From My Little Hole in the Wall: Grace and Dolly in Wonderland

April 24, and almost exactly month since I last posted a journaling and it's been a busy time for me. April has not been as rainy as one would expect an April to be, but what resulted in the off and on again sunshine, was a chance to take my kayak out on the lake. I'd promised myself that I would begin early this year, and I did. I need this upper body exercise, but more importantly, being out in nature is healing and rejuvenating. Not to mention that a good, hard paddle on the lake can be therapeutic mentally, too!

April has typically been the month of Easter and what a surprise to find no holidays or special events this month after so many from January to March! However, no sooner had I completed Alice Illustrated's Easter with the White Rabbit taking a turn as the Easter Bunny, then Rachel of the Virtual Doll Convention, releases the Club Grace subscription box to top then all! The Alice box! I just about fainted. The very box I would have hoped for these past years.

But, Oh no! I'd had to cancel my subscription last January due to some marital problems and I was crest fallen. For those of you who know me from Facebook and have been purchasing some of my Club Grace boxes or were questioning why I was rehoming a few of them, I'd like to gently share what happened.

My husband got angry about my doll spending and froze my accounts. Changed my passwords. In the 27 years we've been together, this was the most awful thing he's ever done, and I was numb. I owed money and had no way to pay my debts. So,

I began selling what I could, that I thought would sell, to pay off this debt and build a nest egg. A month into this, we worked things out, sort of, and while not all is right in the world, this is a marriage and people go through complications. I'm okay. I still love Grace and hope to renew my subscription next round.

The Grace in Wonderland box was simply divine and the fashion concept for Grace was beyond perfect for our times. Illustrators have been drawing Alice to keep up with the current decade since they wished to put their own signature on the story. She's been drawn in Edwardian costuming, Bleuette style dresses from the 20's, imaginative inspirations throughout the decades and costuming that was inspired by the country they lived in, making Alice a personal part of everyone's lives. She's been cartooned, animeed (if that's a word), and even - ahem (clear my throat) - shown in "Lolita" styles.

Rachel's classy, streamlined fantasy for Grace is phenomenal.

To top it off, Diana Vining pulled out the stops and illustrated a beautiful costume for Dolly. And of course, I had to make her costume. This was doubling intriguing for me as I'm currently working on the very long-term project of Halva from the story Sister Bear, where her costume is literally, fully embroidered. Dolly's pinafore would give me more practice with the needle and thread. I'd just taught myself bullion roses and hoped to incorporate this tricky little stitch into the apron. The design is so reminiscent of Boneka's work, which also thrilled me.

So many beautiful and enchanting photos of Grace in her two, yes, TWO costumes, were inspiring as well. Rachel had ordered as many of the black and white card dresses, as she did the light blue version so she could decide which one would be part of the box. These were offered as add-ons, with a pair of black gloves, and I quickly purchased a set so I could play Grace in Wonderland.

An example of the incredible photography of the Virtual Doll Convention.

Someday I'd like to learn how to put a doll in back drops like this. So far, no one has offered to share the type of software they use and how to use it with me, so some day when I have time on my hands, I'll begin researching this.

I mean, WOW! Isn't this great?!

So, I embarked on designing Dolly's Alice costume. She is one of the most difficult dolls I've ever dressed. You'd think that after all I've made for her, it would come easier, but when each costume is distinctly different, it's not. And this pinafore was no exception.

You always have the base of a costume. The background of the canvas. Then typically the bodice is where all the design, focus and charm is. In this case, it was the pinafore. But selecting just the right lace to gather and trim the neckline with was a challenge. Again, when interpreting a paper doll illustration, sometimes you have to go with what feels right. In this case, trimming down Swiss lace was the answer. I can't begin to tell you how much work this was, just to get the scallops showing and in the right directions both in the bodice piece and at the waist. Yet, this is what I enjoy (?) doing. Can it be done? Can I actually do this?

The dress is a fine silk taffeta and a color that I've used on other Alice dolls. I have very little left of this now, so I'm very careful in placing my patterns and saving as much fabric as possible. I don't know what's going on in the silk trade, but I'm finding it more and more difficult to get the beautiful silks I once did. Why? Because the shops like Farmhouse Fabrics where I've usually purchased my silk, can't get them either. I asked.

One of the most fun things about the Club Grace boxes are the paper toys and print outs that Diana Vining draws. For this box, she created a teacup paper toy featuring Grace in both outfits, assorted pretty flowers and a charming little tea bag. I can't wait to meet this incredible artist this summer at the UFDC convention.

