Treating Ed Ted - the first step

Greetings once more Everyone:  Cy Bear allowed to contribute again, and pleased to be talking to you.
 
One development since we last posted about Ed Ted is that Isobel has received the swatches she asked for to make his new outer covering from her local suppliers.  Although there was a possibility this could have been done in mohair, we heard today that the cost of using it was higher than Isobel was prepared to consider, so we've had to tell our Etsy contact FatPumpkinBear in USA that we won't be doing business with them after all.  We're very grateful for all the help Karen from that site was prepared to give us, but the budget for the project would have been exceeded before we'd started had we gone down that route.   Isobel's normal UK supplier for plush fur fabric has provided a pretty near match - so, Ed Ted is going to be made in Honey Fur Fabric.  The order will be sent once Isobel and husband, Peter, have returned from a routine hospital visit in Salisbury  tomorrow.

So, while waiting to receive the sample fabrics, Isobel began the delicate task of taking Ed Ted to pieces.  She found that by and large, the seams were in very good shape, although some had obviously had to have attention in order to keep the old fellow in shape.  Even though the pictures we've shown of him show that his stuffing was in danger of coming out from his legs, they had actually retained their shape pretty well.  The worst treatment had been meted out to Ed's arms, which were in a very poor condition, but now the seams have been unpicked, Isobel is confident of being able to take a good pattern from all the original pieces.  She  can then applique the old bits onto a backing fabric and sew them in at the same time as sewing up the new outside covering.  This is method she established with Little Red Ted. (The story of that was contained in three posts in early April - see www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/The Rejuvenation of Little Red Ted).

Ed Ted is now in pieces and Isobel has thrown out the original stuffing - which caused her to do a lot of coughing and sneezing as she was dealing with it.  Here are some pictures she took as she set to work with her "quick-unpic" and scissors.

Ed Ted's front, showing the wood chip stuffing and kapok

This was the first seam Isobel "attacked", and then she separated the head from the body.  The stuffing from the head is shown next:

The nose is wood chips:  the rest kapok

When Isobel was taking the head pieces apart, she discovered that the nose had been embroidered through the fabric into the wood chips:  it made what remained of Ed's nose a little difficult to unpick, but she achieved it without damaging the outer fabric, thus preserving the shape for creating the template for later work.  Once the stuffing had been removed, it became obvious that the next stage (once all the pieces had been undone) would be to scrape the remaining stuffing sticking to the fabric and washing each piece by hand.  That's going to be needed in order for Isobel to be able to get the correct shape for each piece before she can applique them on to the backing fabric. Some ironing is likely to be required as well. You can see how curled up the seams are - and most of the kapok has been scraped off the material.

Head pieces, plus ears and eyes, and cotter pin attaching head to the body

Now, I could go on all night, but this post would then be too long - so I'll finish for tonight, and Isobel or I will continue with the next post - hopefully tomorrow.  Bye for now.  Cy Bear

First Bulletin on Ed Ted's treatment

Ed Ted wth some bandages removed

Following Cy Bear's introduction of Ed Ted, we thought you'd like a quick update on what is happening (or not) with the poor fellow.

I've heard back from Ed Ted's Best Friend, RFE, and he's given me carte blanche as to what I do with him to make him better.  That should cut down on the time frame for his treatment, as it's my intention - if I do go ahead with setting up the Coldham Soft Toy Clinic - to keep the patient's family fully informed at each relevant stage of progress.  If they're not an Etsy member, that can take time.  RFE is a busy chap, spending time in UK, Dubai and Italy, when he's not in New York (or some place else!)  So. he's difficult to pin down, to say the least.

The UK fabric supplier I've already contacted for swatches has yet to come back to me - but they have more than one shop location in the south of England, and the colours I've specified may not all be in the same place.  So there is likely to be a delay in finding the rolls from which to cut the swatches.

In the interim, I was checking on the Etsy Activity site of www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com last night and found one of my Circle friends had favourited a site called FatPumpkinBear - based somewhere in the great USA.  The name was enough to catch my attention, so I had a further look - and lo and behold, Karen the site proprietor supplies Bear fabrics, among other activities on Etsy.

We happened to be online at the same time yesterday evening and I think's she's actually got some golden mohair fabric (rather than the plush fur I normally use) which, allowing for the differences computer colours can be to real life, looks to be to be spot on. There were a couple of others sample pictures she sent which might also be a good match, so I've asked for swatches from her too.  So, I will have to hope that US Mail and Royal Mail co-operate and that I can soon be able to make a decision and place an order.

Ed Ted's next treatment stage is for me to take him to pieces and make cardboard patterns from which to cut out his new form - both in the fur (when it eventually arrives) as well as the calico base on which I shall applique his existing pattern pieces, thus preserving what I can of his original body.  From the pictures already shown and those that follow, you can see that he's in pretty good shape, except for his arms.  Also, his stuffing is dangerous - being wood chippings (as was the practise when Ed Ted was new) and kapok filling, both inflammable and thus a real fire hazard.  When one thinks of the open wood,coal and gas fires that were prevalent when he and RFE were young and playing together, it's little short of horrifying, isn't it?  But, then, no one realised it then......so, it's up to me to make him a safe Bear to play with.

Ed Ted from the left side, with his eye hanging down

Right:  that's enough for tonight's bulletin.  We've got a daughter for lunch tomorrow, which may prevent much getting done tomorrow.  So, there may not be a post from either Cy nor me until early next week.  Isobel

New Covers for Kitchen Appliances - Part 2

Greetings One and All!  Cy Bear here once more and delighted to be able to chat with you again.

Isobel, having re-started the blogging process yesterday, has asked me to take over today and here goes....as she said when ending her rather long blog last night, she has now completed the covers for her kitchen appliances sewing project and we'd both like to prove it with a couple of photographs to show some of the final products.

Left - Food processor cover:  Right- Toaster

New look for Isobel's kitchen counter

Now, having got that little project out of the way, perhaps we can now return to the REAL business Isobel is supposed to be working on - toys (which can be seen at our shop www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  Think she's mentioned that she is seriously considering a new section for the shop - which will involve renovation of soft toys, rather than just making new ones for her to sell.  We've already been involved with one such project where we re-made Little Red Ted, as well as making a brand new Bear called Big Red Ted. (please visit http://www.ColdhamCuddliesCalling.blogspot.com/The Rejuvenation of Little Red Ted.  There were three posts involved, with pictures of me in the third one, as well as Big Red Ted).

