Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

YIPPEEEE !!! .... HURRAAAAYYY ..... WOWZER ..... OH MY GOSH !!!! ..... UNREAL !!!!

Just read the list ...my computer was down Friday .... WOW ... I still can't believe it!

Congratulations to all the nomineees .... just being nominated wins for me!!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

Thank you Sarah, Patsy, Sonya, Danni, Terrie, Sue Ann, Bonnie, Shelli, Cheryl, Dilu, Laura and anyone else I may have missed.

You have proved once again how compassionate you all are here at TT.  My husband and I cherish you all.

Hugs,

Wanda

Fellow TT'rs,

I can only say "Thank You" to everyone at TT who (without knowing) lit a fire under me to submit an entry to the contests.  As some of you know, last year was not very good for my husband who had colon cancer, surgery and chemotherapy.  The teddy bears were put on the back burner for most of the year and we were pretty much confined to home.  Very few bears were made and I struggled to get the piece finished for TBAI show.   My "away from reality time" was reading posts on Teddy Time.  After reading all the comments, suggestions, etc. for taking pictures and making entries for the contests, I thought ......"I want to be a participant, ......I want to be like the other TT'rs and give it a try."    So I made the deadline and entered the contests.

Treatments are finished and my hubby is recovering, thank God.  Life is good again and receiving a TOBY nomination has been the cherry on top for me.   I can only say "Thank You" to you all in the forum for keeping me "in the know" while we were convalescing and for instilling the desire to be a participant. 

Hugs,

Wanda

Jodi,

I'll take this opportunity to share your post to Congratulate all the nominees for the TOBY and Golden Teddy Awards.   You all did a fantastic job!!! ...... I don't know how they choose the winners as there are soooo many entries that could easily be awarded the honors.   I'm sure it would be a tough, tough job ...one that I would have difficulty doing .... I would want to give them ALL awards as they all are truly deserving.

Hugs,

Wanda

Tami,

I can't tell you what size wire I use, but I just go to the hardware store (we have a small local one) and just feel and touch and bend all the available gauges til I find the one I think will work.  It has to be stiff enough to hold the shape but pliable enough to move the arms/legs.

I bend the paw end over on itself so the end is not sharp and then wrap it with electrical tape or duct tape and then pad the whole wire armature with polyfil before putting it in the arm.   I don't have the wire going directly to the end of the paw, maybe just into the paw because I usually just have the arm to bend, not the paw itsself.  Course you could extend the wire further into the paw, but I'm always a little careful about doing this as I don't want to poke a hole accidentally in the paw pad.

Remember to lightly stuff the arm so you will be able to bend the wire.  If you stuff too tightly, it won't bend.

Hugs,

Wanda

Dear Paula,

Just a quick note here as I've got to get ready for work, but I tried something entirely NOT ME before and just hated it.  I know the "doesn't feel right" feeling.  We must stay true to our hearts for that is when we "shine" through our creations. 

I too have chucked a few "Not Me" pieces and haven't regretted doing so.  So don't beat yourself up over it ...you tried it and it just wasn't you .... so now you'll never wonder ....what if I had .... now you know!!!   So it wasn't a total loss.

Have a better day ...now off to work.

Hugs,

Wanda

Dearest Jane,

My prayers go out to your children, your husband and yourself for speedy recovery for hubby and good reports for your daughter.   I know the power of prayer as my husband is now recovering from colon cancer and on the way to good health.  So it is my turn to help someone else in a similar situation. 

May God Bless and watch over you and yours.

Hugs,

Wanda

Sorry to say I never had a teddy bear as a child ... I did have a little blue pony that was my constant companion.  I remember sewing a blanket for it, but I have no idea to where it disappeared.  I think it was still at home in a box when I married and left home.

I guess I'm enjoying the teddy bears now, later in life.   Better late than never.

Hugs,

Wanda

Daphne,

We are so proud of you and your accomplishment with Mimzy .... Way to go !!!!

I will definitely have to see this movie so I can say ...Hey, I know the gal that made that bunny!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

Thank you Paula for starting this thread.  I must say I have seen the most wonderful little creations ...almost like going to a teddy bear artist show from the comfort of my own home while lounging in my pj's.

All I can say is  "WOW" ....!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

I did not make very many bears during 2006 as I was busy caring for my husband who has just finshed treatments and on the road to recovery, Thank God!

I would have to say the piece I sent to TBAI would have to be my favorite for 2006.

Hugs,

Wanda

Sue Ann,

As far back as I can remember, we always had blackeyed peas on New Year's Day.  Mom told me that for everyone I ate, I would gain $1 in the new year.  Guess who "pigged out" on blackeyed peas.

We usually have a quiet evening at home, maybe some pizza and a movie.  The last couple of years, I haven't been able to stay up til midnight .... the bed calls to me and I know that if I don't get at least a few hours sleep, I'll have a crummy New Year's Day and I would rather enjoy the day than the evening beforehand.

