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Delightful!! Little Willy is gorgeous and the photos are really cute in the snow! 
Hugs
Marilyn 
Hi Edie,
I'm back again!! One of the problems with my machine (which I was told could not be mended by the so-called service man) was similar to yours, the needle position had shifted to the right. I forgot to say earlier that my machine is by Frister + Rossman. What had happened was that the whole unit housing the needle and further up the machine had moved so we took my machine apart and slowly worked out how it could be taken apart to adjust this fault. It didn't take long to see the problem and solve the mystery and my machine is working fine. If you or your husband are good at fixing things, then have a go at tackling it, if nothing else you will be able to understand the workings of the machine by having a good look and will soon know if you have been told a whole load of nonsense. You can always put it back together again in the same way.
Go on - you know you want to!! He!
Hugs
Marilyn
Hi Edie,
Sorry to hear about your poorly sewing machine. You haven't said what was wrong with your machine, but I went through a similar situation a couple of years ago. I took my lovely sewing machine of 35 years to be serviced as it had developed a problem. I was told that there was a certain problem with the machine that could not be fixed and would no longer be able to do stitches normally. Well, with nothing to lose, my hubby and I decided to take the machine apart to see what was causing the problem (I love dismantling things to see how they work!). We soon found out what was causing the problem and set about correcting it. I am pleased to report that my dear old machine is still alive and kicking and producing brilliant machining. This doesn't say much for the authorised Service Engineers who were recommended to be able to "sort out any problem" and who basically told us a pack of lies! If it's purely a mechanical problem with your machine, chances are you will be able to get it mended!! 
I also own one of the "all-singing-and-all-dancing" sewing machines that is meant to do everything under the sun, (Bernina) but certain stitches are not a patch on my dear old machine which I still use for all my bear work.
Hope you have some luck Edie, but it really is worth taking a look at your dear old friendly machine, it may just be a simple problem like ours. Plus don't forget, these shops are only tooooooooo happy for you to purchase a brand new machine from them!!
Hugs
Marilyn
Hi everyone,
Have only just seen this, so many CONGRATULATIONS to all the nominees! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
There are some outstanding works of art here, so very well deserved.
Hope no-one minds me saying - Krista, Azizi is absolutely beautiful!
Hugs
Marilyn x
What a beautiful gorgeous kitten Jenny. I love your little animals but I think this is my favourite, she's adorable.
Hugs
Marilyn
Merry Christmas to you too Lisa, and have a very happy birthday as well! :cake: :cake: :bday: :cake: :cake:
Love your dog!
Hugs
Marilyn x
SueAnn, you poor love, I am so sorry to hear that the events had such a bad effect on you and I can imagine it was difficult for you to write your post feeling as you do. :hug: :hug: :hug:
But horrors, I had absolutely no idea about the other Facebook page you mentioned ...... I'm lost for words. 
I really don't understand some people at all and the way they behave and act. They're sick. I am sure that if I had been unfortunate enough to come across their comments, I too would probably be finding the whole thing "tainted" and avoiding certain things. But I can always see both sides to any matter and I guess that because I haven't been aware of this other horrid Facebook page, I can look upon it in a different light maybe, meaning that if general follower numbers or Lilyfans etc decline in a dramatic way, then those b*****s have won.
Thank heavens for animal lovers and all those wonderful people who care for our little creatures in so many different ways and "good on you" SueAnn for helping at your local animal sanctuary. Long may you stand on your soapbox!!
Take care.
Hugs,
Marilyn :hug:
Hi, back again!
As I said earlier, I will be watching whenever I can, but I can fully understand why some do not wish to.
The work of Dr. Rogers, Donna, Sue and the mass of workers behind the scenes is to be applauded, :clap: they work tirelessly throughout the year with hardly a break, all for the good of the bears. Everyone has learnt such a lot from their findings and research, and they need our support even more now. I think they were probably more surprised than anyone by the way the initial filming of Hope being born "took off" across the world and the reaction it caused, propelled by the internet. It all just snowballed from there and has more than likely reached a level unimaginable to them in the first place.
But I personally think it is important to continue to support them. Without the determination and wonderful spirit of people like Dr. Rogers, the population will become even more ignorant of the wonders of the world in which they live, and miss out of something beautiful.
