Hopefully Catching Up & Grace

Hello out there in blogland!  Wow, it has been a very long time since I last posted anything here.   My apologies!  Life can sometimes be very demanding and keep us busy.  That's my only excuse.  I hope to catch up and introduce dolls that have come home to me since my last post.  So here goes....

I will try to blog about a new doll every week until I have posted about all of them.
 

Today I will blog about Grace.  Grace was made by artist Rebecca Kerin.  I bought her from someone on Ebay.  I thought she was just so beautiful and serene.  She is 21 inches tall. 

The above photo is from the listing, but all was not quite as it appeared.   I'm not 100% positive, but I think the photo is an original photo from the artist when she was brand new and it was used in the listing.  She had hair made from 150 year old antique flax.  I thought that was really neat. 

But when Grace got home, her hair was in bad shape.  I messaged the artist about replacing it for me, but unfortunately, she was not interested in doing it.
 

Having no other choice, I combed her hair out and removed as much of the loose "hairs" as possible.  The above photo shows how it looked after I did this.  I had hoped the problem was solved, but unfortunately, every time I picked up the doll, more fibers kept falling out everywhere.  So I took matters in my own hands and made her new hair from paper clay.

I chose a very simple style, similar to an Izannah Walker doll.  It looks painted on, but is actually sculpted paper clay that has been painted.   I have done similar things to a couple of smaller dolls, but this was the first time making hair for a large doll.  I did not do a perfect job, but I still love her.  I may try again one of these days just to see if I can improve on it.

Grace is a beautiful doll and her original dress is wonderful (seen in the first six photos).  It's made from antique blue calico and has another antique fabric in red for the trim.  She has been with me over a year now, and I have had some dresses and pinafores made especially for her.  I altered a large doll bonnet to fit her.  Her new dresses and pinafores were made by an Etsy seamstress.
 

Last, but not least, just look at her adorable shoes and striped stockings!  I adore them, as well as her antique undergarments.  The artist is truly a master at her craft.  Even after the problems with the original hair,  she is very special to me.

I hope you all are happy and well.  I will try my best to keep posting once a week until I finish introducing all the new girls. 

Until next time, be blessed!