We are in for a real treat, friends.
Please welcome my dear blogging friend and sponsor, Samantha from Woodland Woolens!
We've combined forces to offer what could be the most beautiful and generous giveaway here in blog land:)
Before we talk about the details of this exciting giveaway, please meet the lovely dollmaker...
I started crafting soon after he was born, little books, blankies, knit things, dollys and loved it. I always sourced natural materials and made things of high quality that I knew would last (I planned on having a few more babies!) I didn't want to make the same thing twice because the first thing fell apart. After many years of crafting (and blogging about it) I decided to open an ETSY store. That was really fun for awhile, but after having so many babies back to back I decided to take a break. I closed my shop and focused on our growing family. That was a wonderful time, but my creative juices started to flow again! I recently opened a new store that focuses on natural playthings, soft clothing, and Waldorf dolls. Between the diaper changes and the sleep deprivation I find myself creating little pieces of love that I hope to share with all of you.
Many Waldorf families are on a tight budget. A Waldorf doll is truly unqiue, but the price often makes the gift seem unattainable. Please explain to us the value of these beautiful dolls and the work that goes into them.
Also, the extreme care, attention to detail, and sheer amount of time involved in making the doll, not to mention expensive materials imported from Europe, natural and organic fibers, and all the specialized tools used in the process really adds up. As a doll maker I have to pay myself fairly and having a new understanding of all that is involved, it is too expensive to be a hobby!
I have a few Kathe Kruse dolls which I won at a raffle last Christmas ( !!)...they are beautiful, but I noticed that both *polyester fibers* and *plastic pellets* are used in construction. This was surprising and disappointing to me. Please detail the quality of materials you use for your handmade dolls!
I source my doll making supplies from many different places from around the world. All 100% completely natural and most of the time organic. My dolls are made with a Swiss interlock cotton knit fabric that looks beautiful sewn around the wool. My wool comes 100% purebred Romney sheep, known for their fine and lofty woo,l it looks beautiful stuffed and I feel like I can get a firmer body using this type of wool. It isn't unusual for me to use nearly a pound of wool in each doll! I love to use natural fiber for their hair and clothing such as: Wool, Alpaca, Cotton, Mohair and the like, I also spin and dye some of my yarn using a drop spindle and plants for the dye. With all the love and attention that goes into making these dolls I truly hope that every child who receives a Woodland Woolen doll will feel that special magic and love the doll as much as I loved making it!
I also sell simple wooden toys, hand knit hats and outfits for littles, and Doll clothing. When I'm not home schooling, baking, cooking, cleaning, crafting, sewing, knitting, or doll making, I'm blogging about our life over at: http://woodlandwoolens.
Samantha, thank you so very much!
I'm sitting here trying to figure out how you manage to create such beautiful dolls and balance such a full and joyful family life... what an inspiration to so many of us!
Please visit Woodland Woolens here.
Remember, Samantha is just getting started...let's support her in any way we can:)
Now for the details...
One very lucky follower of this blog will win a 12-inch handmade traditional Waldorf doll from Woodland Woolens, including one change of clothes!
This beautiful doll will look similar to this little sweetie pictured below...
Here's 3 ways to enter...
1. Leave a comment telling us about your favorite "dolly" memory, if you have one:)
2. Let us know that you're a dear follower of Bending Birches.
3. Mention this giveaway on your blog or facebook for another chance to win. Let us know in the comments section that you did so. Don't worry about linking back. We trust you:)
~No "mandatory entries". Nothing complicated.~
Entries close 11/25 at 11:00 PM
Entries close 11/25 at 11:00 PM
One of the playschool children will select our winner at random on Monday Nov. 28th.
Also, please note that readers of Bending Birches will receive 10% their order from Woodland Woolens!
Best of luck, friends:)
~For further reading, please find a wonderful essay from Gateways on The Child's Relationship to the Doll here. 'See, See, My Play Mate,
Come Out and Play With Me,
and Bring Your Dollies 3,
Climb Up My Apple Tree,
Slide Down My Rainbow,
Into My Cellar Door ,
and We'll Be Jolly Friends
Forever More, More, More!'
Come Out and Play With Me,
and Bring Your Dollies 3,
Climb Up My Apple Tree,
Slide Down My Rainbow,
Into My Cellar Door ,
and We'll Be Jolly Friends
Forever More, More, More!'
I am a follower of Bending Birches, thank you for the chance to win...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! sadly, I don't remember any of my own dolls. I do hope that my girls remember their own special, mama-made dolls.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower!
ReplyDeleteI shared this on facebook.
ReplyDeleteMy absolute favorite doll memory (and as a life long doll lover there are many) is actually a little traumatic to start with...
ReplyDeleteWhen I was almost 5, I spent many long wonderful days with my Great-Grandmother (Mimi). One day, her dear friend down the lane had a great granddaughter visiting and they came to have tea with us. I was told to be on my best behavior, as this was a very dear friend of Mimi's, and I did try...
This other girl was not very nice. She teased my freckles, she said my dear Mimi smelled funny and she took my beloved doll, Colleen and ripped her head off in front of my very eyes. I didn't want to ruin the tea, but I started to sob and my dear Mimi heard me. When she saw Colleen's head on the ground and the fluffy stuffing drifting across the yard, she grabbed her broom and chased the little girl from her yard. She told her dear friend to leave and keep "that horrible little brat away from my girl".
Then she cried with me as we gathered all the fluff and carefully stitched my Colleen's head back in place.
Almost 40 years later, I still have my Colleen, and I can still see the repair, but my dear Mimi is gone. I still remember my joy at knowing that she loved me so much that she would chase away a dear friend's grandchild and risk an old friendship for my sake. Colleen has never forgotten, either!
