My Favorite BIG Halloween Dolls - YIKES! They're Scary! Or Are They?

Second to the Fall season as one of my favorite times to create and decorate is Halloween. I don't know why I like making witches, goblins, Frankenstein's, ghosts, mummies, and Dracula's, but I do. That's surprising as if I really saw one I'd probably have a heart attack. And, I cannot watch scary movies. Go figure! But, I do like to create them and the bigger the better.

So, I thought I'd show you pictures of some of my favorite BIG Halloween dolls and wood crafts that I made to decorate my house during the holiday season.

First, there is "You're Scary? You've Got To Be Kidding, Frankenstein!" I named him this way due to the expression on his face and his general "lack" of scariness. He couldn't scare a mouse let alone a human. But, every Halloween I put him in my hall with his own spotlight focused right on him for all the trick or treater's to see when they come trick or treating.

He stands 48" tall and is one of the BIGGEST dolls that I made. He was made based on a Tattered Treasures design.

He has a 3/4" thick pine wood body, painted green Frankenstein shaped head with bolts sticking out of the sides. He's wearing an old shirt of my husbands, and his wood legs are painted to look like plaid trousers. He has 4x4 cubes for his massive feet and a solid wood base. His vest is painted wood.

He's carrying a painted wood sign that says "Monster Mash! Trick or Treat!" and he's carrying a large rubber bat.

He also has a splattering of red blood everywhere and is adorned with raffia bows and tattered cloth. And, of course, he has the Frankenstein surgery scars everywhere. Maybe the red blood might scare some children, but his face surely wouldn't.

My next scary or should I say non-scary Halloween doll is a Frankenstein that thinks that he is being pledged to a fraternity. He's not, but he thinks he is. I'm not sure what is going on inside his head, but he thinks he's a college student not a Frankenstein. I'm not sure how he gets around campus with his feet the way they are. One facing one direction and the other facing another direction. He definitely can't climb stairs.

He's a 39" Frankenstein made based on a Tenderberry Stitches Design that I named "Pledge Me Frank!"

His body is made of wood and his head is made of cloth. His face is embroidered and he has black bead eyes and curly black hair. Wooden pegs hang out the sides of his head.

Frank is wearing one of my husband's old black sweatshirts and is wearing some of my grandson's old jeans. His thick wool socks were my brothers. That is, until they got holes in them and then became mine. He has the words "My Heart Belongs To You Witchie Poo!" embroidered on the front of his sweatshirt and is carrying a Halloween banner.

There actually is a cute story about Frank. I had decided to take him with me just as a decoration to a local craft show that I was doing at my mother's church one Fall. I had him positioned just outside my table and a little girl about 4 or 5 years old walked by him. He was about her height.

Well, she became fascinated by him and came back a couple of times and just stared and stared at him. She seemed to be fascinated by his feet.

So, I decided to ask her a question. I walked over to her and said, "Do you think there's something wrong with his feet?" She looked at me and shook her head "yes" and then looked at her mother and said, "Mom, can I have my feet like that!" Well, her mother, my mother (who was helping me at the fair) and I all laughed at the same time. Her mother replied, "I don't think so, honey!"

Another one of my favorite BIG Halloween dolls is a 39" mummy that is based on a Tenderberry Stitches design and which I named, "Mummy - Where's My Mummy?" He doesn't reside in our house during the Halloween season, but with my twin grandsons.

Their mother absolutely loved him the minute she saw him and wanted him for a Halloween decoration for the front landing of their house. So, of course, I gave him to her.

She also went home with hundreds of other handmade dolls and wood crafts that day. So much so that they wouldn't all fit in her car. That's another story and one we had a really good laugh over. Suffice to say I just love it when someone loves my handmade dolls & wood crafts enough to want to have them and display them in their homes. That, plus the fact that I was giving them to someone I love makes it all the more special.

In any event, back to "Mummy - Where's My Mummy?" He has a wood dowel body, cloth arms and a cloth head and is carrying a sign that says, "I Want My Mummy!"

His whole body is covered with gauze. Before I made him I figured that two large boxes of gauze would be enough to wrap all of him. Buy, was I wrong. I think my hubby actually bought close to ten boxes of gauze and I used all of it. That became one expensive mummy. Of course, I didn't tell my daughter-in-law that. Her mouth would have dropped at how much he cost to make him.

