Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Doll Making and Displays

Not all of my dolls look like ducks! lol

(if you missed my duck doll post, go HERE)

Meet ‘Teeny Tiny Tess’!

tesscropIMG_9822

I was hoping she would be simple to make so that I could make lots. But I haven’t quite perfected the pattern so she doesn’t have any ‘sisters’ yet!

IMG_9821

But doesn’t she look sweet displayed with old Nancy Drew and Hardy boy books?

IMG_9860

Once upon a time, I showed this book written by Carolyn Keene HERE but I never came back to explain what it was. “By the Light of the Study Lamp” is a 1934 Dana Girls Mystery.

IMG_9862

I’m joining the Vintage Inspiration Link party HERE,

Ivy and Elephants HERE

Vintage Bliss Tuesdays HERE

and Tweak it Tuesday!

IMG_9861

I love old children’s books, don’t you?

(and dolls AND BEARS!!!)

TeaPartyIMG_8779

Come to our afternoon tea Miss Prudence.

Am I ‘off’ the naughty list now?

57 comments:

Arlene G said...

I too love old children's books Diane and cannot resist purchasing them at our used book room at the library. Your tiny tess is very cute!!

ann said...

Sometimes those simple little sewing projects aren't as easy to sew as they may look. She is awfully sweet. I do enjoy old children's books. They have a charm and quality that today's children's literature lacks. Have a great week.

Diane said...

What a cute dollie! And funny you should set her in front of NDs. My dau is in a book club, and it was her turn to pick the pick. She chose "The Secret of Shadow Ranch" which is a Nancy Drew, and I just made ND bookmarks for all the girls.

Poppy said...

Teeny Tiny Tess is TOO pretty! She looks perfect from where I'm sitting!:))

Happy Tuesday, my sweet friend!

Hugs,
Poppy

Cranberry Morning said...

You know I love old children's books. :-) And Tess is sweet. She does not want to be an only child, Diane. LOL

Betty said...

She is so cute and I use to read Nancy Drew books when I was little.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

That little doll is adorable! I too love Nancy Drew books! Hope you are warm there as it's quite chilly here today. Staying inside and warm.
hugs to you sweet sis!

Linda

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

She's a teeny tiny cutie!

Susan said...

I like Teeny Tiny Tess. She's adorable. Susan

A Joyful Cottage said...

My Aunt Louise had the complete set of Nancy Drew books and I read every one. I collect vintage books and have several children's books that I treasure. Your doll is really sweet, Diane. I love her pigtails and pretty dress xxx ~ Nancy

Sara - Villa Emilia said...

Hello dear Diane
You made me remember that I too have Carolyn Keene books (translated into Finnish). I didn't know oldest of them are from the 1930s! Mine are much newer (editions) and definitely less charming-looking than yours.
Tess is really sweet!
Hugs!

John's Island said...

Hi, Found your blog thanks to your kind comment on mine. Your dolls are neat and I do love vintage things. One of my hobbies is collecting old books and memorabilia. Those old children’s books … wow, I do have a few Hardy Boys … I just love the covers and illustrations. I’m glad to hear that some blue birds made it to Florida. They are probably Eastern Bluebirds. The Mountain Bluebirds usually go down to Mexico … it’s a shorter trip for them. : - ) Have a great day and come back to John’s Island again. John

September Violets said...

I DID miss the duck post, but went back and read it ... you're a funny gal ;) This little doll looks very sweet, and she's probably a budding detective herself. I love those old mystery books and used to read Hardy Boys and my sisters read Nancy Drew. I don't have many now, and leave them on the shelf when I see them in the thrift store (which kills me, but I don't need more stuff). Enjoy your day Diane! Wendy x

Christine said...

Great books! I loved Nancy Drew and Hardy boy mysteries!
Your doll is as cute as can be! Hope she finds her sisters soon!

Denise said...

Hi Diane, I LOVE your Teeny Tiny Tess doll!! She is sooo sweet. :-D I love her face and her hair (and her dress). You're very talented with a needle and thread, my friend.

