Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Yey!  Just wanted to share my happy news- I'm going to be spending six weeks in the Summer next year hugging penguins in South Africa   The project involves a lot of rehabilitation work and close contact so I'm really excited- I want to go now!

Only problem is the money, of course   I'm worried that my current plan (making and selling purses, flannels and other relatively cheap fabric-y things) is going to interfere with my bear making... This trip will cost my around £1300 all told   Still, once I knew about it I just knew I had to apply!

Does anyone who lives in South Africa know of anything great to do in Cape Town or Table View?  We've been looking up things to occupy our free time to really maximise the experience :)

Oh my gosh these dolls are BEAUTIFUL.... I really want one now   Of course, I immediately picked out 'Kaede' the Super Dollfie Cute model, which was of course the first one they even made and subsequently only available for many hundreds of pounds XD  But oh, I really want one now...

Would that be alright, Sue Ann?  I'm happy to wait until they're actually released in the US of course- I didn't realise they weren't on general sale yet!

I'm self taught, pretty much   If you get stuck and know what you want to do Google always has an answer!  I really like Photoshop and can just about manage the basic stuff, but it is a huge investment if you only want it for occasional use- sorry to say I've never tried any free programs- I only have photoshop!

Hey Judi- is that ok?  I can take out the extra sphere's if you want me to, or try something else- I have Photoshop open right now :)

...Sorry Judi, I got bored   Your photo is fun to mess around with!

Yup   We had a bit of a house party (without the screaming and bodily fluids!) and then went out for drinks in my University town   Not enough cheesy Hallowe'en music playing for my tastes though!  I never really got to 'do' Hallowe'en as a child so I enjoy celebrating it now

Hi Edie- sorry I missed your post!

Yes it's the end of January- it will help me out too   So many university deadlines...

Can't wait to see what clothes you come up with!

thanks, guys!    

That's so weird Judi- we have a Myths and Legends ball coming up and I was thinking about going as a Unicorn to that! 

I got out the old Alice costume from our Movie Ball three years ago- forgot to take of my zebra print nail varnish from the Animal Kingdom social two nights ago- whoops!

Nothing on yours, Judi!

Thanks a lot Maria!  I had a similar sloth experience in Berlin Zoo- just this hairy lump hanging from a branch with its head hidden- silly things!  I might look at going to South America to see them properly

Happy Hallowe'en Jane!  And everyone else!

Thanks a lot Tami!    I'm wanting a copy for my mum too 

Thanks a lot Sue Ann, that's brilliant!  Oo I'm so proud!!!     

Hi everyone :)

As you may know, a sloth and bear combo of mine appeared in the latest TB+F magazine, but I haven't actually seen it yet!    I was wondering if someone would be happy to post me a couple of copies, if I sent them the money by Paypal?  I checked the TB+F website, and couldn't find anything about getting single copies, so I guessed you guys would be my best option 

Thanks a lot!

Hey Minigrul - I remember Carebears too   you're welcome to try and incorporate 'carebear-ness' into your own style, of course!

Beth, all three of your ideas sound like fun   You should definitely photograph them!  I'm happy you've decided to join

Thanks Amanda I can't wait to see what people come up with!  A teeny panda sounds very hard, but also very cute

Lol, have you looked at my Popples?  She's such a mish-mash XD  I think I'll be looking at the colours and the sleepy expression- maybe you could make clothes like yours?  With a pink nose?

Of course Ginie   It doesn't have to be a bear either, if you had another favourite toy?  I think anything important to you on the leel of the childhood toy is fine.

I was thinking about extending the deadline to January so people could deal with their Christmas bears first- how does everyone feel about that?

Tami, I'm so pleased that you've decided to join- you know I love your bears      Can't wait to see what you come up with- I think we must have posted at the same time!

Oooh a Gizmo bear- As long as it's not reversible to give a fullt fledged Gremlin bear, that sounds like fun! :P

I thought yours was a Sooty from your description Paula   I'm still trying to find the mohair for mine- I want it nice and plushy!  Haven't decided how many colours to incorporate yet either...  I think I have some of the original chad valley mohair stashed somewhere.... certainly have some from an old English bear factory, a nice golden colour...

Cool!  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with- Glad to hear you like my idea Carolynn  :)Appart from her scratched eyes, and absent hat and tail my Popples seems to have done ok in her 20 years of life- until you hold back her ears and see how faded they are now!

You are the boss Paula Like I say I don't have much experience with these, so I had no idea about deadlines- I'll make it the end of December instead

I bought a cheap one at WHSmiths- use it on everything except the critter itself!

 

Hello everyone!

With some encouragement, I've decided to add to the Challenges section with my own idea for a challenge.  I'm sure you all have a special friend from your childhood tucked away somewhere- mine is a (truly retro!) Popples, and she is still with me here at University as you can see! 

I've always wondered if peoples childhood toys bore any resemblance to their creations, especially in terms of facial appearance- I think that my Popples and my Poke the sloth share their heavy eyelids and sleepy faces, but not much else!

So, onto the challenge!

Do you think you can take the features of your old childhood friends, and add them to your current creations to give a contemporary twist?  Even better, think you can 'remake' your bears and more to give a touch of your style to a much older one?  Personally I think I'll be looking either at the puffy cheeks or the colour cocktail that is my old friend, but it's up to you!

EDIT : Right, I know I am stingy on deadlines, so lets make it January   Please join us people!!  I want to see your interpretations!

Not sure how it works, but I can and will certainly try   Some research is in order methinks!