This story begins several months ago, in the Spring. When Gail Wilson had a sale earlier this year, I purchased "extra parts" to make 3 Hitty dolls -a second one for me, one for my daughter, and one for my mother (for her birthday). I decided not to keep my daughter in the dark, and actually let her help me make hers and my mother's (the basic painting and some of the sewing). I figured, while we were doing all that painting, I may as well get out another GW kit that I had for the Early American Companion Doll (a picture of Gail's doll is here:
http://www.gailwilsondesigns.com/catalog/ea_series.html). It involved similar painting and assembly, so why not? I enjoyed making this doll a lot, in fact, I was a lot less stressed about it than I can be sometimes when I'm making something from a new pattern or kit. I kept putting her aside to move other projects along. I got her pantalettes made, but didn't even finish her chemise because I was trying to get Hitty things made for gifts, and clothes for BJDs who were naked - she "borrowed" a dress that I had made using a Gail Wilson doll pattern for my Raikes Hope doll - the sleeves were long, but my daughter rolled up the cuffs and at least she was "decent." She'd been sitting on the GW EA bed on my dresser, patiently waiting until I could get back to making her chemise and her own dress, slip, pinafore and bonnet. I tried to name her Charlotte, a nice "old fashioned" name, but it didn't work. Last week, I decided to call her Elizabeth, because I had sold a doll named Elizabeth a few months ago, and I always liked that name and wanted to use the name again for a special doll.
Anyway, one night last week, while getting ready for bed, I saw her. She was glowing up at me under the light of an antique (electrified) oil lamp's pink glass shade. I've had that lamp since I was a very little girl, and always loved that rosy glow. She seemed to be saying "HEY! LOOK AT ME! I am a COMPANION doll, after all!" She took my heart and wrapped it around hers at that very moment. She's the one who's been happily riding along in my purse, just for the company. She is sure that someday soon I will get to making her her own dress, and maybe even take a picture of her. She is content to just be "mine." I think it might have something to do with her being something I created, but I've made many dolls. I love my resin and vinyl dolls, but I also love my antique doll, and my Hittys and my old fashioned cloth dolls. I grew up with
The Waltons and
Little House on the Prairie, and trips to Mount Vernon, Williamsburg, Ft. McHenry and Gettysburg. I think that some dolls are just dolls, some become friends, and some end up being more than that, a true companion. Maybe I have more than one companion doll after all.
Here's Elizabeth, where I "first saw her."
Here is another picture of her in more natural light.
Her head, lower arms and hands, and lower legs and shoes are made of painted paper mache. The rest of her is cloth stuffed with wool. She has a very nice feel in your hands. Her hair is simple - never a hair out of place. I am so glad that Gail Wilson created this kit, she is one of my favorites by Gail.
-Jen
