Melissa, Birds, Hearts and Flowers!

Valentine's Day!

Melissa, Willy Nilly Tweet Sweet, and Chirpy Cheerful
Finch Post is busy during Valentine season, delivering lovely sentiments!
Displayed on the art stand is a dove surrounded by flowers.
The art stand and red bench were made by Seth Tudor.
The art stand is a replica in miniature of the art stand that Tasha Tudor had.


Do you see Trilly up on the cupboard?
Trilly Tweet Sweet seems to have a natural sparkle about her as she flies in with exciting news!
But, Dear Readers, you will have to wait to hear more about it!
Trilly Tweet Sweet is Willy Nilly Tweet Sweet's wife.
Above, hangs a portrait of Sarah done by Tasha Tudor.


Trilly Tweet Sweet


A Finch Post Box.
Finch Post serves the dolls at Corgyncombe with superb mail delivery service. Diane and Sarah were inspired by Tasha Tudor to have their own doll Post. Tasha Tudor's post was named Sparrow Post, where cards and goodies were delivered to her children.

Trilly, Willy Nilly, and Chirpy fly for Finch Post.


Chirpy Cheerful and Willy Nilly Tweet Sweet are both perched in chairs that Seth Tudor made.
The chair in front, that Willy Nilly is in, is a miniature replica of one that Tasha Tudor sat in do her artwork.


At Corgyncombe's Finch Post, Chirpy Cheerful holds one of the official Valentine Dolly Cards. Tasha Tudor had the children use buttons to buy goods for their dolls and animals and Sparrow Post to deliver mail. The currency for the dolls at Corgyncombe is buttons, as well. A little button box can be seen near the base of the scale.


Bleeding Heart


Melissa is wearing a heart shaped locket, much like the one that Tasha Tudor drew for the letter "L" in "A is for Annabelle".
Melissa reminds us of Tasha Tudor's doll Melissa... very much so.
Tasha Tudor wrote and illustrated books featuring her dolls, including "A is for Annabelle".
"A is for Annabelle" is about an old fashioned doll and some of her belongings from A to Z, such as her hat, earrings, hair ribbons, and her heart shaped locket.


Melissa shares a word with Trilly about the exciting news yet to come!

A delightful Valentine's Day to all our Dear Readers!

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The Old Corgyncombe Tall Clock!

An Old English Clock!

The old Corgyncombe tall clock that ticks away the hours that are rarely dull!
The clock is from the late 1700s and was made in the area that is now called Cumbria.

Beatrix Potter lived in the scenic Lake District of England, which is now part of the area called Cumbria.

The clock reminds us of the one in "The Tale of Samuel Whiskers" or "The Roly-Poly Pudding", written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter. Beatrix Potter illustrated mother cat Tabitha Twitchit on the landing of the stairway with a clock behind her, whilst she is looking for her missing son Tom Kitten.

In "The Tale of Samuel Whiskers" or "The Roly-Poly Pudding", written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter, Samuel Whiskers and his wife Anna Maria steal a pat of butter, a rolling pin, and some dough. In the photograph above, Samuel Whiskers is seen running away with a pat of butter. Below the book is a pat of hand churned butter from Corgyncombe Dairy Goat Carmella Lucille.

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Buttons, Lace, and Double Pink!

Our Favorite Things at Corgyncombe Cottage!

Old double pink fabric, buttons, old bobbin lace, an old velvet pincushion stuck round with old pins, and Bridget's likeness in an old tintype frame. Delightful Bridget was made by Margaret Flavin.

Diane has these fond remembrances of visiting a favorite elderly relative: My great grandmum's cousin Lena excelled at domestic skills such as pickling, breadmaking, sewing, and many others. She always won prizes for her domestic abilities at the county fair. My family used to visit them often and I would usually take a doll with me. One time she surprised me with a handmade dolly wardrobe in an old basket.
When I began to quilt, Lena gave me this fine piece of double pink fabric and I have never made anything from it, saving it for something special. Maybe some things for dollies...

Lena was such a wonderful lady! And to think that she weighed only a few pounds when she was born and wasn't expected to live. To keep her warm after she was born they put her in a basket in the warming oven atop the old wood cookstove. It was just warm enough to keep the premature baby comfortably warm. Lena lived to a ripe old age and she passed many of her skills on to me! She taught me how to do piecing and quilting. I inherited some of her quilting patterns and equipment. Lena was so thrilled that I wanted to learn from her!
She always reiterated small, tiny stitches and she was very pleased with my efforts... but then we are from a long line of kindred who love to sew. In the old days tiny quilting stitches were prized and well so because they made items that would last. The same goes for spinning excellence as they wanted good yarns to make into items that would last. These heirloom pieces last because of their fine workmanship. Children were taught at an early age such skills as spinning, knitting, and quilting.

The old, two-drawer box full of buttons was a recent delightful find.

Tasha Tudor enjoyed making doll clothing and did an exquisite job of fashioning and sewing! Tasha Tudor drew and painted little catalogs such as "Mouse Mills Catalogue", for her children, illustrating clothing and fashions that she would make and could be ordered for their dolls and animals. Tasha Tudor had the children use buttons to buy these goods. The currency for the dolls at Corgyncombe is buttons, as well!


Elizabeth, who works with Tillie Tinkham the seamstress mouse at Corgyncombe, especially likes Tasha Tudor's Mouse Mills' motto:
"Good, Better, Best, Never rest, 'Til Good be Better, And Better, Best."


On the book stand, is an old copy of "The Well-Bred Doll".
The book is open to sisters Florence and Laura dressing their doll Lottie.
In another chapter, Lottie had, in many attempts to fashion the prettiest nosegay, picked and discarded many of the flowers in her friends' Emma and Fanny's flower garden. When Lottie was asked why she had ruined Emma and Fanny's garden, she said "Because, mamma, I was so dull." Obviously, Lottie was bored and tried to entertain herself by making a pretty tussie mussie over and over again. Florence then told Lottie that if she she knew how to sew, she could always find pleasure in sewing and not be dull. Florence began to teach Lottie how to sew. From the book "The Well-Bred Doll": "The mamma began a hem, and Lottie began to work too. She made very long stitches, and the hem was all on one side. Then Florence took it again very kindly and showed her how it ought to be done; and very soon Lottie began to work quite nicely."
Thanks to Dixie Redmond, a dollmaker of delightful Izannah Walker dolls, for turning our attention to and highlighting the book "The Well-Bred Doll" on her blog.


Izzibeth is a reproduction Izannah Walker doll made by Paula Walton.
Her sunbonnet and frock are made of antique double pink fabric.


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A Sweet Brother and Sister Portrait!

Our Favorite Things at Corgyncombe Cottage!

On the back in old handwriting are their names, Sandy and Mary. The little boy on the left is Sandy, his full name was Alexander. Mary was born about 1851 and Alexander about 1853. Both of the children are holding flowers and on the right in the picture, the reflection of the pink hyacinth that was on our table can be seen.

The Days of Valentines at Corgyncombe Cottage, delightfully filled with afternoon teas, flowers, making Valentines, fun with the doll families, and being inspired by Tasha Tudor Valentine books, calendars, and cards!

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The Days of Valentines...

Our Favorite Things at Corgyncombe Cottage!

The Days of Valentines at Corgyncombe Cottage, delightfully filled with afternoon teas, flowers, making Valentines, fun with the doll families, and being inspired by Tasha Tudor Valentine books, calendars, and cards!
The mirror above was another delightful find that had belonged to Martha, the same lady who had also owned the baskets, quilt, and the peach and green striped linen towel that were mentioned in our "Delightful Kindred Spirit Finds" post and our "Shepherding the Flock" post.

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Izannah Walker Dolls at Corgyncombe Cottage!

Izannah Christmas Delights!!!

Bridget is very happy to be at Corgyncombe Cottage where she enjoys tea parties, cooking and baking, sewing, and bird watching. Bridget is an Izannah Walker inspired doll made by the talented dollmaker Margaret Flavin. Bridget is holding a little bunny that befriended her on a Corgyncombe outing. Darling Bridget is wearing her Christmas party dress and a pretty white cap that she borrowed from her Cousin Charlotte, both made by Margaret Flavin. Behind her is the old fashioned table top Christmas tree with little fence round.
Izannah Walker (1817-1888) made dolls using a special technique.
Izannah Walker lived in New England and her Walker ancestors lived very near where Diane and Sarah's Walkers came from.
You can find more information about Izannah Walker dolls and the technique used in making them in the Christmas 2011 issue of "Early American Life" magazine and in the August 2011 issue of "Antique Doll Collector" magazine.

At Corgyncombe Cottage & Corg'ery, many of the Bunn family gather under the bird feeder along with the birds.
Above, a rabbit and chickadee seen below the Corgyncombe bird feeder.
The rabbit above reminds us of the pastel done by Tasha Tudor of Colonel Bunn the rabbit.

Waking up to Colonel Bunn at Tasha Tudor's Corgi Cottage.
'Twas such a delight for Diane to wake up mornings at Tasha Tudor's to the sight of Colonel Bunn, especially since Diane has always had such an interest in bunnies. A print of Colonel Bunn can be found on the Tasha Tudor and Family web site. Colonel Bunn was named after a person that Tasha knew of. This reminds the genealogical researchers (as Tasha would say) at Corgyncombe of Fanny Bunn, a cousin to Diane and Sarah through the Taylors. Fanny Bunn was listed on the census as having 16 little Bunns. One of Fanny Bunn's sons was named Peter Russell Bunn and one of the daughters was named Fanny Belle Bunn. We have named some of the bunnies at the Corgyncombe Bunn'ery after Fanny Bunn's little Bunns Peter Russell and Fanny Belle. Bunn'ery is a word that Diane and Sarah use, meaning a place where delightful wild and tame bunnies and rabbits happily and hoppily dwell.

The little chickadee outside with the bunny in the photograph above makes Diane think of the chickadee that Diane found one cold morn in January 2009, upside down, quivering in the snowy cold. It looked stunned, as if it had flown into something and fallen. Diane picked it up and brought it into the house where she held it in the warmth of her hand for awhile. After a bit the chickadee started moving about and Diane took it outside, opened her hand and 'twas most exhilarating for Diane to see the chickadee fly off free to a tree limb.

Bridget and Charlotte went out and about Corgyncombe gathering rose hips.

Bridget in her splendid hood and coat made by Margaret Flavin.

A sweet little bird card from the Corgyncombe Ephemera Collection.

When Sarah was little we went to hear a quartet playing at an old historic house. We then went out to dinner. Our after dinner plans were altered as Sarah announced that she wanted to go back to listen to the "pretty usic". The event was held on a different day than it had been in years past so it was practically a private performance. Sarah sat on her Daddy's lap with her elegantly dressed bear until the evening's entertainments were brought to an end. The cellist was so impressed with Sarah's attentiveness that she invited her to feel the cello vibrate as the bow graced the strings. In a few years hence, Sarah would start playing the violin and played 1st violin in her own quartet!

In the 1975 version of "The Night Before Christmas" illustrated by Tasha Tudor, Tasha wrote to Sarah:

"To Miss Sarah who wears fine boots! Love from Tasha Tudor"

Charlotte came to Corgyncombe several years ago. Every year at tea Charlotte reads the miniature version of "The Night Before Christmas" written by Clement Clarke Moore and illustrated by Tasha Tudor. Charlotte just loves the Tasha Tudor illustration of the doll wearing a bonnet, a toy sheep, ornaments, and a candy cane. Charlotte wears her lovely handmade chemisette. She enjoys thumb cookies and Tasha Tudor's Welsh Breakfast Tea. The receipt for "Linda de Christopher's Thumb Cookies" is in "The Tasha Tudor Cookbook".

Charlotte and Bridget were both made by the talented dollmaker Margaret Flavin.


Colonel Bunn at Tasha Tudor's Corgi Cottage.
The canopy bed is the same one where the parents are tucked in "for a long winter's nap", that is drawn in the 1999 version of "The Night Before Christmas" illustrated by Tasha Tudor.

Charlotte dons her cape and bonnet and loves to go out and about in the beautiful Autumnal weather. Above, she is sitting on a moss covered log near Corgi Creek. Behind her, leaves can be seen falling from the trees. Charlotte has found a purple aster and lavender in the Corgyncombe Garden of Herbs. Isn't the moss on the log lovely?

A collection of January Calendar ephemera on the art stand. The calendar with the little girl in the sunbonnet holding an umbrella has a string for hanging on the wall that ends in a tassel.

Izzibeth is a reproduction Izannah Walker doll made by the talented dollmaker Paula Walton.
Izzibeth was made to have the look of an antique Izannah doll that has been a joyful dolly playmate for many a little girl throughout the years. She has such a sweet smile and expression! She has a resemblance to Diane's Grandmum and Great Grandmum and feels quite like family!

Izzibeth is wearing a frock and slat sunbonnet both made by Paula Walton from antique double pink fabric.

Some of the sunbonnets in the Corgyncombe Antique Clothing Collection.
The double pink sunbonnet reminds us of Izzibeth's.

Bridget brought her cranberry-plum coloured hood and coat to keep her warm whilst out and about in the Corgyncombe cold. The hood and coat remind us of Diane's cape of a similar colour, hanging with the sunbonnets above.