Isobel did so enjoy rejuvenating the little fellow that when a friend of the family mentioned he'd just found his old Bear (while engaged in the sad business of clearing his late mother's home) and that he was in a bit of a mess - she suggested that he send his Teddy to us to see if we could help to get him better.

Well, after thinking about it - understandably, folks are so fond of their Bears (and other toys) that they are sometimes reluctant to let them be mended.  It is, alas,  inevitable that they will never return to the way they once were, and folks are leery (good Canadian word for wary) of changes.  Anyway, the Teddy arrived yesterday in the post and although he is indeed a well-loved Bear, he has certainly been in the wars by the look of him.  Just have a look-see...

The new arrival

Isobel has had a look at him, taking off his "bandages" and is pleased to say that although this pictures looks somewhat alarming (to another Bear at least), she thinks she can help him return to his former glory - even though she may not be able to exactly match his original colour.  Fabrics and dyes have changed in the years since he was a new bear.  By the way, for the purpose of this exercise, he's going to be called Ed Ted, as his Best Friend has "Edward" among some of his names.  Easy to remember and pronounce.

Isobel has contacted her fur fabric supplier and found four different fabrics that might be nearly right.  She's asked for swatches to be sent and will then send them to RFE (Ed Ted's best friend) so he can choose.  Then, the remedial treatment can begin.

We'll keep you posted - and meanwhile, here is another picture of Ed Ted to end for today.  Bye!  Cy Bear

Ed Ted from the rear

New Covers for Kitchen Appliances - Part 1

Back again, having completed the domestic sewing project I'd been putting off for ages!

I don't know about anyone else, but the thing I hate most in this world is housework.  I know - it's a necessity, but if I can find a way of making it easier to do, I follow it.  So, in the kitchen, to keep my various small appliances releatively dust-free - blender, steamer, slicer, toaster and food processor - I keep them covered.  That cuts down on the dust they collect and means I can be pretty sure I can use them whenever I need to, because - of course - I've cleaned them after use each time!!

About eight years ago, when I was in the patchwork/quilting mode, I used up lots of scraps I'd been collecting while making a larger quilt and made five patchwork covers for the appliances. Because they were quite colourful, I piped each one with a cream straight binding enclosing ordinary household string - we did not live too close to a haberdashery shop at the time, so I made do with what was close to hand.  It worked quite well, by the way - and was certainly less expensive than getting the piping to do it!   I lined each one with the stuff one uses when making curtains from scratch, and then finished each one off with straight seam binding in a colour that reflected the main one used in the patchwork.  It was a sort of wine-coloured binding and worked well.   However, after all this time, and several washes in the interim, the covers were beginning to look a little worn out and faded, and needed replacing.

Shortly after we moved here in 2008, one of our neighbours (two unmarried brothers, who are some of the best neighbours one can find) approached me (knowing that I am a sewer) and asked if I could help them shorten a pair of curtains they had inherited when they themselves moved in a couple of years or so before us.  Had a look and was able to help them - and in the process inherited the leftovers for any project I might create sometime in the future.

Then I got involved with making toys - first for friends of my daughters, then for one or two folks locally - then I learned about Etsy:  and the rest, as they say, is History, after I registered www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com. in January 2010 and started listing in September 2010, after building up some stock in the interim.

Then earlier this year, I remembered the green/cream patterned material I'd been given.  Found  I had just enough material from the curtain-shortening episode to make new covers for the latest generation of appliances in my current kitchen.  (Some appliances had had to be replaced after breaking down during the 8 years since I first covered them, and I had boxed and coxed to make the original covers fit the new ones).  So, I cut out the material, after roughly fitting them round each item fully intending to complete the project the next day.

However, then came my first Etsy order - very exciting - and since then, I've been fairly busy toy-making both via the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) plus local commissions and orders via the daughters and friends.  My mind was distracted somewhat further when I started this blog, so really the new covers project really did get left on the back-burner - until it became a matter of urgency that the old covers were replaced.  So, after my last blog on June 20th, I sat down and got on with the job.

Cover for the Toaster almost complete

Probably not the most eficient way of doing it, I got the pieces I had cut out, pinned them round each appliance, then tacked them and machined them.  Just to liven them up a little, I got some green straight seam binding, and some piping which can be used to decorate a cushion.  I had some black piping already in my sewing trolley, so did not have to buy in new.  I placed the piping into the binding, and pinned it so that the piping was in its own tube.  Then I pinned the two sides of material together, with the binding in between and machined the whole lot together.

Then I lined them, using the pillow cases in which my soft-furnishing outlet in Frome, Somerset, pack the polyester fibre I use for stuffing the toys - again, pinning round each appliance (and the cover), sewed the lining together and fitted both bits over the appliance.  Finally,  I've completed each cover by making a hem with plain white binding. I think the final product looks quite smart - and it certainly lightens up the kitchen a great deal!  However, time will probably prove that white straight binding is not necessarily the most practical colour to have chosen for the job!  It finishes the cover off nicely though!

Lining being placed over cover for the Blender

I took a couple of days to do the Blender, Toaster and Food Processor.  Then had a break - our social calendar suddenly became full! - and today finshed off the covers for the Steamer and Slicer.  Now all five are in place on my kitchen counter and ready to provide a dust-free service for a few more years.  I'll include pictures of the final items in my next blog. - just in time to begin telling you about my new toy project:  the Rejuvenation of Ed Ted (whose imminent arrival I did allude to in my last post).

Until then - happy days to one and all!  Isobel

Latest developments

A quickie tonight, because there have been some new developments in the life of the Coldham Cuddlies!

Having got fed up with no business cards to hand out - it's beginning to be a problem! - and having found that getting them printed off line, using local businesses, were prohibitively expensive (we are still a small operation with small funds to play with!) I bit the bullet last night and spent a long time working on a new design.

Have used the artwork for the banner in both this blog and the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) and using a white matt finish cardstock, have included all the relevant contact details for ColdhamCuddlies and myself, giving myself the title of Toymaker!  That is, after all, what I am, isn't it?  The internet source I have gone with is the company which the original, incorrect batch came from.  (I have to admit, that the problem was probably all mine, because I was even less adept at using the computer than I am now, and did sign the proof as being correct!).  The cost is about a quarter of the cheapest I was quoted hereabouts, including delivery and Value Added Tax and I can expect them within 21 days.  So, no contest really, is there?

