Announcing the Opening of ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic

 Having talked about the likelihood of opening the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic, I finally took the step yesterday and listed the Clinic on the ColdhamCuddlies shop site on Etsy (Etsy Listing # 79124185 - www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) and backed it up by announcing it on both Twitter and Facebook.  Decided it would do no harm to copy the description of how the service will work as a separate post - so here goes.

"Description of Service:

Offering a new service to all Buyers on Etsy who have elderly toys in need of some TLC and or a complete makeover.  Prospective Patients may be any stuffed animal toy.   Bears have so far been featured, but I am
prepared to assess Foxes, Rabbits, Coyotes, and any other Etsy toys - EXCEPT Dolls.  Afraid I am not into THEM - and never have been.

HOW WILL IT WORK?  Buyers may send the Patient to the contact address featured at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com site at their expense.  Once the assessment has been completed, Buyers will be notified of what I can do to help restore the Patient to as near it’s former appearance as is currently possible.

You will then be asked to order the work by using the Etsy Purchasing process and including the Consultancy Fee which will always be 40.00 USD plus the current cost in the Coldham Cuddly Shop for Bears, Rabbits, Foxes/Coyotes and other animals that may feature in future. If Buyers need more information about the probable cost, please convo or e mail me - details are contained in my Etsy Profile and I will be happy to clarify the position. 

Price differentials will also be in place if only partial repairs are required:  the cost of these procedures will also be discussed with the Buyer prior to any permanent action being undertaken. 

 If the animal presented for assessment  is a newbie (i.e. does not currently feature in our shop)  or differs markedly in size and shape from our existing models, a special price will be quoted and no action will be taken regarding the purchasing process until all parties are satisfied.  The information will be conveyed to you via Etsy Convo and/or e-mail - Buyers’ choice.

The Patient will be returned to the Buyer  following the procedures already outlined in the Shipping section of the ColdhamCuddlies shop and will be at ColdhamCuddlies’ expense - using the most appropriate first class mail rates in operation to the Patient’s home address.  Shipping details will be conveyed to the Buyer once the journey has commenced.   THIS APPLIES IF IT IS DECIDED NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT  as well as when a project is completed to the satisfaction of all parties.  Progress will explained on our blog at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com.

If Buyers would like a video of the entire treatment process (which may incorporate photos already used on the blog), there will be an additional charge of 10.00USD.

 Customers should bear in mind -  depending on the Patient’s origins and age:

    Dyes can be different, and therefore an exact match may not be possible. You will be consulted before any further action is taken;

    He/She will probably be bigger than remembered - please see note on my modus  operandi .

    It is difficult, if not impossible, to provide an exact replica of the original:  however, you  can rest assured, every effort will be made to render one that gives the best outcome.

MODUS OPERANDI:

    Every project is likely to be different.  However, potential Buyers of the service can refer to the various posts contained in my blog at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/Rejuvenation of  Little Red Ted/Treatment of Ed Ted.  The posts can be found in the Blog Archives (March/April 2011 for the former:  July 2011 in the case of the latter)

TOYS FEATURED:  Little Red Ted is a Plush Fabric Toy, originally a former Army Bear who travelled everywhere his family had been posted with the British Army.  Middle East, and Germany featured prominently in his former travels and his adventures included run ins with family dogs.  He now lives peacefully with his Best Friend, who admits to being "nearly 80" here in Heytesbury, Wiltshire, England, UK.

Ed Ted Bear arrived in the Clinic at the beginning of July and was the constant companion of a young Boy, going everywhere together.  He had spent the last 20-25 years wrapped in two plastic bags in the attic of the family home.  He only appeared when the attic was being cleared after the death of Ed Ted's Best Friend's Mother in December 2010 and was sent to the Clinic to see if he could be helped back to health.  He faces an exciting future, travelling to live in Italy with his Best Friend in the very near future and meeting a white cat named SNOW, who adopted the Best Friend in 2010."

Hello there Followers, Readers and everyone else:  Cy Bear here just to keep you informed about what is happening in the Clinic (www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies - #79124185) and regarding the Cuddlies who are preparing to be adopted shortly.

Isobel has cut out three new Baby White Rabbits and has sewn one.  It is now ready for stuffing and putting together.  MrsC from Beecroft, New South Wales, Australia has asked that one Bunny has a yellow ribbon and the other a turqoise one.  They are intended as "welcome to the world" gifts for twins who are expected shortly.  Mum apparently knows that one is a boy:  the other is going to be "a surprise" and everyone agrees that these two colours are properly neutral for whatever joins its brother!

Panda is ready to go and  his replacement is cut out and ready to be sewn together once all the Bunnies are complete.  Isobel will get down to stuffing and sewing the other two cut out Bunnies just as soon as she's finished this post.

Meanwhile, the patients in the Clinic are continuing their treatment.  Tommy Teddy survived his wash, having spent the whole night in a cool bath, and apparently the water was quite dark when he was extracted.  He spent yesterday and this morning in the Laundry area of The Hospital of St. John, where we all live, and is now back home waiting to be ironed out so that Isobel can make the cardboard pattern pieces from which he will be cut out - once we've got the fabric sorted.  A request for a prices and suggested materials has been sent.

