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.
Although I don’t often mention it here on my blog, I do a fair amount of restoration work when I can fit it into my schedule. During August and September I spent countless hours doing restoration on three antique Izannah Walker dolls, plus a very unique one of a kind antique painted cloth doll. ❤ ❤ ❤
Helping to preserve and restore antique cloth dolls and their clothing is one of my passions! Equal parts scary and awe inspiring, restoration work is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things that I do ❤ As with any type of restoration, less is more. I do the least possible to protect and preserve a doll, while at the same time getting her original beauty to show through her veil of years.
Here are some before and after photographs for all of you, who are equally as smitten with antique painted cloth dolls as I am, to enjoy. I do make all cloth, historically accurate reproductions of all three of these Izannahs; with pressed cloth heads that I make in molds taken directly from the original antique dolls. I’d be delighted to make one especially for you ❤
All of my dolls are finely handmade, one at a time, in New England – just over 100 miles from where Izannah Walker lived and worked in Somerset Village, MA and Central Falls, RI. Each doll is historically accurate and requires from 85 – 100 hours to complete.
I’m always happy to talk to you about restoring your antique painted cloth dolls. paula@asweetremembrance.com 860-355-5709 (9:00 – 6:00 Eastern Time).
A LARGE VERY EARLY IZANNAH WALKER DOLL
Before restoration.
I was asked to bring back some of the original color to the face and shoulders of this early doll. Years of sun fading and a prior overly vigorous cleaning had turned the doll’s once skin toned paint almost white.
The doll’s linen second skin also needed repairs and a newly made replacement arm was itself in need of replacement.
Back view prior to restoration work.
Fortunately the doll’s original paint color was visible on a protected area of her back.
After restoration. The change in color is very subtle. These photos were taken before the doll was seen by her owner. After the owner had a chance to see the replaced arm and replaced antique linen upper arm covering, we decided to “age” the fabric and arm more. The upper arm above the replacement is too fragile to clean, which left the dilemma of what color to paint the replaced lower arm… Should it match the other cleaned arm? Or should it match the uncleanable upper arm fragment it is attached too???
Another look at the color restoration of the face and shoulders. The change in color is very subtle. These photos were taken before the doll was seen by her owner. After the owner had a chance to see the replaced arm and replaced antique linen upper arm covering, we decided to “age” the fabric and arm more.
A third after restoration photo. The change in color is very subtle. These photos were taken before the doll was seen by her owner. After the owner had a chance to see the replaced arm and replaced antique linen upper arm covering, we decided to “age” the fabric and arm more.
After restoration. The doll’s dress is made from very thin fragile wool fabric that has never been washed. It’s original long sleeves were cut off at some point. I did some very minor sewing repairs on the dress and washed all of her under garments with museum conservation cleaning products. These photos were taken before the doll was seen by her owner. After the owner had a chance to see the replaced arm and replaced antique linen upper arm covering, we decided to “age” the fabric and arm more.
A 2nd after restoration photo. These photos were taken before the doll was seen by her owner. After the owner had a chance to see the replaced arm and replaced antique linen upper arm covering, we decided to “age” the fabric and arm more.
HEAVILY REPAINTED 18 INCH IZANNAH WALKER DOLL
A sweet 18 inch Izannah with multiple layers of repaint.
My mission was to remove multiple layers of paint to get back down to the original paint on this doll and to remake her very battered replacement arms.
Prior to restoration.
These were not the original arms on this doll.
Before any over painting was removed.
After restoration. The old replacement arms are being preserved as part of the doll’s history.
After restoration.
These photos were taken before the restored doll was shown to her owner. After she got a chance to see the doll, we decided to add additional aging to the new arms. I always like to consult with owners through out the restoration process to make sure that the cosmetic part of the restoration looks the way they want it to.
This is what she looks like after I removed four layers of repaint and did a very small amount of judicious in-painting. As you can see, much of her original paint had been worn away, so it is very easy to understand why she received a new coat of paint.
After most of the restoration was finished, but before additional aging was added to her newly remade arms. All of her clothing is freshly washed and aired. ❤
ISANE
This doll belongs to me. You may remember seeing previous photos of her here on my blog.
This is a photo of Isane last year, shortly after I purchased her. She had been repainted not long before coming to live with me.
Isane, after I removed all of her recent repaint.
Isane during restoration.
Isane after restoration. Because she had suffered significant paint loss and had filler added before the last time she was repainted, I did have to do some in-painting.
Isane after restoration.
Isane post restoration.
Isane as she looks now after restoration.
Much better!!! (following restoration)
Isane and I are both happy with the way she looks now after I did 60+ hours of restoration work ❤
A WONDERFUL ANTIQUE PAINTED CLOTH DOLL
Before I did any restoration work.
The neck of the doll suffered a lot of wear and tear over the years. Portions of the painted cloth are missing.
