Izannah Walker style doll

Trying to get back in the swing of things.  After moving, again, and hopefully for the last time for quite awhile, I finally got the sewing room unpacked and somewhat organized.  At least organized enough to start some projects. 

 

I decided to go back to the beginning of my doll making and work on an Izannah Walker type doll.  Notice I said style.  In no way is this doll a true reproduction of her work. 

 

Many years ago my first dolls that I made for sale were made in a similar style, hand painted and layered with varnishes.  They were sold in a doll shop in historic Zoar, Ohio and dressed in the fashion of the settlers of the village.  That was many years ago now!  That really started me on the path of the primitive folk art dolls and it seems no matter what I go back to those type of dolls. 

 

Over the years I've studied and sold porcelain reproduction dolls, primitives and antique dolls and really each type of study helps you appreciate them all. 

 

This little one was fun...not perfect...but got me back at the sewing machine!  

     

 

 

   

It's been unusually warm on the Gulf Coast this month.  Takes a little mind mixing to get in the spirit of Christmas in sunny 80 degree weather!  I did manage to get one little guy made. 

Here are a few pics of my little cream flannel Santa.  I thought he turned out pretty prim and cute!  He's been sold and has a new home in South Carolina.

 

   

 

Update on Floradora antique doll....

I have relisted the AM Floradora doll this week on EBay.  If you are bargain hunting this doll is for you!!!  I have lowered the asking price to $65.00....what a deal!!! She's a great little beginner for antique doll lovers collection!  Pictures are on the post below.

Here is a link to the auction.....AM Floradora Antique Doll

I will be listing more next week so check back!!  I must reduce this stash of dolls and doll related items!!  Ran out of time this week to take pictures and list.

I'm heading out tomorrow to New Orleans for Grandparent's Day!  Y'all know that comes before everything else!!! 

Note:  The JD Kestner doll is still available but not on auction at this time.  Please contact me if you are interested!!  Pictures are in previous post.

Don't miss this weeks Armand Marseille Antique Doll listings!!!

You won't want to miss my two new doll listings on Ebay this week!!!  Both of these are bargains!!!   If you are beginning to collect or want to add to your collection these dolls are wonderful for you!!

The Florodora doll is on original leather body with sticker still remaining on chest.  She is an open mouth with porcelain teeth, brown glass eyes and human hair wig.  Dressed in cotton dress and undergarments. She has no cracks or chips to her head or porcelain hands.

The AM 390 is an open mouth with four porcelain teeth and has glass blue sleep eyes.  No damage to her head.  She is just adorable on a compo body ready to be dressed!

I'm sorry but the AM 390 has been sold!!!

 

Beautiful 30" JD Kestner Antique Doll Listing

I have a new listing on EBay I wanted to share with everyone.  This one is a beauty!!!

She is a 30" JD Kestner German Bisque doll.  She's so beautiful in her antique clothing and original body!!!

Just click on the title below to bid!!!

30" JD Kestner

 

Canadian Smocking Pillow

The things you can find on YouTube is a wonderful thing!

 When I was little, which was a long time ago, my grandmother used to make pillows that were smocked.  Even when I was small the smocking on them mesmerized me.  My mom even tried her hand and made these pillows for our home.

Years passed, grandma passed away, but those pillows stayed on my mind.  Now I was older and smocking dresses for my daughter I asked my mom how they were made.  Sadly, much like family recipes, she couldn't remember exactly how it was done and of course it wasn't something that had a pattern.  For years I've been searching how to make those pillows.

Today as I was looking at doll making tutorials this just happened to pop up!  To make sure it isn't lost forever I decided to share it here.   Hopefully I'll get motivated to make a few now!   

This is a very retro 1960's look.   As I remember they were almost always made of corduroy.   So if you're into retro decorating or just want to try a fun project...here are the detailed instructions by Debbie Shore on how to make Canadian smocked pillows!

Life gets so busy sometimes!

 

It has been so longed since I've been at my blog!  I've actually missed looking at everyone elses blogs more than posting myself.  Thank heaven for Pinterest so I didn't have total creative withdrawal!!  Life just gets so busy!!

In the midst of all life's chaos, which included family deaths, both children getting married and another unexpected move,  I decided it was time to reduce my collections of dolls, fabrics and doll making supplies.  I have accumulated a LOT of stuff!!!  My own things plus some of my mother's things.  Three years ago, when she passed away,  I traveled to Ohio, loaded up a Uhaul and brought a lot of her doll supplies and collections back to Alabama.  I didn't really sort much then with the intention of doing that task when I could actually think more clearly.  That's when things got hectic! 

With storage containers piled to the ceiling of my garage, my neighbors thinking a hoarder had just moved in next door, I knew the time had come to start sorting and reducing.  And just like an episode of Hoarders, Buried Alive, I have been slowly going through each container with piles for Keep, Sell and Donate.  Goodwill shoppers have gotten some great things these past few months!  Good news is my car actually is in the garage again, bad news is its a Honda Fit and doesn't require much space!  But it's better than it was!

So now wanting to do some blogging again, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to combine the tasks and share my latest auction listings.  As I dig deeper into the storage boxes I'll be listing more antique and collectible dolls, doll molds, supplies, patterns and fabrics.  I guess it's just going to take awhile!
 

So here are a few things I've listed on Ebay this week.  Believe me these are real bargains!!  If you're interested in doll making, collecting or sewing, check back often!  I am determined to get my garage cleared out by this fall!

All Listings have been sold!!!  Thank you!!!

 

Doll making Eyesizers

  14" French Compo Body Unstrung    

    Small Father Christmas Doll