Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Oh Andrea,
I'm so sorry...I did receive your beautiful little shining star just before Christmas...he is gorgeous and did take pride of place on this year's tree!
You'll have to forgive me as I opened the package late one night and thought "I'll put up a post tomorrow", which came and went!
A million things have happened since then, and not once (naughtily) have I had a chance to get onto Teddy Talk!
I thought by not organising the swap this year I might have had more time to catch up things- but I was wrong.....very wrong!!!

All TT's will have to forgive my absence on the forum this past year, with two little autistic boys at school age I'm afraid when time isn't going in to them and fighting our school system battles, goes to our bear shop....I miss not catching up on news and new creations - but have made it my NYR (New Years Resolution) to check in more often 

Hugs
Mel

PS Andrea did you get a pic of him before you sent him for posting, if not I will take one on the weekend  for the TT tree

PPS There were around 45 participants in the last 2 years also Linda, I can't remember exact numbers but that's about right.

Gijzette- that's wonderful that they came through at last, thanks for posting the picture, he is so adorable and is going to be beautiful on our TT Tree!

Mel

Just wanted to remind everyone that the closing date for entries for this year's People's Choice Awards is 1 Feb 2010.
Online voting is open from 5 FEB 10 - 5 MAR 10 with the winners being announced on the 7 March at the Fair.
For more information on entering and to see last year's Winners and Finalists go to: www.sydneyteddybearfair.com

For those of you having a go Good Luck with your entries, we can't wait to see them!

Mel

Grand Champion 2009: Louise Peers UK

Hi Everyone,
Sorry I haven't been checking up- too busy making sure the kids don't break their necks on the newly assembled trampoline!
I'm surprised about the wrong address info Beth, to avoid the typos I simply forwarded everyones emails on....but I'm glad Lena can see him now and get him shortly.
So if Debbie could post a picture for Linda, Lena for Denise and Gijzette for Mary that would be very much appreciated. These delayed ornaments were sent well in advance, so it is clear they have had a catch up on some remote island somewhere on their way to their intended recipients.
Susan yours is coming from John Paul, I don't think he has a photo, but I'm sure it will turn up shortly.
So I look forward to seeing these photos shortly-
Mel

Is a happy a little Vegemite....my postie delivered a gorgeous little tacker from Tracey Smith in New Zealand today! Imagine my surprise :O) I'm not sure how she sews her bears so perfectly, but this character is to die for 

He is just beautiful- thank you sooo much Tracey....we have only just put the tree up tonight (it's now 9pm here), and I am very chuffed with all of my TT ornaments onboard. But as I am off to build a trampoline in the dark tonight (wish me luck, the last little boy here is just about to hit the sack) I will post pictures of them all tomorrow.

Cheers Mel

Here he is then ...

How sweet!

My second little ornament managed to get to Beverly Port on Christmas Eve also.....as Beverly and John Paul aren't able to upload a pic at the moment thy have asked me to post a little image!

Okey dokey all!
No need to stress YET!!!
All of the ornaments have been confirmed as sent and have guaranteed pre Christmas delivery dates from the senders end.
Due to unforeseen in your own neck of the woods (ie snow) there may be delays- but otherwise if your local system is in order, you should be fine.
There are 7 that have yet to arrive, but all of them have been on their way for a while - so if by the close of business Christmas Eve (local time), yours hasn't made it we'll get the sender's to post their pictures.

Linda in your situation I would go to the post office, make them rip out the stock room- because it should be there, it was posted over 3 weeks ago from Australia. I posted mine (not express either) last week and Nichole got hers yesterday. SO get them to triple check.

The only other one I have vague concerns for is Lena's in Russia, because hers was also sent some time ago and I'm not sure what the Russian delivery system is like.

But please don't be upset if the Christmas reindeers don't deliver in time, remember this is the silly season and it will be just as special to open a package two days later as it would be right now.

Mel

Well I've finished my quick tally and from what I can tell there aren't many that aren't definitely well on their way- just waiting to hear back from a couple emails I have sent because I haven't heard if the ornaments in question have been sent or received- but it's all looking very good folks.
I'll update in this post as soon as I have the info   

Thanks Lynn,
I'll be going from what's on the posts and the emails I've received- so the info helps, I think there will only be one or two that I'm not sure about and will email them, but excitingly over half have made it to their destination 

Hi Everyone,
When time permits me this afternoon, I'm going to do a quick tally on the ornaments- and see who's is in transit and if there are any that haven't left yet.
I myself have sent mine Monday last week- last year express was an option, but this year it was over AU$50 (US$45) so I had to give the tracking number a miss.. which means I too am waiting to hear good news from almost the other side of the world!!
May the postal service reindeers deliver quickly I say 

I let you all know the results later on today....

Mel

PS Mary I did also receive the lovely earrings, thank you so much.

Well I am very happy to add my little ornament to the tree- all the way from Mary (hikiddobears) in the States!
He is the little purple Santa with real beard....I wonder where he will fit on the tree?

Lucky me...
today a little package arrived for me all the way from the United States!!!!
Thank you Mary (hikiddobears) he is lovely....a purple Santa to be sure- I'll take a photo in the daylight tomorrow and post the pics asap.

Mel

Here he is:

Just so sweet!

Looking great girls and boys.....can't wait to see them appear over the next few weeks!
Mel

It's great to hear that the ornaments are arriving thick and fast!

Thanks for the tree thread Tammy - it's just not the same without it :O)

Mel

Tammy that would be fantastic!!!
Thanks for the offer, I appreciate it-

so guys once you get your ornament, snap it, then send them to tammy@beckoningbears.com

Cheers
Mel

OK, so I've now managed to send out all of the emails with your recipient's name and address (If you don't have yours let me know and I'll resend it) - now enjoy the giving 

Please don't forget to send the ornament out nice and early to beat the Christmas post rush (I of all people should heed this advice!!!) and perhaps take a picture of it before posting just in case your recipient isn't able to take a picture or upload it.

