Sunday 23 October 2016

Slipper Production continuing - in full spate!

Good afternoon Everyone!

Another week has gone by, and it's time once again for me, Cy Bear, to update you on what's been happening in the Coldham Cuddlies World.

As the title for this post indicates, the Baby Slippers we told you about last week are well under way. with the White Polar Bear Slippers now completed.


The Polar Bears were joined on Friday evening by the first of the pair of  Panda Bear Slippers ordered at the same time by SnraCF - and Isobel sent her the photo above to update her on the order's progress.  The second slipper is well under way, and we're hoping to get that completed by the end of  Sunday evening.



The basic slipper is complete, and production of the second head is under way.  It needs the black eye patches and plastic eyes to be attached, the black plush ears as well,  and then the pink ribbon sewn on and the elastic threaded through.

All being well, we're hoping that both the Italy-bound Slippers will be en route early next week, well in time for Christmas - which is when SnraCF plans on giving them to her Granddaughters E and A.

Then, it's checking the measurements we've received for the Isobel's great-nephews to see how many new pairs of slippers need to be produced - once we've checked our existing stocks to see if, perchance, we may have some already made that could fit the bill.  At the same time, we'll be checking to see if the intended recipients want to have them with animal heads on

Owl Novelty  Slippers Brown Fleck Faux Fur Made to Measure Poodle Plush Lined Man's Size 12-13 Practical Warm Footwear Unusual Unisex Gift
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/162884385/owl-novelty-slippers-brown-fleck-faux?ref=shop_home_active_6
or for them to be just conservatively plain and simple!

Unisex Novelty Slippers Badger Stripe Fur Unusual Footwear Special Faux Fur Shoe Made to Measure Head Optional Custom Orders Very Welcome.
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/158936304/unisex-novelty-slippers-badger-stripe?ref=shop_home_active_1
Then, it will be all systems go to see that they're off in time to reach the Williams Lake area of British Columbia, Canada in time for Christmas.

To make sure that we don't run out of the insoles - which form the base of the feet for the bigger slippers (for ladies and gentlemen) - while in nearby Sutton in Ashfield, our next door town yesterday, Isobel stocked up with a new supply of these vital slipper parts. They're made with "memory-foam" and have the different foot sizes printed on one side of each foot template.  Please see below:


We get ten pairs at a time, so that we've always got some in stock - and this is the second time that a stock up has been required since we began making slippers in 2012 (and the first since we arrived in Nottinghamshire). 

Isobel cuts out the pattern size required, and then starts the construction process.  Because we're not sure if the sizes given here are for American or European foot sizes, Isobel is going to cut the Boys' slippers to the measurements (from heel to toe) given us by their Mother, MrsAS- Isobel's niece.  That's the way, we went with SnraCF's grand daughters' slippers, and they should allow room for growth, because as all prudent grandmothers do, she allowed for such eventualities when she provided the vital statistics for the slippers shown above.  (All our Slippers, so far, have fitted their intended owners to date I hasten to add!!)

(As you may recall, being a Beaver Lamb Bear, I always include a lady's - or come to that, a gentleman's - title before their initials when referring to them in a blog post here.  I've also never met MrsAS, so it's another reason for a well brought up Bear to do so here!)

In between times, during the week, Isobel was taken by daughter Clare, together with GrandsonE, to the Our Lady's Shrine at Walsingham - where Peter's ashes are interred.  It's almost four years since that happened, and the family have tried to get there at least once a year to pay their respects. Normally it rains, and the Shrine (pronounced a Basilica by Pope Francis last December we discovered when they got there - because of it's importance in the life and history of British Catholics) is located very close to the East Anglian coast of North Norfolk. (That's the round bit on the right side of a map of Great Britain - for those who might not know where Norfolk is in the UK). It's thus always windy there, and Wednesday morning was no different.  However everything was accomplished in comfortably cool conditions, and the travellers returned home safely, with the driver (Clare) having done a 222 mile round trip in 7.5 hours, with a short break for a picnic lunch in between.

I'll end this post for this week, with a photo of the Chapel of  Reconciliation (a major focal point of the Basilica) with surrounding trees in all their full autumnal glory.  (In the 1970's, Peter was on the Committee charged with the building of this central feature of  the National Shrine - which is why the authorities at Walsingham were agreeable for his remains to rest there)

You can just see the back of  Clare and GrandsonE - on the right of the photo.
Do have a very good week, everyone.  See you all next week - with the latest from the Slipper Department, and whatever occurs in the days to come.

Your Friend, Cy Bear.