Dolls and Discoveries

I found another estate sale I just had to go explore. It was a home where the woman had been an avid doll collector and maker. She had a kiln and about a zillion molds and hundreds of dolls I am getting into these estate sales, you never know what you might find.

The coolest thing I found was a copy of a doll I had been given to me at Christmas when I was 10 years old. My mother gave her too me, along with the book Hitty. Actually, I would not even remember the year, but my mother helpfully inscribed it with the date and occasion. I have actually tried to find a copy of the doll for years, with no luck.But there, at this sale, I found her again! Made a few years after mind, with a dress in a different print, but otherwise exactly my long lost doll and she only cost $3! It must have been my day!

In addition to Hitty, I also found several other dolls I couldn't pass by. Does this me one of those nutty ladies that have a house filled with nothing but dolls? I find that creepy, but I do treasure the dolls I own. How does that work out? I do avoid commercial dolls that are sold in pink aisles of Toys R Us. I like traditional and handmade, because there is artistry and love in the making, not just a "Made in China" stamped on a rubber butt.

That said, someone please put me down if I start to collecting crying clown dolls with music boxes, okay?

The little boy on the right is about 3-1/2 inches tall and all three are jointed so they can stand or sit. They were each only $1 - how can you pass up a deal like that?

As to my doll house, I have made progress, but I ran into a snag today. I was trying to test the electrical system and install little outlets and found most of the power did not work. I find "juice" near the the point the cord is plugged in, so that was good.

The light is a test probe. But unfortunately, as you might notice, I had to strip back the wallpaper to confirm I was properly hitting the connections. Now I have to strip the whole wall and re-paper it, which will not be a quick project since the glue is very efficient. After much fussing, I found out why I was no getting power in the rest of the house.

I realized when I had been putting in the wall paper, I had run the x-acto knife down the corner to clean it up. Duh! I cut through the wiring in the process. How brilliant is that?

However, I have installed the floor and the center wall and I am ready to put in baseboard once the electrical issues are resolved. So I have an order in for more electrical tape to "patch" my little boo-boo. I am still hoping to make my goal of finishing the downstairs by the end of the month. I hope this little snafu has not ruined that deadline.

I would love to hear about the projects you are working on! Please share!

Comments

[Meri Wiley]

I'm pretty sure you're going to finish on time, as you seem to be on a mission. You certainly were blessed in your doll haul, only a $1??? I just can't seem to find deals like that out here in Arizona, very rare. I'm looking forward to your house being done...will there be a housewarming party? I've always loved miniatures and doll houses, but with my disability it's too hard to work in miniature anymore. My hands don't always do what I want them to, so I'm lucky I get the crafts done that I do. Best of luck and I'll be back to check your progress.
Hugs,
Meri

[Lisa]

Your new dolls and the doll house look so fun! Your doll house floor is a tiny version of what we just installed in our bathroom, neat!

[Sandy McClay]

I just love the posts about your doll house, can I ask, where did you get that lovely floor???? It would be so cut in my little cottage I am going to build. I have no idea where you find things like that floor! Thanks!