Rayne, the woodcutter's daughter.
The days went by, summer coming to an end. Fall chores start piling up, especially the one her family most depended on: chopping and piling wood.
As the golden leaves turn, slowly, coyly. As if not sure their time has come, uncertain of their welcoming. Rayne starts to anticipate her favourite season.
Truth be told, being an only child has many advantages. You get a lot of attention, not enough to your liking some days.
You command a room, especially the one in your house.
But sometimes you also get lonely, and chores fall solely on your shoulders.
All the gathering of the winter stuffs relies on the work of your two hands. Raspberries and black berries must be turned to soupy jam. Linens changed to fuzzy woolens. The knitting of the socks and the repair of the jumpers are your evening's work.
Washing, folding and storing the light chemises, the airy dresses, and doubling on the curtains.
Raking and raking the fallen leaves. Quartering crates of quince and apples.
Folding butter into yummy dough for pot pies. Dyeing wool with goldenrod and walnut, ready to be turned into Christmas presents later on.
Arguing with the over-excited mice that want to move in. Early Fall sure is busy for this girl.
Rayne meets the challenge with a smile.
Her trusty pouch full of Fall treasures already. A few eager chestnuts, an acorn or two. A needle pouch, a slice of rye bread and a length of ribbon to tie her hair.
When the morning comes, you will find her outside. Already conversing with the woodpeckers, who are up and early just like her.
A small axe and even the tallest pile turns into kindling under her steady arms.
Rayne loves chopping wood. Fair enough, the fattest ones are reserved for father, who is as strong as an ox. But all kindling, and all kitchen stove firewood is up to her.
She fondly remembers how young she was when she learned to chop it, and how proud she fell to be able to bring warmth into the house by the work of her hands.
Not to mention how alive it makes you feel to be outside on a frosty morning, swinging your axe and getting warmer by the minute.
As the leaves turn deeper yellows, and rust and red are the colours of the day, Rayne turns more and more quiet.
Her heart is overflowing with joy, for Fall is finally under way.
Surrounded by the fresh smell of cut wood, her favourite smell as far as she can remember, she sits down with father to have creamy soups.
To enjoy the smoky afternoons, the early walks with frost on the leaves that make your boots wet and your eyes sparkle.
There is only one thing that makes Rayne happier: to work on her crafts.
Grandmother taught her how to crochet by making her a lovely shawl and a trusty skirt pocket.
Now Rayne wants to be as accomplished as her and tries her hand every night, creating shapes, mostly toadstools for her growing window sill collection.
Rayne sits there, imagining all the sorts of things she can create: forests full of witches, with rabbits and deer. Wildflowers and creeks, empty nests, sleeping bears.
When her hands are tired, achy back and fuzzy sight, she blows off her candle and tucks herself into bed. Although much too older for bedtime stories, she does love to read a few lines before falling asleep.
She's reading Little Women right now and very much fancies the lives of siblings. Having someone to talk to all day, to help carry the kindling inside, to quarrel with and make up again.
I told her one day she may have lots of siblings. Or maybe she will always be an only child. Only time can tell for Rayne.
I hope you enjoyed the little lines that Rayne asked me to write this morning. We've been having lots of chats about her story, mostly because we both love the Fall and wanted to imbue as much of it in her clothes as possible.
Rayne is a loving child, she truly is. Care and passion flow through her veins, and I couldn't be happier, or any prouder, of who she is now. Steady handwork brought her to life, created in two countries with a pish posh of materials, but with loving vision in mind.
Rayne is looking for her fortune today.
She is an 18" Petite Fig doll, made with all natural materials.
She comes with all clothes pictured: long undergarments, wool shoes, a Liberty of London peasant blouse, a lovely linen skirt with bib and ties. Her skirt has a little leather loop to carry her thread pocket. Rayne wears a wool bonnet and a cotton crochet shawl.
She is made to endure hours of play by gentle hands, recommend for children 10+ or adult collectors.
All clothes are removable and can be hand washed.
She is the first of a small collection of Fall-loving children, that have been dancing in my head and asking to be made. I hope Rayne brings as much joy in your life as she brought to mine.
- - - Rayne was SOLD comment-style at random. Thank you so much to all the Fall lovers out there who extended their loving arms to our woodcutter's daughter. She found herself a very caring family who will receive her with open arms. - - -
Stay tuned too for the many adventures of September. If you are interest in a custom spot, information will be given via the newsletter, so keeps your eyes peeled!.
Thank you for coming to read about Rayne, and if you are entering to bring her home, we wish you the best of luck!.