In any event, after I finished applying all his gauze I added a cloth serpent around his neck, a rubber snake, several patches, and a heart. I also applied several areas of black and gray blush to his whole body as I wanted him to look "dirty." It all had the right effect and I was happy with the way he turned out.

Last, but not least of the BIG Halloween dolls and wood crafts is a woodcraft that is probably one of my all time favorites. I named it "I Just Love The Fall!" and it was made based upon a Rustic Treasures design.

"I Just Love The Fall" is a 25" wide x 30" tall painted 3/4" pine wood craft featuring a large ghost, red barn, cat, fence, stars, and suspended moons.

Both the ghost and cat are wearing bandannas and a mixture of colored raffia is used throughout as decorative accents.

This wood craft usually resides in the dining room fireplace display and stays out for the entire Fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving season.

I just happen to like it's rustic and primitive appearance which fits in well with all my other Fall, Halloween, or Thanksgiving decorations.

It is definitely one the favorite things I made with my husband. I actually think it's one of his favorites, too.

I hope you've enjoy seeing some of my favorite BIG Halloween Dolls and wood crafts that I use to decorate my home.

Call Me Frank N. Stein Frankenstein Doll

Call Me Frank N. Stein is a free-standing doll who doesn’t mean to be scary. He has a worn, tattered and fringed sash, embroidered and blood-stained vest, gathered long sleeved shirt, square-bottomed pants, long fringed scarf, shaped head with wooden screws and embroidered face. His arms are wire-shaped and covered. He also has a fabric covered head, wild black hair around the sides of his head and a covered rectangular wood base. His inner body is supported by a dowel and is covered by his shirt and square-bottomed pants. He is carrying a “Welcome to Spooky Hollow!” bag. Fringed scraps of Halloween material are tied around his waist and his wrists. He has embroidered scars, blood smears and blood drops all over him.

Call Me Frank N. Stein considers himself to be the "politest" Frankenstein around. In fact, he loves to introduce himself. He's not "Frankenstein!" Why, he's "Frank N. Stein!" A right proper name for a gentleman. Call Me Frank N. Stein is a free-standing doll and doesn't mean to be scary. He can't help it if they run away from him screaming. He does his best to be proper, refined, and respectful at all times. Yet, they still run from him. He has embroidered scars, blood smears and blood drops all over him but those are there for decoration only. They are not meant to be scary. But, no matter what he does he still scares everyone away when he tries to introduce himself. He barely gets "Hi, Call Me Frank N. Stein!" out of his mouth when they start fleeing away.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

“Ichabod - I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane! and I Lost My Head! Abraham, The Headless Horseman!”

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays as there are so many different types of decorations you can make.  I love making Victorian Halloween cloth dolls like witches, ghosts. Frankenstein, etc. but also love making unusual dolls, too.  

"Ichabod - I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane!" is hoping that by being very forthright and honest about his fears that he can enlist every one's help in getting over his fear of the dreaded "Headless Horseman." He is so tired and just wants to get a good night's sleep and hasn't been able to do that in so very, very long. You see, he's been afraid of the "headless horseman" for hundreds of years and figures that it's time he got over that. It's time he was able to get a good night's sleep without having nightmares about the "headless horseman." He's hoping that with your help he'll finally be able to conquer and overcome his fears. So, with the help of his therapist he decided that he should confront the "headless horseman" and let him know that he's no longer afraid of him. He can't invade his dreams anymore and can't try to scare him to death. And, if he tells him that and you tell him that then, maybe, Ichabod can get a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, the one night he tried to confront the headless horseman on his own he awoke to find the tombstone and pumpkins at the foot of his bed. YIKES!

"Here lies the body of Ichabod Crane - never to be seen AGAIN!" YIKES! How is Ichabod ever to get over his fear?

