The Big Reveal

OK, the suspense is over. I finished my big project in time! And here he is:

Oh, yes, it's another doll. I didn't really allow myself as much time as I would have liked on this one, but I am totally thrilled with him. He's a 4th birthday gift for my dear friend Gina's youngest son, a very special family and little boy to us.

What amazes me about the dollmaking process is how much personality the doll develops as it's being created. As I was working on this one, it occurred to me that his name should be Graham -- not a name I would normally even think about, but it just seemed to be his. Because he seemed to be such a unique little person to me.

I'm pretty excited with how firm he is -- he's a very solid little fellow, and his arms have a "posable" quality about them. I made the arms a little differently this time, and I am much happier with them.

The other thing I was so excited about was the fact that this doll was made entirely using materials from my stash. It was so exciting to be able to sit down and make something from start to finish with things I had on hand, from the wool yarn for his hair and sweater, the corduroy and fabric trim on his pants and crown, to the wool felt for his shoes and crown. So, my stash is growing! Yay!

Anyway, it was a little hard for me to relinquish Graham today, but seeing the birthday boy dressing and undressing him, changing his diapers (thanks for that pattern, Angela!), and just generally enjoying him made it all better.

Oh, and we had our first few snowflakes this evening! 

Comments

[Gina]

We LOVE Graham. I can't express my appreciation for this gift. Thank you SO much.

Tons of hugs,
Gina

[tamara]

You rock Grace!! That doll is fantastic and I can totally understand how hard it must have been to let Graham go. Way to go! Say it ain't so about the snow :brrr:

[tamara]

You rock Grace!! That doll is fantastic and I can totally understand how hard it must have been to let Graham go. Way to go! Say it ain't so about the snow :brrr:

[esther]

oh gosh!! what a superb doll!! he's such a darling, grace.. i especially like the shoe!! :)

[sarah]

He's wonderful. I also love how the personality of a doll begins to come through (for me it begins to happen as the head takes shape and then really comes through when the eyes are sewn on) and a name just seems RIGHT.

[shukr]

beautiful!

[zannestar]

Wonderful doll! I'm working on one now, hoping to finish doll and partial wardrobe as a present for Christmas. (also - all from my stash) Beautiful photos!

[Bluebirdbaby]

Wow! He's gorgeous! You are such a talented woman. I think I just might have to commission you to make one of these for our little one in the future :)

And a new sewing machine??? A Bernina? Lucky you!! How are you liking it?

[Sarah]

He is awesome. Jack is just starting to get into dolls around here, and the diaper changing is a big hit here too!

[Alicia A.]

What a handsome fellow- you are so talented, my friend!

Snow?! Didn't Fall just start?!

[kirsten]

he's PERFECT, grace! lucky little guy.

[cloth.paper.string]

wow, grace! beautiful little guy. i really love the sweater, and the hairdo, too! your friend is a lucky one.

[erin]

grace, he is gorgeous. well done!

[kim]

oh my darling...he's wonderful... It shows how much time you put into him.
Lovely...

[Sarah]

What am amazing present! You're right about the name...he is definitely a Graham.

[UNCOMMON GRACE]

Alicia -- it was just a few flakes. :D I was excited.

[Qalballah]

Ditto with the congrats. Very professional looking with nice personal touches. And they *do* come with their own name too don't they?! Suddenly you just know what their name is. Unless just you and I are nuts :|

Snowflakes?? OK Killing me to know where you live!

[Alicia D]

Grace, Graham is beautiful! Do you make them just for friends or would you consider taking an order? I was turned on to your website by Sebrina. I LOVE IT! Your encyclopedia was such fun and I have a great time watching your creativeness. You are an inspiration to me. I even dusted off my sewing machine because your site was making my creativity flow again! THANK YOU.

[Beth H]

I think this little guy is so awesome!! I'm jealous of your wonderful talent since I just got done TRYING to make a Waldorf doll. I know I can do it but I needed better materials and a little more practice.
In the mean time I'll just continue to gather ideas and inspiration from you...by the way, how did you attach his hair?

[Nicole]

Hi Grace! I have been reading your cozy little blog for a while, I am also a waldorf inspired homeschooler (I have always been to shy to comment) but this SWEET doll Graham has brought me out of the woodwork :) What talent you have! My little guys would love a doll would you consider taking an order?

[Emilie]

Oh, he is so sweet! What a lucky little boy to receive a special friend like Graham! I recently made my first Waldorf doll for my son's first birthday. I'm hooked now!

I'm a new reader of your blog, and it is such a peaceful and inspiring read :)

[lina]

He's exquisite. You can just tell when something has been made with real care and love - he's a perfect example. Worth the wait!

[jane]

what a gorgeous sweetie of a doll. i am totally and completely in love with his sweater and his crown. your blog is lovely too ~ i found you via a friend (ella, little red caboose), and am so very glad that i did :) just lovely.

[Emily]

Oh Grace! He is perfect. Graham is a perfect name for him. Fantastic job!
Love, Emily

[little jenny wren]

You have done a wonderful job, he is a dear little boy who I am sure will be treasured.

[Stefani]

Oh. My. GOSH!!! That is the cutest thing I think I've ever seen, apart, of course, from the real live little boy dolls at my house :-) SO very gorgeous, Grace!

[Deanna]

Oh my gosh, he is amazing! I saw him over on Gina's page, and I am in love.

Will you be my best friend too? I know we don't really know each other, but I'm loyal and fun to hang with, and my kids would love presents like this.....oh wait, I should have left that part out, huh?

Great work!!!!

[Mae]

You should be proud to have given so much of your time and talents for this lovely gift. Really beautiful.

[melody]

He's absolutely beautiful!
I've been starting to get the doll making itch again, which is probably good since the holidays are coming up!

[Ella]

Wow!! great job on a very special gift. i love him.

[patience]

Stunning. Absolutely perfect. Makes me sigh a little ;-) I love that people want to order from you - I hope this is the start of something for you, because you have so much talent! Your dolls are truly amongst the prettiest I have seen.

[Dallas]

He is soo cute. Did you use a pattern or doll making book or just all from your own creation?

[Angela]

OH MY! Graham is wonderful. He looks so good and so well made. Someday I'll try out doll making I hope. :)

[Melissa]

He looks wonderful Grace...I think his name fits him very well.

[Jennifer]

Found you through another blog, and so glad I did! This doll makes me sigh with that sense of, ah, that's so right! I echo what someone else wrote - what did you use to create him? I am nearly ready to consider creating my own for my own wee one...
cheers!

[shukr]

you see, 35+ comments, this is when you don't need to be replying to every individual mail,)

we knew it would happen at some point.)

x

[Mary Beth]

Your dolls are beautiful! I was wondering if you could share any info about how you make the shoes. I have a six-year-old daughter who wants to (hand)sew a pair of shoes for her brother's new doll. I'd appreciate any suggestions!

[ilse]

Hi Grace and Hi Graham
its so nice to meet your new dolls, they really make me happy.

And wauw 37 comments, graham is a loved doll, :)

[Mary Beth]

Wow! I know how involved these dolls are to make. I made one for my boy several years ago--he's 17 now (and still has his doll Zack)! A few weeks ago I posted Zack on my blog and it's sweet to see how worn and loved he is. Yours is just gorgeous and such a generous gift. Thanks for sharing.

[Stefani]

Um, okay, I just have to ask... do you have any plans to sell your gorgeous dolls? They are truly wonderful, Grace. I've not been able to get little Graham out of my mind!