Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Personally I'm drawn to "undressed" bears.  I tend to lean less to the dressed bear in general .....as a maker & as a collector.  I dress, decorate and even cook with a "less is more" theory too.  The most true to form chocolate chip cookie can indeed win taste buds over from a 4 tier themed chocolate cake with icing flowers and icing bows.  So make what you like well and others will love it too :)

Now that's not to say I never buy or sit and drool over the dressed bear. When it's done with direction the dressed/themed bear can be fantastic (not to make anyone's ears burn but Kelly Dean's dressed bears have a balance I'm personally drawn to ...with my artists and collectors eye).  When it's not done with direction I often see dressed/themed bears as the head and paws clothing hanger for a costume.

In general, I like bear in my bear 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Remember how excited I was about that Snow??  Well, @#&*$ the snow     We got about 3-4 inches of this wet snow and I had to go to my sisters.  The snow was too heavy for the wipers on the car so I went to step out and wound up slipping under the door with my legs kinda sorta squished up agains the front tire. The only thing that saved me was the fact that I grabbed the door handle just as I went down...down fast and hard..my arm slammed against the door frame as my body went under it. Each time I went to get up I went back down.  My arm and elbow are 3 shades of purple and my whole body feels like I got hit by a truck.  LOVELY!!!  I usually LOVE snow...this snow I HATE 

SO I type now with ice on my arm, 3 hours after the fall and I'm not a happy camper.

BUT I wanted to share a really pretty table piece with you.  I had it out on my blog....when I had a blog, so here it is again.

1 bag of fresh cranberries, tealight candles, wide mouth canning jars (the vintage ones with raised words and images are great), water and any ribbon you like. 

Fill the jars about 1/3 full with cranberries
Fill the jars with water just to under the threads of the jars neck, you'll see the cranberries float up.
Gently press the tealight into the berries, creating a suction with the berries and the water.
Light the tealight candle.
The flame should be well within the jar so tying a bit of torn ribbon at the base of the neck should be safe...use your discretion with that.
These add such a pretty glow to tables, hutches, the kitchen stovetop, etc.

Ok, so off to nurse this battered arm of mine

:hug:
~Chrissi

Added pics:

Oh....Lasagna!!  Sounds odd for Thanksgiving, but it's pretty Italian to serve at both Thanksgiving and Christmas...we do at least     It's one dish, easy enough to make, can have any meat or veggies added and it tastes BEST a day or 2 after it's made.  I highly recommend making a 9x13 pan of Lasagna during your week of entertaining!   

Sending Happy Cooking Fairy Dust your way 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Edited to add..... It's SNOWING at my house!! Big chunks of snow mixed with a little rain..but it's SNOWING and it's coming down pretty good!!  I'm itching to make a big pot of chili now   

Yay...I LOVE cooking for lots of people and this year Thanksgiving is at my house too!!

Most of my recipes are from allrecipes.com or foodtv. I watch a show and try them out.
If it has a high review out there on allrecipe you can pretty much trust it, just read some of the comments for tweaking tips.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Gourmet-Sw … etail.aspx  (this one is an all time favorite...the picture out here does it zero justice)
(you can TOTALLY use canned yams for this one and no one will know the dif..promise!)

This one is for breakfast...looks really weird, but with an adjustment it is really good and different.  I don't use bananas, I use drained canned pineapple. Remember it looks odd..but the flavors all pull together.  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paul … index.html
French toast bakes are really good too, because you really have to make it the night before for it to work.  Look up those on allrecipe, the blueberry ones are gooooood.  Oh, and little quiche's are good.  Make them in muffin tins for easy portions.  OH!  that works for stuffing too. 
http://www.foodnetwork.com/search/deleg … hType=site  Rachel Ray is huge on "stuffin muffins" for portion control

I've made these at bite sized appetizers tons of times...winner   http://www.crabcakeguy.com/robert-duval … es-recipe/

This could be made as one desert rather than individual. I made it for a party my mom had, the girls all LOVED it.  YUM-O  (AND it's really pretty!!)http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giad … index.html

Idea for dessert table.  You're the decorating, floral wiz, so you could really do a lot with this idea     I would never order from here (really expensive) but the idea is one you could easily replicate with any pound cake.  http://www.nonniewallers.com/lilPunkin.htm

Another dessert I use to make each thanksgiving....then I went wheat& dairy free and had to stop (too tempting)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Sour-Cream … etail.aspx

I haven't made this one in a few years, but it was always requested. Not an easy task, but well worth it.  Dark Chocolate and Pumpkin Cheesecake. It's in Death by Chocolate by Marcel Desaulniers.  Someone once paid me $80 to make this one...it's THAT amazing.

