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.

A full instruction book + patterns comes with each head. The unpainted head/kit is $200 and the painted head/kit is $375.

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.

Zanna is in charge of setting up the tag sale & Izzybelle is helping tie on the price tags!

That’s All For Now…

Come back to see us at 9:00 a.m. eastern time for our continuing birthday party adventures.

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

A Busy Week!

September 21, 2015 paulawalton4 Comments

The girl’s and I are in the midst of preparing for the big day on Friday!

We are hoping that you will mark your calendar and come back to visit on the 25th for our all day celebration of Izannah Walker's 198th birthday! — We are hoping that you will mark your calendar and come back to visit on the 25th for our all day celebration of Izannah Walker’s 198th birthday!

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

August 26, 2015August 26, 2015 paulawalton6 Comments

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls

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

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015 paulawalton4 Comments

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 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.

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!

“Ismay you should take the first turn. You have such a lovely reading voice!”

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

February 28, 2015 paulawalton4 Comments

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!

February 14, 2015February 14, 2015 paulawalton2 Comments

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

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls

Happy 2015!

January 1, 2015 paulawalton2 Comments

Happy New Year, from our house to yours!

Black eyed peas for good luck in the coming year!

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

The Morning After…

September 26, 2014 paulawalton3 Comments

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

September 25, 2014 paulawalton10 Comments

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.

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!

September 25, 2014 paulawalton10 Comments

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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!

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

"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 🙂