94% humidity today and my paint is not drying… so rather than stressing about it I am just going to go with the flow. After all this is August in New England and you can just count on hot, sticky and humid a lot of the time. 🙂 SO, this weeks 3rd Thursday is going to be a clothing event!!! ❤ Come by at noon (eastern time) on Thursday for a fashion show. I’ll have some dresses and accessories available for immediate sale.
Author: paulawalton
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.
Susie’s Emmaline
Miss Emmaline B has a brand new home and has acquired a new wardrobe as well ❤ Now that she has patiently waited through all of her dress fittings, she is ready to begin her journey to her new family.
Blue & White
apron
The pocket is set at an angle, which is highlighted by the print of the fabric.
- Click on any photo to enlarge
Antique Fabrics and Quilts Gone Wild – Creating a Bit of Order From Chaos
My perpetual hunt for antique fabrics has been overwhelmingly successful this summer! So much so that I have had fabric and quilts stacked everywhere… Much of the fabric I use to make dresses for my reproduction Izannah Walker dolls comes from the backs of damaged and worn antique quilts.
I search for and buy the quilts, take them apart, use the backing fabric that is stable enough to sew with, then save the tops to be restored if possible (sometimes this means removing the damaged blocks, then reassembling the tops into a smaller size), or at the very least I keep the tops so that even the tiniest bits of usable fabric can be re-purposed to restore other quilts and antique clothing.
So that means that I have an on going storage nightmare! The whole quilts and tops are stored in my painting studio… I know NOT paint… but my sewing studio completely ran out of space for any more fabric!!! Antique fabric, that isn’t quilts (which includes damaged antique clothing) IS kept in my cozy little sewing studio. Everyone who sews knows that you can never have enough fabric, the only question is “where do you keep it?” 🙂
Since I could barely walk into the storage closet of the painting studio, something HAD to be done. I purchased some heavy duty chrome shelves, spent a couple of afternoons putting them together, then yesterday re-folded all of my quilts and organized them on the shelves. Don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not a person that spends a great deal of time cleaning… in fact cleaning is pretty low on my to do list, but… I needed my work table back, where all of the quilts have been stacked for the past couple of weeks. Now that my table is empty, I can get to work on the how-to project and accompanying magazine article that I am writing for the Christmas issue of Early American Life.
empty shelves…
working my way through the stack…
partway there!
Organized!
Blacks & Greys
Browns
Reds
Blues
Wondering About My Choice of Shelving?
For those of you interested in conservation of antique textiles, the reason I chose the chrome shelving is because the chrome will keep the metal from rusting. Wood shelving was unsuitable because of the acid in the wood, and while you CAN paint the wood to seal in the acid, I prefer not to rely on a painted barrier. Plastic shelving is not strong enough to bear the weight of the quilts, and museum quality acid free storage boxes are impractical in this situation since I need constant, ready access to the quilts.
After I got all the quilts placed on the shelves, I covered the shelves with large dust covers to keep the quilts clean and prevent exposure to sunlight. I will periodically refold all of the quilts so that the fabric won’t wear and crumble along the fold lines.
When I need to wash quilts, I hand wash them using Orvus and cool water saved from my dehumidifier ( purchased distilled water can also be used). Then I air dry the quilts outside in a shady location, preferably flat – especially for very fragile quilts, but occasionally on the clothes line for especially sturdy ones. ❤
Welcome to My 1st Third Thursday – Two Dolls Made From Emmaline’s Mold – SOLD
Emmaline A has found a new home ❤ Miss Emmaline B is still available. She has a sweet, softly distressed paint finish that gives her an aged, well loved appearance – yet still retains vibrant coloring. The hair around her face is in soft waves, with ringlet curls in front of her ears and at the nape of her neck. “B” has some lovely blue embroidery on both her pantalettes and petticoat, plus a long chemise that will do double duty as a nightgown. Her white cotton dress is trimmed with myriad tucks and summery eyelet. The tops of her painted boots have a stripe of blue, that echos the blue embroidery on her undergarments. If you are considering a 2nd dress, a blue printed cotton or red, white and blue paisley would both be very striking choices!
Happy Third Thursday of July! It’s a hot, sunny day here in Connecticut. My studio is filled with glorious, bright sunshine, just perfect for painting, but not all that wonderful for photos… So please excuse the glare and know that both sweet Emmaline’s look much nicer than these photos convey.
Dolls sold on a first come basis. Email paula@asweetremembrance.com to purchase.