Brr Bear, meanwhile, is lying down on his back - resting, before his treatment begins.  He looks very comfortable.

I'll bring this post to an end so Goodnight  for now and we both hope that you'll remember the Clinic if you come across a stuffed animal toy who needs help to look better.  Isobel does enjoy doing them:  and I like to see them get better looking as the days go by.

Latest ColdhamCuddlies update

My word - what a day this has been!  Things seem to have happened thick and fast today - not that either Cy Bear nor I are complaining.

So, let me (Isobel) begin with an update on the two new ColdhamCuddlies patients:  Brr Bear is waiting to be deconstructed, but has an ear missing (more information on that matter in a minute).  Tommy Teddy has been completely taken to bits and is now wallowing in a basin full of cool water in which he will be all night.  He's had the first layer of three decade's plus worth of dust, wear and tear removed:  the soaking in cold water will, hopefully, remove another layer.  He will then be dried out naturally and ironed out.  He really is the most odd shape and I shall be having nightmares about getting him back together again - until I actually sit down and do it.  That's my modus operandi, I fear.  He, too, is missing an ear as well as a paw pad.**  His stuffing turned out to be foam rubber which had been cut up from whatever sources it had originated from - and I dread to think what could have happened had he been anywhere near a live flame.  The foam was certainly not fireproof!  It has been deposited at the Warminster Dump!

**This is because I've sent them to Susan at Bear Basics to see if she can match them up with her impressive stock of bear-making fabrics.  She not only has the Steiff Shulte fabrics, but a whole lot more as well, and I am confident that she will not let Coldham Cuddlies (www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies) down.  Put it this way:  if she cannot help, am not quite sure where I'll be able to find anything remotely like Tommy Teddy now, given that dyes and materials have changed so much since he arrived to live with the Morrells in the early 1970's.

Cy Bear interrupting here:  Isobel has learned that we have received orders for three Cuddlies, so she's going to be busy on these while she waits to hear from her fabric supplier.  Two Baby White Rabbits like the one shown below are off to New South Wales, Australia (which I understand is the other side of the world away from here).

Baby White Rabbit - Etsy Listing # 55036116

And then we've received another order from Mrs B-P from Saudi Arabia for one of our Panda Bears. (She was the person who ordered Hairy Bear some weeks' ago - and we hear that he's had an accident with one of his legs.  So, we're expecting him to become a patient in the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic soon, too.) Panda Bear will be going to Saudi Arabia, which I'm told is about half the world away from England, UK, so all three of them have got  long air journeys ahead of them.   Panda's photo is coming up now.

Panda Bear - Etsy Listing #55047110

Now it's Isobel back again to take up the final bit of the latest ColdhamCuddlies update story.  We've got back in touch with Annie  from EmptyontheInside, and I'll be copying and sending off all the items related to the Ed Ted treatment history for her to use in her blog at www.doughdirtdye.blogspot.com.  Poor lass - they're suffering a heatwave in her part of the USA (think it's Okalahoma)  where temperatures are forecast to reach 116 degrees Fahrenheit, for Heaven's sake! Apparently, they've not seen temperatures like it since the 1980's.   Now we've been groaning at 90 degrees, although we've been promised more reasonable temperatures after a day of rain tomorrow, so we've got few reasons to complain, methinks.

Thus, one way or another, I'm going to be busy, busy, busy.... and neither Cy Bear or I would have it any other way.  Until we meet again......Cy Bear  and  Isobel

Ed Ted - Treatment complete

Cy Bear and Isobel are both pleased (and not a little relieved, respectively) to announce that Ed Ted's rejuvenating treatment is satisfactorily completed.  Here he is  - NOW!

Taken in a neighbour's garden

And just to remind you all, because it is nearly a month since the therapy began, here he was when he arrived early in July:

Ed Ted - first glimpse

The final stage was not without some excitement.  Once the head was attached, Isobel stuffed Ed Ted really firmly, only to find that the left arm did not lie right.  So, she unstuffed him, and after a bit of difficulty managed to fit the arm in the correct position.  Now, he's a very proud Associate Member of the Coldham Cuddlies family, and whilst not able - yet - to feature in the shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com, he soon will be, as Isobel intends to officially announce the opening of the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic sometime this coming week.  She intends to use similar pictures of both Ed Ted and Little Red Ted to illustrate how the Soft Toy Clinic will operate.

The Clinic's impending opening has been bought forward, as we now have two more patients awaiting treatment.  We'll introduce them here in this post and talk about them at greater length in forthcoming posts.  Their names are Brr Bear, whose best friends are Mrs. DK and Mrs. HR (the latter being the daughter of the former). 

Brr Bear in front of Tommy Teddy

Tommy Teddy is one of the Morrell Family Bears - currently in elder daughter, Philippa's, collection and has been with us since the early 1970's.  He was originally pink and blue in colour:  he's faded somewhat, so Isobel is going to give him a new coat - hopefully in similar colours, and re-stuff him with safe polyester fibre as he's currently stuffed with rubber foam,  that could be dangerously inflammable.  Foam rubber in the 1970's here in the UK was not treated and was often used to stuff cushions (and toys) before it was found to be so dangerous when involved in fires.

