For this week's Etsy European Street Team the theme was the Elizabethan Era. You can see everyone's entries on Dina's blog. I knew I had to make something Queenly. I find the faces of the portraits of people of the Elizabethan era unpleasantly severe. I decided to look into me stash of doll rejects. There are a few I haven't been happy with for one reason or another and have just put aside. I found one with a strict face and transformed her into a Queen! I gave her new hair, sewed on a royal costume and embellished her with many jewels.
Her gown is made of raw silk. Her lovely ruffled neck is a thrifted lace piece. The metallic trim is also from my stash of thrifted trims. The bigger jewels on this royal lady are Swarovski crystals.
I thought you might want to see her undergarments as they are so pretty! Here she is lifting up her skirt so you can get a peek.
Today is my One Year Blog Anniversary!!! I would like to celebrate it with you by giving away a gift certificate for my shop for any doll available. This seems like it might be a nice idea because the winner of the gift certificate could get one for herself or might instead give it away as a gift to someone else! I will send the winner a pretty gift certificate, to be designed soon by my kind husband! Gift certificates will soon be available in my shop.
If you would like to join in on my give away all you need to do is comment to this post by midnight Monday, September 8. Anyone may enter, from lurkers to those near and dear may enter! Please do! I just love to see who is visiting me!
Fabulous! I'll be linking to this on my Crafty Contests page as well! Your dolls are STUNNING and I'm sure everyone will want to enter!
Posted by: Rachel | September 01, 2008 at 11:21 PM
Very elegant and beautiful. It reminds me of a story about a poor maid that becomes a princess. But this one became a queen!
Posted by: Shari | September 01, 2008 at 11:36 PM
love that queen!!!!!! and happy anniversary to you!!!!! this year sure went fast!!! and look at all the great things you have accomplished in such a short time. I can't wait to see what you create in the coming years!!!!!
Jan. did I mention that I bought some sock yarn?????
Posted by: Jan in nagasaki | September 01, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Happy blogging anniversary! Your blog is always a pleasure to visit. :)
Posted by: smileull | September 01, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Happy Anniversary! I love your dolls and have the perfect doll lover in mind if I win one and can part with it.
Posted by: Just Susan | September 01, 2008 at 11:57 PM
What a beautiful doll! Crossing my fingers!! Thank you for hosting such a wonderful giveaway!
Posted by: Christine | September 02, 2008 at 12:02 AM
happy blogiversary!
Posted by: lindamade | September 02, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Happy One Year Blogging To You! I would never have thought you've just been blogging a year now. Your site is always so pretty. I'm glad I found you way back in December. -- Michele
Posted by: Michele C | September 02, 2008 at 12:32 AM
The Queen is beautiful! Happy Anniversary to you. Your dolls are always so charming.
Posted by: Stephanie | September 02, 2008 at 12:37 AM
happy blog anny to you!~
looking forward to next year of posts, always enjoy your pictures and hearing what your working on.
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | September 02, 2008 at 12:49 AM
Happy blogiversary to you! Love your creations. LindaSonia
Posted by: LindaDonia | September 02, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Wow, has it been a year already? Cool.
Posted by: Joanna | September 02, 2008 at 12:52 AM
So cute! Wanted to let you know that you won the embroidery pattern giveaway on my blog. Could you please email me at [email protected] so that I can send you the pattern?
Posted by: sewbettie | September 02, 2008 at 01:01 AM
Just beautiful. You really are so good about making really wonderful and lovely things. Well done!
http://www.homelyanimal.blogspot.com/
Posted by: The Homely Animal | September 02, 2008 at 01:06 AM
I love your Queen. She is amazing. Congratulations on a wonderful year of blogging. I have loved reading about your adventures and seeing your beautiful work.
Posted by: cathy | September 02, 2008 at 01:09 AM
Happy Anniversary and please do enter me in your contest!
Your Queen is very regal-looking and also lovely.
Posted by: Alexis | September 02, 2008 at 01:15 AM
Love the Queen - her jewelled garments are gorgeous!! Well done on your one year blogversary - I have enjoyed stopping by over the past few months - so many beautiful things to see.
Posted by: Lisa | September 02, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Your blog has the most beautiful photos - of your children, your work, and other pretties. Congratulations on your anniversary.
Posted by: Lauren | September 02, 2008 at 01:19 AM
Happy blog anniversary! I'm so happy to have discovered your blog this year. (And my fingers are crossed for the giveaway.)
Posted by: sara | September 02, 2008 at 01:29 AM
Happy Bloggiversary! I truly enjoy your blog very much!
