From the Workshop (Mine, not Santa's)

After mulling over ideas for a LONG time (at least a year- I know..."little less conversation, a little more action!") and I finally took pencil to paper this week to draft a doll pattern. Around Christmas time last year my friend bemoaned the lack of dolls for her daughters- she wanted dolls the girls could relate to. Why is it that when little girls come in so many beautiful colors, dolls....don't? Pink skin and blonde hair is definitely not representative of most of the population!*

Here is the first in what I hope is a long line of "me" dolls- this is my "Ernie" doll (I know she's faceless- I'm still figuring that part out.) Not perfect, but I'm pretty pleased with how she came out! She's a nice big size, and firm to squeeze. The legs and arms are sturdy too, so there's no problem if/when this gal is dragged around by the limbs.

Now....I had thought Santa would bring dolls to my girls this year. But a certain little miss found this gal in my room yesterday during piano lessons and ran breathlessly out to me "Mom! Is this me? Is this me, Mom? Is it mine? Can I have it?" (No.) "Whose is it?" She repeated that last question more frantically each time as I reiterated "It's not yours! I don't know whose it is! Put it back!" Phooey. Oh well, she'll be excited to unwrap her Christmas morning, anyway :) But I'm happy she recognized herself!

I'm planning so many details for future dolls- aprons, skirts, embroidered hair, little mary-jane shoes. It's such a fun project! I'm especially excited to match them to my little girls- pig tails, big curly mops of hair, little baby whisps, and side-swept bangs. I'm getting excited for Christmas :)

* Please ignore the irony that my first doll IS fair skinned and blond-haired. I never dreamed I would have blond children.