Grapevine Annies and Other Stuff

Here are the unique primitive Raggedy Ann type dolls I was thinking of making. I made them today and have listed them on ebay.
I named them Clairette and Madeleine after the grapes. Their hair is made from dried grapevine tendrils. I embroidered on their dresses too, grape leaves and grapes. I like them. I don't know why, they are just simple dolls. They have a country girl personality about them that is endearing.

Poor old Camel with Wrinkled knees will be heading out to his new home in Colorado tomorrow, the Raggedy Ann doll will be going with him. They fit so well together, I'm glad they are going to the same home.

Yankee Doodle Dandy will be heading for Texas. There seem to be quite a few patriotic doll collectors in Texas. I think maybe Texas is second only to Illinois in my patriotic doll sales.

I will be working on the dolls in the previous post this week.

The character doll has turned into a black doll. I think she may be a gardener. (maybe that is just me - wishing for spring to come. We are in the midst of a cold snap at the moment and may even get some snow again.)
Her personality is coming out and she is a funny ol' girl.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend!

Inspired By Froggy Went A Courtin'

One evening while playing the folk song Froggy Went A Courtin' on my banjo the funniest image of Froggy and Miss Mousy popped into my head.

I HAD to make those dolls based on the line "He took Miss Mousy on his knee and said Miss Mousy won't you marry me?" I could see the characters clearly in my mind and set to work to bring them into being.

The process I used to create them is unique in that it gives them a vintage look of the toys of yester year.

First it started as a sketch, I don't always sketch my character dolls first, but this time I did. Then I drew out a partial pattern and started cutting. I used osenburg fabric to make their bodies.
I sew my dolls on a old Singer Featherweight sewing machine. I have other newer machines but I really don't think my featherweight can be beat when it comes to making small tight seams.
The rest of the sewing is done by hand and there is usually some needle sculpting on my dolls too. In the case of Froggy there was a lot of needle sculpting.

The above pictures are of Miss Mousy in the making.