With that, we'll both end our updates from the Coldham Cuddlies fold for today.  Good night all - Cy Bear and Isobel

Ed Ted latest - nearly there!

Hello there everyone - this is Cy Bear back to bring you the last two posts about the rejuvenation of Ed Ted Bear.  Isobel and I are sorry that it's taking so long, but the problem caused by the "missing link" (a.k.a the missing washer to join his head to his body) took longer to solve than we both expected.  However, finally, we got it and Isobel managed to fix his body on. That was a bit more difficult than expected  as he's got such a lot of fur - not to mention his original body layers - that Isobel's arthritic fingers found it quite difficult to manipulate the joint pieces in place.

This is how Ed Ted has been looking since the beginning of the week with all his legs fitted on to his body, and the head waiting for the missing washer.

On Tuesday, after Isobel had been to RNAS (Royal Naval Air Service) Museum at Yeovilton, in Somerset (about 40 miles from here) she visited Susan at Bear Basics at her shop and home in a village near Wincanton, Somerset, which was en route homewards.  Ed Ted had accompanied the family party wrapped in a plastic bag inside a shopping bag, so the ladies were able to make sure the right washer could be applied.

When everyone came home again, as Isobel's children (2 girls and husband of one of them) wanted to talk to both her and Peter,  no sewing was done on Ed Ted that night (although Litte Ed Ted - whom Isobel had sewed together while waiting to be able to finish Ed Ted himself - was stuffed and his head added.)  He's looking as though he's going to be quite a cheeky chap when completed!

Yesterday evening, Ed Ted's head was finally fixed to his body, but Isobel felt that his legs were not quite in the right place.  So it meant they had to be taken off and put on again - hence our not being able to finish him tonight.  All that is now needed is for Ed Ted's body to be stuffed, his paw pads sewn on and then his claws and facial features embroidered on in the appropriate positions.  That should be done in a couple of evenings, but meanwhile, here is a picture of Ed Ted - head in place - waiting to be stuffed! 

You can see what I meant - a few posts ago - when I said Ed Ted is going to be a BIG BEAR!  When complete, he will become an Associate Member of the Coldham Cuddlies family - because, of course, having a home with RFE - his Best Friend - already, he cannot be displayed in the ColdhamCuddlies shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  I shall be pleased to make his acquaintance - and be photographed beside him!  Meanwhile, goodnight .... Cy Bear

 Before closing this post, this is Isobel back for a quick write-up - as promised - about the visit the Yeovilton.

The whole day was simply great and the "birthday boy" thoroughly enjoyed every moment.  When a lot of walking is involved, we have to use a wheelchair, but our son-in-law took over that duty and was not only an able pilot, but an accomplished guide as we all went round the exhibits.  Peter's main wish was to see and learn more about the Buccaneer aircraft:  that was satisfactorily accomplished.  The rest of us - all 'plane enthusiasts, with not too much expert knowledge - just enjoyed walking round.  Main impression was the very small amount of "elbow-room" that pilots are expected to operate in!  Best bit?  The tour round the "mock-up" of an aircraft-carrier:  from the launch of a Phantom jet off the flight deck to the landing of a Buccaneer (so realistic!) as well as the explanation of the various important components of daily life in an aircraft carrier.  Interactive displays and lots of opportunity for young people to press buttons and see what happens!  Even a spot to sit and draw one's impressions of the aircraft on display in the various exhibition halls, with selected artistic efforts placed on a wall for the benefit of other visitors!  If any readers of this blog visit the UK - RNAS Yeovilton (an operational air station as well as home to the Museum) is well worth including in your itinerary.

The day was completed with a really nice lunch at a village gastro pub en route to Susan of Bear Basics, and after a satisfactory business transaction (including the missing washer), we came home and had a lovely family chinwag over a cup of tea!  Very British, don't you think?

Hope to be posting the final installment of Ed Ted's transformation next time (probably in a couple of days).  Meanwhile, thanks for your patience!  Isobel

Starting a new project or two

Still no joy on the missing washer for Ed Ted - so he is languishing in the work-room waiting for his head to be joined to his body.  However, as Susan from Bear Basics and I are due to meet for the first time next Tuesday (July 26) she's probably decided not to risk posting such a small bit of plastic via the "tender mercies" of Royal Mail, and I've thus decided that I'll take Ed's head with me when we have a family outing that day - about which I will post tomorrow evening.  Then we can make sure that the joint will fit and not result in a wobbly head for Ed Ted - even if it means getting a packet of 10 of the same size!  I'll not waste them!

In the meantime, I have cut out my next toy:  looking at the left-over mohair I've been using to re-cover Ed Ted,  I suspected that there might just be enough to make an Old Gold version of Little Red Ted - whose pattern template I filed away after completing that project.  Just to remind folks what he looked like, here is a picture:

Sitting in the garden with Cy Bear

It was great to be proved right, so I immediately drew out Little Red on the remaining mohair material, also cut out the same brown suedette paw pads, and after completing this post tonight, will be starting sew the pieces together.  For the purposes of labelling, I think I'll call this one Little Ed Ted, as hopefully he will turn out a smaller version of our current friend.  Not  a terribly original name I admit, but then that's not necessarily my forte.

