Sunday, January 3, 2010

Christmas Secrets

Now that Christmas is behind us, I can share a couple of secrets. The kind that you keep before Christmas arrives. The kind that you hint at but try keep a mystery. The kind that add to the holiday merriment.

In this post I will share one I kept. In the next post, I will share one that was kept from me.

My secret involves - da-d-da-daaaaa - teddy bears.

Last year about this time of year, my mother passed away. I miss her every single day. One thing that my family and I discovered among her things was a cache of aprons she had made. Some were from our childhood for those times we helped her in the kitchen. We think one or two belonged to my Grandmother. Some were holiday aprons made from Christmas prints. Other styles reflected the era in which they were sewn. My mom wore them when she was cooking or working with something that was messy. She also shared them if she knew of someone who might want or need one. There was always, always an apron for the person who ended up being the dishwasher!

We gathered every single one of them, pressed them, and hung them. Later when I had a nice Spring day, I took these photos. But, that’s not the secret.

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The secret is what I chose to call The Apron Bears. In my mom’s sewing stash, we found scraps of fabric from various projects. Some were from aprons she had made. These fell into my possession with the thought being the prints might be good for teddy bears. And, of course, they were. They were good for aprons for bears!

I made a bear for each of my sisters and my dad. Since I often do handwork while visiting with my family, they did not know at the time I was making their Christmas gifts right in front of them. When I completed the bears I made each one an apron made from leftover apron fabric or her clothing. The teddies stand six inches tall and each one is unique just like my family. I think my mom would have loved these bears!

apronbearcollage_1Click to enlarge. 

cs_6This is my favorite photo of the Apron Bears all together holding hands.

 

 

26 comments:

  1. Very sweet!! I love them they are great!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  2. They are beautiful and such a special thing to do for family members. Lucky them!
    Mama Bear

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  3. Ginger, what a delight! They are fantastic, so cute and what a wonderful story behind each apron!!! I love it! What a wonderful tribute to your Mom and how touching for all your family, I am sure they were so happy!
    You are so caring and such a loving sister!
    I wondered what you doing!!! Now I know, very impressive!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  4. Ginger,
    What a wonderful thing to do for your family !!! I just love those old prints of the vintage fabric. The bears look as though they think their aprons are great as well.
    Hugs,
    Bonnie

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  5. WOW! What a fabulous idea and what cute bears! You always amaze me! These are just the cutest! I am just sure we are related...don't you remember me! heeheehee!

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  6. Oh, Ginger, what a wonderful surprise for your family! They will absolutely treasure them.
    Heaps of Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  7. Oh, Ginger, how marvelous! What a treat for your family. They will absolutely treasure those beautiful little bears wearing aprons like your Mom. Lovely,
    Heaps of Hugs,
    Cheryl

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  8. Oh what a BEAUTIFUL MEMORY of you mother! I just love pictures of the aprons on the line and blowing in the wind! My mother-in-law and husbands grandmothers always wore aprons around the house and they too had quite a cache stored up!!! I actually sewed them alot of aprons! Once they were gone my sister-in-law and I divided up the aprons between us...we still wear many of them!!!! We cook together for the holidays and wear our aprons....they bring back so many wonderful memories of times gone by! What a truly SPECIAL way to memorialize your Mom. Thanks for sharing!
    Hugs,
    Lynn

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  9. Wonderful idea. Beautiful memories! I'm sure they were a hit! (And the bears like their aprons!)

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  10. Ginger, what a fantastic idea! Apron bears. LOVE it and them. hee :)

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  11. Oh what a wonderful surprise, I have to ask did they all cry when they saw the bears with the aprons? The happy memories they must have brought to them. Tears of joy. I love the pictures of them all hanging up. What a collection.

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  12. What a wonderful idea Ginger so unique and special your family must have been thrilled to bits!

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  13. Joanne - There might have been a tear or two shed - for sure, my own. But the bears were very happy to be out from under the tree into the light of a Christmas morning.

    Thanks for asking!

    ~ginger

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  14. Simply adorable. I'm sending this link to my daughter who thinks I have too many aprons. My collection is nowhere near your mom's.

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  15. Oh wow, they are so cute, and what a great idea!
    It's nice that she kept that spare fabric all those years!!!

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  16. Hello Ginger. This is wonderful in so many ways..one that you have your mom's apron and two...for the wonderful thing you are doing for your family. I just love your apron bears.

    Wishing you a fantastic day,
    Doreen

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  17. Ah, Ginger. Treasures indeed and splendid heirlooms. Your mom is smiling down upon you as we speak. Hugs~Carol

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  18. What a special thing to do for your family. I can imagine how proud your mom was while watching you make each one. I can't imagine opening one of them without not balling my head off. What a neat story. I will share this story with my friends on my blog if you don't mind. It has really touched my heart. Kath' at dublshot@comcast.net

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  19. Your family must have loved the bears.How sweet that was!
    Micki

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  20. Ginger, what a treasure of wonderful aprons! How lucky you all are. Delightful little Apron Bears, I know your family loves them and remembers your mom with every glance. (if not, you can adopt me)

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  21. I made up a blog award... and I'm giving it to you whether you like it or not.

    lol, you can look, no need to post it if you don't do that kind of thing :)

    Also... Dot can't seem to remember... how many bears make up your little group of troublemakers that we always have the pleasure of reading about?

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  22. Oh Ginger, what a lovely thing to do. Your family must have been so pleased. The bears are all gorgeous and I just love the name "The Apron Bears". Beautiful! Brought a tear to my eye too. My Mum also passed away this time of the year (3rd January) and she had a special apron or two. Beautiful!!
    Hugs
    Hillary

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  23. Oh my goodness...what a special gift to give to your family members. They are so adorable Ginger!
    I love the photos of the aprons on the line. Such a great idea to take those photos.

    Hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with your family.
    All of my best wishes for a happy, peaceful New Year!
    Hugs, Nancy

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  24. Ginger, they are adorable and ever so thoughtful a gift. Just wonderful!
    Hugs,
    Laura

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  25. was a beautiful and lovely idea Ginger, they are gift , a treasure to the heart.

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