I was at Big Lots the other day and happened to be in the toy section. I go there from time to time and stroll through the aisle to see if there is anything that might work as a prop or find something for an “accessory” to go with one of my outfits. I found something that day! It was a little baby doll, and even though she wasn’t super appealing to me at first glance, I had a plan.
As soon as I saw her I thought of my next doll listing. It’s going to be called, “The Babysitter.” How appropriate don’t you think, a baby doll…”The Babysitter.” She was only $5.00 and included was her little stroller.
Since I finished Elizabeth’s Regency set and have it listed on Ebay, (HERE) I thought today was a good day to break out “dear baby” and see if my plan would work. First I had to make sure she was the right size for my girls…either the Effner Little Darlings, or the American Girl dolls. I held her stoller up to both and remarkably the baby looks pretty good with either of the dolls.
I thought the doll was a little stark looking… a bit plain, and needed something done with her eyes… a little “enhancing.”
Enhancing is always good for plain eyes! I got out my water color pencils and did a little messing around with eyelashes. I tried, then erased, then tried and erased… probably about 4 or 5 times… Her eyes, nose and mouth are about the size of a quarter…she’s pretty little…which is good because I’m not a professional at repaints! “Little” hides imperfections! :o)
I also added some hair to the top of her head… no need to have a bald baby when I have water color pencils at my disposal. I just made it sort of wispy and cute.
I thought I had it right, but when I took pictures of her, it looked like she had too much eye shadow on, so I erased the top part of the pencil and just left the eyelashes.
When I thought her eyes looked okay, I got out my chalk pastels and gave her face a little more color…especially her cheeks.
I decided she looked pretty sweet, but wanted to seal the work I had done. I cut out little sticky pieces to cover her acrylic eyeballs and got out my Mr. Super Clear.
It’s a sealer that won’t let the pencil rub off. I took her outside and sprayed her head. It dries pretty quickly so she was ready to go almost immediately. I sprayed her a second time for a good seal.
Now I just have to do the rest of “The Babysitter” part… you’ll have to wait and see who gets to push this baby around…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Awww….. She is adorable and you are amazing. I can’t wait to see her with her babysitter.
I mentioned before that I am relatively new to the doll world and have learned that I have a special attraction to hats. The Juliet cap you made for Elizabeth is beautiful as were the ones you have made for Addy.
Thank you Beth,
I’m glad you enjoyed the cap/bonnet I made to go with the Regency dress. It was fun to make that style again.
Welcome to the doll world… since you’re new! If you stick around here long enough, you’ll find out ALL kinds of things about dolls you never knew!
Thanks again,
Blessings, Jeanne
You really made a difference, and the babysitter idea is a lot of fun. I’m looking forward to seeing how the baby fits with both size dolls. The stroller is modern, so it looks to me that the babysitter will be either Janie or Isabelle or Molly. Choosing a fabric that will look good with the stroller will be interesting, but you may have done that. Now I’ll wait until tomorrow to see if I’m right.
Molly doesn’t wear pink a lot but she does look good in it. Or rose? Or another doll.
HI Marilyn,
But of course I had to find a fabric that picked up the colors of the stroller… and I did! I hope you’ll like it. This one was just for fun and maybe something for grandma’s to give to special granddaughters! Just a thought!
Molly was on the cutting at one time…so were some others… still gonna keep it a secret…
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
That baby doll looks much more natural, Jeanne, since your time with her. We have a newly moved to here 7 month old grand daughter and your doll reminds me of her. You did a great job.
Blessings.
HI Becky,
I bet your time is not your own since having a new granddaughter in the house… I hope you are having fun with her… I’m sure she’s loving her grandma dote on her!
Thanks for the compliments on “my” baby doll… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
I bought one of these last year with something similar in mind. Haven’t done a face up on her yet though. Nice job. There are so many “cheap” babies out there that could be made to be so much more if they had that extra touch. Now how about that stroller? That would be cute painted up too. I am going to try on mine.
HI April,
Oh good, I’m glad I inspired you to give a try on your baby doll. Even if you mess up, if you use water color pencils, you can just erase your mistakes… I got my water color pencils at Hobby Lobby… As long and she didn’t get wet, you wouldn’t necessarily have to seal yours…
I like the little stroller too… and yes, it would be cute painted, but I did leave mine as it was.
Let me know how yours turns out…
Blessings, Jeanne
You definitely added more sweetness and personality to the baby. Her little wispy hair was an especially good touch. Overall, it seems like a very fun project. I’m looking forward to where you are going to take it.
