Sunday, September 4, 2011

Needlework: Raccoon Bears from a Raccoon Coat

 I recently asked Vicki Mutascio to turn my mother's vintage 1930's raccoon coat into these adorable bears.  Once again she did a magnificent job.  The mink teddy bears from my mother's 1958 mink stole were a huge success so I decided to make room in the closet and do the same with this coat.  
The photo above is of my grandmother and my aunt who is wearing my mother's raccoon coat probably in the early 1940's.  

Vicki did a great job of incorporating my mother's initials, which were in the lining of the coat, into the large bear's paw.  She uses the coats lining for all the bear's paws and includes any labels in the seams.
All in all, an adorable family of bears to share with my daughters fashioned from a coat which belonged to the grandmother they never knew.  
To get in touch with Vicki, email her at vicandang@comcast.net. Her fee is most reasonable at $25 per bear.
I am linking to most of these BLOG PARTIES

55 comments:

Tami said...

What an adorable idea...so cute!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fabulous idea. I love it. The bears are wonderful and the initials are a very special touch. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

Very creative! The bears look so cute. A great way for your children to have a link to their grandmother.
Have a good week.
Judy

Linda said...

What a perfectly wonderful idea!!!

Charlotte said...

This lady is a genius! These are adorable and priceless!

Jo said...

I can't wait to have one of these to display in my place! They came out so great!

a little bit of everything said...

And have one you shall very soon, Jo! Your grandmother would have it no other way!

momstheword said...

These bears are absolutely adorable! How fun and sweet that she put your mom's initials on there!

I don't ordinarily accept a post where someone is selling something listed on the meme, but you aren't selling this, and it has such a sweet history with your mom that I can't resist, lol! So thanks for linking up, my friend!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

What a tribute, those are just darling and with the initials! What a great idea! Visiting from metamorphous Monday, so glad I did!

Carol

Anonymous said...

I love this! What a great way to repurpose the coat :)

Just Jaime said...

Great idea! Love the initials too!

DHidey said...

WOW--so cool. My aunt had a coat like that--which would make an adorable gift to her grandnieces--I've got to show her your pictures!
New follower from the Managing Monday Hop.
Http://Didoodlings.com

Stacy's Savings & Other Stuff said...

These are adorable!

Stopping by on the Managing Monday blog hop! Hope you'll check out my site, www.stacyssavings.com!

Cranberry Morning said...

Those are wonderful! What a great way to hand down Grandma's coat.

Marlee said...

Those bears are ridiculously cute! What a great idea! Risky, but awesome! Great blog, am a new follower.

http://marleeindebt.blogspot.com/2011/09/lesson-14-go-for-it.html

Deborah March said...

I made three of these for my grandchildren, from my Mum's coat...they sleep with them! GORGEOUS!

Deborah (happily visiting from
http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com)

{Hope you can drop by!}

Christy said...

Thanks for joining the Train ride!

Unknown said...

Hi,
Thanks so much for linking to 2nd Time Around! Love those bears!

BluBabesCreate said...

I am so thinking about this for my son Behr.

AngelaK said...

They are so pretty and a great way to remember someone.

Brand new follower from Mommy's Living the Life of Riley! Feel free to stop by and chat!
http://edgeofinsane.blogspot.com

margaret in the middle said...

Such a great way to share a coat (that only one of us could wear at a time anyway) -- if only I wasn't twice her size. HAHA. Can't wait to display mine. Love them!!!

Anonymous said...

following you from the Social Parade..thats what I am trying to do...a little bit of everything...hope I can choose a good name...it's mostly floral art..and designs...great blog

Romanian Princess said...

Hi! I'm Nicole from Romanian Princess. I saw your blog on a link up and decided I better add you! Please return the favor and follow me back at:

www.romanianprincess.com!

XoXo Nicole Mariana

Grandma Bonnie said...

They are so cute. I love the idea. New follower from the Social Parade. Hope you stop by for a visit and follow back if you like. http://grandmabonniesweeclassroom.blogspot.com/

Threeundertwo said...

Those turned out so cute! Such a great idea. Thanks so much for linking up to Finished for Friday!

Erin said...

Love this idea! Found you on a Weekend Blog Hop. Love your site. I am now following your blog. I hope that you can check me out at http://indianacouponsavings.blogspot.com/ and follow me too.

Have a great weekend!! Thanks

The Artful Diva said...

I love, love, love this idea. I have a fur coat hanging in the closet which I never wear anymore - SW Florida never gets cold enough for a fur coat. I'm going to have to think about this some more...

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

What a wonderful treasure for your children. I have my momma's mink stole from the 50's. There may be enough mink to make one bear. Thanks for the link.

I'm visiting for Pink Saturday. Have a wonderful day.

Pink Sparkles,
Stephanie Suzanne ♥

Anonymous said...

I love the bear family as well as the fact that they were made from something so precious as your mothers mink coat! Playing catch up with my Friday Blog Hopping! Follow back @ http://www.pargasjunkyard.wordpress.com and/or on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pargas-Junkyard/259287017434763

pinkkandy said...

It's another Pink Saturday...and I pray each one of you will have a great week-end..and even some pink sugary fun! God Bless you
Kandy

Unknown said...