The back before restoration work.
The main thing I needed to do to this doll was to keep her very fragile neck from coming completely apart and make sure her head stays attached to her body.
This is how the doll looks after I did a bit of repair to her neck and ankles.
Her ankles are still fragile, but all of their stuffing is in place and they are more firmly attached.
This is the doll after minor repair to her neck.
Thankfully, after a little restoration work, the back of the neck looks much better.
The addition of a black velvet ribbon provides support and helps keep added stress off of the delicate neck.
After restoration she is ready for her next 150 years!
Aging gracefully ❤
After restoration.
It was a wonderful treat to have this doll come visit for a few weeks while I worked on her 🙂
Update 10/23/14 Two of these dolls have been SOLD and two are still available.
At the moment I have four two dolls who are looking for loving homes. Three One of these little Izzys are listed on eBay and all four may be seen on my website Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance. THINK CHRISTMAS!!! These will probably be the last dolls I have available for sale in time for Christmas ❤ ❤ ❤
Andrew ❤ SOLD ❤
SOLD 17 inch tall Andrew, dressed in a split skirt red and black plaid dress with black velvet trim, matching breeches, antique linen chemise and black and red painted boots.
Miss Zanna has a new dress – different than the one she is wearing on my website (the dress on the website has been sold). You may request more wear and aging on her arms and legs and if you would like a shorter dress length, I would be happy to add an additional growth tuck in her skirt.
SOLD If you would like, you may request more wear and aging on Isane’s arms and legs and if you prefer a shorter dress length, I will add an additional growth tuck in her skirt.
Two intrepid little travelers are nearing the end of their journeys. They have been wending their way west towards their new homes.
Miss Ismay and her dear friend wished each other bon voyage and shared their hopes and dreams about their lives in their new homes.Ismay is so excited to be starting a new life in Michigan! She just can’t wait to meet her new family ❤
This sweet young lady feels so happy that she is going to be living in Ohio! She loved every minute of her first trip to Ohio, when she went to visit Early American Life!
The dolls are all nestled together around a roaring fire. They are so glad that you came to join them tonight! This is the very last part of our all day celebration of Izannah Walker’s 197th birthday. If you missed the first two parts of our party you will want to scroll down or click here for part one and here for part two.
Now that you are here it is time for the party to start. “Does everyone remember how to play Shadows, or should we reread the rules?”“That was so much fun!” “Please pass the popcorn” “Is there anymore hot cocoa?” “Izzybelle, you are hogging all of the shawl!”“Andrew, please tell us one more ghost story before bedtime!”Since Isabeau is one of the oldest dolls, she plays “Mother” and tucks in all of the rest.Andrew refused to sleep with the girls and instead has settled on the folding campaign bed with the dog.Hmmm… I still hear a lot of whispering and giggling in there. It sounds as if the dolls have been listening at keyholes again, for they all seem to know about the new baby girl that is due to join our family in January.Tomorrow we will have to have a very stern chat about what is proper and what is not.For some of the dolls are certainly old enough to know better!… but for tonight I can not bear to scold them. For what is dearer to any doll’s heart than the thought of having another small girl to play with? So sleep tight little dolls and dream of play time and adventures yet to come ❤
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
I guess this would explain the doll’s sudden urge to dust the high chair every time they walk past…
Welcome to the birthday picnic that the dolls and I are hosting! This is part two of our day long celebration. If you missed trying Ismay’s legendary cinnamon toast and getting a chance to meet the dolls, you’ll want to click here to get caught up!
Later tonight (7 p.m. Eastern time) the dolls are having a sleep over and they hope you will come back to tuck them in bed! In between all of my Izannah Doll Making Class members will want to drop into the class site at 2 p.m. Eastern time for a few treats!
Now that breakfast is over and the dishes are all washed, it’s time to bake the birthday pies! All of the older dolls decided that pies would be a much better birthday desert after the unfortunate incident with Izzybelle and the icing the last time they baked a cake!!!
Izzybelle behaved herself long enough for this photo to be taken, but immediately afterwards, when no one was looking, she gobbled down enough frosting to make herself sick & managed to smear it everywhere!!! Even behind her ears!Isabeau has a very light touch with pastry, so she took over the kitchen. In no time she had made a double batch, doll sized of course, of Mrs. Wolter’s No-Fail Pie Crust.Isane, who is also a very good cook, volunteered to help Isabeau bake and keep an eye on Izzybelle.The older dolls decided that Izzybelle couldn’t get into toomuch trouble if they let her sprinkle the sugar on top of the cookies… After all it just had to be less messy than what Izzybelle really wanted to do, which was to make rows and rows of mud pies for the party!Izzybelle did a very good job. Maybe because sugar cookies are one of her favorites!While Isabeau and Isane tackled the pie crust, little Isane and little Ismay walked out to the garden to gather some rhubarb.“Does this look like a good stalk?”“How much do you think we need to make a pie?”Next the two young dolls headed over to the other garden to pick raspberries…“Isane, come see what I found! Maybe we should make pumpkin pie instead.” “No, no we aren’t starting thatdiscussion again! You know we all agreed on rhubarb and raspberry, plus peach jam tarts if there is any crust left-over. You can have pumpkin pie next month!”Meanwhile back in the kitchen, Isabeau has the pie crust in the tin and is just putting the first batch of cookies in the oven.While the cookies baked, Isane turned the rhubarb that the little girls gathered into pie filling. She likes to thicken and pre-cook the filling before the pie goes into the oven.