Have a good day.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
I cut 6″ off of Rebecca’s hair the other day and decided to save it… in case I wanted to make a doll wig from it. I debated about gluing snippets of it on this baby’s head but decided I liked the wispy look of just the pencils… Thanks for your compliments.
It was a fun project and hope everyone likes this “set” when I’m done…
Blessings, Jeanne
Leave it to you, Jeanne, to improve a sweet little baby doll! You did a great job, and I love the rosy cheeks! I’ve never done anything like that, I guess I’m not brave enough, but a $5.00 doll, might be OK to try on. Yes, I thought the first try with the eyes made her look like she was wearing eye shadow, but you fixed it perfectly! Actually, and I’m not one of them, some women collectors actually like dolls looking like they have make-up on, you know, those dolls with bee-kissed lips, and looong lashes and perfectly shaped eyebrows. I just don’t care for that look, but a lot do. I like my dolls to look like real little girls, not glamour pusses!!
Oh yes, yesterday was wonderful outside, and today too! Enjoy it while we can!
Thanks Linda,
Yep, the first couple of tries were a bit much… now her eyes have some definition and dimension but not too glamorous. I like my dolls to look like little girls too…not too much face paint.
It is beautiful out today and I might mow grass with the push mower… “just for fun!” :o)
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
That was fun! The talent bug is out again and landed at your place. Now there will be a rush at Big Lots today. Makes me wonder if dolly could be wigged? Your paint is perfect. Just another option. And then stroller paint. I’m always painting over Barbie pink. Just me I’m sure. Can’t wait to see stroller dolly and an LD or AG together.
HI Joy,
Thanks for your kind words about my new baby doll… repaint.. I guess we’ll call it that…
I just told Charlotte, above, that I had cut 6″ off Rebecca’s hair last week and almost glued it on this baby’s head… but didn’t… maybe I’ll buy another doll and give that a try. I already have some Tibetan lambs wool and might give that a try too…
I hadn’t really thought about painting the stroller, but it would be cute. I guess you’d have to use a Krylon fusion paint for plastics? right?
I matched my fabric to the stroller so it’s too late to do that for this set… but there’s always the next time… :o)
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a clever idea, Jeanne, and how sweet and lifelike the baby looks with your enhancements. I especially like her fine, wispy hair, complete with crown. She reminds me of the illustrations by Eloise Wilkin in the vintage Little Golden Books. I’m looking forward to the process and completion of “The Babysitter,” and can’t wait to see her with one of your “big” girls. Will baby receive a new outfit, too?
Hi Anne,
Thanks for liking my baby doll…it was something fun to try…I’ve even done a little more on her…you’ll see…
I absolutely love the Eloise Wilkins illustrations!
I’m working as fast as I can to get this set completed…
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Elizabeth’s Regency dress was just lovely to behold yesterday and she modeled it beautifully. You’re right that must people think Caroline’s hair is hard to manage. I was fortunate that my NIB one from eBay came with wonderfully thick hair, but without all the flyaways that most people complain about. I have actually misted her hair and brushed individual curls around the brush and her hair is as perfect as when I got her almost two years ago. Her gorgeous eyes are what sold me. Any decal eyes are my weakness.
Cute transformation to the baby doll- enhanced, but not overdone. As Linda commented, there is someone who “grows up” the AG dolls with lots of facepaint and enhanced eyelashes. I think they look really odd and unattractive, but many love them. Probably why I don’t like Tenney or the new Felicity, too old IMO.
Looking forward to seeing who gets to babysit. I’m guessing it will have to be a more modern doll also because of the stroller- Eden, Molly or a LD.
Hi Laura,
If I thought I could find one of the Caroline with the thick hair, I might still be tempted…I love my Elizabeth’s thick hair!
I’ve seen some of those “made up” dolls too…Aren’t they “supposed” to be 10 years old???
I’m working on the “babysitter” set right now…and have a few surprises…:o)
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Forgot to comment on the Eloise Wilkin illustrations. I love those as well. I have some Little Golden books that were mine and some were my mom’s. “So Big” is the first one that comes to mind.
Hi Laura,
How fun that you still have some of your and your mom’s childhood books!!! What a tteasure.
Blessings, Jeanne
Ooh, Jeanne, I know where *I* am heading tomorrow!! Big Lots!! I’m sure my girls would love to have a dolly and stroller to play with, too! Can’t wait to see your “babysitter” outfit!
One question: you said you “erased” and redid some of the marks–do you mean you used an eraser, or perhaps water on a Q-Tip? Just curious, and thanks in advance for the answer!!