The story of Shirley....

Once upon a time in the land of Crane, a lady stopped by The Doll Lady's store.  In her arms was a large box of old dolls.  As she walk in the door she greeted me with a "Hello.......I have all these old dolls and I don't want them, so here,"  as she put the box down on my floor.  "You may have them, if you don't want them, you can throw them away."  "Thanks," I said.  "Don't thank me," was her response..."they are in really bad shape."  "OK, I'll see what can be saved."  She walked out the door and I never saw her again.  So I went to see what was in the box.....WOW!.....the dolls really stunk!  I took the box outside, because the smell was awful and I did want my store to smell like these dolls.  All of the dolls were shot.  They had evidently gotten wet and stayed that way....wet composition is awful.  In the middle of the box some arms and legs were dry, just in bad shape.....but look....look here....oh my....it's a little orange 13 inch Shirley Temple doll.  So I grab the Shirley Temple and set her back, she needed to air out and once she was smelling sweet again, I placed her in my "when-I-get-to-it" box.  In meantime, Jerry and I moved to NE -- two years past.  I have several composition dolls waiting in the mold room that I need to work on.  I grabbed a couple of a customer's dolls and I happened to look over at my "when-I-get-to-it" box and there was this bright orange leg sticking up.  I pulled it out of the box....Shirley Temple, I had forgotten about her.  As I worked on my customer's dolls I also worked on Shirley.  Unfortunately I didn't take a before picture, so I'll describe her to you -- you'll have to use your imagination.  First....she was orange; second, she has a rather large hole in her head and someone tried to fix it....badly...very badly and; third, for some reason that I do not understand...took putty or something and attempted to cover up her marks on her neck and back.  Oh yeah....did I mention -- she was ORANGE!  She did have her teeth and her eyelashes are there.  One eye is perfect, the other has that shattered look.  She was taken completely apart and I carefully removed the putty from her markings...which now can be seen and read.   Next I had to fix that quarter size hole in her head, I also repaired the cracks around her eyes.  Shirley was completely repainted.  I bought a little reproduction dress and a very pretty reproduction Shirley Temple wig.  I had some shoes and socks in stock that work well.  This morning I strung her together, dressed her and put her new 'do' on.  She came out darling and she's not orange.

Benjamine

I do believe I'm in big-big trouble.  Recently I've 'birthed' some little girls that I'd like to add my my little family.  Rosette is one and I just started the process of making her.  Aiko...I now have my own...I'll include a photo or two of her.....and then there is Benjamine....I've only recently starting making this little girl....she's Bleuette's baby sister.  She wasn't around very long for reasons that don't matter (to me) any longer.  I'm just glad she's back in Miss Bleu's life....

Rosette -- Akio and Aiko

Good Evening....It's been really hot around here this summer.  I find myself watering the outside plants more than I normally do.  We've had very little rain lately.  I always worry about the farmers when it doesn't rain.  I thought I post some photos of a new Rosette and my brother and sister team, Akio and Aiko.  Two really sweet kids!  I'll be listing them tomorrow on my website www.Thedollladyince.com  when my mind is fresh and is proper working order.  Long day....tired brain, but not too tired to show you these some New Kids.....Night all.....

 Akio and Aiko....They are so sweet....quiet and well mannered.

 This is lovely Rosette.  This girl was made from the Byron mold. 

It's time for a couple of new girls.....

Well to be totally honest, it's only one completely new girl.  You see I had this little 6/0 Bleuette that was a bit of a wallflower....She was very shy, had mousey ash brown hair....and brown eyes.  I had looked at her many a time....she was cute, but she never shouted it out to anyone.  So she and I had a little sit-down and disgust her plight.  I made a little proposal....how about I send you the Yvette's House of Fashion....she has clothing, shoes....and a beauty salon.  Then I'll send you to the eye doctor, you see a Bleuette eye doctor is special....they can change the color of your eyes.  Well, let me tell you......she was all up for that.  I immediately phoned Yvette and spoke with her...made and appointment for this little Bleuette......"spare no expensive, Yvette....this little girl deserves the best."  Once she was done at Yvette's off she went to the eye doctor.  When she came home I almost didn't recognize her!  Her hair has shine and style, her eyes light up the room and her smile.....she smiles all the time now.  I think little 6/0 Bleuette is very happy with her new look.

