This is my latest newsletter that went out last night to everyone on my “New Dolls” mailing list.
Mid September 2025 Newsletter
2 Weeks Until My Annual Izannah Walker Birthday Celebration and My Latest Reproduction Dolls
Hello!
This is a brief note to let you all know what is currently happening in my studios. As many of you know, I live in a late 18th century farmhouse that is surrounded by barns and is situated on the 9+ acres that remain of the original 18th century farmstead. For over a year there have been workmen here helping to ensure that the house will hopefully withstand many more New England winters. You may remember that last year I had to postpone my annual September release of new dolls because the plumbing in my upstairs bathroom suddenly failed and water started pouring through my kitchen ceiling! Nothing quite that dramatic has happened since, but there have been workmen here for over a year replacing rotted wood, painting, building wooden storm windows, and a host of other necessary projects. I have historic masons who have promised to get here before snow falls to rebuild my chimney that is in danger of toppling over, and a work crew that is supposed to arrive at any time to repave half of the driveway…
I’ve wound up being more of a site coordinator and project manager during the past year than a dollmaker! During the past few weeks I have managed to sneak out to my studios and actually spend time working on dolls. I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful that has been!!! Earlier in the summer I began trying to work on a large group of Charlcies. They are going to be beautiful dolls, but I realized that if I was going to have dolls available in time for Izannah Walker’s 208th birthday that I would need to set the more complicated and complex Charlcies aside and concentrate on making some of her smaller sisters. At the moment I have 6 reproduction Izannah Walker dolls on my painting table, and piles of a dozen arms and legs sitting in front of me! I’m not sure exactly how many I’ll have available for sale by the 25th, I’m going to try to finish all of them by then. Any that I can’t quite finish will be offered for sale asap after the 25th.
I’ll be sending out another mailing as Izannah’s birthday gets closer with more details. You can also follow along with my progress and preparations on my Izannah Walker Journal https://izannahwalker.com/…/the-countdown-continues-14…/
Just 14 days until Izannah Walker’s 208th birthday and my annual celebration. I’ve been spending quite a lot of time tucked away in both studios, and in my office (aka my late night sewing lair!) working on a variety of my reproduction Izannahs. I have to admit that I’ve been falling in love with these new little cloth girls a bit more every day ❤
I’ve temporarily set aside the large group of Charlcies in hopes of having some birthday dolls available! Reproducing Charlcie is a more lengthy and complicated process, which I will go right back to after bringing some of her smaller sisters to life. I’m still not entirely sure how many of the six dolls that you can see on my painting table will be finished by the 25th. I’m hoping that none of the remaining construction projects start in the next two weeks, but they are all subject to when the various tradespeople are available…
Regardless of any chaos and interruptions, all the dolls and I are greatly looking forward to their big birthday party and we hope you are too! We’d also like to take a moment to thank you all for your lovely messages and support. The proceeds from my dollmaking help fund the care, repair, and restoration of my 18th century home, barns, and the surrounding remnants of original farm land.
Naturally the party preparation involves cleaning house… and just as it is in every house the kitchen is the by far the messiest room!!!
1 very old house, partially ready to face it’s 235th winter.
25 little cloth girls sitting in my studio, waiting to be brought to life…
2 outrageously messy studios!
1 very tired dollmaker.
Welcome September! Mild, mellow sunlit days, cooler temperatures, and busy days full of dollmaking.
It’s been a noisy, crazy, chaotic atmosphere here, as there has been non-stop work for over a year to get my c.1790 house ready for yet another winter. There is still much more to do before first snowfall, but at the moment there is a very welcome lull, as the exterior painters finish the last little details before part of the driveway is re-paved, and before the skilled masons come to re-build the chimney which is in danger of toppling at any time.
I’ve thankfully been able to slip out into my studio to work on dolls at long last! I can’t begin to describe how absolutely wonderful it has felt to be making new pressed cloth heads… in fact it has been so very good that I now have 25 sweet faces waiting for me to make them into real live dolls. ❤ I’m sure that not all of them will actually become dolls, as I am very particular and often have to start over into order make sure that my reproduction Izannahs truly represent the feel of the original antique Izannah Walker dolls that they represent.
