PADDY: "Hullo everyone and everybear! On behalf of Scout, Cousin Paddington, Bogart, Jago, Daisy-Maud, Rosie, Cornelia, Orson, Danny Boy, Algie, Bertie, Nanuk, Emmett, Edgar, Benjamin, Flock, Sapphire, Pearl, Prince Maurice, Freddy, Duckie, Daddy and myself I would like to wish all of our Flickr friends and followers a very happy Easter! May the day be filled with lots of fun, laughter and a chocolate Easter egg... or two! We are sending you all lots of special Easter big little bear hugs and snuffly kisses!"
Paddy has managed to share my thoughts most eloquently. A very happy Easter to you all!
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.
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.
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.
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 Daddy.
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.
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 who made Jago, Daisy-Maud, Orson and Danny Boy. He is 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.
Bertie came to live with me on Christmas Day 2022. He was a gift from a very dear friend. He is vintage and is hand knitted with soft red dioxide wool and has chocolate brown felt pads on his paws. He has shiny black bead eyes and has his own very smart tartan bow. He tells me that he was living in an antique shop for quite a while, just looking for his forever home, which now he feels that he has. Bertie is very soft and loves cuddles, and whilst perhaps not as forthcoming as some of my other bears due to his shyness, he is very loving and caring and gives big little bear hugs and snuffly kisses beautifully.
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.
Handmade at Merrythought in England from warm-gold tousled mohair plush, Edgar is a cheerful companion who has terracotta pure cotton velvet paws, and wears a delightful floral cotton bow tie. He is number 2 of a limited worldwide edition of 200.
Benjamin is made by Merrythought in England too. A friendly character, he has been handmade from soft, caramel-coloured mohair plush featuring a chocolate-coloured base that beautifully complements his pure wool felt paws. He wears a traditional, satin-lined waistcoat made from the finest British tweed and secured with brass studs. He is number 110 of a limited worldwide edition of 150.
Once upon a time, not so very long ago, there was a bear called Nanuk. Nanuk is a Polar Bear. The Teddy Bear Orphanage in the Netherlands recently contacted my friend Mummy Marian who is well known for being a generous host for bears who need a home. They told her that Nanuk has been living at the Teddy Bear Orphanage for quite some time. They also told Mummy Marian that he's very unhappy. Sweet Nanuk was born with a rare disease: poor body temperature regulation. He\'s always cold! The Teddy Bear Orphanage were looking for someone who lives in a country where it never freezes. Mummy Marian immediately thought of me, as like her, I am well known for being a generous host and making my home available to bears who need a family. Mummy Marian felt that Australia (where I live) would be the most perfectly wonderful place for Nanuk to live: a warm country with me as his Daddy, and many bear friends to make a family for him. I considered Mummy Marian’s request, and I immediately said “yes”! I think Nanuk will be a very happy Polar Bear, living with me and all my bears. We don’t know the end of the story yet, because of course, Nanuk’s tale is only just beginning! However, I do think he will live happily ever after!
Based on the famous original drawings by Peggy Fortnum of Michael Bond's famous bear, the Paddington - Classic Edition is British-made (of course) at Merrthought's historical factory and is truly timeless and designed to bring a lifetime of joy and companionship. Made in a special numbered edition, I am fortunate enough to have number 17.
An exceptionally charming and true to character recreation of Paddington, who is cherished around the world for his kind nature….and fondness of marmalade sandwiches! Entirely British-made at Merrythought's historical Ironbridge factory, this Paddington Bear has been designed to bring a lifetime of joy and companionship, and is the ultimate memento of the Paddington movie franchise. Created by Merrythought as a Special Edition, Paddington - the Movie Edition is individually numbered as part of a limited worldwide release. He is number 18.
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.
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.
This beautiful faerie tale pantomime nursery tea set was made in England by the Shell China Company in the 1930s. It features cups, saucers and plates as well as a teapot, coffee pot, milk jugs, sugar bowls, platters, sandwich plate, a lidded soup tureen on its own dish and a gravy or cream jug. Each piece is gilt edged and decorated and feature different faerie tales including: "Cinderella", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Dick Whittington and his Cat", "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" amongst others. The set I acquired from England, and it is a sister set to a 1920s Shell China Company nursery rhyme tea set that I was given as a gift some years ago by a close friend who knows I collect nursery ware and children’s tea sets.
The baskets are vintage 1950s thick paper examples which I acquired not long after Easter 2024. The body of the basket is all one piece that is folded together and slipped through cuts at the side. The handle is a separate piece that fits through slits at either end. I love their cute printed characters!
