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!
Two lovely young ladies, currently available for sale. Miss “A” NOW SOLD – Thank you for looking, dressed in antique “double pink” fabrics, with two curls in front of each ear and seven more along the nape of her neck and her dearest friend Miss “B”, wearing a madder brown dress and straw colored crocheted bonnet. Both girls may be purchased directly from my main website Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance. Click here to read all about Miss “A” and click here for Miss “B’s” particulars.
SOLD Miss “A” and her two bunny friends.SOLD Miss “A’s” hand made red leather shoes are trimmed in hand dyed silk ribbons that have been carefully matched to faded antique originals.SOLD She has one charming “make-do” sleeve, that almost, but not quite matches the rest of her dress fabric. Her dress has a “false hem” made from a third antique “double pink” fabric.SOLD Note the details of her white cotton and crochet work bonnet and her hand strung pink bone beads.SOLD Curls!SOLD “May I have this dance?” Sometimes a girl just feels like waltzing…SOLD Miss “B” adores her new straw colored antique crochet work bonnet with it’s silk ribbons and rosettes!SOLD Note the details of her bonnet, real coral beads and lace trimmed chemise.SOLD Miss “B” (on the right) pays a visit to her great grandmother a doll made by Izannah Walker herself! (on the left)SOLD A Side view of her bonnet.SOLD Back view of Miss “B’s” bonnet.
A Note About the Easter Bonnets
SOLD The girls love showing off their new Easter bonnets.
Do you remember turning acorn caps into doll dishes and using handkerchiefs for dolly diapers and shawls when you were a child? My mother used to help me fashion doll clothes out of objects we found around the house. I’m sure that this is a long standing mother and daughter tradition since I occasionally come across antique doll clothing that children have made from little bits of this and that.
I was sitting in my studio, thinking about Easter bonnets, when my eye happened to light on a pile of crocheted doilies… Suddenly I could just see them turning into beautiful, lacy Easter sunbonnets! I loved the idea of recreating one of my childhood traditions and I hope that you are as captivated by the bonnets and the story behind them as I am.
Would You Like to Get to Know Miss “A” & “B” Better?
If you have any questions about Misses “A” or “B”, or would like to see additional photographs, I would be more than happy to accommodate you. Email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com or call me at 860-355-5709. Lay-away is available on terms to meet your budget.
SOLD Possibly Bess, Bountiful, Bettany, or ??? My latest doll reminds me of the charming Izannah Walker doll at the South County Museum in Narragansett, Rhode Island. There is something about the shape of her head and her expression that calls to mind the Rhode Island doll of a century and a half ago…
NOW SOLD – THANK YOU FOR LOOKING For the past few days I’ve been sewing on clothing for this doll, that I’m affectionately calling “B”. I’ve been working on this doll for months, and for almost the entire time I’ve been thinking that she reminds me of a particular Izannah that I had seen somewhere… Yesterday I finally remembered exactly which one of Izannah’s dolls that “B” resembles. To me, she looks like the Izannah Walker doll at the South County Museum in Narragansett, Rhode Island. View the doll owned by the South County Museum here at the Izannah Walker Chronicles.
One of the magical aspects of pressed cloth heads is the way that heads made from the same mold are each unique. I am constantly filled with wonder when my dolls follow the same path that Izannah’s did. It is such a reaffirmation of the way I work to see that 170 years later I can take stockinette, cotton, and paste and turn it into faithful reproductions of Izannah’s dolls. *
SOLD Back of split pantalettes, showing contrasting white cotton waistband and piecing.SOLD Close-up of darning on linen pantalettes.SOLD Close-up of detail on pantalettes, chemise, petticoat and painted boots.
Because the doll has a very time worn appearance and aged paint surfaces, I wanted to use special fabrics that would reflect and enhance the feel of this doll and help tell her story. I used antique natural colored linen for her pantalettes, chemise and petticoat. I added vintage white cotton waistbands to the pantaletts and petticoat because I wanted the color contrast that is often seen in antique wool/cotton baby petticoats. Her pantalettes have been carefully pieced and darned. It took much longer to make them this way, but it helps to preserve the illusion of a much loved family doll that has been well taken care of and preserved to be passed down through succeeding generations.
