Gorgeous! Gorgeous! Gorgeous!

As many of you already know, March is my birthday month.  I am celebrating it with you by having a special giveaway that is still open for entry - make sure you go sign up!  This year I was particularly blessed in the gift department - something I have been coveting since the item was newly released!  I'm excited to share it with you!

Likely, if you're an regular here you probably know about my love of Gail Wilson's professional, painstakingly created, lovingly reproduced collection of dolls.  Her work is fabulous!  Every little detail is considered, right down to the hand knitting or crocheting of the lace she uses.  I have purchased items from her in the past including a kit to make Hitty and a kit to make Lottie (the second photo at this link).  I had Gail paint the parts for my Hitty doll since I don't feel brave enough to attempt that, but since Lottie is a cloth doll, I will have to draw, stitch, and paint her myself - ACK!

With all that being said, please welcome to my collection Gail's Jane Austen Inspired doll and some delightful accessories!  The bundle of goodies came in a delightful package all dolled up with a ribbon and everything.  I was anxious to get the box opened as soon as I walked in the door at home.  Just looking at all the little packets gives me warm fuzzies!  They're all so pretty and matchy-matchy!

Included in the parcel were a couple of needed (and inexpensive I might add) accessories for Hitty.  The buttons are almost microscopic and very hard to find and the hangers are for Hitty's clothes - since she has a whole wardrobe's worth (all available as patterns or finished items on the Hitty page at Gail's website).

Photo courtesy: Gail Wilson Designs website.  This is Lottie and her kitty friend available from the New Items link at Gail's website.

Then, there is a kit and pattern set to make Lottie's little kitty friend.  The first photo is courtesy of Gail's website and shows an antique cat toy that is not available for sale or as a pattern, but they have a similar little cutie which is the set that came in my box-o-stuff.  The cat in the picture has it's ears floppy and downwards, so I am going to attempt making them pointy and standing up as on the original antique kitty, unless the pattern already has this option.

Photo courtesy: Gail Wilson Designs website under Tiny Dolls.  This is Ornament #8, Izannah Walker.

There was also a tiny doll kit that is done in the Izannah Walker style.  For more information on this doll type you can visit the Izannah Chronicles website which is also recommended by Gail.  This little darling is only 3" tall and is a part of Gail's ornament series.  She is ornament #8 available from the Tiny Dolls link over at GWD.

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for....  Well, at least the moment I have been waiting for!!  Please meet my newest dolly addition, the Jane Austen inspired doll!  Um.....  So.....  Alright, alright....  She's not really a doll yet, but you'll get the idea!

The kit comes with everything you need to make the doll look just like the sample doll of Gail's.  There is a step-by-step, full colour, highly detailed instruction booklet that is really more like a manual and all the tools and supplies you need for each leg of the process.  

I requested painted parts since I am too chicken to attempt it.  This means that Gail herself hand paints all of the required parts for you so that your doll will look as close as possible to her original.  Here is her head and her arms and legs are still all snug-as-a-bug in the packaging.  As you can see for yourself, well worth it!  Jane will be gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous when she is completed, just like her prototype!

Thank you to the wonderful giver of this gift!  I have drooled over Jane for many months and am excited at the prospect of assembling her one day!  Any others out there with March for a birthday month?  Happy birthday to you too!

Heather

PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway!