Queen and Duchess.
Bowls of oats, drizzled with honey and lots of crunched almonds. A bit of milk and a spoon of sugar. That's what these two had for breakfast today.
Setting aside all the other toys I had atop a vintage desk in my studio, Amanda dressed herself with what she considers her fancy dress. "Oh, but it's real lovely. It even has a diamond on it (a button!). I'm gonna' wear this with my favourite pink socks, the ones with tiny dots."
The fate was cast. Amanda, on the war path. To make Aoki behave as the Duchess, Countess, or any other royal position other than the princess. I wonder why she never lets her be the princess?.
Now, of course Aoki perseveres. Tries desperately to convince her she wouldn't be so bad as the princess. She would, after all, behave as one and obey every wish and command of the Queen. To no avail obviously.
She has been stuck playing Duchess Bubblegum all week. The poor thing.
Amanda recruited the services of our pink linen fox. A bygone Christmas present made by me for my little girls. Apparently, said fox was the housekeeper and she had to stay close by to serve them tea and cakes and all sorts of treats. No treacle.
I asked Amanda what was on the agenda for later that day, she answered they were going to make paper lanterns and go on a procession through town. Probably singing. And perhaps building a cave to hibernate under the sewing room table. Good times.
Crowns and trinkets aside, I am making a lot of progress on these two little girls. Yesterday we put the last finishing touches on their pyjamas (so cute!) made them both shoes, although Amanda did not want to wear hers today. Aoki has one extra summer outfit, while Amanda has a lovely Fall outfit. The one that actually inspired the whole thing.
I left this specific outfit for last. It isn't so much a reproduction of what little human Amanda wore at that age, but it has the same vibe and some of the same colours. As usual, even though the dolls are inspired by their human counterparts, they do have their very own personality and one has to acquiesce to that and let them speak their own language.
Amanda and Aoki's mother must truly be livid with me by now. But she also knows me well, I can't help myself when it comes to dressing and playing with the dolls. She also knows this is a process I truly enjoy and it can't be rushed. I made Amanda a sweater and she didn't even like it, so I had to make her a winter cape. Which she adores by the way.
More photos on them soon. I have to go and see that Amanda doesn't want to play hair-dresser and attempts to cut Aoki's hair one more time. The nerve of that child.
