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

Come Join Us Two Weeks From Today For a Party!

Party Invitation www.izannahwalker.com

The dolls and I are hoping that you will be able to join us for the festivities here on IzannahWalker.com two weeks from today!

Celebrations · Izannah Walker History · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

So Many Celebrations Ahead!

Today all the dolls and I took a short break in our preparations for Izannah Walker’s birthday to pick pumpkins from the garden!  They are all very excited and looking forward to the big birthday party AND trick or treating ❤Picking pumpkins www.izannahwalker.com

Making paper party hats!
Making paper party hats!
Four hands are better than two!  So many hats to make...
Four hands are better than two! So many hats to make…
"I'm making a special hat just for you!"
“I’m making a special hat just for you!”
The white pumpkins are our favorites!
The white pumpkins are our favorites!

Now that you know the dolls are planning a party, we hope you will come back to visit on September 25th and celebrate with us!

Celebrations

Be My Valentine!

Be mine... www.izannahwalker.com

          Happy Valentine’s Day!

Celebrations · Doll Accessories · Doll Clothing · Doll for Sale · Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Ordering a Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll · Other Types of Doll Making · SALE · See Me in Print · Shows · Where to Shop

Happy 196th Birthday Izannah! My Celebration SALE Starts Now!!! (this year’s sale is over ~ thank you !)

Today marks the 196th anniversary of Izannah Walker’s birth.  She was born in Bristol, Rhode Island on the 25th day of September in 1817. You may read more details about  Izannah’s life in this post.  I wish I could invite you all over to my house for cake and silly party games, but since I can’t, I’m doing the next best thing and having a SALE to celebrate the occasion and to say thank you for being such wonderful customers, students and friends.  It is such a great pleasure to know other people who love Izannah’s dolls as much as I do!

From 9/25/13 – 9/29/13 all of my reproduction Izannah Walker dolls, additional custom made dresses and accessories for your Izzy, Izannah Walker doll clothes patterns and Izannah Walker Doll Making Classes are 10% off.  This sale applies only to items ordered from September 25th through September 29th, 2013, the discount is not available on prior orders.  As always, all items may be placed on lay-away with terms to fit your budget and shipping is free to any United States address.  I generally just have two sales per year, my Izannah Walker Birthday Sale and my Christmas Sale 🙂  So don’t let this one pass you by.

3 Dolls available 9/25/13 www.izannahwalker.comThree Finished Dolls Available

I have three very special dolls available for this years Birthday Sale.  One of them is created from a brand new mold that I made from my friend Mary’s Izannah Walker doll, Anna.  Thank you Mary!!!  Anna is 17 inches tall, so she is a smaller size than my other dolls and has the look of a younger, chubbier child.  All three of these dolls have very aged appearances, befitting young ladies that were made early in Izannah’s doll making career.  They each come with two elaborate dresses, full of wonderful little details to delight the heart of any dress maker, a chemise, pantalettes, petticoat and necklace.

Isabeau #1 SOLD – Thank you so much for stopping by to look at her!  Please contact me if you would like to order a custom made doll similar to this one.

Isabeau #1 comes with a necklace made from hand strung pale pink bone beads.
SOLD Isabeau #1 comes with a necklace made from hand strung pale pink bone beads.
Her dress made from antique pink and black print fabric is adorned with rows ans rows of black velvet ribbon.
SOLD Her dress, made from antique pink and black print fabric is adorned with rows and rows of black velvet ribbon.
Isabeau #1 wearing her winter white antique wool dress.
SOLD Isabeau #1 wearing her winter white antique wool dress.  I made this dress from an antique unfinished, so never worn, wool baby’s petticoat.
A surprise sentiment hides inside the waist band of her dress.
A surprise sentiment hides inside the waist band of her dress, which fastens with hand carved bone buttons.
Details of the antique trims used on the sleeves of Isabeau's embroidered wool dress.
Details showing the antique trims used on the sleeves of Isabeau’s embroidered wool dress.
three ringlets
three ringlets
Isabeau #1 Wardrobe
SOLD Isabeau #1 Wardrobe

Isabeau #2 – SOLD Thank you!

Isabeau #2 shows off her hand strung real coral beads.
SOLD Isabeau #2 shows off her hand strung real coral beads.
Isabeau #2 is wearing a dress that I made for her from a mid-1800's brown "coral" pattern print fabric.  The dress has full gathered sleeves, two growth tucks in the skirt and a deep 3 inch hem.
SOLD Isabeau #2 is wearing a dress that I made for her from a mid-1800’s brown “coral” pattern print fabric. The dress has full gathered sleeves, two growth tucks in the skirt and a deep 3 inch hem.
Isabeau #2 in her black party frock.  The dress fabric dates to the late 1800's.  Rows of antique black velvet ribbon encircle the sleeves, waist and hem of the dress.
SOLD Isabeau #2 in her black party frock. The dress fabric dates to the late 1800’s. Rows of antique black velvet ribbon encircle the sleeves, waist and hem of the dress.

