Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

I've just finished my first red panda, or fire cat as its sometimes known. I will put him on ebay later in the week. I needlefelted the white bits using polyester stuffing as I had no white wool. I used the black backed Sassy long pile so when cut back it shaded very easily. I hope you like it.

Thanks everyone. It gets you thinking. It came about because someone asked if I had a buy it now price. I don't suppose it hurts to try. Good points though from Kelly. Some auctions get just a couple of collectors bidding, others more. I'm doing a red panda (the species, not the colour) so as its not the usual I could try it with that. I won't know unless I try it. If it does'nt seem right for me I've still got the auction part, plus it could be the wrong time, or bear. I also think it depends if you buy bears yourself, if I was bidding on something and it went with a buy it now I would be dissapointed, but there you go. Worth a try! :thumbsup:

Just had a funny thought. Not with bears but how many times have you seen people bidding on things in an auction and they bid higher than the sellers buy it now only listings. For the same product!!!! My husband has called me in many times to look at that. I could understand it if they trusted a certain seller more, but the same seller? 

Its seems a double whammy, with your husband and all that. We won't have any pets now as even the hamster died after a few weeks. We go away a lot too. It would be lovely though to have a dog or a cat, just not practical. Big hugs to you. :hug:

I still think of my grandparents. They are special people. I'm lucky to still have my parents, but losing grandparents, at any age, is very hard.  :hug:

Go on you Reds! :dance:  Its so nice to see something that reminds us of a true British creature. My daughter is always chasing grey squirrels shouting at them. She was told about the grey ones eating their food and driving them out to just a few small areas in Britain.

Remember its like real babies, you will soon forget the pain of labour! FANTASTIC

Does anyone recommend buy it now on ebay when selling bears. The only trouble I can see with it for myself is I don't have an average price my bears go for. Would I look really greedy if I set it too high, too low and you undervalue youreslf. Hmmm.....

Anyone got any thoughts or experiences in this?

Well done Melanie. Mine is very simple and took a few hours to do. I'm working on a better one with yahoo. Its finding the right images and look that takes the time. I'm in no rush, so don't go mad Shantell, I think Penny is right, I've clicked in on a few things that were a bit  .

Go to this site for zillions of backgrounds and other stuff, free too.
http://www.grsites.com/textures/

Remember what our parents used to say when we said 'I'm borrrred'. 'Bored? I'll find you something to do. Go tidy your room!' AHHH

Its the time of year Penny. Its been cold with no sun and we are all cutting back on things that make us feel good. Chocolate, crisps, sweets, its enough to send us loopy.

I had to laugh at Nettie too, I've started to just do heads and then the bodies, I've had some new fabrics and you get too many bears you want to do at the same time.

Hang in there Penny! :hug:

Same here. Hello to everyone and even though I don't always get chance to post, I can have a quick peak now and again. :hug:

I've had this problem before. I used to use a layer of very thin paper/tissue paper over the ultrasuede and it just ripped off after I had stitched. It helped the needle go through. I don't know the why or how but it did help. Hope this helps!

Hello and welcome. Love your designs. Its great here learning as you go along. As for the photos, macro sure does show things up!

Don't worry. I'm the same. I'm on top of the bear making, but behind on here. I understand as its hard for me too. So see you all when I can! :hug:

Wow really small. I've just had some different fabric from Sassy's. Mind you I went and ordered some I already had,  :doh:  so I might have to put that piece on ebay. I love the proportions.

Its not the easiest of things to work with. I only use it in miniatures but I would find it hard work in bigger bears.

Just to show I haven't been slacking here is my new Koala for ebay, on this Sunday night coming. Flossie is 2 3/4" tall and I used the chenille pipe cleaners in her arms. It makes such a difference to the poses you can get. It brings them to life. Thanks to whoever suggested them. I used good old Sassy's fabric and onyx bead eyes for a change, also the tiny cotterpins.

Oh I was having a 'moment' yesterday, 'me heads in the shed' as the kids say. The eyes are glass, not onyx, thats the one I was working on yesterday.

Chris I use forceps to turn. They grip a little fabric inside, lock, and then you start turning. I got them off ebay with tweezers that I use to stuff with. I could not do without them, well them and my thin curved needle!

It was something we did before Christmas Laurie. Everyone who wanted to take part were randomly matched together and then we sorted it out with our parteners. I had a lovely bear from Penny that I opened on Christmas day. It was a great idea.

You just get better and better. I've tried the chenile pipe cleaner in the arms and it does work very well. Thanks for all your input Kim, is keeps us going! :clap:

My anniversary is this Tuesday. We were talking about it last week. We got married in Vegas exactly ten years to the day and hour that we met. I was saying it had gone quick, those 8 years married and 18 together, Mark reminded me it was 19! I'm 38 this year and its nice to celebrate these things, we are going away for a couple of days, but its the bits inbetween that count.
Have a lovely time in The Lakes, I'll be in Bath, it sounds like we both could get a bit wet!

Well done. Looking forward to your bear. We are doing a bear swap and I'm getting a bear from Melissa! :dance:

WOW! :dance:

Fantastic. Its not only good work but it really suits your bear. Well done.

The girls love it at slimming club. Celery is a diuretic so if you are carrying excess fluid, off it goes. Another favourite is carrot and fresh coriander. Use carrots instead of the celery, miss the milk out and garnish with the fresh coriander. Its also good as a low calorie filler inbetween meals if you get the munchies.

Hi everyone on the New Years challenge. Here is a lovely recipe for celery soup. Please try it even if you don't like celery, my husband does'nt and likes this. Its not the soup diet or anything like that, just a recipe for a tasty meal. You will find it will shift any excess fluid you might have though.

One head of celery chopped (one bunch)
3/4 pint water
one onion chopped
one vegetable stock cube
bit of garlic
pepper to taste

Cook all the ingredients until the celery and onion are soft. Liquidise in a blender, then add 1/4 to 1/3 of a pint of skimmed milk. Thats it enjoy!.

Glad you are back Carrie. They do felt rather good. Love your new collection.

Hang in there Rita. I lost 5 stone and have managed to keep it off for 7 years. I can't remember what I lost in one week in January all them years ago, the point being its the long term goal, not your weekly weight loss. Still does your head in, I know, but keep going! :hug:  A pound less to hug!