Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations

Please Join Me On September 25th When The Dolls & I Will Be Celebrating Izannah Walker’s Birthday Here On www.izannahwalker.com

A Sweet Remembrance ad_September2015

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls

Whiling Away a Rainy Summer Afternoon, or A Day Spent With Jane Austen & Strawberries…

Entertaining a sweet guest...
Entertaining a sweet guest…

For the past week my dolls and I have been entertaining a most delightful house guest.  She is a little doll that belongs to my dear friend Susie, and she has come to stay with us in the hopes that a New England summer will give her a clear complexion, bring roses to her cheeks, and a sparkle to her eyes.

The girls are just sure they are long lost cousins, or perhaps siblings separated at birth..  See the close family resemblance!
The girls are just sure they are long lost cousins, or perhaps siblings separated at birth.. See the close family resemblance!
The girls have become such fast friends that Isabeau feels like she has a new little sister.  Our visitor is right in between Isabeau and Izzybelle so she is the dearest confidant of both of them.  They have spent countless hours giggling secrets into each others ears.  <3
The girls have become such fast friends that Isabeau feels like she has a new little sister. Our visitor is right in between Isabeau and Izzybelle in size, so she is the dearest confidant of them both. They have spent countless hours giggling secrets into each others ears. ❤
Raing, rain, go away!  Come again another day!
Rain, rain, go away! Come again another day! “Whatever should we do today?” “We must think of something fun to entertain our guest!” “I know, let’s take turns reading aloud!” “I know the perfect book. Let’s read Emma! I always think of Emma during June when the strawberries are ripe. “

After the girls came up with a plan for the afternoon, they quickly scurried to find their India Rubber Shoes, so that they could run out to the garden in between rain showers and pick strawberries.

strawberries and Jane Austen www.izannahwalker.com

Rubber Shoes www.izannahwalker.com

India Rubber Shoes, like these made by the Boston Rubber Shoe Company used to protect small feet during damp weather.  To read more about the fascinating story of India Rubber in early New England visit this site http://www.jmisc.net/jm980331.htm
India Rubber Shoes, like these made by the Boston Rubber Shoe Company used to protect small feet during damp weather. To read more about the fascinating story of India Rubber in early New England visit this site http://www.jmisc.net/jm980331.htm
Once the girls returned from the garden with their berries, they quickly settled down in their favorite chairs.  Izzybelle was very proud of all of the strawberries that she gathered!
Once the girls returned from the garden with their berries, they quickly settled down in their favorite chairs. Izzybelle was very proud of all of the strawberries that she gathered!
“Ismay you should take the first turn. You have such a lovely reading voice!”
“Emma, chapter one, page one…”
At the end of the day our small visitor gave a sigh of pleasure.
At the end of the day our small visitor gave a sigh of pleasure. “There is only one thing that keeps this from being the perfect day… I wish all of my sisters and family at home could be here with me. I know that they would have loved reading and feasting on strawberries just as much as I did. Oh how I miss them all!” “Then I know just what you should do” said Ismay. “You need to write them a letter and tell them all about our day!”

This post is especially for Susie and the doll family that lives with her.  The girls and I hope that the rest of you enjoyed it too

Intrigued about the connection between Jane Austen’s Emma and strawberry season?  Then you may want to peruse this blog post http://austenonly.com/2010/01/27/austen-only-emma-season-mr-knightleys-strawberries/ .  It is equally as fascinating as the post about India Rubber Shoes  🙂     http://www.jmisc.net/jm980331.htm

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Stray Comments

A Wonderful Treat for Doll Lovers

A visit with Edyth O'Neil www.izannahwalker.com

My friend Edyth O’Neil, a long time doll collector, antique dealer, artist, and rug hooker extraordinaire, has a new doll blog, Dolls for My Red Cape.  She currently has some wonderful posts up about her collection of early papier-mache dolls, antique quilts, and fabulous mid-19th century doll and baby clothing.  I hope you will enjoy reading about Edyth’s dolls as much as I do!

There is no better way to spend an afternoon than playing dolls with your friends!  One of the Isabeaus that I just finished making is going back home to Texas with Edyth.
There is no better way to spend an afternoon than playing dolls with your friends!  This is a photo of Edyth and Peggy along with my dolls and Peggy’s after just such an afternoon. ❤
Antique Izannah Walker Dolls

Will You Be Mine? Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ismay says "won't you  be my Valentine? www.izannahwalker.com

Valentine's Day 2015 www.izannahwalker.com

❤  More Valentines on Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance Facebook & Paula Walton’s 18th Century Home Journal

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls

Happy 2015!