Isabeau is willing to share her pie crust recipe with you:
Mrs. Wolter’s No-fail Pie Crust
1 cup Crisco
3 cups flour
2 eeggs, beaten
2 teaspoons vinegar
4 -5 tablespoons cold water
1 teaspoon salt
Ina a large mixing bowl, cut Crisco into four with a pastry blender until small size peas form. Add eggs, vinegar, water and slat & mix with a fork until blended and dough forms a large ball, or use floured hands to mix dough. Makes three crusts.
Finally all the cooking is done and it’s time to go out to the picnic!
A favorite worn quilt makes the perfect picnic throw. Andrew was a big help getting everything set up. He pulled all of the deserts out to the party in his cart.Poor Andrew! He couldn’t get any of the girl’s to wear the hats he made for the party! The older dolls all said it was because they didn’t want to mess up their hair… but little Izzybelle was heard to say it was because he didn’t put a fancy cockade on any hat other than his own!
A perfect fall day to get the family together for a party!
Make a wish!“Oldest Izzybelle you should blow out the candle.”Peach jam tart with a crumble topping, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Rhubarb pie. Fresh raspberry pie drizzled with homemade raspberry syrup. Tiny peach jam hand pies & Izzybelle’s sugar cookies!“Enough family photos! Let’s eat!”“OH NO! Who was supposed to bring the plates and forks???“
We hope you enjoyed the picnic! You can click on any of the smaller photos to enlarge them. Put on your coziest pj’s and come back tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern time for the doll’s slumber party 🙂
The dolls are reading through the American Girl’s Book to choose party games for today.
Today is the 197th anniversary of Izannah Walker’s birth! The dolls and I are having a day long party in her honor and we are so glad that you could join us for all of the fun. This is the first of three birthday party posts that I will be sharing with you today. Right now all of the dolls and I are getting ready for a very busy day. The kitchen is a hive of activity and last minute party planning is going on all over the house. So enjoy this first post and then come back later in the day to attend the festivities. At 1:00 p.m. Eastern time we will be having a picnic and later tonight (7 p.m. Eastern time) the dolls are having a sleep over. In between all of my Izannah Doll Making Class members will want to drop into the class site at 2 p.m. Eastern time for a few treats!
INVITE ONE OF THESE VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GUESTS INTO YOUR HOME
If you would like to keep the party alive throughout the year in your own home, I have six dolls available for sale who would love to come live and play at your house. Any of these dolls sold during my Izannah birthday celebration come with an array of special party favors:
– a tiny thimble necklace so that they are always ready to play THE THIMBLE with you
– two sheets of my Izannah paper dolls
– a signed copy of the December 2013 issue of Early American Life magazine with a feature story about our home, so that your doll can show you where she was born
– a coupon for 50% off of an additional dress just in case she needs something special to wear later on in the year ( I am currently blessed with an over abundance of orders, so an Easter or 4th of July dress would be the earliest I would be able to do)
I’m only listing these six dolls here on my blog (rather than putting them up on my regular website too) during this four day celebration as a little extra thank you for all of the people on my mailing list and all of you loyal blog readers! 🙂
Five New Reproduction Izannahs For Sale
Here are five lively little Izannahs to tug at your heart! These will be the last dolls that I will be listing for sale before Christmas. I’ve had such a busy and bountiful year that I am fully booked up and committed until mid-May 2015 with special orders and custom work.
Isane #4
This young Isane #4 is approximately 18 inches tall. She has a red second skin covering her body and red painted boots with scalloped tops. Beneath her dress she wears a full set of undergarments. Some Izannahs have long dresses t]like women or older girls and others wear shorter skirts like young children. I’ve hemmed Isane #4’s dress long, but if you prefer it shorter, I would be happy to add a third growth tuck in the skirt. You may also request aging on her arms, legs and feet. I left them fairly new looking so that her new mom would have a choice. Isane #4 can be yours for $1250.00.
Ismay #1 SOLD
Meet Ismay! She is the very reproduction that I have made from the lovely antique Izannah Walker doll I bought at the UFDC convention in July. Ismay is 18 inches tall, has black scallop top painted boots and short wispy hair. You can adopt Isamy for $1250.00. ISMAY IS NOW SOLD.
