The very first iteration of the tiny rag doll appeared a very long time ago. I still have her. She was made to inhabit the doll house that was the center of my world. I remember every object in that little house in complete detail.
The second iteration appeared 11 years ago while I was feeling around for something:
“I have lots of ideas for dolls … traditional, contemporary and ideas in experimental directions. As I started to play with the idea of dolls there was an insistent desire to make a one that my 11 year old self would have loved. A tiny doll with layers of fancy unmentionables under her gown. To have the fun of dressing her, to indulge in tinyness and nostalgia. I got lost in it. All the while feeling – more of this please.
I love her like you love a doll, an odd little doll.”
The tiny rag doll pattern is 10 years old! There are lots of tiny dolls all over the world and she even has chickens and a wheelbarrow now. Plus lots of other accessories you can make on the miss thistle society page.
And she has an eternally in progress cardboard house. You can find the house measurements and tips for building your own here. A couple standout ideas are twigs for curtain hardware and clothes pins for floor support.
And don’t miss the tiny dish tutorial. The teacup handle is my 3rd greatest gift to humanity.
checkout some sweet tiny doll projects by customers:
Doll camp site by Heather, tiny rag doll by Catherine, , another by Katie, doll bed by Eve, more dolls by Rachel and a bundled up doll by Heatherandthepugs.
the garden report
I scattered a bunch of wild flower seeds last year that that did not appear until this year- It’s been a rolling series of surprises since May. Plus bachelor buttons! That the bunnies somehow missed.
and pole beans
The climbing amazes me every time – the world truly is magic. Anxiously awaiting flowers…
I’m super happy with the stick trellis and it is apparently pole bean apporved. It was free and fun to make. I love any project that starts with wandering around looking for excellent sticks. The keys to success were sturdy sticks and burying them deeply for stability.
I have just finished one of the tiny dolls with braids! I used some leftover trim pieces! Violet enjoys wearing her cotton overalls and sleeping on her tent floor pad that incorporates vinyl fabric on the bottom so it doesn’t absorb moisture. Violet’s quilt is made from brightly colored scraps that she has been saving for years. She is currently planning on living outside in her fabulous ️ campsite which can move inside in the Fall using a 1’ square piece of astroturfing. Too much fun!!!
I’ve been looking for a cute seat to do fun summer project while I’m walled inside my house during the Minnesota heat wave
This looks like it would be really fun
I made Ms. Violet last summer, but I’ve been afraid to “ ruin “ her by stitching her facial features- I’m new to all this. So far she has a cute dress and apron. She also has a bed from your wire pattern- the cutest thing ever- and a small penny rug ( another adorable thing).
I made a prototype of her house from card stock paper and have just started the process of cutting cardboard for her permanent home. I’m excited with the whole process. Thanks so much Ann, for letting me join in on you creative journeys.
I’ve grown pole beans on a ‘waddle fence’ trellis for several years and this year I’m trying some pvc tubing scraps I found in my stash of potentially useful things. A Jury is still out on that. There are tomatoes and tomatillos though and a a cucumber plant which has survived the heat wave and the bugs so far. 10 years of Miss Thistle, already?!! I remember her arrival.
I love your dolls! your works are stunning and adds so much beauty to this world!