Yes, I do love old children's books. I used to have a great collection of Nancy Drew mysteries, all hardback. Sadly, they got mildewed at a house we were renting for a year. The house didn't have central air, and I didn't see the damage until it was too late. It broke my heart, but I eventually threw them out. I don't think I ever read any Dana Girl mysteries.

Thanks for sharing, Diane -- I hope you have a great day!

Hugs,

Denise at Forest Manor

The Bear's Blog said...

Oh, Miss Lavender Dreams - ahem, didn't you forget somebeary on your "and dolls" list? Ahem......"dolls and _ _ _ _ _, and of course P _ _ _ _ _ _ _. Don't make me come to FL, heck it's a wonderful 20 degrees here and snow flurries, going to dip down to 12 tonight. (o:

Hugs (but you're NOT off my naughty list - yet.)

Prudence ♥

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I loved Nancy Drew as a girl! : )

She's a pretty little doll..I enjoy seeing the variety that you make.

BRRRR yes it's cold here ...wind chill is below zero.

DearHelenHartman said...

That display is just precious. It looks like a little girl was playing and was called away and told her dolly, "Now you sit here and be good until I get back."

Anonymous said...

Your little dolly is really cute and I'm sure she'll have sisters soon! :) Now I was an avid reader of these books when I was little! I still have a couple Hardy Boys book and one Nancy Drew!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

The Bear's Blog said...

Wellll, hm, of course you are off the naughty list. I'm such a softie. But you did very nice and I am proud of you.

The table looks lovely. And I am certain there is a jar of honey on the table, isn't there? Remember these words "naughty" "nice". Giggle. Do I make you nervous, Miss Lavender? (o:

Hugs
Prudence ♥

Chris said...

I love your books, I remember having them too! The Gardy Boys were my older brothers, very week read!! Your dolls are very cute! You are always doing something fun!!

Susie said...

Love ,love your dolls . I too love children's books. I just picked two up at the library, they were on the sell shelves. I read them both. This is a sign of changed times. One was about a Soup Kitchen and the other was about a Grandmother in a nursing home. both very good, But I do not remember ever reading any thing like them when I was growing up, or when my daughters were small. Blessings for a great day, xoxo,Susie

Elizabeth said...

I have some of those books, they look wonderful displayed with you new doll, she is precious !

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Diane, your little Tess is adorable. She does look sweet right there with your great books.
All the dolls at the afternoon tea are precious. Such a sweet setting.
Hugs

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I love childrens books.. and often wish my mom had saved ours, we had some wonderfuls!.. my favorite is Blueberries for Sal.

Art and Sand said...

Nancy Drew . . . children's books . . . old dolls . . . old bears . . . LOVE them all.

Debby Ray said...

Well, Teeny Tiny Tess is just adorable! I also the illustrations in the old children's books. I remember when I was little I used to imagine being to step inside the book and into the scenes on the pages. Wanna know a secret? Sometimes I still do!!

Red Rose Alley said...

Teeny Tiny Tess is adorable, Diane. She reminds me of Jess in some ways. You have the old Nancy Drew books? Children's books are wonderful.

love,
~Sheri

Montanagirl said...

Tess is so cute, and that tea party photo is priceless!!

Linda Kay said...

We have some old childrens' books, as my hubby kept all of his from childhood and his mother was a teacher. The little doll is delightful.

Ariadne said...

I love vintage children's books!AriadnefromGreece!

Anonymous said...

Tess is adorable! I am sure she will patiently wait for sisters. :-)

I loved Nancy Drew and the Trixie Belden mysteries. Thank you for sharing yours with us.

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

I love the photo of the old Nancy Drew books. So nostalgic. What a neat copy. I loved reading those when I was a kid. xoxo I hope your day was beautiful. xoxo

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

What a sweet post - I love children's books too - and the tea party photo is so wonderful.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I don't know what happened to my comment but I surely did like your post - and I love children's books too. The tea party photos is so sweet.