Isabeau #2 www.izannahwalker.com

2 curls www.izannahwalker.com

Isabeau #2 wardrobe
SOLD Isabeau #2 wardrobe

Anna #2 – NOW SOLD  THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LOOKING.  Even though this one is sold you may order a custom made Anna style doll, and if you love these dresses I have enough fabric to make another set just like them.

Anna#2 wears a tiny golden thimble on a chain around her neck.
SOLD Anna#2 wears a tiny golden thimble on a chain around her neck.
Anna #2 is shown here wearing her dress made from a very early c. 1830-1840 cotton gauze paisley print.  The green, red, brown and ivory fabric is perfect for late fall and the upcoming Christmas season.  The sleeves and skirt of the dress have graduated growth tucks.
SOLD Anna #2 is shown here wearing her dress made from a very early c. 1830-1840 cotton gauze paisley print. The green, red, brown and ivory fabric is perfect for late fall and the upcoming Christmas season. The sleeves and skirt of the dress have graduated growth tucks.
Anna's black dress is made from another very early cotton print fabric.  The neckline of the dress is trimmed with antique ivory cotton ribbon, plus a row of antique silk velvet ribbon.  Her chemise is trimmed in tiny waved braid (aka rick rack in modern terms).
SOLD Anna’s black dress is made from another very early cotton print fabric. The neckline of the dress is trimmed with antique ivory cotton ribbon, plus a row of antique silk velvet ribbon. Her chemise is trimmed in tiny waved braid (aka rick rack in modern terms).

Anna #2 www.izannahwalker.com

Anna #2 wispy locks www.izannahwalker.com

Anna #2 Wardrobe
SOLD Anna #2 Wardrobe
Isabeau #2 & Anna #2 show off a little Black Magic for All Hallows Eve.  Black dresses are one of my favorites year around because they are a neutral accent in any room and the dark color will draw your eye to the doll and make her painted features "pop" and glow.
Isabeau #2 & SOLD Anna #2 show off a little Black Magic for All Hallows Eve. Black dresses are one of my favorites year around because they are a neutral accent in any room and the dark color will draw your eye to the doll and make her painted features “pop” and glow.

Are you wondering where Anna #1 is?  In the very near future she is going to be living with Mary, her older sister Anna and all of her Walker cousins in Vermont.  Members of my Izannah Walker Doll Making Class may read about my adventures in making Anna #1 in a continuing series of posts on the class member site.

To see photos of the original Miss Anna, follow these links:

Photos to Share of Mary’s Antique Izannah Walker Doll

A Visit with Anna

I am a much better doll maker than I am a photographer.  All of the girls look so much nicer in person.  If you would like to see more photos of any of the dolls before placing an order, just ask.  To purchase any of these dolls please visit my website ASweetRemembrance.com or alternately you may email paula@asweetremembrance.com or call 860-355-5709.

Time worn, well loved dolls are the ones that kindle the fiercest love in my heart, but I know that some of you dearly love newer, more pristine dolls.  Don’t despair, I would be happy to make you the Izannah Walker doll that inhabits your dreams and has captured a place in your heart.  Call or email me to place a custom order, 860-355-5709 ( 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time) or paula@asweetremembrance.com.  I do have a bit of a waiting list for custom work, so the sooner you order the better.

Click here for a quick guide about my three different styles of dolls.

Custom Made Dresses and Accessories For Your Doll

Email (paula@asweetremembrance.com) or call me (860-355-5709) about prices and available fabrics for custom made doll clothing and accessories.    Simple dresses made from antique fabric start at $200 apiece.  More elaborate dresses with a greater number of tucks, fuller skirts, rows of ribbon or lace trim, embroidery or more costly antique fabrics run from $250 -$275 and may go upwards.  Handmade leather shoes are $75.  Any custom order is 10% off during the sale.  Scroll up to see the new style of dress that I made for Anna #2.  The fully lined dress has a slim cut bodice and sleeves, with a cartridge pleated skirt and velvet ribbon trim.  The cost of an identical dress is $295, if the dress must be fully lined, or $275 for one with a lined bodice.

Patterns and Classes

If you would like to order a pattern for a full set of clothes to fit one of my 18- 1/2 inch Izannah Walker dolls click on this link.

I don’t have a pattern available yet for smaller size clothing to fit Anna.

To read more about my Izannah Walker Doll Making Class by Mail follow this link to my website, where you may also order the class.  The class comes with unlimited support, plus a class member only discussion site that features extra bonus material and patterns, including five different flat faced heads that work with the rest of your Izannah class patterns so that you can create a variety of different cloth dolls as friends for your Izzys!  Sophie and Mae, two of my dolls that I made using the flat faced patterns will be featured in the Spring 2014 issue of Prims magazine.