The other thing I'm working on - which has been mentioned in convos on Etsy (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) in recent weeks as well as here - is an idea for expanding the renovation/rejuvenation service that I really have enjoyed doing.  I have loved sharing it with all you lovely folks who have been kind enough to visit - and in some cases, comment on as well.  It's been great (and very encouraging) to hear from you.

The idea is to begin the ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic. "Hospitals" conjure up images of large buildings and are usually such large, impersonal things, so I think a "Clinic" offers the possibility of a more personal service.  I know one should not get too involved with one's patients in real life - but where toys are concerned, I think personal involvement is vital.

                    (IT WOULD BE VERY INTERESTING TO KNOW EVERYONE'S VIEWS....?.)

How would it work you ask?   Well here is my current thinking.  I'd initially charge a "Consultation Fee" of say 25.00 GBP (which at today's conversion rate equates to 40.75 USD).  That would cover my time assessing what was needed, costing the materials required and convoing with the Toy's Best Friend, ending with a provisional quotation of the total cost and, once the OK had been given, ordering the required material.  Think that the quote would be based on the size of each projected toy and would be similar in cost(s) to the finished plush toys in the ColdhamCuddlies shop at www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com.  Based on Ed Ted, who is about the same size as the big Bears (who are the biggest plushies), that would be a further 55.00 USD on top of the consultation fee.

Then, after August 31, 2011, when the postal charges will once again be operating (or not, depending on the number of orders I get while the special offer is in place) there will be a postal rate to be added to the total.  Let me explain my postal charges at the moment.

Here in the UK we have two main rates for parcels - the First Class Postal rate which is always higher than the Standard Small Packet rate.  Now, most Cuddlies (with the big Bears being an exception) qualify to travel at the lower rate.  Thus, everyone who orders a Cuddly are likely to get a refund, which kicks in immediately the consignment is shipped.  If there is  more than one item in any one package, and there is a higher charge involved, then no further action will be taken until the Buyer has been consulted - either via e-mail or convo.  The requirement for a figure to be placed on the Etsy order form  for "more than one item" is therefore something of a "guess" because there may be lots of items of differing sizes.   But in order to be able to complete the listing, I had to put in something!  So far, all my orders have attracted a refund - which has been calculated once I have had the parcel weighed and in all cases so far,  posted without referrals to buyers.  And, the refunds have been gratefully received, without exception!   Obviously, if there is an excess charge, the parcel will be kept home until the Buyer has been notified and given me the all clear, and then sent on its way.  Postage details, which can include a tracking number (charges for that extra cost start from around a further 5.00 GBP (or 8.15 USD at today's conversion rate.) form the final convo/email for that transaction from my end:  I then just wait to hear of the safe arrival at its destination (I hope and pray!)

Hope that explains the situation?  Some folks have commented on these rates in the past - but were reassured when  the likely cost was quoted.  I have to keep these figures simple:  as maths and I have never been happy companions!

So, I'll close this post for tonight:  really am interested to hear your reactions, both to the idea of the Clinic and likely charges, which are not written in stone.  I'm open to reasonable suggestions!!  Bye for now.  Isobel

A Post while waiting to complete Ed Ted

I'm just interrupting Cy Bear's commentary on the treatment of Ed Ted to bring you some news on various developments vis-a-vis the ColdhamCuddlies shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  These last few days has seen a terrific explosion in Twitter activity on my behalf (if that is the right description of what happens on Twitter) and I am getting lots of new followers, to which I have responded positively.  Wish I could pin-point the cause of this rush of activity - because I could then continue repeating it!

There have also been some of a more "questionable" variety to whom I have responded negatively - by deleting them without any hesitation. Some seem to share several Followers in common, and it was only after I had gaily followed the initial sites that these unacceptable advances were received.  I've also "Unfollowed" those sites, even though they apparently had lots of followers of their own.   It would seem that a user name  with "Cuddlies" in the title can attract responses of the wrong kind - although, to begin with, I did have a wry smile on my face when I first saw them.  At 70+, I really do not think plush soft toys and suggestively posed profile pics and descriptions really gel - although I suppose, when the approach is made by young men, it could be taken as a compliment?  I choose not to!  As it is, Coldham Cuddlies has been a registered UK  business name in connection with making soft toys since 1971, which is long before the Internet, Facebook and/or Twitter were as widespread as they are now.

It's also very gratifying to tell you lovely readers (followers of this blog, especially) that Coldham Cuddlies in general and ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic are being featured in at least three different blogs in the near future.  The first one to be published has been set for Monday, July 25 and is the result of an interview by Screaming Sardine.  I'm unsure as to how it happened, but I find that her blog is one that I read - chosen in the first place, if I recall correctly, because the user name caught my attention - but I actually answered a Twitter invitation by Screaming Sardine who was offering to feature anyone who wanted some promotion.

