Poppy Parker in the Morning...

In my quest to give more photo time to dolls that are unloved on the shelf, this doll is part of a Poppy Parker- Ginger Gilroy duo. At some point this Poppy had lavender heels that I have misplaced , I will find them probably in the dollhouse or in my box of shoes. I have never redressed either of this set because I was so captivated by both of their old world cocktail gowns. Here she is having a cup of coffee or tea in the morning. 

 

Vintage Heart Family Surprise Mom Doll

I had purchased a lot of vintage Heart Family Mom dolls but haven't had much time to do individual photo shoots with them. I did do some research on what dolls they were, and the one in the yellow dress came from the Deluxe Surprise Heart Family giftset with a mom, dad, and a baby for a surprise party. This doll did not come with her shoes and the dress needs a little TLC. I paired her with my most recent purchase of a Mini-Brands Zuru baby in its yellow baby blanket, and she looks quite adorable. 

 

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

 George Washington Barbie is standing near the Bespaq desk which holds the Declaration of Independence (a magnet from a Williamsburg souvenir store) 

We celebrated today, my husband and I , by grilling yet eating indoors. The temperatures were hot!

We had hamburgers & hot dogs, pickles, potato salad, gourmet salsa & chips, and red velvet cake with buttercream icing and blue sugar sprinkles. To top it off we also had a cranberry and lime seltzer water spritzer with a lime wedge to cool off. Very yummy. 

As you can tell, I have been busy decorating, and still not done! I did not get to my Tammy photos, or my Annabelle and Marie Terese dressed for today. I will get them dressed in the patriotic mood and hopefully post some of them tomorrow to carry the theme. I love the red , white and blue theme, it is so festive. My UFDC Marcus would make a great Uncle Sam. 

Enjoy! And Happy Fourth of July!

Marie Terese's New Dress

This post has been a long time in coming, as I purchased Marie Terese, one of my Grail dolls I have had on my list, this time last year in 2018. It has taken me over a year to find the time to finally finish one dress for her. 

Marie Terese is an Alice Leverett Ultimate Petite porcelain doll that was a convention exclusive for the 2010 UFDC convention. The attendees were also able to purchase a number of outfits for her and do a workshop to make her an outfit or two from what I understand. She also came with a box, which I do not have, and she did not come with when I purchased her on ebay. Prices ranged anywhere from $199-400 on ebay when I purchased her. I was able to get her within a price I could afford last year, as I was determined to have her before her price became too outrageous. 

I have missed several sewing challenges on my French Fashion group and it has saddened me because even though they give us plenty of time, months in fact, I can never seem to get my act together as far as getting the materials, fabric, etc. Sewing for me, I have to have perfect quiet, calm and cannot be distracted which is nearly impossible with all that goes on around me. I had purchased a number of patterns available in this past issue of Doll News that I made Marie Terese's gown from. 

There are more patterns in the book than I have shown, I am only showing the one I used and embellished/bashed. I used a blue heavy satin, and some beautiful lace I found at Hobby Lobby. The satin I have had for a long time and I hope I have enough left over to make Annabelle a skirt. 

Here is Marie Terese in her new little outfit having tea. 

It is extremely hard to find shoes to fit her, so I am going to measure her feet and see if I can make slippers/shoes to fit. The book mentions how to do that. I made her little lace cap by just sewing some of the lace free hand and adding some of the satin into ruffles onto it and pinning it into her hair. 

I am still working on their dollhouse home, the cottage. Finding suitable beds for their bedrooms is difficult- the beds are either too big for the rooms or too small for them. I want to do scenes with them in the beds and standing beside them as well, so I may have to settle for a bed where Annabelle will have to bunch her knees up a little bit. Or sit up a bit in bed. I also want their beds to look cozy, not overdone in an extravagant Manner so it doesn't look like anyone sleeps in the bed. 

All for now-Lisa

My French Fashion doll Annabelle...

I belong to a French Fashion doll group that has its own message board 
French Fashion Doll Sewing Club and it is hosted on the IOS message boards. Many groups, like the Hitty Girls   (for those that collect Hitty Dolls) are also hosted here on the IOS boards because they find it easier than Facebook to control as not everyone does Facebook nowadays and more and more people are moving away from that brand of social media. Can't say I blame them. 

Recently, the group decided to do something called Sparrow Post, based on Tasha Tudor's Sparrow Post where the dolls will write to their dolly pen pal. The group is a group of people who collect French Fashion dolls, both antique and reproduction, and sew for them. Mostly 16 inch, 18- 21 inch - sometimes larger, and smaller ones like Mignonettes and Bluettes- there is a seperate group for those dolls. Mostly French fashion and some German ladies. Many share their latest sewing projects and the patterns that go around in the Antique Doll Collector, Doll News and at the latest workshops at the conventions. 

Annabelle, my 12 inch French Fashion doll which is a reproduction Francois Gaultier , is currently corresponding with Arlette, a French Fashion lady Barrois. 

Here is the diorama I set up for Annabelle to write her correspondence in, like a proper lady should. Her writing / or the room that will hold her desk at the Hilltop Cottage dollhouse is still under construction . 

Shown here are Marigold Finch, of Finch Express. Marigold delivers all of the correspondence amongst the dolls to and fro, and she is a very busy bird! She will take Annabelle's letters to Arlette to the other Sparrows to deliver to Sparrow post, post -haste. Dolls have a much more efficient delivery system than we humans. (Marigold is named after the Sparrow in the novel, Stuart Little) 

I hope you have enjoyed the diorama.

Now for the props and credits-
Walls- scrapbook paper on top from Michael's- bottom is spray painted with grey spray paint.
Wood stripwood stained with stain and glued onto foamcore walls. 
Windows cut out of foamcore and window panes made out of thin stripwood painted white
Curtains made out of Halloween cheesecloth available at dollar store or Michael's
Furniture- desk, chair and table- Bespaq, discontinued
Statues- purchased at local auction 
birdcage- purchased in jewelry findings at Michael's
Postal box- bank 
Bird- artisan item created by Patricia Cabrerea of Woolytales Miniatures 
Rug & poodle- dollhouse miniature item
Pugdog- Barbie scale dog 
Plants- Michael's 
teapot and teacup- Ruetters porcelain Peter Bunny rabbit purchased at Tuesday Morning
Picture- Souvenir framed picture purchased at Museum store in Williamsburg at the Visitor center bookstore