I hope I have not shocked you with my dark tale...
I had some lovely dollies as a little girl, but I think none so lovely as these. What a wonderful offer, how generous! And yes, I am an all-the-time-follower of Bending Birches!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower :)
ReplyDeleteMy best doll memory is of a little knitted doll my mom made for me when I was 5, I adored that doll and named her Holly. I still have her today only now she is my daughter Holly's doll and she is called Holly-dolly to differentiate her from Holly.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and am sharing on facebook! My favorite doll memories are of my doll Patty. She was a large doll and truly one of my very favorite toys. Probably the best Christmas gift I ever Received, I still have her.
ReplyDeleteHeather O.
I don't have many doll memories of my own. My 16-month-old already seems very attached to her dolls and will cry out in the night - 'baby! baby! baby!' until I bring her one.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower!
ReplyDeleteI am following Bending Birches and I love it :) Thanks a lot for the chance to win!!
ReplyDeleteI also shared this post on my Facebook profile - more chanches to win :))
Unfortunately, I don't have any special 'dolly' memories, but I hope my little one will have.
Lots of love,
Laura
(I posted this giveaway on Facebook, and I have been a regular reader of Bending Birches for quite some time. How long? Not sure.)
ReplyDeleteDolls were a very important part of my childhood. I had quite a few that I adored. When I was eight years old, my mom brought an American Girl doll catalog home from work. Mom's boss received these catalogs at the office, and his daughter had several American Girl dolls. This was back when American Girls were made by a small company called Pleasant Company -- before the American Girl line was taken over by Mattel. Anyway, I knew that these dolls cost WAY more money than my family normally paid for toys. I didn't mind. I just LOVED the catalog. I read it over and over until it was tattered and wrinkled, even memorizing the beautiful passage on the back of the catalog that reflected on the value of a special doll. I enjoyed the catalog as if it were a storybook. I didn't even bother to ask or dream of getting one of those beautiful dolls.
On my ninth birthday, I was SHOCKED to open a box and see the lovely face of "Samantha" looking up at me. I cried! Truly, that was the first time that I ever cried tears of joy. I still have Samantha in absolutely perfect condition despite spending many hours playing with and carrying my precious doll. Now that I have a baby daughter, I look forward to giving Samantha to my sweet girl when she is old enough to care for her properly.
I follow you!
ReplyDeleteI remember being in 5th grade (!) and every day, my best friend and I would go up to my room after school and spend ages dressing up our favorite dolls and playing with them. Dolls are such beautiful toys and so often I think we forget that they aren't just for young children. They truly are a toy that grows with you...
ReplyDeleteI follow you :)
ReplyDeleteJust figured out how to officially "follow" the blog.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about the life and times of another Waldorf Mama and family with a home care program. My son is two and I would love to gift him with one of these beautiful "babies" for Christmas this year... If I can wait that long for the magic!
ReplyDeleteAs for my favorite doll memory, I was about 4 and my father and I were camping in northern Minnesota. I have a picture of myself on a wooded path wearing roller skates (on the wrong feet) with Harry (my doll) tied onto my chest with a length of rope. I fondly recall the moments before the picture was taken when in frustration I called out "I keep dropping Harry on his HEAD and my roller skates DON'T work!!" and how my father found a rope in our van, looped it over my shoulders and tucked Harry in. He then snapped the picture. Afterwards, he suggested I put my roller skates on the correct feet and I might have more success in skating in the woods. I didn't, but at least Harry's head was safer.... :) I am so lucky to have a father who was so nurturing.
I am also linking on my Facebook.
Thank you. And good luck everyone else!
My favorite doll memory is the entirety of a childhood (and secretly beyond...I think I begrudgingly packed away my beloved babies a little after my thirteenth birthday!) full of doll play. I had many dolls but a few treasured ones. When my first son was born, he was truly a dream come true. I must have changed his clothes 4 times a day, so enthralled with my REAL dolly-uh baby:) until I admitted that newborns really don't like their clothes off and little limbs can be difficult to manipulate so I let him be in more comfortable (and appropriate!) baby clothes. My second son looked eerily like my very bald blue eyed favorite doll that I loved through my childhood. Even family members commented on it. This little boy has grown into a doll loving toddler whose favorite pass time is pushing a baby around in a small stroller. I love this nurturing side that he is developing and would love to gift him with such an exquisite doll- especially as he will be a big brother in a few months. thank you for providing the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteMy son loves playing with small wooden dolls and I love spying on the conversations and activities he creates with those dolls, but I know as we are expecting his new sibling this spring he will love to have a soft doll to nurture as well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic and generous giveaway! My favorite doll memory is from when I was about four. My mom made me a doll who was as big as I was. She was my "sister" and she always had her own stocking/Easter basket/etc and often sat at the table for meals.
ReplyDeleteI am a long time follower of your blog! <3
ReplyDeleteI posted a link to this giveaway on facebook.
ReplyDeleteI don't really remember playing with a dolly very much when I was little, but I do have a favourite dolly memory of my niece. My sister had just had a second baby and I still treasure seeing my niece imitating her Mummy by feeding her little dolly, from her bellybutton which was just so sweet!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter also loves her dolly but hers is a plastic one so I would absolutely love to win a waldorf dolly for her to love and cuddle. How much nicer to snuggle up with something not plastic!
Thankyou for a chance to win such a beautiful dolly. I know she will be loved where ever her new home is.
