A Doll Shop of My Own

Atom's Picture Blog: Seldovia

2012-03-18T15:49:00.001-08:00

Some beautiful photos of my hometown.

Atom's Picture Blog: Seldovia

Edith Flack Ackley Pattern doll

2012-03-16T18:01:00.000-08:00

Sweet Susan is made from the large doll pattern in Edith Flack Ackley's book--Dolls to Make for Fun and Profit. She is dressed in her spring Kuspuk, an original pattern designed by myself and is really hoping Spring will come soon. (wishful thinking on her part since we have about 5 feet of snow)

TO GREET A LITTLE GIRL

2012-03-08T14:42:00.000-09:00

I've finished up another Edith Flack Ackley Doll from last summer. This pattern is from the early 1940's and is called To Greet a Little Girl. She features a vest, pants with pin tucks, a petticoat and a pinafore all made from cotton organdy. She is one of my favorite dolls to make also. I guess I just like her pretty pinafore.

New Edith Flack Ackley Dolls

2012-03-05T15:40:00.000-09:00

These cute sisters are from the 1934 pattern by Edith Flack Ackley offered to ladies in the November 1934 issue of Women's Home Companion for 50 cents. This is one of my favorite patterns from EFA. They are kind of tricky to make because of their small size. I think they're about 8inches tall. I offer their pattern in PDF further down on my blogspot. Some of the problems I can tell you about in the pattern: The pantelettes are way too wide as printed in the original pattern so you need to adjust the width. The front and back bodice need some adjusting also. I usually measure them on the doll and make the front not as wide and a little taller also. These adjustments may be because in 1934 Edith made her dolls from Japanese crepe not muslin and the crepe was stretchier than the muslin so today we end up with a narrower doll. Just my thoughts. They will be offered in my etsy shop soon.

Feeling Better

2012-02-22T08:35:00.000-09:00

Sorry I've been away from my blog and doll making for so long. I got really sick last summer and am just starting to feel good enough to do some doll making again. Hopefully I'll have a couple of dolls to post soon. Thanks for checking out my blog.

Views from Mt. Alyeska

2011-06-27T12:50:00.001-08:00

I took a drive with my daughter and son in law to Mt. Alyeska and took the tram to the top. There was still snow. The view looks down on Girdwood, Ak. It was a fun day.

This is one of my grandsons in the parking lot at Alyeska lodge. I think I took the picture from the wrong way tho. I just thought the green of the trees and colorful flowers and his orange hoodie made a nice picture. I didn't notice the jackass until I got home.

Little Bag of Dollies

2011-05-29T09:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday at the craft bazaar I sold my little bag of dollies to a nice lady who wanted them for two little girls who visit her every summer. In my excitement I forgot to take pictures of them. But I'll post the picture of the pattern so you all can see how they looked. This is a fun pattern by Rosalie Quinlan and is available right now in the USA at Keepsake Quilting.

http://rosaliequinlandesigns.typepad.com/rosaliequinlandesigns/

New Dolly is off to her new home in New York

2011-05-25T16:44:00.002-08:00

This new dolly is off to a wonderful new home in New York State. Her body is knit from wool yarn.

She has mohair yarn for hair and is stuffed with wool batting. Her hands and face are from cotton knit. I'm excited about her outfit which I made from a talented Australian designers line of fabric. Rosalie Quinlan's - Grandmothers flower garden fabrics. I have purchased the fat quarters of this so you will probably be seeing more of her beautiful fabrics. I've already made her pattern (little bag of dollies) and you will see these as soon as I paint their shoes http://rosaliequinlandesigns.typepad.com/rosaliequinlandesigns/

SOCK MONKEY VISITS HOMER ALASKA

2011-05-10T17:56:00.002-08:00

Sock Monkey thinks that he would make a great crew member on the Deadliest Catch Boat - the Time Bandit.

Next Sock Monkey poses with the 200 Lb. Halibut he caught. What a proud fisherman!

This sign kind of has Sock Monkey worried. He's wondering what the rules are about feeding Sock Monkeys?