Second thing is that it looks as though I am about to make the acquaintance of a second Teddy Bear in need of rejuvenation.  Think I've mentioned in an earlier post ("Looking on the Bright Side - Continued" - early in May this year, that following the Rejuvenation of Little Red Ted - there were three posts about that earlier too,  that I am seriously thinking of offering a Soft Toy Clinic option, as well as the Shop to be seen at (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  Our long-time friend R.E. has just 'phoned to say that his Ted is in a jiffy bag and he just needed our postal address!  I've not forgotten about this new potential business, and the new arrival is just the trigger I need to really put plans into action.

Think I shall formulate the plans - and blog about them shortly - particularly as I don't really know what is coming to be treated!  Just to remind readers, here is a reminder of what happened to Little Red Ted!

Starting the treatment

Little Red Ted completed, with Big Red Ted and Cy Bear!

Now, I had better get back to the domestic sewing projects I mentioned in my last post a couple of nights ago!  Two are complete:  four more to go!   Then it's back to the toys!

All the best .  Isobel

ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch

ColdhamCuddliescalling: Just keeping in touch: "Hello there! Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering..."

Just keeping in touch

Hello there!  Am taking a short break from toy-making - as long as it takes me to do some domestic sewing projects that have been mouldering on the back-burner while I've been enjoying the toys!  Cannot put them off any more, so, while I'll still be blogging, it may not be concerning the toys.  May include some pics of what I'm up to in this field:   let's see how I go on.

On the other hand, there are some updates on previous posts:   the potential sale of  a Fox or two to the local primary school in Heytesbury has yet to take place.  Although I contacted them in May, only heard from them today.  They must have got the vibes I was sending out that I would call in unannounced!  With the school year-end in sight, money is not available for such "frivolous" (my description, not theirs) purchases so we have agreed to leave a get together until September - the beginning of a new school year - when hopefully money will be available.  Have booked a table for their Christmas bazaar though, and got a toe in the door - which was the general idea in the first place.  As a former School Governor, I had an idea that funds would not be readily available at this stage of the school year!

Have been trying to get prices for the replacement business cards I really am beginning to need.  So far, none have beaten the internet site who made the mess-up on my previous set.  So, may have to return to them, this time being a lot more careful before pressing the final button to set the whole thing up!  Will try to do it in daylight this time, rather than at night, when inevitably one is tired and not as accurate in proof-reading.

Am really excited to report that following a contact with Stephi of StephisWhimsys (a fellow Etsian), I was able to purchase a Bear and Doll magazine with several possible bear patterns.  As I've said before,  I'm not into dolls - although some of the patterns are charming in the magazine.  But the Bears templates offer some distinct possibilities for future Cuddlies creations.  They will be based on the patterns in the magazine, but not  follow the instructions entirely.  Don't want to run the risk of infringing any copyright still vested in them by the magazine publishers.  Still, it's very exciting to have some new directions to follow.

Have also been given a lead to a newish Art Gallery in Warminster - our local town - which seeks to feature local artists.  A kind friend enquired whether the owner would be interested in featuring a Cuddly or two, and she was kind enough to say she'd like to meet me.  So, now, it's a question of finding the time to go and meet her, introduce some Cuddlies, and see if we can do business.   Such actions are a new direction for me, so will have to be carefully considered.

It's now getting late - I need my beauty sleep:  husband is well in the Land of Nod, so had better go and join him!

Until the next time.  Isobel

Cy Bear and Miss Prim

Making Mr. Fox - the final instalment

Finally, the weather listened to the forecast - and the sun came out this afternoon, sufficiently for Isobel to get some photos of the latest addition to the Fox family in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  He's just been listed (#75921238 and he's been named Sir Francis Fox!)  Isobel feels he looks somewhat aristocratic (whatever that is?) and certainly he seems happy with it!  He has a slightly wonky left ear - but no matter what Isobel did to straighten it, the end results were always the same - slightly off kilter:  so in the end, that's the way she decided Sir Francis wanted it to be!  Makes him look individual, anyway, doesn't it?

 

Sir Francis Fox, completed

From this picture you'll see that his total "look" has changed.  His jacket is now neatly sewn on to his body, and has a double silver button fastening.  Isobel has sewn it on very tightly, and it will take some getting off - but even so, just to be safe, she doesn't recommend that Sir Francis becomes a companion toy for anyone under 5 years' old.  Little people apparently have a tendency to try to put things like buttons in their mouths (what ever for, I wonder?  They cannot taste that good, surely?)  That's why we've got Baby Rabbits, Koala Bears and Pandas for sale at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - because they are all very suitable friends for little people from 0-5 years of age.  The dressed members of the Cuddly family really are better companions for the older folks, although Isobel knows of one  - Mr. Toby Rabbit, who left the family before Isobel had heard of Etsy.com - who became the best friend of a little chap on his 1st birthday.  The two of them became completely inseperable!

Isobel also took some more photographs of Miss Prim Fox (Etsy Listing #75340524) - as promised, and also some of the two new Foxes with me.  Here is one of the new Miss Prim Fox portraits:

Miss Prim Fox on a bench in our garden, showing off her pantaloons!

Finally - for today, at any rate:  in an earlier post about the Foxes, I said that neither would be "officially" members of the Coldham Cuddlies, unless and until, they had been photographed with me!  So, Isobel heard - and took action this afternoon.  This picture now entitles both Foxes to become Coldham Cuddlies at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com!  Welcome to the family Miss Prim and Sir Francis.

            Bye for now! Cy Bear

Making Mr. Fox - the next stage

Cy Bear did such a good job describing what I do when making Foxes for addition to our shop on www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com that I think I'll let him carry on.

That's kind of Isobel - so here goes.  Once Mr. Fox's boots were firmly sewn on, the next addition is the furry tail.  Mr. Foxes have a white tip to their tails, so when making up the patterns, Isobel has to cut two bits for Mr. Fox's version (the lady foxes have a self-colour version which takes less time to make up).  Then once having joined the white and chesnut plush fabrics, the tail is sewn in one piece, stuffed and sewn (firmly - it's ideal for little people to hold on to when playing with them!) through the trousers and onto the body.

Mr. Fox's tail viewed  from the side

In this picture, you can also see Mr. Fox's head, without facial features, next to Isobel's pin cushion and in the background is the envelope in which all the pattern pieces for the Fox family are stored.  They all repose on top of the spare fold-away bed that is kept in the second bedroom (used when elder daughter comes to stay the night).  In between, it makes a useful surface for Isobel to work with - as well as a platform for taking pictures from.