I don’t know exactly how many dolls I will be able to complete and offer for sale at my Izannah Walker Birthday Celebration this year, but I can say that there will be some dolls available for sale, and all of their new sisters will be offered in the coming months as I get them finished. Undoubtedly life will get in the way of my preferred dollmaking schedule, as it always does. So please keep your fingers crossed for me and wish me luck as I turn these sweet little faces into finished dolls! I will be posting many more updates about the doll’s annual Izannah Birthday Party, and my new dolls release, as the month continues ❤ ❤ ❤
SOLD ~Eliot is looking for a new home and family to call his very own. ❤
Eliot and I are so happy that you have dropped by to meet him today. He very much enjoys seeing new people, as he has been cooped up here with just me and his much older sisters for company all winter long. He is now ready to do a bit of travelling and join a new doll family.
ELIOT – $2095.00 ($2025.00 for checks or money orders)SOLD
Eliot is a boy doll made from Emmaline’s mold. At 17 inches tall he is just the right size to be a little brother to the other dolls in your family. (He promises that he will almost never be annoying to any new sisters) Eliot has a very classic mid 19th century boy’s side parted hair style and the famous red topped tall boots that you will find on many of Izannah Walker’s original boy dolls. Eliot’s “second skin” body covering is a reproduction alphabet print fabric that you will sometimes find used for the bodies of 19th century dolls. Since we all know that little boys can frequently have somewhat messy adventures, Eliot does come with a small wardrobe of six pieces of clothing which can be combined to make four different outfits. When making Eliot’s clothes I used some of the patterns that I drafted for James, but did use different fabrics, trims and techniques to make them personalized for Eliot. My story about James and his clothing appeared in the February, March, & April 2023 issues of Antique Doll Collector magazine. The clothing patterns and instructions are in the April 2023 issue, so if you are feeling creative you can use the patterns to sew an even larger wardrobe for Eliot. You will undoubtedly notice that buttons are a prominent feature on Eliot’s garments. All 24 buttons are antique German milk glass buttons. ❤
Buying one of my dolls is very straightforward. Here is what you need to know: All of my dolls are sold on a “first come” basis. To purchase a doll email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com after today’s sale starts at 2 p.m. Eastern time. (Please be aware of how much the doll costs BEFORE you send your request to buy.) You are welcome to ask questions, but please note that asking a question is not the same as making a commitment to buy and will not “hold your place in line” if someone else asks to buy the doll. When Eliot sells I will mark him SOLD asap. I offer a discount if you pay by check or money order. Paypal is also accepted for payment. Free priority mail shipping & full insurance to any U.S. address. Unfortunately I am not shipping to any other countries at the current time.
Read more about making Eliot’s clothes below: These pieces of clothing that I made for James were the inspiration for Eliot’s wardrobe.
Two of the outfits that I made for James were the inspiration for some of Eliot’s clothing.
I will be offering one sweet little reproduction Izannah Walker boy for sale on Saturday, April 5th at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. I don’t make boys all that often, so if you have been longing for one this is your chance. He will be sold on a first come basis, just like all of my dolls are.
Here are a few Sneak Peeks at tomorrows doll and his six piece wardrobe ❤
Buying a doll is really simple to do. Here is what you need to know: All of my dolls are sold on a “first come” basis. To purchase a doll email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com after tomorrow’s sale starts at 2 p.m. Eastern time. (Please be aware of how much the doll costs BEFORE you send your request to buy.) You are welcome to ask questions, but please note that asking a question is not the same as making a commitment to buy and will not “hold your place in line” if someone else asks to buy the doll. I offer a discount if you pay by check or money order. Paypal is also accepted for payment. Free priority mail shipping & full insurance to any U.S. address. Unfortunately I am not shipping to any other countries at the current time.
On this twelfth day of Christmas I am looking back at some of my favorite Christmas moments during the past 39 years of A Sweet Remembrance, from St. Nicholas Eve right through to the last bite of Twelfth Night Cake. Thank you all for enthusiastically welcoming my hand made creations into your home and lives. You have made owning my own business and being a working artist a joy!
