A Letter From Dimity

November 12, 2015November 12, 2015 paulawalton4 Comments

When last we saw our heroines they were bidding each other a tearful farewell and promising to correspond... — When last we saw our heroines they were bidding each other a tearful farewell and promising to correspond…

"Look Izzybelle, Dimity has written to us!" "Be a good girl and I'll read you her letter." — “Look Izzybelle, Dimity has written to us!” “Be a good girl and I’ll read you her letter.”

Trick or Treat

October 31, 2015October 31, 2015 paulawaltonLeave a comment

"Sadie wants to go trick or treating too!" — “Sadie wants to go trick or treating too!”

"I'm going to be a cat, just like Sadie!" — “I’m going to be a cat, just like Sadie!”

"Emeline we are so happy you are going trick or treating with us!" — “Emeline we are so happy you are going trick or treating with us!”

"Poor Sadie! She's sad because she doesn't have a costume too !" — “Poor Sadie! She’s sad because she doesn’t have a costume too !”

"We'll share our treats with her!" "Hurry and get dressed" — “We’ll share our treats with her!” “Hurry and get dressed”

The dolls and I hope you all have an enchanting All Hallows Eve ❤

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Doll Making Kit · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Ordering a Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll

Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker – Part 9 – In Which We Come to the End of Our Story & Say Farewell

September 27, 2015September 27, 2015 paulawalton2 Comments

“Thank you for coming to our party!” “We’re so glad you could be here.”

“I’m going to miss you!” “Promise me you”ll write.” “I will!”

“Good-bye!” “It’s been such fun!” “We’ve enjoyed having you stay here with us!” “Write to tell us you got home safely!” “Thank you for everything!” “This was the best party ever!”

“I’m sad to see them leave, but it feels so good to put my feet up!”

“I’m just going to stay right here on the floor!”

WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW

Anna is busy packing. She will be leaving here bright and early on Tuesday morning for her new home.

Billie's doll is ready for her dress fittings and will be leaving here very soon. Look for her upcoming farewell post. — Billie’s doll is ready for her dress fittings and will be leaving here very soon. Look for her upcoming farewell post.

Sharon and I are still talking over the details of this young lady's wardrobe. She'll be happy to model it for you before she goes home. <3 — Sharon and I are still talking over the details of this young lady’s wardrobe. She’ll be happy to model it for you before she goes home. ❤

Lily #1 has picked out her dress and jewelry and is patiently waiting for me to make them so that she can go home with her older sister. They plan to quilt together during the winter.

Hannah #1 has found a new home! She will be helping me look through my fabric stash for just the right material for her dress. Once she is finished she will be going home just in time for Christmas. <3 — Hannah #1 has found a new home! She will be helping me look through my fabric stash for just the right material for her dress. Once she is finished she will be going home just in time for Christmas. ❤

Hannah #2 Is still available for sale and at this point you may still choose her clothing fabrics and styles. <3 $1250.00 fully dressed with free shipping in the U,S, — Hannah #2 Is still available for sale and at this point you may still choose her clothing fabrics and styles. $1250.00 fully dressed, with free shipping within the U. S. ❤

Lily 2 is also still available for sale. If you love early, worn and primitive then Lily may be just the reproduction Izannah you have been longing for... $1250.00 fully dressed, you may still pick out her clothing if you purchase her now. — Lily 2 is also still available for sale. If you love early, worn and primitive then Lily may be just the reproduction Izannah you have been longing for… $1250.00 fully dressed, you may still pick out her clothing if you purchase her now.

2 Izannah Kits finished and ready to mail – 1 painted & 1 unpainted. A full instruction book + patterns comes with each head. The unpainted head/kit is $200 and the painted head/kit is $375.

Zanna & Izzybelle are still having their tag sale through midnight tonight. ((/27/15) — Zanna & Izzybelle are having their tag sale through midnight tonight. (9/27/15) shop here

and Izzybelle is still to tired to move!

