuff from the United Kingdom is very different from Alberta the concept of knowing about the other countries etc is not, so Isobel is keen to get "up to snuff" with what happens nowadays.  After all most of the internet was still being invented when that was going in in the early 1980's!! Isobel used a teleprinter to message Peter and people overseas!   They left Canada to return to the UK in 1987 - and a lot has happened and changed everywhere in the intervening years.

Apparently she's been watching/attending Webinars all about exporting.  Agreed,  that's what we've been doing all along via the  Etsy website, but this way, Isobel and Coldham Cuddlies will be helped to do it with the the DIT's  international resources behind her.  These are world-based via the UK's embassies, high commissions etc, and likely to be helpful in a different way from what is currently available to us via Etsy.com.  The latter have enabled Isobel to hone her selling skills to a mainly United States audience, with some customers coming from European and UK since 2010 -the ten years that ColdhamCuddlies has been in existence.  Now, hopefully, with the help of people who do nothing else but try to help UK businesses - even those as little as ColdhamCuddlies - to sell their goods overseas, Isobel can fulfill her "gypsy tendencies", and  hopefully find more Cuddlies homes in more overseas countries.  Exciting prospect isn't it?

The "new Look" 2020 version of our Tiger Who Lost His Stripes - a story all it's own!

You'll have to wait till next week to find out what more has gone on.  It's so lovely to be back again chatting to you all.

Your Friend
Cy Bear

Another Otter takes off across The Atlantic

Hello there Everyone:  Cy Bear back - on time again! 

Actually, the blog is being prepared a bit ahead this week, because for reasons best known to technology (or even Etsy!), after being on the Shop site all Friday afternoon, when Isobel tried to get back after her evening meal, she wasn't able to access the Team site, so she could finish her daily promotion duties.  So, she thought she would get ahead and allow me tell you about the third Otter Golf Club Cover/Saver - as promised in my last bulletin.

The final look.

As MrLA didn't respond to the invitation to go with our other, more colourful version of our Otter - based on the original pattern by Jenny Mai of Fluffmonger.com - Isobel went ahead and began (as usual) by knitting the handle cover.

Because there had been quite a lot of brown double knit yarn used in the colourful version  -https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/723285529/lucky-the-otter-head-golf-club?ref=shop_home_active_14  our stock was low, and so we faced the usual dilemma of knitters the world over - trying to get an exact match.  One would think dark brown would not be a difficult task to undertake, but because Isobel is still hampered getting about (although she is now able to get places by 'bus, which makes life a whole lot easier), she can't walk as far as she did before the fall.  So, we had to make do with the nearest local supplier - who normally is great!  We got a pretty good match, but ,on the day we searched, we had to make do with the best one available that day - which was in an acrylic double knit wool, whereas we had hoped to do it in wool. (Isobel prefers the texture).  

However, in order to make sure we meet the dispatch deadline we went ahead with what was available, and Isobel melded the wool into the acrylic fibre.   The finished product doesn't look too odd, actually, because she made it look as though the shade difference was deliberate!

If one looks closely, one can see the slight shade difference.

Also, Isobel decided to give this Otter black whiskers and mouth for his facial features - instead of the brown we had used for the previous two versions.  We think we will carry on with this face look, because it matches Otter's eyes better - and the brown silk used for the previous Otter versions didn't really look like Isobel's original vision for them.

Otter No.3 looks a bit stern in this side view, but actually it's a whisker getting in the way of him enjoying his grey satin-look fish (as opposed to the gold fish shown in the colourful version).

Here's one of the latest Golf Club Saver - with club in situ - from the rear view.  After the photo shoot, the latest Coldham Cuddlies Golf Club Saver was wrapped up and posted from the local post office later on Thursday afternoon.  (Just for fun, Isobel has just inserted the Tracker Number for the package into the Royal Mail site, and finds that the package has been received in Chicago, so is well on it's way to the intended destination - Columbus, Ohio).