The picture also shows Mr. Fox with his jacket on.  That takes quite a bit of sewing before reaching the stage shown in this photo.  The original pattern calls for the jackets to be made in felt alone.  However, Isobel likes to use other materials - in this case a nice dark blue tweed material, which has a darker blue circle pattern incorporated into it.  Many of these fabrics tend to fray, so the jackets have to be lined, and sometimes the seams have to be over-sewn to prevent them falling apart.  Then she added some light blue braid around the lapels (to match those on the cuffs) and fits it on to Mr. Fox's body.  The rear has a slit cut into it to accommodate the tail.

Showing the jacket, with rear slit for tail

Then the delicate and sometimes fiddly part of sewing the head on to the shoulders, and fitting the jacket round the neck begins.  That can take a lot of sewing, undoing - because the head hasn't gone on straight, and then fitting the jacket round the tail and so on.

Now, we did intend to finish the Mr. Fox production story today, but plans had to change - because we've still not taken the photographs of the finished Mr. Fox.  The weather also took a turn for the worse and the light was not good enough for outside pictures.  Isobel does want to have some pictures of  a completed Mr. Fox (hopefully, we'll have a name for him soon - it's so formal continuing to refer to him as MR Fox!) taken outside in the garden so photography sessions have been postponed.  At the same time, we'll take some more pictures of Miss Prim Fox (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/#75340524) and then she can replace some of those already in the Shop at the same time as Mr. Fox gets listed. Meanwhile, here is a final picture of Mr. Fox still minus his head, but this time leaning on Isobel's sewing machine.

Mr. Fox's body from the front, with head waiting to be fixed on

So, weather permitting, hopefully we'll be able to complete the Mr. Fox production story tomorrow - and will have decided what to name to give him when he is listed at the Shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  Bye for the time being!  Cy Bear

Making Mr. Fox Part 2

Evening All! Cy Bear addressing you again! Isobel has graciously permitted to have a word tonight, so.....here goes.

Main item to announce is that Mr. Fox is actually completed - but has yet to have his final pictures taken, including the official one with me! No one becomes a member of the ColdhamCuddlies family these days unless I give them the once-over!  Isobel may list them in the shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) but as far as I'm concerned they are not one of us until I'm involved too.  After all, what is a mascot all about, eh?

Right:  now to the matter of Mr. Fox's construction:  Isobel forgot to mention (even though the pictures in the last post showed them) that once the body is made, she has to attach the arms and paws of Mr. Fox.  In this case, the arms are made in a rather smart blue tweed material, with the plush fur at the end for his paws.  They are stuffed and sewn in at the appropriate point on Mr. Fox's body.  Then the waistcoat can be placed on the body.

After than, come his plus-fours.  They are made in a cream linen type material, which feels velvety to the touch.  In order to make the trousers stay in the plus-four shape, they have to be stuffed lightly with the same material used to stuff all of us - which meets all  international safety standards.  There's a picture of Mr. Fox at this stage coming up now!

Rear view of plus-fours, arms and paws in place

Then comes the construction of Mr. Fox's boots.  Isobel has a good selection of different leathers, obtained from a local glove-making factory which has been in business for over a century, and is based in our nearby town of Warminster, Wiltshire, England, UK.  This time she chose a beige suede leather for Mr. Fox's boots which she says were a lot easier to sew than some of the other leather boots she has made for the Rabbits, Foxes and Coyotes in the shop.  (How about visiting www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com to see what I mean?)   Once sewn, she put some cardboard in the soles to help him stand up (not all of the toys are as good at it, when completed, as others!) and then the boots are tightly stuffed.  Before being added to the legs, Isobel cuts out felt for the boot turnovers (this Mr. Fox's are blue, in tune with the overall colour-scheme) and then she attaches the boots to each leg using a ladder-stitch).  Isobel makes sure that the join is secure - otherwise they don't stand up at all!  Then the turnover is manipulated into place - and hey presto, Mr. Fox has boots.  Think he looks rather smart, don't you?

 

Mr. Fox's boots seen from the front

Isobel wants me to stop prattling now, so that we can complete the description in our next post - probably tomorrow.  So, goodnight for now.  Cy Bear

ColdhamCuddliescalling: The start-up of Mr. Fox

ColdhamCuddliescalling: The start-up of Mr. Fox: "Hello there! Yet again, I've been overtaken by the overwhelming urge to link with folks - now that I seem to be getting somewhere. Daytim..."

The start-up of Mr. Fox

Hello there!

Yet again, I've been overtaken by the overwhelming urge to link with folks - now that I seem to be getting somewhere.  Daytime and other home life pressures prevent me being able to do too much during the day and it's a question of time allocation - do I blog, sew, or link?  Also since the last blog, I've also been getting on with the production of the new Mr. Fox.  He will have to remain with this formal title until he's finished - when, hopefully, his name will be come obvious.   (As in the case of Miss Prim Fox - www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/75340524).  His shirt is made in the same material as Miss Prim's dress:    and although blue is the colour theme, he is  his own unique self (as are all the Coldham Cuddlies featured at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).

However, before describing the Mr. Fox production process,  here's an update.  As alluded to in my last blog, Charlie Coyote, Mascot for the Wylye Coyote's After School Club, has presided over an award ceremony.  I promised to include the picture which accompanied the report in last week's Warminster Journal - and here it is:

As ever, the quality of the picture suffers from the fact that is taken from a newsprint pic, but one can see Charlie quite clearly being held by the Wylye Coyote on the far right of the pciture.  Permission to include this in our post today has been given by Mrs. Kate Brayne, Manager of the Wylye Coyotes After School Club.

Now to the process of producing Mr. Fox:  obviously, one starts with cutting out the pattern using my special template for the Fox Family.  I have used these since I began making the foxes in the late 1970's while living in Canada (although I have had the pattern book since 1971).  Making the male foxes is a more complicated process than the lady foxes, because there are so many more pattern pieces involved.  Once they are all cut out and the materials vary - using plain sheeting or calico for the body, plush fur for the paws, tail and head, tweeds or similar weight material for the plus-fours and coat, cotton poplin for the waistcoat and completing the outfit with leather for the boots.  Leather finishes the toys off, I feel personally,  even though the original pattern calls for the boots to be made with felt.  I can do so fairly easily at the moment, because we are located close to a Glove Making factory - in business for over a century - (which also makes quality handbags and other leather goods) and I can buy off-cuts from them. 

