Friday, August 27, 2010

Bear-loved

I have a thing about old toys, especially handmade ones and especially bears. I suspect this love was ingrained at an early age. Here's a photo of me at a couple of weeks old. See that orange bear?

He's still hanging around.
He is a rather special bear because he has travelled with me around the world for nearly 40 years. He has survived the move to 8 different countries and numerous different houses. He survived 2 boarding schools and he has survived the love and cuddles of my own children.

Most of all, he is special because he was made just for me.

I love handmade toys for that reason. There is so much love, care and attention that goes into each one.  I know that when I make softies I think about who might take them home and in my head, each one has a personality all their own.  
My Nanma made the little crocheted undies on this bear. She died when I was 14 and I love that I have something special that she made so that I can share something of her with my own children. I can tell stories about her and show them photos but having something that she made with her own hands, that they can touch, seems to mean so much more to them (and me).

Look at this little guy with the blue shorts. Isn't he amazing? I found him in an Op shop in Devonport. I don't know who he belonged to but he has obviously been incredibly well loved and he now lives in my sewing room. If he belonged to you and you need him back, do let me know and I'll happily return him!

This is Colin. He's a new handmade bear. Doesn't he have the most gorgeous face? He's made by a lovely friend of mine, Jess of Teddy Bears Wednesday. Jess  makes very beautiful and special bears and each one definately has it's own personality. Each is made with a wonderful amount of care, love and attention. I think they are just gorgeous.  

 Do you have a special bear?

10 comments:

Melanie said...

I had a special bear. Goldie. Dad bought him for me when I was born and he went everywhere with me. I left him in a hotel in Australia two weeks after Jared died and the hotel claimed he wasn't there. It still makes me sad.

Roscia said...

I still have my panda which I got when I was 5. Suzie has lived in South Africa, UK and now New Zealand.

A Life Less Complicated said...

I do! I have a Pedigree bear that was/is very much loved. He may look ugly to others but he reminds me of childhood.

Melanie - so sorry to hear about your Goldie :(

Cotton Kiwi said...

Oh Melanie I didn't know that. That must have been the final straw for you after losing your brother. I hope someone out there is looking after Goldie for you. xx

Glennie said...

I had a blue bear called Ted. I do remember him distinctly - what I don't remember was losing him when my Grandad was carrying me on his shoulders back from the beach at Island Bay in Wellingotn. Apparently we arrived back home minus Ted and although Grandad spent ages retracing his steps, Ted was never found again. Family legend is that I was inconsolable. His replacement was, of course, brown as Mum couldn't find any blue ones ......

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous bears! I didn't have a bear but I did have a Golliwog. I loved him so much. Then the dog got him and buried him in the garden...

Maxabella said...

They're all so lovely. I love a worn in bear. I also love the expression on your face as a newborn. Something tells me your love of softies wasn't around back then!!! You are sooooo cute! x

teddybearswednesday said...

OH Sarah I love love this post!!! ANd I love your guy- soooo adorable and I love how he's travelled through everything with you in life. And how he's become more beautiful with life and love leaving a scar on him. I still have all my bears and toys from when I was little and of course collect wonky well loved bears too , like you.
I'm also rather smitten by Blue Shorts guy- OMG_ soooo wrong and sooo right.
thank you for your gorgeous little words about Colin. you are too kind.
xo

Bron said...

Beautiful post! My teddy looks at least 2 thirds of the way toward being the little guy in the blue shorts! He slept in my bed every night until i was about 24, including 2 years in europe! I remember, when I was about 5, his head came off and mum stitched him up then put on a bandage he had to wear for a few weeks until he had recovered! ;o) We also had matching pjs mum sewed for us!!
Now he lives on the shelf in our living room where I can see him everyday =)

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful post Sarah - yes to the question, several, all dog eared and all handamde for me x

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