Annabelle continued....

Annabelle , my French fashion reproduction doll hasn't received alot of love lately. So today I decided to experiment with photos in attempting to continue a project put to the side a year or so ago- recreating a story with a doll telling the story about her magical doll world with photos instead of illustrations. My inspiration was A is for Annabelle a story using illustrations of a doll and her accessories by Tasha Tudor. 

I wanted to expand more on this theme. Haven't you ever wondered when you were a child if the dolls continued playing after you left the room and had to go to school or out? I did...continually. I would as a child set up tea parties with my dolls for them to enjoy while I was away at the drudgery of school and rush home eagerly, hoping to catch them where they were not as I had left them. I imagined all sorts of fun the dolls had while I was away at school during the day, and liked to write my own stories about what the dolls did sometimes. I suppose that is where the attention to detail came from, and if one item was out of place, I convinced myself they had all sorts of fun while I wasn't there. I still like to think of this sometimes, and it fits into my storyline I am attempting.
Here are some more test photos, hope you like them.

Photo credits:
doll is a French fashion doll reproduction by Sylvia Butler of Tarheel Creations out of NOrth Carolina
table- Bespaq
unknown- vintage chair, teaset, flower arrangement
portrait- Williamsburg souvenir shop
Annabelle's dress- purchased this at a doll show, cannot remember the ladies' name though I buy from her on a regular basis.

More Correspondence from Miss Ashton....

 

Miss Ashton was once again writing to her dear Friend Penelope,who lives in England. Alot has happened lately at Pumpkin Hill , as well as the Academy has a new pupil, so let's peak over Miss Ashton's shoulder while she writes....

May 28, 2011
Dear Penelope-
Much has been happening -where to begin? My new pupil, whose name is Kit, has arrived, & what a handful! Thankfully, we haven't begun formal classes yet at the academy! She dislikes school but loves learning new things. She also loves to write, and I frequently find her writing in her journal book at my desk. I might have found the young lady who could report on our activities at the Academy, my dearest Penelope, and maybe influence Becky & Felicity to read more.
Spring has come and I have been baking again! Dearest Penelope, could you please send me your receipe for cherry cordial comfits? I used our fresh cherries from the orchard to bake several pies. We were thinking of having a bake sale to raise money for the Academy's school supplies that are still needed...So I have been busily baking for days now. The girls have been such a big help, especially my newest pupil Kit.
Must run now dear, and prepare the scones for tea! Sincerely , Ashton Browne

While Miss Ashton has been writing to Penelope, her new pupil, Kit, loves to come into the study and write in her journal. Kit is new and is more 'modern' than the other girls, and dislikes school intensely. But she adores reading and any sort of writing, and loves Miss Ashton's study- it is the one place she knows that the other girls will not read her stories or journal.

Other residents of Pumpkin Hill have been busy at their correspondence as well, such as Annabelle from the The One Sixth Scale Dollhouse . Annabelle is a 12 inch French Fashion reproduction doll.

Here is Annabelle with her letters, neatly tied with ribbon, ready for Marigold Finch to deliver them to the other dolls.

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Lisa