You probably have seen this little beauty around my channels; she has kept me so busy with all her questions that I haven’t had a chance to bring her here and give her one of the virtual pages of my dollmaking journal.

That is of no consequence now, her mother is waiting for her and the painful yet necessary step of wrapping her for travel is upon me. But firts, photos of Kiva!

Kiva, a natural fiber art doll by Fig and Me

Kiva was born right smack in the middle of the summer, it’s all hazy in my brain now but I do remember working on her under the crabapple tree and trying to coax her out of the wool.

As much as I tried, she wouldn’t let me work on her clothes, so I waited and waited.

Then little by little, and under the guidance of her mother’s likes and dislikes, she let me choose fabrics and trims and “little bits” as she calls them. We were getting finally somewhere with this child. She is very little, almost 5, so as you can understand everything is new and fresh and she must ask lots of questions as you go about. Tiring yes, but a beautiful time in a child’s life.

Little by little her wardrobe started taking place. We tackled the unmentionables first. She refused to wear them and many a chase happened before she let me put underwear on her. Then her little shirt. Seeing as she chose a wide scoop wrap dress (in the most fabulous pinwale corduroy) I had no choice but to give her a little shirt to wear under.

I know she might not really need any layers where she is moving to, but up here she needed them so we gave her some. A stripy shirt with patches on the elbows because she is always “reading” books on the floor and I am afraid those elbows will be worn to nothing.

Kiva in her beautiful purple dress, by Fig and Me

We both wanted to play outside but it just kept raining and raining or so much fog we couldn’t see our hand in front of our faces. Finally one day it got dry enough for us to venture out there and have a jolly chat under the birches. Doesn’t she look so content outside? That’s when she started asking all sorts of questions about the seasons and decided on her last name: Kiva of the Fall.

We knew she needed an extra outfit for the hot and dry weather, so we fashioned one out of linen and cotton double-gauze. I must say I can’t decide, if I was Kiva, which outfit would be my favourite. I am a hopeless stripe addict…but I also love linen and double gauze. I am not sure I would look any good in bloomers though. What do you think?

I have to confess, I envisioned beautiful desert sunsets when it came to her clothes. At the same time, she looks very good here in the forest, surrounded by crimson reds, yellows and rust. I guess she is a bit of chameleon this Kiva.

Her second outfit consisted of a pretty linen top with a nice short peplum or ruffle and a little embroidered tree. She wanted puffy sleeves so we had to. Then the fluffiest set of bloomers ever. I love how her little knees peek just under. Sock and maryjanes and she is a pretty sight.

Kiva, a custom natural fiber art doll by Fig and Me

it was such a pleasure to work on her minuteness, while at the same spending time on another custom doll of more gigantic proportions. Kiva always made me feel happy. Joyful. Content. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I looked at her. She is just such a sweet bundle of wool and love and I can’t wait for her mom to receive her (though I hear there will be some competition with the children of the house).

I wish Kiva nothing but safe travels, a happy life surrounded by her adoring family and many hours lying on the floor, propped on her wee elbows, reading books upside down. As you do, when you are a doll.

Thank you Sophie, for trusting my hands and giving me the opportunity to see Kiva born under my hands. It has been a beautiful journey and I hope she fills that corner of your heart where your little inner child can feel most expressed and alive.

Love, Fabs