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Happy TB Day gals (and guys). But seriously, when did Teddy Bear Day start, and who thought that one up, Hallmark?
Deb
I'm so touched by all of your notes, really.
Dilu ~ I appreciate your concern, and share the same advice myself, with others.
I know I can be a little sarcastic, jaded, cynical when stressed, and sometimes, it's just so much easier (and better) to spill your guts through your fingers than to someone face to face (who might slap you).
... is what I originally typed. And it's true. But perhaps I should have emphasiszed "little" and "when stressed". In any event, they aren't words that I would use to describe my typical self ... um, tho admittedly, my sense of humor runs on the sarcastic side ... which unfortunately, doesn't always come out that way in written communication. I'll have to work on a solution I guess. FORTUNATELY, for the most part, I see through the threads that everyone accepts everyone the way they are here, and ignores what may, at a glance, appear offensive, probably because they know there's a 99.999% chance it isn't intended that way.
Gosh I love this board!
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Marion and Janet ~
You hang in there! Gosh ... another opportunity for a club (The First-Borns). Yay! Janet, I am HORRIBLY introverted. But facing this pc and keyboard isn't the same as facing 12 or more (or even less) people! Take care of yourself!
Hugs,
Deb
Thank you reporters Jenny and D'Paula, reporting live here on TT from the UK! :D:D:D
Deb
Jane ~
I wish you the very best and will be thinking of you. Any chance hospital has a website? (The hospital my mom is in has a website, with a link to create a greeting. They arrive at a station, are printed and delivered to patient.) Wouldn't they flip when you got 100 cards or more in a day!
Deb
Sandi ~ Soo funny! Your post reminds me of a picture my husband took of me in our kitchen. I was heading out and a fingernail came off. I tried to glue it back on but only succeeded in gluing my hand to the counter.
Seriously, the glue thing is what will kill me I'm sure if/when I try eyelids. Maybe a little gel glue on the end of a pin or something would work. Hmm ....
Thanks for the mental picture and the chuckle!
Deb
Laura ~ Thank you so much. You are very sweet. I was absolutely joking though! (Might have been more obvious if I could have made the winking smiley bigger.) Oh well. But it's good to know people help educate you if they think you need help.
A little bit ago someone was saying they'd lost weight to the tune of a couple stones, so when Kim asked how we gained a following ... well I just couldn't resist.
I'll try to do better, so I don't get the boot! Yikes!
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Kim ~ Please try not to get discouraged. I'm pretty new at making bears myself. I started quite a while ago, but then created none for about 2 years, so I may as well be new as far as staying visible goes. I have been buying mohair from Intercal's End Pieces, Small Pieces and Bargain List. Good prices to help keep you more toward the black!
Deb
Thank you (all). It's good to have this tiny little door (escape hatch) into another part of the world. It's good to not have my thick skin (or shell) on for just a few minutes. It's good to be able to just say "I'm very weary really; please just think of me today."
I truly do know that everything will be okay, but honestly ... I'm one of THOSE who likes everything settled and decided ... and I struggle when it's not.
I agree Dilu about the best thing I have going for me in this situation. I have wonderful siblings and it's SO good we're all on the same page, singing from the same hymnal, etc. I'm the oldest of five, so of course impose ridiculous expectations/requirements on myself like any self-respecting first-born would do. I'm also a "peace-keeper". So I am extremlely grateful that we're all in agreement, or I really would be ripping my hair out. They're (painfully) aware of my possible areas for downfall (as I am of theirs), and we're able to encourage each other and that's a very good thing.
Sarcasm and cynicism come and go, and that's okay. I'd rather be a lot sarcastic and cynical, then just a little discouraged. That'll kill ya. So thanks again gals.
Onward! :)
Deb
Today I wish I had a teddy bear.
My brother, three of my sisters and I are meeting with my Mom and her "case worker" to discuss the best housing arrangement for her now that it looks like she will at least survive her recent hospital stay. She's a overweight diabetic who has been unreachable and unwanting to rejoin the human race since my Dad died in 1985. She developed pneumonia and a very bad strep infection in her right leg and hand that threatened her life and limbs. She just didn't take care of herself, in spite of our pleadings and encouragement.