Thank you for coming to celebrate with us!

Love ❤

Paula, Zanna, Isabeau, Isane, Izzybelle, Ismay, Hannah, & their Providence Cousins

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations

Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker – Part 8 – Wake Up Sleepy Heads!

September 27, 2015September 27, 2015 paulawalton4 Comments

“Hannah, why are you up so early?”
“We need to go out to the garden and pick huckleberries for breakfast.”

“Oh no Hannah!” “You woke up the kittens too!”

“I think Sadie wants huckleberry pancakes too!”

and so the dolls got up and walked out to the garden…

where they picked huckleberries…

carried them back to the kitchen…

made pancakes, and enjoyed the beginning of a wonderful day!

Jack eventually came out from under the bed… captured a few stray huckleberries and gaily chased them around the kitchen floor!

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker – Part 7 – In Which The Party Continues & Games Are Played

September 26, 2015September 26, 2015 paulawalton2 Comments

“Tag!” “You’re it!”

“Too much running… I’m losing my shoe…”

“Let’s play hide and seek”

“Isane you’re it!”

“Alright… One… Two…”

“Anna, give me your hand and I will help you up.”

“Isabeau, can you give me a boost from behind?”

“When we duck down, will you shut the drawer?”

“Izzybelle, we can still see you through the glass.” “Find another hiding place.”

“How about now, can you see me now?” “Yes, we can see you!” “No more glass doors!” “Find a new spot!”

“I don’t think Izzybelle really understands how to play this game. Do you?”

“and what on earth are those cupboards for anyway???” “Haven’t you heard? They are going to hang on the walls and be high rise efficiency apartments for the Queen Annes…” “I don’t think I’d like apartment living…”

“I think we have found the BEST hiding places!”

“I think so too!” “I’m all set, how about you?”

" Yes, I'm all set too." — ” Yes, I’m all set too.”

"Come on Lily, I'll find us the perfect places to hide!" — “Come on Lily, I’ll find us the perfect places to hide!”

"You hide behind the bears..." — “You hide behind the bears…”

"...and I'll duck down beneath the other dolls." "Just pretend I'm not here."... giggle... — “…and I’ll duck down beneath the other dolls.” “Just pretend I’m not here.”… giggle…

"Hurry Isabeau, we need to hide!" — “Hurry Isabeau, we need to hide!”

"Just don't forget to let me out if Isane doesn't find me..." — “Just don’t forget to let me out if Isane doesn’t find me…”

"How about now, can you see me now?" "Is THIS a good place?" — “How about now, can you see me now?” “Is THIS a good place?”

"How ever did she get up there???" — “How ever did she get up there???”

"... 98 ... 99 ... 100!" "Ready or not, here I come!" — “… 98 … 99 … 100!” “Ready or not, here I come!”

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations

Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker – Part 6 – Piecing Quilt Tops

September 26, 2015September 26, 2015 paulawaltonLeave a comment

Zanna, Isabeau, Isane, Ismay and Hannah have been diligently piecing quilt tops, as birthday presents to send along with the young Hannahs and Lilys. Little Izzybelle has been their devoted helper.

Sunny, late summer afternoons are the perfect time for the dolls to sit under the hydrangea tree and sew.

“I’m so glad that we managed to get all of our chores finished in time to work on our quilts!” “Oh yes. This is a perfect day to be outside!”

“Izzybelle, would you please hand me a spool of thread?” “I just ran out!”

” I like all of these palampore center medallions!”

“Let’s see how the quilts look on the bed.”

“Zanna, what do you think? Do you like it?”

“This one looks good too!” “I’m glad we made two of these!”

“This one is nice!” “I was worried that we wouldn’t get them all finished in time!” “Let’s cut out backings to send along with the tops.” “Good idea!” “Can’t you just see Hannah and Lily quilting their quilts this winter.” “Maybe their new families will be quilters too!” “I hope so.”

