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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Here is a little quiz I put together, I thought it would be fun for everyone to do! I’ll start…….
What was the last magazine you bought?
Australian Country Style
What did you have for dinner last night?
Fried rice and chicken satays
Who did you last speak with on the phone?
Mum
What was the last tv show you watched?
Australia’s Funniest Home Videos
What’s the best thing that has happened to you today?
I bought a new watch!
Have you ever broken a bone?
No
What are you really bad at?
Reversing the car 
Your favourite food?
Roasts
Do you believe in ghosts?
Undecided
Your favourite season?
Summer
Do you collect anything?
Trying to start up a collection of vintage sewing items, have a few pincushions so far.
What do you wish you had more time for?
My many unfinished cross stitch projects
When is your bedtime on average?
11pm
you have an original idea for a bear/creation only to do a search on the internet to find that it's been done before!! I'm not sure about anyone else but this happens to me all the time. I had a cool idea to make a cupcake bear - sitting in a little patty pan with a cherry on top of the head, did a search and found someone else is doing exactly the same thing, but in crochet. A lot better than what I would have been able to do it. Isn't it gorgeous!! 
Thanks for all your hard work Shelli, I look forward to seeing some new bear creations 
What a sweet boy, love his eyes
:clap: :clap: Well done Gemma, your bears are gorgeous. Best of luck for the finals 
What great news Judi! Congratulations :clap: :clap: Well deserved, your work is outstanding.
I'm with you Sandi - I'm always dis-enchanted when I go to the newsagents, the same old scrapbooking and beading mags!! Luckily there is one newsagent close to me in Frankston that stocks TB&F, Teddy Bear Scene and Soft Dolls & Animals - all of which I buy when I have the spare money. I also buy the occasional cross-stitch mag too.
I'm annoyed that craft shops are so geared towards scrapbooking these days, it's like it's the only craft around.
Thanks everyone
Great pics Judi, I loved you and your daughters entry, well done 
Couple of scary entries there.
Hi everyone,
This is a teddy bear I've just finished for my grandmother-in-law - I hope she likes it! sorry about the bad pic
Ooh, I've only just read this thread now! Congratulations Jane and Tami, a well deserved honour, you help make this site the special place it is :clap: :clap:
What a great video, I've never seen a bird dance with such rhythm before lol :crackup:
Just gorgeous Kathy!!!! wonderful
Oh wow, what great pictures everyone! It really is fantastic to see how far everyone has come.
Ali, I am so glad you are finding this thread inspirational!!
Yep, I would definitely thread joint for a bear this size. Best of luck!
What a sweetheart, love the blue nose I have terrible trouble coming up with names too...
I've joined too
Sandi, your first bear is wonderful! I can see why you were hooked
Mary, it's great to see how your style has progressed over the years, I admire anyone who can do both sewn and crocheted bears!
Jodi, that's a sweet first bear, very well done for your first try I must say! My first bear is starting to look worse and worse compared to others lol:)
Mel, your first mini bear is fantastic! A lot better than my effort I'd love to see a pic of your very first bear too. I find it fascinating how people's bearmaking styles develop through the years too.
Hi all,
I thought it would be fun to share this photo of the very first bear I ever made in 2003 alongside my latest bear. What a difference! :crackup: Just shows you there is hope for new bearmakers out there. I nearly walked away from bearmaking after that first bear (look at that footpad stitching 
), but if you stick to it, your skills will improve. Teddy Talk has helped me tremendously too and motivated me to try new techniques. I'm still learning with every bear I make.
Anyone else got some first bear photos to share?
False! I have tried needlefelting, but I'm not very good at it and I find it a bit frustrating 
The person below me loves working with mohair
As it turned out, this seemed to be a popularity contest for the individual artist and whoever had the time to campaign for votes are the ones who won
I agree with this, but unfortunately that is something that can't be controlled. Most of the entries I voted for didn't win, and I feel bad for those artists as I think they were the best, but as others have said - it's personal opinion and everyone likes different styles.
Having said that, I think the URSA contest is great for the industry and should be supported. I'm planning to enter next year and see how I go!
You'll find the super-ion thread really good. I've sewn all my mini bears using polyester thread for the past 4 years and have just switched to the super-ion thread now, it tangles up less and it's stronger.
Yes, the grid backing can split. IMO there is no need to use fray check, just be careful not to stitch too close to the edge, and do tight little stitches and you should be right.
"How to Make Enchanting Miniature Teddy Bears" is a great book It got me started. Best of luck!
Definitely a red-winged parrot Wendy, check this out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-winged_Parrot
Congratulations Jane! well deserved :clap: :clap:
