Monday Made....Valentine Hanky Dolls

The Gathering on Saturday went well! We had so much fun. I will post more about it this week and share more pictures but today is Monday Made on my Take Peace Tasha Tudor group. I wanted to share this Valentine dolly that I made for the gals in my group, using vintage hankies.

I found the craft with instructions on Pinterest. It was floating around and I checked it out. I did pin it on my Pinterest board. For directions and the pattern go to www.vintageimagecraft.com/hankie-doll.html

I thought they would be so fun to make, so I started collecting vintage hankies. I did buy a few Valentine hankies as this was a Valentine party.

The blog gave me a print out for the two ladies, the heart and a back piece to hold up the hanky. I did adjust the heart as I thought the original pattern was too large. I added the paper heart dollies.

I used scrapbook papers and matched up the colors the best I could. The instructions will give you directions for ironing the hankies.

You glue the pieces together and slip the hanky top under the waist band to make finish off her dress.

I wanted them to hang, so I glued on little ribbons on the back under a little square tag to hide the ends of the ribbon.

I was very pleased with the finished product and the ladies really liked them. It was a fun project and it feels good to be crafting again.

Bethany Tudor's Band Box

As we approach Tasha Tudor's 100th Birthday celebration on August 28th, I want to continue to share some stories and items from our summer trip to New England. I may have explained how I got interested in Tasha Tudor, but I like to tell my story! Jim, Angie, Gina and I were on a little summer weekend trip to Newport Or when the girls were very young. We would always take them to Canyon Book Store and they would get to choose a book. I was wondering around, just waiting for them to pick a new favorite when I stumbled upon this book...DRAWN FROM NEW ENGLAND. It was written by Tasha Tudor's oldest daughter, Bethany, in 1979. I fell in love with the life story of the Tudor family and the art and illustrations of Tasha Tudor. I went on the hunt when I returned home. There was a charming little book store in downtown Portland called Skidmore Books which featured mostly children's books. The owner and I became good friends and she would call me when she got a new order in. This was in the early 1980's  and I really loved the work that Tasha was doing then.
I was hooked and look where that little book has taken me! WOW!

This is a picture of Bethany holding her book. Notice the doll on Bethany's lap in the photo below. I love the smile on her face.

Here we have our a group photo of those who attended the Gathering. Bethany is sitting by Suzanne in the photo below. Bethany and Suzanne have become good friends. It was fun to get to meet Bethany and chat with her a bit. Her voice has a lot of Tasha's sounds and it just makes you stop a bit when she talks. She is quiet and a bit shy.

 I think she enjoyed the evening with all of us. She had a little table with some items for sale.

Here she is talking with Christine Crocker, another member from Oregon and a wonderful doll maker.

Bethany also has some children's books...here's a few of them.

When we went to visit John and Jill Hare at the Cellar Door Books, we purchased this little pink band box made by Bethany Tudor. It is just charming.

I just love band boxes! I saw a lot of antique boxes on our trip, however, they are out of my price range. I have a few small ones that I enjoy.

The green one was made by my doll friend Christine LeFever and actually goes with a doll that she made. The sweet little round one is from the Doll Fair. I'm not sure, but I think maybe Suzanne made it. The heart shaped box is made by an Oregon artist. I love the label in the top.

This is another book that I really LOVE! Tahsa Tudor's Old-Fashioned Gifts. I have been wanting to make these little ones.

I think I'm going to collect some vintage wallpaper and buy some little cardboard boxes and have a craft day when LaVonne comes to visit in October. I think that would be really fun to make them together. 

Tea Time Thursday #83~A Look Back at the July Doll Fair in Vermont

Today I am remembering the Tasha Tudor doll fair we had in Vermont in July. You might be wondering what that has to do with Tea Time Thursday? You might also be wondering what a doll fair actually is? So, let me step back and explain a few things for those who may not be familiar with Tasha Tudor. Most of you know I am a great fan of Tasha Tudor's. She would have a doll's fair in September for her children, their dolls and teddy bears and their friends. It was great fun. They would build little booths and have miniature and child sized items at the fair. This is an illustration from one of her books~ALL FOR LOVE. In the book, she explains the fair and has these directions for making a booth from a cardboard box.

This is the book which has the directions and information.

Last spring when our group decided we would be having another Gathering to celebrate Tasha's 100th birthday, we decided to have a doll fair. We got to pick a theme for our both and I chose to do a TEA SHOPPE!

You can also find some delightful illustrations in one of my favorite Tasha Tudor books....A TIME TO KEEP.

Our member Julia Marsh was the person in charge of the doll fair. She did a great deal of work and planning and did a great job. Thanks Julia for all the work.

This is my booth at the Gathering...all set up and ready to go! I had so much fun finding items to offer in my booth. Oh yes,  the currency used at doll fairs is BUTTONS, so everything was purchased with buttons.

I tried to think what a real tea shoppe would have for sale and then went looking for miniature items. I found things at estate sales, Ebay and Etsy. I did make a few items too.  Most of these goodies are 1:12 scales as that works well for Hitty dolls and our smaller Annabelle dolls.

I found mini linens, tea sets, tidbit trays, candles, boxes of tea, jars of tea, candy boxes, candles, flowers, trays, toast racks, serving pieces, tea time napkins with napkin rings, tea cups and even made little tea cards and envelopes. I had so much fun!!!

I did have this annex for some larger pieces for larger dolls. The larger dolls were happy with the offerings.

Here I am putting the finishing touches on the booth.

Of course a doll fair has to have other offerings! This is the bakery run by Suzanne's sweet daughter Lydia. She did a great job.

Linnie added some whimsy to the fair with the bogarts selling ice! The bogarts are funny little characters in Tasha's work that love to cause mischief.

This is Julia's booth...The Potting Shed that was filled with all kinds of wonderful things for the garden. She did a great job decorating and providing lovely items for the dolls.

Everyone loved the little hoses. Lots of fun flowers too....LOTS!

Meadow was the sweetest little daughter of our member Betsy. She was 5 years old and adorable. Her booth was a variety store filled with all kinds of goodies and treasures.

Most of the members in our group have Hitty dolls. If your haven't read the book HITTY, it's a must for you! I just love that book. Hitty's Hatties was just awesome. Martha is a big Hilly fan!

Wilhelmina made lovely flower wreaths for your dolly's hair for many different sized dolls....just darling with lots of colors to choose from.

Belinda brought fun items for all the dolls. She traveled from Florida, and still brought goodies for all!

Kristen had wonderful comb and brush sets for large and small dolls. I didn't get a good picture but they were packaged so sweetly.

Melinda is quite the miniaturist. I loved her 4th of July booth...bright and cheerful and full of treasures.

Julia made all these amazing nibbles for the dolls at the cafe. I couldn't believe it...

Some of the dolls at the cafe...

Miss Annabelle of Oregon had a new bonnet for her trip. She was quite proud of it.

Julia had beetle races for the children too. Tasha had them at her doll fair. This is Alicia and sweet little Meadow checking it out.

Of course, Jimmy had to join in the fun. You can always find him where the kids are enjoying some fun.

I won the blue ribbon and the Golden Key for the best booth! What fun, heh? This is Julia with me.

My BEST IN SHOW RIBBON that I will always cherish. It was a very fun and magical event that I will always remember. I hope you enjoyed my post.