When Isobel was on line on Thursday after the postal session, she found that FrauAB from Bochum, Germany had left a lovely review about the Brown Sister Bear "in the style of a Poor Clare Nun"- which we'd sent off the previous week.  FrauAB was one of the lovely customers who stuck by Isobel after she had had her accident, and Etsy suggested we cancel the order - so that Coldham Cuddlies didn't fall foul of the dispatch dates not being met "rule" - for which we are very grateful, of course. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/644247608

We're excited to get it - because it was actually given in German (a first for us), although there was a translation too.

"andrea bauer on 06 Aug, 2019

5 out of 5 stars    

cooles madamchen super idee und sehr "süß" vielen dank!

which was translated (by Micrososft) as " cool madamchen super idea and very "sweet" many thanks!"

As neither Isobel or I speak German, we're happy to accept that translated version! 

So another Clerical Bear goes home to make someone happy.  Isobel is now working on a Padre Bear for one of  our best UK customers.  MsMP  - a fellow parishoner at St. Barnabas Cathedral, Nottingham is determined to have the same number of Clerical Bears as we do in the Shop.  Every time she gets one from us though, she finds someone who she thinks would like one even better  - or buys it off her - so she comes back for another!! 

Naturally, we don't mind - we wish there were more folks like her!!  St. Barnabas Cathedral benefits either way - because, as you may recall, 20 per cent of each Clerical Bear sold goes towards the Building Maintenance Fund, and it's Isobel's way of celebrating the fact that St. Barnabas Cathedral was opened 175 years ago this year. 

So that's this week's post done. Our apologies for the change in typeface mid-way - caused by Isobel importing Frau Bauer's review to the page.  We don't know why that happens - nor why the whole font size decreased while we were typing.  One of the many mysteries of technology that Isobel (and I, when she is otherwise engaged) cannot fathom, but carry on with - regardless!

See you all soon - even next week, with luck!

Your Friend, Cy Bear

Carrying on from where we left off

Greetings Everyone:  Hope you're all fighting fit and well.

Cy Bear back once again, after yet another delay, but this time it's because Isobel simply ran out of time after getting back into the Etsy promoting games rhythm, as well as the fact that she was/still is in a rehabilitation regime causing her to have less time to do everything at the same pace it previously took place.  Daily patterns are returning to normal:  but there is still a way to go, and the next stage in the recovery process begins tomorrow, with her first physiotherapy session - designed, she understands, to get her wounded leg back to it's former strength and fitness (or as near as possible).

Meanwhile, sewing on the Coldham Cuddlies front has proceeded steadily, and the Colourful Otter Golf Club Saver, mentioned in my last post and completed shortly after we posted it, was dispatched - well within the required time - to MrRR in Cambridge, NewYork State, U.S.A.  It evidently caught a flight fairly quickly, and was received safely the following week-end (actually taking the promised 5 Working Days to reach its destination).

This is how he was made -

The finished metal handle cover

Isobel decided on a gold fish this time, rather than our original grey fish for Otter to "nibble".

Isobel then began work on the Otter head and body - and he began to take shape like this:

The back and front pieces of the head have been padded with faux fur leftovers, but Lucky still needs whiskers

Checking that Lucky's Head and Shoulders fit over the Golf Club

Fitting the two Golf Club Saver pieces together on the Club, with whiskers in place!

 and looked when he was finished.

An "official" review has yet to be posted on the Etsy Shop site (these are not allowed for a few days/weeks after their expected arrival date by the Etsy system). 

(This can - and often does - mean they never appear at all!  It also explains the different numbers shown on the Shop site between the number of Sales recorded by the system, and the number of reviews actually posted there).

However, when MrRR emailed to confirm safe arrival of his delayed Otter Golf Club Saver, he also mentioned that he was treating it as his lucky token - for when he returned to his golfing activities after surgery.  The item was also described as being "perfect"!   So, you could say, Coldham Cuddlies has another satisfied customer! (We've decided to name the listing as Lucky, the Colourful Otter Golf Club Saver).

