Gotz Happy Kidz Charlotte Doll and New Dresses!

 

 This has been my view from our back porch for many days.  Forgotten pumpkins (leftover from autumn) chilling in the ice and snow.   Our little neck of the woods doesn't typically get too cold or see much snow, but this year that has not been the case!  Every morning when I open up the chicken's shed, I breathe a sigh of relief as the hens rush outdoors, seemingly healthy and happy.  How in the world do they survive when the temps dip down into the teens at night?  Crazy!

 

Among all the excitement of fresh snow and the holidays, I caved and ordered a new doll I've had my eye on for quite a while.  When she went on sale, I just couldn't resist!  Here she is, fresh in her box:

 

It's a Gotz, Happy Kidz "Charlotte" doll!

 

Such a serene, contemplative face

 

 

 

Back of the box

 

Believe it or not, this little sweetie actually stood around in her box for about a week before I finally had a chance to de-box her.  Like I said, it was pretty crazy with the holidays, and I wanted a chunk of time to really devote to setting her free.

 

Free at last!  But what in the world is up with this outfit?  It has got to be one of the weirdest, ugliest outfits that I've ever seen on a doll I've bought.  Sorry, Gotz company, but what were you thinking?  In case you can't tell from the photo, the outfit consists of shiny, metallic shorts, shimmery gold tights, a white t-shirt with a gold heart motif around the neckline, a tweed-type coat, and white, sparkly, lace up shoes.  I think the outfit as a whole is hideous.  But separately, I think some of the pieces could be cute--like the tights, t-shirt and coat.

 

She also came with this strange headband that has a top hat attached to it. 

 

Her thick, brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, along with a separate, smaller ponytail along the front of her face.  I could hardly wait to let her hair down!

 

So, after making her a new dress and brushing out her hair, here is what she looks like now:

Isn't she so much sweeter looking?

 

When I was looking through my fabrics, trying to pick out the perfect color for her, this light blue fabric just seemed to jump out at me.

 

And then I paired it with pretty, white eyelet.

 

Look how much prettier her hair looks when let down!

 

A while back, I bought a girl's skirt from the thrift store that was covered with this 100% cotton, ruffled, white eyelet.  I removed it and ended up with several yards of this trim for future projects.  Yay!  I believe it cost me all of $2.50.

 

Gotz Happy Kidz dolls have rooted hair.  The hair is very thick, silky, and of excellent quality.  It is made to stand up to many hours of children's play, and can even be washed and blow-dried! (on the coolest setting)

 

I just love that sweet profile.

 

The back of this dress closes the way I finish most of my doll clothes--with decorative buttons over metal snaps.  In the past, I used to make real button holes, but I've realized that on smaller dolls it can sometimes be harder to manipulate the buttons through the holes.  So now I mainly use this method.

 

After finishing the dress for this lovely, little lady, I realized that I had never made a dress for my other Gotz doll in this same play line--my Gotz Classic Kidz Louisa:

 

Isn't she just precious?

 

I rummaged through my stash of thrifted baby clothes, and found this size 6 month baby sundress which I thought might turn into something lovely:

 

Again, a beautiful blue and white fabric!  Basically, I cut off the bodice and straps, lowered the pockets, and created a new bodice with some coordinating white fabric and bits of the leftover floral fabric. 

 

Doesn't she look lovely?

 

I also added a small eyelet ruffle to the bodice and bottom of the skirt.

 

Louisa's hair is just as gorgeous as Charlotte's.

 

By the way, I love both of these dolls' names, so I will be keeping them.  My maternal grandmother's name was Charlotte, and the name Louisa brings up fond memories of one of the Von Trapp children from my favorite movie of all time, "The Sound of Music".

 

Two, sweet girls in their blue and white dresses.

 

In case you are interested in purchasing a Gotz doll of your own, check out www.petalinadolls.co.uk   I have bought several dolls from them now, and I've never been disappointed.

 

I just remembered that I promised more pictures of my daughter's new baby doll that she received at Christmas...shame on me for forgetting!  But let's just say that this doll has been very well loved.  My daughter named her "Lucy Mei" and sleeps with her every night.  We made a trip to the thrift store and bought her a complete wardrobe consisting of everything a baby might need, and then some!   She sits in the shopping carts when we go shopping, and we've had more than one person do a double take, wondering if she was a real baby!  I'm thinking of digging out my daughter's old baby clothes that I packed away, just so that I can find the sweet, pink, bishop dress and bonnet that I smocked and embroidered for my daughter when she was a newborn.  I think it would look so precious on this baby!  So until then, here's another picture showing the love between a little girl and her doll...enjoy!