She "followed" me, I responded and "followed" her and fell in love with a picture of her two dogs, Tessa (whom she describes as a "Mutt") and Sage, a Belgian Malinois when I suggested she might like to interview me.   Have to say that  my favoured description of "woofers" of  mixed parentage  is a Heinz Hound which  is so much more respectful,  don't you think?  There is also the option of a "Saturday Night Special", too!  Screaming Sardine reserves her Monday posts for outside interviews, so....look out for her take on me,  the Coldham Cuddlies  and our shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) - MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011.

Then last week, when surfing the various Etsy team forums, I saw an invitation to be featured from Stitchsilly,  the user name for Andrea on Etsy, who is in the process of re-starting her blog.  I posted my contact details, and today, she sent me her questions.  These have been completed and sent back for her consideration - and we await details of when her blog will contain the interview.

For a few weeks now - at least since we've been featuring Ed Ted's treatment story - I've also been corresponding via Etsy convos with, and reading blogs by Annie of EmptyontheInside a fairly new member of the Etsy family with a new blog to accompany her arrival on the handmade scene.  Our conversations began when I noticed she was a Coyote fan (in real life) as opposed to the Coldham varieties (Lt. Brown Charlie Coyote - Etsy Listing #67039032 and Chuck the Coyote - Etsy Listing #61408931).  As her blog was so new, we agreed it might be fun if she quoted from the various postings about Ed Ted and his treatment over a period of several weeks.  Thought this was a great idea - serialising works well for both of us.  Ed Ted's treatment (and therefore the proposed ColdhamCuddlies Soft Toy Clinic) can only benefit for such long-term exposure and Annie and  EmptyontheInside will have subject matter for several weeks' posts on her blog.

Can also announce that the new sales site at Groove Press is now up and running:  the new URL is www.Coldham Cuddlies@groovepress.com and we've linked this up with Facebook and Twitter  as well.  Have not checked to see what if any action has taken place here, but I got confirmation that we are "good to go" from Groove Press this morning.

Finally, think there may be some departures shortly from the Etsy.com shop site - in the form of three of the Baby Bunnies being ordered.  One is definitely the Little White Baby Rabbit:  I'm waiting to hear which of the other varieties are required.  Once the order is confirmed, will provide listing details and the buyer's name.  Until then, we'll keep it under wraps.  All in all though, definitely a few days of PROGRESS!

So, while we wait for the missing washer for Ed Ted's head, he's got all his limbs on his body, he has brown pads on his feet and will have them on his arms once the head is on and he is stuffed.  The position of the pads could be affected once the stuffing is in place, so I've decided to wait before adding those important pieces.  Susan of Bear Basics was unable to provide me with all the washers I needed because they now are not sold separately - but come in sets of three in packets of 10 at a time.  She was prepared to let me have a single one to complete Ed Ted - although, with the proviso that the one she is proposing to send me may not fit!  Different manufacturers (in China, in the main) produce different models.  Fingers crossed, please, that it will.  Otherwise, I'm going to either have to sew his head in place - really the last resort, as he did arrive with a movable head:  or I'll have to see if I can put two smaller ones in the neck seam and hope that they allow the head to swivvle and not compete with each other!  Will keep you informed - tomorrow or the next day!

Until the next post, then......Isobel

Ed Ted's therapy - Construction process Part 3

Hello again - Cy Bear here:  did you think we'd disappeared?  I have been beginning to wonder just when we'd get round to telling you where we are at!

Progress in rejuvenating Ed Ted has been going on apace, but alas, today we've been halted because Isobel finds herself needing a vital joint bit which will join his head to his body.  So, early tomorrow she will be on the telephone to Susan at Bear Basics in Wincanton (down the road from home) in the hope that she can once again come to our rescue.  It's only a small piece missing, but it is vital.  Without it, Ed Ted's head may be wobbly (like mine was) and if Isobel had, had it in stock, maybe I'd have had a head that moved instead of being firmly stitched in one position.

In the interim, it is pleasing to be able to report that Ed Ted now has arms fixed to his body and Isobel is in the process of stuffing his legs before attaching them to his body too.  They proved a bit of a problem in that when making us Coldham Cuddlies bears, Isobel has usually stuffed our legs from the hip downwards.  But, because Ed Ted's original legs were the furriest bit of him - as demonstrated by the pictures we've already posted - the pieces did not lie evenly on his new covering, so instead of having the furry side face down on the new mohair, she had to place the calico side face down on each piece.  It's worked out fine, but it also means she is having to stuff the legs from the foot upwards.  Because we've got the delay in getting Ed Ted's head on, she's not rushing that bit.  It may be stating the obvious, but the body is not stuffed until all the limbs and head are attached.

However, we do have a couple more pictures to show you - and here they are:

Here is Ed Ted's head resting against the pile of all the other bits of him which are waiting to be sewn together. Isobel has not embroidered his nose nor mouth yet - that is best done once the head is attached to the body and it has been stuffed.  Otherwise, the final expression could be affected. The brown bits are suedette which Isobel is going to use for his paw and leg pads.

In the background, you can see the envelope in which the cardboard templates Isobel used to cut out Ed Ted's new fur coat are going to be kept. Despite the delays, Isobel has enjoyed making him, so might well do another using some of the fabric she already has in stock - but it will not be mohair - this is the first time she has used this fabric, and it's been a great experience she tells me.

