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Deb Dec 20, 2005

I have a bear started that I DESPERATELY want to finish for tomorrow for a gift.  I have legs, arms, and body all sewn, seams cleaned, and trimmed, curves clipped, fray check applied, etc.  Gusset is pinned to head and ready to sew.

So ... I have to:

- sew gusset to head, pick seams
- assemble
- stuff
- eyes, nose, mouth
- ears

This is a small bear.  I'd say 8", or there abouts. 

The kicker:  I have a Christmas party tonight.  It's the office party, and is scheduled to end at 9:00.  Think all that is do-able between say 10 and midnight?

I don't normally work like that ... I usually finish bears over severals days, sometimes only spending 15-20 minutes at a time.  Just wondering what your experience is ... those of you who would normally finish these items all at once.

Thanks.

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorDec 20, 2005

I don't know, Deb . . . I'm not sure I could finish in two hours, but then I work pretty slowly.  I'm gonna say 3 hrs. at the least for me.

Deb Dec 20, 2005

Thanks.  It's not like I couldn't work past midnight ... it's just that I turn into an ugly ol' witch if I don't get my rest!

Carolyn Green Dec 20, 2005

Good luck with finishng your Bear Deb and hope that you don't have to burn too much midnight oil!
Enjoy your office Christmas party.

Hugs
Carolyn

Daphne Dec 20, 2005

I'm thinking it will be about 1:00 when you are done! 

This was me last night:

10:00pm STILL working on those three mink bears... 10"each. (NO MORE MINK!!!)
I had to stuff and sew limbs and body and do ears on one. Stuff and sew another. The thrid was thankfully done.
Then I had to make bows from the stole's lining and embroider intitals on each bow. (OK, that was a joke as my sewing machine does a satin stitch but I've never worked with it... until last night!!)
Then I had to write on and laminate hang tags for all three.
Then take pictures for my own file.

I went to bed at 1:30 am and was up at 6:00. I hate that!!! I'm grumpy today but have just returned from delivering the bears..... the smiles made it all worthwhile and then some!!! Finished up the odds and ends of christmas shopping too and am now going to settle in and do my Christmas cards to family and friends! Hmmm... perhaps I'll just write Happy New Year on them??

Good luck, Deb. You can do it but best to anticipate it taking you a tad longer than your estimate! Hey, if you DO finish by midnight you'll be soooooo pleased with yourself and won't have dark circles under your eyes in the morning.

ADVICE: Don't rush..... Haste Makes Waste... and all that... is true! I had to resew an ear three times only because I wanted to hurry up and finish! It'd take me less time to go slow and do it once!

Hugs and a cyber coffee for your marathon sewing session tonight! It CAN be done!!!
Daphne

kbonsall Dec 20, 2005

I think the time it takes depends on a lot of things- mainly, do you hand sew or machine sew... if you machine, you can get it done no problem in two hours... unless you are adding extras like pulled toes and an outfit... if you sew by hand, I seriously doubt that 2 hrs will work... like SueAnn, I would say three at least!

gotobedbears Dec 20, 2005

BUY 'EM A HUGE BOX OF CHOCCIES AND GIVE THEM THE BEAR FOR NEW YEAR!!!  :bday:

Does this help Deb????     

Penny  :hug:

Deb Dec 20, 2005

Hugs and a cyber coffee for your marathon sewing session tonight! It CAN be done!!!

Oh there WILL be coffee, trust me.  And only Coke or Pepsi at the party.  Well, maybe one white wine spritzer.

I went to bed at 1:30 am and was up at 6:00.

Daphne ~ Take a little nap.  You'll feel better and won't get run down.

Love, Mom

Kim ~ Machine.  But all that's left is sewing gusset and head pieces together.

Thanks all.

Deb Dec 20, 2005

BUY 'EM A HUGE BOX OF CHOCCIES AND GIVE THEM THE BEAR FOR NEW YEAR!!!  :bday:

Does this help Deb????     

Penny  :hug:

THIS will be my contingency plan.  If I start falling apart 11ish, I'll do it!  Thanks!

nettie Dec 20, 2005

Two hours to sew a gusset stuff sew up and assemble!!!I would be very wealthy indeed if I could do that.I take two hours to stuff a head and make the face.Thats if it is to my liking first go and that is not very often.I would need another two to do the rest.Best of British to you and you have my respect if you make it.If you do come to the Scottish borders and show me how.
Diane xxxxxx

Sandi.S. Dec 20, 2005

Oh, Deb, good luck tonight with your bear. I hope he gets done without staying up too late! I have no idea if it's do-able since I don't make those kind of bears yet...but for me, I work great under pressure. I am terrible about leaving things til the last minute; that's how I work...but it always gets done!

