Thursday, April 02, 2020

Time to meet Anna

Way back at the end of January before the floods, before the storms and before Coronavirus had a grip on all our lives, I went back to my grass roots of Doll Making.
I decided to treat myself to a two day intensive weekend away course on how to make a Waldorf Doll. I had never made one of the these dolls before (I had made rag dolls,porcelain dolls, american prim dolls and raggedy ann dolls) so was eager to try my hand . These dolls have a head moulded with various strings tied around a base shape and pulled tight  to produce the cheeks, chin, eye sockets and an outer covering is then sewn over the top which is the dolls skin. The hair is also hand crafted onto the dolls head by first crocheting a mohair cap and attaching each strand of wool/hair individually to the cap. The course was very intensive  (two full days 9am - 6pm ) and then homework the first evening of crocheting the cap ready to attach the hair strands the next day.
I managed to get my doll finished and here she is. There wasn't enough  time in the class though  to make clothes as well but we could have bought from a selection that were available. I have chosen to make  mine for her at home and have managed to find patterns on Etsy that I have since purchased. I have also bought some cotton material with a little itsy bitsy pattern on it to compliment her hair colouring. Red hair runs in my family with both my Sis and I each having a granddaughter with gorgeous red locks.
Fluff has already bagged her!!

 Anna has freckles which you can just about see in the close up below on her forehead and checks. She even has a cute little bum shape with freckles which I will show another time as I get to dress her and show the results. 
I am starting with making the  boots which will be made from felt and hand embroidered  as I find I  have plenty of time on my hands due to this elf isolating that we are all doing in order to stay safe and well in these very worrying weeks ahead.
Hope Anna has helped to take  your mind off it all  if only for a few minutes.


HUGS
Stay safe and well

38 comments:

Aquarius said...

Anna is absolutely gorgeous, loving the hair and the features are wonderful - very clever. Look forward to seeing the clothes you make for her. Hugs

Diane said...

Just adorable Valery, gosh you are talented.

Hugs Diane

Kathleen said...

Anna looks very much like my great-niece who will be 5 soon, same colour and curly hair, just not quite as long or as thick. Brilliant VA, looking forward to seeing more of her.

Kath x

Viv said...

Not surprised Fluff has bagged her - she's simply wonderful!! (Even if she is naked!!)
The hair is fantastic and she has a real cute face. Hurry up and finish her so I can see her clothed!
Hang in there - my enforced weekly trip to the supermarket was much better this time than last. They've all got their acts together a bit, only allowing so many in at once, 2 metre markers everywhere, disinfecting trolleys - a far cry from the mania that besieged us last time I went - and this time I didn't have to take 3 days to recover from it either!

Mia said...

Anna is gorgeous! Wow! I have made Tildas, rag dolls and socks dolls but I never tried a Waldorf Doll. This is absolutely stunning. Congrats, Valery. Please stay safe, my friend.

cuilliesocks said...

Oh my goodness Valery, she's gorgeous. I've never heard of a Waldorf doll. Very clever of you and looking forward to seeing Anna dressed.
There's a little girl across the road from us who looks just like her, Becca has loads of that wonderful red curly hair.
Keep safe and well Kate x x

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

So gorgeous, what a sweetie. Hugs, Angela xxx

Carol S. said...

Anna is beautiful Valery and looking forward to seeing her dressed. Her hair is fab and love the colour. Keep safe, hugs, Carol S.xx

Suze said...

Anna is beautiful. My husband's family has that colour hair - my children have different strengths of it but it is still there. I'm looking forward to seeing Anna again once she is all dressed up.

aussie aNNie said...

oh so clever and cute.x

Jane Willis said...

Oh, she is beautiful! Looking forward to seeing the clothes you make for her.

Margreet said...

Awww, Anna looks wonderful and I'm jealous of her hair. So wonderfully done! No wonder Faye has bagged her.
Looking forward to seeing her clothes.
Keep safe!
xxx Margreet

brenda said...

What a good idea to revert back to an old craft, we all need something to concentrate on mines on at the moment, other than chasing delivery slots at the supermarket. I really don't know how some of them can justify saving slots for the elderly and vulnerable because
from what I can make out it's impossible get one.

I was so incensed by days and hours trying to get through to Sainsbury's on the dedicated number for that grouping that I eventually emailed the CEO and send it by post as well along with my evidence, not a word of course but I feel better!

The other day flicking around the supermarkets as I know you have been doing as well, a few popped up at Tesco for 21sr April but disappeared before my eyes before I could nab one.

I read somewhere the other day on somebody's blog and it was like living in a science fiction movie and I think that's a great analogy.

B x

Sandra H said...

Aw Mrs A Anna is so wonderful and cute too! What a great idea and of course so creative another pass time as you say to keep you busy during this Coronavirus that’s upon us all will be looking forward to seeing her dressed take care and stay safe x

brenda said...

Me again, well I never did, whilst I was writing my previous comment I had a communications from Sainsbury's and I'm 'in' so been able to secure a slot for next week. Oh me of little faith!

B x

Rainey's Craft Room said...

My word she's adorable, you are a very talented lady Val. Looking forward to seeing the stages of her completion and so glad that you have found something to while away the hours during this dreaded isolation.
Lorraine

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Oh wow Valery Anne, Anna is gorgeous. I love the red hair. It must have been a great course and after having made the doll it would have been a shame to buy clothes for her. Looking forward to seeing her when her outfit is finished.

Hope you and Doc are keeping safe
Sue xx

Jackie T said...

Oh wow Mrs A she is gorgeous. I can't wait to see what you make for her to wear. Stay safe and well. Take care. Hugs Jackie

Donna said...

I am so impressed, you did an amazing job on Anna. Her facial features are fabulous and like her red hair.

terrie said...

Anna is beautiful what a wonderful project to keep your mind off this crisis....well done and thanks for sharing your doll....looking forward in seeing the clothes your going to make for Anna.

Linda Simpson said...

WOW she looks fabulous, I love her hair. I look forward to seeing her with her clothes! Have a great weekend.
Hugs
Linda xxxx

Julia said...

Anna really is a little beauty …… but hurry and get her some clothes, because it's still a bit chilly at the moment:0)

Julia xx

Brenda in IN said...

Anna is beautiful. What a wonderful use of your time. Her hair is gorgeous, the color and style. I can't wait to see her wardrobe.

Janis said...

Wow!! What a beautiful doll....loving that GORGEOUS red mane of hers!! Super-impressive project...all hand-made. I don't know how you get so much done. Even during this lockdown time, I seem to be getting LESS done! :( Thank you for sharing her with us. You are so talented!! Take care and stay healthy!!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Hazel (Didos) said...

Oh Anna is beautiful, what a pretty doll. She is amazing. I have a rag doll my Gran made me when I was wee and I love it so much since it was handmade. So much work goes in to them, Cant wait to see her with her new wardrobe of clothes, Hazelxx

KandA said...

Wow, what a gorgeous doll and her face and hair are amazing.... You are so clever. The only time I made dolls was when I was pre-teens - it was a rag doll with lots of different outfits made from materials purchased with my pocket money. Can't wait to see her all dressed up in her Sunday best xx

pinky said...

Oh wow Valery, is there no end to your talents! She is gorgeous and can't wait to see her dressed. She reminds me of Brave with those beautiful locks, which I would kill for!! My son has red hair but keeps it really short!

Liz said...

Anna is just fabulous Mrs A, I love her cute little face and wonderful hair. Looking forward to seeing what clothes you make for her. xx

lovecraftingpaper said...

Hello, Valery,
your Anna is lovely! I had some handmade dolls when I was a child. No comparison with plastic dolls.
I'm looking forward to seeing the clothes you are making!
I hope you'll make more dolls. :-D
Hugs,

Mariangela

Mrs.B said...

Oh she's absolutely fabulous, how clever of you. I love her pretty face and hair and I'm glad you gave her red hair and freckles, they're the best! I'm really looking forward to seeing the clothes you make.
Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Hugs, Avril xx

mamawcindy said...

I have been trying to visit blogs today and I am so glad I came here for a visit. I absolutley LOVE your doll. She is lovely! You did an Amazing job. Hope your doing well and staying safe.

Mary Ann Tate said...

She is adorable. I love Waldorf dolls but have never made one myself. I love her hair. What type of yarn did you use? I can't wait to see what you make for her to wear.

Di said...

You already know I've been privileged to have a preview piccie of Anna and she truly is so adorable! So like little Livi was when she was small - look forward to seeing her all dressed up!

Hugs

Di xx

Sue - said...

Wow Mrs A she is fabulous. You really are clever to have made her!

Chris said...

This doll is just adorable Mrs A! I've made cloth dolls myself in the past but never anything like as gorgeous as this one!
xx

Greta said...

Wow--you are so talented! She's wonderful!

crafty-stamper said...

Anna is gorgeous and love the fabulous hair
Carol x

EmmaT said...

Oh she is my cousins daughter - all those long red curly locks:-) Hello Annax