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Merry Christmas to All Our Flickr Friends 2025

Paddy, Scout (and Dolly), Cousin Paddington, Bogart, Jago, Daisy-Maud, Orson, Danny Boy, Algie, Rosie, Garnet, Emmett, Edgar, Benjamin, Cornelia, Freddy Flock, Sapphire, Pearl, Queenie, Lilac, Little Bee, Little Ladybird, Bumble, Merrythgought Classic Paddington, Merrythought Movie Paddington, Monsieur Charles, Le Petite Chaperon Rouge, 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 this year, and all the encouragement you have given me. Thank you for being an amazing and supportive community!

 

We hope that you find much joy and beauty in the Christmas period to make you happy and bright.

 

Merry Christmas to everybear and everyone!

 

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.

 

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

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.

 

Lovingly handmade in Merrythought’s historic British factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire, Little Bee's creation has been inspired by the English country garden. Crafted from the finest yellow and black short mohair plush, Little Bee, a bee bear, features a striking Bumble Bee striped body and pure wool felt wings, with an endearing pair of 'antennae' to finish him off. Little Bee is number 3 of a limited edition of 300 issued worldwide.

 

Lovingly handmade in Merrythought’s historic British factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire, Little Ladybird’s creation has been inspired by the English country garden. Crafted from the finest black and white short mohair and featuring a pure wool felt ladybird ‘shell’ adorned with embroidered spots, she a pair of ‘antennae’ to finish her off. Little Ladybird is number 3 of a limited edition of 300 issued worldwide.

 

Lovingly handmade in Merrythought’s historic British factory in Ironbridge, Shropshire, Bumble’s creation has been inspired by the English country garden. Crafted from the finest honey-gold coloured mohair plush and wool felt, Bumble wears a removable pure wool felt ‘petal’ effect collar, secured with a forest green satin ribbon and features delicate Bumble Bee and Ladybird embroidery, which is repeated on his paws. Bumble is number 3 of a limited edition of 300 issued worldwide.

 

Garnet is a beautiful hand made English bear given to me by my mother for my birthday after she was selected out of the collection of a former teddy bear enthusiast. Garnet is made from garnet coloured mohair plush (thus her name), with soft russet coloured suede paws and black glass eyes. The heart locket pendant about her neck is gold, and was given to her by her former Mummy.

 

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!

 

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.

 

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.

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Uploaded on December 24, 2025