My New Zoo Review!

Hello,

Back in my day zoos were built to keep the animals in and humans safe.  Now it seems they need to be built to keep humans out and the animals safe.

Cuteness overload!!!!!  Lioness napping on a plane wing.

Last week our friend Barbara, Audra and I finally made it to the Columbus Zoo (Ohio).  I hadn't been there in years and was pleasantly surprised. If you don't live in Franklin County it's a bit of sticker shock at the $20 ticket/$10 parking fee.  However, Seniors get deep discounts and anyone pushing a wheelchair gets in free.  So I am okay with it.  If you go a couple times a year...get a membership. They have lots of special perks, events and free parking.

If you haven't been to this zoo, I can assure you that it is one of the premiere zoos in the US, and most likely the world.  I have been to several, including the highly touted San Diego zoo and this one is right up there.  (The San Diego Zoo puts it's features up on hills, so you are constantly walking up and down them.  Now they may have improved it over the years...)

The same gal pictured at the top.  She could care less she was on display.

Right now we have a baby polar bear named Nora.  She picks her hours of visitation, but generally around 9:30 a.m.  We didn't get to see her, but there were videos and photos of this little cutie.

What impressed me the most about the zoo's layout was that the animals were not "caged" like the old days.  They have large areas to wander and in one section there were many different kinds of animals all roaming around together like you would see in a safari.  It did however, prove difficult for the cougar as they are housed across the way from their prey and all they could do is look through the glass and pace.  Most exhibits as you will see, give you a photo op without fence and glass messing it up.

We only stayed a few hours, so didn't see everything, but I think we saw all the "new" stuff.  Rather than blather on, I am just going to give you a brief pictorial tour:

She seemed to be looking for lunch...

Look!!  A Fishnado!!  Not really, there is an underground viewing spot of the polar bear pool.  But no bears at the time.

There he is getting ready to get in the pool.  But in no hurry, so we moved on.

This guy found a great napping spot!

Well, hoped you enjoyed your little trip.  I hope you all get a chance to visit this zoo.  We are lucky to have it so close.  There is a water park Zoombezi Bay attached, so you can cool off too!

Until next time,
Gale

Gale's Gallery XXIII: My Plush Bear Challenge- Part One

December 29, 2017 Update...

Retrofitted Felt Figures!  

Here is a YouTube tutorial on how to stretch those plush dies!  Several examples below the product list.  There is another post you might like as well:

New Plush Dies



Howdy folks!

As promised, I started a personal challenge to see what all I could do with the Simon Says Stamp (SSS) Plush Bear Die.  I am trying to limit my craft supply spending, (unsuccessfully, LOL!) and want to maximize use of what I get.  Since these dies are nearly $30, this was a good starting place:)  I only have the chicken and bear currently.  (See chicken designs at Gale's Gallery XXII.)

I started this project awhile ago, but have been in the yard since the weather has improved.  Knowing it might be awhile before I get the rest of my  12 "bears, etc." done, I decided to show you the ones I've finished.  The rest will come soon...I hope.  The felt is mostly from Ellen Hutson.

BRUTUS BUCKEYE!!!  

If you live in central Ohio, I don't need to explain.  But, he is the mascot of my alma mater, The Ohio State University.  I diecut the body twice in dark brown fabric and once in read.  I cut off the head of the red (gently), and stacked it on top of the others.  I took the red ears to make the cap, cut out the other little pieces from the scarf piece, put on googlie eyes and stitched his open mouth as he yells OH-!  He is slightly stuffed with batting.  This one can't be given to young folks, but I wasn't planning to give him up anyway!

Next is the panda bear...

Panda Bear

All I did was cut two black bodies and one white.  Decapitated the white piece and layered on top.  All of the hand-stitching was done in backstitch.

There's a mouse in my house!

Mr. Mouse

Okay, I was too lazy to get up and turn the light on, so was sewing in near dark conditions.:)  A couple boo-boos and I think I should have made the whiskers longer.  Oh well, he is still stinkin' cute!  

Here comes the Gingerbread Man!

 

Then the one I call Random Bear....just felt like trying out the blue felt!

It took a little doing because I didn't have flesh colored felt, so I colored it with my Copic marker, but I think this little guy is pretty cute too!

Wouldn't these be cute for a shower?

I have six more designs to come (so far.)  Be sure to come back to see them.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below.  Also, does anyone have other ideas of what these can be used for?  I am drowning in Christmas ornaments so need to find another excuse to make more of these!

Until next time,

Gale