Alice Tumuhairwe

Today, I took some pictures of Alice out in the yard - which, in some places, is more like a jungle. Well, to a person who is only about 16 inches high... it would be a jungle. =]

This is a little basket that I got on my trip to South Carolina! It is handmade (the same way it's been made for hundreds of years in Africa) from Sweetgrass which is native to Africa.
A couple nights ago I made Alice this outfit out of a small rectangle of fabric that I had in my scrap bag. It is cotton homespun with absolutely no seams or hems or anything. I simply just folded, wrapped and tucked. =]
back view

The scarf on her head is just a long rectangle folded so the raw edges don't show. I brought it from behind her head, tied it once on top and then laid both ends over the back and tucked them in the bottom and Voila! An African ladies attire.

This is the piece of yellow yarn (that she usually wears on her head) tied on like an arm band. She decided for today that simple seemed suitable. =]

Here are some pictures that inspire me. I've always loved traditional African dress. It's so colorful and exciting! Although most of these pictures are black and white. hmm... Oh well.

Sometime I'd like to make some African Jewelry for Alice!

Have a happy day!
Love, Marguerite

With the Spring comes...

...Gardening! Here are a few photos of Alice (left) and Emaline (right).

Here Emaline and Alice are working in their Mother's shared flower garden. They both love to garden and when they get a chance to visit with each other at the same time it makes it so much more enjoyable.
Although they are not wearing their finest... they believe you can look fashionable even when gardening.

Alice loves to garden in her bare feet. There's nothing better than sinking your feet in the rich, damp earth in the Spring.

Pulling weeds...

Trimming off last years dry bits...

Getting the soil ready for planting...

This is Alice's "everyday dress". She loves plaid (which is a highly fashionable thing in the 1860's) and she is usually seen wearing more than one print at a time. It is made out of a cotton plaid, has a fitted bodice that buttons up the back, bishop sleeves with no cuffs, and a gathered skirt. Her apron is a gathered half apron made from cotton calico.

This is Emaline's "everyday dress". It is cotton calico with a fitted bodice that fastens up the front with hidden hooks and eyes, drop shoulders, bishop sleeves with cuffs, gathered skirt and a little stand up collar. All very fashionable things in the 1860's.Her apron is a full apron made out of cotton with box pleats on the skirt to show off the pin tucks and embroidery all down the front. The straps criss-cross in the back and there are long ties connected to the waistband to make into a lovely bow.

This is a petticoat that I made by hand out of a cream colored muslin. It is gathered into the waistband and has three "growth tucks" at the bottom. Growth tucks were used a lot in the 1860's mostly on children's clothes so that when they got taller they could let the growth tucks out to make the skirt longer. However, they were also used for decoration. So, I suppose that is the case here. =]

Well, that is all for today. Summer is coming so fast, I can hardly believe it!
I am so excited about the upcoming festivities of Summer!
Have a lovely day everyone!
Love, Miss Emaline

Meet Miss Olive Wright

This is Miss Olive Wright. She has been friends with Miss Emaline and The Circle for a long time but is just now "coming out". She is extremely honored and excited to show you how she was made and is looking forward to posting more about her history soon.

I found her on e-bay and fell in love with her at first sight. I love her big china blue eyes, rosebud mouth and pink cheeks!

As you can see her body was in need of some tender loving care. As far as I could see it was the original body. It is stuffed with sawdust and has been repaired in many many places.

The shoes were broken off. But don't you love her little blue garters?

I thought about ordering some new china legs for her but decided against it. I gave her some fabric legs and feet instead.

Her arms and hands were beautifully intact!

I saw these button joints in a doll collecting book and decided to try them. They were very easy and they work great. She can dance and run and leap to her hearts content. :)

Here's her body all finished! I gave her a very fashionable hour-glass figure.

Here she is very patiently waiting for her head to be sewn on.

Ahhh, much better!


Now she is ready to be fitted for her fashionable wardrobe!

Miss Olive wishes to thank all the Doll's for including her in their Fashionable Assembly!
~Miss Genevieve and Miss Olive Wright

Photo Album for your Doll

We found this on Etsy a few days ago. Isn't it just perfect? Everything that Jean Day Miniatures makes is so darling! Take a look!


Genevieve

Here comes the bride...

Let me introduce you to a very special doll that we have the privilege to show to you.
"Sweet Sue"

Our lovely neighbor Candy, who received this doll when she was 9, let her come and stay with us for a while. We had such fun!
The doll, "Sweet Sue Sophisticate", was manufactured in (around) 1957 by American Character.

She is an all vinyl fashion doll. She's 20" tall, with "sleep" eyes which means they close when she is lying down. The make up and hairstyle are gorgeous! Very feminine and 50's!

I have to say besides those beautiful red lips the nylons with the seams are my favorite part.

Genevieve (aka Miss Olive) had a lovely time taking her 'bridal portraits'. They are quite stunning!

Doesn't she look real?

These shoes are absolutely fabulous!

The veil is ankle length made out of tulle and the cap is satin with little pearls sewn all around the front. There are even little pearl-head pins that pin the veil to the cap!
Her necklace looks like a string of diamonds! Lovely!

The main part of the bodice and over skirt is made out of a creamy white satin. The under-skirt is two tiers of pleated tulle sewn onto satin.
It is very well made! I think the seamstresses who made these would be appalled at the doll clothes that you can buy nowadays. =]
The ruffle around the neckline and the bottom part of the sleeves is made of a very soft kind of sheer tulle or netting (I think). The sleeves almost remind me of a late 1700's style. =]

Thank you so very much Candy for sharing "Sweet Sue" with us!
Very gratefully yours,
Marguerite
(aka Miss Emaline)