Lucky Otter Golf Club Cover - without the Club inside him

Interestingly, just after Lucky Otter was posted, we received another order for a Golf Club Cover with an Otter Head - using the original (more muted)  pattern for their request.  As the new listing only appeared AFTER this new order arrived, Isobel got in touch with MrLA from Columbus, Ohio - giving him the opportunity to change his mind.  As he'd signed into the Shop as a "Guest", as opposed to joining Etsy as a full Buyer, he may not have received the offer - as it used an unusual email address.  Isobel also often finds communicating via email in this way is not as effective in communicating with our customers, as via the Etsy Convo system.  So, without further instructions,  Isobel proceeded to make the new Otter Golf Club Cover in the original, dark brown colours - together with a grey fish, as opposed to a gold fish.  That's almost completed, and should be en route to Ohio early next week.  We'll post a photograph of Otter Golf Club No.3 (or No.2 - depending on how you want to calculate it, because the two Otter versions are being listed separately in the Shop) before he leaves to join his new Golf Club Bag club companions in Columbus,U.S.A.

The two pieces waiting for the third item to complete Lucky Otter Golf Club Saver

That's it for this week, folks.  Have a really good one - or as good as the weather in your parts allows. After a week of incredibly hot weather here in the UK, we're now seemingly returning to a "traditional" English summer.  That used to be described as "two fine days, and then a thunderstorm":  nowadays, though, we're finding the the two fine days result in very high temperatures:  and the thunderstorms are frighteningly noisy accompanied by torrential rain.  Definitely not the "usual" English rain of old - which Peter used to describe as "the gentle pitter, patter":  that's well into the past.

Your friend.  Cy Bear.

Be Careful What You Wish For!

Hello Again Everyone:  Cy Bear back again after yet another break in communications.

Carrying on the topic of our last post of 19th May, 2019:

Finished Peacock Golf Club Saver - with the protected Club in situ

At least this time, the breakdown wasn't caused by technology.  It was the result of a bad fall Isobel had a couple of days after our last post here.  This resulted in her going to hospital for two weeks, and the rest of the time till now being occupied with her rehabilitation (after breaking her hip in four places).  The exact medical terminology for the procedure - and I quote - "Left dynamic hip screw for neck of femur fracture".  Nearly eight weeks in from the date of the accident, she is now walking with the aid of a two-level trolley inside the home, and a three-wheeler walking frame for outside activities. All the wonderful Social Workers who formed part of the Occupational Therapy Support Teams sent to help her recover have gone their separate ways, as she can cope with daily duties in the home.  She's been to Mass at St. Barnabas twice in the last 3 weeks, thanks to lifts in with Clare and her family, and she now has visits twice a week from a Personal Independence Worker (someone who walks beside her) - watching how she uses the three-wheeler - and gives assistance (if needed) in other activities which hopefully will allow Isobel to be back to her former active self as soon as practicable. 

Full-Length photograph of Peacock Golf Club Saver in use

Meanwhile, the flat, which is already pretty fully furnished - to cope with both Isobel and The Cuddlies requirements - has had mobility aids of different varieties loaned to her by the British Red Cross (for as long as they are required), and it's making for some cramped living conditions.  Access to the Cuddlies toy storage has been limited - which is why there have been no further posts from me!  I'm not even sitting in my usual spot in Isobel's bed - and we're not quite sure when that will happen again!!  

Seen from the Peacock's "best side" - minus feet, which we felt didn't look right on the finished Cover

However, after a week or two at home, the Peacock Golf Club Cover - we've decided to rename them Golf Club Savers from now on, as we feel that is a better description for them - was completed.  

The gentleman who caused the creation of this new Coldham Cuddly did confirm that he was not in fact interested - but we've listed the new creation in the Shop, and Isobel is finally getting round to our weekly blog posts too.  The pain-killing regimen hasn't helped the writing process very much, but even that is improving, so - here's hoping.  

She's not yet got in touch with the Lady Golfer who asked to be kept informed about the Peacock's final arrival - because she's only really just returned to her daily laptop regimen.  It takes up a lot of day light hours simply trying to get completely better after one of these incidents, and Isobel does get somewhat impatient with herself because it all seems to be so slow.  However, everyone around us keeps telling her that she's doing OK - so, hopefully, we'll  get back to "normal" soon.