Snagrom
What a generous giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity, Samantha! Rebecca, I'm a longtime follower of the blog, ever since reading The Waldorf Baby on The Magic Onions. I look forward to all your entries. -Chan
ReplyDeleteI'm not exactly sure what "following" is, but if it's subscribing to your blog via RSS, then I'm a follower. I can't go past two chances for the lovely dolly!
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed reading your blog and seeing how you are making your dreams come true with your teacher training happening soon and then the Church position. Goodluck and I hope all continues to go well for you!
Snagrom
Love the doll. I am your follower and now I am hers too. loved the tutorials on her blog. Liked her etsy shop on facebook. My first doll was named gertrude a name I am sure my girls are grateful I got out of my system early! Gertie went everywhere with me.My little boy loves babies and plays with a little doll too. Boys need dolls too to learn how to be good daddys!
ReplyDeleteOh Rebecca and Samantha...What a delightful giveaway! I have three little ones who would love to embrace a new friend! Thank you ever so much!
ReplyDeletexo Jules
I am, of course, a follower of Bending Birches. As always, thank you for sharing everything you do with us. I always feel surrounded in peace and beauty when I am here, in this space.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite dolly memory is this: When I was about seven or eight, I fell in love with the idea of having a boy baby doll. I don't know why, if it was a trend at that time or if a friend of mine had one--I don't really remember. My mom helped me to save up the five dollars I needed to buy the doll, and we sent away for it. When he came, there was a faux hospital bracelet and birth certificate on which to write his name and birthday. I named my baby Joey Scott. I remember how shocked my mom was when I chose the name because I've always been a bit of a name connoisseur. My children were all set to be named things like Terrance Jupiter and Arista Moon. Joey Scott seemed so very ordinary!
Fast forward several years, and I am eleven years old. My mother was single and raising two kids on her own. She went on a blind date with a man who would later marry her and be with her until the day she died. His name? Joey Scott.
Such a beautiful work! I had never "met" this wonderful artist- thank you for such a magical introduction.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was seven I recieved a porcelain doll that was meant to be Amy from the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I felt like I had been granted to wish of a lifetime and spent many hours carrying her around, fingering her long curls, and making her "pencils" out of cut toothpicks.
I love this blog! It is lovely! What a beautiful doll!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite memory, my mom made me a doll with a porcelain head for one year for Christmas. She was so lovely and I was honored to be trusted with her.
Thanks, Jessica
I had a doll whose ponytail would grow, and I recall styling her hair often. I preferred the soft bodies of stuffed animals for hugging to the hard plastic of dolls, so I would have loved one of these gorgeous dolls, and I know my daughters would too.
ReplyDeletesoluckyducky at gmail dot com
I am a follower!
ReplyDeletesoluckyducky at gmail dot com
I have been following your blog for quite some time now. You are always a source of inspiration! I was never very fond of dolls as a child... Possibly because the dolls I had access to were hard plastic, barbies, etc. Perhaps my 3 year old daughter will be lucky enough to have a doll as beautiful as one of these creations!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower!
ReplyDeleteI posted on Facebook.
My favorite doll memory was of the Laura Ingalls Wilder rag doll I received with her book "Little House in the BIg Woods." That was the first "big girl" book I read with doll in arms.
I remember my favorite doll from when I was little she looked just like me. She was one of those really big walking dolls. She had long brown hair and I combed and combed it and learned how to french braid on her hair, well I did until her hair became so ratty you couldn't do nothin with it ha ha :)
ReplyDeleteherent@comcast.net
I follow thru GFC
ReplyDeleteherent@comcast.net
I still have my favourite doll, unfortunately it was not a Waldorf doll, but at least 'Angelina' has a soft body. I was an early trainee in co-sleeping as Angelina (a big baby doll) slept in my bed for years.
ReplyDeleteI follow BB through Google Reader
ReplyDeletemy favorite doll memory was when my Grandpa who never really bought anything for me...came home with a doll as big as me. She felt so really to me that I thought she was my best friend. She was so used...she lost a head and an arm but I still loved her. I would love this opportunity to win...Thank you for this giveaway. I will post on my wall of FB. My e-mail is weinertma@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteoops forgot to leave my name I'm the above comment. It's Maria Weinert weinertma@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteAmazing GiveAweY! and amazikng blog!!!!!!!!!!!Hope to win !!!!:)))
ReplyDeleteShare in in my blog Ancient Hearth,here on blogger
Shared on Facebook too.!!!
ReplyDeleteMy father came home after months away on work with twin cabbage patch girls, I still have them, my daughter plays with them now.
ReplyDeleteIm a follower of BB
ReplyDeletei love to see my girls playing with their dolls as i cared for them. For example, seeing B nurse her doll or E asking me to help her get her doll in a sling is such a joy to my mama heart!
ReplyDeletei am a stalker, uhm follower of the wonderful Bending Birches finding inspiration as often as I log on to this blog. it's linked to my own neglected blog for others to find.
ReplyDeletemade a post on my blog about the giveaway. thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower :)
ReplyDeleteI had a doll companion that was my best friend until I was 10 or 11. She went everywhere with me, even on my paper route. :)I would love to win a beautiful dolly for my little girl.
ReplyDeleteI shared this giveaway on my facebook page :)
ReplyDeleteMine was named Holly Dolly--I suppose she came that way. I couldn't call her name properly, but I tried with "hoy doy!" (particularly when little sister would run off with her.
ReplyDeleteI posted on my fb.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog using google reader.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful doll. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletei can't believe i don't really have any strong doll memories. i was much more of a stuffed animal girl!
ReplyDeletei've been a blog subscriber for a while now, but now i'm a follower too
ReplyDeletei posted about this lovely giveaway on fb
ReplyDeleteI didn't have dolls. I had stuffed animals. I remember, when I was very young I used to sit in my bedroom doorway in the middle of the night cuddling my stuffed bear and our giant dog when I'd had a bad dream.
ReplyDeleteBut my favorite memory is probably each of my children discovering dolls. I've knitted a few and it warms my heart to see my three wild boys tenderly carrying them about.
Thanks for this chance to win a "real" Waldorf doll. (:
I joyously follow your lovely blog. (:
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for over 1 year now. Both of our boys were born around the same time and we lead such a similar lifestyle. Its a blessing to read each post you do Rebecca. Thank you for a chance to win the Waldorf Doll giveaway.
ReplyDeleteCheers
my little one has two rag dolls that belonged to her grandmother that are well loved but needing more gentle care. fingers crossed! treevt80 at yahoo
ReplyDeletefollowing too! treevt80 at yahoo
ReplyDeleteI remember that I wanted a Water Baby so very badly. It was such a mess to empty and fill that thing (and it most certainly wasn't Waldorf, by any means) but I loved that thing.
ReplyDeleteI shared through Facebook:)
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower. Thank you for having such a lovely giveaway. I can't wait to read the rest of the blog for more Waldorf ideas.
ReplyDeleteOne week before Christmas, when I was in first grade, I saw a Raggedy Ann doll in a bridal shop window and told my mom I wanted one of those dolls from Santa. Thinking it would be easy to find a Raggedy Ann doll, my mom made some noise of agreement. Two days later, she was cursing every toy store, as no one had a Raggedy Ann doll. My mother's an artist who was into fibre arts at the time, so gathered up supplies and one night made me a Raggedy Ann doll. It wasn't a traditional looking Raggedy Ann doll - her hair was a short cap of red yarn, and she was more slender than most - but I loved her instantly. To the point I nearly wore out her wrists from carrying her around all the time. I of course bandaged them up with medical tape. My grandmother felt that a better solution was to make a new, sturdier body for Raggedy Ann. I was horrified at the thought of her decapitating my beloved doll and refused to allow the surgery to happen. That doll is now 30 years old and I still have her - currently tucked away because my youngest daughter keeps trying to steal her from me ;) I'll share just about anything but my beloved Raggedy Ann doll. Go figure, my other favorite childhood doll - was my Baby Ann doll - which I also still have!
ReplyDeleteGina Pecher: My favorite doll memory is from a doll that my grandmother made me. She made it like the traditional rag dolls in Mexico. Since then, I have loved dollies my entire life. I also have a mini preemie baby doll that reminds me of my two micro preemies when they were born. I will link this to my facebook and I will become a follower. Thank you to Phoebe for introducing me to you!
ReplyDeleteI also shared on FB - I know lots of friends will love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI am a new finder of your blog and enjoying it! I have loved babies since a small girl and had a baby doll I carried everywhere, so she is in pretty much all memories. She was more realistic in weight and easy to snuggle. I have yet to find, other than waldorf dolls, a doll that is appropriate for my son, who is going to be a big brother soon. I love to watch him gently cuddle dolls and love the quality and care put into the dolls you make, absolutely excellent!
ReplyDeleteI really love reading your blog, very genuine and neat to see how far you've come in achieving your goals. I have 3 little girls with a 4th on the way. A doll like this one would be cherished in our home for sure.
ReplyDeleteSomething about the way a doll smelled seems to stay with me now....remember cabbage patch kids and how they had that baby powder scent? Not very Waldorf! I would like for my kids to not have associations of plastic and tons of packaging and complicated twisty ties and scissors and waiting forever to get a present that doesn't seem as cool now that all the packaging is gone.
Simple and handmade, thanks for the chance to win!
shared on facebook. what a beautiful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a VERY generous giveaway! One of my favorite dolly memories is that my mother hand made a lot of doll clothes for my doll. She said she preferred making little things that didn't have to fit perfectly, and wouldn't be outgrown. :) Her mother, too, made doll clothes for my mother's dolls. Now I'm enjoying knitting my first pair of matching vests for my daughter and her doll (plastic, not a beautiful Waldorf doll at all!).
ReplyDeleteI am a blog follower. :)
ReplyDeleteShared on facebook! :)
ReplyDeleteI used to love propping up our picnic benches into a teepee shape, draping beach towels over them to complete it. Then, I would tie my African-American "My Child" doll to my back, papoose style and we would have many Native-American inspired adventures!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this generous give-away!
The first doll I remember was a doll my father bought for me when he was in the US. I was in China. She was blond and blue eyes so I named her Alice and I loved her. She can grow when I pulled on a string in her butt. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and I love coming here.
ReplyDeleteI don't have an memories of doll play - except for Barbie. My girls were the same and now I'd like the break that cycle for my granddaughter. :) Thanks for the giveaway! cokelush at gmail
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful giveaway! my favorite doll when i was young was a cloth holly hobbie "flip" doll so on one side she was awake with her dress and the other side she was asleep with her night gown on. i loved her! i wish i had held onto her so i could pass her on to esmé. i have thought about sewing her something similar.
ReplyDeletewe would love to give this sweet dolly a great home! my littles would love her fo sure ♥
erika
InspiredMama@msn.com
i follow bending birches and love reading every post! ♥
ReplyDeleteI'm a GFC follower. :)cokelush is my id. Thanks! cokelush at gmail
ReplyDelete{former coke drinker actually - I need to change my email lol}
I shared on facebook. Thanks! cokelush at gmail
ReplyDeleteI never had a lovely doll like this as a child. I remember cherishing a glass doll I had, but certainly didn't take it everywhere or feel it's softness when I cuddled up to it.