Deb Dec 20, 2005

Diane ~ HA ... usually takes me two weeks, which is why I asked.      I just sooo wanted to get this finished on time, and it's not looking good.      But I'll do my best.  It may have to be an after Christmas gift.

Sandi ~ Me too!  I get told this every year on my performance review.  Hmm ... wonder if that's why they keep piling the work on.

Daphne Dec 20, 2005

Daphne ~ Take a little nap.  You'll feel better and won't get run down.

Love, Mom

Thanks, Mom! 
But I don't have time for that!
I know, I don't have time to be sick either! 

Deb Dec 20, 2005

LOL ... but note we have time for TT.  Go figure.

Sandi.S. Dec 20, 2005

Hee Hee...I was just thinking the same thing. On top of all the Christmas stuff going on, I need to clean my house for an appraiser to come in a couple days. No time for that, but plenty of time for this! I hope your sewing in between typing! 

Pipa Dec 20, 2005

all of that would take me about 3 days hehe good luck with your 2 hours !!!

Daphne Dec 20, 2005

LOL ... but note we have time for TT.  Go figure.

You got me!

I keep sitting here thinking "Just for a minute... just going to check in, then I'm going to go back to wrapping presents."

Then it's..."Oh, jeez, it's been an hour?? *%@&*!!!  Now I'm never going to get everything done!"

:doh:         :doh:   

patsylakebears Dec 20, 2005

Me too, talk about an addiction ...... I am now checking in three and four times in case I am missing anything ..... but if I don't check in there are too many new posts to read and it is even longer .......

Shelli Retired Help Advisor, Banner SponsorDec 21, 2005

It takes me an entire workday, sometimes two, just to do the dang head on my bears.  My saving grace is the ability to stay up nearly all night long.  My drug?  Coffee.

You're so sweet to do this as a gift but take care of you, first.  Part of that is enjoying your office party without guilt or pressure.  I hope you're able to do that! 

Have fun tonight!  I'm always on here late so I'll check in and say hello.

plushkinbear Dec 21, 2005

Deb, you must be done with the bear by this time...How was it? 

I do all my bears at night..don't have much time during the day, only if I'm in hurry to make a bear..
I stay up to 2-3 even 4 o'clock and I love to work at nigh..
I hand sew All my teddies, even 25-29 inches tall ones. So it takes much more then even a 5-10 hours, for just tecknically sew the bear. Plus, as you all know, decorating and making faces takes the most of time..  

I have to make two bears for the shoppe for the New Year, but I got cold and don't feel like sewing bears.. 

Julia Happy holidays to all of you, ladies :hug:

Marie_ Dec 21, 2005

Hi Deb, 
I hope your bear will be done by the time !!!  :pray: 
I guess you are going to the party now ? Have a fun !  :hug:   :hug:

Daphne ! 
I hope chocolates will keep you up !
I can' wait to see your mink bear♪
:hug:   :hug:   :hug:

PS. Quy , thanks for the Flag !
Are we doing TT olympic now ? 

Hugs/Marie

Daphne Dec 21, 2005

Well, it's 9:45pm Deb's (and my) time. She should be home from her party about now, into some comfy clothes, brewing a large pot of coffee and getting ready to finish that bear.

If I see you on here in the next few hours, Deb, I'll know you are goofing off! 

Let us know if you finished it or not. Don't forget to take pictures!

plushkinbear Dec 21, 2005

YES, pictires!!

How was your party, Deb? 
Julia

Dilu Dec 21, 2005

Debs,

girl how're you doing?

I spent 2 hours jointing-granted this week has been bad because of those #$###$ headaches I get......nevertheless, I have a smile on my face....really.....because now both legs and arms are stuffed.  the joints are working and the magnets stayed where they were supposed to...(like I had anything to do with that....thank you Magna-Tac)

The hubs left for his I'm-a-little-bored-with-retirement-maybe-I-should-get-a-part-time-job-so-I-can-keep-ordering-off-e-bay-for-the-project-cars job at 3:30.....I have been working pretty much straight through since and it's 8:00 PM....4.5 hours-jointed stuffed......except for the tumtum.

Nope honey, no matter how I cut it I could not do what you are having to do in 2 hours.

I have a really really really dumb question.......

ARE YOU HAVING FUN WITH THAT KIND OF A TIME PRESSURE?

just wondering

good luck, take a deep breath....we love you.......

we want pictures.......

dilu

Daphne Dec 21, 2005

It's 12:16 am Deb... how's it going?

Part of me envisions you fast asleep in your cozy bed.... bear parts in another room, strewn all over the place!

Then again.. the other part has complete faith in you that you are up sewing away like a busy beaver.

Can't wait to hear how it went!