Little Town on the Prairie...meet Nellie

Many of you know I have been working on period costumes for reproducing scenes from the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I have also been collecting props as well as dolls that showed Mary and Laura, Carrie and Grace in the different stages of the books. So there is a small Laura and a Big Laura (teenager) as well as later, married Laura. 
The scene I have been working on again, off again is from Little Town on the Prairie. Laura is about 15 ? it is unclear sometimes in her books) , and Nellie Olsen, her old nemesis from Walnut Grove & Plum Creek, walks in late to school. She can hardly believe her eyes!

The original picture from Little Town on the Prairie, showing Nellie looking down at Laura  on page 130-131. From the chapter 'Miss Wilder Teaches School'

Below, my interpretation of the scene with dolls in 1:6 scale---

Laura is an old 1995? Dorothy from the wizard of Oz doll that needs a new body. (I am planning on buying an obitsu body that is about 21 or 23 cm high since she was short) The desks were from Ebay, floor is scrapbook paper. Laura's dress is off of Ebay too- I cannot remember but I think it is from their series of dolls in colonial, pilgrim, and pioneer dress. This was pioneer 2 shopkeeper, I think. I have another dress like this without the apron for teenage Mary Ingalls. I made the brown leather books, the one Nellie is holding and the ones on Laura's desk. 
Nellie is Joyful in Japan Poppy Parker from the W club. I knew, I knew as soon as I saw the photos that this was the one doll I HAD to have for my Nellie. The arrogant and lofty side glance, the bun, fit the picture perfectly. Joyful in Japan makes an elegant version of Nellie Olsen and I am pleased with how this preview of the scene is shaping up. 
I just finished her dress this week. I had to redo some Gildebrief patterns to get the jacket just right. I may try again since my version does not have the hanging Boleyn sleeves with the ruffles of organdy like hers and what Laura describes. I took some artistic liberties with her dress. I am thinking the cream skirt does not entirely do this outfit justice so I may see if I have enough fabric to do her skirt with the polonaise like Laura describes to match the jacket. Here are some closeups of Nellie, being extremely ladylike...

I had the fabric for the skirt on hand, but the lovely fabric for her jacket was from Hancock fabrics in one of those quilt squares. I knew when looking at the design of a paisley type it would be somewhat historically accurate to the patterns back then. Nellie's clothes supposedly came out of a church barrel so they were 

nice dresses, and were made from cast off's since her family was now poor and lived on the edges of town.

The tiny lace was in my 'stash' and was perfect to create the ruffles at her neck wrists and throat. 
In a book on Laura's life- and questions she herself answered, Nellie Olsen was a composite of three girls that Laura knew, made into one character, evidently who all had the same unkind qualities. It has always fascinated me what made Laura round it down to one girl, unless it made keeping track of dialogue and the storyline easier. 

I hope you enjoy this re-visiting of Little Town on the Prairie and the Little House series. ~Lisa

More new dolls & Catching up!

I have finally waded through my schedule of 'hell' week where I had very little time for the dolls other than to take quick photos of the dolls out of their boxes after they arrived. After Haunted Beauty vampire arrived-squee! (I missed out on Ghost last year!) Purity Dasha and Broadway Magic Jem with her stage arrived- and they are still in their boxes. But FINALLY- Sooki Returns arrived and I simply adore her! She has such a sweet face. I think I might go ahead and try and find Spooky Sooki to be her twin or cousin. Here are some pics ofher below- Count Dracula and Haunted Beauty will be her parents. I am really thinking of doing a Haunted castle in Barbietown with an Addams family 'spin'  on it. Some of my favorite shows were the Addams Family, Scooby- Doo and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. 

I think she has similar skin tone to Haunted Beauty- they just have a 'family' resemblance going on to me. I love them both. This is a case that is happening more often with me- the promo pics don't do the doll justice until she arrives. 
I have used a past weekend day to take stock and inventory the dioramas and the dollhouse. One reason is I want to decorate for the holidays- Halloween is almost here and then Thanksgiving and soon Christmas! So I am doing a little re-arranging to make room for the new dolls as well as get the holidays rolling for Christmas and Thanksgiving decor. Here are some photos of my progress. I worked a long time on the dining room in the dollhouse which was hard on my knees and back! Forgive my pictures being out of order, I am having a hard time with blogger today. The other photos are of the diorama room, so I have some major tweaking going on, as the Scrapbox studio diorama needs to come inand I am attempting to find room. I would like to do a major Christmas shopping scene in the town so everything needs to be just so. I have alot of work to do on all of the store/shop fronts. My shelves are so messy with the little bits and accessories so scattered. The dining room needs its Christmas tree and pictures on the walls, I might go thru the stash and either make some as I have some nice photo frames that would look good in this room. I think it also needs a door to give it depth as well. More to come!

At Home with the Count...

more Haunted Beauty spam, I cannot get over how much I love this doll! The scenes I can come up with. The Count is truly smitten, and I'm afraid he is ignoring his other lovely Brides...Here are some photos I took today.

On another note, I managed to take a few pics of the inside of the salon parlor of the Manor...

Not the best, still a work in progress. I forgot to take that empty stand out of the pic. I need to set up a new scene since I have had so many dolls that have arrived- still unboxed! And many are out shopping at LaBelle's boutique. Enjoy the pics!~Lisa

Haunted Beauty has Arrived!

Haunted Beauty Vampire has arrived today! I have taken some photos of her with Count Dracula and his brides....for anyone who hasn't ordered her, I highly recommend this doll.

I adore the details on this doll, and I'm well pleased with her. So glad  I was able to get her before she is sold out.