Izzybelle Visits Fredricksberg – The Final Chapter of Izzy B.’s Travel Log

The final leg of Izzybelle’s Texas adventure was our visit to Fredricksberg. After we left the UFDC convention we headed for the hills! (the Texas Hill Country) Izzybelle and Ismay were very excited because they knew that they were going to get to visit all of the dolls that belong to Edith O’Neil during this part of our journey.

Our first stop after leaving the convention was Wildseed Farms to look at the gardens and buy wild flower seeds. I've been buy from them for almost 30 years, so it was fun to see where all the seeds have been coming from. — Our first stop after leaving the convention was Wildseed Farms to look at the gardens and buy wild flower seeds. I’ve been buying from them for almost 30 years, so it was fun to see where all the seeds have been coming from.

Chicken fried steak :) — Chicken fried steak 🙂

This is the tiny little Sunday house we stayed in. It's known as the Metzger House. From the late 19th century through the 1920's local farm families had small houses in town so that they could come into town on Saturday to sell their produce, do their marketing, and attend church on Sunday morning. After dinner on Sunday they would head back to their farms. — This is the tiny little Sunday house we stayed in. It’s known as the Metzger House. From the late 19th century through the 1920’s local farm families had small houses in town so that they could come into town on Saturday to sell their produce, do their marketing, and attend church on Sunday morning. After dinner on Sunday they would head back to their farms.

Metzer House kitchen. — Metzer house kitchen.

Me enjoying the porch swing at the Metzger house. — Me, enjoying the porch swing at the Metzger house.

After checking in to our own personal B&B we went to visit my friend Edyth O'Neil and deliver the doll she bought from me on Saturday at the convention. — After checking in to our own personal B&B we went to visit my friend Edyth O’Neil and deliver the doll she bought from me on Saturday at the convention.

Ismay got to visit with Edyth's dolls, which are amazing! — Ismay got to visit with Edyth’s dolls, which are amazing! You can see her sitting in the little chair on the bottom shelf.

It was really nice to be able to see two of the dolls I've made again (the one in the green and red dress sitting on the bench and the one in the apron standing behind the bench). On the left hand side of the picture is a boy doll made by Jan Conwell and the tallest doll in the back is one of Edyth's antique papier-mache dolls. — It was really nice to be able to see two of the dolls I’ve made, that Edyth owns, again (the one in the green and red dress sitting on the bench and the one in the apron standing behind the bench). On the left hand side of the picture is a boy doll made by Jan Conwell and the tallest doll in the back is one of Edyth’s antique papier-mache dolls. The tiny doll that is laying on the bench was also made by Jan Conwell and painted by Edyth.

Edyth has created a magnificent large scale doll's house out of one of her hall closets! I'd do the same thing in a flash if only I had closets :) — Edyth has created a magnificent large scale doll’s house out of one of her hall closets! I’d do the same thing in a flash if only I had closets 🙂

The lower level of Edyth's doll house. — The lower level of Edyth’s doll house.

Edyth showed us the amazing hooked rug that she is currently working on.

This outstanding rug hangs over the mantle in Edyth's living room. — This outstanding rug hangs over the mantle in Edyth’s living room.

Brian relaxes and chats with us while Edyth and I played with all the dolls! — Brian relaxed and chatted with us, while Edyth and I played with all the dolls!

Two papier-mache dolls and a Martha Chase doll that Edyth has repainted. — Two papier-mache dolls and a Martha Chase doll, that Edyth repainted.

Edyth owns an amazing collection of papier-mache and china dolls, all of whom are beautifully dressed and artfully displayed.

Edyth's husband bought her this wonderful portrait because it looks like a Martha Chase doll. — Edyth’s husband bought her this wonderful portrait because it looks like a Martha Chase doll.

Izzybelle and Ismay are fast friends with Edyth's antique Izannah Walker doll. — Izzybelle and Ismay are fast friends with Hannah, Edyth’s antique Izannah Walker doll.

Ismay loved trying out this early doll carriage. She said it was very comfortable and just her size!

After a nice long visit between us... — After a nice long visit between us…

... and the dolls it was time to go. — … and the dolls, it was time to go.

Edyth recommended a fabulous Mexican restaurant.

Another tiny Sunday house, this one made of limestone.

I loved this horse that lives outside of a great restaurant on Fredricksberg's main street. — I love this horse that lives outside of a great restaurant on Fredricksberg’s main street.