This picture was taken this morning - and shows all Ed Ted's pieces turned the right side out and ready to be stuffed.  The paw pads still remain to be attached and will be done when the limbs are attached to the body, which can be seen in the background.  The picture is not as clear as it might be, but it's been raining "cats and dogs" all day, and what daylight there has been, has not been that bright.  However, think the picture is clear enough to show how Ed Ted is looking at this moment in time, although not quite clear enough to show the thread-marks indicating where the limbs will be attached once they are stuffed.

The next post about Ed Ted should be the last one (about him!) - and will have to wait until the missing joint piece arrives.  Hopefully, if Royal Mail co-operates and Susan has it in stock, that should be another couple of days' time.  In the meantime, I'll say good-night.  Cy Bear

Ed Ted's Therapy - Construction process Part 2

Good evening, everyone:  Cy Bear back again - with the latest news on Ed Ted's progress.

Here are some pictures of the tacking process, ready for the proper "building of Ed Ted" to begin:

Isobel used red cotton yarn to tack the pieces together, so it would be easy to remove once the bits were assembled together.

All pieces having been cut out and tacked onto their corresponding original bits of Ed Ted, Isobel decided to begin work on his head.  This she hand-sewed, as it's such a business getting out the machine, and she can make sure that everything gets sewn in better that way.  Some of Ed Ted's original body that we could save  was smaller than it's corresponding side, especially in the case of his head, so it was better for hand-sewing to be carried out.  To make sure that all the bits stayed tight, Isobel hand tacked the loose bits before stuffing began.

Isobel then spent quite a long time before getting on with the next bit - putting in his eyes.  Now, these are Ed Ted's original ones, and we felt it was important to try and get them as near as possible to the same location on the new head, as they were on the original one (which is, of course, under the new fur).  Its terribly easy, I imagine to get the eyes wrong, and then the whole facial features won't look right.  However, after tidying up boxes of toys joints - a job Isobel has been putting off ever since she was given them by an elderly lady next door who used to make Bears until her fingers gave out - she took a deep breath, switched on her digital camera so that she could look at Ed Ted's original photograph (the one with all the bandages on) and made the necessary holes in either side of his face.  (To see what I mean, please refer to  our earlier post at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com/07/25/2011/First Bulletin on Ed Ted's treatment)

After a bit of a struggle - we're sewing through three layers of material on each piece now - a small hole was made and Isobel managed to "persuade" the wire loops on which the glass eyes are fixed, through.  She then made sure they were firmly fixed on the wrong side of the head.  She threaded strong cotton (strong enough for sewing jeans) through each wire loop, then once they penetrated the material layers, she individually wrapped threads round each loop and tied the two pieces of yarn together, very firmly.  Hopefully, Ed Ted will not undergo quite the same treatment in future as he has undergone heretofore!  Then the head was stuffed and it now resides on the ironing board (which is where most of the recent photography sessions have been based) ready for the ears to be sewn on and the facial features to be embroidered on.  We've used one of the bigger joints for the head, which hopefully will mean that it won't wobble when fixed to the body.

(When Isobel made me, she had not sorted the joints out - so she used some she had in for the smaller toys and bears.  So, my head initially was very wobbly - which is why she sewed it onto my body - rather than having a swivelling one!  Now I'm used to it, I think prefer it!)

However - the facial features are better left until the head is fixed onto the body - and that only happens once all the limbs are sewn up and stuffed.  That's the next stage, and as we are off to the seaside tomorrow for the day, it may be a couple of days before we're in a position to show you how things are progressing.

Meanwhile, listing on the Groove Press site is almost finished and then Isobel will be activating all the Cuddlies family.  It will be interesting to see what, if any, reaction there is to their appearance on the new shop site.

I'll end now ....  hope everyone reading this blog is enjoying the suspense of Ed Ted's emergence as much as I am watching it!  Cy Bear

Ed Ted's Therapy: destruction ended: re-construction begins

Greetings once again Friends:  Cy Bear back again, this time with the good news that Ed Ted's destruction has ended, and Isobel is now beginning to get him back together again.

First of all, let's begin from where we left - which was Isobel telling you all about some of her future plans and some trials connected with the Shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com).  She's relisted all the entries in the shop, filling in a new bit of the form about which she was not aware.  That's because she's been so involved with Ed Ted and blogging about him too!  She's also started to list on the new website, the address for which she will reveal when she's got all the Rabbits, Foxes, Coyotes and Bears - except me, included.  The process is a little different to the www.Etsy.com/shop/coldhamcuddlies requirements, so it's taking her a bit longer to do than she had bargained for

The business cards may already have resulted in a new restoration project.  This time from what Isobel has been told by the Bears Friend, it's a case of replacing blue eyes in a brown bear and probably the replacement of the stuffing. Isobel is also going to look into replacing his growler - which now no longer works.  That will be a first for Isobel.  Life is exciting, isn't it?  We won't know what we're facing until the end of July, when the new Bear's friend is coming to the Summer Fete which is being organised here at The Hospital of St. John on July 30th.