After all his hard work catching a halibut, Sock Monkey decides to stop at the world famous Salty Dawg Saloon for a monkey drink.

After a couple of shots, Monkey is thinking he better try to make it back to the Seldovia Ferry Boat.

Ahh, nothing like home sweet home after an exhausting day in Homer doing monkey business.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL MOTHERS

2011-05-08T15:26:00.001-08:00

New Dolls listed on Etsy Today

2011-05-03T19:49:00.001-08:00

I've listed three new Waldorf dolls in my Etsy shop today. http://www.grannyinak.etsy.com/

The first pixie in pink, lavender and light blue is named Morning Glory. The little girl in red is Sissy, and the curyl dark haired doll is named Precious. They are all made from all natural materials, wool, cotton, mohair etc. Sissy's body is knit with purple wool yarn making her a little plumper than her pixie sisters. They are safe for Children 3 and older.

Amigurimi Eskimo Crochet Doll

2011-05-03T13:20:00.001-08:00

I recently took a break from cloth doll making and made this cute Eskimo crochet doll. He is a pattern from; http://www.eureekaswindow.etsy.com/ . A cute and easy pattern and reasonably priced. I used Red Heart-Buttercup white yarn for the ruff around his hood, arms and legs. Works perfect for the fur effect. Here's his picture.

Easter Greetings

2011-04-22T08:40:00.000-08:00

I'm sharing a few of my favorite Easter Postcards from my postcard collection. These were called penny postcards and are from about 1900-1920. Angels are some of my favorite cards to collect.

Happy Easter everyone.

A NEW TRAMPOLINE

2011-04-19T17:30:00.000-08:00

Two of my Grandsons are enjoying their new trampoline. Lots of fun on a sunny day when the snow is in melt mode. It's a good way to work off lots of energy.

When it's springtime in Alaska

2011-04-14T20:02:00.000-08:00

Before I get too excited about Spring, here's a picture showing the snow we had on Monday, April 11.

Knitted Easter Chicken

2011-04-06T09:46:00.002-08:00

Do you like knitting, chickens and Cadbury eggs? Check out this link by Anjie Davison for an easy to knit chick that holds a Cadbury egg, or real egg. I'm going to be knitting a basketful!
http://www.pompomemporium.com/content/free-pattern-knitted-easter-chick-containing-creme-egg

Here's a picture I took of the chicks I knitted. To me they look more like little spring birds that are starting to appear at my bird feeders. Only about 3 more weeks until the hummingbirds return to Alaska. I can't wait.

Alaskan Teddy Bear artist

2011-04-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

Please take a look at this artist Teddy Bear! He is made in Alaska and has been embellished with sea shells found on Seldovia beaches. The artist also writes a story to go along with the Teddy Bear. She is a very talented seamstress and author, I should know because she's my daughter. Here's her etsy site. http://www.alaskabeartales.etsy.com/

Rose will be adding more bears as she can.

Knitted lamb and sheep

2011-04-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

I've been busy this week, knitting a rabbit and lamb. The patterns are by: Fuzzy Mittens (Barbara Prime) The lamb pattern she offers for free, the rabbit and other adorable animals with sweaters you can purchase from her web site. http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=1087569 The animals are easy to knit even for beginners and are so cute! These two will go in my granddaughters Easter Basket.

Wikipedia description of a waldorf doll.

2011-03-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this link for a description of a waldorf doll http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_doll for those who do not know about the Waldorf style of doll making. A lot of doll makers have different styles and variations in the making of their dolls so no two are ever alike. Just a few stitches can give your doll a personality of its own.

New Dolls listed on Etsy Today

2011-03-25T12:07:00.001-08:00

I've listed a couple of new Waldorf dolls in my Etys shop today. I've had them ready for awhile but I'm not so great at getting the pictures taken. They are made of all natural materials, wool, cotton etc. Thanks for looking.

Belinda and Lucinda-Edith Flack Ackley pattern dolls

2011-03-14T12:12:00.012-08:00

These are all dolls I've made from Edith Flack Ackley's 1934 pattern--Belinda and Lucinda.

