Hello From The Hug!

(July 2007)

G’day all! Last month I said it was cold at the home of Tag Along Teddies in Toowoomba. Well, recently it has been FREEZING!! We’ve had a few days where the difference between low and high temps has only been 3 degrees and a couple of days have dipped into negative figures. For our overseas teddy lovers that may be a normal winter, but here in ‘sunny’ Queensland, some of us don’t cope well! I’ve been knitting fluffy scarves and huddling in front of the heater, counting down to Spring. Still, it’s a good excuse to lock myself in the lounge with a heater, a DVD and some sewing.

Since the last newsletter I’ve been back to my home town Mundubbera for a 20th school reunion (has it really been 20 years since I finished Senior?!?!) and took part in the inaugural Bear and Doll Extravaganza. It was a great opportunity to chat with people who’ve heard from my Mum what I’m up to and let them see the patterns I design, as well as a fun time of chatting with fellow bear lovers. I sold a good number of patterns and I predict that the bear population of Mundubbera will soon grow! Some ladies were also keen to have me tutor a weekend bear making workshop, so details are being worked out. I really enjoy not only the finished product of having furry bear faces smiling back at me, but also the process of making teddy bears, so it’s great to pass on skills and tips in workshops.

The other exciting thing to happen since last newsletter is the publication of a Tag Along Teddies design in the June issue of “Homespun” magazine (Vol. 8 No. 6). The team at Homespun did a brilliant job with the layout and it was very cool to see my design in print. There are lots of other great projects in this issue – which is why it’s my favourite publication, it always has so many fantastic projects to add to the ‘To Do’ list! For those unable to buy Homespun who think a book bag with a stitchery bear may be a project that’s up your alley – fear not! I will release “Bookworm Bear & the Hunney Hive” as a stand alone pattern by the end of the year. It’s a project that makes a great gift for the bookworms you might know – young or old!

It’s also my pleasure to announce the winner of the newsletter sign-up pattern draw. (What a mouthful!) Congratulations to Shirley F.! Shirley gets to choose her favourite Tag Along Teddies pattern and will soon have a new project to add to HER list of things to do!! Keep an eye on the newsletter and website for future give-away’s and competitions!

For those who have been reading “Hello From The Hug” newsletters since the beginning, you will remember me mentioning a coming project of a Christmas stocking featuring a stitchery of a teddy bear with his Christmas list. This poor little teddy keeps getting put on hold due to other projects having more urgent deadlines put on them, but you’ll be pleased to know the design has been finalised and I’m now working on the sample. I’m hoping to have this little Christmas bear pattern ready for a late July launch, just in time for “Christmas in July” projects or to start early for Christmas. Keep an eye out!

Another pattern that has moved from drawing board to sewing desk, (about a metre! Tee! Hee! Hee!) is the first of two teddy bear designs I’m donating to Fresh Hope Patterns. She is a cute girl bear called Taylah (named after one of our nieces!) and she will be wearing her jammies and holding her bedtime friend. All proceeds from Fresh Hope Patterns go towards the running costs of the Fresh Hope program – check the web site through my “Links” page! I’ve met some wonderful people since becoming involved in Fresh Hope fund raising, especially Mary and Deb who work behind the scenes and Karen and John who run the centre. This is a unique and vital program that relies on community support and generosity to continue, so I hope you will visit their web site and keep an eye out for the patterns in your fave patchwork shop – OR you will soon be able to buy them on-line with a web site being built as we speak! (in the next room, in fact, as it’s yet another project my wonderful techo husband is undertaking!)

Wow! I’ve obviously had a busy few weeks and have written much more than usual – I hope you haven’t dozed off at the keyboard, or you’ll have little square marks on your face from snoozing on the keys! Tee! Hee! Hee! Have a great month and remember, I’d love to hear your feedback about the patterns or site! Til next “Hello From The Hug”,

CHEERS!
KRIS