Just wanted to post a little Happy Birthday to my Husband as you never know who reads your blog... hahaha. I made these delicious cupcakes for his birthday and his mother and I along with my husband all had a hoot decorating them together... that made them taste even better. Would leave a recipe but, it's a secret!

Grandma's Pyjama's

So last night I was missing Mary... my Mum had given me a box about a month ago that had clothes in it that I might be interested in to cut them up and make them into a scrappy quilt. I finally had time to go through the box last night and in the box I found a pile of neatly folded Pyjamas that belonged to my grandmother. I took them out of the box and admired them, I love old cotton night gowns and as I was doing so I decided that I would not cut them... I would wear them. I carried them carefully upstairs and laid them out on the bed so I could choose just the right one to wear. Mary had been moved to a home as she had Alzheimer's and so each one had a name tag with her name in it. I like that... it makes me feel close to her. I finally decided on one and as I slipped it onto my head I was immediately immersed in her scent; It was as though her arms were wrapped around me. I closed my eyes and took a slow deep breath and I saw her as clear as if she were standing right there in front of me.

When she passed away last summer I was given a very special gift from her... her wedding rings. I had admired them as a child and was sometimes allowed to carefully place them on my finger. I was always very respectful of what they stood for and never left the bedroom with them on. I would sing and stare at the sparkling diamonds and then carefully place them back on her crystal ring holder that sat on her dresser. I received the rings and had them sized to fit and was too afraid something might happen to them to send them off for an appraisal.

Today I was leaving the house to drive to another town to go birthday shopping for my husband and as I was leaving the house I thought that I should bring Mary with me. Having worn the Pyjama's last night had me feeling a bit melancholy today. I often wear her rings when I am attending a special event or when my Mum comes to visit as I see them as a sort of gateway for her to be here with me which allows us both to share in the life I am still living. So today on my way out of the mall that I was shopping in I thought I would take one more swing around just to make sure that I did not miss anything that would be a good gift for my husband. Low and behold there was an on site appraiser and I was able to watch him with her rings as he checked everything and created a certificate for me.

The funny thing is... when I got home I put the papers into the filing cabinet and put the rings back into their box and replaced them with my own wedding rings (that's the routine). I went and had a nice hot bath and then walked quietly into the bedroom to put on my grandma's pyjamas. Of all the things that were given to me, the rings, her sewing machine, her bear making supplies etc. it is her pyjama's that seem to give me the most comfort. Don't get me wrong, the other things all have a very special place in my heart and fill my life with joy every time I wear or use them but her pyjama's ... my grandma's pyjamas... make me feel close to her. I can close my eyes and take a deeeeeeeepppp breath in..... and there she is, laughing and smiling and singing!

I miss you Mary... thank you for staying close by my side and allowing me to share in YOU ...

Now for sale on ETSY

The Chronicles of Eva

Where will I go
To a land far away
Will I travel by boat or maybe by plane
Will I dance in the arms of a new mother?
Will I adventure and cuddle a father

I sit here in waiting on the creative shelf
with brothers and sisters not fully developed
I am told I'm a beauty and that love is waiting
I am excited
I am anxious
to know where I'll be staying

I've so much to offer
My potential is clear
I was made to be loved by someone called "Dear"
My box has been lined with soft tissue
My tags and certificates are my adoption papers
Where is my home? Where will it be
Just know that I am waiting to love only thee!

signed with love

Eva

Well after working on my banner yesterday my bear Mary-Jane was brought to the my attention again. Who would have thought that my husband would have a favourite bear? He saw her again yesterday as I was making my banner and he said "I love her... she's my favourite bear. She has a zombie stare and is so old she suits the zombie image too". What a hoot! My husband and I use to be in the movie industry many years back and we worked in the makeup department creating zombies and monsters as well as beauties. So for me this was a bit of a compliment and I really did think is was cool and really nice that for whatever reason he liked her because she will never be for sale. She was my first REAL bear so I will keep her close by to remind me of where my journey began.

Mary-Jane got her name from my grandmother (my mentor) and the artist who made the pattern (Jane Perala). She is made fully 5 way jointed with a wobble head. I aged her to make her look well loved, and that she is! She is stuffed with ginned cotton, excelsior and steel shot. She is made of German Mohair in a light pink with black tips. She has an embroidered and waxed pink nose with vintage boot button eyes. Mary-Jane's neck ruffle is made of pure silk rose petals that have been gently glittered - they look like a fairy sneezed on them... so pretty! I am very pleased to be able to share her with you as ... she's my girl.

Just made my new header myself! I took me most of the day but I like it and that means it was worth the time spent! Yippeee!

Here is a sneak peak at my latest bear soon to be up for sale. Her name is EVA and she is made of golden blond tipped mohair. She is stuffed with pure ginned cotton, excelsior and lead free steel shot to give her a nice weighted feel for a substantial hug.

Eva is cotter pin 5 way jointed; her head is wobble jointed and I have designed her other joints just slightly loose to give her the cuddly olde world feel. Eva cannot stand on her own but she can hold her arms out for a hug.

Her eyes are genuine vintage boot buttons from Germany and her nose is a soft pink pearl cotton embroidered (unwaxed). Her paw pads are made of double layered quilters cotton and her claws are embroidered in the same pearl cotton as her nose.

She wears a flower in her hair that is hand felted. Her features have been accented by airbrushing.I spend a lot of time on the detail of the faces of my bears to make sure that their wonderful personalities are able to shine.

Every tiny stitch was sewn by hand by me, Michele Seraphim, and every seam was double sewn. Eva is a Seraphim original pattern and there will never be another just like her so don't hesitate if you love her.I take great pride in creating my bears and guarantee them 100%. If you have any question do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Eva will be up for sale via Ebay within a few days. I hope you like her and good luck on the auction! She is a true beauty!

PS. Please remember this bear is a collectors item and is NOT made for small children. I would hate for someone to get hurt so please purchase responsibly.