“B’s” dress is made from an amazing piece of madder brown fabric c.1850 that has never been washed. The color of the dye is so vibrant, with a crisp print and the original sizing intact. The dress has straight short sleeves and is trimmed with narrow velvet bands around the sleeves and skirt. It closes with an antique glass “china” button at the waist and a thin 1/8-th inch cotton tape drawstring at the neck. The dress skirt has been carefully darned and mended in two places and the inside of the waist band has a bit of contrasting fabric pieced in as a “make-do” detail. This is the ideal dress for a collector who loves early primitive cloth dolls and is a serious student of 19th century textiles. I’m strongly suggesting that this dress should not be washed to preserve the pristine documentary condition of the fabric dye and print.
Carefully mended skirt.
Inside of waistband showing “make-do” pieced lining.
We still have some snow on the ground here in Connecticut from Friday’s storm, so today I’m going to make “B” a pair of detachable long sleeves to help keep her warm on chilly spring days.
SOLD Sweet “B” needs her long sleeves to ward off the chill in the air today. She thinks they make her look very “Little Women”ish!SOLD “B’s” cuffs button on the inside of her wrists in the mid-19th century manner .
SOLD Sweet “B” may be purchased on my website A Sweet Remembrance. Please feel free to email or call me if you are interested in purchasing “B” and have any questions about her or would like to see additional photographs. Paula@asweetremembrance.com, 860-355-5709. Lay away is available in terms to fit your budget. All payments, including lay away, may be made through Paypal, or by personal check or money order. You may pay using your credit card through Paypal, even if you do not have a Paypal account. Free Priority Mail shipping, with full insurance and signature confirmation, to any location within the United States. 6.35% sales tax is charged on dolls shipped to a Connecticut address. Exact postage charged on dolls shipped to other countries.
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!
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 🙂
There was a wonderful antique Izannah Walker doll very briefly available for sale on eBay today. It was only up long enough to get 29 views before it sold for $10,500.00. If you didn’t get a chance to even see this doll before it was gone, here is the link to the auction.
I’ve finally finished Maxine’s doll! The last stitches are in place, her clothes are freshly laundered, and her photographs have been taken and are on the way to Maxine for her approval. I’m really pleased with the way she turned out, I hope Maxine is too! Due to one thing and another she took me 125 hours to complete, which is much longer than the 80 to 100 hours that most of my dolls average. I think that the extra time was worthwhile. I love the look of depth in her paint. It has a wonderful appearance in person that I wish I could capture with my camera, but I’m not that expert of a photographer.
Annalise and Bess are trying on their new under garments, while Maxine’s doll looks on… just waiting for hers to be finished…
Another busy day… Annalise and Bess now have pantalettes, chemises and petticoats. Maxine’s doll is waiting for her arms and legs to dry while I work on her underwear.
Tomorrow Annalise, Bess and I will be picking out their dress fabrics. If you would like more information on my dolls you can read all of the details on my website Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance, or you may call (860-35-5709) or email me (paula@asweetremembrance.com). Annalise will sell for $1300.00 when she is finished… or $1375.00 if you would like to order handmade leather shoes. Bess will be $1250.00.
If you are interested in either Annalise or Bess and would like additional photos, just ask. Lay-away is available, tailored to fit your budget.
“Welcome to our Valentine’s Day Tea Party! I’ve poured you a cup of violet tea. I hope you like mace shortbread cookies.”“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?”“If I hurry!”“Let’s pose for a family portrait while we are all together, so that we’ll always be able to remember today!”“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.”“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.”“One last cup of tea?”
– 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…
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
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.
Roll 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. 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.
* 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).
You are cordially invited to join us tomorrow for tea. We hope that you can come!
Izannah Walker Journal 