No Will Power!

So I have absolutely no will power whatsoever...although in my defence, I did hold off for three visits before I succumbed and went back for the fourth time.  Of course by this time there was less choice...which in a way was good.  By the third time I went back to see them there were only two Ashlyn dolls left, some Kendall dolls and I think two Emerson dolls.  Of course when I decided I just HAD to have one, there was only one Ashlyn left which made my decision so much easier.

Her box.

Well protected inside the box

She has a hair net on her hair to keep it tidy.

I like the way these dolls are packaged as they are easy to remove.

Freed from the box.

She has a pretty little face and I love the smattering of freckles.

Out in the garden she watches our Sheltie try to photobomb the picture!

Waving hello.  Actually this arm was VERY stiff and almost unmovable, so hoping it will loosen up a little over time.

Wearing a little pair of white shoes I had tucked away.

I couldn't wait to knit her a Christmas dress.

All very seasonal now.  I just LOVE her little knees, they are so cute.

I have called her Noelle.  (I know very original for this time of year!)

My group of girls all in their Christmas dresses I have knitted for them.

An extra girl has sneaked into the picture...my Sasha girl Ziva, thought she should join them as well as she too has a hand knitted Christmas dress.

Needing a Nurse?

A new 'wooden' has joined the family here at Rose Cottage.  Having been thinking about it for several months and loving wooden dolls, I decided to take the plunge as no one else had.

Below are her three 'arrival' photographs

She is a Rudolf Schneider Bébé Tout En Bois (All wooden doll) dressed in a WW1 Nurse uniform.  The uniform is beautiful made and even includes a little handkerchief tucked behind her apron.

Her clothes are currently soaking in our equivalent of Oxy (I hope it works as well as that does!)  to remove the stains.

She is in amazing condition and has a lovely face.

I wish I could find out more information about these dolls

She dates from around the early 1900s from what I can tell and from what her seller told me.

This is her body.  She is strung with elastic, I don't know if this is how they were originally strung.

Detail work on her cupped hand and fingers.

Her petticoat which is possibly original cleaned up beautifully and I did a couple of light repairs on the fragile fabric.

This was the before it was washed photo of the apron (seller's photo)   I was really surprised how well it washed as it was very dirty and quite stiff.

The dress also washed well.

Her little pocket handkerchief tucked in the folds of her dress.

Apron - unfortunately the rust stain near the bottom wouldn't come out.

With her bonnet (probably added later and certainly not the same fabric as the nurses uniform.

Her slightly cupped hands means she can carry something - I will have to make her a little medical bag.

You would hardly believe her head is made from wood!

If anyone knows anything about these dolls, please let me know as I would love to know more about her.

Some new clothes for Bleuette

Hunting through the clothes box the other day, this little girl found a dress I had knitted many years ago that fitted her really well.  Just need to make a new belt to go with it as the existing belt was too small so she currently has a ribbon.

Yesterday I thought I would sew her a little dress.

I had some lovely delicate small print fabric and came up with this, a basic classic design.

I am pleased with the fit.

I think I am getting used to her red hair as well!

She still hasn't told me her name though...

A Very Special Doll

Last year I enjoyed watching the progress of a friend carving a small wooden Bleuette doll.  I very much admired the finished doll.   Never did I expect that a year later I would have the opportunity to adopt the little doll.  I feel very privileged to have been able to offer her a new home and she is everything I expected and more.  I am absolutely delighted and she has already fitted in so well.

Here are her arrival photos.

Waving hello to her carving 'Mother' 

She thought she would quite like to try a different coloured wig, but I only really had one that fitted that look kind of okay.

She said she quite likes red hair, so we will give it a little while to see what we think about her new look.

It turns out she is an avid reader and couldn't wait to investigate what was on offer.  

Here she is reading 'Attic Days - A Patchwork Tale' by Natalie Jo

Eager to start at a new school, I had to make her a school uniform today.  She seems pretty prleased with it.

Her school portrait.

Now I just have to wait for her to tell me her name as she is currently keeping it secret!

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A very special thank you to Sisko for letting me adopt her gorgeous girl - she will be treasured for ever.