Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Thanks Tami for sharing these piccies.  I love the little pale one in the last photo!   Otters are my mums favourite animal so I've printed them off for her too. 

Hugs Ali

I LOVE him     

Hugs Ali x

Welcome to Yorkshire Sophie 

Hope the weather is kind to you this weekend - the Dales are beautful on a fine day.

Look forward to seeing your piccies!

Hugs Ali x

p.s. hugs to Pauline too  :hug:

:crackup:   :crackup:  :crackup:

aaahhh bees, spiders, wasps, mice, lizards -  I'm actually quite pleased to be in raining (drenched) uk at the mo! Not a bee or wasp in sight    There, I've found something positive about having not seen sunshine for a while!

However, I do love the picture of your garden (looks so innocent and peaceful  ) - that beautiful bush must have encouraged the bee there in the first place - can't blame it, gorgeous setting.

Hugs Ali x

:crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:   so so true!!!!!! Thanks Tami I needed that giggle!

Hugs Ali x

Thanks Tami, I'm so pleased your back - I love looking at your daily pictures!

Oh god I want the one in the middle picture - actually any one of them would do!       

Would love to see an artists version of one of these precious babies - anyone tempted?

Hugs Ali x

Luckily my husband was off from work on Monday and I spent the whole day shut in my bedroom (away from the kids) and only came out for the neccessities  .  When I finished I did feel disappointed at the end - I know its a childrens book and had to end that way but I wish she did an alternative adult version.  We did seem to spend more time in the forests than was necessary and not enough time at Hogwarts at the end. Also we find out that ...... becomes a teacher at Hogwarts, but I would also like to know what the rest of the kids did when they grew up - probably working for Ministry of Magic.

There was no major 'oh no' at any of the deaths for me although the couple that died was such a shame leaving an orphan behind (Harry was a great choice as GF).  The burial was sad but didn't upset me as much as when we lost Dumbledore & Sirius(I have read both books 4 times and I still need a box of tissues near me!)    I don't think the film of Sirius's death was quite so shocking as the book although I did have a small tear in the cinema!  :redface:

Brenda, JKR admits that it was Mr Weasley that got the reprieve in The Order of the Phoenix - she was going to kill him off. Glad she didn't - I LOVE the Weasleys.   

Cheryl, my daughter will be 10 next week (aaahhhh !!!!!!!!) She also couldn't be 'bothered' with the books, but she has seen all the dvds of Harry Potter so far.  I go and see them at the cinema first and vet them for her first (my excuse  ).   I think some of the Dr Who series have scared her more! HP certainly shows kids that good wins in the end and also that its cool to wear glasses, be ginger or prefer brains over frills! Can't be bad.

Anyway, what do we read next any thoughts?  I've been told Tunnels by Gordon & Williams is the next big thing, anyone read this?

Hugs Ali x (one potty Potter fan)

Dear Daphne, thank you so much for finding the time in your already hectic schedule for doing this brilliant tutorial.  I'm going to attempt a bigger bear next so I can have a go. 

Hugs Ali x

OMG he's amazing!!!!   

Lost for words - I'm in awe of you!

I'm with you Lisa, wish he was mine 

Hugs Ali x

Oh god he's lovely   

Great paw pads Daphne (must must have a go at trying that) and such a perfect nose - you really are an inspiration!

One more to tick off that list of yours 

Hugs Ali x

What a beautiful setting!  Lucky you!

Hugs Ali x

Pauline can you pick me up on your way to Penny and can I have Johnny Depp in my cabin PLEEEEEEEEEASE  :pray:

Its dry here at the moment, but its only a matter of time - can't remember what Summer should be like!!! Kids finish school today - better get their swimming costumes out!

Hugs Ali x

oooo what a good post!

I'm meant to be a Capricorn, but I'm not true to the sign!

Not really into antiques and would actually prefer a handmade gift or one that has taken alot of thought, rather than an expensive one. 

I'm also not ambitious in any way (only to improve my bear making skills!)

But I am reliable - I take a peek at TT every day! 