Posted by: jessica | September 02, 2008 at 01:32 AM
just popping in to enter your contest! Love your dolls! Happy Bloggiversary!
Posted by: Heidi | September 02, 2008 at 01:46 AM
Happy blogging anniversary! Your queen is just gorgeous, I love her red cape.
I'd love to be included in your give away, thankyou.
Melx
Posted by: Mel Goodsell | September 02, 2008 at 01:50 AM
Happy Blogiversary!! And what a lovely queen too. You've done a lovely job of making her look rich yet keeping your simple aesthetic at the same time. :-)
Posted by: Kristin La Flamme | September 02, 2008 at 02:04 AM
This is just the sweetest little doll ever! I love her ruffled collar!
Happy Blogiversary!! :D
Posted by: Harley | September 02, 2008 at 02:06 AM
Happy Blogiversary! I love seeing all your wonderful creations. How fun that one of your rejects got another chance, and became a queen! Here's to many more creative years to come!
Posted by: Tina | September 02, 2008 at 02:34 AM
Happy Anniversary! The queen is entirely too precious!
Posted by: megan | September 02, 2008 at 02:52 AM
Hey Emily! Happy Blogiversary! It's really great that you're part of the crafting and blogging community!
She does look just like the Queen of England,doesn't she! God save the queen!!!!!
Posted by: lucy | September 02, 2008 at 02:57 AM
Happy blog-iversary! I'm looking forward to your next year of blogging : )
Posted by: Courtney | September 02, 2008 at 03:59 AM
Miss Queen is so regal. I love her! Happy one year! Here's to many more.
Posted by: LeeAnn | September 02, 2008 at 04:22 AM
how nice!! The doll came out pretty cool!
wow, I totally forgot that my blog aniversary is tomorrow!! Your blog aniversary made me remember mine. BTW, super blog aniversary for you, many more years to come!!!
Hugs,
Posted by: Zee | September 02, 2008 at 04:47 AM
Your Queen is wonderful Emily! You have used some wonderful fabrics and colours. Happy Blogaversary too! Isn't it great to have clever husbands? My hubby did my website - he's very handy to have around too! Kathryn.
Posted by: kathryn | September 02, 2008 at 05:07 AM
Congratulations! A whole year is so long but seeems to have been so short!;isn't it?, lol...
Please, stay at least, one year more!
HUgs and congratulations!
Posted by: celia | September 02, 2008 at 05:21 AM
Fun and happy blogaversery. The queen looks awesome. Has already a year gone by?
I love your blog and it´s a daily inspiration.
Even two of your dolls, who are hanging around here.
Hope there come more blogging years!!!
Posted by: Astrid | September 02, 2008 at 05:42 AM
Congrats on your anniversary! Oh, how I would love to win!! Please, please! :o)
Posted by: Leigh | September 02, 2008 at 06:21 AM
Your dolls are great so I hope to win. Hugs from Elverum (Norway)
Posted by: May Britt | September 02, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Congratulations! Of course I will take the chance to have one of your beautiful dolls! / Petra
Posted by: Petra | September 02, 2008 at 06:48 AM
Happy Blog-a-versary!
Your queen is beautiful and very.. queenly!
Posted by: Johanna Rose | September 02, 2008 at 07:40 AM
Royal and very elegant! What a generous giveaway, Emily. Ceongratulations!
Posted by: Mette | September 02, 2008 at 07:48 AM
wow emily congratulations on you blogiversary!! Every post of you makes my day! I Hope you'll keep blogging for many years to come...
Have a good end of summer before the dark days begin...
xx erna
Posted by: erna | September 02, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Happy Anniversary.
Your Queen is lovely. Very Queen-ly and victorian.
Akhila
Posted by: Akhila | September 02, 2008 at 08:21 AM
oh! she is sooooo beautiful!!!!just look at that pretty petit face. i have been admiring your dolls for quite some time no and never dropped a message. your little give away has chased my shyness away. happy blog aniversery! i hope lots of aniverseries will follow. and i promise to not become shy again:-) regards from (still) sunny vienna, erika
Posted by: erika | September 02, 2008 at 08:26 AM
Congrats! Queen is fantastic :)
Posted by: Kreativlink | September 02, 2008 at 08:27 AM
Happy anniversary to you, Emily! I love love love your dolls!
Posted by: dindi | September 02, 2008 at 08:29 AM
Very creative, she is very queenly! Happy anniversary. xx
Posted by: Jannelle | September 02, 2008 at 08:38 AM
This is a beautifull doll for the challenge!
And the giveaway is suc a good idea,
congrats with one year blogging!!!!
Posted by: fleurfatale | September 02, 2008 at 08:47 AM
i am a definitely lurker ...
well done on your 100th blog anniversary!!!!
:D
Posted by: matchstickgirl | September 02, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Hei Emily, happy anniversary! Your dolls always bring a smile on my face. So, will you trow my name in the hat please?
Posted by: Ati | September 02, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Happy blogiversary! I came across your blog only a few days ago, and have to say I really love your photos! The queen is adorable:-)
Take care, have a nice week!
Posted by: Marit | September 02, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Happy anniversary! I would love to receive a gift certificate from your lovely shop. You are very productive, and you make wonderful dolls. I love them!
Posted by: Muriel | September 02, 2008 at 09:39 AM
I love the queen.
Happy anniversary!
Hugs from Sol
Posted by: Sol Stensland | September 02, 2008 at 09:47 AM
She is gorgeous! Happy blogiversary!
Posted by: Kajsa | September 02, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Happy Anniversary! Great details on the queen :o)
Posted by: Laurraine Yuyama | September 02, 2008 at 09:55 AM
happy anniversary Raven !!
Posted by: P8 | September 02, 2008 at 09:59 AM
What a great idea for your dolls! This queen puts me in mind of my mom, who often looks quite stern, but is actually very playful underneath. ;)
Please include me in your drawing. I cannot believe a year has already passed!
Posted by: Barbara | September 02, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I am de-lurking to say Happy Blogiversary! Your girls are simply amazing, and this queen is sooo regal! I enjoy your blog so much!
Posted by: Angie | September 02, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Happy Blog anniversary!
May there be many more happy crafty blog years to come :)
Posted by: Star of the East | September 02, 2008 at 10:36 AM
HI! I just discovered your fab blog through flickr! it's a pure eye candy :))
Happy anniversary!!!
Posted by: manu | September 02, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Gosh, Emily, yours is a blog where it feels hard to believe it has only been going for a year! You have achieved so much and your girls seem to have found fame all over the internet! Happy blogaversary.
What a lovely giveaway too - I would love to be entered.
x
Posted by: Florence | September 02, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Gratulere med dagen! I've been peeking at your entries all this time, but either too tired or too busy to comment. You know the drill I'm sure! Second trimester has dawned with a new wave of energy, though. I love the queen, the raw silk was a perfect touch. Good job!
Posted by: Katy Pine | September 02, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Happy Blog anniversary! :D
Posted by: Tizzalicious | September 02, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Happy Blogiversary. I'd love to get one of your dolls - the faces are so sweet...
Posted by: Amy | September 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Even if you weren't doing a give away I would comment. I adore your work and this doll is no exception. She is gorgeous! I can't wait for my friend to receive hers to hear how much she loves them too!
Posted by: chichiboulie | September 02, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Fantastic doll!
I actually adore your dolls and it would be sooo great if your give-away went to me!
Posted by: Annasjewels | September 02, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Your dolls are lovely. I hope my daughter will have one some day.
Posted by: saganaga | September 02, 2008 at 01:25 PM
I love that queen :)
Happy anniversary! I hope to celebrate with you much more blog years to come :)
Posted by: nanouke | September 02, 2008 at 01:42 PM
What an exquisite and well-dressed Queen! She is wonderfull!
Happy, happy anniversary!
Hoping for you all beautiful and good things in the world!
Posted by: méri | September 02, 2008 at 02:13 PM
happy blog anniversary and thank you for such a lovely giveaway!
Posted by: cindy k | September 02, 2008 at 02:19 PM
oohh happy anniverary! hope the next year is a good one for you. x
Posted by: driftwood | September 02, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Happy bloggaversary!!
I hope you'll keep up the good work for many more years to come!
Posted by: Mirre | September 02, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Yes, a lurker here. I have seen your work on etsy and I love it. Beautiful dolls!!!
Posted by: amy | September 02, 2008 at 03:17 PM
i have loved your dolls from first sight! they are so beautiful and so wonderfully made! this queen doll is gorgeous too! i love how the same materials, and even the same technique and similar doll face can be uniquely different every time.
lovely!
erika (United States)
Posted by: Erika | September 02, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Oh Raven I just want to win the doll from you.
It is so nice
Posted by: Petra Baselau | September 02, 2008 at 03:22 PM
Ooooh yes please, I would love to be included in the giveaway draw! The queen doll is beautiful!
Happy Blog anniversary.
Posted by: Gina | September 02, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Happy blogiversary! I just love your dolls, especially the new one!