Time For A Party

Happy Birthday Izannah www.izannahwalker.comAfter trying on all their new clothes and posing for their photo shoot, the girls and I spent some time in the kitchen baking Izannah a birthday cake.  We all agreed that it was the perfect treat to celebrate the birthday of our very favorite doll maker!

The recipe for the cake came from The Best of Shaker Cooking by Amy Bess Miller and Persis Fuller.  I chose this recipe because it is one that would have been in use during Izannah’s lifetime and is filled with apples, the perfect seasonal fruit for an autumn birthday.  I picked apples to use from our oldest apple tree.  It is a very firm, late season cooking apple that I have never been able to positively identify.  We grow our apples organically, so they are not picture perfect, but I’m sure apples just like these would have been a familiar site to Izannah.

IMG_5135Apple Cake

from Shirley Shaker Village

IMG_4929

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1-1/3 cups flourIMG_4939

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. vanillaIMG_4949

3 apples, peeled and chopped

1/4 cup currants or raisins

powdered sugar

ground cinnamon

Cream butter and gradually add 1/2 of the sugar, beating well.  Beat egg with remaining sugar, add to first mixture.  Sift in flour, salt and baking powder alternately with the m ilk.  Flavor with vanilla.  Add apples and currants or raisins.  Beat well to mix and turn into a well-buttered 9 inch cake tin, square or round.IMG_4956

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon, and bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes.  Makes 1 cake.

Shaker Apple Cake www.Izannahwalker.com

Make a wish! www.izannahwalker.com

"Happy Birthday to you!" www.izannahwalker.com

Celebrations · Doll Accessories · Doll Clothing

Flag Day June 14th!

i-love-a-parade www.asweetremembrance.com

Sharing a bit of red, white and blue for Flag Day…

I bought this doll last week when I visited Rainie Crawford.  Rainie purchased the doll from the original owners family in New Briton , CT.  The doll has lovely child like proportions, a spectacular wool challis print dress and very sweet little red leather shoes.  She has promised to share all of her dressmaking secretes with my Izannahs!
I bought this doll last week when I visited Rainie Crawford. Rainie purchased the doll from the original owner’s family in New Briton , CT. The doll has lovely child like proportions, a spectacular wool challis print dress and very sweet little red leather shoes. She has promised to share all of her dressmaking secretes with my Izannahs!
These glorious Prussian blue leather baby shoes were another purchase from Rainie.  They are very simply the BEST shoes I have ever seen in my life!  I am particularly drawn to them because of their resemblance to the shoes I make for my Izannahs.  I plan to study their construction for insights on how to improve my 19th century shoe making skills.
These glorious Prussian blue leather baby shoes were another purchase from Rainie. They are very simply the BEST shoes I have ever seen in my life! I am particularly drawn to them because of their resemblance to the shoes I make for my Izannahs. I plan to study their construction for insights on how to improve my 19th century shoe making skills.
Surprise! Rosy red leather soles!!!  I can just picture these shoes on tiny waving baby feet...
Surprise! Rosy red leather soles!!! I can just picture these shoes on tiny wiggly, waving baby feet…
Celebrations · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · SALE · Where to Shop

Easter & April Fool’s Day Celebration Sale!

Count your pennies - SALE! www.izanahwalker.com

Today at my house we are celebrating Easter.  Tomorrow the festivities will continue as we party in honor of my middle son’s birthday!  I’d like to share a bit of our celebrations with you by offering you 10% off on every single item I sell at Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance!!!

This includes all classes, all dolls – even new custom orders -, all bears, all reproduction clothing, all antiques – carousel horses & cooking items -, literally everything!  There is free shipping within the United States on all purchases, except carousel horses & you may place any item on lay-away, with terms to fit your budget 🙂

The coupon code for the sale is ” peeps”.  Enter the code when you check out today or tomorrow using the secure shopping cart at A Sweet Remembrance and 10% will automatically be subtracted from your total.  Email or call me to buy the antique cooking item shown at Paula Walton’s 18th Century Home Journal,  to order a custom made Izannah Walker reproduction doll, or to set up lay-away payments.  Paula@asweetremembrance.com 860-355-5709.  I would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the sale or any of my work.

Wishing you a Happy Easter and an amusing April Fools Day!