However, we do know that Burr Bear, as he is called, will  not  be such a total repair job as Ed Ted has proved to be - and in the process Ed Ted has turned out to be bigger bear than we had both thought!  I'm going to have mind my p's and q's!  He may turn out to be bigger than me!

Here are all the appliqued pieces of Ed Ted ready for the next stage - which means that Isobel spent yesterday drawing round each one onto cardboard. She uses breakfast cereal packets for this purpose - saves the whole packet going to landfill:  so preserving her claim that the Coldham Cuddlies are as environmentally friendly as possible.  Once they are cut out, then she draws round each piece on the mohair fabric piece.

Silly Isobel:  guess what she didn't do before she took Ed Ted to pieces?  She didn't measure him, did she?  So, when it came to ordering the fabric, she did not order sufficient.  Fortunately, Susan from Bear Basics in Wincanton, Somerset (who says she stocks "the largest selection of Stieff Schulte mohair in the UK - and she's only 30 miles down the road from here!) still had enough to meet Isobel's needs.  The mohair that has been supplied is described as "17mm Dense Distressed Spring Gold" and I must say matches Ed Ted very well.  When he's finished, he really will be quite something!  I shall be more than happy to be photographed alongside him.

Once all the pieces had been drawn onto the fabric, Isobel cut them out and then spent most of yesterday evening tacking each piece of Ed Ted's original body and head onto the matching pattern piece using the new fabric.  Here are pictures showing where Ed Ted's reconstruction process has currently reached and been photographed.

Crown and Leg pieces ready to be drawn on new fabric

And here is another picture of Ed Ted's head ready to be drawn onto the mohair fabric.  After that, I'll end, so that Isobel can do some more listing on the new shop site, and also to do some more sewing on Ed Ted.  We've probably got another two or three posts to do before we will be able to present a new, handsome Ed Ted to the world!  Can't wait;  hope you're all interested too!

And finally, here are all the pieces together - with the mohair material waiting to be drawn on.  Cheers for today.  Cy Bear

Another Ed Ted update

Just a quick update - before Cy Bear and I begin blogging about Ed Ted's continuing treatment.

Glad to say that the material matching problem is solved.  My nearby source, just 30 miles down the road from here, has come up trumps - BIG TIME.  Ed's ear, which was sent to provide a sample, has been matched SPOT ON and the material has arrived courtesty of Royal Mail.  I'm now in the process of sketching the patterns on to cardboard to make a template for the new cover and will then be cutting the pattern out and the stitching can begin to complete the Ed Ted project.

Before ending for the night though, here is a picture of the leg featured in the last post - on the new material.  Think you'll all agree that it is a pretty fantastic match.

A final update.  Have begun the process of listing on Groove Press and will be doing it in stages.  Etsy will still remain the main site for www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com - but am spreading the Cuddlies wings!

Bye for the moment.  Isobel

Announcement - regarding ColdhamCuddlies' shop and Ed Ted latest

STOP PRESS:

With effect from today (Fourth July), even though I am not an American - by being an Etsian, I believe I have become an adopted one! - I am offering FREE SHIPPING for everyone, anywhere for anything in the shop currently, plus anything that  may be listed between July 4, 2011 and August 31, 2011.  The shipping costs have also been re-calculated so visitors to www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com can see how much they are saving if they take advantage of this offer!

Having spent a great deal of time in the past few days concentrating on Ed Ted and his treatment, I decided to visit my shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) on Sunday and was somewhat disconcerted to discover that the listing form had changed quite radically since I had last had a proper look.  I noticed I had to fill in a lot more information ABOUT the items when Miss Prim Fox (Etsy Listing #75340524) and Sir Francis Fox (Etsy Listing #75921238) joined the family, but had not realised that the new format applied to everything else that was already in the shop!  Took quite a while to achieve, but managed to do it before retiring to bed last evening.

As a result of the blogging in recent weeks, we are beginning to attract more followers on Twitter, one of which is Groove Press.com.  They have offered to include our shop (www.coldhamcuddlies.etsy.com) for a six month trial at very favourable terms, so I will also be listing all the ColdhamCuddlies on that site when I have received an answer to a registering question I have posed.   Being the Fourth of July, assume that the folks at Groove Press are enjoying a well-deserved break.  I hope to be beginning the selling process on that site very soon.  Naturally this is going to mean yet another site address - which I will publish just as soon as the new shop is operational.

The business cards I spoke about last week arrived on Saturday, and I'm very pleased with how they look.  Proves that it is better to proof read and design in daylight, rather than just before retiring to one's bed!  Shall be using every opportunity to distribute them from now on (including as a Compliment Slip when using the "snailmail" route for communicating).  As a silver surfer, am still more comfortable using this traditional means of communicating, but realise that social media etc. et al is the way to go.  Can sometimes be uncomfortable being dragged into the 21st Century.

As for Ed Ted:  some of his pieces have been appliqued:  (see above for the reason why that stage of the rejuvenation process has not been completed) and I hope to do some more after posting this blog.  Then we await swatches from my potential new mohair fabric source for a choice to be made for Ed's final covering.  Since he was washed, I would really like to match it as closely as possible.  His legs really are a very lush golden yellow and he would look splendid if he could end up with that as his final appearance.

