Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Soooo cute!!!  I hope you'll make more... maybe cinnamon toast and french toast and toast and marmalade...
They're just darling!

Thanks so much for the encouraging words!  I wish I could get some better photos.. perhaps a new camera or a better operator!
Hugs,
Louisa

They're all just wonderful!  Hope you'll show us the rest after the show

I also think she is outstanding.  She has enough personality to wear that colour (which I think is quite yummy).
She'll be sure to get much attention at the show.  Good luck!

What incredible an incredible face your bear has!  And I love the concept.  Well done!
Hugs,
Louisa

Oooo.. your bears are sooo pretty!  All perfect!

I hope you'll get a chance to photograph your table at Hugglets.

Hugs,

LuLu

After such a long time I'm finally back to bear making with a few new patterns.  And I'm so glad to finally have some time to visit here at TT!  I've missed everyone so much!
Here's a little peek at a few of them.  No one is dressed yet so please excuse their bareness!  ;0)  They're all between 4 and 5 inches.  Oh, I just love making the little ones!  Hugs, Louisa

Happy congratulations and hugs to everyone!  With such wonderful work from all who entered I don't know how the judges ever decided!!!
I'm very proud of all of you! :clap: 
LuLu

Thanks so much, Laurie!  I'll link you to my website too when I've got my link page working - okay?
Hugs,  LuLu

Hi everyone!

Hope no one minds but I've linked all that have replied to Laurie's post  so far to my own little blog.  And started a new topic since I didn't want to hijack Laurie's post!
If there's anyone how would like to be added to my new blog please let me know!
Or if you'd rather not be linked and I already have you there please let me know about that too and I will remove you from the list.  My blog and website are both new so it will take a while to generate some traffic for you but I'd love to have everyone represented :0)

Hugs,
LuLu

Hi Laurie!

I'd love to swap links!  I'll add you to my site straight away.

Thanks :0)

LuLu

Oh Catherine!!!!!! 
I love her!!!! Love love love!!!    
You have managed to achieve the head shape that I have been unsuccessfully attempting for the last six months!  She's so innocent and sweet and there's something about her proportions that is very appealing....
Great work!
Hugs, ~LuLu

Tami,
I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. Please try to remember that she will be with you always.
Grandmothers are so special; you must be overcome with emotion right now.  I lost my grandmother three years ago and I'm sure she was there to welcome
your grandmum tonight.  My thoughts are with you.
Many hugs,
LuLu

I think the final touch would be something that is uniquely you.  Is there something that you're especially interested in that ties in with your bears' look?....  Maybe  a little envelope made from some funky fabric ... and inside the envelope you could put the bear's specific info/tag/signature card.... maybe with a vintage button closing... ?
Let your imagination run wild....

LuLu  :0)

I'm in love with those eyes!!!! They really make your bear special!
Hugs,

LuLu

He's magnificent!  And definitely all boy -a very charming boy!
Hugs,  LuLu

Incredible and so full of personality!

He's adorable.  And I agree with Deb - he does look like a Pumpkin and Pickle bear!  It's the expression that is uniquely yours.

Great work!

Merry Christmas!  You're always missed!

He's beautiful!  Definitely has the beckoning eyes of a baby seal... well done!

Hugs,

LuLu

Oh, I just love this little bear!  What an innocent face...  Please let us know when he is for sale?!?!?!?!?!

Hugs,

LuLu

You guys are the greatest!!!!!

Laurie... I think I probably am crazy...  I just have this image stuck in my mind and it's not going to leave me alone until I get it out!  Like Stephanie said - it's "thumping my skull to get out".  That's exactly what it feels like - glad to know it's not just me

Thanks for the advice on the excelsior, Nan...  I'm going to order some and give it a try.

And Kim... thank you thank you for suggesting I tea dye the pieces after sewing but before stuffing!  Why didn't I think of that?!?!?  Perfect solution!!!!

**** last night I decided I wanted to try making the head gussett just a tad wider...

Hugs,

LuLu

P.s.  I don't have a website yet but I am working on it.  There just aren't enough hours in a day are there.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

I took Stephanie's advice and started fresh...and the result is so much better!  I got the roundness that I wanted...  so I'm going to allow myself move on to the body.   I'll post a photo when I get this little bear done.  Since she's an experiment I'm trying both ageing techniques - thank you, Nan!!!  It's just so hard to make that first stain on expensive mohair.... I guess I keep expecting my mother to scold me for making messes!

But now I have a new question     Does using excelsior as a head filler give any extra help when it comes to molding (and holding) the desired shape?  I've never used it but I was thinking that it might have less bounce than polyfil and since it needs to be dampened it might be slightly maleable until it dries....?  Any thoughts...

Hugs,  LuLu

Just beautiful!  So cuddly looking... that fabric is gorgeous.  He looks toasty and snowy all at the same time!  Great job!

Hi Everyone!

I've finally got my computer functioning again after a major hard drive crash... it's been a few weeks since I've been able to visit TT!  And so much new and gorgeous work that I'm feeling a little intimidated    

I have two questions.

When you are working on a new design how many heads do you make before you get the look you're after?  I've been trying to capture this image I have in my mind but even after more than eight alterations it's still not quite right - almost there, but not exactly what I want.  Now I'm the stubborn sort so I'll keep at this until I get it right but I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem...     not to mention the question of what to do with all those surplus heads!  I do early mock-ups in muslin but when I'm this close I do them in better fabrics  - it stretches differently than the muslin

The other question - Do you age your mohair before starting the bear or do you age the bear after he or she is complete?  I've been pondering this for some time now... it just seems that it would be easier to distress the fabric before cutting and sewing BUT then there would be much less control over where the distressing appeared on the finished bear.  I don't mean shading or painting   - obviously that needs to be done after - but the over all old, worn, loved  and stained look of the mohair.

Help!

Hugs,  LuLu