"Ichabod - I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane!!" is a 16" Victorian gentleman from our new Holiday Victorian line. Ichabod - I'm Not Afraid Of You Crane! is a self standing cloth doll. He has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. He is wearing a brushed black denim outfit with a coordinated and multiple lace trimmed shirt with lace trimmed sleeves and cummerbund. He's wearing an olive colored felt vest with button and lace trimmed coordinating black check ascot. His brushed black denim jacket is lined with coordinating black check fabric, is top stitched, has rolled cuff sleeves, and two buttons. He's also sporting a lined and coordinating top hat and fringed flannel scarf. He has a full head of curly gray mohair hair. He is very refined and Victorian like.

At the bottom of Ichabod's body is a tombstone inscribed with "Here Lies The Body of Ichabod Crane - Never To Be Seen Again!" His tombstone is surrounded by plastic pumpkins and fall floral leaves.

"I Lost My Head! Abraham" could hardly wait for his Victorian debut. He was just dying to show you his extremely coordinated Victorian outfit - among other things he was dying to show you. Like his heads!!!!! Why, he didn't even get any blood on his outfit? Now, that's gentlemanly - don't you think? What's the problem? Are the heads throwing you off? Actually, Abraham otherwise know as the "Headless horseman" is quite the Victorian gentleman. He always dresses in his Victorian best. He's always coordinated. And, he's always the PERFECT gentleman.

Except when he can't find "Ichabod Crane!" Then he gets - well, a little nasty. You'd think "Ichabod Crane" would make it easy on him. Oh, no! He has to see a therapist who's trying to help him overcome his fears of the "headless horseman." Now how's Abraham supposed to do his job if Ichabod manages to overcome his fears?

"I Lost My head! Abraham, The Headless Horseman!" is a 14" Victorian Horseman doll from our new Holiday Victorian line. Abraham is a self-standing horseman cloth doll - albeit without a head! He is wearing a multi layered lace trimmed shirt with lace trimmed sleeves and coordinating lace trimmed ascot. His cummerbund is a wide gold trimmed ribbon. His brown corduroy jacket is lined and top stitched with rolled cuffs and folded back lapels with buttons. He's also sporting a lined black cape.

Abraham is carrying the heads of two of his latest victims in his left hand and his favorite ax in his right hand. He just wants to show them to Ichabod Crane. Now why can't he find him?

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

"Be Very Afraid, Dennis! and Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!” Victorian Ghost Art Dolls

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays as there are so many different types of decorations you can make.  I love making Victorian Halloween cloth dolls like witches, ghosts. Frankenstein, etc. but also love making unusual dolls, too.

If you've never seen a proper and dignified, gentleman ghost get ready for "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" He's every bit the Victorian ghost that be seems. But, be very afraid! Hmmmm..... I don't think so. You see, you don't have to be afraid of him because he's not terrifying or nasty. No! No! No! It's more like - be very afraid because he'll try to charm the socks off of you. And, once he's charmed you - well, you're his! And, then, maybe you should be very afraid! He's a charmer, he's a gentleman, and he's very much a proper Victorian. So what if he's a ghost? That doesn't mean anything. Or does it? Be very afraid! Don't be very afraid! Be charmed! Hmmmmm......

"Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" is a 14" Victorian ghost from our new Holiday Victorian line. "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" is a self-standing ghost cloth doll. He has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. He is wearing a coordinated Victorian outfit. He has a black shirt with a coordinating black lace trimmed ascot, a lined and coordinating vest with a button and lapels. His ghostly jacket is lined and coordinates with his lined vest and is top stitched with flaps, lapels, collar and cuffs. He's also sporting a lined and coordinating top hat. He's wearing his top hat slightly to the right hand side of his head so you can see his wonderful, ghostly head. You see, he thinks that's his best asset.

In fact, "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" thinks he's got lots of assets and is down right dapper. "Dapper Dennis!" Hmmmm...... I don't know about that. I still think it's smart to warn everyone - "Be Very Afraid, Dennis!" is on the loose and might just try to charm you.

The Victorian side of "Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!" has her waiting patiently for her introduction while the "ghostly" side of her has been rather impatient. "Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!" wants desperately to be thought of as a "lady" and being accepted by all the proper "ladies" of society. She doesn't want to be thought of as a ghost and figures that if she gets accepted as a member of the "Victorian Ladies Tea Society" that the other "ladies" in her social circle will have to accept her. So, she has been petitioning the "Victorian Ladies Tea Club" to let her join. For some reason, however, they have been reluctant to do so citing some old rule against ghosts becoming members.

"Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost!" has been working endless hours on meeting all the members and showing them just what a wonderful "lady" ghost that she is. She figures if they get to know her they will love her and will have to agree that she is in fact a proper lady ghost and entitled to membership. So, she is waiting patiently - ever so patiently. She's just hoping they decide soon before her "ghostly" side has just had too much waiting.

"Valerie, The Proper Lady Ghost" is a 13" Victorian ghost from our new seasonal Victorian line. Valerie is a self-standing ghost cloth doll. She has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. She is wearing a cotton slip with black tassel trim and a lace trimmed black diamond printed dress. She has a fashionable hooded and lined multi-sectional cape with black tassel trim and a lined bonnet with matching black tassel trim.

Valerie is the epitome of class and style, if she doesn't so so herself! She just wishes they would hurry up and decide.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

Wickedly Plump, Dot Halloween Country Witch Doll

Watch out Ladies and Gentleman! Don't get too close to the runway! Dot can be quite scary. That is - when she puts her "scary" face on. And, she has it on for "The Dollie Fashion Show." After all, she and all the rest of the dolls have been waiting a long, long time for their blog post. She wants to make the best of it for it might not happen again for awhile. So, watch out - BOOO!!!!!!! Dot's strutting (or should be say half-flying half-strutting) down the catwalk. She considers herself quite "the fashionable witch" and dares anyone to prove otherwise. Go ahead - see if she'll cast a spell on you?

Wickedly Plump, Dot is a 25" free-standing cloth and wood happy witch. Her inner body is supported by a dowel and wood base and is covered by her square-bottomed orange body slip. Her head is fabric covered and face is embroidered and dirtied with black blush. She is a witch after all and they do get into some messy stuff. Her arms are wire-shaped and covered. She has a worn and shredded dress with long gathered sleeves, shredded multi-layered overskirt with tulle and shredded shoulder caps. Her scallop trimmed vest is embroidered and fastened with a large button. She has an embroidered and lined cape which is folded back along the edges. Black tulle is hanging from her waist and arms. She has black mohair hair which is barely controlled underneath her embroidered, lined and wired ribbon & tulle decorated witches hat which is pose-able. She is carrying a witches brew bag filled with orange and black raffia and a decorated broom. Orange and black colored raffia is tied around her hat, broom, sleeves, waist, and her neck for decoration.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

“Call Me - Your Count Dracula! and Lady Amanda, The Mannerly Witch!”

 

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays as there are so many different types of decorations you can make.  I love making Victorian Halloween cloth dolls like witches, ghosts. Frankenstein, etc. but also love making unusual dolls, too. 

Now here's a handsome Victorian gentleman - don't you think? So what if he's "Count Dracula!" He's still dressed very chic and very much the Victorian Gentleman - don't you think? He's got the lace ascot, coordinating outfit, and marvelous hairdo. That makes him a wonderful Victorian Dracula - don't you think? What's the problem? Are the bloody fangs throwing you off? He's still kind of cute - don't you think? Come on now. Yo have to admit that he is rather debonair in his black and orange coordinated outfit! Why, he's suave, he's swank, he's charming and beguiling. He's "Call Me - Your Count Dracula!" and he just wants a wee small bit of your blood. Is that too much to ask?

"Call Me - Your Count Dracula!" is a 13" Victorian Dracula from our new Holiday Victorian line. Dracula is a self-standing Victorian gentleman cloth doll. He has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face with red painted fangs. He is wearing a multi colored and coordinating shirt with a stand-up collar. He has a lined orange vest with lapels and a button. His lace trimmed ascot matches his shirt and his black satin jacket is lined, top stitched, and has a collar, lapels and rolled up cuffs. His black satin cape is lined and top stitched as well and sits wonderfully above his shoulders. He's also sporting a lined and coordinating top hat. Dracula has a full head of thick wool yarn hair.

"Call Me - Your Count Dracula!" wants you to think he is a gentleman but his appearance says otherwise - don't you think?

