Over the past several months, I've fallen in love with Waldorf dolls. I love their fresh, pure look and the fact that they are made out of natural materials -- the skin is cotton tricot, the stuffing is clean, carded sheep's wool and the features are all done with cotton thread. I have been contemplating making one for my 2 year old daughter, Annie, for a couple of months now (ever since I saw how much they sell for!). I gathered all the materials I needed, found a pattern I liked, figured out what hair color Annie would like, and then I just couldn't start. I tend to have a hard time starting on new projects that are outside my comfort zone. Once I get started I always get thoroughly absorbed in them, but it's getting over the hump that's the problem. So my materials sat on the shelf for about a month and I started to feel more and more guilty for neglecting them.
Then, this past Tuesday, the children and I ended up in a toy store in Boulder called Ginger & Pickles, which carries Kathe Kruse Waldorf dolls of all types and sizes. Annie immediately spotted them and wanted to see them up close (they were high up on shelves behind the counter). The sales ladies were very kind and invited us behind the counter. Annie found one that she adored and did not want to let go of it! She was pretty sad when we had to put it back. So...seeing the dolls up close and witnessing Annie's enthusiasm for them was all the motivation I needed to scale that hump and dig in.
It's been a really engaging project. I am following the Dancing Rain Dolls pattern, with a few added tips I have gotten from the Waldorf Dolls group on Ravelry.com (you will need an account to use Ravelry). I love how you do a little of this using these tools, then something else using these tools...lots of variety and opportunities to learn new skills. Already, I have learned some great new skills that I'll use elsewhere, like tying square knots and machine sewing circles (yeah!). The perfectionist in me doesn't like the flaws I see, but it's all part of the learning process. I do hope to have a good excuse to make more of these! It's a good lesson for me -- that I need to jump in and do things outside my comfort zone in order to keep learning and growing.
So after a few days of working on the doll, I just need to put on her hair (golden yellow and pink wool yarn), stuff and attach her arms, sew a little fabric "heart" on her chest, and give her cheeks a bit of "blush" (with tinted beeswax). Annie loves that she has a belly button, so I may spend some extra time adding some more little details like that to her body. And of course I will give her some cute clothes that Annie will enjoy putting on and taking off (mostly taking off!). Annie will ultimately choose her name. It is so amazing to watch her come to life, she already has such a personality. I've never created anything quite like this and it's pretty special. <3
Needless to say, I've been taking a bit of a break from the shop to work on this. ;) I was starting to get a bit burned out and after all, it's spring, almost summer. Time for having a little fun, every now and then.
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