Raggedy Ann Doll

Someone (You know who you are...😉) recently told me she thought Raggedy Anns were creepy. 

What?!  

I cannot imagine how a floppy doll with big round staring eyes with zig-zags underneath, a red triangle nose, and out-of-control bright red hair could be seen as creepy!! 

Oh...

Hmmm...

I've always had a soft spot for Raggedy Ann.  Oh, how I loved mine!  My grandma made an Ann and Andy during the years when that crazy craft fake fur was so popular.  Instead of sewing all those red yarn pieces, she sewed neon orange fake fur to their heads. I thought they were the best! Looking back, I'm sure they were hilarious... even creepy.

I'm not sure where this Little Golden
Book on my shelf came from, but I've
had it a long time.

I still have this sleeping bag that I took to

every single slumber party when I was a kid.

...love, Love, LOVED this book so much!! 
Laura's Christmas Rag Doll, Charlotte,
had "beautiful black yarn braids."

I made this Ann & Andy set when I was pregnant. 

They got to sit in the bassinet beside my new baby girl.

Aren't we cute Raggedies!

I made these costumes when my little 

ones were two and five... a long time ago...

 In my art studio, I have a shelf where I keep some of my favorite things.  Recently (pre social distancing) my painting partner brought her granddaughters over for a painting lesson.  One of them kept staring  wide-eyed at this shelf.
She finally said, "Why is your Elf on the Shelf here?"
I told her that was just Leona's spot there with the Raggedies.
In disbelief, she asked, "How can she be here instead of the North Pole?"
Oops!  Ummm....
Well, Leona's kind of bad and doesn't follow rules.

What about you?

Do you have a Raggedy Ann memory?

Original Oil Painting on 9"x 12" Wrapped Canvas
Click "Raggedy Ann Doll" if you'd like to purchase this little painting.

! ! ! Giveaway ! ! ! #1

I haven't been painting at all during this Christmas break. Why?  

• Well, first because my kids were home, and we just did a lot of sitting beside the fireplace and poking the logs. 
• And, second because I've been glued to my computer reading my new favorite blog... reading every entry from the beginning.  It's called A Joyful Chaos, and it's an absolute delight!  
• I feel like I'm getting to know a new friend and catching up on her whole life...
• It's like reading an Amish version of Laura Ingalls' Little House series... 
• It makes me think about my own shelf of journals and all the little snips of life I've recorded over the years.
• It reminds me of the truth... "everyone has a story to tell..."

Anyway, I've decided to borrow an idea from her and have a giveaway.

I have these cute little note cards made to give as a thank you gifts to send with any painting that is purchased.  I sometimes have extras made.  
Would you like to have a few?

For your chance to win all you have to do is leave a comment describing a favorite painting, print, photo, or poster you have on a wall in your home or in your memory.

Sharing this post on your Facebook or blog then letting me know you did will earn you a second entry. :)


I will be choosing the winner on Saturday, January 3. 

I look forward to your comments.  (Maybe I'll get some new ideas for what to paint next!!) 


**I picked these cards for this giveaway because A Joyful Chaos makes me think of simple pleasures... a  beloved Raggedy Ann doll... a stack of journals filled with memories... an old barn in winter... :)

Raggedy Ann

What makes certain toys life-long friends?

Some toys just last and last.  They last through lots of pretend, through years, and through memories.  Raggedy Ann is one of those, isn't she.  I think nearly every little girl has a rag doll of some kind.  I loved mine.  My mom made my Raggedy Ann and Andy at a time when fake fur was all the rage, so my Raggedies didn't have the usual yarn red hair... oh no... they had flame orange fake fur hair.  I didn't think they were the least bit odd at the time, but looking back, I bet they were a sight!

I made this particular little one 26 years ago while I was expecting my daughter.  She's been a good friend for a long time.  Now she sits in a place of honor on a shelf (with her friend Raggedy Andy and the Christmas Elf-on-the-Shelf, Leona) in my art space.  I noticed her the other day and decided she deserved to be the star of her very own still life.

You can see her here in the bassinet guarding my Amanda when we brought her home from the hospital.  (That's her friend Andy beside her.)

And here we impersonating her.  This was taken in my classroom with Amanda who was in kindergarten.  My little Andrew (hiding behind us) had a little Raggedy Andy costume to match us too!  (Now, at 22, he's horrified that I ever dressed him that way, but he was adorable.)

I listed this painting on Etsy but I have to be honest... I'll be a little sad when this little painting does get purchased.  I'll enjoy her in the meantime. :)

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