I think most witches will tell you that over the hundreds of years that they have gotten a really bad rap! You see, most people are afraid of witches and afraid that either a spell will be cast on them or they'll be turned into a toad! That is just NOT so for most witches. You see, most are gentle and kind. And, most are really very humanitarian. In fact, most are very polite and VERY well mannered. At least that's what "Lady Amanda, The Mannerly Witch!" tells us. She is anything but mean spirited and doesn't have a nasty bone in her body. Again, that's what she tells us!

In fact she loves life, loves people, kisses babies and loves everything and anything Victorian. So, she commissioned a whole bunch of Victorian outfits to be made for her. She figures that if she's going to be a Victorian witch then at least she should be stylish.

"Lady Amanda, The Mannerly Witch!" is a 14" Victorian witch from our new Holiday Victorian line. Lady Amanda is a self-standing witch cloth doll. She has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. She is wearing a cotton slip with black fringe trim. Her beautifully coordinated outfit includes a fashionable dress with black lace overskirt and satin skirt, coordinated orange plaid dress bodice, ribbon bow tied at the high waistline, and lace trimmed sleeves. Her short waisted jacket is lined and has gathered and puffy lined sleeves. Her lined cape is made of black satin and drapes beautifully from her neck. She has a full head of thick and flowing gray mohair hair. Her witches hat is really anything but a true witches hat. It is a rounded black stain and lined bonnet with black lace trim, and 6 black lace and orange plaid bows and coordinated beautifully with her outfit.

Lady Amanda, is the epitome of stylishness. Or, at least she thinks she is. In fact, she'd argue with you that since the Queen made her a "Lady" with full title and benefits that she deserves respect. Of course, she'll never tell us who the "Queen" was that so endowed her with her "lady" title. The Queen of the witches perhaps? Hmmmm......

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

Scarier Per Pound, David Halloween Ghost Doll

"Scarier Per Pound, David" is a happy ghost and a right proud "DAD GHOST." And, right now he has his "Baby" ghosts with him. They were born just a few days ago and are still just "infant ghost heads." The rest of their ghostly bodies will develop over time. For now, they're healthy "infant ghost heads" and "Scarier Per Pound, David" is very happy over that.

"Scarier Per Pound, David!" is a free-standing cloth and wood happy ghost. His arms are wire-shaped and covered. He has a square-bottomed body and covered rectangular wood base. His inner body is supported by a dowel and is covered by his squared–bottom body piece. He has a fabric covered and wire shaped head and embroidered face. He has a worn and shredded gown with gathered long sleeves, pinking sheared cut vest, and long fringed scarf. He is carrying a “Boo!” bag filled with 2 small baby wire-shaped ghost heads. Orange and black raffia is tied around his neck, his sleeves and his “Boo!” bag.

He might be named "Scarier Per Pound, David" but he us anything but. In fact, he'd be better suited to the name "Prouder Dad Per Pound, David.

"Scarier Per Pound, David" was the 2nd large wood and cloth doll that I designed and was named after my baby brother who is anything but "scarier per pound." In fact, he's just one big teddy bear.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

My Be Thankful - Mill Hill Cross-stitch Picture

Since Fall is one of my favorite seasons for decorating I am naturally drawn to Fall cross-stitch kits. Such is the case with the Be Thankful cross-stitch kit by Mill Hill - MH14-7202.

The Be Thankful Beaded Counted Cross Stitch Kit Mill Hill Buttons & Beads Autumn Series MH14-7202 pattern uses full and half counted cross-stitch and straight stitch highlighting as well as beads of various sizes for emphasis and depth. The Mill Hill patterns usually call for certain areas of the perforated paper to be left untouched like the background the border. In this case they were leaving sections of the brown perforated paper background and border untouched.

In embroidering the cross-stitch I decided to once again utilize the rectangular wood frame jig that my darling husband built for me that I could tape the edges of my perforated paper to. The wood frame jig is a rectangular embroidery hoop of sorts, but without bending the perforated  paper. He had made it out of 1/2" x 1" pine wood strips with an adjustable center strip that I used for this 5.25 x 5.25 square design.

I had learned from previous mistakes that I needed to draw diagonal lines to locate the exact center of the perforated paper as in previous perforated paper cross-stitch picture I have done the picture was slightly off center by a few holes which caused a problem with inserting the needles in the holes along one of the edges of my frame. So, I lightly drew a diagonal line across each corner with a pencil to get the center point of the perforated paper.