ReplyDeleteMy dolls name was Rose, she had black hair, and a beautiful wardrobe full of clothes that my elderly aunts made, she was a dear friend to me, cheers Marie
ReplyDeleteI am a follower of Bending Birches!
ReplyDeletethanks for a chance to win this!
Kathy
eskimoose@hotmail.com
As a child my 'babies' were all my favorites. And now even though I am 50 with 3 grandchildren I still find solace in hugging one of my babies. Since I have two granddaughters (sisters) I would probably just have to share with them, when they come to visit. :)
ReplyDeleteeskimoose@hotmail.com
http://einsiedlerhof.blogspot.com/
I posted about your giveaway on facebook too!
ReplyDeletethanks for the chance to win!
Kathy
eskimoose@hotmail.com
http://einsiedlerhof.blogspot.com/
I have long loved your beautiful blog :) This giveaway is truly special and incredibly generous. So much love and effort is put into the making of waldorf dolls, each one is a unique work of art.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite doll memory is of a little cloth doll named Beth who was passed along from my own mother's childhood. I remember happy hours braiding beths hair and dressing her in different outfits. She seemed to have her very own personality to me and I felt a close connection to her. I had other dolls, plastic baby dolls and barbies but I always held the greatest affection for Beth. At night she had her own special blanket, I think my Grandfather knitted it actually! She is rather threadbare and bald these days... but still treasured all the same :)
I am already a follower :) and will share this giveaway on my next blog post (probably wednesday) I'll be tweeting and sharing it on FB too!!!
Oh what a list already ;) My doll memory from my childhood was a litle doll, cald Nanna, it was my sisters actuly, but i loved her and Nanna she was a black doll, and that was not so common in the beging of the 80.
ReplyDeleteAnd now when I am pregnant with my 3 litle girl, i just love dolls, and these waldorf dolls, made of love and goodness it´s the best you can give a litle girl. Your dolls are beautiful and i would love to be the lucky winner... jubii!!!!
I dont know how to copy this in to my blog but i have sendt it around on facebook to my friends there.
Love Bella
What a wonderful giveaway!! I am definitely a follower of Bending Birches.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite dolly memory is from Christmas morning. My older sisters and I would get up early and peak down the stairs at the Christmas tree and gifts. One year there was a huge box under the tree. We all guessed it was for each of us and I was correct. It was a doll my mother made for me with many, many outfits. My mother had also included one of the baby blankets we had when we were little. I don't remember who knitted it but probably one of our grandmothers. I still have the doll and some of the clothes though the doll needs new hair and I was given the blanket back when I had my daughter so she could also sleep in the blanket that her mother and aunts and cousin slept in. Needless to say I loved that dolly very much and if you saw her you could tell.
ReplyDeleteI posted something on my blog about your wonderful giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity to win it!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful giveaway. I have a little girl who would just love one of these dolls. My favortie doll memory was from when I was 5. I left my doll at a restaurant and was devestated. When we went back to get the I was very overwhelmed and greatful to have her back. I did not loose her again.
ReplyDeleteAfter 37 years, my favorite doll is still the handmade Raggedy-Ann doll my mom made. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks for this opportunity to win!
I'm now an official follower! (I use to just pop over on my own hoping for a new post!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this chance to win!
I shared on Facebook! Third time's the charm! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI am a regular reader of Bending Birches and find your blog so inspiring! I LOVE these amazing dolls, and would be thrilled to win one for our boys. :) Thanks so much!!
ReplyDeleteWe read Bending Birches blog and also attend Miss Rebecca's play school. Our favorite family dolly memory so far is the girls turning a blankie into a baby doll and nursing it. =) This blankie dolly was the baby of choice for almost a whole year. ~
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to join in the giveaway~
Blessings
Sarah Nasto
Thank you for this amazing giveaway! I have been following your blog for a while and always look forward to your posts. They are such a wonderful inspiration! These dolls are so beautiful and I would love to win one for my 3.5-year-old doll-loving daughter!
ReplyDeleteWow, beautiful giveaway :-) My favourite doll memory is playing with my strawberry shortcake doll that had the strawberry smell, so sweet - my great nana gave her to me :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm following bending birches :-)
ReplyDeleteI am a faithful reader of Bending Birches and even though my daughters are all grown(and 2 of them are mothers themselves)I have learned so much from you. I especially love that you try to find a thrifty way to bring a Waldorf lifestyle to your son and preschoolers. I am a kindergarten teacher at a Catholic school but I incorporate many Waldorf elements into our day. I would love to have a Waldorf doll for my little ones to love.
ReplyDeleteHello, I have become a follower of your blog. I think this lady's dolls are beautiful and would love to have one. I also read your blog regularly and enjoy your your articles. Keep up your good work and thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower..love your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite doll memory is how I played as a child with my dolls everyday for hours. At one point I was convinced they might even be really alive! My favorites came everywhere with me.
~angela
holistic_earthmama@yahoo.com
I loved looking at and playing with my mother's dolls as a child. My daughter would love a Waldorf doll.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance.
Love your blog!
Tracy (waynetracy@comcast.net)
I follow bending birches, and read whenever there are new posts. I didn't have any Waldorf dolls growing up, I had a little doll Lisa that I loved dearly, even after she had most two limbs. I remember trying to breast feed her and my aunts thinking how cute I was. These dolls are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI named my first doll Harold! I didn't know about girl and boy names, it was my grandfather's name.
