Shopping for Viola

Oh, Hi Viola, this is my friend Lauren.

Oh Hello Lauren, I've heard so much about you!

Oh, Viola! I love your name. My favorite colors

are violet and purple! All my clothes

have purple in them!

Really? I usually wear whatever fits me.

Oh Viola! I need to take you shopping!

You should wear lavenders and purples!!

I actually have an errand at the Mall,

are you busy?

No, not really, that sounds fun though.

I am determined to find you outfits

that suit your name, 'Viola!'

What about you Julia? Can you come?

Sorry, but I'm expecting Chris to pick me up 

any minute for a lunch date.

Oh, too bad, but we'll talk soon and I'll let

you know what happens.

My goodness! This is my first time here.

I love this mall, so open and modern!

The shop I want to go to is over here.

Oh, look Viola! wedding gowns! Sigh,

Is this your errand?!

Oh no, I just love weddings, don't you?

This is an amazing mall!

OK, here is the place.

OH! Look a SALE!!

What do you think?

I love it Viola! Try on another.

I think I'll get both outfits and

The matching hat and purse!

I see now! I definitely need more violet in my life!

Oh hi Lauren. How was shopping?

Well, I may have created a violet monster...

I think Viola is going a little violet crazy!

I dropped her off a couple hours ago, then I recalled 

I had this lovely pillow and nightgown she 

might like.  I just dropped them off, but her room!

Oh, I'm sure it's fine. I'll check on her.  Hehe.

Viola! What is all this?!

I'm redecorating my whole room!

Lauren gave me this pillow, isn't it pretty!?

I already painted my dresser and now I 

am making a QUILT!  

But, Viola honey, you don't know how to quilt.

Oh, I'll figure it out.  Don't worry.

What's wrong Julia, you seem worried?

Oh, I'm sure it's nothing. Lauren took

Viola shopping for violet clothes and now

Viola feels she must redecorate her room!

Don't worry Julia, I'm sure it's just a faze.

Viola is very creative. Let's just go see...

Viola! This is lovely!

How did you do all this?!?

I was just so inspired!

Viola's violet room.

recovered box cabinet and rug.

Her whole room redo.

As a 'Thank You' for help with some

projects, my friend Janet P. sent 

Viola and Lauren some "Violet Gifts"!

First was this knitted sheath dress

for Lauren.

This periwinkle knit top

and pencil skirt and

a matching purse and hat.

Also this knit top and pencil skirt.

The little lavender wedges

were crocheted by

another friend of Janet's.

Janet also made Viola this

lovely violet nightgown.

Janet also sent along this hanky pillow

which really made it necessary for

Viola to redecorate her whole room!

THANK YOU JANET P!!

Before

and

AFTER!

Click this link to join

Little Miss Revlon and Friends Club!

Charity Dolls

 

My friend Sina sent me these five dolls recently.

They were turned in to the thrift store she volunteers at.

Doggone Good Treasures in Pine Mt. GA.

This charity shop helps to fund their local Animal Shelter.

Sina knows I love to restore dolls, 

so she sent them to me to see

if I could make anything of them.

Today I will concentrate on just three.

This 1950s American Character Toodles baby doll.

She is 20" long.

This 1950s Madame Alexander 19" Bonnie Doll, 

AND...

This 1987 Thumbelina 18" Baby Doll.

First TOODLES!

First thing she got was a bath!

The first swipe of the wash cloth!

I was pleased to see the dirt WOULD come off!

ALL CLEAN!!

Her face needs a little freshening up. Lips, 

cheeks and eyebrows all need paint.

I chose these 3 colors. A light peach tone, a light melon

and a rust color.  I mixed the melon and rust to make lip color.

Next I trimmed a triangle make-up sponge

so there would be no corners.

I mixed my three colors and coated my sponge.

I tap off almost all the paint on a paper towel.

Then I dab the paint onto cheeks.

I also dab a tiny bit of color on the nose and

sometimes at the temples.

AND HERE'S 

TOODLES!

You will recognize this dress from my last post!

These babies all need dressing, so I 

will dip into my own supply.

You can see I repainted her lips and eyebrows.

I also re-pinked her cheeks. These

molded hair dolls always look sweet

with a ribbon tied around their head.

NEXT

Next is this 1950s Madame Alexander 

19" Bonnie doll.

She got a bath and a hair wash.

She is looking better, but her hair is pretty matted.

She will also need her lips and cheeks repainted.

Sadly she is missing hair in front and has

a crack in her skull. I debated about

getting her a new wig, but decided to leave

 that to whoever is her next mommy.

I was able to restore her original slip.  I have her 

dress on my sewing table, but not sure I  can

save it.  However...

I have had this vintage 50s era blouse and

skirt for quite awhile and it fits her perfectly!

I added this sweater that is newer, but I think

it really completes her outfit.

I combed her hair forward to cover

her bald spot and set her bangs with 

a bobby pin.

Here she is all dressed and refreshed!

She is very sweet! 

Here is the back of her hair. Not bad

considering the matted mess it was!

NEXT

The third doll I wanted to get ready to sell

is this 1987 Ideal Thumbelina.

She is 18" long.

Her sides were torn open.

 

I removed a little

stuffing from both sides to 

relieve pressure on the seams.

After stitching I reinforced the repair with

Fray Check.

I washed her face and limbs, but, sadly, a lot of the

marks would not come off. 

I found this vintage baby dress that fit her.

I replaced the elastic in the sleeves and...

Added a sweet ribbon around her head.

Not too bad.

SO, all three of these babies are 

available for adoption!

Look for them on eBay.

I will send the sale price to 

Doggone Good Treasures and

hopefully save some animals too!

BEFORE AND AFTER

American Character Toodles

Madame Alexander Bonnie

1987 Thumbelina

I will finish cleaning and restoring the last 2 

babies in the near future!

Click here for the next doll restoration:

Another Charity Doll Done