Rear view of the new Golf Club Saver

Meanwhile, I'm not going to hope "that things go smoothly" as I did at the end of my last contact with you on 19th May!!  It was only two days later, that Isobel had her fall!! (Also, this may explain the title of  the post this week).

In the interim, while Isobel was in hospital and during the weeks since, she discovered that our whole Shop might get closed down by Etsy, because the five orders we had "on the go" - two of whom where "off line" orders, had become well out of date when it came to delivery/dispatch dates.  All our Buyers had been told about Isobel's accident and had indicated they would be prepared to wait until Isobel was back "in business" once more. However, Etsy's automated system closes Shops down when multiple late dispatches get flagged up!! To avoid this scenario, we were told to refund the monies we'd received, and ask the customers to re-order.  We did so - and are pleased to say that all but one of the kind people did re-order, and Isobel is now sewing again as well.

We've finished the first re-order:  for a Brown Sister Bear (in the style of a Poor Clare Nun).  

Sister Bear is wrapped and ready for shipping to Bochum, Germany:  which will be done by Clare on Tuesday next week.

We're working on a new version of an Otter Golf Club Saver.  This will be heading for Cambridge, New York State, U.S.A. as soon as it is completed.  The Buyer on this occasion suggested that Isobel "surprise him with some colours" when re-ordering his item.  During subsequent email conversations, it was decided that the original Otter "body" will remain the same colour, but that the fish and knitted metal handle cover will be where the "surprise colours" will be found.

 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/665288924/otter-fleece-golf-club-cover

The knitting for the latter is well underway, and the item hopefully will be en route by the end of this next week - provided that we don't run out of the wool in the interim!!  Pictures of the latest version will be shown as soon as they are taken.  

Isobel cannot yet board any public transport without help from others, so is reliant on Clare (and our wonderful neighbours) to purchase anything that she cannot reach for herself.  That includes her ability to leave the flat un-escorted.  Being on the first floor, she has to use a built-in stair lift, which can accommodate her, but not the three-wheel walking frame as well, so someone has to carry the latter to the end of each journey before she can set off walking to the eventual destination!!  Frustrating - but doable;  but you can see why Isobel is "champing at the bit" a little!!

The other two orders still to be finished (and they are already cut out, awaiting Isobel's attention) are for another Blue Nun Bear 

and for a Padre Bear. 

Our last Padre Bear (sent just before the accident) got this review while Isobel was in hospital:

"I haven't seen it yet, but my mom loved it. She sleeps with it (she's 84 and in asst living). she likes that it's a priest :)"

Both are off-line orders, which can be handed over in person when completed, as they are both for St. Barnabas Cathedral parishioners and one is not subject to Etsy deadlines, although now they are not a problem, thank goodness.  That takes the overall total of Clerical Bear sales since they were introduced in October last year to 23.  Please keep them coming!  They none of them ever look the same, even though Isobel uses the same patterns for each of them!

Think I've gone on long enough for this week:  hope that we can continue to keep in touch WITHOUT further incidents along the way.  (Think that's a safe enough wish - for now, anyway!).

Your Friend, 

Cy Bear.

Some Creative Musing on the Cuddlies Front: plus Order News too!

Hello there everyone!  

Cy Bear back again, this time in a bit of a hurry.  Things are hotting up in these parts, and I don't necessarily mean just the weather!  Last week's post about our latest Golf Club cover, our Otter Club Cover may - or may not;  one can never tell we find - have resulted in two new orders for the same kind.  

One, when they are made shortly, will be off to New York State, U.S.A.:  the other will be headed shortly afterwards to Austin, Texas,U.S.A.  There's just about two days in between the receipt dates for their respective orders, so I'd guess that Isobel will be making these in tandem, as it were!

Meanwhile, Isobel decided to have a bit of a break from Clerical Bear production - even though we  collected an off-Etsy order for another Padre Bear (which now makes 20 sales to date!) last Monday when Isobel was at a St.Barnabas Cathedral Craft Group meeting.  She was helping to finish off the banner-making in which she and her fellow member have been involved since the beginning of 2019.  We already have an order in for another Sister Breda Blue Nun Bear (the third or fourth version since she was originally introduced early in 2019). As you can see,  Isobel is being kept well out of mischief!!