I printed two of the pages at a reduced percentage to make teacups for both Grace and Dolly. I added the "tea" with a round of paper colored with alcohol markers. I love paper toys!

The embroidery on this pinafore took me a couple of days to do. But first I had to transfer Diana's design to the cloth, and I do this with a light box and a very sharp pencil.

I chose to follow her style as carefully as I could and stitched six strand embroidery floss as lines for the leaves and stems rather than making actual leaves. The rest is a series of bullion stitches and French knots all individually knotted off. AND, I found three hearts drawn in there. So, I satin stitched those. One is upside down. Whether these were done on purpose, or the shape just made an interesting flower, I wouldn't know, but I went along with what I observed and stitched three hearts.

Her little leather shoes are very typical Alice with a squared edge.

Okay. you got me. No lace on the socks. I tried! I really did! But I couldn't get the effect I wanted using the scallop edged Swiss lace or another. The lace doesn't stretch. It was just too much for me. And I had to get busy with something for Remmie. We can't forget Rachel's dog Remmie Lou.

I considered making her into the Hatter. I thought of all the reliable and easily recognized Alice characters and chose the White Rabbit just because. Yes, I want to get back to Halva's costume, but I was also working with a friend of mine by making a mockup of a pattern she's been working on for a doll she doesn't have. It can be done. Not by me, but I'm eager to help where and when I can. So White Rabbit it was!

Remmie's wild costume was inspired by the work of Tamara Casey. Tamara owns and operates Fletcher Pattern Company with her Designs by Jude line. Tamara's work is extraordinary and her contract with Rachel to design a pattern each month to correspond with the Club Grace line is outstanding. For those who aren't subscribed or have multiple dolls and like to sew, the VDC gives everyone an opportunity to dress their dolls with Tamara's patterns.

Tamara's first pattern was for the Tonner doll, Marley Wentworth back in 2005. In 2008, she acquired Fletcher Pattern Company from Gary Fletcher and has since produced fabulous patterns for every kind of doll imaginable under Designs by Jude. I am in awe of her talents and success with her company. My 10/6 hat's off to you, Tamara!

Here's Remmie in her White Rabbit costume. Certainly not as grand as Tamara's Hatter costume, but you get the idea. I wanted to make her something that would complement and make her stand out among Grace's beautiful dress and the Alice dress I made for Dolly Dingle.

The ears are needle felted on a pipe cleaner that forms a little headband. I have to tell you that Dolly and Remmie have been fiddled with and dressed so many times that they are seeing better days. As careful as I am, playing with dolls can wear them down a bit. While we're admitting things in this journal, I must tell you that Dolly had an accident when I was dressing her in the equestrian costume. So, I'm extra careful with her now. Remmie could use a little poking with the felting needle, too.

She carries the pocket watch in her teeth as her paws are solidly on the ground.

This striped vest was made from the one of patterned felts I purchased when I created my Twelve Days of Christmas doll.

I poked together a little rabbit tale to top off (or bottom off) the costume.

Grace's shoes are from two boxes back and I ballet ribboned them to match her dress and give them a twist. Love her shapely legs! She's the perfect model.

Here's a close up of one of the mini teacups. The original size would hold a very small doll. I'm just nuts enough to cut out and assemble two in miniature. They're so sweet.

In one of the photos below, you'll see Grace sitting on this beautiful Alice trunk that my friend Jean made me for my birthday one year. Not only was it beautifully decorated, but it was filled with adorable Alice paper toys and cut outs. Thank you, Jean. I still love and treasure it! And you!

What a fabulous adventure this has been. Rachel continues to dazzle us with some of the greatest doll fun we've ever experienced. And if you're attending the UFDC convention this year, she and Christopher will be hosting a Gathering.

The irises in our yard, along the fence line, are just beginning to bloom. It's a cool and cloudy day and April is still deciding if its ready for a steady stream of warm temperatures yet. I'll take a cool day like this. More rain, please! I just ordered a raincoat and red galoshes for Grace! This offering from the continuing Land and Sea collection is fabulous! I already know what I'm going to do with it to display Grace. From my earliest doll collecting, all my dolls had to own a raincoat. Now Grace has one. Thank you, Rachel!

Enjoy these days of spring when everywhere you look, buds are blooming and gone are the bare branches of winter. Baby animals are being born. Its spring's renewal. Until next time, keep an eye out for rabbit holes!

Melissa