This time around, I made the body with white sheeting material - of which I am fortunate to have a good supply.  The soft furnishing factory which provides me with their off-cuts (plush fur and tweeds mainly) is also where I purchase the polyester fibre which is used to stuff the toys. They provide it to me at trade rates, which is handy, and I can get it by the kilo (approximately 2.2 pounds weight) for roughly the same price as I could in a haberdashery outlet for 200 grammes (or approximately a quarter of a pound!)  This meets all international safety standards.  The factory usually stuffs the fibre into a pillow made with the sheeting material - and I am able to get several toys out of one pillow's worth of sheeting.

The latest Mr. Fox's body was then stuffed and the waistcoat made and placed on the body shape - as shown in the picture below.

Mr. Fox from the rear

The production process continues - and the description of it will follow in the next post - hopefully, tomorrow.  If he's good, I may let Cy Bear do it this time!  Bye for tonight. Isobel

                                    

Updates on recent posts

Hello there - blogging has taken a back seat recently because I've been busy linking!  Have mentioned in earlier posts that I had not got a clue about how to do it.  Now,  thanks to help given by a fellow Etsian - CuffandCollar (www.Etsy.com/shop/CuffandCollar) - I've finally got the hang of "Liking" etc and have been taking a lot of action along the lines he recommended.  He gave me about a dozen sites on which to log for starters, and I've since gone to several others I've found along the line.  Have left messages on their Facebook pages in particular.  Thanks a million CuffandCollar:  am looking forward to seeing the effect that more folks are being plagued by me is going to have!

Not only have I been doing that, but I've also been reading more of other folks' blogs:  particularly those from Scoutie Girl, who posts to me daily.  As a result I commented/followed (again on Facebook) with nOelle.com who specialises in helping dilly folks like me to communicate about their businesses.  Was terribly fortunate here, because the day after we made initial contact, she very kindly featured ColdhamCuddlies shop and this blog on her own blog - giving me some very constructive hints as to how I can improve this blog.  The subject of her blog (www.nOelle.com) that caught my eye was the need for self-empowerment for us newbies on the internet:  and boy has she given me a boost - am still terrified of what will happen when I get going, but so far with the linking, my confidence is gaining ground!  Whatever happens, I'm deeply grateful to Noelle for the help to date - and her invitation to return if I need to consult!  Have a feeling, I'll be doing so before too long!

Now to the updates promised in today's title:  Miss Prim Fox was listed in the shop at www.Etsy.com/coldhamcuddlies yesterday:  her listing is #75340524, and while I was at it, I renewed all the Foxes/Coyotes section at the same time.  Visiting the shop a little while ago, Miss Prim has already been favourited by one person!  Not bad going for a new girl, is it?

Talking about the Coyotes:  there's been some news in the local newspaper, The Warminster Journal, this week about the Wylie Coyotes and a picture appeared in the edition of Charlie Coyote celebrating the fact that the After School Club had scooped a  Healthy Eating prize after winning the Improving Healthy Eating in Children, Young People and Adults competition.  The award ceremony took place at Salisbury City Hall last month and the competition is being run by Wiltshire Health and Wellbeing Partnership.  The Club provides a home-cooked evening meal every evening for the children who attend, as well as a safe area in which to wait for parents to return home after work.  Will include a scanned item (like the other item included in the blog last month) once I've got permission from Kate Brayne the Coyotes Manager.  It is an even better picture of Charlie Coyote, who is very much in the foreground in this one!

Then a couple of days ago, I received a message from Mrs. B-P from Saudi Arabia.  Apparently the Hairy Bear she ordered to be posted to Portsmouth arrived safely, is adored by his new one-year old friend, who cuddles him, says "aw........" and cannot get enough of him!  So glad - it's nice to have such a satisfied customer - and I've been assured that the Saudi Arabian contact will be continued later in the year and there may even be a picture of Hairy Bear and chum to prove the new friendship as well!

Right - I've babbled enough tonight.  Am going to print off Noelle's comments and recommended improvements and will begin to apply them to both the shop and the blog.  Just hope that I'd don't lose some of the Archive in the process, but then Noelle's introductory article to our association was all about self-empowerment, wasn't it?  Taking a deep breath.......results, good hopefully, soon!

Oh, and finally - a friend was visiting the other day and took some photos of Cy Bear, Miss Prim and I.  Some now appear as profile illustrations at the shop (www.Etsy.com/coldhamcuddlies) and on my Facebook page, as well as on Google.  Makes a change from the originals! It also explains the lack of action on the blog too, hopefully.

Bye for now.  Isobel

The Making of Mrs. Fox - Final chapter

Hello there folks!  Cy Bear being allowed to chip in once more.  Isobel felt that as she had written two posts about Mrs. Fox's production, it might be appropriate for me to write the final post about the process so that I could then officially welcome her to ColdhamCuddlies family in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com. by telling you her name.

The blog was left last time with Isobel having to transfer the final photographs of Mrs. Fox to the computer so they could be used to illustrate this post.  Here is a picture of her with hat and bag.  If someone wanted to give her away as a special present, the name of the recipient could be embroidered on the bag (which currently has a bobble decoration made with blue double knitting wool, knotted in the middle and sewn on).  Similarly, if anyone wanted to use her as a Mascot, then the initials and/or a logo could be added (provided the latter is not too complicated).  Artwork is not Isobel's strong point - although she enjoys being creative once she has a needle and thread in her hand.  

Finished:  complete with bag, bonnet and facial features

Her bag and hat are made with a light blue fleece material and the underside of the bonnet has been lined with pale blue voile.  We've got some more pictures of her from different angles, so everyone can get a good idea of how she looks. They'll be appearing in our shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) when she's listed - probably tomorrow - but in the meantime here is one that we were able to transfer to the blog this evening.  Isobel seems to having a problem doing it, so rather than carry on wasting more time, she's decided not to include any more in  this post - and maybe, when she posts tomorrow (or whenever), she'll be able to show Mrs. Fox and me together!

Showing tail and rear of bonnet

She's a lot more comfortable sitting down than standing:  we've only got her looking like this because she is propped against the wall, and her tail is balanced on the printer!  She's a bit like me in that respect, as I'm not too good standing, either - but then my arms and legs move around, whereas hers do not.

Finally, looking at her fully finished, Isobel decided that Mrs. Fox looked pretty, but prim - rather like an old-fashioned school mistress!  So, as the Cuddlies all have names so that they can be listed in our shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com, she has been named Miss Prim Fox!  Hope you'll enjoy her as much as we do.                                                                                             

Cheers for now:  Cy Bear

The Making of Mrs. Fox - Part 2

Hello once again.