And just some tested recipes for holidays or anyday just in case anyone likes 'em

Works on all chicken parts...we do legs & breasts.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mahogany-C … etail.aspx

Another app I made for a party of my mom's...gals all loved em.   http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Dinahs-Stu … etail.aspx

These could be a good holiday app or game day food.  Pecans are holiday-ish. We make these just cause I like em!!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rach … index.html

One of the best Holiday Cookbooks I have is "The Spirit of Christmas Cookbook".  Great pics, great recipes.  From main courses to fun snack mixes this book ROCKS!!  I love flipping through it just because

:hug:
~Chrissi

I use a Xyron 900.  It can do large to small items (I wanted to have that range if I needed it).  It's pricey, but I used a craft store 50% off coupon for it and I use those coupons for the cartridges too It works with magnet, double laminate, and adhesive cartridges. I never thought I'd use the machine that much, but I really do use it all the time. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Um...totally confused at how you got that I was putting anyone in their place.  Actually chuckling to myself becuase I AM essentially a  new seller (just 2 years now) with a very small mailing list and was pretty much giving props to other like me saying you/we/me can't judge ourselves based on what others who've been around longer or who've hit it off wonderfully right from the get go.  That we need to cut ourselves a break and just do what works FOR US, not necessarily compare ourselves all the time to those who list and quickly sell.  Good grief, you cut out one phrase and left out the whole point in the sentence before and after. If you read it as I wrote it I'm still remaining positive and only saying what I've always said out here... we can't make or break ourselve on what the next guy does in his/her biz. I would have given up a year ago if I did it any way other than my own.  (sheesh)

Next part: If we all can't have compassion because we've already been there then you're right, I don't get that idea....not at all.  If going through cr*p makes us tell others to essentially suck it up then I want off that bus.  Don't offer support, don't be compassionate, it's very much you're right.....but don't de-value our very real concerns either. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Thank you Kelly for your points!! 

I take cr*p all the time for my pollyanna outlook but even I'm aware that thinking positively just ain't gonna make it ok for so many people right now.  If you're blessed enough to have not been affected then God bless you I truly hope that continues!  But we need to acknowledge that what is happening is INDEED a reality and not just people walking around with a case of the doom n glooms.  It's like telling a critically ill person that positive thinking alone will cure them....will it improve their chances, assist in their recovery, and make that difficult journey more bearable YES...BUT positive thinking alone, without an actually plan, ain't gonna help big guys or little guys survive this financial crisis.  Once others feel it personally they'll get it...sucks that you have to have it on your front door to acknowledge it in a compassionate and serious way.  There's a saying out there that when America sneezes the world gets a cold.  America's got the flu and from what I've seen online and on TV our leaders (G7 for one) agree it's a shared illness.  It's so far beyond an "industry" slump...this is a world economy slump further affecting our one little itty bitty global industry.

Doing what you have to do in order to continue with your business, hobby and passion is all you can do.  If it's your reality to offer a discount then go for it (the top luxury shops do it for "preferred customers" ...you can too! ).  If it's your reality to offer free shipping then work it baby!  If it's your reality to keep things as is and hope for the best then that's great too. 

I remeber when I first starte out I looked to the seasoned folks for advice and "how to's".  I found it to be a mixed bag overall and had to learn to do it my way in the end.  The smaller sellers, newbies, and hobbyist who are selling can not compare themselves to those who are seasoned top sellers with a following.  Overall what works for "you" in your little piece of this industry is what you have to be focused on, no matter the industry/world ups or downs. 

See if you can find a copy of Cloth Paper Scissor "Studios" issue.  There are ALL KINDS of really cool, simple, and organized ways to either make that one room something you can both use OR get you a system that allows you to work anywhere you choose.  Just flipping through the magazine I see:  Sylvia Sewing Cabinets, The Butterfly craft and cutting table (really smart, stores a lot and folds down to nearly nothing).  The Perfect Caddy by Hinterberg Design.  Here are a bunch of different cabinets that fold down after your done working, different price points (you might find one for less on ebay, at a sale, etc http://www.allbrands.com/products/abc0074.html

Personally I'm with Patty!  I'd host a family wide Home and Garden TV styled event with that office   Get it "unmessed", organized, & divided up into new space and storage. Turn it into a space that you both can equally use and appreciate.  Again, look at office and studio magazines and websites to get some new and fresh ideas on how you guys can both have space to do what you need to and/or love to do. 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Yay!  so gald the Moo Cards turned out well for you Wendy :dance:

Aren't they fun little tags??  Which reminds me I need to place a refill order for mine soon:)  I hope you're able to retrieve your work from that computer.  I went through the same thing about a year ago...our old computer crashed and I thought I lost everything...I always save to a disk now.