Happy New Year, from our house to yours!

Collection of Paula Walton www.izannahwalker.com

Collection of Paula Walton www.izannahwalker.com

Collection of Paula Walton www.izannahwalker.com

Collection of Paula Walton www.izannahwalker.com

Collection of Paula Walton www.izannahwalker.com

Collection of Paula Walton www.izannahwalker.com

Black eyed peas for good luck in the coming year!
Black eyed peas for good luck in the coming year!
Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

The Morning After…

The dolls were very lazy and slept in this morning.
The dolls were very lazy and slept in this morning.

 

They sat around talking  and playing word games...
They sat around talking and playing word games…

 

dragging their feet and refusing to get out of bed...
dragging their feet and refusing to get out of bed…

 

trying to make yesterday's party last as long as possible!
trying to make yesterday’s party last as long as possible!
Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

The Dolls Have a Slumber Party – Happy 197th Birthday Izannah – Part Three

Doll's slumber party www.izannahwalker.com

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.

"Does everyone remember how to play Shadows, or should we reread the rules?"
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!"
“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!"
“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.
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.
Andrew refused to sleep with the girls and instead has settled on the folding campaign bed with the dog.
Hmmm... I still here 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.
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.
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!
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 dolls 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 <3
… 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...
I guess this would explain the doll’s sudden urge to dust the high chair every time they walk past…
Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

A Birthday Picnic – Happy Birthday Izannah!

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 managed to gobble down enough frosting to make herself sick & managed to smear it everywhere!!!  Even behind her ears!
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.
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.
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 too much trouble if they let her sprinkle the sugar on top of the cookies...  After all it couldn't be any messier than what Izzybelle really wanted to do, which was make rows and rows of mud pies for the party!
The older dolls decided that Izzybelle couldn’t get into too much 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 actually did a very good job.  Maybe because sugar cookies are one of her favorites!
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.
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?"
“Does this look like a good stalk?”
"How much do you think we need to make a pie?"
“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...
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 the discussion again!  You know we all agreed on rhubarb and raspberry, & peach jam tarts if there is any crust left-over.  You can have pumpkin pie next month!"
“Isane, come see what I found! Maybe we should make pumpkin pie instead.” “No, no we aren’t starting that discussion 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.
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 precook the filling before the pie goes into 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.
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!
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!

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

A perfect fall day to get the family together for a party!
A perfect fall day to get the family together for a party!

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Izannah's Birthday Picnic www.izannahwalker.com

Make a wish!
Make a wish!
"Izzybelle you should blow out the candle."
“Oldest Izzybelle you should blow out the candle.”
Peach jam tart with a crumble topping, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. Rhubarb pie. Fresh rapsberry pie drizzled with homemade raspberry syrup.  Tiny peach jam hand pies & Izzybelle's sugar cookies!
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!"
“Enough family photos! Let’s eat!”
"OH NO!  Who was supposed to bring the plates and forks???"
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 🙂

 

 

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Doll Accessories · Doll Clothing · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · SALE · Where to Shop

Happy 197th Birthday Izannah Walker!

The dolls are reading through the American Girl's Book to choose party games for today.
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

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

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.

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Ismay #1 SOLD

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

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.

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

Andrew #1

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

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.

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

Zanna #7

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

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.

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

 

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Isabeau #9Isabeau #9 www.izannahwalker.com

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.

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane and Isabeau are best friends and insisted on matching party dresses!  I love the way they appear to be whispering secrets <3
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.

www.izannahwalker.com

First Ismay butters the bread, then sprinkles it with cinnamon and sugar, before placing it under the broiler until the it hot and bubbly this nice crisp edges.
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.

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

"We need a whole platter full of toast to feed the entire family."
“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."
“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!
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.www.izannahwalker.com

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.
It looks like this will be perfect to play at tonight’s sleep over.

www.izannahwalker.com

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...
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!
It’s always good to be sure of the rules!
Boys hats!  How embarrassing!!!
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!

 

 

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls

An Izannah Filled Week

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!

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com