As a breather from Bear-making (do not understand why she should need one, mind you!) Isobel embarked on having a go at making a brand new Golf Club Cover.  After all, it is golfing season now - at least that's what I'm told - and when making the Otter earlier in the year, she felt she had been challenged to have a go at making another kind,  as she mentioned in last week's post. 

We'd found a pattern for a bird (not a Peacock one - there were plenty to choose from, but none that looked like one we could use for our purpose) that Isobel felt she could use to create what she was aiming for - from that well-known site Pinterest:

This was traced off, and Isobel stuck it on to some of the cardboard (formerly cereal boxes, kept especially for this purpose!).  After cutting out each piece as printed, she then created a slightly larger version which she felt would be a better finished size for the Peacock Golf Club cover she was aiming for.

The materials needed for making the Peacock Club Cover had been in hand since the challenge had been received.  So, she first knitted up the metal handle cover - this time using a chunky yarn, rather than the usual double knit variety she usually uses.  That's proved to be a wrong decision, because she's currently involved in re-knitting the finished cover, because the original was just not wide enough to accommodate the club head when it is put together.   Isobel couldn't remember exactly the size of knitting needle best suited to this weight of wool, so she guessed, and although it looked good, it hasn't yet proved to necessarily be the right choice - not wide enough to give sufficient space for easy placing/removal of the wooden club head.

The two small bits on the right of the picture above are the proposed wings made in felt, and backed with a spare piece of white long-pile plush, which Isobel is now using as stuffing for club covers.  It's less bulky than full-on stuffing, and seems to work well.  During the week, however, she decided to cut out another set of wings in felt, remove the plush backing, and sew a second felt backing to each wing.  The plush was making the wings out of proportion to the body of the proposed Peacock!  However, the rest of the bird pattern was sewn with the white plush fabric to make the body.  It's meant, in this version anyway, that every piece has needed to be sewn to the backing, and then  the pieces of felt turned inside out, so that the pile is on the inside of each pattern piece.  As the plush backing does tend to fray, it's meant that each seam involved has needed to be over sewn too - so the creation process is quite long-winded.

This gives you an idea of what the Peacock began to look like as the "building up" process went along.  The beak is in two pieces, using black felt.  The "crown" was made by rolling up a small piece of left-over felt, and cutting thin tassel-like pieces half way down the finished roll.  It results in a fairly recognisable peacock "crown", and we feel is acceptable for this particular purpose.  After all, this is an experiment, isn't it?  We just need it to be recognisable as a Peacock:  not an exact replica!

Then the tail was created.  Using the tail pattern piece, Isobel used the two different-sized pattern pieces for that part of the bird, and created a fan type final product.  We cut out two pieces of the final tail piece, and on one of them, using coins as a template, Isobel created the circular peacock type eye decorations, and sewed them in place on the top piece of felt, with black double knit yarn knot as the centre piece, holding all the other colour pieces in place.  She then sewed round the darker yellow felt bit to keep each decoration in situ.  She then placed a backing piece, with wrong sides together and blanket-stitched the two pieces together, ending up with a tail piece like this,  She used pinking shears to cut out the tail pieces - hoping to give an impression of feathers:

At this point, Isobel got in touch with the gentleman who originally, had gestingly suggested a Peacock Golf Club cover - to see if he might still be interested in having one as his special golf club cover.  Initially, we don't think he was - he'd probably forgotten about it, and didn't want to be reminded!  However, the next day, the gentleman emailed Isobel to say "great work:  lovely colours.  Keep me posted!"  So, that's just what we have done, and will continue to do.  (By the way, Isobel is a little bit surprised at herself at the moment:  this is not her usual modus operandi, but we are both a little intrigued at how things are turning out!  Perhaps, she should have been as bold as we feel we are being here, earlier?)