ReplyDeletexoxo
~ joey ~
And I very much enjoy following your blog! :o)
ReplyDeletexoxo
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI so love your blog and LOVE these beautiful doll creations. How can I not hope to win one?!
Our current doll delimma (sp) is: Puppy bit Baby Doll's face, leaving it holey. So the girl won't sleep with her but offers Baby Doll for me to sleep with. She will need some serious reconstruction/surgery which also worries the girl. All this understood in the light of the Gateways article. How much of her self lives in that doll as well.
Thank you for your beautiful blog.
Anne
I love your blog, and am a regular reader.
ReplyDeleteI remember, arund 5 years old, during a summer at my grandparents, my beloved doll fell apart (actually, her head came off-- I was incredibly distraught). My grandmother had animal and garden work that had to be attended to. The hours felt like days, but that evening, she repaired my doll, and all was right again in my universe. Until I was 12 years old (crazy late, these days!) doll play was a big part of my play.
thanks for the give away! (Sharing on FB)
What an amazing giveaway! So generous. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm also a follower. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am a Bending Birches follower and I would love to win this beautiful doll. I named my favorite childhood doll "Uncle Freddy" - he had a huge plastic head but a soft stuffed body. My grandmother painted his portrait and it's one of my most cherished possessions :)
ReplyDeleteAh, I don't have any nice dolly memories when I was a child. I was afraid of my doll! She had those eyes that opened and closed...which is yet another reason why I appreciate these "Waldorf" dolls all the more. My son would love his very own doll. Thanks for such a wonderful giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWe would love to have such a sweet doll for our kids. Thank you for the interview and lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite doll memories was watching my little girl nurse her baby doll when she was about 2 years old. No bottles even for our dollies!
I'm a follower of this blog too....
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite doll story is also a sad one. One of my twins, around age 1 1/2- 2, adopted a very simple rag doll that had belonged to me, named Leslie. She named it Baby, and she loved Baby dearly....carrying her everywhere for days at a time, then rediscovering her a week later and falling in love over and over again. One day she must have dropped her somewhere, when she was riding on my back, and we never found her. She wasn't very sad, but I was.
And now I'm finally a follower.......she's a very sweet doll, and I love that size. My daughters have 14" child dolls (Nova Natural) that I love, and I made them 9" baby dolls last holiday. This year they are asking for a bigger baby doll, and I would love to make them a sleepy night-night bunting doll for their beds, as well as a 9" fairy or mermaid. Eeeek, better start crafting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful doll! My favorite doll memory just recently happened: my 5 year old daughter's Waldorf doll from Palumba lost her legs!!! Carmela is a jointed doll, and I fear that fixing her is beyond my capabilities just now. I found a lovely lady in Alaska on Etsy who does Emergency Room repairs on Waldorf dolls (and sends them home in cute little hospital gowns). Carmela is on her way to Alaska as we speak!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beautiful doll. I never played with dolls as a kid, but am now discovering doll play with my 2 year old. I can't believe how much I missed out on! I'm loving watching her care for her dolly.
ReplyDeleteFiona
fjkelly6 at gmail.com
I loved playing "school" with my Cabbage Patch Kid. :-) Great give-away... thanks!
ReplyDeleteI thought I already followed you (!!). Now I do for real. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite doll memory is receiving a raggedy ann doll from my only aunt and I still have the doll.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
Thanks so much!
xx
Have been following your blog for several months now - love the great ideas and inspiration! My favorite dolly memory isn't really a memory (I was too young), but rather a picture of me (around 2 years old) reacting to a doll I received for Christmas. I screamed (happily) and tried to give the doll a huge, sloppy, toddler kiss. Glad they caught that one for posterity! I'd love a doll that my baby could be as excited about. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness she is beautiful!! I have a little girls who would be over-the-moon to find her under the tree this year :) As for a doll memory- I have an "inside out" cloth doll that my grandma made me, I remember playing with her daily with my sister.
ReplyDeleteThanks
meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com
I'm a new follower (I just found your blog and love it so far)
ReplyDeletemeangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com
What a generous giveaway ! I have three kids and they will be so happy to play with a beautiful doll like this :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child I loved to play with my dolls. I didn't have a lot, many 2 or 3, and I remember how precious they were to me. I still have my favorite baby doll in a very good condition despite spending many hours playing with her and carrying her all over the places.
Thank you so much :)
I am a follower and I love your blog :))
ReplyDeleteI shared it on Pinterest and I'll post it on facebook !
ReplyDeleteI loved my dolls as a kid. I got so excited when we gave our daughter her first doll. I would dress my own doll and take her places. I still have my doll and my daughter plays with her from time to time. Thank you for such a wonderful giveaway. Best wishes on your etsy store.
ReplyDeleteA favorite dolly memory: waking up Christmas morning to find that my doll house had been completely and beautifully furnished. It was a magical moment. Totally didn't expect it. Elizabeth (eapapagni at hotmail dot com)
ReplyDeleteOf course I am a follower of Bending Birches! Elizabeth (eapapagni at hotmail dot com)
ReplyDeleteOh, so many lovely doll memories...I think my favorite is of a simple cloth yellow doll I had at the age of three. I remember hugging her closely to my chest.
ReplyDeleteWe would love a chance to win. We have five children, ages one to fourteen. They all love their babies. My fourteen year old still sleeps with the bunting doll he made in grade school. So sweet.
Thank you for the lovely giveaway! :)
I am a follower. :) Thank you for all the love and energy you put into your blog!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNo one particular memory, just a squishy little doll adorned with smears & smudges from going everywhere with me- just loved to pieces, a first best friend. What a great give-away, thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletei blogged about the giveaway :)
ReplyDeletehttp://inspiredmamamusings.blogspot.com/2011/11/pattern-winner-handmade-holidays-and.html
erika
InspiredMama@msn.com
I don't really have any good doll stories, other than having a Cabbage Patch Kid in the 80's (I was in 4th grade) and LOVED it. However, I wish I had one of these beautiful dolls growing up....
