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

September 25, 2013October 5, 2013 paulawalton1 Comment

Today marks the 196th anniversary of Izannah Walker’s birth. She was born in Bristol, Rhode Island on the 25^th 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.

Three 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.

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.

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.

Isabeau #2 – SOLD Thank you!

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.

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.

SOLD Anna#2 wears a tiny golden thimble on a chain around her neck.

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).

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

After 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.

Apple Cake

from Shirley Shaker Village

1/3 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1-1/3 cups flour

1/4 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

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.

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

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

Just One Week Away…

September 18, 2013September 18, 2013 paulawalton4 Comments

Seven more days and counting until Izannah Walker’s 196^th birthday and my annual Izannah Walker Birthday Sale ❤ ❤ ❤

Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Just a little braging about one of my students…

March 8, 2013March 8, 2013 paulawalton1 Comment

Charlotte and Mr. Pospisel by Vicki Leeke. Vickie asked me to post this photo for her of the dolls she was working on during the retreat. Vicki had me pre-make Charlotte's head and body parts, which she put together, painted and dressed. Vicki made Mr. Pospisel from a head she molded in one of my plaster molds. She took him back to Australia to finish. Isn't his suit amazing!!! — Charlotte and Mr. Pospisel by Vicki Leeke. Vickie shared this photo of the dolls she was working on during my September retreat. Vicki had me pre-make Charlotte’s head and body parts, which she put together, painted and dressed. Vicki made Mr. Pospisel from a head she molded in one of my plaster molds. She took him back to Australia to finish. Isn’t his suit amazing!!!

Mr. Pospisel was born in September from a head that Vicki was practicing on during my Izannah retreat. His name comes from a great story told to the class members by Peggy Flavin.

Mr. Pospisel is showing off the magnificent suit Vicki made for him.

Vicki Leeke sent me these photos of dolls that she was working during my Izannah retreat last September. You may remember Vicki from one of my previous posts about her lovely leather flowers and leaves and the amazingly thoughtful Izannah pins she made for everyone who attended the retreat.

Vicki made “Charlotte” using a head and body parts that she had me pre-make for her prior to the start of the retreat. Vicki did all of the hand sewing to put Charlotte’s pieces together, painted her, and made all of her clothing. If I remember correctly, Charlotte’s dress is made from vintage fabric that Vicki came across at home in Australia… I can’t remember if she told me that she dyed the fabric or not… either way it is a luscious shade of rose.

Mr. Pospisel started out as a head that Vicki made just so that she could experiment with one of my plaster molds. She kept working on him so that she could practice hand sewing the two halves of the pressed cloth head together. After she got that far she was hooked! Before long “Mr. Pospisel” had acquired a name from an anecdote told to us by Peggy Flavin during the class, and his life history soon followed. Vicki took him back to Australia, where she finished bringing him to life. He is wearing the most wonderful suit, that really shows off Vicki’s proficiency when sewing with wool. Making all of her wonderful felt dolls has obviously paid off 🙂

Vicki is planning to enter them in a doll show in Sydney in November. Keep your fingers crossed that they win an armful of awards!

Click here to read about Vicki’s leather work and Izannah pins.

Click here to read more about the retreat.

If you can’t tell, all of my students make me feel just like a proud mom! This is the virtual equivalent of pulling a fistful of photographs out of my wallet to show you 🙂

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

February 14, 2013February 14, 2022 paulawalton6 Comments

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! They smell so good. Would you write the recipe down for me?”

"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, p lease 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

Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · Painted Cloth Doll Making

Letters from Martha – Her Thoughts About My Izannah Walker Doll Making Class

February 12, 2013February 13, 2013 paulawaltonLeave a comment

For the past few days I’ve been exchanging notes with Martha Bishop, a dedicated and prolific doll maker who is a member of my Izannah Walker Doll Making Class. We started out talking about one of Martha’s dolls Taloulah, then as is often the case, our conversation moved on to other topics. Martha’s correspondence warmed my heart and has given me a little glow that I’ve been carrying around with me ever since. People like Martha are why I love teaching! With her permission, here are some excerpts from her emails:

... “I wanted to tell you that a lot of people have been trying to figure out how to make doll heads using molds. I’ve told them many times that I came to you to teach me how to do this, and it was one of the most important things I could have done for myself. After taking your class I was able to do what I wanted, without still floundering around with unanswered questions. I have directed them to you and encouraged them to take your classes. I don’t know if anyone takes my advice, but it is what so many people need to do. People are stubborn and waste time and money trying to figure out how to do things themselves without the benefit of a knowledgeable teacher. Just wanted you to know that.

“I saw your article in Prims with your three Izannah dolls. They did a good job, but then the dolls were beautiful. It was very nice. I am looking forward to the Alabama Baby class. I have read it and intend to get started before too long. These dolls appeal to me in a big way too, especially the black ones. I’m sure I will have lots of questions when I start.

… “I think you should put my comment on your sites, wherever you want. I am glad to let people know that there is help for them, and this class you teach is the best and only place I know of to get the training to make an authentic Izannah Walker doll, made the way Izannah made them. I’ve told people that it’s not just about making a molded head, it’s a comprehensive course that includes so much more about making the dolls, that they would need just as much as mold making . Please use this where ever you want to. I am glad to help. It’s all true.

P.S. the cost of the course is nothing compared to all (they) will benefit from it in every way.

Love, Martha”

Thank you Martha, your words are good for my soul!

If you are a fan of Prims magazine, you may be familiar with Martha’s work. Her Jack & Jill were featured in the Autumn 2012 issue. To see and read about Martha’s dolls visit her blog www.martha-maboriginals.blogspot.com and her selling site www.maboriginals.com . Make sure to read Taloulah’s story!