EMMALINE A – $1375.00 SOLD – Thank you to everyone who inquired about her!!!
Emmaline A does have stockings but Miss Sadie the mischievous feline has absconded with them. I didn’t realize Emmaline’s stockings were missing until it was time for photos… The stockings are white silk.
EMMALINE B – SOLD $1250.00
This is our day for footwear explanations 🙂 Emmaline B could not have her shoe laces painted, because it is the very last thing I do after her legs are completely painted… Well her legs were not dry until this morning and I couldn’t paint her laces and get her dresses without the fear of smeared paint!
EXTRA DRESSES
Extra dresses may be ordered for $200 – $250. These would be my fabric recommendations ❤
Thank you for stopping by to see my latest reproduction Izannah Walker dolls!
In Celebration of Izannah Walker’s 200th Birthday I am Curating a Very Special Public Exhibit of Izannah Walker Dolls!
Another date to mark on your calendars!!! As many of you may know, I am co-chairman for the Jenny Lind Doll Club doll show. This year is the 30th year for the show, so we wanted to do something special at this year’s show. Being fellow Izannahphiles I know you won’t be surprised by what I came up with. 🙂
The Jenny Lind Doll Club is very pleased to announce that we will have a special educational exhibit of Izannah Walker dolls at our October 29th, 2017 show. This is an almost unprecedented gathering of so many of these rare dolls at a public event. There will be at least eleven Izannah Walker dolls on display that belong to current Jenny Lind members, along with photos and memorabilia of Izannah Walker dolls owned by past members, including legendary Izannah Walker collector Maureen Popp. At this time discussions are underway with friends of the Jenny Lind doll club about the possibility of additional dolls being loaned for the exhibit, so the total number of dolls on display may be slightly higher. There is no separate admission fee to view the educational exhibit. Entrance is included in the doll show admission of $7.00.
All exhibited Izannah Walker dolls are part of private collections, they are NOT being offered for sale. This is strictly an exhibit in celebration of both our Doll Show’s 30th anniversary and Izannah Walker’s 200th birthday.
*If you will be attending the show and own an Izannah Walker doll that you would like to add to the exhibit, please contact us at jennylinddollshow@gmail.com to make arrangements. ❤
To keep up to date on all the doll show news check the show website: http://www.jennylinddollshow.wordpress.com and the show facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jennylinddollshow/
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Third Thursdays Start This Month ~ Mark Your Calendar! Then Come Back On Thursday To See This Month’s New Dolls For Sale
I’m starting something new! On the “third Thursday” of each month, with only a couple of exceptions, I’ll be posting a new doll, or two, or three for sale! Some months there will also be clothing and accessories too. ❤
Third Thursdays should be fun! The dolls will be posted at 12 noon Eastern Time here on izannahwalker.com and sold on a first come basis. If you wish to purchase a doll or other item, simply email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com. If more than one person emails about a doll, the email with the earliest time will take precedence. Once a doll has found it’s new home, I will immediately mark it SOLD. If a doll or accessory doesn’t sell on “Third Thursday” then it will be posted on my regular website www.asweetremembrance.com, where you’ll be able to buy it and use the automated secure checkout.
So mark your calendar and come back to visit on Thursday. If you have signed up for my “new dolls” mailing list you will receive an email reminder. 🙂
Busy Times! Studio News
You may have noticed that I haven’t posted much lately. Unfortunately that doesn’t mean that I have been enjoying a long lazy summer… ( just kidding – I love what I do!) As is usually the case, there is just so much going on that I simply haven’t had time to blog!
It’s funny, I was talking to Tess Rosch, publisher of Early American Life, last week and she made some comment about me being a “high energy” person. It’s not the first time someone has said similar things. I have some dear friends who firmly believe that I only manage to get so many things done because I’m on drugs. 🙂 They asked very nicely if I would please share, as they needed to finish quite a few projects of their own. LOL! I don’t actually think of myself as high energy. Instead I view myself as a very tired, stubborn woman with an extremely long to-do list… So we’ll consider this post as checking one of those items off my list.
Lots of exciting things are going on! I’m so thrilled to say that I have been chosen for the Early American Life Directory of Traditional Craftsmen in four different categories this year! Not only will you find me listed in Toys & Dolls, but also in Miniatures, Clothing & Accessories, and Holidays (in the upcoming Christmas issue). This makes 38 times that I have been juried into the Directory!
