Dawn Dolls!

On my recent driving trip with my DH, 

Driving Trip Doll Haul

we visited a large antique mall in Boise, Idaho.

Yes, the same Mall where I found 

Crissy and Velvet! 

(recreated photo)

On the last aisle, in the corner, I saw this box.

I recognized it immediately. It was a doll case for

Topper "Dawn" doll and her friends!

I got a Dawn doll for Christmas 1974 when I was

about 8 years old. She was a tiny 6 1/4 "

tall doll with very groovy outfits.

I asked to see the case. I didn't know if 

there would be anything inside!

Inside was (L to R) Angie, Dawn, Glori and Dale.

These were the original 4 dolls released.

They are ALL in great condition.

In the wardrobe pocket was another outfit

and a poncho!

In the same case I found this little 

Dawn wedding dress.

I found some fabrics in a thrift store and started

hand sewing some dresses for the girls.

I also got online and found some shoes for them.

When we got home I started thinking about a 

room for these tiny girls. They needed something

that suited their 1970s vibe.

I started searching the web for 1970s ideas...

I wanted their room to remind me of 

Mary Tyler Moore's apartment.

I had this storage box in my closet.

It is large and roomy, perfect for a room 

for such tiny ladies. I started creating 

furniture and accessories.

Start of an overstuffed sofa and lounge chair.

These will become the arm rest on the lounge.

Using hotglue to create the base of the chair.

Finishing with ribbon trim.

I made some clay pots for flowers.

Mary Tyler Moore had this round stained glass window.

I searched and I found this image and 

will add a round wood frame.

I do a lot with my photo editing program, like...

Creating artwork that I print and cut out and...

Window and wallpaper ideas.

I wanted a big Brownstone style window.

The daisy wallpaper is just craft paper 

from the hobby store.

This is an artpiece of the

Mary Tyler Moore Apartment.

It's perfect!

All the outfits got a gentle soaking wash.

They are laid out flat to dry.

I did some minor repairs where

fabric was frayed and missing.

Some of the girls hair needed smoothing and straightening.

Here they are in their clean and refreshed outfits.

The furniture is coming along.

The start of a tiny lamp.

Finished lamp and rug detail. The rug is

pink flannel that I frayed the edges to 

create a fringe. Then I used a decorative

stitch for the border.

A bean bag chair filled with dry rice.

And a macrame plant holder.

Here's the whole Dawn Doll Room!

I am happy with how everything came together.

The Mary Tyler Moore Apartment.

Here are all the girls relaxing at home.

Angie

Glori

Dale

AND!

DAWN!

Many of you know that I had some Dawn

dolls a couple years ago.  I have since

sold those dolls, but I think the

universe is bringing these dolls

back into my doll room, so

this time they will stay!

Crissy and Velvet

On a recent driving trip, my DH and I stopped

at lots of thrift stores and antique shops.

You can see all the dolls I found in the link below.

Driving Trip Doll Haul

(recreated photo)

The first doll I found was Velvet.  She is a "Look Around"

Velvet.  She has a pull string in her back that makes

her body swivel.

(recreated photo)

The second doll I found was Crissy. I saw her feet

sticking out of a basket on the floor.

Velvet was in her box, but her hair was

really messy.

In every other way she was pristine!

Her pony seems a bit slim.

Crissy was wearing this awful crochet dress.

Underneath the green drss was a pretty

nice slip and pantalettes.  I may remove the 

green ribbon and save for later.

Her hair needed some TLC.

I started cleaning both girls in our hotel room.

Crissy was dirty, but not as bad as some

dolls I have come across.

Hard to see, but her hands were very grimy.

Velvet still has her blue eye shadow!

I washed her hair just because it helps 

to refresh her style.

All freshly washed. The red shorts and top

were in Velvet's box. 

Doesn't Crissy look relieved to be

out of that basket?

I picked up a hair straightener at

a local thrift store so I could begin

smoothing her ponytail.

How to smooth frizzy doll hair.

And here's Velvet.  I didn't want her taffeta 

dress getting wet so she is borrowing a

hotel hand towel for a robe.

I wanted to make a dress for Crissy so I

sketched this pattern on the back

of some scratch paper.

I picked out this fabric at a local Walmart

and bought some needles and thread. I thought

this fabric had a 70s vibe.

This is the handsewn dress I made with my 

hand drawn pattern.

Hmmm, not great, I'll fix it when

I get home, which I did!

When we got home, there wasn't much

more I needed to do for these two dolls

SO....

Want to see them now?

HERE

THEY

ARE!

FIRST Velvet!

Look at the shine in her hair!

Her hair is very long.

AND HERE'S Crissy!

 

I added sleeves to her dress and

made a matching headband.

The boots I already had.

Crissy Doll Boot Tutorial

Such a pretty face!

Her hair is also quite shiny.

Her ponytail is very full.

I like how these sleeves came out.

So pretty!

Before       and       After

 

Before       and       After

SO, I have a dilemma.  I have a rule, "No two 

identical dolls".  This keeps my collection

from getting out of control.

I already have a Crissy, but I've fallen for

this new Crissy. 

Just LOOK at that face!

What should I do?!?!