I really got carried away last night when sending my news about the production of Mrs. Fox and sent multiple editions to the Facebook link.  Apologies to any Friends who visited my page earlier today, as it must have been a bit of a surprise to see 4 posts saying exactly the same thing!  Giving the information was important, but not that much!  I have since corrected the mistake, and hope that when today's post is ready for circulation the same thing won't happen!                                                                                                                                 

So, to today's post:  having made the body and dressed it suitably, the next step is to make the head.  I do this by sewing the ears with their lining first and then putting the head pattern pieces together.  Once that's done, I put the eyes in and then stuff the head.  Getting the eyes level and in the right spot is very important - because it can affect how the completed toy looks!   It's also important to do it BEFORE one stuffs the toy, because it's impossible to achieve if one doesn't.  Many is the time that I've stuffed the head, got it exactly as I've wanted it, and then realised that there are no eyes!  Frustration is not in it - because one can never get the same result twice:  or, at least, I cannot!

Mrs. Fox's head, minus facial features

I'm told that, having settled down with their friends at the BOSS Federation, Freda and Freddy Fox (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/#62236267 and #62236009 respectively) office visitors and my daughter do find that they are somewhat "boss-eyed" (pun not intended) when facing them, with one eye being slightly above the other;  when viewed sideways, the problem  is not as apparent!  Since making them in November 2010 and having the problem pointed out, I now make sure that I thread-mark eye positions before inserting them and,  so far, have not repeated the error. 

Once the stuffing is complete, and the neck space sewn by gathering together and then oversewing the resultant seam, the time comes to attach the ears.  Placement of these too can affect the final look of the toy, and in this case, with the addition of a contrasting bonnet, one has to consider where to put the holes in the hat so that the ears can pop through at the end!  I buttonhole-stitch the slits I make in the bonnet, thus preserving the integrity of the fabric.  

I don't always include a bonnet when making my lady Foxes. Since starting my Etsy shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) I have chosen to put bonnets on those that are to be customised.  In which case, the name of the intended recipient is embroidered on to the shopping bag that Mrs Fox carries on her arm..  If it is to be used as a Mascot, then the initials/logo of the company/school/etc can be embroidered there too.  If Mrs. Fox is to become a companion toy, then she is less formally attired - no hat, no bag, no special labelling! 

Then comes the important bit of putting head and body together, not my favourite bit of the operation, because it's fiddly and my arthritic fingers can (and often do) object to all the digit movement that this can entail.  In Mrs. Fox's case, this time was reasonably easy.  The head is attached to the body using a ladder stictch, which hides the stitches nicely.  Once firmly on. I attach the collar.  In Mrs. Fox's case, it is a plain white felt collar:  some of my other mother toys have decorated collars, or collars that compliment the material from which their dresses are constructed.  This time, as the material is somewhat "busy" and colourful, I did not feel any further decoration is warranted.

Now, as I've yet to transfer the pictures of the final step in Mrs. Fox's preparation from my camera to the computer, I'll end this post and complete the job description tomorrow.  Hoping that the distribution process is more smooth tonight, I'll close.    Isobel

I

The Making of Mrs. Fox - Part 1

Having spent the last few weeks making Bears (two Hairy Bears and Cy Bear himself) decided that I needed to have a change in toy-making procedures.  Since November, when the replacement Foxes for Freda and Freddy Boss Fox ( www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/etsy listing #62236207 and #62236009 respectively) found their way to Western Canada and a new home with my little great neice, I've been meaning to get round to it, but something always intervened.

Making foxes has always been a favourite pastime for me - the first  one made was for my elder daughter, when we were living in Edmonton, Alberta and it was also the first toy I'd made for about 15 years.    She called her Fanny and if memory serves, her dress was made using a small blue gingham printed cotton material.  It was in the late 1970's/early 1980's that this happened, and I don't think this version survives.  On the other hand, I made one a year or two later for my younger daughter, and that one is still going strong! 

So, last week-end, I dug around in my material cupboard - keep forgetting what I've been given., so it was a lot of fun - until I had to put everything back again!  Must  not complain, because I  have really been so lucky with the generous folks hereabouts (even though I suspect I am doing them a favour sometimes - as it's giving them more space in their cupboards).  Having selected some colourful material and cut out the patterns for a Mrs. Fox, I found that the selected remnant was big enough to give me three outfits.  So once the current Mrs. Fox is completed, I may two a couple more - or then, I may do another Mrs. Rabbit ....  In't it wonderful to have the luxury of being able to choose?  Though I'd just as soon welcome some more commissions as well.

Anyway, back to my current story.  Once the pattern pieces are all cut out, then the sewing begins.  One begins with the body, for which I use plain material  - calico, sheeting or something similar for preference.  At this stage, I often resort to my sewing machine to do the seams - takes less time and the seams hold as well as those that are hand made.  I attach the sleeves from the dress to the paws, stuff them and attach them at the appropriate places to the body.  I do two lines of stitches where the legs join the body - the top one with a curve, which allows the toy to sit  Then the body is stuffed.  The pattern for all my lady toys  allows the toy to sit, rather than stand.  Standing is an occupation reserved for the Mr. Foxes.

Then the felt shoes (pale blue fleece type material - again a donation) are sewn up, stuffed and attached to the legs.  Then come the pantaloons, decorated with a pale blue zig-zag braid I had in stock from another commission and the waist is gathered up and the whole thing sewn to the body, both at the waist and ankles.

Showing shoes and pantaloons

Then I make the dress skirt and top.  This is the time that I fix any additional decoration on.  In this case, I sewed on red zig-zig braid to the lower skirt, just above the hem and at the waist - picking out the red parts in the material design.  The dress top is attached to the arms with ladder stitch (resulting in "invisible" stitches) and the dress is completed by being gathered at the neck and stitched to the body.  It is also stitched to the body at the waist, with the top over the gathered skirt.  (This is when the braid is attached to the waistline).

Mrs Fox, Stage 1, with sewing aids

I'll finish the description of how Mrs. Foxes are made with the next post.  Meanwhile, I'll close for tonight.  Isobel

Updating folks on what's happening (or not!)

Cy Bear having done the last two blogs is having a rest!  He performed one of his official duties yesterday when he monitored me packing Brown Hairy Bear - ordered by YvonneB-P from Saudi Arabia for her baby nephew, R who lives in Portsmouth, England, UK.  Having wrapped Hairy Bear in two sheets of chemical free tissue paper, he then had a layer of bubble wrap put around him.  Next, he was slipped into a polyester Royal Mail envelope complete with "FRAGILE" labels prominently displayed.  Hopefully he should arrive at his destination in the next day or two. We took a picture of Cy "waving" Hairy Bear off on his journey, but we won't be publishing it, because the address is too prominent - and we've got to protect such confidential details -  however small the intended recipient may be.