One quilt top and coordinating backing will be included with any of the two new Hannahs and two new Lilys that are purchased this weekend ❤ The dolls and I want them to be warm and cozy in their new homes! One Hannah and one Lily have been spoken for, you may see the others here. Hannah #2 & Lily #2

Antique Doll Furniture · Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker – Part 5 – The Kittens Come to Tea

September 25, 2015September 25, 2015 paulawalton4 Comments

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! — 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. — Jack very much wants to play with Billie’s doll, who is another one of our party guests.

“No Jack, not you!” “Tea cakes aren’t good for kittens.”

“That’s right Jack, go see Anna, she’ll pet you.” “Petting is much better than cake!”

“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... — 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.

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Recipes

Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker – Part 3 – Baking Birthday Treats

September 25, 2015September 25, 2015 paulawaltonLeave a comment

The dolls have taken over my kitchen to bake honey cakes for this afternoon’s birthday tea party. It’s time to get out the cookbook!

This is one of our favorite cookbooks. America Eats by William Woys Weaver. It is no longer in print, but if you search you may still be able to find a copy here or there... — This is one of our favorite cookbooks. *America Eats* by William Woys Weaver. It is no longer in print, but if you search you may still be able to find a copy here or there…

"Isabeau will you find the page with the honey cake while I get out the honey pitcher?" — “Isabeau will you find the page with the honey cake while I get out the honey pitcher?”

"Here it is, Honey Tea Cake." — “Here it is, Honey Tea Cake.”

"Hannah, Isane and I will get out the ingredients, and you can measure them into the bowl." — “Hannah, Isane and I will get out the ingredients, and you can measure them into the bowl.”

"Alright, I can do that Isabeau" "Can you please hand me the flour?" — “Alright, I can do that Isabeau” “Can you please hand me the flour?”

"Zanna, do you think I should add some lavender to part of the batter?" — “Zanna, do you think I should add some lavender to part of the batter?”

"I think that is a wonderful idea Hannah!" "It will taste so good with the wild flower honey!" — “I think that is a wonderful idea Hannah!” “It will taste so good with the wild flower honey!”

"Does this look like enough lavender?" "Or should I add just a smidgeon more?" — “Does this look like enough lavender?” “Or should I add just a smidgeon more?”

"I love lavender! Let's add a bit more." — “I love lavender! Let’s add more!!!”

"Ismay, is the oven hot enough?" "I think the tea cakes are ready to bake." — “Ismay, is the oven hot enough?” “I think the tea cakes are ready to bake.”

"Yes it's just the right temprature." — “Yes it’s just the right temperature.”

"These smell devine" "The first batch is ready to come out of the oven right now." — “These smell devine” “The first batch is ready to come out of the oven right now.”

"Izzybelle, let the cake cook a bit so you don't burn your mouth, and then you can be our official taster." — “Izzybelle, let the cake cool a bit so you don’t burn your mouth, and then you can be our official taster.”

"Is it good?" "Oh yes! Everyone is going to love them. Maybe we should make more!" — “Is it good?” “Oh yes! Everyone is going to love them. Maybe we should make more!”

"Let's hurry and get the last of these out of the oven. We still need to get the chairs set up in the parlor and change clothes before the guest start arriving..." — “Let’s hurry and get the last of these out of the oven. We still need to get the chairs set up in the parlor and change clothes before the guest start arriving…”

Please come back to join us at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time for tea. ❤

Antique Doll Furniture · Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Ordering a Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll · SALE · Where to Shop

Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker! – Part 1

September 24, 2015September 25, 2015 paulawalton6 Comments

SOLD Meet Anna. She is available for sale and would be thrilled to come join your doll family.

Welcome to my annual Izannah Walker birthday party! This year the dolls and I have a fun filled three day celebration planned. We are so pleased that you could come join us for the start of the party. I will be posting throughout the day today, with additional posts at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Come back tomorrow and Sunday for new posts at 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m.