Posted by: Anita | September 02, 2008 at 04:22 PM
yay! happy blogiversary!
Posted by: Sara | September 02, 2008 at 04:24 PM
hooray for you! happy blogiversary!
Posted by: rebecca | September 02, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Congrats on the one year anniversary! I'm new to the blog but adore your work!
Posted by: Carolee | September 02, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Charming dolls!
Posted by: Carol | September 02, 2008 at 06:00 PM
The queen is grand! Happy anniversary!
Posted by: Kari | September 02, 2008 at 06:06 PM
What a beautiful queen.
Posted by: klm | September 02, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Ooh, very pretty!! Will make lovely Christmas gifts! :)
Posted by: Michele | September 02, 2008 at 06:12 PM
I didn't think her face was severe until I read your post. :) Great combination of doll & costume. And happy happy blogiversary!
Posted by: chicago sarah | September 02, 2008 at 06:30 PM
You've captured the Elizabethan era very very well. It looks great!
Have you thought of doing different themed Matryoshkas?
Posted by: Chloe Mee | September 02, 2008 at 06:44 PM
Oh I love your shop! This is a great giveaway! Happy anniversary :)
Posted by: Jamie | September 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM
WoW! I guess I'm #84! Emily that's a lot of lurkers/and regulars. Congrats on the anniversary! Time sure does fly doesn't it?
Your gueenly lady is very nice. What does Lilly think of her?
Hope that all is well and that you are enjoying life. Have the leaves started to turn yet?
We had a cold spell Sunday night to yesterday afternoon. Rain, rain, and more rain with a smattering of white stuff in the mountains. But not enjoy to detour a family bike ride yesterday of the hardy ones who are training for a big race/ride on this coming Sat. They went 40 miles yesterday. Me I just sat at the house and well, I was supposed to babysit... but instead my DIL did it cause I managed to go under the weather.
Take care.
Posted by: Jean C. | September 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Your Queen is delightful--sooo lovely she is! And happy Blogiversary to you! Looking forward to years more! :o) We're off to the US for 10 days to see family...and hopefully some shopping--LOL! ;o) Happy Days!
Posted by: Tracy | September 02, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Yeah, Happy Birthday! After so long reading your wonderful entries I just had to wish you my best. I love your dolls, and now have probably too many..want to give them to all my friends but can't seem to part with most of them!!;)
Posted by: Sarah | September 02, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Congratulations from England on your Blogaversary. I love your dolls and your site and your beautiful photographs - they have inspired me to start crafting again.
Best Wishes, Miriam
Posted by: Miriam | September 02, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Very nice prize.
Posted by: Thomas Gibson | September 02, 2008 at 07:40 PM
She is very beautiful.
Posted by: Rebecca Snodgrass | September 02, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Wow! I love your dolls. Great work!
Posted by: Jenn S. | September 02, 2008 at 07:54 PM
What a great idea this queen- she really looks like one.
The matryoshka arrived today and Elsi is sleeping with it. She named her and in addition called her a princess.
Happy blogging anniversary!
Posted by: Merruli | September 02, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Happy Blog-anniversary! And the Queen is adorable!
Posted by: amber | September 02, 2008 at 08:15 PM
congratulations! hope next year will be just as lovely!
from a very loving "lurker" in Barcelona... :-)
Posted by: nivi | September 02, 2008 at 08:48 PM
Happy blogiversary! I look forward to read your blog in the year to come :-)
Posted by: HildeC | September 02, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Wow, that is a lot of comments... Count me in! Og gratulerer med ett år i bloggland!
Posted by: therese | September 02, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Oo I just stumbled on your blog whilst searching japanese craft book reviews. Your dolls are gorgeous - i love the ones carrying babies!
Posted by: Becky | September 02, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Happy Anniversary...your dolls are magical!
Posted by: janeh | September 03, 2008 at 12:23 AM
happy anniversary! You are very creative
Posted by: SANDY | September 03, 2008 at 01:07 AM
Can't remember if I have left a comment before or not...I think your dolls are wonderful, please don't ever tire of making them. You have the greatest sense of color and pattern...and the faces...I can't believe that you make the doll first and then paint on the face! I would do that first for fear of ruining all the sewing work with a slip of the brush. You must have a lot of confidence in your painting skills, extreme patience, or just hours of experience painting faces! I would love to see your fabric stash! You always seem to find the most wonderful fabrics and combine them to perfection. Oh, I am all gushed out. You rock!
Posted by: tpanderson | September 03, 2008 at 01:58 AM