Monday, June 28, 2021

14" Sweet Sue Walker Doll 1956

I was out antiquing this weekend and 
I found this little Sweet Sue doll.

She is a 14" walker doll.
I am told from one of my 
knowledgable readers, she
is from 1956.
(Thank you Jenny!)

She was mussy, pale and dirty
and her dress was ill-fitting.

The dress is obviously for a different doll.
Her panties, stockings and shoes
are in good condition.

I am hoping these marks are just dirt
and not deep scratches.

She has a rooted hair pate.
She got the usual spa treatment.

I use wig shampoo, conditioner spray
Mr. Clean sponges and an old toothbrush 
on really grimy spots.

I mixed up some cheek and lip color.

I use a make-up sponge dipped in my color.
Then I tap it almost dry on a paper towel.
Then I tap on dolls cheeks.

WANT TO SEE HER NOW?


Here

She 

IS!!







Before and After.

Before and After.

This little girl needs a new home!
This is the link to her eBay adoption page

Monday, June 14, 2021

Doll Backdrop Tutorial

Awhile back I created this folding 
doll backdrop.
I wanted to showcase some of my dishes and teacups,
but needed a background for a tea house.

SO, I made this backdrop. 
It makes a great convertible room and backdrop
for photos.  When not in use it folds up and slides
into a closet or behind a dresser!

I made it using one of these display boards 
you can find at any craft or office supply.
My backdrop is covered in fabric, but wall paper
or craft paper could be used as well.

I created this backdrop for a teahouse, but...

It was also the backdrop for the Back to School post.

And more recently the backdrop was used for our 

A couple of my readers suggested a tutorial might be
interesting to other doll collectors.
So, here we go!

Today's backdrop is for smaller dolls, like my
Little Miss Revlon, Julia.
I'm actually making this for a Swap, so
this is going to be mailed out after it is finished.

My piece of cardboard is 16" tall.

And about 26" wide.

I made a slit down the center in back to help it fold.
You can use a box cutter, or I keep an old
steak knife for cardboard cutting.

Next you'll need white glue, scissors, a brush and
decorative paper from the craft store.
OR
You can also use fabric instead of paper!

Water down some glue and brush it
 thinly on the cardboard and glue down your
top layer of paper.

The top of the wall is covered in a patterned paper
 and the bottom 6" I chose a solid color.

OK, paper is all glued.
Wrinkles will get better as it dries.
(sadly all wrinkles will not go away)

After the paper is dry I like to use this elastic
as a chair rail. It also covers up any uneven
paper border. 

Next I searched for "Picture Clipart" and
print and cut it out. Use gluestick to apply 
paper 'pictures' to your wall.

I wanted to add some flowers.  I used these 
items and created a wall wreath.

Twist the wires in 3 circles, then hotglue
small flowers. These little flowers I found
in the photo album area of the craft store.

I wanted to have a table for this backdrop,
but it needed to fold flat for mailing.
Here is my solution.

The top is taped to the support and
the second support slides into
a slot.  When not in use it can be
unslid and folded flat for storage.

Cardboard is a perfect tool for small doll furniture.
Click this link to see more tutorials.

Ready to see the finished backdrop?

Here

It

Is!!

Thanks for visiting us!
I hope this is helpful!

Friday, June 04, 2021

A New Friend's Doll

 I recieved the nicest email recently. My new doll friend Barbara wanted 

to share about a doll she had found and restored.  

WELL! You all know how much I enjoy doll restoration stories!

It seems Barbara was wandering through an antique shop.
(One of my favorite things to do)
Barbara saw a doll with no arms, but with such a sweet smile.
Barbara left the doll behind, but couldn't stop thinking about her.

After a few days Barbara returned to the shop and
asked the owner about the doll with no arms.
The lady said another customer was 
interested in making the armless
doll into a creepy Halloween doll! 

If you've never seen a 'creepy doll', it is when someone
 repaints a doll to look like a horrible dead thing. 
The doll then becomes a Halloween decoration.
I was going to add a 'creepy doll' picture but 
they are too sad and disturbing!

WELL, this little girl went home with Barbara!
She is a 17" Mary-Lu Walker Doll.
She is a hard plastic doll made by
Doll Bodies Inc. from the 1940s - 50s.

Barbara found some clothes from her Cissy doll
to share with Mary-Lu.
BUT 
Mary-Lu needed arms!

After a long search online Barbara finally found 
some new arms for Mary-Lu! 
Look how happy Mary-Lu looks.

After getting new arms, Mary-Lu got some new 
lingerie and a fun wardrobe of clothes.

Here is Mary-Lu in her new dress and shoes.
Such a happy smile!

Barbara knew she needed to find Mary-Lu a
new home.  Luckily a friend of hers fell in love
with Mary-Lou and took her home.

And Mary-Lu lived
HAPPILY EVER AFTER!