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm not sure about the paint on mylar but did have an idea for what your were originally going for. Not trying to shift gears on yah    but what about using poster board, glue and glitter to get that giant sparkly look ....OR...if glitter is a problem with it getting everywhere what about posterboard, glue and that metallic foil gift wrap stuff. You could cut out the numbers however you what them (what font you like) and glue the foil/glitter to it.  I have a local party store that sells all of this stuff, might be easy to fold up pretty thin too. 

Hope all works out for you and happy birthday to your dad

Ok, so this may just be a totally stupid question but I'll go ahead and ask anyway

So, ebay...paypal...whoever... is holding money for close to a month now.  What happens if they go under, take a dive suddenly go bankrupt.  No likely, but in today's belly up world, who knows.  What happens to the money they're holding if that ever (doubtfully) happened? Are they insured like a bank at this point??  Since I don't use ebay anymore for selling (and I NEVER keep a paypal balance of more than say $50)  I'm too lazy to go looking too far, but I did find this one blog in a google search...whether it's solid info or not I cant say...but an interesting read given today's market.
http://ebayobserver.blogspot.com/2008/0 … 1511560000

You are so very welcome Jane!! :hug:   :hug:

Again I'll ask...come out come out where ever you are secret emailing member! Maybe you just need a big old squishy hug to put you back into the teddy bear state of mind     

:hug:
~Chrissi

This would work with even loose ribbon, I think!  You could customize for wider ribbons.  http://www.hgtv.com/cr-paper-crafts-box … index.html

I've seen these too, kinda the same idea as the box....Why didn't I think of this one???!!....  http://www.revver.com/video/680895/scra … n-pull-ez/

:hug:
~Chrissi

Aleta have you been visiting  http://poshtots.com ???     That cinderella carriage is UNREAL...and how about those "playhouses"??!!  I'm guessing your hub could build one way nicer even...and you could decorate it!!  UH OH I feel a nana poppop project in the air

Tip from me:  you MUST have a super stylish diaper bag yourself, for those trips out and days you babysit and take little one shopping!  These are SO cute and incredibly functional. I have a "boxy backpack".   http://www.petuniapicklebottom.com/  (you can find "authentic" on ebay at better prices too).

For baby clothes...nothing is cuter than Gymboree and Mini Boden (IMO!).   Mini boden has a teddy bear jacket and a teddy suit that are beyond adorable.  http://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/Baby-Swea … id=-50#jf1   HOW CUTE?!

:hug:
~Chrissi

:dance: Congratulations Nana!! :dance:

Little ones are THE BEST!!  You will have a camera (or camera phone) in your hands all the time  

:hug:
~Chrissi

Today Beaw had a bit of banana smoothie from a sippy cup....yum!  It's really too cute to watch her pull out her tea set and then go right for "beaw".  Today Blue from Blue's Clues was also invited.  We all had tea, smoothie and cookies.    

When she visits my house her eyes light up and she points to all of the  "beaws, beaws, beaws...."  She's very gentle with them all, I've let her hold all of them from mini to biggie. I sense a future teddy bear collector!

:hug:
~Chrissi

I'm super lucky in that I get to play all day long!  4 days a week I watch my 18 month old niece (I've been doing since last school year).  She loves to play tea party and shares her play foods with her favorite dolly's and toys.  Recently she's taken a total shine to a bear I gave to my sis ages ago. Way back, before I was selling, I would give them away after making and "practicing".  Let's just say my mom and sisters are some of my biggest collectors   

She LOVES this bear.  She sweetly calls him "beaw". And even though he's nearly as big (and heavy) as she is, she insists on carrying him herself.  He's not a "child's toy" but she adores playing with him.  I think every kid should have at least one "real" collectible bear to call their own.  Make sure it's safe, and all (I wouldn't put him in her crib and leave her unattended with him at nap time for example) but let them have that age old appreciation for the "real thing".

The pics are pretty rough, they're from my cell phone.  But oh my gosh are they cute!

:hug:
~Chrissi

"Beaw" having a piece of apple at tea. (He'd already had some of the corn on the cob there!)

"Beaw" having a slice of pizza at tea!

"Beaw" getting BIG KISSES after tea

So if we need to find a funny part in this it's that the last party thread dearest Jane complete was in January 08...over 8 months ago.  Has someone's been surfin' the library looking for stuff to be annoyed by (??)    