Meanwhile, Isobel was scrolling through past conversations with customers - as she does from time to time - and was reminded of an incident just before Christmas 2018, when a customer asked us to make some Mice Golf Club Covers.  Now, other than Mickey Mouse and his Friends (all of whom would be taboo for us to use as models, due to copyright issues), mouse figures don't really lend themselves to becoming Golf Club Covers in the dimensions or pattern shapes we currently work with.  So, Isobel did suggest the lady might like to have one of our Panda Golf Club Covers instead:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/573989964/

However, she had trouble persuading her husband (for whom they were originally intended as Christmas presents that year!) to make up his mind (and during this week's contact, we discovered he'd gone ahead and got some for himself elsewhere!).  At that time, Isobel did find out that the lady was a golfer herself (as she'd mentioned she might be interested in the Pandas herself ), so she was told about the Peacock project.  We'd never really finished that original conversation, and two Christmases have intervened since, so Isobel felt it might be worth renewing contact!   The outcome of that last exchange of convos, is that she, was pleased to be contacted, and she, too, asked to be kept informed about the Peacock, and would like to see the final outcome!!   So, fingers crossed, if the original challenger isn't interested  (he will be given first choice once (or if) the Peacock Golf Club cover is listed ), we might still have an interested buyer on the horizon.  Exciting times, eh?

To get back to the Peacock saga - Isobel found some suitable eyes in our collection of such items, and added a white felt background for this latest Cuddly offering's facial features.

Then she starting putting the wings in place and sewing up the different parts of the body - tummy and back.  It was at this point that Isobel thought the original wings were out of proportion to the rest of the bird, and the new wing format was decided on.  (Making brand new Cuddlies is always a longer process than they become as they are repeated!) 

She's not sure, if the finished product may not need a little extra stuffing, because the seams here don't seem to be as neat as Isobel likes to end up with.  However, that decision is still for the future.

This is how the Peacock is now looking, with feet added, tail sewn in place (with the final decorative circle in place on it) and seen from the other side to our earlier photographs. (We think he's still looking a little thin in the body area!).

We now await the grand-putting together of the two golf club cover pieces.  Current thinking is that once we've got a wider handle cover, and it slips over the wood head as easily as our other models do (which the original knitted version did not - too few stitches had been knitted on the needle) the top of the knitted handle cover will be gathered, to create a sort of "nest" on which the Peacock will be sewn.  Then some elastic will be used lower down the knitted cover to create a pocket into which the golf club head can be housed - about 4-5 inches below the top :  the elastic will have to be sufficiently long to easily slip over  the wood head, because these covers tend to be replaced (and removed!) fast by the players when in use.  

So, there's still some way to go - but we think we're nearly there!  Am hoping matters will go smoothly, as life with Isobel is always much better when these experiments go well!!

Until next week, then:  hope everyone has a good one.

Your Friend, Cy Bear.

New Creatures in the Golf Club Area

Hello again, Everyone:  Cy Bear back again, and after that short week, slightly breathless!  Where did those days we DID have, go?

While Coldham Cuddlies were off line earlier this year, following the various technical issues we suffered, as you know Isobel's sewing activities were not hindered.  What with the Clerical Bears, who have kept her busy - and still do, and the four Bears (Two Yellow and Two Silver Grey) she was  asked to make (all of whom I've posted about here in recent weeks), she also was approached by a keen Golfer to see if she could make him a Custom Order Otter Golf Club Cover.

As you know, Isobel is always game to have a go, but is useless when it comes to creating a pattern from scratch.  However, fortuitously, daughter Clare had come across an Otter pattern (from Pinterest) a week or two earlier, and had sent it to Isobel - saying she thought that making an Otter Toy would be a great addition to the Coldham Cuddlies Shop...(https://www.etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies ).  We're very lucky having her nearby offering such constructive ideas!  

While researching it further, Isobel got in touch with the original creator of the pattern to ask if she would mind us using her original as a Golf Club Cover,  "Fluffmonger" is the name of the creator, and we were given the go-ahead - and asked to let the originator have photos of the finished piece, as well as us giving her credence for her pattern (She creates other animal patterns, and makes them as well). 

This we did - as we are doing here too - when we sent the Otter Golf Club Cover off to our customer, MrPH.  (He is a member of an English Golf Club - near Liverpool - and many of the members have club head covers with animals related to their surnames, which are also often their nick-names among the group of friends).  Our customer's surname was Holt:  Otters live in "holts", so the obvious animal head he needed for this purpose was that of an Otter:  so, he'd found Isobel/ColdhamCuddlies on the internet, and approached us to see if we could help.

