She's Finally Done!

"Ellie"
20 inches tall
Repainted Antique "Unbreakable" Papier Mache Head
Repainting, Body and Clothing by Dixie Redmond

She is sold now, thanks!


Click here to go to Dixie Redmond.com

Back in December of 2007 I used Christmas money I received to purchase the "Unbreakable" Papier Mache head below from Ruby Lane. I wanted to learn a bit about papier mache heads and because I felt sorry for her. She had been repainted before, but in a kind of hardened way.

Here's the before picture
of the doll head as purchased:



Here's the after picture of Ellie below:


I repainted her many, many times
until she looked softer
and I was satisfied with her.


I wanted to give her red hair
instead of the flat black she had previously.
I glued some linen cloth on the cracks
that you see in the before picture so
that she is completely stable now.



I know some people don't like repainted antique dolls, and if this doll had been untouched I would have left her as she was. But she wasn't and I figured she was fair game for a study doll. A kind friend of mine shared her marvelous personal pattern she has used in making papier mache bodies. So I used it to give Ellie (that's her name) a new body.




She has curved arms
typical of papier mache dolls.


I made her pantaloons from
antique clothing which had
wonderful shark's tooth trim
at the hem.


Her legs have painted stockings
ans scalloped painted boots.



After all she had been through I took the time to make a custom removable dress for her in a soft green color. I also gave her work basket to hold her wonderful woolens that were purchased for her at Searsport Rug Hooking. Maybe Ellie is going to make a penny rug?



Well, she's come a long way after
many months and many hours of work.


She is sold now, thank you.




7 comments:

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Dixie. She's beautiful!!! I love the softness of her features and her coloring ~ so very pretty...her clothing fits her personality too!! She's just wonderful, xxoo, Dawn

Lone Pierette said...

Dixie she is just wonderful now , you did a really good job on her, she must be very pleased !
hugs Lone

Atticbabys said...

Dixie you can just tell how pleased she is with how she looks now!!
Such a lovely, soft face~ You did a great job!
Nan

Dawn said...

She's beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I was just browsing Dixie, OMGoodness, Ellie turned out AMAZING!!! What a wonderful doll.

Anonymous said...

Dixie I was just visiting and am just amazed at how BEAUTIFUL you transformed this little gal. Someone got very lucky bringing her home, she's wonderful!

Dixie Redmond said...

Thanks for your kind words, Patty!


"Do not let what you cannot do
keep you from doing what you can do."

John Wooden