Her older sister Rosette is my new girl.  I haven't made a Rosette is so long --- I decided it was time.  Yvette had purchased a beautiful dress from Kay at the Rosebud Collection to add to her Rosette fashion section of her store and that is the exact dress Rosette picked to wear.  It's simply beautiful on her.

Both of these young girls are listed in my online store  www.thedolllladyinc.com

Asian Girls.....and Miss Bellette

Good Morning....it's been a crazy these last couple+ weeks since we've returned from Dad's.  Getting back in the swing of things takes me a little longer than it used too...(hu-m-m?)...once we got back, Jerry's brother, Don stansed with us for about a week, so that kept me out of the studio more days.   It sure was great to see Don again....always enjoy his visits.  Things are pretty close to normal again....I've got the ol' cog in the wheel turning once more.   Oh......The landscaping is done in the front and the back deck is done too, so we can enjoy the rest of the summer and watch things grow and relax on our deck.  Having the deck in the back has opened an entirely new part of our home.....it's almost like having another room....Enough of that....Yesterday I finished four new girls.  Chyna, she's a 14 inch Asian.  I put her on a Rosette body.....because I love being able to post my dolls....I thought well, maybe other people would like that too.  Besides, she can now double as a friend to Rosette, if one would choose.  The other two little Asian kids are from an Effner mold....and has quickly captured my heart.  And last, but most definitely not least is Miss Bellette.  I haven't made a new Bellette is so long and I love her face, it's just so darn beautiful....I guess I missed her so...I made one and she gorgeous, even if I do say so myself.  All these little darlings are listed in my online store, you can view their listings and additional photos at  www.Thedollladyinc.com
Enjoy................


CHYNA

 CHYNA

 AIKO (w/mohair)

 AIKO (w/mohair)

AIKO

 AIKO

 BELLETTE

BELLETTE

Some new girls....

Well after my kiln disaster the other day...I was still able to put three new girls together.  Fortunately these girls had all their make up on or they would have blistered too.....These three little girls are all listed in my online store.  You may very additional photos of them at www.thedollladyinc.com They are in Antique Reproductions.

 EJ Jumeau....always lovely

 Long Face Jumeau....just had to try this red wig on her....

 Mein Leibling....what a cutie-pie!

The Trip....

Hubby and I got back last night from our trip to Murphy, North Carolina.  We drove....hubby is not much on flying.  Is was a long trip, over 2100 miles.  My brother, his wife, Liz and the newest addition to the Miller family, Jasmin arrived in Murphy on Tuesday, as did we.  My sister arrived on Thursday.  We were able to meet Liz and Jasmin face to face for the first time.


Norther Carolina was lush and green...flowers were in bloom, it was really gorgeous.  Here's some photos I took while I was there....

Ocoee Canon and River...near flood stage.  There are 3 Hydro plants along the river, on our return trip the river was down significantly.

This is some of the gardens that surrounded Dad and Shirley's home.  Shirley is a Master Gardener and it shows....their grounds are wonderful and peaceful.   In the bottum photo (although difficult to make out) to the right on the swing is a chicken coop.  Shirley has 3 Guinea hens which keep the bugs down....she also has about 12 or so chickens...so we had fresh eggs every morning we were there. 

  Below are just some of the flowers that appear in their yard.

 

 

 

The Nottley River runs directly behind Pop's house. 

 

 

 So what better place to build a deck?  We spent a lot of hours visiting on this deck.  That's Jerry, Shirley and my Pop.   Shirley was the person that got me interested in doll making.  She stills has molds, kiln, as supplies hanging around just like a good dollmaker.

 

Pop taking a little snooze on the deck.....he's looks pretty good for 90.

 Shirley and my Rose.....Rose was totally relaxed, can you tell?

 This is my little Rose, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.   Rose is 12 1/2 years old. 

Oh my.....I almost forgot - Mr. Tree.  I have no idea if that's is his name or not....but Mr Tree seems to suit him.

 

 Jazmin (Jaz), Shirley, Pop, my sister Robin, me and Brother Jack, the family calls him Duke.

 

And, of course.....Liz!