There are too many horrible things going on in the world. If there's something beautiful and enriching to watch, then I will grab it with both hands. 
Hugs
Marilyn x
Hi everyone,
I have been one of those happy daily followers of all the antics going on with Lily, Hope and all of the other bears. Obviously I was devastated whenever there was tragic and sad news concerning the bears, especially little Jason and Hope, and tears flowed for many days and still do on occasions when I think of certain things. It was hard reading some of the updates from the Centre, more tears flowed, but I am pleased that I continued because it's helpful to read other opinions, hear of how other people were feeling, it all helps with the "healing" process.
Like most people, I have lost very dear little pets. Though they are no longer around, you still love them and they will always remain in your heart. But that doesn't stop you from continuing to fall in love and I just know that there will be other little bears that will tug at our heart strings once again. So I for one am delighted that the webcam is back up and running so that we can observe Lily and Faith and I am also very pleased that she is not pregnant this year as attentions can now be turned to observing how a mother and her yearling react during hibernation without the worries of newborns.
I do agree though that maybe some things should be done on a lower key, maybe less "advertising" of certain events and just continue with various things more discretely, if that's at all possible in this day and age.
The camera on Ted and Lucky last year was priceless, better than any comedy on TV at times, especially with Lucky and his sticks and rocks! (poor Ted did suffer!) He's adorable and so funny. How he will react with Honey this year should be interesting!
So, in a nutshell, I will be glued! 
Hugs to all,
Marilyn x
Just love your needle felted faces, and this is another adorable character ..
Hugs
Marilyn x
Lovely bears Peter, but I am just wondering if you are going to box and wrap them up again so that you can be "surprised" on
Christmas Day and on your birthday!!!
Hugs,
Marilyn x
Another gorgeous character Susan, and I love his little friend too!
Hugs
Marilyn x
Thank you much for your lovely comments about little Delphine.
She has now been adopted!!
Hugs to you all,
Marilyn x
Now that's what I call perfection! (or should that be purrrrrrfection?)
I fell in love with this particular breed when I saw them at a wonderful cat show some years ago.
Absolutely beautiful and gorgeous ..... and I would like one please Santa ...... 
Hugs
Marilyn x
Hello,
Firstly welcome to dear old Teddy Talk!
I was just reading your post about the donkey you are hoping to make and I got the impression that you think maybe your pattern pieces are too small to already include a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Well, the first thing that struck me was that sometimes on magazine patterns, you may find a little note (maybe actually on the pattern pieces) saying that you had to enlarge the pattern by say 20 percent or something, so I would check your pattern wording first of all just to make sure, it might just say something about that.
As far as adding on the seam allowance, yes, that is fine provided you put it onto all edges. I can remember seeing somewhere a diagram of pattern pieces drawn around with two pencils side by side, one would mark the sewing line while the other (approx 1/4" apart) was drawing out the cutting line. By adding the seam allowance all the around, it is no different from just enlarging your pattern pieces by a photocopier or whatever. I hope I am making sense!
I am sure lots of lovely folk here will have other ideas too, but it was just the checking of the pattern size to see if it needs enlarging that I would check first.
Don't forget to show us your donkey when it's finished, we all like piccies here!!
Good luck!
Hugs
Marilyn
Hi everyone,
Please say hello to "Delphine", a different design to my usual bears as she has a more floppy nature and is loose jointed too. I have stepped into the world of BearPile and have been meaning to try this venue for some time, so she is for sale and can be found at http://www.bearpile.com/item/50564. Please wish her good luck!
Thanks for looking and enjoy a creative day!
Hugs to all,
Marilyn x
Aaww, he looks like he is standing in the corner because he's been a naughty doggy!
Such a lovely little photo of a lovely little dog, he's gorgeous!
Hugs
Marilyn
Aw Joanne, they are all absolutely beautiful!!!!
Such a beautiful little Christmassy scene too! Brilliant.
Hugs
Marilyn x
Hi Susan,
Christopher is certainly a lovely little bear!
And it was really great to see you again at the weekend! Take care.
Hugs
Marilyn x
Hi Laurie,
Many congratulations to you on your super success! Brilliant! I can see you grinning from ear to ear!
Congratulations to everyone else too!
Hugs
Marilyn x