Antique Doll Furniture · Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · Izannah Walker Project Ideas · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Stray Comments

Valentine’s Day Tea Party XOXO

Welcome to our Valentine's Day Tea Party!  Would you care for a cup of violet tea and a mace shortbread cookie?
“Welcome to our Valentine’s Day Tea Party! I’ve poured you a cup of violet tea.  I hope you like  mace shortbread cookies.”
We baked the cookies yesterday.
“Yesterday we baked cookies all day long.”
These are my very favorite cookies!
“These are my very favorite cookies! They smell so good.  Would you write the recipe down for me?”
If I hurry!
“If I hurry!”
"Let's pose for a family portrait while we are all together, so that we'll always be able to remember how much we enjoyed having tea and spending time together today!"
“Let’s pose for a family portrait while we are all together, so that we’ll always be able to remember  today!”
"One more!  Everybody smile and say TEA!"
“One more! Everyone smile and say TEA!”… Three little sisters join their elders in wishing you a very happy Valentine’s Day.
"Now that we've eaten and taken photos, let's make make Valentine presents."
“Now that we’ve eaten and taken photos, let’s make make Valentine presents.”
"My heart is in your hand."
“My heart is in your hand.”
"I'll keep it on my desk so that I can see it every day and think of you."
“I’ll keep it on my desk so that I can see it every day and think of you.”
"One more cup of tea?"
“One last cup of tea?”

Thank you for coming!  We hope you had fun.

– Newly made Izannah Walker reproduction dolls may be custom ordered, please see my website Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance for details.

The recipe for Mace Shortbread cookies is available by clicking here.

Violet tea may be purchased from Simpson and Vail.

– Directions for the two love tokens shown, plus one more are posted on my Izannah Walker Class Member Site.  If you would like to buy or read more about the class click here.

– True Blue is busy making a Valentine for Kathy.

– Savannah is slaving away on a very special heartfelt letter to Charlotte.

– Ruthie is on her way back home to Brooklyn after visiting for a “spa day” to have the damage caused by the post office  repaired.  She says that she is ever so much better now and that she feels beautiful again.  Plus she loves her new warm flannel petticoat and can’t wait to show it off to Paula C.!

– I’m getting ready to go on a double date with my husband and our very dearest friends Joy and John…

Thank you for stopping by Valentine!

XOXO Hugs and Kisses,

Paula

Celebrations · Izannah Walker Project Ideas · Stray Comments

Sweets for the Sweet, Baking for Valentine’s Day

Bating Shortbread cookies izannahwalker.com

Today is baking day.  The air is filled with the scents of mace and nutmeg.  My kitchen is humming with activity as we prepare for our Valentine’s Day tea party!

Mace Shortbread Cookies izannahwalker.com

Mace Shortbread

3 cups flour

1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

1-1/2 cups butter

1/2 tsp. yeast

1/4 cup warm water

1 tsp. mace

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

*Proof yeast in warm water for 5 minutes.  Measure flour, powdered sugar, mace and nutmeg into a large mixing bowl.  Add slightly softened butter and mix until all of the butter is worked into the dry ingredients.  Pour proofed yeast/water into bowl and beat until thoroughly incorporated.  Cover bowl with a clean dry cloth and set in a warm place for 1 hour, then chill for 30 minutes.

embossing shortbread with izannah walker doll stamp izannahwalker.comRoll dough out on a well floured surface to a scant 1/4 inch thickness and cut out with heart shaped cookie cutters.  Emboss the cookies by stamping them with new, washed rubber stamps that have been dusted with flour.Izannah stamped cookie izannahwalker.com  If desired, lightly brush ground nutmeg into the stamped designs before baking.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 – 10 minutes, until just starting to very lightly brown at the edges.  Cool completely before removing from cookie sheets.

Little Izzys add an extra helping of sweetness to these Valentine cookies.
Little Izzys add an extra helping of sweetness to these Valentine cookies.

* 18th century shortbread receipts call for the addition of barm (yeast).  I followed this tradition when I developed this recipe.  I love mace and decided to add it, along with nutmeg to the cookies (both spices are part of the seeds of the nutmeg tree).

Izannah Heart Shortbread cookies izannahwalker.com

Baking Valentine Cookies izanahwalker.com

You are cordially invited to join us tomorrow for tea.  We hope that you can come!

P.W. izannahwalker.com

Celebrations · Stray Comments

Wishing You a Very Happy Christmas Eve!

IMG_0973

Wishing you all the best from our home to yours for Christmas 2012!

This large papier-mache boy was a present from my husband several Christmases ago.  He is wearing a "new" dress for Christmas that I just bought for him from Edyth O'Neill. It arrived today and I couldn't wait to try it on him.
This large papier-mache boy was a present from my husband several Christmases ago. He is wearing a “new” dress for Christmas that I just bought for him from Edyth O’Neill. It arrived today and I couldn’t wait to try it on him.

*Edyth O’Neill is the author of my all time favorite rug hooking book “Rugs for My Red Cape“.  She also has a lovely blog full of beautiful photos of her home and dolls plus another site where she  sells  antique dolls and other  selected antiques.