I thought you might like a glimpse at the details that go into my custom made dolls…
Now that Billie’s doll is dressed and ready to go, it is time for Sharon’s doll to decide what pieces she wants in her wardrobe. She is very excited about choosing her clothing! After all what girl doesn’t love to shop ❤
When we last left off, Sharon’s doll was gaily joining in all of the party games!
A few details of her trousseau have already been decided:
Shoes:
Underwear: Like Anna #3
Dress #1: A long sleeve dress in this style in fabric #14
sunbonnet: This style in the black background print fabric.
Apron: Like the one Isane is wearing in this photo… possibly in the red, black and white fabric…
And now it is time to pick out a few more things!
Winter Cape or Coat: What about the winter white wool with the embroidered scallops above???
Cape Ideas:
Coat Ideas:
A Frilly White Party Dress:
In this style???
and maybe one of these fabrics???
Made from all white fabric perhaps with tucks and lace???
I hope that you have all enjoyed dress shopping along with Sharon’s doll. Please come back to visit so that you can see her modelling all of her new frocks and accessories.
When we last saw our heroine she was thanking her hostesses for the lovely party and telling them how much she would miss them when she journeyed off to her new home…
Now the time has come for Billie’s Doll to pack her bags and begin her travels westward to the heart-land. I will miss her! The lovely thing about dolls that are on lay-away is that they get to stay here and keep me company 🙂 This sweet young lady has been my faithful companion for more than a year. Overseeing my studio and offering snippets of helpful advice while I work. ❤
You may click on any of the smaller photographs to enlarge them.
The best place to start is the beginning… Her she is in her “altogether”.
Little hidden bits of blue… Blue crocheted trim on the bottom of her chemise, a blue rimmed glass button at it’s neckline and a thin outline of blue at the tops of her boots echo the blue of her dress.
Showing off her new dress, made from antique blue cotton with a “Persian pickle” print (aka paisley). The dress has a growth tuck in the skirt, gathered split flutter sleeves, and closes with an antique drawstring at the neckline and an antique blue and white glass button at the waist.
Learning about her new family… “So this is what Hitty looks like!”No Hittys live at my house, but fortunately I happened to have a post card from my visit to see the real Hitty that is part of the Stockbridge, MA library collection.Today was such a nice day that she decided to take one more walk in the woods, to gather a few autumn leaves for her scapebook…
“Thank you for coming to our party!” “We’re so glad you could be here.”“I’m going to miss you!” “Promise me you”ll write.” “I will!”“Good-bye!” “It’s been such fun!” “We’ve enjoyed having you stay here with us!” “Write to tell us you got home safely!” “Thank you for everything!” “This was the best party ever!”“I’m going to miss everyone.”“Me too!”“I’m sad to see them leave, but it feels so good to put my feet up!”“At least Lily isn’t leaving yet.” ❤“I may stay in bed ALL day tomorrow…”
“I’m just going to stay right here on the floor!”
WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW
Anna is busy packing. She will be leaving here bright and early on Tuesday morning for her new home.Billie’s doll is ready for her dress fittings and will be leaving here very soon. Look for her upcoming farewell post.Sharon and I are still talking over the details of this young lady’s wardrobe. She’ll be happy to model it for you before she goes home. ❤Lily #1 has picked out her dress and jewelry and is patiently waiting for me to make them so that she can go home with her older sister. They plan to quilt together during the winter.Hannah #1 has found a new home! She will be helping me look through my fabric stash for just the right material for her dress. Once she is finished she will be going home just in time for Christmas. ❤Hannah #2 Is still available for sale and at this point you may still choose her clothing fabrics and styles. $1250.00 fully dressed, with free shipping within the U. S. ❤Lily 2 is also still available for sale. If you love early, worn and primitive then Lily may be just the reproduction Izannah you have been longing for… $1250.00 fully dressed, you may still pick out her clothing if you purchase her now.2 Izannah Kits finished and ready to mail – 1 painted & 1 unpainted. A full instruction book + patterns comes with each head. The unpainted head/kit is $200 and the painted head/kit is $375.Zanna & Izzybelle are having their tag sale through midnight tonight. (9/27/15) shop hereand Izzybelle is still to tired to move!
