Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Kirsten,

I am new here, so we have never chatted. But I just had to say. Congratulations on your new baby! When she arrives; I am sure you will be so happy, that those un-made teddies will be waiting for you.    And you will feel fine about it. I am a grandma now, so my baby days are over. But, I just can't help stopping and wanting to hold and hug other people's babies. I am careful not to do that, I may get arrested.   

Congratulations...... and bless you and your new baby.  :hug:  :hug:

Big Hugs
Kassity

Hi Dilu,

I don't know much about gollies, but what can't you like about them? They are very cute!   :clap:  :clap:  :clap: 

I know a lot of us have designs dancing around in our heads. Forget the sugar blums.  But ..... Wow! you are very determined. 

I am glad for Dilu.

Big Hugs

Kassity  :hug:

I took these pictures with the light box I made. I need a new camera, so they are not perfect yet! The bear is not finish yet,,,,,he needs his paws done, but he just happened to be the subject of the experiment. 

Home Made Light Box…..

Hi everyone. I just had to share this with you all.
I have looked at different light boxes on eBay to see if it was different than ones I have made in the past. They are great boxes. But, I really could not see how my home made ones wouldn’t work just as good.

So, I thought some of you might find this handy.

I took one of my white shipping boxes and cut out windows – with about a 2” boarder, on all four sides. I then cut out white very lightweight fabric and glued it on the inside of the windows. Or! You can also line the whole inside of the box. This is nice for a clean seamless look.

Note: not all boxes have white on the inside of them so you will have to turn it inside out. The fabric should be on the brown side and facing out. You can do this by just cutting down one of the seams. Then just open it and flip it inside out. Once that is all done. Tape the flaps together to secure the box, this will make it tall and give you more room.

I then I made a top out of the white fabric to finish it off. The seam area you cut will be the door. When you put the top fabric on, be careful not to glue it closed. 
You want it to flow when you open the light box. I shaped mine to the door then just glued tacked along the top and the corner. 

Then all you do is put your lights around to get the best lighting – windows – door. And you got a light box!

I hope this is helpful for anyone who doesn’t have a light box yet! Or like me…is not going to but one. Now, I need to go get a new camera. So, I will be ready to take really great bear pictures! 

Happy Light Box building!

Big Hugs
Kassity

Hi Judi, 
 
 
I am not the lest bit surprise!!!!!!!    Way to go girl!!!!!!!!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:   
 
     

Oh Judi....I am sure the rest of the girls feel the same! I never get tired of looking at your beautiful bears!   

Big Bear Hugs  :hug:  :hug:  :hug: 

Kassie

Hi Louise,   
   
   
WOW !!!!!!! that is so cool!!!!!! I am so excided for you!!   
Not surprised you got picked.....just happy for you!!!!   :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: 
   
Hey Louise, did you know we were close to being neighbors? I have posted it once, but you may have missed it. Before I moved here to Salem three years ago. I lived in Two Hills on my ranch for four years. I was born in Edmonton, but lived mainly in the Yukon.   

Congratulations Louise           

Big Bear Hugs
Kassity

Hi everyone,   
   
Lisa.....crack me up.....      
   

Besides the funny part...OOOOO) ouch!!!! poor you!     
   
I just started with the joints and I kinda saw that coming. LOL My husband walked in my teddy room while I was holding the bear at arms length  pulling on the pliers and said, "what's wrong'? I looked at him and said....."he's fighting back"  He just looked at me for a few seconds and rolled his eyes and walked out.     
 
Erin... I know what you mean!  I have so many cuts on my hands you would think I got into a really bad cat fight.     
"callouses" I have those too, but it doesn't seem to help. I get them from the woodwork I do.

too funny!

Deb....isn't that the truth......   

Daphne OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! I have driven my needle up my nails from time to time, but have not yet done that. "Cross my fingers that I don't." 

Thank you Daphne!  :hug:  :hug:  :hug: You are sweet for saying that.  I am working on a mink fur bear right now and you all know how hard you have to push that needle threw. I like mine really sharp, so one little slip and ouch! 