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

She's a real cutie and she looks so sweet standing in front of those wonderful vintage books. Thanks Diane for sharing at Vintage Inspiration Party.

Vee said...

She sure looks right at home there! I liked your duck doll post. =D

Kathy said...

He He! I adore your little party!

Carla from The River said...

I love your sweet Teeny Tiny Tess, what a sweetheart.
My sister LOVED Nancy Drew, I will have to share your books with her.

xx oo
Carla

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Awww..she is a cute little doll! I also love children's books and have many, many!

Margaret said...

One of my collections that I hold VERY CLOSE to my heart are my Nancy Drews and Dana Girls books! I actually reread "By the Light of the Study Lamp" over the Summer! So funny you showed that one! That valuable lamp that the Dana sisters receive as a gift for their school dorm room turns out to be very valuable!A very cute mystery that I read for the first time when I was 10. It's fun to reread while sharing with my daughter. Your little friend looks just perfect standing in front of all the amazing books.What a sweetheart she is! Maggie

Stephanie said...

Your dolls are always so precious! And I just love those old books :)

Hugs to you, my friend!

Mimi said...

Teeny Tiny Tess is just too cute for words! I can't wait to see her sisters...and maybe a couple of brothers?

Nancy Drew was one of my favorite childhood series. I wish books like that would be popular again with kids. Today's books tend to be too "dark" for my liking--someone dies, someone turns into a vampire, or something terrible happens. Oh, for a good old-fashioned mystery!

Happy Wednesday!

Petite Plangonophile au chocolat said...

My oh my! I wish I could have tea with your lovely dolls. They are so sweet. And yes the one you made and displayed next to the Nancy Drew book is a darling.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Love the books and yes the doll belongs with the nancy drew. I'd have a children's book collection if I had the room. But I don't want the room cuz I'm too old and lazy to dust it ;)))

Linda Walker said...

I love your teeny tiny Tess and she does look sweet in your bookcase! I loved reading tho se Nancy Drew books when I was young.Hmmm, I wonder where my Namcy Drew books went!Have a nice evening and hope we get to meet Tess's sisters soon!xo
Linda
mysewwhatblog

Anonymous said...

You create the best dolls/animals. I love vintage children's books too. This is a great post, dear friend.

Julie's Lifestyle said...

Hi Diane, you teeny tiny Tess is just so adorable and I love her. You did a great job making her. You have such a talent with sewing. Enjoy your evening and have a nice Friday and weekend.
Julie

Musings from Kim K. said...

I hope Tess gets a sister soon. She looks to be the right size for a little dollhouse too! I absolutely love Nancy Drew and brought my collection to our cottage for re-reading. I haven't heard of the other series. I must investigate these further.

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What a fabulous tea party! Love your sweet little Tess and yes, I love vintage children's books! The illustrations are always so wonderful. xo Karen

Simply Shelley said...

Can I come to the tea party? Your sweet little Tess is very precious. Looks like a lot of fun going on in the doll room, as always.....I'm sure. Blessings my sweet friend

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Diane,
Maybe Tess should be an only child! She is so adorable and looks super sweet! I think she should have you to herself- sharing is overrated !
You know, I adore your projects!!
Warm Hugs,
Jemma

Sam I Am...... said...

I loved Nancy Drew and still do!

SarahBeth said...

Tess is a cutie! She does look sweet with the Nancy Drew books :) Funny, I never read Nancy Drew as a kid -- maybe I should now that I'm rather older than a kid!

Anonymous said...

I love old books and doll tea parties too! My daughter has a Nancy Drew book collection she is working on. I will have to show her your treasures--the older ones are her favorites.

BTW you are the winner of the MOLLIE MAKES magazine give-away on my blog! Contact me when you have a moment and I'll mail it off. ~Vicki

AppleApricot Wen said...

Oh my dear, your doll is so gorgeous and sweet! And the old books are yummy... Wishing you a beautiful day and sending you hugs

JoKnows said...

Tess is lovely! Love the book collection too. Thank for sharing at Vintage Bliss Tuesdays. Jo