Welcome to our birthday tea party in honor of Izannah Walker, an extraordinary doll maker, who was the first woman to receive a United States Patent for her doll making method!
The dolls and their guests have gathered in the front parlor, while I brew a pot of tea. This afternoon we will be serving a combination of Earl Grey, lavender and ground vanilla beans. I drink mine with a bit of sugar, Isabeau and Zanna prefer lavender honey in theirs and little Izzybelle likes her cup partially filled with warm milk and a heaping spoonful of sugar, then topped up with tea!
A large scoop of Earl Grey tea, lavender flowers and a pinch of ground vanilla beans… total bliss!“Welcome!” “We are so glad you could come!”“Have you met our dear friend Lily? She just moved from Toledo to Michigan and now she has come to pay us a visit.” ” Sharon’s doll is also visiting us. We are so happy she could stay for the party!”“Does everyone have a seat?” “I’m going to go get the tea. I’ll be right back!”“This is Sadie, one of our new kittens.” “Izzybelle, be careful! Don’t let Sadie knock you off of the piano stool!” “Don’t worry Isane, I’m holding on tight!”“Here comes Jack. He follows Sadie everywhere!”Jack very much wants to play with Billie’s doll, who is another one of our party guests.“Would you care for a Honey Tea Cake?”“No Jack, not you!” “Tea cakes aren’t good for kittens.”“Isane don’t let them get the cakes!”“That’s right Jack, go see Anna, she’ll pet you.” “Petting is much better than cake!”” Sadie, I’ll pet you too.”“Now that the kittens have settled down, would anyone like a cup of tea?”“Oh no! Lily did Jack knock your cup out of your hand?”“Don’t worry. Nothing broke and I have a clean cup right here for you.”Too much excitement! The kittens are all worn out and have gone off to take a nap…“I would really like that cup of tea now!” “And I’d like a bit of quiet, civilized conversation!” “Well I LIKE having the kittens come to tea! It makes everything so much more interesting!” “Hush Izzybelle…”“I know what we should do. Have you seen Joy Harrington’s article in Antique Doll Collector magazine? It’s all about the house she had made for her Izannah Walker dolls.” “You can tell Billie all about it when you go home to Kansas.” “I think next year we should ask for a house of our very own as a birthday present!”“Cake? “I don’t know anything about cake.” “Or falling teacups…” “You must be thinking about some other kitten.” “Yawnnnnnnnnn”
See? I told you that the girls loved Joy’s article about her doll house! If you would like to read the article too, it is in the August 2015 issue of Antique Doll Collector magazine on pages 43-48. Not only does it include wonderful pictures and descriptions of the doll house, but it also shows Joy’s fantastic collection of antique Izannah Walker dolls. It is such a treat!
The dolls, kittens and I have so enjoyed having you visit us this afternoon! We hope you will come back tomorrow and Sunday for new posts at 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. each day, as we party on!
And now, I don’t know about you, but I plan to brew another pot of tea, put my feet up and watch the dolls giggle and play on into the evening…
* Sharon’s and Billie’s dolls are custom orders, who will soon be traveling to their new homes. In the photos they are wearing borrowed finery. They will each be receiving their final dress fittings soon and will both have posts of their very own to show off their new wardrobes before they leave here.
** Lily is an antique Izannah Walker doll that is staying with me while she undergoes a bit of judicious restoration. She will also be featured in a series of upcoming posts that will chronicle her restoration adventures.
My name is Paula Walton. I’m a working craftsperson. I’ve been self-employed since 1986, when I started selling the items that I make under the name A Sweet Remembrance. Among other things, I am a doll maker, a dressmaker that specializes in reproduction women’s and children’s clothing, maker of spun cotton ornaments and holiday figures, and a freelance designer. Upon occasion I write magazine articles and am a Craftsperson in Residence. I teach and do demonstrations quite frequently, plus I was previously the director and curator of a small museum in Connecticut.
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4 thoughts on “Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker – Part 5 – The Kittens Come to Tea”
Dear Paula and all the girls,
Thank you very much for inviting me to Izannah Walker’s 198th birthday party. I am having such a good time visiting! Of course you know how much I enjoy admiring the tea party finery with cartridge pleats and scalloped sleeves. And with Joy Harrington’s article about her Izannah house, I am so inspired and excited to see your doll house furniture and displays! I had to go back and look at your photos of Edyth O’Neal’s closet doll house too. Thank you, also, for offering tea on your very fine London type tea porcelain. Antique toy Staffordshire is my newest pursuit so I am learning all about it now and enjoy seeing lovely examples such as you have here. Kitties are quite welcome at tea by me, so getting to know yours was a treat.
Now, it is only good manners to invite you to my place as well. In a few days I will be offering my first of a series of posts about doll-size doll house displays and accessories, including staffordshire dishes. Though my collection is not as fine as yours, I do look forward to sharing it and my thoughts about it. My two 1 year-old cats like to bat the wooden doll toys and steal the teapot lid from my displays! We will be serving tea as well, and a special treat desired by all, kitties included–Spice Mice Cookies!
I look forward to your continuing festivities. With gratitude and Love, from Miss Ruby and Jennie
* Sharon’s and Billie’s dolls are custom orders, who will soon be traveling to their new homes. In the photos they are wearing borrowed finery. They will each be receiving their final dress fittings soon and will both have posts of their very own to show off their new wardrobes before they leave here.
Izannah Walker Journal 
Dear Paula and all the girls,
Thank you very much for inviting me to Izannah Walker’s 198th birthday party. I am having such a good time visiting! Of course you know how much I enjoy admiring the tea party finery with cartridge pleats and scalloped sleeves. And with Joy Harrington’s article about her Izannah house, I am so inspired and excited to see your doll house furniture and displays! I had to go back and look at your photos of Edyth O’Neal’s closet doll house too. Thank you, also, for offering tea on your very fine London type tea porcelain. Antique toy Staffordshire is my newest pursuit so I am learning all about it now and enjoy seeing lovely examples such as you have here. Kitties are quite welcome at tea by me, so getting to know yours was a treat.
Now, it is only good manners to invite you to my place as well. In a few days I will be offering my first of a series of posts about doll-size doll house displays and accessories, including staffordshire dishes. Though my collection is not as fine as yours, I do look forward to sharing it and my thoughts about it. My two 1 year-old cats like to bat the wooden doll toys and steal the teapot lid from my displays! We will be serving tea as well, and a special treat desired by all, kitties included–Spice Mice Cookies!
I look forward to your continuing festivities. With gratitude and Love, from Miss Ruby and Jennie
Jennie,
All of the girls send their love to Ruby! So happy you could stop by and join us for tea! I’m looking forward to reading about Spice Mice!
Such a beautiful celebration
I’m so glad you invited the kittens
Susan
Thank you! The dolls have a soft spot for the kittens so we couldn’t leave them out ❤