Each year brings it’s own share of obstacles, and difficulties because that is simply the way life is, but it also brings so many amazing moments… I am very much looking forward to a year that is filled with more! More dolls, more days working in my studio, more spun cotton figures, making more tiny dresses, more gardening, more time to paint, more days full of everyday things on my remnants of an 18th century farm, more family, more baking, more creating, more everything! I hope you are looking forward to more too ❤
All of the little cloth girls, spun cotton characters, mohair animals, bears and I wish you a wonderful 2025 filled with peace, love, joy & all good things!
” I’m nervous, are you nervous too Isadora?” whispers Emma Blue. “Yes!” sighs Isadora. “Do you think that they will like us?” “Shhh, it’s starting, people are arriving!”
Welcome! I’m so glad you could come this evening to meet my newest Emma Blue and Isadora. Both of them are 20 inches tall, and come with an armful of belongings. ❤ I made them extra special, with large wardrobes, and lots of detailed touches because they were originally scheduled to be the dolls released last month on Izannah Walker’s birthday. Life, in the form of a sudden water leak, had other plans, so here they are making their debut about a month late with even more accessories than I had previously envisioned.
Buying either doll is really simple to do. Here is what you need to know: All of my dolls are sold on a “first come” basis. To purchase either doll email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com after this evenings sale starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Be sure to specify which one of the dolls you want to purchase. (Please be aware of how much the doll costs BEFORE you send your request to buy.) You are welcome to ask questions, but please note that asking a question is not the same as making a commitment to buy and will not “hold your place in line” if someone else asks to buy the doll. Checks or money orders are preferred, Paypal is also accepted for payment. Free priority mail shipping & full insurance to any U.S. address. International orders ~ exact postage + $40 handling fee to help offset the extra time required for international shipping and the currency conversion fees ~ check with me to make sure your international address is one I ship to. No shipping to Russia.
EMMA BLUE ~ $2679SOLD
Emma Blue 20 inches tall ~ $2697 SOLD
❤ Sweet Emma Blue is the very first reproduction of my own antique Emma Blue that I added to my Izannah family in 2021. The Blue in her name is for the lovely blue body covering that she has, which is sometimes referred to as a “second skin”. Both the antique Emma Blue and her much younger sister are 20 inches tall. The original Emma Blue very kindly agreed to sit for me as my artist’s model while I painted this new doll.
Today’s Emma Blue also has the same lovely blue body covering, as well as bare feet which naturally require stockings and handmade leather shoes. Her undergarments consist of a chemise, pantalettes, and a very full petticoat. Emma’s wardrobe includes three different dresses made of antique and vintage fabrics. Each dress is different with their own unique details such as growth tucks in the skirt, extra fullness in some of the dresses, and different sleeves. The antique fabric of the navy blue dress had never been washed before. I carefully washed it using conservation techniques, and it still retains almost all of it’s original sizing. Emma loves to bake and sew, so her wardrobe includes a pinner apron with a very large pocket that is just perfect for holding her scissors or favorite recipe cards. I’m sure that you have noticed that both sisters also have little heart shaped pin keeps, made using the instructions from The American Girl’s Book (read more about them here) . Emma Blue and Isadora made them for each other as tokens of their affection, so that they will always have a keepsake to remember their sister.
ISADORA ~$2494 SOLD
Isadora 20 inches tall ~ $2494 SOLD
❤ This Isadora is a very special 20 inch version. As with all of my reproduction dolls there is a story behind her creation. I made the very first Isadora in July of 2014. Since that time I have only made a few others, not because I don’t love her, I do, but because her head felt just a trifle out of proportion to me. If you have studied Izannah Walker’s dolls for some time you may have noticed that the very same head mold was occasionally used to make different height dolls. Last summer I was doing restoration work on a 20 inch antique Walker doll. She had been the unfortunate recipient of some seriously misguided over painting. As I oh so carefully teased away the over paint her true self began to emerge. Working on her, for short periods of time daily, slowly brought me to the realization that she reminded me of Isadora!!! So I brought out Isadora’s mold and compared the two heads and faces. Other that the differences that wear, and over painting had wrought on the two heads, they were the same! So consequently right then and there I decide to make a 20 inch version of Isadora. I love how she turned out and I feel like those extra two inches just makes her even better.