The pattern was offered for sale in the November 1934 issue of Woman's Home Companion. They were fun to make but somewhat harder to sew than Edith's larger doll pattern. They are about 10 inches. See my link for a free pattern to make your own. I only ask that you do not resell my pattern.

Pixie is on her way to Mi.

2011-03-10T10:26:00.001-09:00

This little sweetie is very happy to be on her way to her new home in Michigan. She will be joining a family with many other dollies .

JIMMY MEETS JAMES

2011-03-05T16:15:00.000-09:00

Denali (Blythe) Models her new Kimono

2011-03-02T15:35:00.002-09:00

Denali shows off her new Kimono. Handmade by me from a pattern I created, her kimono will be in my etsy shop soon.

What I'm working on this week

2011-03-02T14:03:00.001-09:00

I'm working on a scrap afghan, using up all my odds and ends of yarn. As you can see, I have a long way to go.

Our walk on the beach on Monday, Feb.28 2011

2011-03-02T13:56:00.002-09:00

With the wind chill factored in the temperature was 12degrees F. Mighty chilly.

Jimmy is on his way to his new home.

2011-02-25T14:54:00.001-09:00

Jimmy left today to travel to his new home. A 4 year old boy is anxiously awaiting his arrival. Lucky Jimmy!

JIMMY, 10" WALDORF DOLL

2011-02-23T21:35:00.001-09:00

Jimmy is a small 10" waldorf boy and turned out to look just like my youngest grandson -James Tiberius Kirk Wel--. Yes, his parents are Star Trek lovers and named my grandson after captain Kirk. I just fondly call him Jimmy. He is made the traditional Waldorf way with all natural materials.

I knit the trousers for Jimmy and I hope I can remember how to do it again.

Edith Flack Ackley Doll Information

2011-02-20T09:55:00.004-09:00

For anyone who would like information about Edith Flack Ackley dolls, please view my website.
http://www.edithflackackley.com/ This includes a free copy of an original pattern for Edith's doll: For a Little Girl's Christmas. This pattern was orginally offered for sale in the November 1939 magazine-Womans Home Companion.

New Edith Flack Ackley Doll

2011-02-19T17:49:00.001-09:00

This is my newest Edith Flack Ackley doll. She was made from Edith's 1943 pattern called: To greet a little girl. She wears a vintage red swiss dotted dress, and a pinafore, pantelettes and underskirt made from organdy.

Waldorf Dolly with knitted skirt finished

2011-02-19T15:49:00.003-09:00

I finished my new Waldorf Dolly, she's about 10" . She's wearing her knitted skirt and I crocheted her a small pair of shoes. She feels very happy to join her sisters.

Quote for today

2011-02-18T20:01:00.000-09:00

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint', then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

Vincent Van Gogh

New Waldorf Dolly

2011-02-17T16:34:00.000-09:00

I'm working on the new doll who will get to wear the knitted skirt. Here i'm starting to cut out the body.

Body is sewn and stuffed with clean wool and is waiting for her hair. Tomorrow I will have her finished and post a picture of her.

Dolly's new knitted skirt

2011-02-15T16:09:00.000-09:00

This is what I've been working on today. This is a pattern by knits so quaint. The dolly pinafores are very cute and she sells a cottage license for only $10.00. I had to adjust the pattern to a smaller size. But I'm happy with how it turned out. I also learned a new cast on called PCO. It's time consuming but makes a very nice hem.

This pinafore is not for this dolly, she is just modeling it. It will go to a doll that has yet to be crafted.

Marmot day

2011-02-15T10:49:00.000-09:00

I live in Alaska and here we call Groundhog day, Marmot day, due to a proclamation by our governor. These are two of my grandsons outside checking to see if Spring might be coming. Ha

2011-02-15T10:17:00.000-09:00

2011-02-15T10:15:00.002-09:00

Hello, this is my first post. These sweeties are the latest Waldorf dollies I've made. The small ones are about 10 inches and the large one is 16 inches. I used all natural materials such as cotton skin fabric, clean wool stuffing, wool and mohair boucle yarn, and all cotton fabrics. Don't they look cute sitting together.