Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Wow Judi!!       I got a HUGE lump in my throat when I read this wonderful news!!   I am just SO THRILLED for you and you are SO deserving of these nominations! I couldn't be more thrilled for you and it seems so obvious to me that 2006 is going to be your year!!! I've gotta say that 12 months ago, I had never heard of Judi Paul....but I'll bet soon there will be no-one in the industy who can cite such ignorance. Your imagination and ability to 'push the boundaries' has been such a huge inspiration to me and I'm so glad to know you.
This all couldn't happen to a nicer, more humble person.
Judi, YOU ROCK!!!!   :hug:

Thanks for sharing that Gail....I was thinking no one was going to answer! I may have a go at that method..... never know what may eventuate! You're a treasure! :hug:

I've been wondering........... and I certainly don't want anyone to feel they need to divulge their secret methods ......but is anyone out there willing to share how they age their paw pads to make them look antiquey?
I don't mean the soft look...I mean the hard cracked leather with lotsa shading kinda look. I bought one of those mottled but old fashioned looking leather jackets that you can occasionally find in the op shops from a bygone era and that's very antiquey looking....but it's way too soft and a little more mottled looking than what I'm after. I have the perfect mohair for an old worn looking fellow...but the paw pads have gotta look right or the whole thing will be out of wack.
Anyone??

Charlotte...they are lovely! Thanks for sharing your method....and rest assured we can NEVER have too much detail!!

Good grief Donna..if it was THAT easy...we'd ALL be TOBY nominees!  
Methinks your friend may be wishful thinking! You definitely win on this one!

Charlotte...the pic still isn't showing...maybe check the file size, maybe it's too big.
Awaiting pics with anticipation!

Winney,

The trouble is, we wish men would think like women...and they don't...they think like men. It doesn't matter how many times we explain to them what stuff we love...it's hard for them to change their own thinking and understanding.

I LOVE aftershave, and if I smell a nice aftershave when walking down the street, I turn my head and check him out!  My husband KNOWS how much I love a good smellin' man...but do you think he remembers to wear the aftershave I buy him.....nup! And then I get in trouble when my nose causes me to 'look' .  

I have our anniversary engraved on my hubbies wedding ring too, so he hasn't forgotten....yet.
I'ts worth talking to him Winney, especially as it's something that hurts you...make him understand! Have you ever read the book "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus"? Fantastic book, and sooo true!!!

Sophie...if you made that Brown Bear in bright pink...he would look like a twin to the famous Pink Panther!!! :dance:

Mine are like that too Jane. I just have them hanging up, hoping the creases will drop out. I may try gently handwashing and drip dry. Yes, the video does look easy, which it is once you get the hang of it!

Claire,
Welcome to Teddy Talk!
I am guessing that Cathedral toes are just another name for sculpted or pulled toes....like in the photo above. But what do I know?  

WoW Melissa! What a great spread! I'm so glad you were encouraged to submit the photos and it's wonderful to see so many Teddy Talkers making their mark in magazines!
You're bears are just gorgeous and you deserve a huge pat on the back for the article. :clap:

Fran..I have those lights too but the colour they give off is rather yellow...still, I'll give them a try. Unfortunately my camera doesn't have options for different colours of light so I can't adjust it.

Marie the link iswww.thedailylink.com/photographic/tents/tentfolding.avi but it is about 10MB so don't try to download it unless you have broadband.

Let me know how you go!

Great tip Bronwen! Where's the best place to get the roll up boards and what sort of price are they??

Judi...I meant to remind you a while back to show us the pics of Mariah when you mentioned her once before. She's so fantastic! You are so clever with what you can make...a real natural! To have made all her clothes , chair and everything with no pattern...my word, is there anything you don't excell at? I'll bet you have one of those minds that never switches off huh??
You're a true inspiration you know! Oh for a slice of your energy.....I guess your son takes after you...you do describe him as a three year old tornado!
You're a legend! :hug:

Judi...your daughter has great taste....and Edward is FAR from goofy!  I think it's so lovely that you gave the bear to her...moments like that are worth more than money! I'm sure she will treasure him forever and at least you know he will be well looked after!
I love the shaping you get with your muzzles...they're very unusual!

Jane,
The guy on ebay I bought mine from sent me a short video file on how to fold it up....but it's very large and you would need to have broadband to make use of it. Let me know if you have and I'll give you the link. Failing that, I'll do my best to explain it to you, but it's really much easier seeing how it's done!
Great pics you two!!

Love him Alexis! And yes...you've done well to get such a good photo of a black bear...they're a pain to photograph with such high contrasts! Lovely toesies! :clap:

Love 'em all Karen! You really have the needlefelting 'knack' too. You must have relished your time off to get some things made, but I don't know how you do it with 'the tribe' home...I can't wait for mine to go back to school so I can get back into it!

I haven't forgotten I 'owe' you some pics either....just need some time to finish the project!

Well done anyway...and I particularly like Sania......heaps of bearsonality there!!! :clap:

Lynette...there is a huge Teddy Bear Show in Sydney in March..so pack ya bags and head for Ozdraylya!!!! :dance:

If any of you girls ever seriously consider a trip Down Under.....you are more than welcome to stay with me....what a blast that would be! :hug:

Kassity,
You can also make your own..I use the method shared with us by my good friend Kris Holmberg of Raspbearies and it's very cheap and easy. You can get everything you need at your local hardware.
Laura Lyn has kindly made a photo tutorial of how to make them on her website, but I couldn't find it so maybe it was just for TT people and isn't listed on the main site? Laura Lyn????? Y'out there???

Wow Kim....I let out an audible Oooohhh when I saw Brynn. That is the sweetest little baby and I can't believe you made it all by yourself you clever thing you! SO glad you shared!

You can also use a hair dryer to blowdry it in the right direction.
Another thing...I think in this kind of instance, it would really make a difference to trim the mohair from the seam allowance before stitching, just makes the seamline less obvious if that is what you are after. Having said that, Wanda accentuates her centreseam parts with painting too...and they look fabulous! Let us know how you get on!

Matilda! So THAT'S the reason we aren't seeing your gorgeous creations for sale????? GOOD GRIEF WOMAN THEY ARE WONDERFUL....get 'em out there quick smart! They are WAY good enough! Y'hear!!!!!

Just stunning Stephanie! I'll bet your daughter will be thrilled! What an adorable face! But I'm a true sucker for bunny footsies...luv 'em!

Wow Bronwen!   Those are amazing dust storm pics! Welcome to the group BTW..good to 'see' another Aussie.

Welcome back to you too Kim! :hug:  How's the bear designing going after doing Jennifers course? I'd love to see a pic of a Kim C bear!
I still remember the story you tell of that dust storm in Mildura when you reckoned it was even in your salad roll at lunch time! Scary!
Shelli. I have never seen a blue ringed octopus either and I live on an Island with rock shelves everywhere, We do have them here, but I haven't seen one. Nor do I personally know of anyone who has been taken by a shark.....I'd say the instance of that would be akin to people in the USA being taken by bears...well maybe a little more common. But like Denise says, if we humans wanna play in their playgrounds......
Most shark attacks happen around seal pupping time, so you gotta wonder if to them we just look like seals.
But hey...we don't have as many dangerous wild animals as you.  Heck...coyotes, wolves bears, panthers, cougars, RATTLE SNAKES eeekkk!!!!!  So you are quite safe to come visit...anytime! :thumbsup:

Denise...sounds like you live in the ideal place, and it's so pretty! We are looking at farms up that way...but probably closer to Port Maquarie area. It's so beautiful....and warmer!