Monday, January 12, 2009

Ready for the Maypole

Take a gander at this little cutie I made over the weekend. Isn't she a gem? A good friend of mine is having a little girl in the end of February, and every little Johnson girl needs a Swedish doll, doesn't she?

Apart from the concept of sewing the hair, I made her up all by myself! Needless to say, I do feel a bit attached to my little prototype. I think I'll make several with different traditional costume/dress and see who wants them. I'm imagining kimonos, dirndls, Dutch caps, Inuit hoods, and more.

I found the fabrics used in the dress and apron at JoAnn Fabrics for a pittance, and to my untrained eye they scream Sweden. I also attempted some simple "embroidery" on her vest to fancy her up a tad. She stands about a foot tall and is very content.

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27 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2009 at 3:47 PM

    Oh, so cute! If we have a girl, maybe you can figure out how Danish dress is different from Swedish dress and make another.

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  2. MeganBrittJanuary 12, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    seriously fantastic!

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    hey johnson girl does need a swedish doll. the closest i got was Kirsten from American Girl. this is so adorable.

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  4. AlissaJanuary 12, 2009 at 5:42 PM

    Oh she is just so CUTE!

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  5. Sarah PeadJanuary 12, 2009 at 7:26 PM

    I love it! How adorable is she! :)

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  6. trcdkkJanuary 12, 2009 at 10:04 PM

    If you were trying to suck me in by posting the word "Dutch", it worked. I may have to invest in a good Dutch girl for my semi-dutch niece. I mean, she HAS been tainted with some Swedish and Mexican blood, but I've forgiven her for that...

    Email me-let me know what I need to do to get my hands on one of these!

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  7. KariJanuary 12, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love your little doll. Good work!

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  8. simplicityJanuary 13, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Have you considered leaving your day job and pursuing craft making as your career? You'd be great and you'd have a line of customers right behind you. Between your dolls and blocks and blankets and clothing, you'd have quite the business going.

    I LOVE this doll. She is SO cute and will look lovely in any girls (especially a Swedish Johnson girl!) arms.

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  9. MelissaJanuary 13, 2009 at 10:14 AM

    Hmmmm. Methinks Simplicity is on to something there... ;)

    This is totally cute. I, for one, would put an order in for a flamenco dancer doll if I ever had a little girl. :D

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  10. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2009 at 12:20 PM

    She's lovely...I have some of that yellow fabric too and I love it:)

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  11. Amy and AndrewJanuary 13, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    You know I love her. I love the simple, stylish design. I also like your idea of doing dolls of different cultures/ethnicities. I think it's great for kids to be exposed not only to dolls who look like them, but also dolls who don't. It could provide so many teaching opportunities, don't you think? Who knows? You could end up sewing dolls for nurseries and pre-schools!

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2009 at 3:11 PM

    So cute!

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  13. VeggieAmandaJanuary 13, 2009 at 4:21 PM

    Wow- wonderful job on the doll! It is very adorable and well made.

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  14. UnknownJanuary 13, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    There is an adorable little 9 month old in Anchorage who would love a native Alaskan boy doll. Let me know how much I owe you.

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  15. Ann-MarieJanuary 13, 2009 at 6:48 PM

    How do you not do this for a living? I am amazed at your gifts!

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  16. KarenJanuary 13, 2009 at 7:13 PM

    Are you kidding me? This is the cutest thing I have ever seen, and you thought of it yourself??? You do have some mad talent, girl! I love the idea of changing up the outfits to match different ethnicities. Very inspired. I know a little girl in CT who would love one of these. Taking orders?

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  17. jkJanuary 13, 2009 at 9:10 PM

    This is so cute!!

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  18. KellyJanuary 14, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    Lovely little doll!

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  19. Rachel BurtonJanuary 14, 2009 at 12:47 PM

    So fun, and I love the bright fabrics! I'd be an easy sell on this!

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  20. amylouwhosewsJanuary 15, 2009 at 12:59 AM

    This is adorable. I'm seeing lots of cute dolls and animals lately and I'm starting to think I need to add them to my to-do list! You did a great job. I'd want one with a kilt. How cute would that be?! I like the scandinavian dress too.

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  21. THE ISAZASJanuary 15, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    You are so out of control talented!!!

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2009 at 7:53 AM

    Hey, I remember seeing that episode of Martha Stewart! lol Your doll is adorable! Nice fabric choices. :)

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 16, 2009 at 10:18 PM

    Your darling doll belongs at 17 Wiley. A swedish doll deserves a swedish home. Are you taking orders? She could live next to Cal's green quilt. eb

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  24. AnonymousJanuary 17, 2009 at 4:50 PM

    Wow - you are so talented! I can see these dolls in upscale baby boutiques across the globe! Keep showing off your work here - it is amazing!

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  25. BobbiJanuary 27, 2009 at 3:41 AM

    She's a cute little dolly! You did good girl.

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  26. Swedish ColombianFebruary 21, 2009 at 12:11 AM

    Colombia! Where's Miss Colombia?!?!

    :D

    In my list of blogs-to-do, I have a faboo picture of Kirsten shoving her spokesmodel into her trunk!

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  27. Swedish ColombianFebruary 26, 2009 at 1:08 AM

    So, randomly surfing along today, I found this flickr group and thought you'd appreciate their pictures:
    http://www.flickr.com/groups/make-a-long/pool/
    I thought at first it was just like your dolls, but they're a little different.

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