Milly Molly Mandy Stories

I'm popping in to thank those of you who visited my Dollytime Facebook page and entered the recent 'Dolly Giveaway' by choosing a name for this little girl.  The winner has given her the pretty name 'June' and she will soon be skipping around in lovely Hampshire.

 

I mentioned previously that she would make a perfect pupil in Miss Read's 'Village School' stories but several of you have suggested she could also be a character in the Milly Molly Mandy books and I have to agree. 

 

If you're familiar with my blog you'll probably know that I have a selection of Milly Molly Mandy books and as you can see they aren't in the best condition as the much loved stories have been read countless times over the years. They aren't exciting stories by today's standards but could perhaps best be described as 'comfort reading'. Milly Molly Mandy and her friends enjoy roaming around in the countryside, having picnics in hollow tree trunks, cooking potatoes on bonfires and spending a few pennies at the village fete.

 

 

 

The stories, written and illustrated by Joyce Lankester Brisley, were first published in the 1920s and the wonderfully detailed illustrations give a romantic view of life in an English village at that time. Milly Molly Mandy, always wearing a pink and white striped dress, lives with her family in a 'nice white cottage with a thatched roof'.

 

Her best friend lives in a nearby farm and is affectionately known as 'little friend Susan'. This picture shows the two of them heading off in search of blackberries.

 

 

Family meals are of course always eaten round the large table in the kitchen.

 

This is the village shop owned by Miss Muggins and on this occasion Milly Molly Mandy has been left in charge. I love the array of merchandise on display. It's hard to believe shops ever looked liked this but local towns in those days were often not within easy reach and so village shops had to cater for everyday needs.

I am currently working on another Dolly Giveaway and this fabric might give you a clue as to what it will be. When ready I'll announce the Giveaway here and also on Facebook.

I've just popped in to let you know about my Dolly Giveaway on Facebook (book not included).

 

Summer is a time for skipping and while I was making this little doll I was reminded not only of my own school days but also the children in the Village School books which I know many of you enjoy reading. If you'd like to find out more about my Dolly Giveaway please pop over to Facebook. All entries to be submitted on Facebook and not this blog.

Greetings everyone. The dolls at Flutterby Patch haven't appeared here for a while and I know that many of you have missed seeing their happy smiling faces and finding out what has been happening in the playroom. So it was with great excitement that they recently danced their way to their very own Facebook page.

This is them dancing to Facebook!

 

I'm happy to tell you that the dolls have continued practicing their knitting skills. Kate, as always, produces a very neat piece of work whereas Lucy still prefers to use the yarn for anything other than knitting. We aren't certain whether here she is helping to wind the green yarn or is having a game of 'let's tie up a friend'.

 

 

To celebrate the introduction of the Dollytime Facebook page I have created two new knitting patterns which you will find listed in my Etsy shop. The first is for the little rascally rabbits who, you might remember, regularly cause havoc in the playroom.  So if you like rabbits and don't mind a bit of chaotic activity in your home you might want to knit a little family of your own.

 

 

 

 

The second pattern is named Little Belles. Four fashionable little dolls that each have a different hat and cape which they love to swap with their friends.

 

 

Little Belles in summer

 

Little Belles in winter

 

News about patterns will be featured on Facebook and no doubt the dolls and bunnies will dominate the activity in their usual chaotic way. Do pop in and take a look if you are passing.