Updated Mar 11th, 2016 

Some Memories Bear Keeping

My John Bear

“Bears being sent through the mail should never be squashed up to make them fit. It gives them indigestion.”

– Pam Brown

I wanted to share with you these “memory bears” that my crafty & creative friend, Sharon, makes.

These hand-made teddy bears are not only very cute, they’re also a neat way to create a special keepsake out of an old piece of clothing, fur coat, blanket, etc.  The bears can be in memory of a loved one – but they don’t have to be.

A few months after John passed away, I gave Sharon two of his favourite shirts and she created the bear shown in the photo above. Yes, my John-bear has a very sad look on his face…but that’s kinda fitting, given the reason he was made in the first place 🙁

After my Mom passed away, Sharon sent me this amazing Angel Bear, made out of an old fur coat:

For another friend, Sharon made this beautiful bear out of a loved one’s overcoat, jacket button and scarf:

And this cutie-pie bear was made after a toddler had long outgrown her little pink outfit:

For further information on Sharon’s memory bears, please feel free to e-mail her at: wearethemonkeez@shaw.ca  (she also makes adorable sock monkeys!)

“A bear teaches us that if the heart is true, it doesn’t matter much if an ear drops off.”

– Helen Exley

March 11th, 2016

Okay…check this out! This awesome whale just arrived in my mail:

Another cute critter made by Sharon out of old clothes. Upcycling at it’s finest 🙂

Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow’s Awakening, the playwright of Saviour and the screenwriter of God’s Country. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and the Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. If you would like to receive Maryanne’s weekly blog, please sign up here.