SAPPHIRE: "Oh Pearl! Look at my lovely new hat! It's blue, just like me! I feel like a real bear lady!"
PEARL: *Giggles with joy.* "Oh you look it, Sapphire! That is such a lovely hat! Look! I am a real bear lady too! I have a pretty peach coloured parasol! I wonder how elegant we look together!"
FLOCK: "Look no further, dear bear ladies!" *Doffs sombrero with green pattered brim.* "I have a mirror right here!" *Moves Rosie's silver skillet and angles it so Sapphire and Pearl can see their reflections.*
SAPPHIRE: *Giggles.* "That's not a mirror, Flock! It's Rosie's new frying pan!" *Giggles more.*
FLOCK: "Well, it doesn't matter, because Rosie is so wrapped up in her tutus right now to worry if we use it as a mirror. I used it to look at my own reflection. I think I look pretty fabulous in this great sombrero that I received from Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear!"
PEARL: "Oh it does suit you, Flock!"
SAPPHIRE: "Yes it does! Perhaps you'd care to escort a lady bear to Christmas luncheon, Flock?" "*Giggles more.*
PEARL: "Or perhaps two, Flock." *Giggles again.*
FLOCK, SAPPHIRE and PEARL: "Thank you Father Christmas and the Christmas Bear for our lovely presents!"
Paddy, Scout (and Dolly), Cousin Paddington, Bogart, Jago, Daisy-Maud, Orson, Danny Boy, Algie, Rosie, Emmett, Cornelia, Freddy Flock, Sapphire, Pearl, Duckie, Prince Maurice and I and I would like to wish all our flickr friends and followers the very best for the festive season. Thank you for all the interest you have shown in our photographs and adventures this year, and all the support and encouragement you have shown. We really do appreciate it.
May you have a wonderful Christmas; safe, and filled with happiness and love whomever you spend it with and whatever you may do.
My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.
He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.
Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.
Travelling all the way from London, Cousin Paddington was caught in transit thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, so it looks like he is stopping with us for a long while. That makes me happy, as the more I look into his happy, smiling face, the more attached I am becoming to him.
Bogart has travelled all the way from Georgia, via Alabama as a gift to me from a friend. He has lovely Southern manners and seems to be a fun and gentle soul with an inquisitive nature.
Rosie is Scout's cousin, because like Scout, she is a free trade knitted bear from Africa. She was made in Kenya by one of the Kenana Knitters, Martha Wanjira. She is made from home spun and dyed wool. She was a gift to me from two very dear friends, including the one who gave Scout to Paddy.
Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.
Daisy-Maud is Jago's little sister and was made by the same friend in England who made him. She is made of German mohair with floral fabric cotton paw pads that match her pretty sunhat, and glass eyes. A sweet and loving little girl bear, she is happy to be reunited with her big brother, Jago, and enjoys being spoiled by her new Daddy.
Orson, named after the little bear constellation, was made by the same friend who made Jago and Daisy-Maud. He comes ready dressed in 'trousers' made of German mohair accessorised with embroidered braces. His paws are ultra suede and his eyes are glass. He is described as being a little bit serious minded but very friendly. He's fine once he gets to know you.
Danny Boy, made by the same friend who made Jago, Daisy-Maud and Orson, has a touch of the 'Oirish' in him with his emerald green scarf. He has an open mouth as he likes to sing and comes with his own songbook, "Irish Airs for Teddy Bears". He has a wobbly head to give him animation when he's talking to you, and is made of English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. Quite a happy-go-lucky little character....
Algie is made by the same friend in England who made Jago, Daisy-Maud, Orson and Danny Boy. He is made of sparse English mohair, has paws of ultra suede and eyes of glass. A very adventurous little boy, he loves to climb and sit on top of gates, edges of tables and chairs. He adore climbing trees and will cheekily sit there with crossed legs. He's very friendly and he loves adventures of any kind.
Cornelia, I found in an antique and vintage market quite recently. She is a vintage edition Russ Bear from their Mohair Collection. She is made of deliberately mottled mohair to give her that vintage look. One of a limited edition of 10,000, she was designed by artist Carol Hosfstad and is completely handmade.
Pearl and Sapphire are both little Russ Bears who arrived on Christmas Day 2023. They travelled along with Flock from Mama Kim's house in Alabama all the way here. Both are sweet little bears who are tenacious and cheeky, but full of love and snuffly kisses most of all.
Made by Merrythought in England, Emmett is a charming little bear, sweet and smiling, crafted from multi-tonal marl grey mohair and featuring golden velvet paws. He is accessorised with a classic tartan woollen scarf. He is number 23 or a limited worldwide edition of 200.
Freddy Fox is made by Merrythought in England. I bought him, of all places, from a men’s accessory shop in Melbourne’s Block Arcade, called Mr. Wares. Freddy Fox is made of English Mohair with felt paws and glass bead eyes. He has so much charm and charisma that already he is winning hearts with anyone whom he meets, and he is kind and sweet, which makes him an ideal member of our family.
Prince Maurice is a Maileg mouse, given to me as a birthday gift by my two goddaughters. Maileg (pronounced My’lye) is a brand of charming Danish-designed toys created to inspire children’s favorite playtime stories. By bringing storybook whimsy to everyday moments, Maileg toys help children (large ones and small) explore the pure and simple wonder of imagination. Beloved for their heartwarming personalities, Maileg toys show playfulness and charm in every last detail. Theirs is a timeless world filled with beautiful accessories and settings.
Duckie I saw when I was at a Sunday market on a stall of homemade knitted and crocheted items. She caught my eye straight away with her happy, smiley face and bright colours. I think she finds life with my bears intriguing and perhaps a little confusing, however she is learning.
