Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Last year I paid by filling-in my credit card details on the Fee form.  I think it means that they don't want anyone INSIDE the US to wire transfer funds, whereas anyone anywhere can pay by credit card.
Hope this helps! 

Great idea!
I have so many christmas ideas at the moment.  Probably because its got a bit colder and the evenings have got darker - Christmas is definitely on the way!!

I thought you may like to know that I gave this little bear, who has been named 'Mary', to my Aunt at the weekend, and she absolutely loves her.  I am really pleased. 

Thanks Jenny, for putting the photo of Isla on.  I usually photograph my bears, as I keep a folder of the details of my collection, but haven't had chance to photograph her yet. 
The photo is lovely, but she is even more stunning in real life!

Marion - I will be making more pandas, as soon as I am well again.  I even have one that I am half way through making, which was intended for the show, but couldn't finish it when I became poorly.

Hayley - most of my bears are made from Sassy's fabric, although quite a few have been hand-dyed by a friend.  I LOVE that fabric!!!

Hi Berta!
I would LOVE to learn to crochet, but have never tried, as I don't know where to start.  I cannot knit either.  I would love an online workshop which starts from the basics, teaching every single stitch with diagrams, before the actual pattern is even looked at.
I am definitely interested!!
Hugs,
Samantha
x

I thought I would add my couple of pictures from the fair yesterday.  Unfortunately they are all a bit blurred, so I have also added a couple of pictures of two of my newest bears, which were my first bears to sell at the fair.
The fair was a positive one for me too.  It wasn't my best ever, but it was good.
I was also thrilled to adopt one of Jenny's bears.  Jenny - I absolutely adore Isla.  I have sat admiring her all day whilst feeling poorly, and her sweet little face really makes me smile!

Well I have today been to the doctors, and he is more certain that it is meniere's disease.
Its a bit depressing to think that this will keep happeneing for the rest of my life, but we are going to explore different treatments, so fingers-crossed that something helps!
Thanks for all the info and messages of support.  I am just completely fed up with it, as I have now been continuously dizzy for a week.  Its exhausting!

Thanks for all your kind wishes.

I have just got back from the show.  I felt terrible all day, but it is better to sit feeling ill amongst bears, rather than sat feeling ill at home all day!!!

I sold quite few bears, and was lucky enough to buy one of Jenny's stunning bears.

Sheila - my doctor has suggested that it may be meniere's disease, but I'm only 23, which is quite young to have it.  Out of curiosity, do you have any problems with your hearing, which are also connected with Meniere's?

Hugs,
Samantha
x

I can't believe it!
I've been unwell all week, and am not better yet, but have a bear show tomorrow!
I have a couple of half made bears waiting to be finished.  Luckily I have not left it all to the last minute this time, and already have a nice selection of bears.
I get severe episodes of dizziness, where I have to sit completely still in a chair, and can't hold anything in front of my face, e.g. sewing, a magazine, or it makes it worse.  Unfortunately, this episode started last Monday evening and is not showing any signs of going.
I guess, as long as I am well enough to get there, set up, go and buy the bear that I have my eye on ( ), then sit behind my stall, my Mum and husband can help me out for the rest of the day. 
I just can't believe the unfortunate timing.  After years of doing fairs, and suffering with the dizziness, they have never come at the same time before.   
I'd better go now, as I can't look at the computer screen for any longer!
Havng glanced at some of the other posts, it seems that teddy talkers aren't having much luck at the moment.

Scooter is really cute!!
Good luck with the auction - I hope Scooter raises lots of money for such a worthy cause!

Thank you for all of your kind comments.

Ellen - I can't wait to see your miniatures!!   I'm sure they will be wonderful!

