The Repair Café is an international organisation with 2,661 branches across the world run by its amazing volunteers - there might be one near you! Have a look here to see: https://www.repaircafe.org/en/visit/
I still have my Dad's old stuffed dog. It's bald and very odd-looking and my daughter still has her little bear from Harrod's. I still have the kids' Paddington and he sits on the exercise bike in the office (spare room) and in an old pillowslip (bingo) I have two dolls that were my favourites. In my wardrobe, I'm looked down upon from the handbag shelf by a sweet calico doll that was my (now 43 year old) daughter's, and by a toy wombat. I can never get rid of any of these dear toys as they tell of a life well-lived and well-loved by the children.
Both my husband and I were fascinated with the Repair Cafe - thank you for telling the story in such an endearing way. There's an idea for a contemporary fiction novel there...
(PS: I do love the illustrations of Teddy Edward and am so glad I subscribe to 'Dear Reader'.)
Great illustrations and a nice sound snippett. Good use of repair cafés too -- we haven't used our local ones yet. Best of all though, for me, were the opportunities you took to, in effect, interview people. You're a natural, and in my opinion should do more of it
I adore this series! It just speaks to me so much. Thank you for taking the time to share your friends and adventures! Two of my freelance colleagues work for a repair cafe in our nearest city - it’s just the best idea isn’t it! ✨🌸
Love this story and your gorgeous heart-filled drawings! The coworking space I co-founded sponsored a repair cafe every month and also started a ‘library of things’, where people can borrow the items they need when they need them, rather than having to buy it. The two support each other as well, keeping the ‘things’ in circulation as long as possible. And as you mention, it is all built on and by community.
Your bear story makes that clear in such a delightful way.
Why, oh why am I in need of a proper hanky at the moment?! I enjoyed this immensely!
"But Reader, he doesn’t need any more of a past than he’s already shared with me. Teddy Edward’s got a now, and – thanks to the Repair Café – he’s got a future, too." I think you know why I'm blubbering over this sentence. Teddy Edward is one lucky bear!
I often lament how we've become a throw-away society, and this post gives me hope. These volunteers are such an inspiration. I've never heard of this organization and can't wait to dig further. Thanks for introducing me to it. And thanks for sharing your exquisite art. Seriously so good!
I love love loved this one! I read it lying in bed (treating myself to a lazy weekend morning over here) next to my own childhood bear, Nicky. Who I’ve been toting around since birth and probably should take to some sort of teddy bear restorer but I can’t quite make myself do so. I’m glad Teddy Edward and Crompton have new leases on life!
Excellent story, I love the Repair Cafe. We all have a memory of our stuffed animals. I did not know you were an artist too. This made my Saturday morning happier, thanks.
This story charmed me from first word to last, Rebecca. First of all, the idea of an airing room! The idea of having so many linens they need their own room! A house where old, unused, but much loved things have their own space. ( My house is so tiny, there is no "extra space".) Your sweet, sweet bears and how they were saved. I want to see what is hidden away in the tied up pillow cases. I have no possessions from my childhood. The Repair Cafe - such an excellent idea. I immediately wanted to sign up -- not that I have anything to be repaired, but to sit down with a needle and thread and wait to be of assistance. (I wonder if there are branches in California! ) Thanks for giving me such pleasure and for teaching me something on this beautiful Saturday morning.
Oh Rebecca! I just love this story with a happy ending too. I need to find a repair cafe here in the states. How wonderful. I find myself sewing the kids stuffed animals almost weekly now. LOL. Your drawings our beautiful too. I'll keep you in mind if I ever need an illustrator for a children's book. What a wonderful gift you have. P.S. Something about listening to the dryer...it sure is calming.
This one has me sobbing, Rebecca, in the best possible way! Growing up, I had a teddy collection that was lost to a house fire in 2019, and this essay brought up so many emotions for me around those sweet little bears. I love everything you post, but these "Art & Treasure" offerings are special. The words and drawings are exquisite. Thank you for sharing your heART with us! Please give Teddy Edward a hug for me from across the sea. 🤗💖🧸
I love the idea of a repair cafe! I wish there was something like that around here, though maybe we could get one started! I've been trying to learn more of these skills myself so I can prolong the life of still-useful things, as it is such a waste to throw them away when often it's a simple fix. I took a woodworking class last year and the instructor told me his grandfather would sharpen itty bitty saw teeth by hand. That's commitment!
And I love that you haven't parted with your old friends, either. A few years ago, I tried to throw away a bag of stuffed ponies and I couldn't go through with it. I literally went dumpster-diving after them. (wrote about it here: https://glenshee.substack.com/p/holiday-ponies-11-12-18)
The Repair Café is an international organisation with 2,661 branches across the world run by its amazing volunteers - there might be one near you! Have a look here to see: https://www.repaircafe.org/en/visit/
Oh my goodness, Rebecca - I LOVE this story!
