Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Penny

You betcha.....but first the teddy for my son's new love- She belongs to PETA-
do you know this group?  If not it is a sometimes radical group of folks  that are against people having anything to do with animals.  ( some of them don't think we should live with live furbabies!  I can't imagine!!)

Anyways, they are both super vegatarian and wont use any type of animal product.  Like wool for instance.  (And he tells me they will be moving to Canada.....hmmmm I don't know, but I think old Canada is lot colder than Redondo Beach, California.)

I admire her ideals, just don't understand some of them, but she sticks to it, and out of respect I can't use mohair....so I got four half yards of synthetic ( I couldn't make up my mind on the web site) then discovered that I can't use all my regular dye , so off I went to Australia- (unfortunetly I didn't get off the superhighway therfore missed all the sites) but did get the synthetic dye. 

Now I gotta dye and make it.

I haven't asked yet, but if they wont use wool does that mean they wont use silk?  Iguess there's always virgin acrylic! :/

I'll load the virgin synthetic bear when she's/he's done.. I can never tell the sex of a BEAR till the nose is on.

Wonky-i really like it- Dilu

Hi Penny.

I know I will get back to quilting, but don't think in the same way.  I am thinking about a large baby bear with a cute little heart quilt and nightgown to match......

I get up in the middle of the night and sneak out into the living room to write down ideas or sketch something out.  It isn't easy sneaking out, my husband is a wee bit over-protective to say the least;
"whats the matter, are you OK?"

So I pretend to go into the bathtroom (en-suite) and then I creep to the bedroom door and wait.  When he snores in, I start to open the door, when he breathes out I freeze.  In-out-in-out.  Once free of the confines of "normal people sleep patterns" I  play.

I think one of the advantages of menapause is that a lady might not sleep as well at night, but since she isn't working in the morning who cares!

Wonky Dilu

Eileen,

What a fun memory and fun picture.  I kind of miss those carefree days of 'unladylikeness'

Thanks for sharing you picture.

Dilu

Oh Winney

You always have such great ideas!

Love it!

Dilu

Hi Jane and Penny

I too got started because of illness.  I didn't have the energy or strength to deal with quilts, and quilting.
Teds were 'lap' projects. Also I was in need of instant gratification.  Oddly in the past year I've made dozens of little itti bitti bears and maybe 13 7" and up.  But once they are made I want them to go live somewhere else- my house is way tooo small.  I did keep the first one, I like your word WONKY, I think it says it all.  I agree, there is something truly addicting .

Besides It's cheaper than therapy and keeps me off the street.:)

Dilu

HOW ARE THE TRIPLE A GALS?

I mentioned to the gal who shared a bear pattern with me and the rest is history...I mentioned about you two and the other gals on here, and the teaching and sharing.  Then I mentioned that there would be a get-to-gether and she jumped in "I absolutely want to, you have to let me come, I want to meet these people, "

I had to laugh, cuz she never gave me a chance to ask her-Well I suspect this will be fine with you two cuz you guys would share bears with the  bear my honey bumped into on one of his hikes in to the wilderness

He's lucky he is always seeing them.  Sometimes he see mamas with their babies- he says he is very careful....especially with the cubbies, he backs away and leaves quietly....he doesn't want mama to be nervous.

Dilu

Yeah Sue Ann

This is what I had in mind.  I bet we can get some really great stories.
I find it interesting that you and Judi had teds to help you through a rough patch.

I feel the same way-I needed something small that I could do in my lap that kept me busy but was not a long drawn out complicated Quilt project because I didn't have the energy or strength.

The little guys gave me purpose again, as I have not been able to work at my profession.  I cant go to heaven until I use up my stash-right? so I have to get better, which means no pity parties, just do what you have to do.
Oh and keep buying supplies

What was your favorite stuffed animal, that you owned, as a child or adult?  Who gave it to you and why?  Do you still have it?

Dilu

Oh Judi,
     I am in awe of your sweet spirit  giving so generously to all of us, and since you do it with us I know you do this with everyone. Teaching classes while you deal with the spiritual and temporal grief.  You exemplify the very essence of He who works through us.   One has to be listening to do His will, and I suspect you listen most all the time.

I totaly understand Mike's convoluted logic,  psychologically he truly believed he was doing the right thing.  I am so sorry that he acted so quickly, part of his strength

You have touched and humbeled me by the way you told your story showing the beginings of healing and the rememberances of  the good in all three of these lovely people. 

Thank you for sharing the pictures of your family.  They truly were/are beautiful people. I don't believe that death is the end, I believe your sister is with you always.

Thank you for the beautiful example you have shared of how to think, act, believe.  Even if you tried to hide your light under a bushel-it would still shine through, it is that strong.

Dilu

I'm turning green with envy, well not really, but I am happy you get to go.  I would love to go to lots and lots of shows, but  I know I couldn't physically handle it.  You'll have to share info.

Dilu

I have ...the phone book- and most everyone I know lives there, I'll find someplace with a good bathroom and hopefullly good food and accepting of crazt people talking bears.

Oh I hope both of y0u bring a a bear or two too- Here we go =Teddy bears on Parade....

Dilu

Laure- you found our name!  We can just say, " I'm going to call Triple A"

Well name the time and place- any other plans will go by the wayside.....

Dilu

You guys are too funny.  I bought a needle felting kit but haven't opened it yet.  I guess I could at least read the instructions....now let me see, we do the needle felting after the fur is off the cats?:lol:

Here kitty... kitty... kitty

Dilu

Relax PETA People....I was joking....;)

Judi

what if you have one of those stationary shelves for the dryer- like for drying tennis shoes?  Would that be a safe way to heat set?