The original picture is for two stand-alone toys (Mother and Baby Otter):  so Isobel decided to use the top half of the Mother Toy pattern, and the arms that were also included in the pattern.  She also tried a new technique for stuffing the animal head part of our Golf Club Covers.  Normally, she makes a lining for each head, and lightly stuffs the resulting space with our usual polyester fibre stuffing.  However, we've had a supply of white long-pile plush fabric in our stash, which ought to be used for making polar bears or other white toys.  The fabric pile is too thick for our dressed Rabbit Toys, the pure white colour is really impractical when it comes to long-term Toy usage, and it's been taking up valuable space in our store cupboard.  So, Isobel cut out identical pattern pieces of this white plush fabric, and sewed each Brown fleece fabric to them, with the pile (fluffy side) on the wrong side of each fleece piece. This results in a less bulky final product, and a harder-wearing inside lining to each Club Cover.  We thus had a stuffed Otter Head ready to be attached to the knitted Club Handle cover which forms the rest of the Golf Club Head Cover.  (It's also a lot less cumbersome than the other Heads, although no one has complained about them to date).

The two separate bits joined together

In order to make our Otter Club Cover more manageable (the flapping arms would not be an acceptable "look"), Isobel decided he needed to have his arms actually holding something - and tried her hand at creating a fish!  Now this was real experimental stuff on her part, you understand, but we were both delighted with the outcome:  because the end result does actually resemble a fish!

Fish being held in place with pins prior to sewing securely to the Club Cover

This arrangement is in addition to what happens with our Golf Club covers to date, which have a collar where the head and handle pieces meet, and look like these:

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/573989964/black-and-white-panda-bear-head

This is the kind of golf club that all these Golf Club Covers are intended to cover.

This one is the sample Isobel was given when she first made these items for sale in our Shop, and although the more modern examples are made with more light weight materials, they have a lot more technical features added to them - which is a very good reason that Golfers like to look after their clubs by giving them covers.


Golfers also like to keep their special clubs from damaging each other when they are in their golf bags being "caddied" around the golf courses during their games:  and these club covers do just that as well..

Here you can see the finished Otter Golf Club Cover on the Golf Club I've shown you:  and here it is when it arrived with MrPH:

MrPH was also kind enough to write to his golfing chums in the following terms - (this was a non-Etsy connection, as many of our Orders can be).

"May I introduce you to Isobel, cc’ed above, who recently hand made my “Otter” head cover for the princely sum of £15 plus delivery. Isobel is aware of the animal nickname tradition we have…. 

So…..if any of you are interested in a bespoke peacock, wombat, seahorse or whatever…….Isobel may be able to help!!

Isobel can be contacted through - www.etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies, and then scroll down the left side of the page to the section "Golf Club Head Covers". She can also be contacted on pimstgabriel@hotmail.com if some are a bit hesitant about the "cuddlies" connection!

Cheers!"

This did result in one of the 17 fellow golfers he contacted responding fairly promptly (using the suggested alternative link!).  Apparently his nickname is "The Peacock" (or something like it), and Isobel felt that the response, although very welcome, was somewhat doubtful as to whether a Peacock Golf Club Cover could actually be created!  (Don't tell anyone, at the time, so, too was Isobel!). 

However, as time has passed, and a change from the production of Clerical Bears began to be contemplated, Isobel has been cogitating.  That's always a "dangerous" thing - and just recently she has started to work on a prototype Peacock Golf Club Cover (without approaching the gentleman concerned!). 

Using the new modus operandi for creating Golf Club Covers - one semi-complete wing - centre front

If it works, Isobel will offer it to him (she kept the correspondence on file, for just this possibility).  If it doesn't, well there's no harm done........but watch this space!  The finished product, if the Challenger doesn't want to go through with the idea, and if it's acceptable quality, will then become a new member of the Coldham Cuddlies family!  We'll keep you updated as we go along!

See you all again next week, everyone.

Your Friend, Cy Bear.