Guess you've all just about given up on us, since it's well over a month since we last posted.  There are good reasons:  when Isobel is not sewing, and helping me write about her activities here, she is also the Secretary to the Old Chapel Close (OCC) Tenants' Association (which is where we live, as most of you know).  That duty has impinged on our lives somewhat since the beginning of February, but it has now hopefully been handled to the satisfaction of our Friends here at OCC.  It did however involve letter writing hither and yon, attending meetings called to deal with the subject matter of said letters, and setting up an agreement between our Landlord and us Tenants, which we hope will provide a framework for future collaboration.  Since several of our Friends here are house-bound, that meant Isobel having to visit these ladies and gentlemen, and once there, she couldn't really rush away, because we all like having visitors to speak to, especially if one is dependent on Carers (with little time to stop and talk during their visits)  as several of them are.  So ...... hopefully you'll see where the time has gone?  Besides, Isobel isn't averse to a good chat herself either!

In addition, as we mentioned in our January 28th  post, Isobel's arthritis really flared up, and the treatment took its time  (really just increasing her already strong pain killer medication - because the arthritic variety she suffers is the osteo kind, and being "lifetime wear and tear", there's precious little the medical fraternity seem to be able to do about it)   took its time.  took.The increased medication has finally begun to kick in, so sewing is once again being considered - it's been a bit painful until now though.   

Before it got too bad however, we were able to cut out, sew and complete that pair of Ladies Slippers that we'd had on our Order Book  since October last year.  So, here are some photos of the latest addition to the COLDHAMCUDDLIES Slipper collection.

The original order came in as the result of our Customer - a fellow resident at OCC - seeing some Slippers during the October MacMillan Cancer Coffee Morning and asking if Isobel could make her a pair of Brown Plush Slippers, with a Yogi Bear type head on.  The Customer is not a fit person, and spends a lot of time in bed - so it was important for her measurements to be spot on.  She had feet that differed in size - both lengthwise at the foot, and around her ankles - but as all our Slippers are, "Custom Made" is one of our bench marks (as is "Made to Measure"). 

During one of our visits, Isobel realised that it would actually be unsafe for the Yogi Bear Heads to be applied, as MrsPD-S favours long length clothing, and a Bear Head could actually become a tripping hazard.  That fact was accepted, and the production of the footwear commenced. 

As usual, we started off cutting out the insole to fit the measurements taken, and sewing on the leatherette cover - making an extra layer of covering for the final footwear.  Then the outside of the

slipper sides/uppers, together with the poodle fur lining we use for all our Slippers, gets sewn on, and the insole lining is attached.

Isobel forgot to take a picture of this stage when making the Brown Plush pair, but we're showing you a photo taken when we were making our Snowy Owl Slippers a year ago - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/582081671/snowy-owl-Slippers-white-owl-slippers?ref=shop_home_active_5 - because every pair of Slippers goes through the same procedure.  Once the insole is in, the front of the slipper is sewn together - lining first, and then the outer covering.  Isobel uses ladder stitch to do this, which results in an almost invisible seam for both layers - which makes it more comfortable the wearer.

Then the trimming is added - in this case, a crimson red satin ribbon one and elastic (cut to match the ankles of the wearer, plus a couple of inches - so that any future change in ankle circumference can be accommodated) is threaded through.  And there we are - the finished article.

It took Isobel 6 days to do the two slippers, not much longer than normal fortunately.

Before closing, some news about Oscar the Blue Rabbit and how the February 6th Launch of the film in which the original model, on which he is based, fared.   Apparently it went very well, and Oscar was much admired.  The specialist primary school teachers at which the presentation was aimed were duly impressed with both the film and it's model and several expressed interest in possibly purchasing some in the future.  As all teaching in the UK (and elsewhere too, of course) is planned well in advance, as are the budgets for the programmes involved, we're not expecting a deluge of orders - which is just as well, given Isobel's slower production pace.  

(We're hoping to get started on the Tulsa version of Oscar next week - on top of the painful hands, the weather here has prevented Isobel from accessing the fleece she wants to use for the future Blue Rabbits - as she wasn't entirely happy with the stuff she had in hand when making the first model.  As dyes rarely stay the same, she's planning on getting sufficient fabric for the future models too - because even if the order changes, she has enough alternative uses for Pale Blue Fleece for surplus supplies to be used in future.  With any luck, Oscar 2 will arrive in the USA around about Easter time!)

However, this week we learned that the Specialist Nurse attached to the OAC (Oxford Against Cutting) programme has declared she'd like to have 6 of them - with a May 1st dateline mentioned.  So, MsKA, our OAC liaison person, has now set out to fund-raise to be able to send us the order!  As the Nurse is part of the same organisation, the monies need to come from their supporters and friends.  We're hoping that the order will come in stages, so that we can fit them into Isobel's other production plans, as we do want to have a few new Cuddlies to offer this year, as usual.

More anon.   Hopefully, without too much more of a break in posts! 

Your Friend, Cy Bear.