“Anna, give me your hand and I will help you up.”“Isabeau, can you give me a boost from behind?”“Plenty of room for two of us!”“When we duck down, will you shut the drawer?”“I’ve found my hiding place.”“If I bend my knees I think I can fit!”“Izzybelle, we can still see you through the glass.” “Find another hiding place.”“How about now, can you see me now?” “Yes, we can see you!” “No more glass doors!” “Find a new spot!”“I don’t think Izzybelle really understands how to play this game. Do you?”“and what on earth are those cupboards for anyway???” “Haven’t you heard? They are going to hang on the walls and be high rise efficiency apartments for the Queen Annes…” “I don’t think I’d like apartment living…”“I think we have found the BEST hiding places!”“I think so too!” “I’m all set, how about you?”” Yes, I’m all set too.”“Come on Lily, I’ll find us the perfect places to hide!”“You hide behind the bears…”“…and I’ll duck down beneath the other dolls.” “Just pretend I’m not here.”… giggle…“Hurry Isabeau, we need to hide!”“I am hurrying!”“Just don’t forget to let me out if Isane doesn’t find me…”“How about now, can you see me now?” “Is THIS a good place?”“How ever did she get up there???”“… 98 … 99 … 100!” “Ready or not, here I come!”
Welcome to our birthday tea party in honor of Izannah Walker, an extraordinary doll maker, who was the first woman to receive a United States Patent for her doll making method!
The dolls and their guests have gathered in the front parlor, while I brew a pot of tea. This afternoon we will be serving a combination of Earl Grey, lavender and ground vanilla beans. I drink mine with a bit of sugar, Isabeau and Zanna prefer lavender honey in theirs and little Izzybelle likes her cup partially filled with warm milk and a heaping spoonful of sugar, then topped up with tea!
A large scoop of Earl Grey tea, lavender flowers and a pinch of ground vanilla beans… total bliss!“Welcome!” “We are so glad you could come!”“Have you met our dear friend Lily? She just moved from Toledo to Michigan and now she has come to pay us a visit.” ” Sharon’s doll is also visiting us. We are so happy she could stay for the party!”“Does everyone have a seat?” “I’m going to go get the tea. I’ll be right back!”“This is Sadie, one of our new kittens.” “Izzybelle, be careful! Don’t let Sadie knock you off of the piano stool!” “Don’t worry Isane, I’m holding on tight!”“Here comes Jack. He follows Sadie everywhere!”Jack very much wants to play with Billie’s doll, who is another one of our party guests.“Would you care for a Honey Tea Cake?”“No Jack, not you!” “Tea cakes aren’t good for kittens.”“Isane don’t let them get the cakes!”“That’s right Jack, go see Anna, she’ll pet you.” “Petting is much better than cake!”” Sadie, I’ll pet you too.”“Now that the kittens have settled down, would anyone like a cup of tea?”“Oh no! Lily did Jack knock your cup out of your hand?”“Don’t worry. Nothing broke and I have a clean cup right here for you.”Too much excitement! The kittens are all worn out and have gone off to take a nap…“I would really like that cup of tea now!” “And I’d like a bit of quiet, civilized conversation!” “Well I LIKE having the kittens come to tea! It makes everything so much more interesting!” “Hush Izzybelle…”“I know what we should do. Have you seen Joy Harrington’s article in Antique Doll Collector magazine? It’s all about the house she had made for her Izannah Walker dolls.” “You can tell Billie all about it when you go home to Kansas.” “I think next year we should ask for a house of our very own as a birthday present!”“Cake? “I don’t know anything about cake.” “Or falling teacups…” “You must be thinking about some other kitten.” “Yawnnnnnnnnn”
See? I told you that the girls loved Joy’s article about her doll house! If you would like to read the article too, it is in the August 2015 issue of Antique Doll Collector magazine on pages 43-48. Not only does it include wonderful pictures and descriptions of the doll house, but it also shows Joy’s fantastic collection of antique Izannah Walker dolls. It is such a treat!
The dolls, kittens and I have so enjoyed having you visit us this afternoon! We hope you will come back tomorrow and Sunday for new posts at 10:00 a.m. & 4:00 p.m. each day, as we party on!
And now, I don’t know about you, but I plan to brew another pot of tea, put my feet up and watch the dolls giggle and play on into the evening…
* Sharon’s and Billie’s dolls are custom orders, who will soon be traveling to their new homes. In the photos they are wearing borrowed finery. They will each be receiving their final dress fittings soon and will both have posts of their very own to show off their new wardrobes before they leave here.
** Lily is an antique Izannah Walker doll that is staying with me while she undergoes a bit of judicious restoration. She will also be featured in a series of upcoming posts that will chronicle her restoration adventures.
A small Izannah love token. I just have one of these, as it was a sample I made as a project idea for my Izannah Walker doll class members. $32 plus free shipping to any U.S. address. ❤
It was quite late last night, when I was writing up the first of this year’s birthday posts, so it totally slipped my mind that I was supposed to put these two items on the “what’s for sale this weekend” post. 🙂 Better late than never!
