Thursday Dolly Day

So here it is Thursday already! We have been spending so much time working in the yard. I was sick so many summers and had surgeries and then last summer we were gone for 2 weeks. Our yard has been neglected for 5 years. With sheltering in so much, we have been working on the yard and gardening. Jimmy has taken an interest in it again, so it's been something we can do together. I just forgot how much time it takes and how little time you spend inside when you work outside!

My doll came.  I got another one of the Tudor china heads that were once sold at the Enchanted Dollhouse in Vermont. I used the rest of my Etsy Mother's Day gift card for her. She was put together and is a bit larger. She came with her dress and pantaloons.

Her name is Emma. She is about 15".

I did make her a little slip using a larger item vintage item. It already had the pin tucks and I added the tiny lace.

I didn't like the collar, so I tacked it down inside. I also turned down the belt and added a little button to change the look. I added some lace along the bottom for a bit more length.

I do love the under sleeves. I need to add these to some of my doll dresses.

So here is her dress with the changes. I think it's much better around her neckline as you can see her face.

Here's the family!

Emma

Sally

Meg

Nell

My Tasha friend told me there was one more...Molly. I found her on a Tasha Tudor book site...the Cellar Door in CT. I know the owners and they are sending her to Portland tomorrow. I will have to make the doll's body and her clothes. I think she is larger too. It will be fun.

I hope you are all well. The doll world is a bit of a pause from all the sad things happening in our world. I am still trying to be safe. 

Blog Catch Up!

It's been busy at my home! I haven't been blogging due to other projects that have been waiting. I decided to catch up with a post to show some of my fun projects.
Jimmy and I have both been trying to finish up our gardening. My friend gave me this little rose from her rose from Tasha Tudor's garden in Vermont. My first one died and she graciously gave me a second one to try again. It's doing well this year. Can you see the little rose blooming? So exciting.

After some gardening, I decided to finish up a doll and make her an outfit. There was a doll shoppe in Vermont called the Enchanted Dollhouse. They used to sell these little china head dolls. You would make the body and her dress. There were 5 doll kits made. They are dated and named on the back of their breast plate. They are cute, nothing real special, but fun. Several Tasha fans have a collection of these. So this is Nell and it was time to finish her. My friend Carla has Sally and she made her undies out of the same fabric as the dress fabric. I thought it would be fun, even if it isn't traditional.

I love the tiny lace on her pantaloons and slip!

Working on the puffy sleeves and bodice with some antique lace.

Her's Nell in her new dress. I think she is quite happy with it.

This is my Meg doll. I made this dress for her last November. I love the fabric. I am waiting for Emma to arrive from Etsy. I'm not sure if I will like the fabric of her outfit, so I may be working on another one SOON!

For Mother's Day, my daughter Gina gave me a gift card from Etsy. It was so fun looking and thinking about what I wanted to spend my money on! I was wanting a cradle for the little baby doll I posted a few weeks ago. I love the little scenes painted on the bed. Thank you Gina!

It also has little design and wooden knobs on the sides.

Baby Phyllis loves here new bed! She can sit up in it or take a nap. She just fits perfectly in it.

Isn't is just the cutest?!

 A lovely lady in Florida found my blog and sent me an email. She wanted to know if I would like this book. It's a classic and I was happy to get it! I wanted to pay for postage and she wouldn't let me. So sweet from a lady I have never met! Blogger friends are just so wonderful and do such unexpected things.

She also sent some goodies that she had made and a couple other dolly booklets.

She does such beautiful work. Thank you so much Maria.
So, that's what has been keeping me busy this week. I hope you are doing well and taking baby steps to return to a few things as we reopen. Stay safe. 

New Dolly

I have a sweet story to share with you. The other day, Jimmy said I hadn't gotten a new doll during the virus. I really hadn't thought about it but I had not purchased a doll. Two doll shows were canceled and I really haven't been buying dolly things.

He said I should go into my dolly/tea room and check that the window was shut for the night. When I went into my room I saw this sweet little baby doll. He had gone to an estate sale last Saturday. He told me he didn't find anything he was looking for. It was strange...one person per room and everyone had to wear a mask and gloves.

He did buy this sweet baby doll for $8. 00! He didn't know anything about it, but thought I would like the doll or the outfit!

She is soooo sweet.  We did some research and found that she is a Armand Marseille doll, made in Germany probably around 1925. She is a Bye Lo type of baby doll. She has a squeaker box inside her body but it doesn't work. Her name is Baby Phyllis. She is marked on the back of her head.

Her little white dress is in good condition and just so adorable.

Now I will be on the lookout for a dolly cradle...someday when I can leave my house. Our governor is slowly unlocking our state, but she said that festivals and gatherings that would bring a large group of people together will probably be canceled until September. We were planning to exhibit at the Portland Antique show, but I don't think that's going to happen. We will be happy when we can go antiquing again. 

The Dolls Celebrate May Day!

Happy Mother's Day and welcome to another month! Who knows what another month into the virus will bring our way? I decided that I needed a bit of fun with the dolls. They bring me lots of happiness and they are good therapy.

I wanted to try to make little dolly May Day baskets. I settled on paper cornucopias filled with little flowers. I played around with scrapbook papers and pink paper doilies.

I pick up little flowers at flea markets and estate sales. I certainly had enough to choose from for the treats.

Then the dolls cleared the tea table and set up the crafts. They decided to wear flower wreaths in their hair for the little craft party. They were busy and had so much fun!

Tasha was quite pleased with her finished projects. She was able to help the other little ladies.

Lily was having a great time working on the May Day flower baskets. This was her first year here at Harlow House for the May Day fun.

The little table has been set for spring time!

Miss Hitty Noel was so excited to receive a basket this May! She looks just thrilled, doesn't she?

The other little ladies found this one on their dollhouse door!

This is little Annabelle. She was one of my first dolls and was made from a kit put together by my Tasha friend Kristen. She is only 10 1/2" tall.

This is my other Annabelle and Daphnie. They are so pretty and loved finding a May Day for them!

One more little basket for this sweet little miss. What a fun day it was for the dolls.
Wishing you all a Happy May Day and a great month ahead.