Lisa... I know what you mean. I tend to be a "full body contact bear maker"   
And I have gotten a few strange injuries myself. 

Brenda....you angel!!!!! WOW!!!! I am going to try those. Thank you girl!!!!  :hug: 
I am heading for Michaels. 

Now, what are we going to do about the rest of other strange injuries? Hey Lisa?   

You are all so great...thanks so much....  :hug:   

Big Bear Hugs

Kassity

Hi everyone, 
 
I have tried to post tonight to catch up with all the new/past posts. But, I have very bad needed holed fingers.    So, I decided to save some time and pain  "grin"   
and post all in one.     
 
First let me ask. Does anyone use a thimble? Or anything else for finger protection? 
I have tried a few different things. My husband is a hatter, so he keeps giving me different finger protection stuff to try. But they just get in my way.
All suggestions are Welome.      :hug:
 
Welcome .... to all the new people that have joined.  :hug:  :hug:  :hug: You will really like it here. Great people here! 
 
To the new bears. Wow!!!!!! I better get working harder.  They are great! All of them.  Ok...I do have some favorites,    but I truly like them all.   
 
To the girls who answered my posts; 
Thank you all for your help and laughs.  :hug:  :hug:  :hug: You are all great!!!! 
 
Thank you girls at the sale at GP Emporium chatroom!!!!!! I had a lot of fun!!!!    
You are all really great!!!! Thank you to the girl/girls who helped but that on. I look forward the next one. Congratulations to Judi and all who sold bears.   :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:   
 
 
Ok, thats all for now         
 
Big Hugs 
 
Kassity

Hi Sue Ann,

I'm a little late...on my post I don't know how I miss you.

She is beautiful.  I just love the color!!!!    :clap:   

I know what you mean about working with fur. I really like how it looks, it gives a bear that stunning look. But it can be a pain. My husband won't even talk to me when I am doing the head.   

Your sister is going to love her, I am sure.     

Big Bear Hugs  :hug: 

Kassity

You all crack me up........  

I'm looking and looking for the bins...........        

I'm thinking ok....just needs to load.....ya know very slow interent and all......so I am sitting here  waiting........ and waiting; next thing you know I am off in my mind making a new bear.  Now I really what to go, so I can get started on a stetch, but I don't want to leave until I see Dilu's bins.

Thank you !!!! Marion  :hug:

They are so cute! Dilu you are so lucky! :hug:

Ok....I'm going now. 

Big Bear Hug

Kassity

Hi Bronwen,     
     
I usually move right to the mohair I am going to use or real fur, what ever I planned on using. But, I may make a dummy copy sometimes. That's what I call it. Not very often thro. I have found that "you just gotta have faith".    I think all materials are different and will look different when working with it. So I try not to work with dummies too much. I like the surprise!   

But if you what to use. Try using a fabric that is close to the texture. What I mean by that is; weight - thickness etc. So you dummy comes out as close to the look you want.

I hope that helps.

Big Hugs
Kassity

Shelli..... there are so many very gifted girls & guys (Scott  ) on here.
I am including myself in there.
But.......

Your Teddies just make me smile.   
I just love the eyes. Your's and Judi's ; we can all only love them. 

Big Hugs  :hug:
Kassity

Hi everyone,   
   
Thanks Judi....   :hug: ..it was fun and the site chatroom was great!!!!!!! We will all have to do that again. I can never find you all in here!!!!     
   
Firefox...!!!!! ya that is what I use too and I really like it. I have always use Explore or Netscape, but this one is more secure. I can say this because I have work in computer tech work. Anyway it is good Dilu. And what I really like about it. Is!!!!!  For people like myself who has rea..ly....ssslllllowwww....iiiinnnterrrrnnnnettttt. It is great cause you can just use the "tab feature" and just open a new page for multi tasking web serving. LOL

Well, back to do just that!!!!

Big Bear Hugs
Kassity

I was just on my out and say this post.

That is so cool Sunnie.... :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  Nice Bunny!!!!!!
I noticed the change, but did know it was your's. 

Big Hugs
Kassity

Hi Penny,

Got your email, will reply when I get back.   