German food for our last night, to celebrate Fredricksberg's heritage. — German food for our last night, to celebrate Fredricksberg’s heritage.

We said good-bye to the Metzger house and Fredricksberg as we left for the airport on Tuesday morning at 3 a.m.

If you loved getting a glimpse of Edyth’s doll collection, you can read about her dolls in much more detail on her blog. Edyth’s fantastic book on rug hooking, Rugs for My Red Cape is out of print, but you can still get a pdf copy from her for what I consider to be a very modest amount for such a great book. If you are not a rug hooker, you’ll want this book anyway – just for the gorgeous photographs of the papier-mache dolls and the 18th century Connecticut cape that Edyth and her husband, Jack, moved and rebuilt in Texas! Also be sure to look for the in depth article that Early American Life will be publishing about Edyth’s home sometime during the next year. I’m sure it will be wonderful and I know the photography will be outstanding!

I hope you enjoyed joining Izzybelle and me for our travels through Texas!!! We wish you could have come too ❤

8 thoughts on “Izzybelle Visits Fredricksberg – The Final Chapter of Izzy B.’s Travel Log”

I loved reading about your travels. Edyth has the most amazing doll collection! Her home and hooked rugs are beautiful too. How nice that you were able to personally deliver another of your lovely dolls to her!

paulawalton says:

July 26, 2014 at 11:00 pm

Isabella,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the travel logs. They were fun to do! Edyth was a joy to visit and it was such a treat to spend time with her again. She is an inspiration!
Paula

Reply

Hi Paula, you look great!!! Such nice color in your face and a great smile.
I love Edith’s hall closet doll house. I do have a big hall closet myself just outside of my sitting room and the entry way of the main front door. This is something I might really like to do, instead of just loading out of season coats there. I love all of the photo’s. To be able to see Edith’s collection was like going to a doll club meeting and seeing a collection from a new member. From your photo’s and the great looks of you and Brian I’m sure your vacation was all you wanted it to be and more. Isn’t it fun to have a travel doll and document the entire trip. I did it many times with my wood carved Hitty dolls I purchased from Judy Brown. I enjoyed reading about Izzybelle’s travel journal very much. See you at the Jenny Lind Doll Show and Sale. Fondly, Mary Goddard.

paulawalton says:

July 26, 2014 at 11:10 pm

Mary,
Thank you! You should definitely consider transforming your closet into a doll house.

Edyth has been a long time UFDC member at large, so I think you could certainly consider seeing photos of her collection like going to a doll club meeting. If you can get your hands on a copy of UFDC Region 3 Newsletter New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas Spring 2008, there is a great article about Edyth and her collection in it. 🙂

It was fun to take Izzybelle on our trip! A Hitty would have been easier to pack, but I wouldn’t have traded Izzybelle for the world. She was the perfect travelling companion ❤

Till October.
Paula

Reply

Oh, Paula, I WAS there too–because you shared it all with us right here. Thank You! I absolutely adore getting to visit homes and seeing how others have artfully arranged antiques and dolls. Thanks to both you, and Edyth, for sharing her home and her dolls with all of us in “virtual doll club land!” I have also enjoyed seeing photos of your home, Paula.

I, too, am caught up in the idea of a closet doll house, especially since I just brought home a newly purchased toy dresser, and my Victorian doll bed that has been stored in a Connecticut basement for ten years! WHERE am I going to put them but in the closet? But THAT’S a clever idea! Can I make it happen? Hmmm–what can I get rid of out of the hall closet for a new doll house??

My camera decided to stay in Old Sturbridge Village a few days without me, but finally found its way home to Oregon. Lucky me! Now I can finally make a blog page about my travels. I didn’t take a doll, nor did I buy one this time, But I sure liked your doll travel journal. I learn so much from you! Thanks, and welcome home.

Jennie

Jennie you are very welcome! Izzybelle and I had a great time sharing our time in Texas with everyone. Sounds like you have a good start on a doll closet!

I loved seeing the photos of Edith’s dolls and hooked rugs. I have followed her blog for a while. I just joined yours. Dolly visits are the best!

paulawalton says:

July 27, 2014 at 11:31 am

Becca,
Thanks for joining! Isn’t Edyth’s blog terrific? Dolls make everything better!!!
Paula

Reply