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Last one... and only the TOBY will see this one, as I just finished it this week (finally!) Maybe the B&B contest due in April, too... we'll see.
Anyway... I call this one POSY. And yet again, you all helped me get her made! Judi said to try RIT dye and after I had tried the CUSHING'S acid/protein dye on my other piece, I figured, why not? So I tossed in some long-pile, somewhat wispy, curly-matted mohair into the washing machine -- and no, it did not ruin my washing machine -- and this is the result. Well, this is the result... after I then sat on it, and washed it again, and rubbed it around in circles, and washed it even again, to get this fuzzy, wispy, distressed-but-not-painted-or-plucked look I was after. (And FYI... I found that the acid dye resulted in a rich, deep color on the mohair, and almost none on the backing... and RIT dye did the opposite: resulted in a deeper tone on the backing, and a very light coloring on the mohair.)
I tend to use colored floss for noses and colored eyes, and rarely add whites to them. So I thought I'd try to make POSY more traditional, using black eyes and black floss, in combination with this cool dyed frizzed out mohair in need of some Frizz-Ease treatment, big time. It was a challenge because working in black at first felt "flat" to me, but I guess like with all bearmakers, my own style peeked through at some point in the process, so I think she still looks like "me," but a little... different.
Her eyes are not actually felt, which is my former method of doing whites, but are painted directly onto her mohair, after it was thoroughly plucked free of hair and wisps. A first time for me! And then, of course, I couldn't let her out of the studio without eyelids. Gotta have eyelids, no matter what! Laughing here....
POSY has upholstery velvet pawpads -- THANK YOU KIMBEE FOR THAT!!!! It came right from your house to mine in a trade! -- and is shaded in blacks, grays, and sepia browns to harken back to a more "vintage" feeling (despite the fact that she's clearly a contemporary gal!) She's also wearing a gorgeous dark chocolate brown neckband I made for her from wide, two-sided velvet ribbon, to which I added a center strip of beautiful embroidered and sequinned matching narrow velvet ribbon.
She's just under 15" from toe to top of head.
Again, I thank you for your invaluable assistance in getting what was in my head from there, into production, and ultimately, in front of my camera! And a special thanks to Kim for the great upholstery velvet.
I love TEDDY TALK!
Kim-Bee BearsOH Posy is adorable too, you are killing me, Shelli, you really are!!! She looks kid of anime to me! WOW! 
I am so happy that I contributed to this lovely girl!!! She is wonderful Shell, she really is...
Apple Dumpling DesignsPrecious...sweet...scrumptious...
Cleathero CreationsJust delightful.
Past Time BearsI've looked at all three of your contest entries and if you don't get nominated for ALL of them, there is NO justice in the world!! Simply superb - very creative and imaginative - every one! You're a genius!
That's a truly wonderful compliment, Sue Ann... but you know more than most how these things go. Who knows what makes a "good" nominee? Only the judges, and the circumstances, and the other submitted pieces, and personal tastes, and trends, etc.
I decide before even entering that it's entirely okay if I come away with nothing more than feeling good about trying something new and really stretching myself.
Having said that, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't love a nod (or two, or twenty seven (ha!)) again. It was a floaty thing for me when it happened the last time. I hope to recapture that again; what great validation, and how happy it makes me to know people don't just like, but respect, my work.
Since you're a winner yourself, I know you know what I mean.
I really do wish everyone entering my heartfelt luck!
Posts: 1,153You're going to ' knock em dead' when they see your entries, shelli.
Absolutely adorable! What else can one say?
Hugs,
Nancy
bears by beesley TMReally sweet!
many Hugs Louise
BEAR ME SHOOTKA
I like your girls bears the most but this guy is trully adorable!! :hug:
love his eyes.. 
HUggs, julia
Patsy Lake BearsShelli, I love your creations as I have said many times but I really think posy has to be my all time favourite .....she is simply beautiful ..... I love her if she doesn't win you something I will eat my words ....... :pray: :pray: :pray:
Newcastle, OntarioShelli,
Posy is delectible - I love her. I particularly like the full picture - she is just begging to be nominated LOL! I haven't checked your other nominees yet, but I'm with Sue Ann on this one. If she doesn't garner a nomination, the judges must need glasses!
Hugs,
Brenda
Shelli...I don't know how you do it.
I love these eye - I think they are beautiful...maybe a little more subdued than your normal look but it's kind of a "come hither" look...I'm frustrated because I can't describe what I mean..suffice it to say WOWZA
Newcastle, OntarioShelli,
Pirouette is wonderful. Ballet bears are a (*%*# to make - the costumes are difficult, but yours is faaaabulous. She looks like she is enjoying every minute of her class!
Hugs,
Brenda
Newcastle, OntarioOops - posted both comments on the same thread - must be cuz it's 3:30 a.m. and I should be in bed ! LOL
Brenda
Thank you all so much for the nice comments. They're very reassuring and mean the world to me. 
Sophie Z'OursI just looooooooooooooove Posy! Such a sweetie! I whish I had a Posy in my collection!!!!
You are a fairy!
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Beary hugs,
Sophie.
Posts: 1,277Another wonderful creation, Shelli! She is a real sweetheart. Best of luck!
LuxembearsWhat a cutie for sure! With her being just under 15" did you enter her in the over 14" large undressed?
I am very glad the dye worked for you. That is really good stuff.
I love the face on this sweet bear. Fabulous work!
With her being just under 15" did you enter her in the over 14" large undressed?
Ayup!
Thanks again, everyone, for the nice comments. :hug:
Another great bear.....I hope you do well..well I know you'll do well
Flying Fur StudiosAwsome job, I love how you're always trying to evolve. You always come up with something new.
Good luck. I'm sure glad I"m not judging. Sooo tough
Shelli, I can't even find the words to describe how amazed I am at your never ending talent. You have such an incredible imagination and your creations are beyond exceptional- each and every one of them.
Posy has an adorable face . I love here.
Beautiful bear Shelli. Absolutely beautiful face.
Nova Scotia,CanadaWonderful creation Shelli !! A bit different than your usual but still so very true to your unique style and awesome workmanship!! Best of luck!! :hug: :hug:
Past Time BearsI'm thinking that I must be a dimwit . . . I've never made anything special for the competitions. I just go through all my photos of creations for that particular year and decide if there is anything worthy enough to enter. Did the same for this year. After seeing everyone else's entries, I'm embarrassed to say that I don't have anything entered that will touch any of your work! I did enter Colton (everybody has already seen his pic) in the undressed > 14" category (same as Shelli's Posy)! AAAAARRRRGGGHHHH. Then there's Dumplin' (her pic is up here somewhere, too) who went in the undressed < 14" category. Next year, think I'll get my rear in gear and try something special. Not that it would matter, but maybe I need to stretch a little. Much good luck to everyone who entered. :hug: :hug: :hug:
