My Summer Companion



Please meet a very little girl with a great Big Personality. 




This is the same doll on my previous post, but with lighter hair.
  Our friend in Finland preferred a more orange color, and I totally agree!
She stands barely 5 inches, is gently poseable,
and has been in the making all Summer.
We have had lots of time to become acquainted. 

   
   

 There is Nothing Symmetrical about her.

Rightfully so, being the Pippi that she is. Her hair is hand dyed silk. Multi-colored orange. So soft to the touch it is almost not there. Styling the wispy soft strands is like handling a spider's web. Her brightly painted, sculpted boots are tied with green thread.

  I wanted to make Pippi one Very Special Dress
to wear for her Homecoming.And with Christmas coming up, I decided on a Holiday Gown.  


 



But the Holiday Gown obviously would not do for Chores. So, we came up with this little number using the stray buttons she helpfully pulled out from way back under my desk.They mismatched perfectly.   



  Then she thought... A Chore Dress would not do for visits to the Bakery. We agreed this cheerful Day Dress might just prompt an extra torte or two to be added to her bag by the Bakerbecause she was so darned cute in it.    



 After I made the Day Dress, I discovered thatPippi enjoys standing on one foot. And she is quite proud of balancing all on her own. I thought a stand might make it easier for her to remain suspended like thatif she feels so inclined.  Which she often did.  One night she fell asleep like that and the next day her leg was upstuck until lunch.           Here she is...Posing amongst the squash and zuchinni.Pippi however prefers posies.So...her hands were sculpted to hold Flowers.   

    When Autumn rolled around,I Knew the Dressmaking Needed To Stop.  But Then,  Pippi gave me that Flower and politely asked for a Party Frock to wear for impromptu ballet performancesat Birthday Parties.  



 After the Birthday Frock was finished, I finally sent her off to bed all wrapped up in an Antique Handkerchief Nightgown. 




  This Summer,
I found that saying "no" to Pippi was a really hard thing to do.   But before I end her story here at the farm,
she reminded me to tell you about her friend Karli.
Karli has been waiting her turn in the Dollroom all the while
I was sewing Pippi's Fancies.
They have become devoted friends,
and you will see why Pippi loves her so when you meet her.

Karli thinks every antic Pippi does is Perfectly Wonderful.
So does Pippi.
They both seem to have the same Outlook in Life.

   

And speaking of  Life,
artistically, it just doesn't get much better than this...

Don't you think?

much love, Rose

Blackberry Cobblers and Flying Pigtails

 It is so good to be talking to you again!  How have you been?   Needless to say, much has happened since my last post, and I bet you can say the same!    A new computer with lots of fancy gizmos for one.  This house was computer-less for about 6 weeks, maybe longer, after my old computer decided to finally throw in the towel.  The evenings became surprisingly peaceful in a nontechnological sort of way. Although I sorely missed the news on the wire...now that I am back online, I intend to enjoy more old fashioned evenings spent in front of the fireplace this winter...unplugged. and...Since we spoke last, the garden was seeded, weeded, and harvested.  Not to mention a massive amount of blackberries were picked.   And I mean massive.   A good natured contest was born between my boys, all six of them, based on who could fill his bucket first.  However, the real bragging rights went to the one who found the biggest berry each day.  This competition carried on throughout the blackberry season. We now have a freezer dedicated entirely to Blackberries. Naturally, they will make up a substantial portion of our diet this winter.Happily so..    Blackberry Mush in the Morning...         Blackberry Cobbler in the Afternoon...      And Blackberry Tarts made by enthusiastic little hands for Evening Dessert.       While my sons were off conquering the wild thorns and tangled vines, I was spending quality time with a little girl wearing flying pigtails..         She hung around the kitchen with me.   All the while offering very opinionated opinions about pie crusts and (more) sugar in the berries.This picture was taken before her hands and feet were finished ...but I wanted you to see her at this stage.    Next week I hope to formally introduce her to you. I have spent a few of these recent late nights traveling to your own special places to see what wondrous paths your summer has led you down!   Until we talk again, I leave you with great affection and appreciation of your kind  interest in my little blackberried corner of the Forest. always love...Rose