When you look at Janes "user posts" it is simply amazing HOW MUCH she does for this community. 
The birthday posts, the full and complete threads on Hugglets always packed with gorgeous photos, and the party threads.  Jane is a teddy talk super star.

Shel, I swear my one cat gives me that look all day and I know the bratboy is thinking the same thing most times.  I have to eat this and you get ot eat that...."wtf"...I have to sleep here and you get to sleep there .....
" "....I have to share a litterbox with those 2 idiots and you get your own room with running water... " "
:crackup:

Wendy, I LOVE that idea!!  Having a little purse size book to show off!  With 100 cards you could do 100 different bears or 10 books of 10 if you wanted to!  AWESOME idea!

:hug:
~Chrissi

PS...for mommies and daddies.....these tags would make SUPER CUTE gift tags, Christmas tags! Use your little one's artwork for the tags and the back could have you're pre printed "to, from, love, or from santa" sections for you to fill in with a permanent marker (I use thin sharpies on my tags).  Little one's would flip to see their artwork like that

Originally I was doing a tush tag, hang tag and a COA...it was too much for me personally to get together for each bear.
My hang tags now have all of the "COA" info right on the back and I now do a little signature on that as well.  I like that the hang tag is right there on the bear so it's one less thing for a collector to worry about keeping or losing.   But I've seen some really lovely COA's as well...it's just what you like doing 

:hug:
~Chrissi

Good grief.  :doh:

To privately write to Jane even after reading all of the positive comments in every single one of those pics/party threads. Why??  What was the point or intention? Come out come out where ever you are... just come on out and post your thoughts about it here so we can all kindly and respectfully tell you why we ADORE Jane and all she does to bring smiles, joy and FUN to the forum!  Maybe you just need to hear more of the good stuff  ...although those threads are FULL of us gushing about how much we all LOVE those pics and "parties".  Maybe you just missed all of that or mistook it all?

Just a thought to stop trolling of all kinds (not that "this" is a troll...but who knows anymore. This could be a regular using another name for all we know).  I'm a member of another forum that doesn't allow a peep of trolling.  They point blank state it and they even have a sticky thread that moderators add "trolls" to.  Doesn't matter WHO the person is (I think out here we protect too much in the name of "good business").  Their troll thread is only used by admins and clearly in each new post to the thread :  ________user name/person is the same as _______user name/person and both are banned.  Then those persons user names in all past posts show "Banned" in bold right under them.

Things out here have been smooth sailing for a while and that's great, but look what happens to the good people in private.  STINKS!

WE ADORE YOU JANE   AND  YOUR WONDERFUL THREADS!!!

:hug:  :hug:  :hug:
~Chrissi

Wendy, the mini cards (tags) are awesome!  The site walks you through the whole process (make sure you use the best resolution for printing).  I made a set of "memory game" mini cards for my niece. The game is made of her dad's animation work...it's REALLY cute! 
They ship super fast and I've been very pleased with the quality of the product.

Carolyn,
I don't use tush tags on my mini's either...I just slip the hang tag's string over one leg and then have them sit on the tag or it just lays right behind them.  I do use an embroidered tag for all of my larger bears.  Good luck with your design and let us see once your done!!

I use Moo Mini Cards for my tags http://www.moo.com/

For $20 you get 100 of these perfect little two sided "tags"!!  I love 'em.

My "logo" used on my site and tags is a photo of my mom when she was a toddler, so I know I'm not steppin' on any toes with that one. After my run in with a web site lifting artist a few months ago I went and put watermarks on all of my photos, but hey that's cyber life! I know they're mine and I have all of the originals in the end

Go with something that's truly yours and your own, you'll stand out!  I agree with the others...I really like the ruler at the side!!

Here are the moo cards.  I hole punch the top and I'm all set.

:hug:
~Chrissi

Front and back of tags:

edited for my LOUSY spelling  :crackup:

A new scam may be circulating.  Be safe!!

This is directly from Citizens Bank:

New Phishing Alert-Update as of 09/16/2008. Please note: there are indications that fraudsters may be sending emails that mimic a UPS package tracking email. Once the link in the email is clicked, a program is downloaded which waits for the User to hit one of many online banking sites. If one of these sites is hit, the keylogger then records the information and sends the User's credentials to the Phishers. If you receive this type of email and are not sure if it is valid, please do not click on the link, simply go to www.UPS.com and validate the tracking number there.

I've got a 31 year old brain..which is 4 years better than it should be.  Now Hub has a 20 year old brain (why does this not surprise me    :crackup: )

:hug:
~Chrissi