Enjoy the season!

Mel

Hi Beth,
Ooops there was a typo I just noticed also, there is you and then there is Cheryl Hutchinson!!! Already fixed :dance:

Mel

Hi there,
The one thing I've learnt from last year is to check and then check again and then if you want to have it right - check again!!!
So below is the list of surnames from the swap (in alpha order only). If your name is NOT on the list and you DID want to be involved in the swap please email me straight away so you can be included, I've checked off the names of folk who put up a post in the topic, but just want to make sure I've got those who didn't post also. I've managed to transfer all of the address' and the swap is ready to be drawn, so expect the details of your recipient to be sent on Monday.
Cheers
Melissa 

Bashore
Benson
Blowes
Burbury
Cameron
Carlyle
Dodd
Dontigney
Eastwell
Encinas
Hage
Hearn
Hutchison
Hutchinson
Jamieson
Johnson
Kemp
Lahey
Mason
Morse
Port
Port
Rayner
Smaga
Smith
Stocker
Strickland
Summers
Thornton
Timmers
Tromans
Walker

Hi Guys,
Never fear, I have gotten your emails, have just been interstate at shows for the last 3-4 weeks! Haven't tallied all of the names yet, but there would have to be over 30 names.
So I'll get stuck in and draw up the list ASAP- stay tuned!!!
Mel

Hi everyone,
Well I've got your emails and the list is going great- just a reminder for everyone else that wants to be involved that I'll be drawing the recipients list on the 1st November so get your names to me before then to be part of the swap!
Cheers
Melissa

PS Emails to go to: happylittlesouls@y7mail.com

Hi again TT'ers,
OK so I've been in my own little world of late, and once again I would just like to let everyone know that I believe an 8th day would make all of the difference to my presence in the cyberworld- I would call it the "day to catch up on blogs, websites, forum and emails day"! But it  is coming up to that time of year, and I so look forward to getting my Christmas ornament- and so that everyone has a chance to join in I thought I would start up the list a little early this year!
So I'll be para phrasing from last years post, because the message is the same.

Wow is Christmas coming fast or what?!!!
If you'd like to participate please follow the guidelines and have your info in by 1st November, I will hold a random draw of participants to allocate partners in the days that follow, but you can get your ornament started as soon as you decide you are participating so it can be sent in time.  As it is a Teddy Bear Ornament Exchange, perhaps more people could find the time to participate. This will be a COMPLETELY RANDOM swap and part of the fun is that you must keep the name I draw for you a secret! (You will not likely have the same person who has you.) I will draw a name for each participant and send them an email with the name and address of their match.The idea of this swap is to create a Teddy Bear Christmas Tree ornament for your partner. The scale of this project should make it easier for mailing and perhaps quicker to complete this busy time of year.

Follow this link to see some of the lovely ornaments exchanged last year! Some were small Teddy Bear heads embellished in Christmas style and some were felted creations and tiny bears. These are only some examples. Your ornament can be any medium you like to work in. Be creative! (like I have to say that!) The rules are that it must be bear/critter -themed and hand made by you to hang on a tree or similar!

Here is the link to last years tree:
http://teddy-talk.com/viewtopic.php?id=27751

Here is how to participate:

1. Send me an email to happylittlesouls@y7mail.com containing your user name, your full name, and your mailing address by November 1, 2009.

2. I will send you a return email with your partner's name and address, once the draw takes place. PLEASE keep it a secret! Everyone loves a nice Christmas surprise! (Remember, the person who's name you have is not necessarily the one who has your name.)

3. Make a lovely Teddy Bear ornament for your partner. Be sure to add a string or cord for hanging it. Wrap it nicely and make a tag revealing yourself to your partner.

4. Ship the ornament so it will arrive by December 24, 2009 for a wonderful Christmas surprise.

5. In good time we will have another tree to display the beautiful creations, so send in a photo once you've received your ornament via email to an email TBA.

Merry Christmas!!!

As a sidebar I'm using email instead of PM's as the messages are a little easier to sort out that way.
Also from the lessons learnt last year, to get your ornaments to their destinations on time, you really need to send it by the beginning of December if it has an overseas address, this way recipients also get to enjoy seeing them on the tree for that much longer before Christmas.

Hope you'll be able to join us
Cheers
Melissa

Susan is too cute hey!!!

For a little more about her (and why she hasn't been discovered till now) read this Scotsman article:
http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/ … 5163658.jp

I think one of the best things that has come out of her audition for these judges is that people all around the world are sending this humble lady all of the well wishes they can muster!

Just read the posted comments after the article 

Well, I for one am so glad to see someone's dream come through in these times!!!
Good on Susan for having a go - she is truly an inspiration....

Check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Mel

Hi Bobbi,
Thanks - the trophies are unique (we designed them ourselves), they are set glass with laser etching, the Grand Champion Trophy also has a graphite inlay to give it that more solid appearance.
They are the only ones of their kind, just for this competition. My only problem is getting them to the winners in one piece as they are fragile- so that is my job for next week - investigating which box filler to add!!

Mel

Well now that I know for sure that he has arrived (albeit via a customs unit), I can show you Little Jimmy (after our favourite explorer down here Cpt James Cook!) who was created just for Laurie in the UK with his little leather backpack 

Hi Tanni,
Count me in too!
Love these swaps- they are a pleasure, I can grow my hug without spending heaps of $$'s, and I love the surprise when I open the box!
I will email my details

Cheers
Melissa