A lot of the cross-stitch 5.25" by 5.25" pictures I have made were finished in small 6 1/2" by 6 1/2" shadowbox frames with 5" by 5" openings that I had gotten at Michaels when they went on sale one year.  I used up all the shadowbox frames I had gotten that year and have been looking for them ever since and haven't found them again.

So, I decided to buy some 8" by 8" hand painted wood frames that Mill Hill created for their cross-stitch pictures.  This frame is bare bones.  There's no glass or plastic cover and there's nothing on the back to hold the picture into the frame.  They do, however, provide a thin 6" by 6" cardboard back and wood dowel for inserting in the holes in the back to allow for the frame to stand on it's own.  Of course, if you're going to hang this on the wall you'd just add a picture hanger to the back.

The directions did not include any instruction for finishing the back.  I decided to finish mine with 1/4" thick self sticking art needle-craft mounting foam.  I used an 8" by 10" by Pres-On sheet that I cut 6" by 6"with an X-acto knife to fit my picture.  Since the depth of the back of the frame for inserting the picture is 1/4" deep the 1/4" foam was a perfect fit for inserting it as well as the cardboard backing that came with the frame.

After adhering my cross-stitch picture to the 6" by 6" adhesive foam board that I bought I inserted it into the back of the frame and then inserted the 6" by 6" cardboard that came with the frame over it.  I taped the back of the cardboard with masking tape to hold it.

The antique white wood frame is 8" by 8" so to totally finish the back I cut a piece of thick decorative paper 8" by 8" to entirely cover the back.  I rubbed purple color disappearing glue stick all over the back and then pasted my 8" by 8" decorative paper sheet on the back.  I signed by name and dated it and was done with finishing the back.  I used a pencil to stab the decorative paper I had glued to the back so I could insert the dowel into it so the picture would stand on it's own.

The pattern called for a antique white colored wooden frame and for the border and certain sections of the background of the perforated paper to be left untouched like the picture shown below:

However, I don't like seeing the perforated sections for the background or border as I think it makes the cross-stitch picture look unfinished and opted instead to finish the background and with rust colored #167 DMC embroidery floss sewn as a half cross-stitch using three strands of the #167 floss.

The pattern didn't call for any outlining.  Give the collage nature of the cross-stitch picture I thought certain sections of the collage would benefit from some outlining so I decided to add more definition as follows:

1)  I back-stitch outlined the letters of "Be Thankful" with 1 strand of black floss.
2)  I back-stitch outlined the letters of "Autumn" with 1 strand of black floss.
3)  I back-stitch outlined around the edge of the center turkey picture with 1 strand of the dark brown floss.
4)  I back-stitch outlined around the edge of the straw hay bale picture with 1 strand of the dark brown floss.
5)  I back-stitch outlined around the edge of the 3 apples picture with 1 strand of the dark brown floss.
6)  I back-stitch outlined around the edge of the 3 different pumpkins with 1 strand of the dark orange floss.

While the end results of this design were wonderful some things in the kit and in the instructions could be improved upon so I'd like to offer the following constructive suggestions:

The cross-stitch chart was in black and white as was the floss color code and symbol key. Both were easy to read and very clear. While I had no problem with the chart and keys I did have a problem with the way the DMC floss was presented. All of the floss was tied together in one big knot so you had to separate the floss pieces yourself, sort them, and try to interpret which color belonged to which floss # and symbol key on the color chart.

If you only have a few colors to deal with this isn't a problem. However, if you have several different colors to choose from that are close in color then interpreting the chart can be tricky. You may assign the wrong color to the wrong symbol if the colors are too closely aligned like ecru and light beige. The key code chart should have contained the number of strands that were included in the kit so I would know how many strands I had for the different floss colors.

As I have done with other cross-stitch kits I've completed I had to design my own thread color sorter and symbol key. I took a piece of thin cardboard and cut a 1" x 9" long rectangular piece out to use as a thread sorter. I then punched holes in my cardboard strip in which to tie each of the different colors. Just above the hole I wrote the DMC floss # and just below the hole I added the respective cross-stitch symbol. I then inserted the floss threads that went with that # and symbol through the hole and tied them in a loose knot. This kit could be much improved if a thread sorter with respective #'s and symbols was provided.

