Baxter and Fletcher and their wooden sleighs.
“Sun’s up!”, claimed Baxter bright and early. Knitted overalls, toque at the ready, socks right side up, and he was puttering in the kitchen, looking for tasty morsels to indulge daybreak appetites.
“Mercy!” answered Fletcher, sleepy-eyed, half foggy, half naked. “Why do we have to go out so early? why can’t we just wait until the Sun is fully up, not just glinting at us?”, retorted to himself, trying to get dressed. Knitted overalls, toque at the ready, socks right side up, inching his way to the kitchen where a kettle boiled and toast was being jammed.
“Because the early bird gets the worm, silly head! If we don’t hurry up Mrs Thaw is gonna’ melt it all and there will be no more waxin’ and slidin’ and fun-a-havin’ in this neck of the woods ’til next winter. Now, who doesn’t want to smell fresh snow in the mornin’? Shut the pie hole, grab some toast and let’s get goin’”. A kindler reply was needed to convince Fletcher of morning adventuring but he raised no stink. Wooly boots, here. “Don’t forget your scarves!” I yelled at them, made them come back to prop knitted things against their cheeks and spit-finger-licked their hairs out of their face. Off they go.
Any child with freedom to play will do just what Baxter and Fletcher do. Get up, bright and early, steal food, half-dress for the weather and out you go. Lean-tos, forest dwellings, patches of sodden delight, mud kitchens, dug out holes in the woods where you plan to catch either a rhinoceros or a dinosaur (more likely a hare), tire swings, flowery soups stewed on bark crockery, grass meadows that mimic the steppes and your hunt for bison or foe, rabbit holes that make you dream of treacherous pills and queens of hearts. What I call imaginative play.
Now these two love winter, for all the enterprising it brings their way. One day the climb Mount Everest and pull their sleighs with time-tested provisions for the mighty hike; other times they trudge through the snow pretending to be work dogs hauling the haunt to the igloo or racing at Iditarod. With frosty cheeks they edge themselves in a world full of imagination, adventure and possibility. I live there with them, most of the time. I invite you to come on over, and let Baxter or Fletcher’ spirit of adventure and wonder infect your house.
Baxter and Fletcher are both all-natural dolls made by me, with my newest pattern (soon to be published, yeah!). They are 17” tall (give or take a wee bit) but are quite petite in construction. They have cotton interlock for skin and stuffed very firmly with clean, carded wool. Their hair is a crochet cap made with DollyMo mohair for doll making. It can be gently styled, brushed and has an extremely long life and playful look. Both dolls have traditional needle sculpted faces, embroidered features and rosy cheeks blushed with beeswax. They are made to play, with gentle hands, so they are recommended as toys for children 5+ or collectors.
Baxter wears upcycled merino/lambswool overalls, with cotton twill straps, hand-threaded buttonloops and wooden buttons. A big front pocket aids the man with storing his favourite squished sandwich. He has a red, long sleeve, double-knit cotton shirt, that opens fully on back for easy dressing. Tidy but unmentionable undies and cosy socks. His boots are made with merino and his hat matches his shirt. Baxter is a happy fellow, who loves to play outside not withstanding weather conditions. He sports his hand-knit scarf with pride, which was made with alpaca/wool yarn and loops through so it doesn’t fall off or get in the way of adventuring.
Fletcher sports the same outfit as his cousin. Except he is a frightful child, always worried and needs a bit more warmth when heading outside. Fletcher has a merino/lambswool cable-knit sweater (upcycled material), which also opens fully on back for easy dressing. Same material was used for his slouchy toque. Fletcher dreads almost everything so he needs a very giving mother or father, that can understand his eccentricity and be very tolerant.
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate and fully grasp their wooden sleighs. Made with walnut, maple burl, padauk and lacewood by the talented hands of the resident woodworker (a.k.a. my husband). They are unique, made to last, waxed sleighs for added slip/speed while the rest is properly sealed. Cotton rope helps with pulling through deep snow banks, sized to fit each doll comfortably and securely. Derek created them with these two dolls in mind, we envisioned them having loads of fun on wintry days, perhaps even down a steep slope and pushed gently by loving hands. Baxter and Fletcher, pleased as punch grabbed their sleighs for lots of test-runs and we are offering them together as sets.
If you, or a loved one, would like to welcome Baxter or Fletcher into your home, please enter your name and details in the form below. They are offered comment-style, which means at the end of the time, we will pick two families at random to proceed to purchase each one. The price for each doll + wooden sleigh is $950 USD. Shipping to the US and Canada is $45 USD, International will need a revised quote based on country of residence. Doll and sleigh travel with tracking number and insurance. Canadian residents are subject to taxes and are billed separately from the toy invoice, with corresponding exchange rates. I only ask that you enter if you are personally interested in bringing either one of these fellows home, not on behalf of somebody else, and one entry per household. Baxter and Fletcher will be entertained for the period of time while we receive entries. We will close the form on Wednesday March 16th at 7 PM EST at which point if you are chosen you will receive a welcome email and a Paypal invoice, which is due then.
—THE FORM HAS BEEN DELETED AND BOTH BOYS FOUND WONDERFUL HOMES. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EVERYBODY THAT OFFERED THEM A HOME!.
Thank you, as always, for coming to read about my dolls and the work of my husband. If you are entering your name, thank you twice!. We were slightly worried all the snow was going to melt before these rugamuffins were ready and so we are very happy to finally have them up and about.
The winds of spring are calling and I can feel them infusing the work from now on. We will chat more this week, lots of blogs in the backlog!.
