Happy Birthday Mummy June!

ORSON: "Well, I've kissed it, Paddy!"

 

DAISY-MAUD: "And Jago and I have too, Paddy. Haven't we Jago?"

 

JAGO: "Yes we have, Daisy-Maud, quite a lot!"

 

DANNY BOY: "Aye begorra! I have kissed it too, as though it were the Blarney Stone!"

 

ALGIE: "I have kissed it too!"

 

ROSIE: "So have I, Paddy, very, very softly and snuffly!"

 

PADDY: "Very good everybear!"

 

DUCKIE: "I just need to add some beaky kisses, Paddy."

 

JAGO: "Here you go Duckie. Let me hold it for you."

 

DUCKIE: "Oh thank you Jago!" *Adds special soft little birthday beaky kisses for Mummy June to card.*

 

BOGART: "Hullo everybear!"

 

SCOUT: "Hullo everybear! What are you all doing? What is that pretty card, Paddy?"

 

PADDY: "Why this is a special card which is full of very special big little birthday bear hugs and snuffly birthday kisses of course, Scout! What else?"

 

SCOUT: "Ooooh!" *Intrigued.* "That's so lovely, Paddy! Is my second birthday today? Is that card for me? Have I forgotten my birthday?" *Gasps.*

 

PADDY: "No, Scout! It isn't your birthday today, second or otherwise." *Shakes head.*

 

SCOUT: "Oh pooh!" *Disappointed.*

 

BOGART: "Is it mine then, Paddy?"

 

PADDY: "No, I'm sorry Bogart, but it isn't yours either."

 

BOGART: "Oh well, it was worth asking." *Smiles.*

 

SCOUT: "Then these special big little birthday bear hugs and snuffly birthday kisses aren't for me or Bogart then?"

 

PADDY: "I'm afraid not, Scout."

 

JAGO: "But they are for someone that you both love very much, Scout and Bogart."

 

ORSON: "And someone that we all love too."

 

ALGIE: "That's right, Scout and Bogart!"

 

SCOUT and BOGART: "Oh really! Who is it?"

 

DAISY-MAUD: "Well, today is Mummy June's birthday, Scout and Bogart."

 

DANNY-BOY: "So we are sending her this very special birthday card full of special big little birthday bear hugs and snuffly birthday kisses from all of us!"

 

SCOUT: "Ooooh! How exciting!" *Thinks.* "But wait! I haven't put any in for Mummy June from me! I want to put some in!"

 

BOGART: "I haven't either!"

 

PADDY: "Well that is why we haven't sealed the card yet. We want to make sure that you can add yours. Once you have, we can put it in the envelope and give it to Daddy to post to Mummy June!"

 

SCOUT: "Oh goody! Thank you Paddy!" *Adds special big little birthday bear hugs and snuffly birthday kisses for Mummy June to card.*

 

BOGART: "Yes, thank you, Paddy!" *Adds special big little birthday bear hugs and snuffly birthday kisses for Mummy June to card.*

 

PADDY: "Very good! Now we can tell Daddy that this card is ready to go to Mummy June for her birthday!"

 

JAGO, DIASY-MAUD, ROSIE, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, ORSON, BOGART, DUCKIE and SCOUT: "Hoorah!" *Jump up and down for joy.*

 

PADDY: "Daddy! Daddy!"

 

DADDY: "Yes Paddy?"

 

PADDY: "The card full of special big little birthday bear hugs and snuffly birthday kisses for Mummy June is ready!"

 

DADDY: "Very good! I shall get it delivered to Mummy June right now."

 

PADDY, SCOUT, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, BOGART, DUCKIE and ORSON: "Hoorah!" *Clap paws and flap wings in delight.*

 

DADDY: "So everybear and duck, shall we all sing happy birthday to Mummy June?"

 

PADDY, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, ORSON, BOGART, DUCKIE and SCOUT: "Oh yes!" *Tremble with excitement.* "Let's do!"

 

PADDY, SCOUT, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, ORSON, BOGART, DUCKIE and DADDY:

 

"Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday dear Mummy June!

Happy Birthday to you!

 

Hip-hip, hoorah!

Hip-hip, hoorah!

Hip-hip, hoorah!"

 

PADDY, SCOUT, JAGO, DAISY-MAUD, ROSIE, DANNY BOY, ALGIE, ORSON, BOGART and DUCKIE and DADDY: *Applaud and jump up and down for joy.*

 

PADDY: "Happy birthday, dear Mummy June! We are all sending you lots of special big little birthday bear hugs and snuffly birthday kisses on your special day! We hope that you have a wonderful day!"

 

For anyone who follows my photostream, you might be aware I am very fortunate to be surrounded by some wonderfully artistic and creative friends. This includes my very dear friend Maria who creates some truly beautiful and amazing cards from recycled paper and cardboard. This one I commissioned especially for Mummy June, who loves Art Nouveau (so some William Morris paper has been used) and butterflies and dragonflies (a dragonfly with delicate wings has been attached whose wings can be lited tob give it a more three dimensional appearance). If you want to see more of Maria’s work, visit her Instagram page at: www.instagram.com/daisyandme33/?hl=en

 

 

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 fits 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 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.

 

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.

Done