This is how I have the tiny hand displayed in my studio. The little white drawers are filled with buttons.A different version of love token, framed in a miniature 4 inch square grain painted shadow box. $44, plus free U.S. shipping. OOAKSOLD Other items newly posted for sale include this aged and beloved reproduction doll made from my Anna mold. She is such a wonderful doll! It doesn’t show up well in her photos, but her body is so fantastic. Her arms and legs hang just right! As if they had lived through countless years of play time and naps. She is $1250 and if you buy her this weekend she comes with a tiny miniature antique tintype photograph. Scroll down the page to see many more images of this Anna.NOW SOLD Hannah #1 is one of the dolls I am currently working on and is for sale. At this point you may choose all of her clothing options and her 2nd skin color. $1250 with free U.S. shipping. As a birthday special this weekend only she will include a reproduction quilt top and backing…Hannah #2 Is also for sale with all of the same features as Hannah #1. You may see more photos of the Hannahs in my 1st birthday party post from midnight last night 🙂Lily 2 is the third doll that I’m working on that is still available for sale. If you love early, worn and primitive then Lily may be just the reproduction Izannah you have been longing for… Scroll down for additional photographs and information.Zanna wants me to remind you that she and Izzybelle are still manning the tag sale and that all of the doll furniture will be 10% off through midnight on Sunday!And last, but not least… two Izannah Kits are finished and ready to ship. One with a painted head for $375 and another with a unfinished head for you to paint for $200.
If you have been dreaming about a special reproduction Izannah Walker doll, I would be very happy to help bring your dreams to life. I am currently booking custom order dolls for July 2016 and beyond. You may call or email with questions about custom orders and to discuss all the details. 860-355-5709 during east coast business hours, or paula@asweetremembrance.com anytime.
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.
Lily 2 will be available for sale.Lily 2Lily 2
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.
Today I finished Carole’s special order “Ismay”. After popping Miss Ismay’s shoe laces in their dye baths, I hurried to take photos of her before dark. 🙂
Ismay shows off her antique linen second skin body covering.The linen that I used for Ismay’s second skin has a W cross stitched on it, which I placed on her left knee. Obviously this linen was meant to be part of this doll!!!Another view of Ismay’s knees ❤
Pintucks, ruffles, feather stitching & hemstiching… ❤Petticoats!Carole loved the clothing that I did for my doll that was pictured in Early American Life earlier this summer. Fortunately I had just enough fabric left to recreate her wardrobe for Ismay.
Ismay wishes everyone a very happy Labor Day!
In the morning Ismay’s shoe laces will be dry and I’ll teach her how to lace and tie her shoes!
Once again I am honored to announce that I was chosen for inclusion in Early American Life’s Directory of Traditional American Craftsman. The August 2015 issue of EAL, which includes the directory, has just been mailed to subscribers and should also be out on newsstands soon. This is the 32nd time I’ve been in the directory, many years in more than one category, and each and every time has been just as thrilling as the first! It gives me such a warm feeling to know that the highly knowledgeable jurors, made up of museum professionals and other experts, have closely examined my work and named me as one of the top craftsmen working in my field(s).
Young Miss Isane traveled to Delaware earlier this spring to take part in the EAL directory photo shoot at Winterthur Museum. She had a wonderful time posing and exploring Winterthur. Now that she has returned safe and sound, she is looking for a new home to call her own.
6/22/15 UPDATE SHE IS NOW SOLD Isane is 18 inches tall and is one of my all cloth, reproduction Izannah Walker dolls. She has two painted ringlets in front of each ear and a row of five more along the nape of her neck. Isane has bare feet, with stockings sized down from antique socks, and two pairs of hand made leather shoes – one to match each of her dresses. She is wearing a chemise, pantalettes trimmed with pintucked ruffles, a cotton petticoat and an embroidered woolen petticoat. Her floral printed white dress is modeled after the dress worn by the Izannah Walker doll owned by the Worthington, Ohio Historical Society. I am excessively fond of that doll and she was my inspiration for this Isane.
Her second dress is made from prussian blue and olive brown print fabric, with short ruffled sleeves and a growth tuck in the skirt. All of her clothing is made from antique fabric, laces and buttons. A signed copy of the magazine will accompany her to her new home. Isane may be adopted for $1675.00. Insured shipping to any United States address is free of charge. If you live outside of the U.S., exact USPS international mail shipping charges will apply. As always lay-away is an option. ❤
This doll has been sold – thank you so much for coming to look at her. If you have any questions about Isane, or would like to purchase her please email me anytime at paula@asweetremembrance.com or call me at 860-355-5709 during east coast business hours.
“See? Here I am in the August 2015 issue of Early American Life!”
“Oh no! It’s starting to rain! Hurry and take the photo.”This is Isane before she left for her spring break. She went to Delaware to visit Winterthur Museum and take part in the Early American Life 2015 Directory photo shoot.‘I love it when you come to play with me. I hope there will be someone to play with at my new house!”“I love you Isane.”Playing is such hard work. It is time for babies and dolls to take a nap!
And now it is time to pick out a few more things!
Coat Ideas:
and maybe one of these fabrics???