Hugs,

Wanda

For the first time in several years, we did not have Christmas at our house.  We left home at 4 a.m. Christmas morning to drive 3 hours to be with daughter and family.  At 6:50 a.m. we were unloading packages for under the tree and did it without waking the kids.  Were they surprised to see grandma and grandpa that early on Christmas Day.

Santa brought an inflatable hover disc whick provided entertainment for all the "kids".

And of course Max the family pet had to get in on the madness!!!

A fun day was had by all !!!

Merry Christmas Birgitte !!!!

Hugs,

Wanda

Jane,

Thank you for such a wonderful time !!! .... and for all the wonderful times you have given us here at Teddy Talk,

Hugs,

Wanda

Season's Greetings to All Teddy Talk Folk .... May 2007 be a Blessed Year for you All.

Wanda

Sandi,

So glad to hear you and your family are safe and warm.  My daughter lives in Glen Carbon and they were without power for 6 days from Friday through Thursday.  There was no electricity in their subdivision.   They were lucky to find a room at the Hampton Inn in Collinsville .... so they are looking into an alternative heating which does not require electricity.  They could have installed a good system for what the Hampton bill totaled.  But at least they had a warm place to sleep and the kids did enjoy the swimming pool.

Hope you get all your repairs done in good time.

Hugs,

Wanda

Well,

Wendy and Judi ...you all have company ...I'm to be a gorilla too!!! ...Hey, does that mean we get to be around TARZAN !!!!    That could be a silver lining to this gorilla cloud.

Wanda

Hi All,

As to the stitches sliding off the sides of the noses when embroidering, I use a fabric glue stick.  It is water soluble, non-toxic and acid free, so it will not do any damage to your fabric for the 100+ bear years.  Since it is water soluble, if you get it on your hands or in places on the bear you don't want it on, it will come off easily.  And it does dry clear.

I use the template and when I get to the edges, put a smidgeon of the fabric glue on with a toothpick and then as you take each stitch, push it down onto the glue and it will stay.

I don't like to "glue" my bears either, but I consider this a "sewing" application since it is a fabric glue stick.

Hope you give it a try.

Hugs,

Wanda

Daphne,

Yes ... venue is important.    Personally, I like a show that is held in a very nice atmosphere ... most collectors and artists too, love to see nice, clean facilities that are "special"  ... after all, the collectors have saved their bear money to go to a show to choose "the one speical bear" and are expecting to be entertained with beautiful surroundings, something that might be a bit "nicey nicey" even ....which makes the chosen bear even more special as it was purchased at this magnificent showplace.   

Seating and refreshments are nice too, but should be separate from the bears.  A comfortable place should be available to rest and contemplate teddy bear purchases and visit with fellow collectors to compare their "prizes".

I feel a show should make both the collector and artist feel special ..... and one way is to have beautiful surroundings that compliment the artistry of the bears.

Hey, I want to go see something really nice that I don't get to see every day in my hum drum life.  I want excitement, color, lots of smiling faces and so many wonderful bears that I can't make up my mind which one to take home!     

Hugs,

Wanda

Hayley,

You are one lucky gal ...I came soooo close to purchasing Rambo while at Schaumburg, but I had promised myself not buy anything since we were just "visiting" so to speak.

Rambo is great and I know you will enjoy him immensely .... and if not, send him to me.

Hugs,

Wanda

Aaaah ...don't know what I would do without my Harry Potter tapes.  I have all of the books on tape and listen from #1 to #6 .. ... I have lost count as to how many times I have listened to them. 

On some, I hear things I missed before.  Love Jim Dale as the narrator and all the different characters he portrays.

I have gotten several good ones from our local library, mysteries to Zane Gray.  And when I'm not listening to the books, I listen to music on tape.

It is kinda hard to watch what you are stitching and a good movie on TV.  I'm sure you will enjoy them Daphne.

Hugs,

Wanda

I must say, the test was about "right on" with me ...haven't figured out the coffee yet as I ansered "Yum" ..???

Family, Love, Money, Career and Pride ...  Laughed at the Sea ... answered "Big" ... and I guess my life is big as it is going in many directions.

Was amazed as I could not think of someone for white, so I guess I don't have a twin soul and I"m a Gemini.   

Thanks for the test, was fun.

Wanda

The photo lady, Margaret, has called me three days in a row leaving messages and today my hubby answered the phone.  He didn't know who it was and told the lady I was really behind on orders and would have to get back with her.  She didn't want to leave her phone number and he said "Oh, I have your numer on ID" and she just said "Oh" ... and it wasn't too long after that she hung up.

Wonder if I'll get another call or message?

Wanda

Thankzzzzzz .... you gals behave!!! ...yeah ...right!!!