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.

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Carole’s Doll

September 6, 2015September 6, 2015 paulawalton4 Comments

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 lined second skin body covering. — 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!!! — 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 <3 — Another view of Ismay’s knees ❤

Pintucks, ruffles, feather stitching & hemstiching... <3 — Pintucks, ruffles, feather stitching & hemstiching… ❤

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!

Celebrations · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Wishing You a Happy Easter!

April 2, 2015April 2, 2015 paulawalton1 Comment

Wishing you all a very happy Easter weekend!

Melissa's doll spent an afternoon frolicking with the rabbits before she departed for her new home. — Melissa’s doll spent an afternoon frolicking with the rabbits before she departed for her new home.

What sweet treats are hiding under the chicks nest? — What sweet treats are hiding under the chick’s nest?

"Bunny do you think the eggs will hatch in time for Easter?" — “Bunny do you think the eggs will hatch in time for Easter?”

"Look! I think one is starting to crack!" — “Look! I think one is starting to crack!”

I received this very special Easter photo from all of my dolls that are now part of a wonderful family. A huge thank you to Susie for convincing the girl's to behave long enough to have their picture taken and for allowing me to share it with you! <3 — I received this very special Easter photo from all of my dolls that are now part of a wonderful family. It’s the best Easter greeting that I’ve ever gotten! It is such fun to see them all together. A huge thank you to Susie for convincing the girls to behave long enough to have their picture taken and for allowing me to share it with you! ❤ When this photo was taken the girls were all patiently waiting to welcome their newest sister home and into the family. 🙂

This doll is traveling on spring break. She has gone to Delaware to visit Winterthur Museum and take part in the Early American Life 2015 Directory photo shoot.

Wardrobe change! All well dressed young ladies need at least two frocks with matching shoes.

Need a bit more Easter eye candy? Click here to see a previous Easter post.

post script…

Were you wondering if Miss Zanna arrived safe and sound at her new home in time to celebrate Easter with her sisters? Take a peek…. all of her sisters and a dear old family friend have made her feel particularly welcome and well loved ❤

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Ordering a Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll

Melissa’s Doll

March 8, 2015 paulawalton14 Comments

I’d like to introduce you all to Melissa’s doll. She is a wonderful example of one of my custom ordered reproduction Izannah Walker dolls. Melissa requested a doll with a very thin neck and downward tilted head, that had an appearance reminiscent of one of her favorite antique Izannah Walker dolls (a doll that was previously part of the Popp collection and later owned by R. John Wright). She asked me to give her doll a pale complexion, but one without the grey tint that many antique Izannahs have. Melissa also wanted a paint surface that showed some moderate wear and age, but preferred her doll to have a “perfect” nose. She chose the antique blue paisley print dress fabric from my fabric swatch book and found a photograph of a dress she loved in a museum collection for me to use as a reference.

Because the dress Melissa wanted for her doll was of a slightly earlier style than those worn by most Izannah Walker dolls, the two of us created our own imagined history for the doll and her dress. We decided that the grandmother, of the little girl who first owned this doll, sewed a dress for the doll just like the dresses that she had made for her own daughter. As I sewed on this dress I daydreamed of a grandmother taking apart a worn out dress that she has made many years before, when her daughter was a young girl. She set aside all of the best pieces of fabric, then carefully cut them out in a miniature version of the original dress. Then as she sat sewing all the pieces together, she told her granddaughter stories of how much the little girl’s mother had loved the dress and the things she did when she was a child.

I’d like to thank Melissa for sharing her vision of her dream Izannah with me, and giving me the opportunity to bring it to life. I also have to thank her for having the patience of at least two saints, and not minding how long it took me to make this doll! ❤

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Ordering a Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll

Christmas Dolls

December 27, 2014 paulawalton2 Comments

One of the best parts of doll making is getting the chance to plan and make dolls for wonderful people. These dolls were ordered as special Christmas presents from loving husbands… ❤ ❤ ❤

Merry Christmas Susie!

Surprise!!! Two sweet sisters under the tree... — Surprise!!! Two sweet sisters under the tree…

Joyeux Noel Suzanne!

Suzanne's doll has a wardrobe of four dresses, so that she can dress for any occasion! Not shown are her warm winter wool petticoat and summer sunbonnet. — Suzanne’s doll has a wardrobe of four dresses, so that she can dress for any occasion! Not shown are her warm winter wool petticoat and summer sunbonnet.

I finished her last dress late at night, so she posed under my Christmas lights. Bright and early the next morning she was off on her journey to her brand new home just in time for Christmas!

❤ One of the things I found quite touching is that both of these dolls had dresses ordered from two of the same fabrics. That just seemed meant to be, as they were both presents from husbands to their very sweet wives.

* you may click on any of the smaller size photos to enlarge.

Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Where to Shop

Dolls Currently Available For Sale 10/21/14

October 21, 2014November 10, 2014 paulawalton2 Comments

Update 10/23/14 Two of these dolls have been SOLD and two are still available.

At the moment I have ~~four~~ two dolls who are looking for loving homes. ~~Three~~ One of these little Izzys are listed on eBay and all four may be seen on my website Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance. THINK CHRISTMAS!!! These will probably be the last dolls I have available for sale in time for Christmas ❤ ❤ ❤

Andrew ❤ SOLD ❤

SOLD 17 inch tall Andrew, dressed in a split skirt red and black plaid dress with black velvet trim, matching breeches, antique linen chemise and black and red painted boots.

Click here to see Andrew on eBay. SOLD

Click here to read about Andrew on my website, A Sweet Remembrance. SOLD

Please feel free to email me – paula@asweetremembrance.com or call me – 860-355-5709 if you have any questions about Andrew or any of his sisters.

Isabeau #9 SOLD ❤

Click here to see her on my website, A Sweet Remembrance. SOLD

Zanna #7

Click here to go to Zanna’s eBay listing.

Or click here to visit Zanna’s write-up on my website, A Sweet Remembrance.

Miss Zanna has a new dress – different than the one she is wearing on my website (the dress on the website has been sold). You may request more wear and aging on her arms and legs and if you would like a shorter dress length, I would be happy to add an additional growth tuck in her skirt.

Isane #4 SOLD

SOLD Click here to read all about Isane #4 or to purchase her via my secure shopping cart.

SOLD

SOLD If you would like, you may request more wear and aging on Isane’s arms and legs and if you prefer a shorter dress length, I will add an additional growth tuck in her skirt.

Call me 860-355-5709 or email me paula@asweetremembrance.com

with questions about any of the dolls or to set up a lay-away.

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Other Types of Doll Making

Traveling Home <3

October 14, 2014 paulawalton6 Comments

Two intrepid little travelers are nearing the end of their journeys. They have been wending their way west towards their new homes.

Miss Ismay and her dear friend wished each other bon voyage and shared their hopes and dreams for their lives in their new homes. — Miss Ismay and her dear friend wished each other bon voyage and shared their hopes and dreams about their lives in their new homes.

Ismay is so excited to be starting a new life in Michigan! She just can't wait to meet her new family <3 — Ismay is so excited to be starting a new life in Michigan! She just can’t wait to meet her new family ❤

This sweet young lady feels so happy that she is going to be living in Ohio! She loved every minute of her first trip to Ohio, when she went to visit Early American Life! — This sweet young lady feels so happy that she is going to be living in Ohio! She loved every minute of her first trip to Ohio, when she went to visit *Early American Life*!

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

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 🙂

Celebrations · Izannah Walker History · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

So Many Celebrations Ahead!

September 3, 2014September 3, 2014 paulawalton4 Comments

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 ❤