Meanwhile, I've been working on a new Mrs. Fox.  She has her dress on, I'm stuffing her tail and will be completling head, ears and bonnet in the next day or so.  I shall take pictures to show her progress for another post.

She is the replacement for Freda Boss Fox, who is a sample of a Mascot Toy and doesn't now exist in the shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  As explained in her description in the Shop, she is now a fulltime employee of the Boss Federation - as a fund-raiser for their benevolent fund.  She and Freddy Boss Fox (Etsy Listing #62236267 and #62236009 respectively) were "recruited" by  my elder daughter, who is General Manager of the Boss Federation (British Office Supplies and Services Federation in full) and is also Secretary of their Benevolent Fund.  Both Foxes attend major industry events and occupy prominent positions on the BOSS stall.  The idea is that if any orders are generated from folks who visit the Boss Stall, then the 10% I usually give to charity is sent to the Fund.  They have received one donation already - and as the Industry Events season is about to start, I'm hopeful that there will be more orders coming from that direction.

The colour scheme for their clothing reflect the Boss Federation corporate ones.  They seem to have attracted a lot of favour with fellow Etsians, as they are often "favourited" by them on the Etsy activity site. Hope that the new ones will be as popular when they appear in the shop.  Had to order more Chesnut Plush fur fabric before I could cut the new Mr. Fox out.  That arrived yesterday, so have no excuse now for delaying their completion (except for the fact that I don't have 48 hours in the day in which to do so!).

Today was the monthly meeting of the Women's Section of the Royal British Legion who meet in the Resident's Hall here at the Hospital of St. John - we had an interesting talk, illustrated by a video, from a gentleman who spent 44 years working fulltime at the Royal Mews in London, followed by a further 11 years as a part-time employee.  His most recent involvement was to ensure that the coach carrying the new Duke and Duchess of Cambridge from Westminster Abbey after their recent wedding stopped exactly opposite the red carpet at both the Abbey and Buckingham Palace.  That move necessitated some "fancy footwork" by fast car between the two venues to ensure he was in the right spot in time to help their Royal Highnesses out of the carriage, and clear the other carriages out of the way in time for Her Majesty to alight upon her arrival after the ceremony.  Apparently, some of the bridal attendants, having thoroughly enjoyed the trip back in their carriages, were somewhat reluctant to alight and had to be gently "encouraged"!  Simply fascinating talk, and much enjoyed by all of us (25 plus) who attended.

The point of telling you about this is to say that I was able to donate a further £11.00 to the British Legion funds, making a total of  nearly £20.00 since the beginning of the year, when orders to www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com began to drift in. I'll end by including a picture of both Freda and Freddy, because once their replacements are made, I'll be withdrawing them from the shop.  If anyone needs a mascot for their promotional activities, then any of the Cuddlies would be willing to fulfill that need - just contact us and we'll be happy to try and meet your requirements.

Freda and Freddy Boss Fox

That's it for tonight.  Until the next time.  Isobel

More about the Coyotes

   

Hello again - Isobel has allowed me to continue to tell you some more about our Coyotes.

  Since we last posted, Isobel has recovered the article telling everyone about Charlie Coyote's arrival at the Wylye Coyotes After School Club in nearby Codford.  She also remembered that The Warminster Journal have agreed to our publishing the article in any blogging we did, provided we mentioned them - which we now have!  So, here is the article - just to prove I wasn't talking through my fur!  The picture clearly shows that Charlie in his purple coat, but I don't think you can see the logo that Isobel embroidered on it. (Sorry the picture is not clearer, but it's the best our scanner could do with the picture in The Warminster Journal itself).

While we are on the subject of Coyotes, we also have another version of Chuck, which has been named Light Brown Chuck Coyote (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/#67039032).  Really think Isobel will have to re-name  him, because I do't think that's terribly original.  The reason he's that colour is that immediately after Charlie left us in January, we needed  a replacement for him in the Cuddlies family.  Isobel was in such a hurry that she pulled out the wrong package of plush fur, and without checking (she has a tendency to go at things in a hurry sometimes) and the final result was a very much lighter coloured version of a Coyote.  However, she liked the finished toy, she decided to name the new chap that, and began another one in the RIGHT colour this time, who is the one pictured in the ColdhamCuddlies shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com/#61408931.

This is the Light Brown version of Chuck Coyote.

 We'll have to see what Isobel and I can come up with in the re-naming stakes.  In the meantime, bye for now.           Your friend, Cy Bear. 

 

Talking about the Coyotes

Hello everyone:  Cy Bear back again (wondered when Isobel would let me get my nose in again!)

This is a picture of Charlie Coyote's replacement Chuck Coyote

So, taking up where Isobel left off yesterday - more about my friend Chuck Coyote (Etsy Listing: #61408931/www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  He's the American version of Charlie Coyote, who is now the Mascot for the Wylye Coyotes After School Club in a village called Codford, which is about two miles away from where we all live at The Hospital of St. John in Heytesbury, Wiltshire. England, UK - in case you didn't already know!

Apparently, Chuck is an "experiment" like me!  Charlie changed his name when he left the Family, which happened before I appeared on the scene.  But I am told that he started life as  a dressed Bear!  What on earth did Isobel think she was doing, I wonder?  Fancy having dressed bears!  Apparently, that chap's head did not work, so Isobel made a Foxy head, with a different colour plush fur and liked the final result.  So that  is how the Coyote collection began. 

The original Bear which was deemed "unacceptable"

Shortly after he was completed, Isobel saw an article in the local weekly newspaper, The Warminster Journal, about the After School Club and telephoned to see if they would like to have a Mascot.  They asked to meet him, and he changed his name (from Chuck  - Isobel did not realise that there were Coyotes of any kind in the United Kingdom - to Charlie, which is the English equivalent nickname) before he was introduced.  He was invited to become a fulltime member, and Isobel was about to leave, when one of the young members enquired why Charlie did not have a purple top like the Adult Helpers at the Club!  Isobel quickly offered to make him a coat, so honour was thus satisfied!  We do have a picture of Isobel handing Charlie over to the club, complete with his purple jacket which appeared in The Warminster Journal a few weeks later.  However, there are still some issues around permission being obtained from their parents for them to be included in a blog like this, so, instead, we'll include a picture of the Wylye Coyote's After School Club logo, which Isobel copied and embroidered on his coat - so that Charlie really would look like an Adult Helper!