Today’s Isadora has a deep chocolate brown body covering. Just like Emma Blue she has bare feet, stockings, and handmade leather shoes. Her undergarments consist of a chemise, pantalettes, and a very full petticoat. Isadora’s wardrobe includes three different dresses made of antique and vintage fabrics. Each dress is different with their own unique details such as growth tucks in the skirt, extra fullness in some of the dresses, and different sleeves. The antique acorn fabric is a particular favorite of mine that came from the backing of an antique quilt that I found in Sturbridge, MA. Both sisters also have little heart shaped pin keeps, made using the instructions from The American Girl’s Book (read more about them here) . Isadora and Emma Blue made them for each other as tokens of their affection, so that they will always have a keepsake to remember their sister.
Sisters ~ Emma Blue & Isadora
“Are we done yet?” “Yes, no more photographs…” “Finding a new home is exhausting!”
Thank you for dropping by to see the complete sneak peeks of the two dolls that I will be offering for sale tomorrow night, November 1st at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, 7 p.m. Central, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, and 5:00 p.m. Pacific.
Many thanks to all of you who have been patiently waiting for the release of my two latest reproduction Izannah Walker dolls ❤ Both dolls and their extensive wardrobes are finally complete! I will be offering them for sale on Friday evening, November 1st at 8 p.m. Eastern time (7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain and 5 p.m. Pacific).
Many of you may have seen the series of “sneak peeks” of both dolls that I have been posting on Facebook and Instagram . Tomorrow I’ll be putting up a comprehensive post here on my Izannah Walker Journal of all the “sneak peeks”, as well as adding the latest ones to my Facebook, Instagram and YouTube accounts.
You are cordially invitedTo visit http://www.izannahwalker.comon Wednesday, September 25th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern timeto attend my virtual celebration of Izannah Walker’s 207th Birthday!
My little antique cloth girls and I hope that you will come visit us for tea as we throw our annual birthday party in honor of the amazing dollmaker that created them.
So get out your prettiest teacup and prepare to brew your favorite tea (or coffee) to enjoy as you follow along while they bake and decorate… then all come together in their parlor for a grand birthday party!
Following the grand birthday celebration…
Tentatively (due to a sudden leak somewhere in my upstairs bathroom that is flooding my kitchen at this moment) I will be offering at least two, and possibly three, of my handmade, historically accurate, reproduction Izannah Walker dolls for sale on Saturday September 26th at 8:30p.m. Eastern time (7:30 p.m. Central, 6:30 p.m. Mountain, and 5:30 p.m. Pacific time).I will post updates and send out emails to the New Dolls mailing list if I have to change the date.
9/25/24 11:00 a.m. UPDATE ~ As of this morning’s meeting with my plumber and excellent “jack of all trades” carpenter my upstairs shower has to be torn out. The water to the upstairs bathroom is shut off & the rest of the house has only cold water. Demolition starts in the morning! I just spent an hour or so stripping almost everything out of the bathroom. Since I haven’t been able to take a single stitch in 3 days I am very reluctantly postponing the date that I will have my current new dolls available… I’d really like to be able to say Monday evening, but at the moment I just don’t know for sure. As soon as I know exactly when the dolls will be ready to look for their new homes I will post the date & time. Thank you for sticking we me through this little bump in the road in my continuing old house adventure!
This afternoon’s tea party will be held as scheduled. After all the commotion the little Izzies and I need a nice comforting cup of tea!
All of my dolls are sold on a “first come” basis. To purchase any of my dolls email me at paula@asweetremembrance.com after the dolls are posted for sale with the name of the doll you wish to buy. Please be aware of how much the doll costs BEFORE you send your request to purchase. You are welcome to ask questions, but please note that asking a question is not the same as making a commitment to buy and will not “hold your place in line” if someone else asks to buy the doll. Checks or money orders are preferred, Paypal is also accepted for payment. Free priority mail shipping & full insurance to any U.S. address. International orders ~ exact postage + $40 handling fee to help offset the extra time required for international shipping and the currency conversion fees ~ check with me to make sure your international address is one I ship to. No shipping to Russia.
Izannah Walker Journal 