Books

Books and tags suggested just one thing to me - a favourite in our household - 'A Bear Called Paddington' by Michael Bond. If you don't know the story, Paddington is a bear of great character, who arrives at Paddington Station, as a stowaway from Darkest Peru. He's carrying a suitcase and is wearing a hat with an inherited collection of stains, and a label saying 'Please look after this bear. Thank you.' The Brown family take Paddington home and there are many books telling of his adventures. He loves to try out new things, and is often is trouble but usually manages to come out the other end unharmed! His favourite thing is marmalade sandwiches, and he likes marmalade with chunks. So my tag has two sides, one with the message 'Please look after this bear. Thank you.' (couldn't have anything else really!) The other side has a marmalade jar label , made in Publisher and printed out, and picture of Paddington which I got free in a book with a craft magazine, and some marmalade chunks, which I made from red craft foam and PVA glue with watercolour paint added. The marmalade is a little too red, but I'm very pleased with the end result, which is being displayed with the numerous Paddington soft toys that we have! I'm hoping Paddington would approve otherwise I might be on the end of one of his hard stares!

The back of Paddington's label, written by Aunt Lucy before he stowed away to England from Darkest Peru

The front of my label, I'm afraid we had some trouble with our chunks!