The calendar with the children wearing old fashioned winter clothing out in the snow can be folded up to change their clothes from winter to summer amongst the flowers.

In honor of Izzibeth's arrival a tea party was held with gingerbread animal cookies made by Charlotte.

IzziAnnie is an Izannah Walker inspired doll made by the talented dollmaker Margie Herrera.
IzziAnnie came to Corgyncombe Cottage last year and what a delight she has been!
She is wearing a lovely blue frock made by Margie Herrera of antique fabric.

Some Christmas ephemera from the Corgyncombe Collection.

Charlotte received this whimsical tea strainer as a gift.
If you look closely you will see a little bear decorating the handle.

The colours of Bridget's frock match the tea cup.
Bridget has sweet hand painted ringlets.
She is wearing a lovely Christmas head wreath that Margaret Flavin made.
Diane can picture more head wreaths for Bridget using the wild and homegrown flowers out and about Corgyncombe.

Charlotte and Bridget taking tea.

Kitty sits near Izzibeth and eyes the little gingerbread cookies!

Peter Russell Bunn Seen on His Early Morn Hop About
In the photograph above Peter Russell Bunn is underneath the bird feeder where he suddenly stands up and surveys the acreage.
In Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", Peter Rabbit lost his jacket and hid in a water can as he was fleeing and hiding from Mr. McGregor. Right after Peter left the water can and took flight out of the tool-shed window knocking over some potted geraniums, Beatrix Potter illustrated the poor panicked Peter who was pondering which way to go, desperate to locate a way to escape out of the garden. The illustration of Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit reminds The Corgyncombe Courant of Peter Russell Bunn seen standing alongside the smokehouse underneath the bird feeder.
Of course Corgyncombe is still snow covered and wintry, and lush greenery is but a memory and a dream to come true in a sunny, warmer time. Peter will have to be patient... however he will have to stay out of Mrs. Johnson's gardens come gardening season.

Upon hearing a noise Peter Russell Bunn hastily takes his leave through the little tunnel between the smokehouse and the cornstalks. All one can see is a retreating bunny tail and back feet...

IzziAnnie

Like Diane, Charlotte likes to bake and cook, churn butter, and make cheese.
In Charlotte's cozy kitchen, she has mixed up some dough for making crackers. She has used butter that she hand churned from the Corgyncombe Dairy Goat Carmella Lucille's cream. In the above photograph, she has rolled out the dough, cut out the crackers, and is pricking designs in them with a fork. On the cookie sheet in front of her are some crackers that have been baked in her old fashioned wood cookstove.

Margaret Flavin made Charlotte a wardrobe of clothing, including frocks, cape, cap, bonnet, apron, stockings, shoes, undergarments, chemisette, and purse.
The apron she wears in the photograph above, over her frock, is an antique.


Charlotte has made some cheese using Corgyncombe Dairy Goat Carmella Lucille's milk, and added chives from the Corgyncombe Garden of Herbs. Charlotte enjoys the cheese with her crackers!


Cheese made by Diane in the Corgyncombe Dairy using Corgyncombe Dairy Goat Carmella Lucille's milk. The cheese is flavored with chives from the Corgyncombe Garden of Herbs. The cheese is delicious with homemade crackers baked at the Corgyncombe Bakery. What a tasty treat!


Charlotte celebrating in memory of Tasha Tudor's birthday.
Charlotte finds a nice place in the shade to enjoy her tea, cake, and ice cream. Her cake, decorated with forget-me-nots, is from the Corgyncombe Bakery and her goat ice cream is from the Corgyncombe Dairy.
Charlotte used receipts from "The Tasha Tudor Cookbook" for the cake and ice cream.


Diane's Grandmum always had an old fashioned table top Christmas tree.
This year we decided to have a tree like Grandmum's to put in the old fashioned kitchen/herbary.
When guests arrived the old Kalliope music box was playing.
Simply magic!!!

In the photograph above are toys beneath the old fashioned table top Christmas tree.

In the 1975 version of "The Night Before Christmas" illustrated by Tasha Tudor, there is a two page colour illustration in the book with a Christmas tree surrounded by Christmas toys, such as a rocking horse, a doll house, a doll riding in a carriage, a doll with a trunk full of clothes, a toy sheep, a jump rope, a copper kettle, a doll sofa, a tea set, a miniature wash set and drying rack, a sled, a drum, a wagon with blocks, a Jack-in-the-box, toy soldiers, a cow on wheels, a bubble pipe, a ball, and a toy dog on wheels. What a delightful illustration of a Happy Christmas!

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