Ali x

What a lovely post 

Thanks Judi

Hugs Ali x

Too cute for words

I love the last two pictures  :crackup:

I put some dressing-up reindeer antlers on my dog last Christmas and he stayed rooted to the spot - aren't they funny!!!

Hugs Ali x

Daphne your an absolute star! I too have read it a few times and I think I've got the gist of it - but pictures would be the icing on the cake 

Ali x

Thank you so much ladies this has given me plenty of paws for thought  :crackup:

Catherine thats exactly the look I wanted, I thought about doing it your way, but I'm not sure if I might be a bit too clumsy for it (being such a wee bear) - oh hell I will give it a go after all I'm not selling my bears yet as I'm still learning  (their all mine  )

As you said, I'll take it slow!!!!.    p.s. I Love the bear you posted - I can't stop looking at its fur - where do you get your supplies from? (is there such a thing as a fur addict - I think I need help! - I have three large boxes of fur now!) Hasn't stopped me looking & shopping for more thou!

Daphne, I like the sound of tapunto, but it does sound difficult  :doh:  When you start off, (sorry may be a silly question), am I right that the fur of the mohair should be touching the felt before basting?  Will try this technique in future!

Needle felting sounds so exciting - I love the bears that have needle felted muzzles too - will look into this further thanks Gail.

Big higs Ali x

Hello ladies and gents, I have come to a stand still with my fifth little bear - I thought it would be a challenge to do a polar bear on all fours (haha) and as I seem to be getting to grips with the basic bear making  , I want to try something new.  I LOVE the paws that are furry with suede inlays e.g. a large circle for the ball of the foot and 4/5 oval or small circles above with stitches coming off as claws (does this make sense????).  I noticed that Shelley from Kooter Boo and Jodi from Story time bears have used this style on their polars.

The thing is I have already sewn the furry pads on but have not stuffed the leg as yet - is it too late to add pads?  Also the bear is only 5" and I'm not a nimble sewer - yet!!!!  Any advice would be very much welcomed (if not an alternative paw idea would be appreciated).  My poor bear has been in bits for nearly a week now and I desparately want to finish him.

Many thanks, Ali x

I like them both - but No. 2 best for October

Hugs Ali x

I love the name Sage. My husband didn't like unusual names either. 

We called our first daughter Hannah Louise (after a particularly beautiful young actress that was around when my daughter was born) and with our second daughter it took us three days AFTER her birth to decide a name for her! I wanted to call her India - we finally agreed to call her Sophie Marie (but I call her Sophia because she has a firey personality!!!!). 

I also love to find out the origins of the name - Hannah means Gift or Favour and Sophie means Wisdom. Sage means Wise.

Hopefully, once your hubby has witness the marvel of birth, he will agree that you've earnt the right to choose her name  :pray: 

Best wishes & hugs Ali x  :hug:

Hi, I'm still a newbie (just finished bear no 5!!!!!) and although four of them have the 10 - 2 position, I did make an amine bear with low ears which I really liked.  It was a pattern I bought from Jennylovesbenny.  I think it suits the flatter faced bears best and will probably do it again when the right bear comes along. I also turned the ears on their sides, so the fur was face upwards and the suede faced the side of the head (hope this makes sense!!!!  )

Love your little witch - hope she does well in the show. 

Hugs Ali x

Hope your work gives you the distraction you need  :hug:  Hopefully I can fly some fur tonight!

Hugs Ali x

She's a laaaaaady!!!!!! Something old fashioned me thnks

Prudence? Amelia?

or a flower perhaps - Violet? Petunia?

Hugs Ali x

Hi Melanie, thanks for asking this question, I've been wondering about this for a while and I'm quite relieved that people use both forms to make their bruins. 

I have only made a few small bears and one rabbit, all handsewn, but this post has given me the confidence to use my machine for the larger ones and NOT feel that I've been cheating! 

Hugs Ali x

oh my - how gorgeous she is 

Hope you are able to work out the problem so your can keep her  :pray:

Best wishes, Ali x