Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Jodi, Sue will be in my prayers today.  Please keep us posted.   :pray:  :pray:  :hug:  :hug:

Looks like your bear website is back to normal but your handbag site is still messed up.  I'll have to check back later because I want to see your handbags.  Didn't know you made them.

Wow, Lynette, what a beautiful place to live.  You have a great garden and what a view ! ! !   Thanks for sharing.

Too cute, Tami.  Love these cute animal pictures.  Keep 'em comin'.

Thank you Kim and Tami.   Baxter is still a pup at almost 2 years old and he loves loves loves to play and is always so happy.  He doesn't just wag his tail, he wags his whole back half.  Paige is so good with him, takes him to the dog park and jogging on a regular basis and loves him to pieces.  She doesn't even mind when he slobbers on her.  Yuck.  Oh, and I agree that Paige is beautiful too, being her mother and all.  She is an amazing person already at only 22.

Awwwww, how good they are together.  Congratulations ! ! !

When you design your mini patterns, do you design the pattern larger then reduce it?  It just seems that for such a small pattern, you would have to be sooooo accurate in your measurements for head gusset and foot pads that it would be easier to get everything fitting properly then reduce it.

Just wondering how you all do it.

I'm with Laurie and Chrissi, I'd charge double, or maybe even triple ! ! !  :twisted:   And don't accidentally leave any pins in.  That wouldn't be nice.

Here's a picture of my daughter's Boxer, Baxter.  He was exhausted from chasing a tennis ball up and down our steep driveway and panting with this gigantic tongue.  I told my daughter, Paige, to quick take a picture with his big tongue hanging out . . . and here he is:

and here's Baxter and Paige

Here's a recipe for

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

.  I make this every year for Thanksgiving dinner.  Very yummy.

Graham Cracker Crust
1  3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
7 T melted butter
1/4 cup sugar

Mix all ingredients.
Press into bottom and 2 inches up side of spring form pan.
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
Cool slightly

Filling
3  8oz pkgs cream cheese
3 T flour
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 eggs
1 cup sugar

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, flour and pumpkin pie spice until soft and creamy.  Add canned pumpkin, then eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Gradually beat in sugar until it is all incorporated.  Pour into prepared pan.  Bake at 350 for 45 - 50 minutes or until center jiggles slightly when pan is gently shaken (center will set upon standing).  Remove from oven and increase temperature to 450 for topping.

Topping
1 pint sour cream
2 T sugar

In small bowl, stir together sour cream and sugar.  Spread over top of cake.  Return cake to oven for 5 minutes or until cream is set.  Transfer to wire rack.  Let cool completely before removing from pan.  Refrigerate covered for 24 hours.

Thank you Gemma, Connie and Claudia.  I know it's early for a Christmas bear, but I had this head that turned out too big on another bear, so I adjusted the pattern and made another head. (That was Elery, my Halloween bear.)  Then I had this leftover head without enough mohair to make another whole bear.  So, I figured a Christmas bear was in order.   Claudia, I'm glad Fagan helped you feel better, even if it's only momentarily.

Well, my daughter is here visiting from the SF Bay area with her boyfriend this weekend to celebrate my B'day.  Last night we went to dinner with my parents and today we're going to the historic downtown districts of Grass Valley and Nevada City to browse through all the cute shops (while my hubby and Paige's boyfriend wait patiently for us on the sidewalk) then have lunch in one of the great downtown restaurants.  What fun, huh? ! !

Claudia, I am glad your husband is feeling better.  I am so sorry to hear about his job.  Things do sometimes work out for the best.  God has a way of doing that, you know.  Closing one door to open another.  You and your husband will certainly be in my prayers.  Will you keep us posted?
:pray:   :pray:   :pray:   :hug:   :hug:   :hug:

Paula, the result is . . . perfect.    Beautiful bear and I love love love his eyes.  Wow.

Payer said, luck wished.  Have a great show ! ! ! !

Hmm, "a stitch in time saves nine".  I've heard it a gazillion times, but . . . . what does that really mean?  Saves nine what?

AWE-SOME, Gemma.  Congratulations.  :clap:   :clap:   I'm so happy for you ! ! ! !

Reason to celebrate . . .

I love everything about this bear ! ! !   

I'm ready.  And, I have an idea.  How about wire armatures in small or mini bears????   That's something I've always wanted to try but don't know how.

Thank you Jane and Marion.  Fagan and I appreciate your compliments.     

There's been a cricket on the stairs in the house the last two days.  I haven't been able to bring myself to touch it because I remember something about a cricket being good luck.  Even my dogs are ignoring it.  Does anyone remember anything about that?

Penny,   oh my gosh, what is that on your post???  You find the wierdest stuff.  I love it.

Thank you, Sara Jane.  He'll have a place next to my Christmas tree this year, unless I decide to sell him.

I love her and her color is great ! ! ! 

I know it's a little early yet, but . . .

Here's Fagan the 14 inch Christmas Elf.

  I just finished him.  Fagan is a Gaelic name meaning Little Ardent One, which seems fitting for an elf.

Fagan's suit is made of green and red mohair with green star shaped buttons.  His head and hands are tan mohair.  His cape, cuffs and hat trim are long white mohair. I crocheted his hat.  He has befriended a cardinal.

Fagan has black glass eyes with needlefelted eyelids and sclera.  His nose is also needlefelted.

When you say opaque or transluscent fabric, what do you mean?   What kind of fabric do you use exactly?  Like a sheer curtain type fabric?  Or thicker, like batiste?