Magazines have been a big part of my summer so far. I spent several months combing through 80 years worth of books and articles, doing research for the article on Izannah Walker and her dolls that I wrote for Antique Doll Collector magazine. Look for it in their September, 2017 issue. It is the cover article!
Currently I’m in the midst of working on an article and project for the Christmas issue of Early American Life. Keep your fingers crossed and wish me luck! I need to have it finished by the end of July!!!
OTHER HAPPENINGS
Third Thursdays are starting this month! If you didn’t read about them in my last news letter, stay tuned for more information in the next few days. This should be fun!!!
I also have quite a few really amazing things in the works to celebrate Izannah’s 200th birthday! More news will be also be forth coming about them soon. 🙂
SIGNING OFF FOR NOW
Clifford The Big Red Dog!
I made quite a few bloomer type shorts out of 1930’s prints to go with antique and vintage tops for Cloe’s summer wardrobe ❤
Reading our haul of newly checked out library books…
Strawberry juice, tiny pea and all. It was another successful visit to the gardens!
As I mentioned, this has not been a leisurely summer so far, but I have made time to garden, work in a few non-doll sewing projects, and be a grandma. Cloe and I have been enjoying our “library days”, when we go to story time at our local library, check out books, then spend the day together “gardening” which means checking on the peas she helped plant and eating berries as fast as she can pick them, playing and reading. ❤
I hope your summer has had some magical moments too!
Susan’s Sweet Little Izzybelle
This tiny Izzybelle is all ready to head off on her lengthy voyage to her new home. ❤ She is terribly excited, and simply can’t wait to meet her new family, especially her big sister Isabeau! Bon Voyage Izzybelle!!!
Bare feet, chemise pantalettes, and petticoat.
Under pinnings ❤
Tiny red leather shoes.
White tucked dress.
Such a sweet proper young miss!
Maybe there is time for a snack?
Short wispy hair
Perhaps a nap…
❤
hmmmmmmmmm….. have I forgotten anything?
pink stockings!
A Sweet Note & A Fond Farewell
I just want to take a moment to say that one of the most rewarding parts of being a doll maker is the receiving all the lovely notes from the doll’s new owners. ❤ All of them touch my heart and make the many hours I spend working on each doll worthwhile. Thank you!
I’d like to share just a bit of Emmaline’s farewell note…
“Hi Paula,
She’s gorgeous! The whole package works, I love the way all the colours complement each other. I searched long and hard before I ordered this girl, without really knowing which one, although Anna is a favourite. As this is likely to be the only one that I own made using original methods I wanted a very traditional Izannah. You have made just that.”
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Jane’s Doll Is Ready To Travel To Her New Home
I’ve just finished this sweet custom made doll especially for Jane. She is the very first reproduction I’ve made of Emmaline, an amazing Izannah Walker doll that I restored last year. Emmaline’s owner has very generously allowed me to reproduce her and share her with other Izannahphiles ❤ ❤ ❤ Which has earned her my everlasting thanks!
So without further ado I’d like to introduce you to my version of Emmaline.
This Emmaline has a peach colored vintage glazed cotton “2nd” skin.
Bare feet and ringlet curls…
Emmaline ❤
I am smitten by her aged paint surface ❤
Curls… ❤
Chemise and split pantlettes.
Broderie Anglaise trim on pantalettes and petticoat…
I looked through my stash of antique lace and trims… where I was lucky enough to find a wide ruffle of broiderie anglaise at the hem of an antique 19th century woman’s petticoat. The petticoat was saddly smoke damaged, but dilligent soaking in sodium perborate allowed me to remove much of the smoke stains and use part of the ruffle to make this doll size petticoat!
Emmanline ❤
Handmade leather shoes, silk stockings, and growth tucks in her dress…
I love the way this doll turned out ❤
Packing up to head to her new home.
Emmaline in the kitchen…
Emmaline close-up…
such a sweet smile…
wavy hair and curls
One last cup of tea before leaving…
Emmaline’s dress fabric comes from the back of a 19th century crazy quilt, that was lavishlu embroidered… sadly the silk embroidery floss is melting away and moths and time have irreversably damaged the fabrics that make-up the top of the quilt.
The 19th century petticoat ruffle and a bolt of unused “store stock” which a almost a match!
Jane wanted Emmaline’s dress to be made in the same style as this brown polka-dot dress, with the addition of an extra growth tuck in the skirt ❤
*Click on any photograph to enlarge it and read the captions.
To read about Emmaline, the original antique Izannah Walker doll click here.
Izannah Walker Journal 