Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

The 2" mohair is lovely but I just don't make bears that size. I do like the orange tipped mohair tho.
Marion

It's amazing how comforting a teddy bear can be.
I still remember giving my Mom a small mohair bear on Nov 28, 2003. I'll never forget cause I'd given a 'Care Bear" to our neighbour who was sick and my Mom laughed and said "I'm could be sick too" so I went and got her one as well. That night she did get sick and I had to rush her to the hospital. It was a chest infection and the doctor said "there's something wrong with your blood - looks like leukemia". We both nervously laughed because my Dad was in same hospital suffering from an immune illness and chronic leukemia. The next day they confirmed that my Mom had acute leukemia - she passed away thirty days later! That little bear stayed in the hospital with her the whole time and is now back home with my Dad, who made a miraculous recovery! She was the biggest fan of my teddy bears as I was of her quilts.

I'm glad for your sake and that you learned how much joy your teddy brought your grandmother.
Hugs,
Marion

Definitely mohair h/e a straight, dense mohair. I also moussed the top of the head to make it stand up. This is one of the fat quarters I bought from my friend...instead of $55 I paid $27.50. I'd coveted that particular piece for awhile but just cdn't bring myself to pay $55! I think I may shave the top of the gusset and just keep the nubs on the side - what do you think?

Marion

I didn't realize I had a green theme going until I looked again at some of my photos! other than the usual bear colours - I've been making a lot of green bears and rabbits. Not sure why...I didn't think green was my favourite colour.

Marion

I'm ashamed to admit that he's presently nameless. I'm not sure where his permanent home will be so I'll probably let his adoptive parents name him. I suspect he'll be living in Calgary so he'll probably have a cowboy name.

Marion

OK....here are the photos!

Thanks so much for the pattern. It being Labour Day - I laboured all weekend and finished him. I was trying for a girl but ended up with a boy...as usual. I have a lot of trouble making girl bears. Anyway, I'm pleased with him. At 13" he's much larger than I've been making for the past few years. Again, thanks,
Marion.

Sue Ann... tks for the link. I've ordered the 13" bear pattern. I went back to your site h/e and I can't access any patterns. Maybe it shows up different for you.

Marion

If the FreeFairy is anything like the Good Housekeeping Fairy we'll have a long wait!
I've actually been visited by the Good Housekeeping Fairy once. It was after a family party and I went to bed without cleaning up the kitchen. When I woke in the morning it was sparking clean. I said to my brother that the Good Housekeeping Fairy must have visited me and he told me that he would prefer to be referred to as "someone living an alternate lifestyle". :D

Marion

Actually, one of the pieces is a fat quarter of a beautiful pale green...plus yellow, blue, different browns and white. Plus I got a large bag of some very nice luxury furs that she was just giving away! Tonight I have to figure out where to put all this fur while happily running my fingers thru it.

Marion

My friend here in town has been our local source for mohair and other bear supplies - she runs a small business out of her basement. She just decided she doesn't want to stock the fur anymore! She is selling it off at HALF price. I just spent $200 at lunch for some fabulous pieces that I just cdn't resist. I feel guilty buying it at those prices but if I don't take advantage of it someone else will....right? Wish you gals were closer!
Now all I have to do is figure out how to collect more money for the end of Sept when Kierstan comes from Germany with more mohair for me. Life is so good right now and my husband won't complain cause he's going to Thailand for the month of October without me.

Marion

A close friend of my sister is an international airline attendant based out of Germany. She has visited with us several times and admired my bears and of course I gave her one. I asked her if she lived close to any shops for mohair in Germany. She went to Mannhein today and has bought me a whole bunch of Schulte mohair. She'll send me scans tonight. I told her to get me the interesting, out-of-the-ordinary stuff. She told my sister she went a bit overboard and won't tell her how much she spent so I might have to take out an emergency bank loan but I'm sure it'll be worth it. So what if the grocery budget is skimpy for awhile!
Just can't wait til she comes back later in September...you can never have too much mohair.

Hugs to all,

Marion 

Sue Ann....I've been to your site several times. On the left hand side the last button is for Moppets and then there is a white box with Bear of the Month, etc.
Can you send me  direct link to your patterns please,

Marion

Jane, I got the patteren from a shop in Calgary. Here is their website.
http://www.out-of-hand.com/index.html
I was fortunate enough to be able to visit there this summer - they have a wonderful selection of patterns, fabrics, needlefelting supplies, quilting, etc. etc.
Most of the patterns are from Bramblebury and what's even nicer is that there is a bear from each pattern in the store!

Marion

He's precious!  Do you ever sell patterns. I see somewhere on your website about patterns but you can't reach them for some reason.

Hugs,
Marion

I used roving for the mane - needle felted on. I think I actually used too much...may have to thin it out somewhat. The mohair is a sparse matted type

Marion

Thanks for the encouragement. I was feeling isolated and I must admit a bit ashamed that I just couldn't handle this by myself. I really didn't want to talk to people about it and wasn't really thinking of it like an actual illness. I do feel better on the meds and my husband is grateful cause he bore the brunt of my anger. Aren't husbands great!
Marion

I'm surprised at how many members are admitting to having or had bouts of depression. I was diagnosed last year with clinical depression but thought that I could handle it myself and it would just go away in time so after a couple of months I stopped my meds. Much to my dismay it didn't go away and I crashed. Now I faithfully take my meds and hope I can go off them in a few more months. Unfortunately the meds can affect you either with weight gain or weight loss. Guess what I got!!!

Marion

OK...try again

I just finished this lion from a Brambleberry Pattern. It was so much fun to do.

I have two brothers in Calgary - they can stand in for me!!
:D
Marion

Heather, feel free to boot my daughter instead...maybe that'll help me.

LOL
Marion

I've fallen off the wagon due to depression and have put on 40lb that I would dearly like to lose. I know how since I lost 120 lb and kept it off for 3 yr but I just haven't been able to commit to it yet. Would love any help I can get, including someone to boot me away from food. Stress eating is my downfall.

Marion

all right .... is there a limit on the amount of people who can sign up? shd I hurry and do it now? Do we have to have the head made before the course so that we learn to felt it....so many questions, sorry.
if your new bear is your favourite yet I just can't wait to see it - it must be fabulous.
Marion

I went to Weight Watchers 6 years ago and successfully lost 120 lb in 2 years. I love WW cause it's not a diet - you eat what you want but watch your points. That way you gradually change your eating habits and learn to eat responsibly. They also have an on-line site that is useful. I'm now a lifetime member so don't have to pay anymore. It was about $10 a week but entirely worth it. It also cost me a fortune in clothing cause every 3 mth or so I had to re-do my wardrobe. If you want more info please feel free to email me directly.

Good Luck,
Marion