                                              

Included here is a very rough picture of Ed Ted's legs - it will not be the final shot, because they have only been tacked to the calico sheeting, but it gives one an idea of the difference in colour shades - when compared with one of the original shots of the old fellow.

Ed Ted's original rear view

So, I'll now end this post - and do some sewing!  Bye for this post.  Isobel

Ed Ted's treatment - latest developments

Not too much to report on Ed Ted's treatment today, except to tell everyone that his pattern pieces have survived the washing process, they have all been ironed and I am now in the process of pinning the individual bits onto the calico sheet backing so that I can start the appliqueing process.  I tell you - he's a different colour  now, so it's just as well we did not progress with the potential purchase via FatPumpkinBear - because despite all the choices Karen offered, none of them now match Ed Ted's current appearance!

I do have a tendency to move headlong at things - bull in a china-shop fashion.  One of my many failings.  Many mistakes have occurred in the past, not only with crafts, but in other parts of my life.  Seemingly, I never learn!

Incidentally, there has been a further development in the supplier field for the Cuddlies.  After deciding not to proceed with FatPumpkinBear, I decided to check one or two other UK suppliers I had been recommended to contact.  The search may have ended with my finding a definite possibility which is located about twenty-five miles down the road from where Coldham Cuddlies are located here in Heytesbury.  Now seems to me that it might make much more sense  for us to check out this new connection.   Prices are very competitive, and 25 miles down the road is a lot closer than having to deal with the intracies of international mail services, not to mention the distances caused by the Atlantic Ocean and a lot of the USA as well! The new outfit invited me to send them a sample (half of one of Ed Ted's ears is already in the post!) and a search for a "perfect" match will then ensue.  Obviously, given Ed Ted's age, a perfect match is unlikely, but it would be nice to get as close a one as possible.

Another thing happened this week - the new business cards I ordered a couple of weeks' ago are on their way.  That is really going to help me promote Coldham Cuddlies locally.  Have got the contact details of  the  new gallery in Warminster, and once the cards arrive, the next step is to make an appointment and go meet the proprietor of The Footprint Gallery to see if we have any common ground.  Think the time has arrived for me to also spread the word myself, rather than relying solely on word of mouth - however good that is.

Cy Bear and I will be keeping you in touch as things progress, but now I'm going to get on with the pinning and stitching Ed Ted now requires for the next stage of his treatment.

Will be back soon.   Isobel

Treating Ed Ted - the first step: Continued

Hello once again from Cy Bear - Isobel has agreed that I continue to describe what has been, and is, happening to my new friend Ed Ted.  HEALTH WARNING:  some of the following images may be somewhat alarming to some readers!

Pattern pieces for Ed Ted's head, with ears and eyes in centre, and cotter pin attaching head to body next to them

The picture also shows the two tools Isobel has used to perform the operations on Ed Ted, and the ironing table on which they have been performed.  We've had to use newspaper underneath him, because as we take out the stuffing, a heap of dust comes out too. It's meant that each piece has been brushed so that as much dust and remaining kapok is removed before they are soaked and prepared for applique work.   Isobel has been sneezing her head off (and coughing too) while she's been doing it.  Very fortunately, I'm not so afflicted!  It all sounds most uncomfortable.

These are the contents of Ed Ted's tummy.  Again, kapok and wood chips.

This has now all been collected, put in a plastic bag and placed in the garbage bin, together with all the kapok in Ed's arms and legs, which can be seen in the next picture

Ed Ted's arms, around the tummy contents

Here one can see how his paw pads have disintegrated over the years. There had been attempts to sew them back on, but because the fabric involved was somewhat brittle, it had not been altogether successful.  Which is why, in the first photograph of the poor chap, we saw him with bandages and socks on to keep the stuffing together.

In this picture, you can see the enormous cotter pins that were used to keep Ed's limbs attached to his body.  Isobel raided Peter's tool-box for a pair of pliers and managed to unwind them so that we could take them out of three out of four attachments.  The fourth had to be cut around, but we should be able to make a pattern without that particular limb, so when he's finally made up, Ed will have two arms and two legs that match.

Here is a photograph of the five cotter pins together, before disposal in the garbage bin, together with the pliers that managed to extract them without causing too much damage to Ed's remaining body fabric. They took up a fair amount of space within his body, didn't they?

Now the first stage of Ed's rejuvenation thereapy is over.  Currently, as Isobel types this post, all the pieces are soaking in warm, soapy water in order to remove the inevitable grime that has accrued after years of playtime and other adventures with RFE and others.  They will be rinsed out before Isobel goes to bed tonight, and hopefully will be dry enough for ironing tomorrow - when Isobel has a whole lot of laundry to deal with anyway.

We've asked for a biography of Ed Ted so we can include it in a future blog, but - so far - it's not arrived.  RFE is travelling, so it may prove difficult to pin him down, but we'll keep trying.

It's been a long blog today, but there are a lot of pictures to break up the prose!  Hope you've not been too upset by some of them.  But, to be fair to Ed Ted, they had to be shown.  Cheers for now.  Cy Bear

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