Thankfully, right down the road in Horsheads, NY, there's a great assisted living facility. It's close to where her doctor practices, and is pretty central to where four of five of her children live. They MAKE the residents COME to dinner and get some exercise, and medicine is ADMINISTERED.
I was running low on things to stress over anyway, so this is really all a good thing ... not! I know I can be a little sarcastic, jaded, cynical when stressed, and sometimes, it's just so much easier (and better) to spill your guts through your fingers than to someone face to face (who might slap you).
I'm not boohooing or having a drowning in self-pity .... just hoping one of has been there, done that, and can honestly say it's all gonna be okay, or at least 85 - 90% okay.
Deb
Shelli ~
In the May 12th post with the closeups, I also noticed that bear's eyelids appeared to either be painted or were of some fancy cord. In another post somewhere I read where you graciously shared your method of using leather cord for eyelids. Can the leather be painted as well somehow to coordinate with the eyes?
I'm nowhere near ready to try some of this, but have to ask while I'm thinking of it or .... Pooof, gone!
Deb
Just a couple questions ...
Shelli ~ I was thinking of giving the oil a try, and thought maybe my creme stenciling oils would work. I also have oil stencil "crayons as well. Both of these "load" nearly dry. (Maybe less wipe, wipe, wiping.) Hmm ... guess that's what I'll do with some of my mohair scraps. I'll give it a whirl.
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Rita ~ I wanted to learn to airbrush as well. Did my research, bought brush and compressor, read like crazy, and plunged in. (Then of course recently I see Michael's here offering a beginner's class!) It seriously takes a LOT of practice. I've used it on bears, but only after much practice, and even then I used it lightly, thinking less was best until I have more experience.
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Anybody ~ What is a copic marker? I've read plenty of comments that make me wonder if they're difficult to use. Do they have some redeeming quality that makes folks stick with them.
Nighty-night! 
Deb
Shelli ~
When you share instructions, it's hard not to get the picture (you're so descript). I am thinking of trying the oils as an alternative ... though I'm having success I believe with lightfast acrylics ... and really need more experience with them as well.
Deb
Good grief ... I'm gonna buy a lottery ticket today. See how that worked Judi? I just popped over to the discussion board after looking at Rosy and asking about the eyes and POOF! .... there's a new thread with a link to a thread with the answer. How cool is that.
On my way to the convenient store now! Later ladies (and gentlemen) ...
Deb
Laura ~
Thanks so much for sharing from your heart!
It's better to regret something you did than to regret something you didn't do.
~ Unknown
Deb
Thank you SueAnn! Nope ~ no alcohol in the Garnier ... first thing I looked for. And isn't that too funny ... I chose the Garnier cuz it's what I use in my hair! :lol:
Shantell ~ I think I found SueAnn's past posts on the gel by searching herbal.
Nighty-night!
Deb (NY)
Yes SueAnn, that would be you ...
Just wanted to let you know I tried the spray gel tip you shared, and I gotta say, I'm amazed. I've worked so much on a bear that the fur was literally all matted and gross looking. A tiny bit of spray, some light brush work and presto ... a finished look. I used the Garnier Fructis stuff instead ... but the ingredients read pretty much the same. Thank you for sharing.
NOW ... if you could just help me with a tip on attaching a bow to a ted's head, I'll be in great shape. I've tried a couple different things but haven't been real satisfied with results.
Deb (NY)
Scott (teddy_bears_org ) ~
It's Scott, right? I think that's what I heard; please forgive if not. Anyway ... in 100 years I couldn't figure out how to get Gimp installed on my pc. You must be a genious. I'm going to check out the Acrylic tho! Thanks for the links.
Deb (NY)
The "look" I would think is nearly always developing, but especially for beginners as we decide what we like, what techniques work best and which ones we like to implement. I've used patterns, and have done some originals, but I don't think my bears are yet strongly bearing resemblance to one another.
Deb (NY)
Well ... you're really not a true SH. However. Shpaula has a nice ring to it ... and if the SH's won't let you in (since that's what you want to be, though I don't know why) ... you are more than welcome to join the D's. Last name Carter .... close enough. 
:)
Deb (NY)
So sweet.