Feature Friday- The Three Bears

BySusan Myers on crochet, humor

This week, I am featuring a project that I have been working on for the last month in between all my other projects. You see, my sister’s birthday was this week and I have been planning this gift for quite some time.

My sister is six years younger than me. When we were growing up, she was generally low man on the totem pole when it came to being picked on. My brother and I loved to torment her. We would throw her favorite teddy bear out the door and tell her it ran away. I made her pay me to allow her to clean my guinea pig’s cage. And then there was the time I woke her up from a sound sleep at 9:00 PM and told her it was time to get up for school. And didn’t tell her any different until after she had brushed her teeth and eaten a bowl of cereal. Yeah, I was a butt.

My sister loved her stuffed animals.  They were her best friends.

But back in 1974, mom got the latest Woman’s Day magazine and on the front cover was a crocheted set of three bears. Mom asked me if I was willing to help her crochet them for my sister for Christmas. And I was thrilled with the concept because you see, I was already a crafting maniac. So I worked diligently on them and on Christmas Day, my sister was thrilled with the gift. She loved on those things for years. In fact, she still has those bears today. Little baby bear lost it’s blanket years ago, but other than that, they are in relative mint condition.

So this past year, I perused E-Bay and ran across the Woman’s Day magazine from 1974 that I had used to make them. And I decided to remake them for her and present her with the bears and the original magazine for her birthday.

I have been working on them every evening between other projects for the past month. Crocheting body parts and throwing them into a bag as I went. I used fancier yarn this time around and added some extra details such as a bow for momma bear and a matching bib for baby bear. Apparently, I got a little carried away because when I went to sew the bears together, I discovered that I had inadvertently made five legs for momma bear….Ha!

Anyway, she was presented the gift this week and she totally loved them. See?

Now I have no idea what I’ll do next year to top this. You see what I do to myself?

I am an artist, crafter and humor writer living in Atlanta, GA. I attended the Atlanta College of Art, and have a background in fine arts, graphic design, and photography. I like to specialize in vintage and recycled crafts such as quilling, Ukrainian Egg Dying, batik and quilting.

36 Comments

  1. Hi there! I have been looking for that same magazine for years…didn’t remember the year or month. I made dozens of those animals if it was the same issue. Was there also the 3 little pigs and the wolf? and a mouse? I would love to know so I could search for a copy too. Thanks soooooooooooooo much!!!!

  2. These bears are so cute. have a great week 🙂

  3. Ashlee @ I'm Topsy Turvy says:

    what a totally perfect and fun birthday gift! I love it when my sisters and I find that perfect gift for each other that reminds of our wonderful childhood! Thanks for linking up to Topsy Turvy Tuesday's!

  4. Nicolette @ Momnivore's Dilemma says:

    Suzy- The thought behind that gift is too sweet. I wish I had a sister.

    Thanks for linking to Creative Juice! Hope to see you back this Thursday.

    <3
    nicolette

  5. Awww.. these are soo freakin adorable! I love them! And I am always in awe of anyone who can take a ball of yarn and make into ANYTHING!
    Thanks for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!

  6. AllieMakes! says:

    Those are SUPER cute! Love them!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

  7. Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence says:

    Precious and so sweet of you! Thanks for linking up to Beyond The Picking Fence.

  8. how thoughtful…you must be a good gift giver in general 🙂

  10. They are adorable! I don't crochet but I wanted to tell you how cute they are.

  11. I love these! I actually have two bears that are made from this pattern, but they're multicolored. I like yours better, especially their cute eyes, the rich brown & pink colors, and their little clothes.

    Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites last week!

  12. Cranberry Morning says:

    Those are SO CUTE! I have been knitting, but dragged out my crochet hook for the first time in years, just last night! I love making small projects like this. It's so rewarding! Thanks. 🙂 Visiting from Wandering Wednesday.

  14. Found you through FPTFY. Those bears are adorable. You did a great job.

  15. Krafty Kat says:

    Oh, how sweet! I love the bears and maybe next year you can make a goldilocks! 🙂 Thanks for linking up!

  16. Cheryl @ Sew Can Do says:

    Very cute & such a thoughtful and special gift. I seriously need to learn to crochet to make some.

  18. Maria@BubblegumandDuctTape says:

    that is so sweet, you were a bad girl but at least now you're making it up to her. She looks so happy with her cute bears.

    Visiting from Pinkapotamus

  19. Oh this post brought tears. What a special, heart touching idea. It probably made up for the school joke…maybe!

  20. LambAround says:

    Well of course she loved them! They're super-cute 🙂

  21. They are the cutest bears ever! And what an incredibly thoughtful gift! You're right – it'll be hard to top that for next year!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!

    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

  22. Oh my goodness! I adore these-what an amazing gift, you're sister is one lucky gal!

  23. creativejewishmom/sara says:

    Adorable! Next year you can make them a log cabin home? Thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday, great to have you!

  24. If these are not the cutest things I have every seen! Thanks for linking up to Creation Mondays @ ~The Life of Me~!

  25. Very cute bears. It is no wonder she loved the old bears and the new bears (with extra accessories!)

    –Denise at Sly Needle

  26. Rachael@Lovely Crafty Home says:

    So sweet, thanks so much for linking 🙂 I knit but haven't learned crochet yet!

  27. abeachcottage says:

    What a wonderful gift! Your sister will definitely love those cute little bears, you did a great job.

  28. Avalon Cat Cartoons says:

    Meow. Have a lucky weekend!

  29. Vanessa Morgan says:

    Very cute blog and dito bears 🙂

  30. They look awesome! Im always in awe of people who have the sewing and knitting talent;).

  31. Toucan Scraps says:

    how fabulous, so thoughtful and loving, and so very cute too!

  32. PootleFlump says:

    Aww what a lovely story. No wonder she loved them. Adorable!! x

  33. Awww, thanks for featuring me, he he he maybe you were a butt at times but I'm sure I was too and besides you totally made up for it with those three bears!!! he he he, oh, now I have six bears!!!!! I'll have to introduce the new ones to the old ones slowly so they don't beat each other up, he he he

  35. Marie Riggs says:

    Hi there,

    I came across here on your site and love it. I love the title too…I hope you dont mind I just nominated your site to the Stylish Blogger Award.

    Here the link and you can do the same too….

    I will be your regular visitor here and would love to x-change links with you…

    Thanks,

    Marie

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