What a great idea!! I just love the way your mothers old coat was transformed into something even more special.

Brenda H said...

Those bears are awesome!! What a wonderful way to turn a memory of your mother into something for your family.

I'm following you now, great blog! I love your background as well!

Heather said...

I've hear of people doing this before and think it is wonderful. Your bear looks terrific. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Cute bears and what a great idea. Have a good week, Blessings Marilou

Mom Fashion World said...

Cool!
I like how they turned out so adorable!

By the way, I'm your newest follower via GFC from Monday Blog Hop.
Please feel free to visit my blog. Looking forward to seeing you there, and hope you follow me back. Thanks!

http://www.momfashionworld.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

THANK YOU so much for this post! This completely solves a dilemma I've been facing! A couple months ago, my mom gave me my great grandmother's mink coat. It was so special to Grammy as she'd always wanted one and finally, in her '80s, her 4th (or was it 5th?) husband bought her a mink coat! Anyway, when she was ready to pass away, she gave it to my oldest aunt who kept it for several years out of respect for Grammy. Not being the type to wear the coat, she finally gave it to my mom who is the next sister in line. My mom is not the type to wear it either so she gave it to me. While I'm the "type", it's just so bulky and hot that I don't see myself wearing it either! We all are passing around this coat to "honor" Grammy but it's really becoming a pain in the neck! What an awesome idea to have it turned into bears though! I've got 4 daughters so far (and 4 sons)...I will definitely be in contact with this girl...Thank you!!

HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
Sarah

Unknown said...

What a creative way to recycle such a cool vintage piece. Love it. Your daughter love these soft silky guys I would think!
Found you thru Monday Mom. Hope you will check us out too at http://twinswithtots.blogspot.com/
Cathy and BEcca

Michelle and Lakeon said...

what an interesting way to re purpose something

Im a new GFC follower from the monday blog hop. would love a return follow on my blog as well. www.mamasbabycupcakes.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness what a brilliant idea! LOVE it!! Thank so much for sharing!! I am going to pass this along to my grandmother to tell her to part with her mink!!

TRAVEL DESIGNERY said...

Hi there!.. Just found you through a blog hop and am your newest follower. I started my blog some months ago and would appreciate the support so much if you could follow back! It's nice that there are forums like these for bloggers to interact.

My google friend connect button should show up on the upper right hand side of the page.

Thank you and have a beautiful day! :-)

TravelDesignery.com

.

Allyson Bossie said...

super cute bears!!! love love them!

I am doing the blog hop, and I am sorry if this is in the wrong spot, but I subscribed to your blog via rss feed. my blog is mywildcrazylife.blogspot.com
masugr@yahoo.com

Leila said...

That is such a fabulous idea!

I am a new follower! gotomommy.blogspot.com

Jennifer said...

Great idea! I always wondered what happened to old fur coats. Such a shame to have them just sit in the closet. I love the way she incorporated the initials.

Anonymous said...

new gfc member from hop. please follow at http://www.simplyshopandsave.ca

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful idea, to honor your mother and to be able to enjoy the raccoon in a socially acceptable fashion.
I am not sure how well it would go over in my household full of dogs and cats, however.

Anonymous said...

Love that yellow sweater and cap!! I came by from the hop to follow -Hope you can stop in and return the favor sometime soon ;) http://www.shaunanosler.blogspot.com

Happy Gramma said...

I don't know when I have seen such cute bears. I bet they are so incredibly cuddly too! You blog is just beautiful! I love all the pictures!
I am ollowing from Tuesday Train. Please stop in for a visit @ www.happyfamilyhappykids.blogspot.com

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

Oh My Goodness!! I could tear right up just looking at these. What an absolutely adorable way to preserve something so precious! I'm sure they will be treasured for generations to come!

Thanks for sharing on the Tuesday Train!

Greta said...

Those are great mementos.

Stopping by from the Alexa Hop.

Greta
How Was Your Day

Nora B. Peevy said...

What a great way to recycle. And I love that the initials were saved from the coat. This will be a family heirloom to treasure for your girls.

I'm over from Shah's Weekend Creation Hop.

Hope to see you hop on by.

-Nora

Cricket @ Thrifty Texas Penny said...

Great way to repurpose! Stopping by and following from the Flip Flop Friday Alexa hop.

Unknown said...

What a great idea for using up fur coats! You could do that with a leather coat to - it'd look different but what a great way to give a little bit of grandma to the grandkids when they pass - or even before so she can enjoy watching the kids eyes!

I'm following you now, would love a follow back!

Tina "The Book Lady
http://holidaygiftsandmore.blogspot.com
http://familyliteracy2.blogspot.com

Mindy said...

Hi there! Stopping by from the Alexa hop! I follow you via GFC! I'd love it if you'd come check out my page at
http://moneysavingmindy.blogspot.com.

Thanks!

Mindy :)

Kim Bee said...

New follower from the over 40 hop. I am so in love with this idea. My sis was telling me this could be done. I have my mom's fur coat and thought a bear or pillow would be such a great idea.

Anna Garcia said...

I Like The Bear Idea. And the Food Looks wonderful. Following From Blog Bop Hop. My Site www.CouponAnna.com Anna

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