My hubby and I are off to a local organised bonfire and firework display tonight.  Only a few minutes walk from our home, so I'm rather looking forward to it.
Last night was VERY noisy all through the night, but you sort of expect that, on the weekend of Bonfire Night, but the noise has been going on for weeks and weeks!!!  And will probably continue for weeks!!
When I was little, we had a bonfire in our garden, and fireworks which were literally a few coloured sparks that lasted a minute or so.  There was not a lot of noise, nothing shooting in the air, etc, and being so young, my brothers and I really enjoyed them. 
Fireworks available in the shops now seem to have got bigger, louder, more dangerous, and yet more easily available to kids.  Doesn't make sense to me, but what can we do???
Anyway, hope everyone who is celebrating has a good time.

I thought I would share a picture of a little bear I have just finished for my Aunt.  She measures 7cm sitting, is made of a pale pink, long-pile fabric, has needle-sculpted toes, and is yet to be named!
My Aunt is very talented at designing and making miniature knitwear, and we have done an 'exchange' of our abilities.  She has made me some beautiful miniature knitwear, and I have made her this bear.  I am really hoping she will like her!!

Oh I love them all!!
They are fantastic.
I can't wait to come and see your bears at Bears and Dolls.  I"ll be sure to get to your stall before opening (I also have a stall), as your bears always sell so quickly!
Can't wait!

Ahhh!  Your grand-daughter looks lovely!!

I LOVE those heads!!      Even without bodies they already look great!!!

Tracy,
I'm really sorry to hear of your family's loss.
I lost both of my grandmothers when I was a child.  I was very close to one inparticular who died when I was about 14, and although it was 10 years ago, I can still remember the feelings very well.  I got through it by talking about her with my Mum (whose mother it was).  I felt better in a strange way when I saw that my Mum was also grieving, as I knew it was ok for me to feel the same.  We got through it together, and although I don't think you ever truly get over losing a loved one, it does get easier.  As the shock wears off, your eldest son may feel like he can talk about it.  I remember that the biggest impact for me was when I saw my grandfather, without my grandmother there, so this may 'help' your youngest son come to terms with it, when he sees his grandmother without his grandfather, and can see the reality of somebody passing away.
I guess you just have to remember that everyone deals with grief in different ways, and although it may not feel like it now, there will come a time when your boys can talk about their grandfather and smile.  I hope this is some comfort to you.
Take care. :hug:

Gosh - I hope your daughter gets better soon.  Fingers crossed that you can get to Ally Pally! :pray:

I will also be at Ally Pally, but I am sharing a stall with my Mum in the Dollshouse and Miniatures Fair, as she sells miniature dolls.  Come and say hello!  I'll probably spend a lot of the day looking around the bears - I also collect miniatures and have a couple of dollshouses - but never look around that fair as much when there are bears to be looked at!!! I'll be sure to come and find you.

Sending happy thoughts to your daughter!

For photographing my miniatures, I use a sheet of 'fun foam' which is available from craft shops.  It is intended to be cut up and used in craft projects, but I use a sheet of it in the appropriate colour.  It curves to provide the back-drop and the ground in one piece, without there being a line where the back and ground meet (if you get what I mean! ).  Provides great results as it does not crease like fabric, and stays in place as it is firmer than paper.  Obviously, it only comes in fairly small sheets, so is mainly suitable for miniature and smaller bears.

Very cute!
I love the paw pads!

Lovely!
The eyes are fab!
I love cloth dolls - there is something very charming about their simplicity.

Another beauty!!

The top and bottom bears are 7cm sitting, and the middle one is 6cm sitting.  They are smaller than the actual photos will appear on your screen!!

A couple more bears for Ally Pally.
They are both only 4.5cm when sitting - the smallest bears I have ready at the moment.

I have all the Harry Potter stories and listen to them over and over again whilst making bears.  I have so far listened to all six of them about 4 times.  I'm back to the first one again at the moment.  They are expensive to buy, so I borrowed most of them from our local library, and copied them onto my iPod.  I have thought about listening to other stories, but I haven't bothered so far - maybe when I'm fed up of Harry Potter!

What a lovely bear!  I love the clothes - you did a great job.