Andrew #1
I seldom make boy Izannahs, even though I dearly love them. This young man is the first boy doll I’ve made from my Anna mold, but since I’m sure he would object to being called Anna, let’s refer to him as Andrew. 🙂 Andrew is about 17 inches tall and wears a very detailed costume that consist of a red plaid dress, trimmed in black velvet ribbons with a split skirt and matching trousers. He has side parted hair, tall black painted boots with red tops and comes with his paper party hat. Andrew is $1300.00 due to the intricacy of his clothing.
Zanna #7
Miss Zanna is 17- 1/2 inches tall. She has black painted boots with scallop tops and a second skin made from antique brown glazed cotton. Zanna can be yours for $1250.00.
Isabeau #9
Isabeau #9 is a bit shorter than her sisters. She is 17 inches tall, has red painted boots and a red glazed cotton second skin. Her adoption fee is $1250.00. If you love the bonnet she is wearing you may purchase it for an additional $100.00. You may also request a more aged appearance on the arms, legs and boots of this doll.
Isane and Isabeau are best friends and insisted on matching party dresses! I love the way they appear to be whispering secrets ❤
Breakfast
As a special birthday treat Isamy is making cinnamon toast for breakfast.
First Ismay butters the bread, then sprinkles it with cinnamon and sugar, before placing it under the broiler until the it hot and bubbly with nice crisp edges.
“We need a whole platter full of toast to feed the entire family.”“If you’d like to go make a cup of tea and some cinnamon toast for your own breakfast, we’ll wait to start eating breakfast until you get done.”
GAMES
Right after breakfast it was time to disscuss what games to play today at Izannah’s party. The dolls got out their favorite book The American Girl’s Book written by Eliza Leslie in 1831. I have to admit that it took them a very long time to agree on the games and I’m sad to say there was even some squabbling and a few tears.
After the games were chosen the older girls taught the younger ones how to play THE THIMBLE. Everyone enjoyed the game and congratulated themselves for making a good choice!
THE THIMBLE
The company sit in a row holding together the palms of their hands. Fanny takes a thimble or any thing else that is small and round, (for instance, a hazle-nut or shell bark) and holding it between her palms, she goes along the line, pretending to drop it secretly into their hands, saying to each “Hold fast what I give you.” Everyone opens her hands as if she was receiving the thimble, and closes them again immediately. Of course the thimble is only in reality deposited in one. For instance, Fanny leaves it in the hands of Lucy.
After Fanny has in this manner gone all along the row, she returns to the head and asks Mary, who is seated there, to guess who has the thimble. Mary guesses Jane, who opens her hands and shows that she has it not. They all guess in turn. Susan happens to guess Lucy; and this being right, Lucy displays the thimble and gives it to Susan. It is then Susan’s turn to take the thimble and go along the row with it.
Sometimes when this is played, a forfeit is required from every one that guesses wrong, and therefore a great number of pawns are speedily collected.
Let’s peek over their shoulder and see what other party games they have planned!
It looks like this will be perfect to play at tonight’s sleep over.
A few of the dolls have gone out to ransack my studio in the hopes of finding as many embroidery hoops as they can. They are just sure that they would make marvelous hoops for The Graces…It’s always good to be sure of the rules!Boys hats! How embarrassing!!!
Thank you for spending the morning with us! Don’t forget the the picnic is starting promptly at 1:00 o’clock (Eastern time). That will give you just enough time to change into your party frock. We’ll see you then!
This is one of my favorite weeks of the year! I’m reveling in an abundance of Izannah filled delights 🙂 Not only am I in the midst of playing with all my dolls, as we prepare to celebrate Izannah Walker’s 197th birthday on Thursday, but this past Saturday was the September meeting of my doll club. I love my doll club and all of the interesting and amazing women who are part of it. On Saturday I had the chance to return two antique Izannahs I have been restoring to their owner and also got a chance to see the newest Izannah that she has added to her collection! What a treat!!! I snapped a few photos to share with all of you other Izannahphiles. This little Izannah (she’s 16 inches) was so much cuter in person than she was in her official auction photographs, and of course much sweeter than she appears in my quick spur of the moment pix too! I also learned that one of the other members in my club is related to Izannah Walker. What a week so far!
These are the two dolls I designed for my how-to article in the Christmas issue of Early American Life. The issue has been mailed out to subscribers and is currently on newsstands. My prototype dolls have come back home from their photo shoot at the Early American Life offices and they’ll be listed for sale later today on my website. The dolls may be purchased via the secure checkout at ASweetRemembrance.com, or in the mean time you may call me at 860-355-5709 or send me a note via email at paula@asweetremembrance.com.
Izannah Walker Journal 