Hi dilu, 

"What mill?".......hmmmmm? I will ask her when I go.

Back later to update you.

Big Hugs
Kassity

Crack me up........that is great!!!!!!
                           

all the way back to work....!!!!!!!

Big Hugs
Kassity

Shelli,

Great Idea!!!!!!

I have used ATC's in the past. (for my art work) It is really cool. I am going to start working on mine!!!!! Your's is beautiful!!!!!  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: 

Have fun  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Big Bear Hugs
Kassity

Hi Everyone,

I am just posting this to let you know that I have not forgotten about everyone who asked about the mohair I used on my bears. 
I have talked to the lady who owns the store and she is not interested in online selling or anything. But, if anyone is interested. I can get it and post it on Ebay as a private sale just to TT members. I don't know how much she has, but I will post an update on that later. It will be kinda .... first come first served. "Sorry" 

Let me know if you are interested and I will go ahead and do that. I have to get more myself.  I posted the same picture just to remind you all what I am talking about.

Big Hugs  :hug: 

Kassity

Welcome Duff,

You will like it here,,,,,,    a lot of great girls here.
You should show your bears they are lovely.  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: 
Sell them on eBay..I am sure they would sell....if you want to sell them that is?

Have fun

Big Hugs

Kassity

I did these for my kids after we heard about Zean. My daughter and son are in both these pictures.

Hi Deb,

It is always hard to hear about people and cancer. My family seem to have it in too many of us. And my heart always goes out to anyone who has it in their lives.  But, I think the worst was when I got the call about my grandson. He is four years old and has AAL.

He is a little fighter and so many have supported my daughter and my grandson. Bless their hearts.
We can only be supportive and love them with all our hearts. 

My best thoughts go to young Joe.    :hug:

Big Hugs
Kassity

Hi Erika,   
   
Sarah idea is a good one....     
 
I use a piece of the mohair that I am making the bear out of. But then if it really turns out well ...I go ....OH !!! I wish that was on the bear. LOL   
I do that, Just so I get use to how it works out. As you know each mohair texture is different. 
But ,I find if that works well. I will just kinda make a shape like a nose and stitch away.

Hope that helps.

Big Hugs  :hug:
Kassity

Hi Bronwen & Daphne,

Thank you for your help.

Daphne ... no it did not confuse me all...your explanation was very clear.  Thank you   I will try different things and see what works with this bear. It may be the design on the feet? I can see how very flat feet would work best. I did consider that while I was stuffing. I did lower my weight in this bear, "bum" to help, but I think you are right, "the feet".

I was kidding about the "big headed bears fall down."   

Thank you both for your help.

Big Bear Hugs   :hug:

Kassity

Hi Judi,

That is amazing! Crack me up! 
I didn't realize that about the first and last letter....that is so cool!
Thanks Judi ...that put a smile on my face.  :)

I have problems with numbers and sometimes letters .... I see them backwards....they have a name for people like me!  But, I don't like labels, so I don't use them. 
Besides the numbers & letters, it shows itself in my work...paintings etc. If you were to take one of my paintings and hold it up to a mirror, you would see what I see.

And Scott....BIG BIG HUGS TO YOU..... I know just how you feel or felt.  :hug:

Big Bear Hugs
Kassity

Hi everyone, 
 
I got a joint question. I am jointing a couple of my bears and I have noticed that they wouldn't stand up. They fall over.    Their tummy's are weighted. I am using disc joints - five way, no armatures. Do I need to use armatures to help them stand up? Or will they stand without an armature? If tighten the disc have anything to do with it. How tight should the cotter pins be?  I put them pretty tight!
Or is it just my design......   Big headed bear fall down!!!! 

Thanks
Big Bear Hugs

Kassity

Hi Marion,

Boy does that look like home. I am from the Yukon and I know that look!!!!!
I am now down in Salem and there is no snow were we live.
I have a 24 year Morgan and he knows snow.... the rain is different for him here. He doesn't much like being wet, so he goes in the barn and just sticks his head out.  But, it is better than 30 - 40 below.
Nice picture..... very beautiful

:hug:
Kassity