Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Great picture!!!
That is so typical of cats - they do like to squeeze into the most unlikely spaces!!!!!

Thanks to the 7 people who have signed up so far - thats really great!!!  
Just a reminder that the deadline for signing up is this Friday.  I'm sure that are lots more budding ATC artists out there.  This should be a fab swap - it will be great fun.  There are people signed up from all over the world!!!
Keep them coming!!!!

My big brother is getting married this Friday, after 18 months of planning.  I can't believe the time has gone so fast!!!  I have been busy working on a couple of bears for them in celebration of their big day, and I have finally finished them this evening.
They measure about 8cm sitting, and they are blue pandas because their wedding colour theme is blue.  I have decorated the glass-fronted box with collage paper (and it was really difficult to photograph because of the glass front!!).
I hope they like them!!

what a beautiful, brave daughter you have!!!  You must be beyond proud to see her on a billboard!!!  Well done to her!!!

Anyone who is part of the teddy bear world has heard of Linda and Wally Mullins - what sad, sad news.  My thoughts are with Linda and family. :hug:

Thanks for the PMs so far.  Keep them coming.

If you are very keen, and would like to make more than 5, then please let me know, but it will depend on the number of people we get signed-up as to whether people can swap more than 5.  Hope thats ok!!!

Over the past few months I've been having fun experimenting and creating Artist Trading Cards featuring pictures of my own bears.  I thought it might be nice to do an organised ATC swap here on TT.  Is anyone interested?

I don't mind organising the swap.  People can decide how many cards they would like to make to swap, between 1 and 5.  As long as enough people sign up, you will send your cards to different people, and receive the same number of cards back from all different people.  For example, if you make 3 cards, you will be given three different names and addresses, and you will send one card to each person.  Your name and address will be given to three different people, who will each send you an ATC.  Is that clear?

The rules are:
You must make the ATCs yourself.
You must be willing to send an ATC anywhere in the world (shouldn't be too expensive as an ATC will go as a letter, unlike a bear).
Although the ATC doesn't have to feature a bear, it must be something that people here on TT would like.
You must be ready to send by the deadline.

If there are not enough people interested, I will still coordinate a simpler swap between those who would like to take part.

The deadline for signing up is 1st June.
I would propose that all ATCs should be sent by 30th June, which gives you a whole month to make some wonderful ATCs, send them, and then sit back and wait for some wonderful ATCs to drop through your letterbox from all over the world!!

If you are not familiar with ATCs then please have a look at this wiki link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACEO

Any ability/experience is welcome to take part, but please make sure that your ATC is the correct dimensions!!

If you would like to take part then please PM me your name, address and how many ATCs you would like to make to swap. (Between 1 and 5).

If anyone would like to take part but has a problem with the deadline, then please let me know, so that I can make adjustments to suit as many people as possible!!!

I hope some of you may be interested!!!

(Please feel free to post any other web links that people may find helpful if they are not familiar with ATCs.  Thanks)

I'm another one who reads your blog regularly, but I rarely leave a comment on anyone's blog!!!
I began to wonder whether anyone was checking-out my blog, so I added a visitor counter, and lo and behold I found out that I was not the only person who looked at my blog!!!! It may be worth adding a counter to your own blog, if you wanted to know if people had visited?
Have a great trip!!! :hug:

That is just too addictive!!!!!  :crackup:
Too cute!!!  I want one!!!

Its great to see you will be at Hugglets in September!!! 
Peewee is great - and what a super name!!!  Can't wait to see you and your bears in September!! :hug:

Becky - that is so sweet!  I'm having such fun creating that scene!!!  Everything in it is 1/12th scale (normal dollshouse scale) and everything is entriely handmade - although I certainly can't take credit for making any of it myself!!  I just collect it and arrange it!!

Wow!!! Great collections everyone!!!  I have really enjoyed reading everything on this post.

I have finally got around to photographing some of my collections.  :photo:
My biggest passion, of course, is my collection of artist bears, so I have included a photo of my main display of artist bears which are in our bedroom.
I also have a passion for all things miniature.  I have included a couple of photos of two of my dollshouses (there are more!!!!), and my miniature Harry Potter scene.  All of these are still  'works in progress'.
I also collect handmade miniature cats.  Bear in mind that all of these are about 3cm tall!!! 
I love dolls aswell!!!  I just have so many collections!!!!

I'm really sorry about the millions of photos - I just realised that I got a bit excited!!!! :redface:  :redface:

He is actually only 9cm sitting.  So much detail in such a little bear!!!!

Tracy's bears are just so unique aren't they!    I am just so thrilled with little Quinn. 
I'll let Tracy share pics of her new little bear!

Let me introduce little Quinn, made by Tracy of ThimbleBeary Originals.  We arranged a miniature bear swap a couple of months ago, and both of our bears have arrived this week.  Little Quinn is absolutely stunning - I still cannot believe that he is mine!!!  I am so lucky!!!  These wonderful pictures were taken by Tracy, which she kindly sent me for my blog.  It was so much fun doing this swap!!!  Thanks Tracy!!!! :hug:  :hug:

Your blog is looking great Marlys!!    You have gorgeous children!!!
I am so enjoying blogging aswell!!!  I love reading other people's blogs. I am so glad that there was so much enthusiasm here on TT, and I decided to give it a go.  I'm lovin' it!!!!

I'm actually having trouble finding it near my home here in the UK!!

:crackup:  :crackup: I couldn't help but smile at your reflection in the kettle aswell!!!!

I can't quite believe that I have just spent 10 minutes sorting out pictures of my two favourite cups!!!  Oh well!!!!

Anyway, these are my two favourites.  I'm not a coffee fan, so usually drink tea.  You may not be able to tell, but the cow cup and saucer is actually massive!!!  I choose which one to use depending on how thirsty I am!!!!

What a great thread!!  It has really made me chuckle!!!  (must get back to sewing now, and leave the mugs alone!!!)

   
Love it!!!!!!! :crackup:

Your story has brought tears to my eyes!!!  What beautiful kittens, and what a wonderful person you are.  If there were more people in the world like you, it sure would be a nicer place!!! :hug:

what a sweet, sad little face!!!  He looks like he needs a cuddle!!!

Congratulations!!!!

:clap:  :clap:  :clap:

I've bought very fine leather from dollshouse and miniature shops and shows before.  My Mum has used it to make shoes for her miniature dolls whose feet measure no more than 1cm long(!), so it is very fine leather!!  By buying from a place specilising in miniatures, you are guaranteed that it will be lovely and fine.  I don't know if you know of dollshouse shops or shows near where you live?

Thanks everyone for your kind comments - they mean a lot to me.  I am pleased to say that my Mum was very pleased with her new bunny, and even my Dad seemed to like her!!
Jane - I am intending to make a couple more bunnies, hopefully in time for Hugglets in September.

WWHHHHHAAAATTTTT!!!!!!??????
I cannot believe that someone would send you this message.  I know it must be hard, but ignore it!!!!!  It is meaningless.  Your cats are beautiful, and so clearly your style.  Other people make dogs...does that mean you shouldn't be making those either!!???  How ridiculous. 
I do LOVE Karen Lyon's cats, but her cats and your cats have VERY different looks to them.  You each clearly have your own styles.  To me, your cats look like a natural extension of your dogs.  We all have to change, develop and try new things, otherwise our creations would go stale and we would get bored. 
Please, please continue to make your beautiful cats - I always look forward to seeing what you will think of next!!!! :hug:  :hug: