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*!

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 ❤

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!”

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!

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

Isadora – SOLD

August 8, 2014August 11, 2014 paulawalton4 Comments

Isadora is now SOLD. Thank you so much for coming to look at her!

I’ve had some requests for additional photos of Isadora, which made her blush! Once she overcame her shyness, she was happy to pose in front of the cameras for a few more shots. She is sitting on an unfinished antique quilt top that has quite a bit of plum colored fabric in it. I think I probably have enough to make two dresses 🙂

If you would like more information about Isadora you can read her official write up on my website or you may email or call me with questions. Paula@asweetremembrance.com 860-355-5709.

See more photos of Isadora in this post.

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Sharon’s Doll

August 5, 2014August 7, 2014 paulawaltonLeave a comment

This is one of the new dolls that I made for the UFDC convention. I love this doll! She is a reproduction of a wonderful early Izannah Walker doll. The original doll is simply awe inspiring, with many amazing differences from Izannah’s slightly later dolls. Because this is the oldest Izannah Walker doll that I have had the privilege of studying, I have decided to simply refer to her and this mold as Izannah.

Izannah left today for her new home. Sharon purchased her at the San Antonio convention, and ordered custom made shoes for her ; so I got to have the pleasure of her company for a bit longer as I stitched her stockings and yellow leather shoes!

If you look closely you will see that the lines around the eyes of this doll are thinner than those of later dolls and brown rather than black.

Notice the difference in the way these ringlets are painted, including the tiny little waving tendrils at the bottom of the curls.

This doll has a very interesting seam line at the bottom of the hairline. The stockinette at the back of the head is a wider rib than that on the front of the head and back of the neck.

This is a very accurate reproduction of the paint surface found on the original doll.

As you can probably tell, this is a large doll. The original is 22-1/2 inches tall. My reproduction grew a 1/2 inch and measures 23 inches high. She has been bragging to me that it is because she has better posture 🙂

This was a fascinating reproduction to make and I am already eagerly looking forward to making another one!

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Where to Shop

Three Dolls Available – 7/31/14 Update & 8/11/14 Update ALL SOLD

July 29, 2014August 11, 2014 paulawalton3 Comments

I have just listed three new dolls for sale. Two of the dolls are available on my website, Paula Walton’s A Sweet Remembrance. The third doll is listed on eBay because I know that some people, who haven’t purchased from me before, find the buyer protection programs on eBay comforting.

ISADORA #1 SOLD

ISADORA IS NOW SOLD – THANK YOU! Meet Isadora, she is the very first doll made from one of my three new molds. She has a sweetly rounded head and features. Her paint is lightly distressed to give her the aged appearance of the original she was reproduced from. I made Isadora’s dress from a very old wool challis paisley shawl. She has an antique bar pin at the center of her neckline.

If you would like to purchase Isadora you may use the automated check out on my website or you can simply email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com or call me at 860-355-5709. I would also be happy to answer any questions you may have about her, or send you additional photographs.

IZZYBELLE #2 SALE PENDING – Thank you for looking!!!

THIS LITTLE IZZY B. HAS FOUND A WONDERFUL NEW HOME, BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN IZZYBELLE TO CALL YOUR OWN, YOU MAY PLACE A CUSTOM ORDER BY GIVING ME A CALL OR EMAILING ME. ❤

Little Izzybelle is just 14 inches tall and is the second doll I’ve made from this new mold. I’m sure you all recognize her from her resemblance to her sister 🙂 I’m in the midst of finishing her dress, which will hopefully be done tomorrow. In the mean time you can get a good view of her undergarments in these photos. Beneath all the layers of white cotton and lace she has an antique blue glazed cotton second skin.

I’ll be adding more photos of her in her new dress. If you are interested in buying Izzybelle you may purchase her through my website, or call me at 860-355-5709 or email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com. I’d be very happy to answer any questions you may have about her or send you more photos.

As always you may put Isadora and Izzybelle on lay-away with terms to fit your budget, or you may use Paypal, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, a personal check or a money order.

Isabeau #4 SOLD – THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY TO MEET ISABEAU #4

Isabeau #4 WAS LISTED ON EBAY, BUT HAS NOW SOLD. I love her sweet, shy expression and the way her head cocks slightly to one side, as if she is bending nearer to listen to secrets being whispered in her ear. She is wearing a dress made from a rare piece of c.1850 double violet fabric. The dress has one growth tuck in the skirt and a false hem made from antique purple and white polka-dot fabric. If you would like to know more about Isabeau #4 you may email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com.

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Shows

Izzybelle’s Travel Journal – Part 3 The 2014 United Federation of Doll Clubs Convention

July 25, 2014July 25, 2014 paulawalton7 Comments

Izzybelle loved the excitement of the convention and getting to meet new friends!

Arriving at the J. W. Marriott hotel where the 2014 UFDC convention was held.

The 2014 United Federation of Doll Clubs convention in San Antonio, TX.

The escalator down to the hotel convention center.

These are some of Izzybelle’s favorite dolls that were on display in the competitive exhibits and special exhibits at the convention.

The UFDC's Miss Unity on display in the special exhibits at the 2014 convention. — The UFDC’s Miss Unity on display in the special exhibits at the 2014 convention.

Shirley Temple in the special Texas exhibit at the 2014 UFDC convention.

Do you recognize him? Santa was part of the special exhibit of German dolls at the 2014 UFDC convention.

Of course Izzybelle adored this wonderful Beecher Baby on display in the competitive exhibit at the 2014 UFDC convention.

Wonderful early wooden dolls at the UFDC 2014 convention competitive exhibit.

Papier-mache dolls at the 2014 UFDC convention competitive exhibit.

This is my table in the Artist's Showcase section of the salesroom at the convention. — This is my table in the Artist’s Showcase section of the salesroom at the convention.

A very, very nice convention attendee brought two of Izzybelle’s cousins, a pair of post patent Izannah Walker dolls, down to meet Izzybelle and the rest of my dolls. It was amazing to get to see them in person!

A pair of boy and girl post patent Izannah Walker dolls.

A close up of the very sweet faces of two later Izannah Walker dolls.

Izzybelle's very favorite part of the convention was meeting Ismay and inviting her to come home with us!!! Here they are in our hotel room patiently waiting for us to finish packing... — Izzybelle’s very favorite part of the convention was meeting Ismay and inviting her to come home with us!!! Here they are in our hotel room patiently waiting for us to finish packing…

Leaving the convention and heading to Fredricksberg!

Izzybelle and I had a fantastic time at the UFDC convention. We did have to say good bye to some of Izzybelle’s sisters, who found new homes, which made Izzy B. sad. However she brightened right up when she found out that Ismay was coming home with us to join our family ❤ ❤ ❤

It’s getting late and Izzybelle is up way past her bedtime, so she will have to tell you all about her adventures in Fredricksberg tomorrow!

You can see a fun video of the Artist’s Showcase at the convention that Turn of the Century Antiques posted on facebook by clicking here.

More photos of the convention can be seen on the UFDC’s facebook page.

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Shows

Miss Izzybelle’s Travel Journal Continues…

July 19, 2014 paulawalton4 Comments

Izzybelle is not at all sure she enjoyed her trip to Cascade Caverns… there was a scary dinosaur and the cave was dark! Since she isn’t very old, I suppose it’s not all that surprising that she felt that way. I’m older and bigger, so I loved the cavern! Izzybelle preferred the four missions we visited in the afternoon. She said that she felt right at home there.

… and now it is time for Izzybelle to head off to bed. Tomorrow will be another busy day!

Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Shows

Izzybelle & I Are Packed and Ready to Head to the UFDC Convention!

July 14, 2014 paulawalton12 Comments

Izzybelle is strapped into her carrier so that she can see all the sights in San Antinio and at the UFDC Convention! — Izzybelle is strapped into her carrier so that she can see all the sights in San Antonio and at the UFDC Convention!

Izzybelle is very excited to be going on her first vacation! I’ve promised her that if she is a good girl she can go sightseeing and visit with all of the other dolls that are going to be in San Antonio this week. If you would like to read about what Izzybelle and I are doing at the convention, check back here during the week or stop by facebook or Pinterest to see Izzybelle’s posts.

A huge thank you to everyone for your patience while I’ve been getting ready for the convention. I know that I owe several of you photos of fabric swatches! While I’m in Texas you may still email me or you can call 860-355-5709 if you need to reach me and my family will to relay your message to me.

If you will be attending the convention please stop by my table at the Artist’s Showcase in the UFDC Salesroom on Saturday the 19th from 12:00 -7:00 to say hi!