ReplyDeleteI am a dear follower of your blog and etsy site!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to enter! My favorite dolly memory is kind of silly but I have a cabbage patch kid name Laura Kari. I got her when I was 4 in 1983. Once on a long car ride I threw up in her hair. I was so sad because I thought she was ruined but my mother fixed her up, better then new and I still have her today. My 4 year old son cuddles her to sleep every night :)
ReplyDeleteI facebooked about the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI am also a dear follower of of Bending Birches for over a year now :)
ReplyDeleteMy first doll was a cabbage patch kid, his name as Xavier, and I remember being SOOOOOO excited to be a dolly mama!! I saved my allowance and bought all sorts of used baby gear for my doll...he had a stroller, wind up swing and high chair.
ReplyDeleteeeep.
These dolls are gorgeous!
xo maureen
valleyvixen(at)mail(dot)com
Oh what a wonderful giveaway and my daughter would love love love to win one of these beautiful dolls :) My favorite dolly memory is of a special Zapf doll that my Oma in Ausria sent to me when I was a little girl. I used to spend hours braiding her hair and pushing her around in an old pram I had :) Thank you so much for a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI'm also a follower of your lovely blog :)
ReplyDeleteI'm an RSS subscriber!
ReplyDeleteI was really into stuffed animals, rather than dolls. I named each animal, and, though I had my favorite, I remember talking to ALL of them so the others wouldn't feel left out. :)
ReplyDeletei am a follower!
ReplyDeletei had a favorite doll and made it in my own image by cutting off it's long hair like i cut off my own. steiner really was right about the doll representing the child. : )
ReplyDeleteI had lots of dollies when I was little but my memory is not a good one. My parents were divorced when I was three and we lived oversees, my mother forgot my dolly when we moved back to the states and my father promised to send her back for years until i finally stopped asking. I have four girls and am careful to not lose one of their babies : ) I would so love to win this dolly for one of my babies. crunchymommashop@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteJust became a follower : ) Tricia @ CrunchyCatholicMomma.blogspot
ReplyDeleteThis is truly one of the most generous giveaways ever in blogland. Thank you for offering it up!
ReplyDeleteI had one special doll growing up--Tiny Tears. I think so often we "grow up" when a tragedy hits, and one day, I left Tiny outside (Who knows why?). Some mean boys over the hill, found her--took her legs and arms off and scattered her parts everywhere. I was 5--but I'll never forget that day; I was violently sick, nearly hysterical and inconsolable until my dad did the miracles that dads can do and reassembled her. She's sitting on my shelf as I write this (and I'm now 62 years old--hoping to share that Waldorf dolly with one of my granddaughters!!!) as a reminder not only of a parent's love, but that you really must take care of those you love--every minute of every day.
Just facebooked it : ) Tricia @ CrunchyCatholicMomma.blogspot
ReplyDeleteMy younger sister and I played with dolls every single day growing up. I always had an interest in sewing and made my younger sister her first doll when I was a mere 7 years old! It was terribly scary looking, but not wanting to offend me, my younger sister accepted it with glowing admiration. No, I don't have the horrible looking thing anymore (thank God!) but I have since greatly improved my doll making abilities and one day, hope to be able to learn to make the waldorf dolls myself. In the meanwhile, I have a two year old sister who is a huge doll lover and would give this doll lots of attention! :)
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and I posted this on facebook as well!
Mary :)
http://lundkids.blogspot.com
I had many dolls when I was a little girl. I remember this one doll that I would pretend to nurse, I would bath her, dress her in a snow suit to take to school on winter days. She went every where with me. My mom tells me that when I was really little, if she asked me to clean up my dolls, I would say, "Mommy, they are NOT dolls, they are babies and they have names!"
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower of your blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI just shared on facebook. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite as a child was a stuffed doll that played music, called LaLa. I can still hear her tune in my head.... :) Thank you for the generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI had a very special doll when I was young. I named her Lucy Locket after one of the rhymes in Mother Goose. She was one of the only things I still have from my childhood and I recently brought her out to show my own little daughter. My daughter is thrilled with her but is rather disappointed that I appear to have enjoyed chewing Lucy Locket's thumbs when I was little - I have no recollection of actually doing this though!
ReplyDeleteI would love for my daughter to have a special doll of her own. Thank you for the chance to win.
Ruth
When I was 5, our house burned down, along with my precious doll, Pitty Patty. She could not (due to lack of $$$) be replaced. Have no idea where her name came from. I am now a grandmother and love these Waldorf inspired dolls.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet gift from Samantha!
ReplyDeleteI was never a really dolly child - but I am now and I have a little one that would love it.
Warm wishes, Tonya
My son is turning one in February and I've been hoping to give him a Waldorf doll to celebrate the occasion. Thanks so much for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI'm now a follower. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI would love to enter the giveaway! My favorite dolly memory would have to be...my Cabbage Patch doll! I loved that doll so much, and named her China. She was named that because I also loved Beanie Babies and always would look for their name on the tag. I asked my Aunt what it said on the Cabbage Patch doll tag, and it said 'Made in China', so China was her name! ;)
ReplyDeleteI now still love dolls, especially American Girl dolls. :)
Thanks for the chance to win!
~Liz~
Just fb'd the giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteFiona
fjkelly6 at gmail.com
I'm a follower!