I still have my Dad's old stuffed dog. It's bald and very odd-looking and my daughter still has her little bear from Harrod's. I still have the kids' Paddington and he sits on the exercise bike in the office (spare room) and in an old pillowslip (bingo) I have two dolls that were my favourites. In my wardrobe, I'm looked down upon from the handbag shelf by a sweet calico doll that was my (now 43 year old) daughter's, and by a toy wombat. I can never get rid of any of these dear toys as they tell of a life well-lived and well-loved by the children.
Both my husband and I were fascinated with the Repair Cafe - thank you for telling the story in such an endearing way. There's an idea for a contemporary fiction novel there...
(PS: I do love the illustrations of Teddy Edward and am so glad I subscribe to 'Dear Reader'.)
Great illustrations and a nice sound snippett. Good use of repair cafés too -- we haven't used our local ones yet. Best of all though, for me, were the opportunities you took to, in effect, interview people. You're a natural, and in my opinion should do more of it
I adore this series! It just speaks to me so much. Thank you for taking the time to share your friends and adventures! Two of my freelance colleagues work for a repair cafe in our nearest city - it’s just the best idea isn’t it! ✨🌸
Beautiful series and story! This has filled my heart ❤️
Love this story and your gorgeous heart-filled drawings! The coworking space I co-founded sponsored a repair cafe every month and also started a ‘library of things’, where people can borrow the items they need when they need them, rather than having to buy it. The two support each other as well, keeping the ‘things’ in circulation as long as possible. And as you mention, it is all built on and by community.
Your bear story makes that clear in such a delightful way.
Why, oh why am I in need of a proper hanky at the moment?! I enjoyed this immensely!
"But Reader, he doesn’t need any more of a past than he’s already shared with me. Teddy Edward’s got a now, and – thanks to the Repair Café – he’s got a future, too." I think you know why I'm blubbering over this sentence. Teddy Edward is one lucky bear!
I often lament how we've become a throw-away society, and this post gives me hope. These volunteers are such an inspiration. I've never heard of this organization and can't wait to dig further. Thanks for introducing me to it. And thanks for sharing your exquisite art. Seriously so good!
Gorgeous! This has me longing for my childhood stuffed animal (lost to a hotel room a long time ago).
I love love loved this one! I read it lying in bed (treating myself to a lazy weekend morning over here) next to my own childhood bear, Nicky. Who I’ve been toting around since birth and probably should take to some sort of teddy bear restorer but I can’t quite make myself do so. I’m glad Teddy Edward and Crompton have new leases on life!
Excellent story, I love the Repair Cafe. We all have a memory of our stuffed animals. I did not know you were an artist too. This made my Saturday morning happier, thanks.
This story charmed me from first word to last, Rebecca. First of all, the idea of an airing room! The idea of having so many linens they need their own room! A house where old, unused, but much loved things have their own space. ( My house is so tiny, there is no "extra space".) Your sweet, sweet bears and how they were saved. I want to see what is hidden away in the tied up pillow cases. I have no possessions from my childhood. The Repair Cafe - such an excellent idea. I immediately wanted to sign up -- not that I have anything to be repaired, but to sit down with a needle and thread and wait to be of assistance. (I wonder if there are branches in California! ) Thanks for giving me such pleasure and for teaching me something on this beautiful Saturday morning.
I loved this. I still have my bear from when I was a baby. His name is Bill. He is grizzled but still hanging on!
Oh Rebecca! I just love this story with a happy ending too. I need to find a repair cafe here in the states. How wonderful. I find myself sewing the kids stuffed animals almost weekly now. LOL. Your drawings our beautiful too. I'll keep you in mind if I ever need an illustrator for a children's book. What a wonderful gift you have. P.S. Something about listening to the dryer...it sure is calming.
This one has me sobbing, Rebecca, in the best possible way! Growing up, I had a teddy collection that was lost to a house fire in 2019, and this essay brought up so many emotions for me around those sweet little bears. I love everything you post, but these "Art & Treasure" offerings are special. The words and drawings are exquisite. Thank you for sharing your heART with us! Please give Teddy Edward a hug for me from across the sea. 🤗💖🧸
I love the idea of a repair cafe! I wish there was something like that around here, though maybe we could get one started! I've been trying to learn more of these skills myself so I can prolong the life of still-useful things, as it is such a waste to throw them away when often it's a simple fix. I took a woodworking class last year and the instructor told me his grandfather would sharpen itty bitty saw teeth by hand. That's commitment!
And I love that you haven't parted with your old friends, either. A few years ago, I tried to throw away a bag of stuffed ponies and I couldn't go through with it. I literally went dumpster-diving after them. (wrote about it here: https://glenshee.substack.com/p/holiday-ponies-11-12-18)