Wouldn't want the little fella bouncing around, however on the shelf....Hmmmm

Any thoughts?

Dilu

oh! oh! oh!The Lincoln show would be my first bear show ever ever ever!  We have made plans to try and go-My honey ( I alway call my husband my honey, don't know why......maybe I'll try slipping in a hunnybear and see what happens) could really care less about bears-but because he loves me is willing to put up with almost anything.  I married late in life and he was the perennial batchlor but somehow its worked.

I will so enjoy meeting you both.  I love that we could have a chapter in our area for teddies-what could we call ourselves? 

                                                       Titillating Teddy Temptresses?

I like aliteration.  :rolleyes:

OK Guys, come up with something....

Hey Winney- drink your water! LOL-  It's 1:30- AM and I am up for who knows what reason....

I guess this is one of the blessings and not so blessings of menopause; you wake up at odd hours, but if you are old enough you don't have to worry because the alarm isn't going off and you aren't going to work.

Silly Dilly

Eileen,

Yikes!  your house sounds wonderfully huge.....I don't blame you one little bit.

Felting kitty fur?  Are you serious?  When we brush these little guys       we get handfulls-I've been throwing it away!  What was I thinking?!?!?!:rolleyes:

Dilu

Shelli, Winney, Eileen.

You guys made me laugh  Especially the toon-  been taking lessons from Dale?

I have bad allergies and like Winney I have a bit of a lung problem so this helps keep the dander and dust down, and enables me to keep my live fur babies. 

Also I have a very small house- less than 1000 square feet.  And a good portion of those feet are round since the house is round.    I call this "choosing your battles"  and am willing to pay the price, of oh say 20 min a day, to get the benefit-like breathing...

Dilu

Hi Winney
I pushed the self destruct button and lost the letter I had started.  Darn.

Here's my e-mail     ecdslundgren@cavenet.com

I will try to answer your questions, if I can't I'll say so- and urge you to folllow up with your doctor

Also try googeling COPD Denver  and see if you can get the website for the Asthma and Allergy web site out ofDenver University.  They are the biggest institution dedicated to COPD, and they know everything.  The have a newletter they send out as well.

There is so much to tell you, but  have to go.......send me your e-mail and I'll contine,

Hoping you feel better

Diane

Actually I like the first picture better, I think it is cuter the way some of the bunnys have gone hoping off- which we all know is something bunnies will do.

Yep, that one has my vote.

Oh Judi,

You just tickle me pink!  So funny and so adorable...I did recognize her, by the way, because I have been trying to study the fur thing you did around her eyes.

I think you surrounded the eyes with leather cording, and then trimmed around but let fur get longer and longer as you moved out. That is one trim job.

Tell us what you really did.  OK?

And thank you for sharing those bears-Seeing the beautiful work that everyone does here is inspiration, and just plain fun!

Dilu

Oh NO Winney!

As a nurse AND a mild COPDer myself I can  relate to what you are going through.  This is terrible.  You have to take care of yourself.

And don't forget to drink plenty of water...it helps thin the mucous in the lungs so that your coughing can move it out more easily....oopps,
forgive me, habit of many years standing, or sitting, I am forever telling people why our bodies need more water.  My friend said she was having it engraved on my tombstone- "Did you drink your water", or "she forgot to drink her water", (that's why shes.... well you know.)

If Laure's mom and dad live in Grants Pass I am pretty sure she will coming through here several times a year and not necessarily this month-so we can still get together when you feel better.  Which I will hope and pray will be soon...cuz you still have quite a few bears you have to make.  Right?

Get better soon

Dilu

Hi everybody- Winney great idea-I do it on the floor- but that's basically because I'm a lazybuttbear.  I don't want to have to clean the table first.  I vacuume every single morning, without fail- but with 2 cats, 1 parrot, one husband ( they wont let me have more!) and umpteen teds hanging around I have to vacuume or get lost in the furfuzzhair.

And don't forget to consider using the lining, if its in good condition, for pads and inner ears.  Some of the linings are absolutely beautiful.

Dilu

Laure-  What fun!  I would love to meet you too.  And Maybe we could get Winney too- she's about an hour away.  I am in O'Brien- so if you are taking Redwood Hwy- (199) O'Brien is the first "town" you go through on the way to Grants Pass.  (Actually the first REAL town would be Cave Junction)  O'Brien is that speck of dust on the road that has a gas station and minimart.  Hmmmmm

Perhaps, while driving by you saw a really HUGE fly on the roof of some buildings?  That's O'Brien.  The fly designates the bathrooms at the gas station.  The key to bathrooms are kept on a fly swatter.....what can I say, kind of kitschy, O Brien is.

Cave Junction- 8 miles north, does have cafes etc.  O Brien has hmmm the FLY and a bar. 
Let me know when you are coming- my schedule is completely self determined.

That's fancy speak for saying I'm not working outside the home right now.

Hey Winney- what do you say-want a meet for a teddy forum?

Dilu

Great Idea Winney!

I have several seam rippers that are too dull for ripping seams.  Its hard to believe you can wear out a seam ripper.  I'll be tackleing my second of three sable bears tomarrow.

Timely advice too!

Dilu

Hi picobaby, is this your first post? 
Welcome.
Glad to meet you. 

Judy or Shelli or Laure or... or.... or ....can probably help you.  Since Ive never done any airbrushing I can only offer sympathy.

I am taking an e-class on it starting Sunday-but I still wont be able to help.  I don't think I'm going to know anything at all for a long long time.

Good luck.  I know someone will help you out here!

Dilu