The beads were contained within three small Ziploc bags which was fine. The chart had footnote symbols to help distinguish which beads were within which bag.

The kit included an acorn that was to be sewn to the bottom right corner of the picture.  The button was okay except it was glued to a small piece of cardboard which did not easily come off and the glue used had hardened and extended over the sides of the button.  I cut it with scissors and managed to make it presentable enough to use in my picture. I have found over time that the buttons used in the Mill Hill cross-stitch kits are usually of poor quality and the worst parts of the kits. Sometimes I use them sometimes I don't.

My results with the totally finished background, border and frame is shown below:

Despite the relatively small issues I had encountered with the kit I was happy with the way my Country Welcome turned out.

It took me 38 hours to complete this picture including the framing. As always, my comments are meant to be constructive to enable future purchasers to benefit from my experience and to enhance their ability to create a wonderful little cross-stitch design.

“I'm A Refined Scarecrow, Jimmy and The Proper Scarecrow, Nancy”

If you love making our Victorian seasonal and holiday cloth dolls then you're going to love our “I'm A Refined Scarecrow, Jimmy and The Proper Scarecrow, Nancy”  Victorian scarecrow dolls.

Despite his name "I'm A Refined Scarecrow, Jimmy!" is not very refined - at least, according to his sister "I'm A Proper Scarecrow, Nancy!" Nancy's hoping she can help her brother, Jimmy and turn him into a right proper and respectable Victorian. The problem is he is a boy and a scarecrow to boot! But, Nancy thinks that doesn't mean he can't be Victorian and can't be the proper gentleman at all times. After all, Victorian males are also well known for their manners and etiquette and since Nancy has plenty of that she figures she can transform Jimmy. Nancy knows that she has been well trained and has no doubt she can teach her brother how to behave in a mannerly fashion. She is so confident of her skills that she is even willing to teach him how to dance. And, if you've ever taught your brother how to dance - well, you know how that goes! Jimmy is willing to give all this a try. He loves his sister - after all and will do his best to see that she doesn't fail. He knows he can do it and also secretly knows that he really is every bit as refined and proper as Nancy is. But, he can't let her know that. He has to have a little fun - after all he is a boy and a scarecrow.

"I'm A Refined Scarecrow, Jimmy!" is a 12" Victorian scarecrow from our new seasonal Victorian line. Jimmy is a self-standing scarecrow cloth doll. He has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. He is wearing a multi colored and coordinating shirt with gathered sleeves, a lined and coordinating jacket with pockets, flaps, lapels, collar and cuffs. He's also sporting a lined and coordinating Sculley cap. He has a full head of wonderful string hair that just his demeanor. He is definitely refined - and, quite proud of himself.

"The Proper Scarecrow, Nancy!" and she is a very proper Victorian lady, indeed! "The Proper Scarecrow, Nancy!" knows she is a scarecrow, but that doesn't mean she can't be Victorian and can't be the proper lady at all times. After all, Victorians are well known for their manners and etiquette and Nancy has plenty of that. She is always correcting her brother, "A Refined Scarecrow, Jimmy!" His manners are atrocious and his language skills - well, let's just say he has a lot to learn. Nancy knows that she has been well trained and has no doubt she can teach her brother how to behave in a mannerly fashion. She is so confident she is even willing to teach him how to dance. And, if you've ever taught your brother how to dance - well, you know how that goes!

Nancy knows that when she is out in public she always has to look her best. You just never know when your picture is going to be taken and Nancy, the proper scarecrow, always wants to look her best. After all, she does have a reputation for class and elegance to maintain.

