an old friend (while the pickings are slim)

I have been distracted in the thrifts by trying to find fabrics for my quilting project, and not got much to show this week. However, I have an old friend from London, who was found in a charity shop a few years ago. I still have him and I have been wanting to show him here for a while.

He's got a little bit of a story. When I spotted him those years ago in London, I didn't recognize him at first, all naked and scruffy with a faint smear of lipstick stain on his mutt. He's Paddington, all the way from 1969 - his original Gabrielle Designs silk tag informs on his back.

Even though I didn't know what a famous bear I met, I was very taken by his unusual body shape, which is straw filled and made in mohair. I looked into his wonky old teddy eyes - it was love at first sight, so I bought him.

At home, after giving him a gentle sponge clean (which got most of that lipstick off), I researched the info on the silk tag and found out who he was. He was Paddington alright, and that's why he's got those super long arms and stubby standing-up legs, so he can wear his rain mac and his real childs' gumboots. See him dressed here.

Ever since I got him, I wondered about whether to get him clothed or not. I wouldn't like to be the crazy lady type who puts teddies in old baby clothing, and all I had for Paddington is a vintage baby sunsuit which he tried on once... I guess I prefer him without. There's something so quirky about how he's formed and I think I'm lucky that I got a bear this old in such a great, all the fur is there condition.

A little bit of trivia for the end:  did you know that this kind of Paddington plush was first ever owned by a child Jeremy Clarkson (the sarcy tall guy on the UK Top Gear show) - it was designed and made by his mum for him and his sister as a family present.