Toran's Doll

 By 8.30 we are up, fed, washed, dressed, house squared up for another day and children are starting to ask for another breakfast! We did playdough at 9.00, drawing at 9.30 - then snack time, today was one of those non stop days - and I should know on days like today where my boys are feeling rather busy - I wont be busy doing dolly work!
Nevertheless I am always the optimist and while both boys enjoyed an indoor picnic I thought I would try to sneak away for a little sewing, but no sooner was the machine threaded, two little faces appeared  "can we help" Toran chirps - eyes sparkling, fingers already busy twisting dials and switching the light on and off. After a little debating we compromise that if he can sit very still and not touch, he may watch me - I have a pair of little leather boots to sew this morning for Goldilocks and it is too fiddly for little hands. Now he tried very hard, but it is just too tempting for a nearly four year old boy to fiddle, to empty tins of thread, to NEED to sit on your lap, or help you with the machine pedal. The game was up, I looked at the tangled mess of stitches on the boot ( no doubt some tension had been helpfully adjusted) and decided to cut my losses, pack away and hope to maybe try again at bedtime. It was just as I switched off the machine that Toran turned to me and said " But Mummy I absolutely need to learn to make dollies! " Oh my sweet boy - hands turned out, shrugging his shoulders, he just wants to play! It's so easy to get caught up in all that I should do, all that I have to do - but today I realised what a special thing it is that my boys watch me work, to see that I can provide for them at home -  to inspire their own creativity. 
And so today Toran learned to make a doll. He knew immediately what he wanted to make, and really impressed me with his patience!

Stuffing his dolly with wool

choosing silk for dolly's eyes

the table got quite messy!

sewing ladybird spots

It took most of the day, with quite a few breaks for tea and biscuits, but the look on this boys face when his very own doll was finished was priceless! Mr ladybird is about 5 inches tall, has a little removable knit tunic, hat and wool felt shell which ties on with ribbons

 ( just in case mr ladybird wants to become something else someday)

Toran and his new best friend are already adventuring in the garden -

 its been the most productive doll making day ever !

Edward Bear

Oh Edward! When Mary asked for a little brother I don't think either of us expected such a mischievous creature! But even though you wear big bear foot boots, and are earnestly practising your growl - there is less Grizzly than Teddy about you my Edward Bear!

Edward is like all good boys should, mostly busy messing around, noseying into things that he shouldnt and running at the mention of a hair comb! He is truely a playful little cub!

Like his sister Mary, Edward Bear is made using my new 12 inch baby pattern from beige laib yala cotton and stuffed with devonshire wool. He has a sculpted bottom and floppy poseable limbs allowing him to sit and pose with ease. He features a gently sculpted face, tiny ears, eyebrows, and swirly bellybutton. His hair is whispy crocheted dollymo mohair.

Edward wears a knit jumper with alpaca teddy motif, matching undershorts ( which together make a nice pj's set ) cotton plaid trousers and pure wool knitted bear foot boots.

For when Edward needs to be a real bear he also has an organic cotton plush teddy romper suit with hat - and though he prowls around trying to scare his sister - I think he looks adorable in it! Though I'd never tell him, he is so proud to be a real bear!

Edward is ready for adventure and will be looking for a new home tonight at 6pm EST via short auction in my shop along with his siter Mary and some lambkin friends. 

For the rest of his photos please do visit my gallery

Due to Edwards fine mohair hair he is best suited to gentle play with an older child, or cuddles from an adult collector

A little lost lamb

Sometimes a doll will live in my heart for a long long time, quietly, patiently waiting for a time of their own. It is a joy like no other to realise these gentle souls from simple wool and cloth.

Mary is just so, a doll which encompass all that I try and impart, all that I hope Ladybird Dolls to be. 

A delicate face which in one moment look full of mischief, 

and in the next you could almost have sworn you saw a little lip quiver. 

In truth my craft owes a lot to the humble sheep, their beautiful wool lends itself to warm naturally hypoallergenic stuffing, giving my dolls a comforting huggable feel. Breeds such as teeswater and wensleydale produce incredible long lustrous locks which I use for dolls hair, 

and wool felt makes for durable doll clothes and mini dolls. 

I have longed to make a little doll inspired by sheep, a doll of understated, meek and mild beauty. 

Soft, gentle and kind - this is Mary...

Mary is 12 inches tall, made using my new baby pattern for a doll which will sit with ease, has flexible limbs and can be easily posed. She is made from beige Laib Yala cotton and stuffed firmly with sweet Devonshire wool. Her hair is crocheted from natural white dollymo mohair.

Mary is gently sculpted with a tiny mouth, chin, full cheeks and features wee ears and embroidered eyebrows.

Mary is dressed in pointelle cotton undies edged with lace, a cotton jersey shirt, pure Irish linen dress with little lamb pocket, merino knit shoes fastened with mother of pearl buttons, and a wool tweed and lace headband. All clothing items are made to measure entirely from my own patterns.

Naturally little Mary needed some warm lamb clothes too!

Her romper suit and hat are sewn from organic cotton plush 

and are just right to stay warm and cosy at bedtime.

Mary will be looking for a mama tonight at 6pm EST ( Sat 9th August ) via short auction in my shop along with her brother Edward and some lambkin friends. For all her photos do visit my gallery.

Due to her delicate hair fiber and buttoned clothing Mary is recommended for gentle play with an older child, or to be admired by an adult collector.