The Making of a One and Only Toddler

This 18-inch felt doll by Karen Oyekanmi of Kissing Kousins inspired the creation of another doll.

After visiting Karen Oyekanmi's Facebook (FB) page, I fell in love with one of the dolls in her cover image. The doll was not clearly visible, but her complexion and mounds of curly dark hair caught my eye and I needed to know more about her.  The 18-inch felt doll had been made quite some time ago and had since been sold, Karen explained.

My daughter, circa 1980/1981 wearing a dress my mother purchased for her.

After purchasing a bookmark from Karen in March, with her FB cover-page doll still on my mind, I asked Karen if she could make a smaller similar doll, around 12 inches, with the same complexion and lots of curly hair. The doll was to be my birthday present from me to me.   Karen agreed and asked me how I would like for the doll to be dressed.  I sent the two following photos of a dress my daughter wore at around age 4 and asked if she could make the doll a similar dress.



These front and back views of the dress my daughter wore circa 1980/1981 illustrate the orange appliqués at the empire waist through which the now missing green satin ribbons that tied on either side had been laced.  The ribbons are visible in the above photo of my daughter wearing this dress.

Karen began making my doll in early April and shared photos of the doll-making process through which I enjoyed seeing my commissioned toddler come to life.  Some of Karen's photos follow:

She's waiting for hair, facial painting, clothing and shoes.

Look at the dress!  It is an almost exact replica of my daughter's!

Take a closer look at the fabric used for the dress.  Just like my daughter's dress, it has two little oranges at the empire waist with a green satin ribbon laced underneath.  The ribbon ties on one side.

Tried on for size; it's a perfect fit!

So much detail went into making the dress (and the doll).  The dress has a slip of contrasting colors, and matching panties.

She has a face now and it is adorable!

With her black hand made, faux leather Mary Jane-style shoes, the toddler wears lime green socks with yellow stripes and white lace accents at the ankle cuffs.

Guess what!  The completed, 13-inch toddler has her very own doll!

After I viewed the first photos of the completed doll, I asked Karen if she could possibly make a doll for her.  She already had the perfect 3-inch doll, which the toddler holds in the above image.

To better illustrate her detail, upon arrival, I took the following additional photos of my birthday doll from me to me.

I love her! 

I love her dress, too, the back of which has the orange appliqués mentioned previously.

Her separate fingers allow her to clasp them together, and her body construct allows her to stand without the assistance of a doll stand.

Isn't her little doll adorable?  No detail was spared on this one either.  Made of cloth, she has wired arms and legs.  She wears a fancy straw hat of polymer clay, a blue and white gingham dress and has painted-on white socks and black Mary Jane-style shoes.  Her little dress has ruffles in back and a large bow.  Too cute!

The toddler's certificate of authenticity verifies that "Toddler Baby" is a limited edition of one.

Added surprise extras were a blanket and pillow made by Karen that were sent along with the Toddler Baby and her doll.  One side of the blanket is cotton blend print of orange, peach and white (I love peach!); the back is made of orange felt.

Here she is, the one and only 13-inch Toddler Baby and her one and only 3-inch doll.  Have I written how much I love them both?

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