1 Finished Doll For Sale – Now SOLD – Thank You so much for looking!

ANNA IS NOW SOLD. I have one doll made from my Anna mold available for sale. She is a very sweet, worn and well loved doll. Just the right size at 17 inches to be a little sister to other Izannahs in your collection. She has short wispy hair framing her face and tickling the nape of her neck. This Anna is dressed in an amazing antique red print fabric that I found in Brimfield in May. The fabric had never been washed until yesterday and even after one gentle washing still retains it’s crisp sizing. All three pieces of her undergarments are trimmed in tatting. Her short black scallop topped painted boots are embellished with a red scallop outline. As a birthday special she comes with a tiny antique tintype image of a young girl. When you imagine the story of Anna’s life, perhaps this little girl will become her original owner…

Anna can be yours for $1250.00, which includes free insured shipping to any U.S. address. Actual shipping charged to other countries. As always you may place Anna, or any of my dolls on lay-away. Call me at 860-355-5709 during normal business hours, or email me anytime at paula@asweetremembrance.com if you have any questions about this doll or would like to purchase her.

Introducing Two New Reproduction Izannah Walker Dolls

I am very happy to tell you that I now have two more molds! I made these molds, just like all of my others, directly from original antique Izannah Walker dolls. This means that I can offer you ten different authentic, all cloth, historically accurate reproduction Izannah Walker dolls!

Pictured below are the four dolls that I will be working on during the next three days as part of my Izannah celebration. After all what better way is there for a doll maker to mark the birthday of her very favorite doll maker than by paying homage to her by reproducing some of her amazing dolls! If you’d like to follow along with my progress you can check in at my facebook page to see the dolls coming to life. Click here to visit A Sweet Remembrance in facebook.

Lily

I am able to offer you reproductions of Lily due to the amazing generosity of my friend Susie, who owns the real Lily. I am currently in the midst of doing restoration on the original Lily and Susie very kindly told me that she wanted me to make a mold from her while she was here. I’ll be chronicling Lily’s restoration journey here in the upcoming weeks. Lily has a very classic Izannah head and at 17 inches is the middle stair step between my Isabeau and Izzybelle.

This first Lily will be going home with her older sister and namesake ❤

A Second Lily

This Lily will be available for sale for $1250.00 when she is completed. She will come with a full four piece wardrobe which includes a chemise, pantalettes, peticoat and a dress, with painted boots.

Hannah

Hannah recently came to join my Izannah family from the collection of another of my dear friends, Edyth. ❤ I’m honored that she has entrusted me with one of her treasures.

Hannah is 18 inches tall and has such a sweet expression. Just like Lily #2, both of these Hannahs will be for sale once I have finished them. Yes, they also cost $1250.00, have painted boots and come with a full set of clothing made from antique fabrics and notions. 🙂

If you have any questions about these dolls, or would like to purchase one of them, please call me (860-355-5709 during east coast business hours) or email me (paula@asweetremembrance.com anytime). As a special birthday treat Isabeau, Zanna, Ismay, Isane, Izzybelle and the original Hannah have been busy piecing together quilt tops to go along with the Lilys and Hannahs that are purchased during this three day weekend. More about their quilting party later on… Just one more reason to keep checking back in through out the next three days 🙂

Feeling Creative?

For anyone who has the urge to try making an Izzy of their own I currently have two of my Izannah Kits ready to go.

Notice all of the paint texture of the original antique doll is captured in this composition head.

Furniture Tag Sale

The girls were all very enamored of the article they read in Antique Doll Collector about an Izannah Doll House. So when I asked them what they would like to include in our birthday weekend they all resoundingly said “Let’s have a tag sale of all of the doll furniture, so other Izannahs can furnish a doll house too!” Consequently all of my antique doll furniture is on sale at 10% off from 9/25 – 9/27. The sale price does include free shipping to U.S. addresses. Click here to shop the furniture sale.