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Izannah Reproduction Doll Class

Photos to Share of Mary’s Antique Izannah Walker Doll

February 5, 2013February 11, 2013 paulawalton3 Comments

One of the members of my Izannah Walker Reproduction Dollmaking Class was kind enough to share photographs of her 16 inch antique Izannah with the class. — One of the members of my Izannah Walker Reproduction Dollmaking Class was kind enough to share photographs of her 17 inch antique Izannah with the class.

If you are a member of my Izannah Walker class, be sure to drop into the class member site to see all the photos that Mary has shared of Anna, her tiny Izannah Walker doll.

Alabama Baby Reproduction Doll Class · Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · SALE · Where to Shop

Make History in 2013!

January 1, 2013 paulawaltonLeave a comment

It’s here! The first day of a brand new year. With a pristine calendar, ready to be filled with a bounty of creative possibilities. I love this time of year, when I’m rested and recharged from spending time with family and friends over the holidays and it feels like I have a bit more time to dream, plan, and work on new projects.

I’d like to share my surge of creative spirit, so that you can make 2013 the year that you learn to make history! All three of my classes by mail, Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll Making, Reproduction Alabama Babies, and Spun Cotton Ornaments are 13% off during the month of January. The classes may be purchased by visiting my website, Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance.

If you have any questions, prior to ordering, please feel free to ask – paula@asweetremembrance.com – or 860-355-5709 .

Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

The Way it Was… My 2012 Izannah Retreat Part 2

October 25, 2012October 25, 2012 paulawalton1 Comment

The gang’s all here for Part 2! We lost Peggy , but we gained Mary 🙂
Mary, Susie, Vicki, me, and Charlotte.

Wondering about the second part of my recent Izannah retreat? This is the condensed version of days 4-6.

Mary working on her dolls during the retreat.

Vicki is busy painting, while Charlotte takes precautions to avoid sanding dust and paint fumes.

Susie braving the rain to head head outside to a sanding station.

Comparing Vicki’s doll to my collection of antique Izannahs.

Charlotte’s doll has such a sweet, wistful expression.

Packing Susie’s doll for a safe trip home.

Time out for lunch and photos. Vicki’s husband treated us all to pizza on the last day, which meant I got to skip cooking! Charlotte’s husband came for lunch too. The husbands were all very good sports about the fact that class NEVER ended on time. We always ran late, sometimes as much as 2 hrs.!!!

Even more photos! You can never have too many photos to help you recall the good times had with new friends 🙂

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat, if I could talk all of these wonderful ladies into coming back! Seriously, I can not tell you how much I enjoyed getting to know everyone and learning how very much we are alike. Six days was not enough time! We could have used twice as long for doll making, talking, sharing, making up amusing stories about our dolls and celebrating the wonderful legacy of Izannah Walker and her dolls.

The retreat was a lot of work, which took the help of my entire family, months of preparation, and two carpenters to pull off. I’m not sure if I will be having another one, but if I do and you think you would be interested in coming to New Milford, CT to attend, send me an email at Paula@asweetremembrance.com. I’ll put you on my mailing list and send you advance notice of any future retreats and classes.

Izannah Reproduction Doll Class · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

A Look Back at Part 1 of My 2012 Izannah Walker Doll Making Retreat

October 25, 2012October 25, 2012 paulawalton4 Comments

“It’s taken two and a half weeks for me to recover and get caught up enough to write this post 🙂 ”

I managed to write the previous sentence last Saturday… now here it is almost a week later and I still haven’t found time to get retreat photos posted. So I am going to stop everything else for a few minutes and concentrate on finishing this post!

All ready and waiting for everyone to arrive at my studio!

The first morning of the retreat and already hard at work…

Day 2 started out with a “road trip” to the home of a local doll dealer and collector who very generously gave us a tour of her private collection, which includes this glorious large Izannah Walker doll!

The end of day three meant saying good-bye to Peggy and one of her lovely Izannahs that she brought along to class. We all hated to see her go!!!

Favorite Moments:

Susie and two of my dolls, the one on the left came back to visit during the retreat and to pick up her new sister, on the right.

Another visitor to the retreat was Peggy’s wonderful new Queen Anne wooden, made by Kathy Patterson.

A champagne and jelly bean toast to celebrate a successful end to Part 1 and the first half of the retreat 🙂

One last hug at the end of day three! Vicki, Peggy, Susie and Charlotte the world’s most wonderful quartet of doll makers!!!

This is just the tiniest glimpse at the fun, laughter, sharing, learning and friendship that we experienced during the first half of the retreat. It was a wonderful experience having all four of these incredible ladies, who were willing to journey to my small corner of New England, come make dolls with me! I simply can not express how much I truly enjoyed getting to know them and sharing our mutual love of Izannah Walker’s dolls. The only two difficult obstacles we faced were actually being disciplined enough to work – since it was all too tempting to just have fun and play dolls – and the rain!

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

Last Three Days of My Annual Izannah Walker Birthday Sale

October 5, 2012October 5, 2012 paulawaltonLeave a comment

If you are a long time reader of this blog, you will probably recall that for the past few years I have been having an Birthday Sale to celebrate Izannah Walker’s birth on September 25, 1817.

Any new orders for custom made Izannah Walker dolls, custom made Izannah Walker doll clothing, Izannah Walker doll clothes patterns, or my Izannah Walker Doll Making Class by Mail are 10% off from 9/19/12 – 10/7/12. So if you have been contemplating buying my class, or commissioning a special doll, now is the time! The sale goes through midnight eastern time Sunday night.