The Coyotes Logo

I am also told that the Coyote Toys are made in a slightly different way from the other dressed toys in the Coldham Cuddlies collection.  Instead of their trousers being made to look like plus-fours or jodhpurs, their trousers are straight and they are made to look slightly less formal than their cousins the Foxes.  They also do not have separate bodies like the other dressed toys.  Their shirts and trousers are all made in one piece, whereas the other dressed toys are more complicated to make, having more pattern pieces to put together.

 

Chuck Coyote's rear view

   That's it for this post folks.  Good to be back talking to you again.  Bye for now - Cy Bear.

Looking on the Bright Side (Continued)

Wow - second comment on the blog!  Thanks Clare - keep up your positivity, just as I am definitely doing now!   It's a real boost to know that someone is actually reading the blog - and finding sufficient in it to comment about.

Actually, you're the second person to do so this week - one of my "new best friends", Yenbo FilipvanP ( a Dutchman, who was responsible for the shop banner at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) told me it could take  4-6 months before any comments were forthcoming.  Was in touch with him about getting permission to use the banner as background for my replacement business card design. Bless  him:  his response was affirmative, and he said that he enjoyed reading it, it was good, and to keep it up.  So, two positives in one week is a real bonus!

What about my business cards?  Well, I had 250 printed earlier this year:  guess what?  after distributing well over a hundred, one kind soul took the trouble to come round last week-end to tell me she'd had difficulty finding the Shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  When we checked together - the address was incorrect!!!!  No wonder there's been such a little response locally to my attempts at self-promotion.  So, have contacted the printers:  so far no response.  Next week, I'll be going elsewhere, using the Shop banner artwork as the basis.  Much better than the original ones, anyway!

Once I've sussed how to handle all the side bits of blogging, I really will enjoy doing it.  Firefox (whom I am following on Facebook) have just posted something on the internet about them being faster, plus offering a better service.  Have commented - challenging any of their brilliant techies to go right back to basics and be prepared to teach a 70+ silver surfer the same!  It's not that I have'nt checked all the Help Pages on both Google and Blogger:  but they all assume a certain level of understanding (which I presently do not have), and I've never found I absorb the information as well on screen as I do on paper.  Must be my age!  Still, am open to anyone's help, so wonder what response, if any, I'll get?  Am that desperate!

Meanwhile, the soft toy clinic idea is getting legs. Once I've done some more thinking, I'll be expanding about it in this blog:  as well as having had time to practise on a couple of samples.  Two Foxes I made for family members 35 years or so ago, are coming back for a makeover later in the year:  and a long-time friend is sending me his old Teddy for renovation job - hopefully next week!  Have to work out how I'll charge for the consultations and treatments!

Was talking to the owner of "Think Outside the Box" in Warminster today.  This shop is the source of most of my haberdashery needs, as well as some dress-making materials - when I don't have suitable remnants given to me by folks who are clearing out their old collections!   The lady has just become a granny for the second time.  We cover a wide area in our chats, and she was very enthusiastic about the idea.  Apparently a customer came in just yesterday, who doesn't claim to be a sewer, and purchased some felt to renovate the paws of a bear she wanted to give to a smaller relative.  Mrs. G. promised to recommend me to any others with a similar need, plus she mentioned she has an attic-full (which needs clearing out) of stuff - including her daughters' toys - which may well need similar attention!  Offered her a "special price" for any she wants me to rejuvenate - along the lines of Little Red Ted.  She's been very helpful to me in the months I've known her since we moved to the Hospital of St. John, and one good turn deserves another.

Mrs G. and I have a date next week, with me taking in the collection of Baby Rabbits and the Koala selection for her to choose as "Welcome to the World" presents to her grandchildren.  A Rabbit for her week-old grandson (a whopping 9 pounder) and a Koala (possibly) for her grand-daughter, who is just over a year old, so that she doesn't feel left out.

Next week could also be a good one for another sale or two:  am presently waiting to hear back from the Heytesbury C of E Primary school Head, as they have a Foxes class, (as well  an Otter class and I think a Badger class - hence the need for patterns)  I wonder if anyone out there knows of a Badger pattern?  Several primary schools hereabouts seem to have classes named after these samples of local wild life - and I'd like to suggest they use my toy-making skills to get mascots for their classes.  They'd then be joining Charlie Coyote, official mascot to a local After School Club (Wylye Coyotes) in a nearby village.  I'll get Cy Bear to write about him in my next post:  he's beginning to get a bit miffed at not being able to write another post!!  Meanwhile, Firefox is not allowing me to upload pictures of Charlie from my computer.  Will have to check this out - so this will have to be the second post without a relevant picture to illustrate it. 

Looking on the bright side!

Have been having a few bad days recently and not feeling like blogging - largely because I was having trouble getting the word out in the internet world about this blog and the Etsy shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.)  However, having just received SundayAfternoonHousewife's book, The Blogging Adventure, and starting to read it, have followed up her suggestion of reading some of the blogs I already follow, commenting on them and then drawing their attention to ColdhamCuddliescalling.  Wonder what effect it will have?

I was also recommended to read other blogs and comment on them (have done so - on the Inside Etsy: Storeowner Interview blog by MamaMellyMartin:  she included me in one of her interviews on April 13, just after I'd begun this blog and I was very grateful for the leg-up.)

Another blog I've followed (but never commented on before) is Louise Knits:  think she's very clever with her patterns, but gave up knitting and crocheting some while ago - because it involved too much counting and remembering where I was along a row!  My husband always commented on something requiring an answer from me - and I'd lose my way and have to start again!  Result - project took too long!  But I did ask Louise if she knew of anyone who might be able to create a pattern for an Otter for me to make.  Probably the wrong place to ask, but had to start somewhere, now that there isn't an Alchemy spot on the Etsy site.

Reason I want to add an Otter to my collection in the Coldham Cuddlies family (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.) is that I visited my principal source of material offcuts yesterday.  In addition to a whole lot of fur fabric used to make my Koalas and Light Brown Bears, I was given some lovely brown suedette/leather type fabric which I think could make a super Otter.  However, although I'm reasonably good at making toys from an existing pattern, am absolutely hopeless at creating one from scratch.  Don't know how much it will cost - but should think something up to 8USD might be a reasonable start?  Anyone out there who could help?  I'd be very grateful.

Right ... as I blog at night (as well as toy-make then too) .... it's getting late, and I need my "beauty" sleep.  Cheers - and hope to hear from you soon.  Isobel