The Holly~Anne (with an "e") Reveal
An early morning cup of coffee, and I'm ready to get this dolly a head for her body…and some hair for her head.
Sophia says, "Awe, Anne of Geen Gables." She knows this little dolly is heading into something involving scissors and needles and thread. So she gives her sweet hugs...
…and wouldn't mind if I took a picture of her, as well. Cutie Patootie:)
And so (sew;) it begins… a girl's sock will be the head…
Wool roving…so very soft…will fill the head..I mean…sock…
I think I have stuffed enough….uh..no…… her head has to be just the right size to fit the size of the body.
More stuffing…more roving…
Two fabric-covered buttons found. Can't believe my good fortune..
This marking pen comes in handy for making sure I get the placement right …
Everything ties off in the back…
I used this heavy thread for the basting stitch and the eye placement…
Now it's time for the french knot nostrils and lips (not too crazy over french knots for the nose…hmmm…we'll see)
Then, to match some thread for eyebrows, to the mohair that will be her hair...
So, I'm not happy AT ALL with the pink nostrils and mouth. No need to panic…it's thread…and a sock….adjustments can be made;)
I search for a better color, and Sophia pops around the corner to show me the colors SHE likes.
ummmhmmmmmm….
The nostrils are changed out to the brown of the eyebrows, and I'm trusting it will all come together…
The needle and thread think they need to add some of those sweet little eyelashes in the outer corner…
The perfectly perfect shade of pink is found for pretty little dolly lips…
Another hug from Sophia sure helps after all this stitching and restitching…
Pink sidewalk chalk with bring some rosy-ness to her cheeks...
And I have just GOT to get those little button eyes painted…I want to see her… (a very very important part of dolly face creating)
Her eyes should be a hazel/green sorta shade…
I play with paints.
It's at this point that Sophia decides she wants to make a puppin, too. A puppin? Yes. For puppin Shows in a Puppin Feeter. You know, the place you go to watch Puppins:)
This door is to be her bedroom door when the sunroom is turned into her very own room, but for now, her clever little self has decided the open space will make a perfect stage/theatre for a Puppet Show!
Grammy is very impressed!
She has found an old sock and cut it with her preschool scissors, all by herself, and colored her Puppin with the crayons at her tea/craft table…
Again…Grammy is quite impressed …
Now, the Puppin is an alligator crawling away…
(Just telling you in case you weren't sure what was happening here…;)
It takes a few colors…
..a bit of mixing and swirling…
a few freckles made with a brown colored pencil..
She's ready for some hair…some mohair…
Commence winding…winding…..and….more winding…
I do a lot of guesstimating, but if you're not a seasoned guesstimator, then stick with the directions. They are quite thorough.
Sew a center part…
Place on top of her head and begin the adjustments, finding where it looks best…not too far back on her head and not too low on her forehead.
Just right. With a length of the mohair on a needle, make a running stitch to cover the white seam stitch.
Cut through the loops…
and then an all-over trim to even up the lengths…
A bit more blush and a few more freckles...
…a pair of pretty socks and kid leather, buckled shoes….hand-me-downs from one certain French doll who met with an unfortunate series of events…
And our dear dolly, Holly~Anne, is ready for adventures.
Although, I think she might need a sweet bonnet…and maybe some bloomers. Oh…and a pretty little nightgown …a shawl…I could knit her a cottage shawl, just like Eliza's!
Although, I think she might need a sweet bonnet…and maybe some bloomers. Oh…and a pretty little nightgown …a shawl…I could knit her a cottage shawl, just like Eliza's!
I declare, I do not remember having this much fun back in 1973 - 74, when I created my first Holly Hobbie. 40 years of life and crafts and projects and babies and dreaming has proven to be just the right amount of time to get it just right!
Don't you agree?
(and in case you were wondering…I have seen this vintage pattern on eBay…not pricey at all:)
Tomorrow, I will announce the winner of the drawing for the giveaway, so be sure you have left a comment on the post "How about a giveaway"for your chance to win.
We should also be ready for the launch of the Etsy Shoppe, as well!
Exciting days here, friends:))
Blessings,
Christie