"The Proper Scarecrow, Nancy" is a 12" Victorian scarecrow from our new seasonal Victorian line. Nancy is a self-standing scarecrow cloth doll. She has an embroidered and watercolor pencil painted face. She is wearing a cotton slip with multiple layers of lace trim, a lace trimmed blouse, Multiple panel skirt with multiple layers of lace trim and gatherings, lace trimmed and lined felt jacket with a collar and cuffs, and a lined and lace trimmed felt bonnet with bows. She has a full head of wonderful string hair that just matches her outfit to the tee. She is definitely right proud of her appearance.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

“Scarecrow Rob” Country Scarecrow Doll

“Scarecrow Rob” - a right handsome scarecrow. He's not really plump - okay maybe just a little around the middle, but he sure is pleasant. And, he sure is handsome. In fact, you could consider him one of the most happy-go-lucky "handsome" scarecrows you'd ever want to meet. He's happy raking leaves, talking to the squirrels. Even chatting with the crows. He's even happy when the girl scarecrows call him "Robbie." "We just love you so, Robbie!"

He's wearing a gathered long sleeve shirt, corduroy pants with wired ribbon straps and buttons, embroidered vest with patches, and fringed wool felt scarf. His wired ribbon decorated and lined hat barely controls his long raffia strands for hair. His arms are wire-shaped and covered. His face is embroidered and he has a fabric covered head and covered rectangular wood base. His inner body is supported by a dowel and is covered by his shirt and square-bottomed pants. He has embroidered and decorated leaves and a pumpkin face on the front of his pants. Scarecrow Rob is holding a wooden rake with tines decorated with silk leaves and raffia. He is decorated with various clumps and strands of raffia.

Everyone and everything is just so pleasant when "Scarecrow Rob" is around. Even the girls. "We just love you so, Robbie!"

"Scarecrow Robbie" was the first large cloth and wood doll that I designed. He's named after my older brother and his story concerns childhood memories of the girls chasing after my brother "Robbie! "We just love you so, Robbie!"

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh

My “Lili The Folk-Art Dolls Loves The Fall and Luther The Folk-Art Doll Loves The Fall" Dolls

"Lili The Folk-Art Doll Loves The Fall and Her Pumpkins" and "Luther The Folk-Art Doll Loves The Fall and His Pumpkins" are fraternal twins, brother and sister. Even though they are fraternal twins they still look alike except for their hair.  Lili has beautiful raggedy orange curly hair while Luther has straight brown hair.

Like a lot of identical or fraternal twins they seem to be able to read each others minds. So much so that it's downright scary. They act alike and dress alike.  They even know what each will be wearing and when and both love the bright vivid colors of the Fall season.   Pus, they love pumpkins.

Their Mother always thanks her lucky stars that at least they were a different sex and had different hair. If they didn't even she would not be able to tell them apart.

Lili and Luther can finish each other's sentences and vice versa.  They stick together like glue. Where there's one there's the other. And, where they are they're always surrounded by their pumpkins.

"Lili The Folk-Art Doll Loves The Fall and Her Pumpkins" is an 17" folk-art girl doll. She is wearing her favorite dress for the Fall. It's just so cheery and beautiful with it's embroidered insert.

Lili is a folk-art girl doll with a cloth body, an embroidered face, and curly raggedy orange hair along the side seams of her head with the back left bare. She is wearing lace trimmed bloomers gathered at the waist and ankles.  Her boots are black and criss-crossed with orange embroidery floss.

 Her Fall colored dress eyelet lace trimmed along the sleeve hem edge and along the bottom hem edge.  The dress bodice is rust colored and has a beautiful eyelet laced insert with button accent, orange lace around the neck, and a beautiful Fall flowers print dress skirt that is gathered at the waist.  A large orange ribbon is wrapped around her waist and tied in a bow in the back.

Lili is surrounded with her favorite Fall fabric quilted pumpkins.

Designer - Linda Walsh Originals

"Luther The Folk-Art Doll Loves The Fall and His Pumpkins" is an 18" folk-art boy doll. He is wearing his favorite outfit for the Fall. Everything just coordinates so beautifully.

Luther is a folk-art boy doll with a cloth body, an embroidered face, and thick straight brown hair on the top and sides of his head with the back left bare.    His boots are black and criss-crossed with orange embroidery floss.

He is wearing his favorite coordinated outfit a shirt that matches the cuffs and pockets of his pantaloons. His shirt has rust colored cuffs, is gathered at the neck, and has a button accent insert.  His pantaloons are cuffed and have two pockets and are gathered at the waist.

Luther is surrounded with her favorite Fall fabric quilted pumpkins.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Designed and Written By Linda Walsh