ReplyDeleteWhen my brother was little he wanted a sister doll for his little boy doll. My mom and I picked out a little girl and gave it to him for his birthday. He opened the package and cried. He said it wasn't the right doll. He wanted a babage batch (cabbage patch) doll that matched his boy doll. We tired and tried to explain that it was cabbage patch. Finally he lifts up the dolls shirt, sees the belly button and says, "OH! This is a babbage batch!" He was a happy little boy after that. :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful giveaway, I remember my very first special doll "allison"...I loved her like a sister!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite doll was Charlotte. She had beautiful silky chestnut hair, real patent leather shoes and silk stockings. She had an old-fashioned brown dress with lace, and was the most beautiful doll I had ever seen!
ReplyDeleteone of my best memories is getting my daughter a little Waldorf doll that looks much like her. I adore the freckles on both my daughter & her doll! (and I love the belly button on the doll in your photos :) nancywalters44@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi - I love Woodland Woolen's doll! I loved dolls as a child. Baby dolls and the bigger more realistic the better. I dressed them in diapers and white t-shirts and then cuddled them in blankets. I remember an elderly relatively kidding me about never dressing my dolls in actual clothes. She kept sneaking and dressing the dolls while I kept pealing off everything except the diaper. I'm lucky to have a special doll loving daughter now. Its interesting to see what kinds of dolls most appeal to her. Small and sweet is what she likes.
ReplyDeleteI'm following your blog!
ReplyDeleteMy grandma made me a doll that I loved as a kid.
ReplyDeletelovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
I follow on gfc.
ReplyDeletelovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
I just advertised your blog on my facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/InvitingPlay?ref=ts
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. I love your blog - it's one of those that I feel I must read every post. (I was first inspired by the beautiful photos of your Waldorf-inspired home!).
ReplyDeleteAs for dolly memories... an odd one sticks out. My parents bought me a Cabbage Patch Kid, and they all came with a "birth certificate" in the mail. I was so excited to get mine, that when I ripped open the envelope, I ripped the certificate, too... I remember crying. Then, my parents had to send for a new one. Her name was Esta Teresta, if I recall.
I'm sending word out on our Facebook account as we speak.
Favorite doll memory was putting diapers on my cabbage patch doll, Pauline
ReplyDeleteI follow bending birches on my google reader
ReplyDeleteI am sending this out on my facebook account! Beautiful blog and dolls!
ReplyDeleteSigning up to follow you and "like" you on facebook :) agregg3342@yahoo.com ~ Angela
ReplyDeleteThose Waldorf dolls are so beautiful. My sisters all had baby dolls but I had Jane West action figure. My little girl would love to have a soft little dolly like this.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite dolly memory is after giving my eldest son my tiny tears doll that had been my first birthday present, following the birth of my second son, I later found him breastfeeding it. Such a heart warming sight!
ReplyDeleteFeel a bit cheeky joining your blog because of a giveaway, but if I had come across it sooner I would have joined then, such a lovely blog.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite doll memory is receiving hand knit and hand sewn doll clothes every christmas from my dear great grandmother, a tradition I continue on with my own daughter~
ReplyDeleteLove to see every post - xoxo G & L's Mom
ReplyDeleteOh my... What a beautiful work. I will go check her space now and will come back to read more of your blog. I'm glad I found your site.
ReplyDeletegrowing up I had a playhouse in our backyard that I used a lot. I had few dolls and the one I remember the most is this porcelain face doll that was my mother's. Someone broke in to my doll house at some point (I wasn't very big) and I remember seeing my doll chattered into pieces. Not a memory I want to have, but I remember treasuring this doll just because of what it was for my mom as well.
We've been trying to get one of these dolls for our kids as a present, but as you say, they are very expensive and I can't believe at the chance to win this one.
Thank you so very much for the amazing giveaway.
Thanks.
My best doll memory is one of the reasons I'm a toymaker. My best beloved child care provider PennyBrooks (always her full name, I was quite rigid about this!) made me a "just like me" doll for my 8th birthday. I adored her. She was a safe place to share all sorts of things going on in my world.
ReplyDeletedirtwitch@eastlink.ca
Wow, what a lovely giveaway. My mother used to make dolls - in Germany, so all sort of Waldorf style! My favourite was called Lisa, who had PJs matching mine. Loved sleeping in partner look!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower of your blog :)
ReplyDeleteJust posted to my facebook! So happy to find you as I'm always on the hunt for Waldorf supplies :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, that is such a beautiful doll! I wasn't a big doll person as a kid, but I did have one that I looooooved for a long time. There was something about her that was so special, even for an animal-toy-lover such as I was.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance! I have a newborn boy that I would love to give such a special doll to.
I actually came across that doll looking for Waldorf dolls on Etsy. It is my plan this year to get both of my girls some dolls. I had Cabbage Patch dolls when I was young and kept them but my older daughter has zero interest in them - which is fine, when I was young I loved my ET (yes, the Extra Terrestrial) to pieces. I dressed him up as a baby and took him everywhere with me - even travelling when I was in my 20s. It always amazes me what children will fall in love with. :) And yes, I am a follower of this beautiful blog.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite doll memory involved my American Girl doll. In 4th grade, our school librarian hosted an American Girl doll tea party for mothers, daughters, and their dolls. My mom took off work to take me to the tea party, and I had fun eating snacks in the library with my friends and our dolls.
ReplyDeleteI am a dear follower :-)
ReplyDeleteI never really had a favorite dolly when I was growing up. I was a tomboy!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower!
ReplyDeleteI shared your giveaway on Facebook!
ReplyDelete