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.

 

 

 

 

Squirrel knitting patterns

Knowing that some of you are keen to know when I introduce new knitting patterns I thought I'd better pop in and let you know that I've been busy designing and knitting squirrels during the past couple of weeks.

Similar to some of my rabbit patterns but with big fluffy tails.

This is Pinny Fuzzytuft, a very helpful stitching companion. Pinny will hold your pins in her skirt and apron, scissors under her arm and your thimble in her little acorn-cup basket.

 

Next are the Fuzzytuft Twins

 

These plump little rascals are quick and easy to knit. Only 10cm tall they are an ideal size for little hands to hold.

The knitting patterns are being sold to raise much needed funds for the Westmorland Red Squirrel Society which works to assure the survival of Britain's endangered red squirrels in and around the Lake District. The society now has its own Etsy shop named Fuzzytuft. All patterns can be found there and hopefully there will be more soon!

Don't forget you can get regular updates about our squirrels on Facebook

Out and about

Greetings friends. I hope you've all had an enjoyable Easter. I'm just popping in to let you know that I'll be busy for the next few months so you won't be seeing me on Flutterby Patch quite as much. I'm now responsible for a new Facebook page belonging to my local red squirrel society so please pop in and find out what's happening if you're passing.

Westmorland Red Squirrel Society on Facebook

On Sunday we walked to Orrest Head above Windermere.

 

It's uphill all the way and soon we were able to look down on the town of Windermere.

The path to the top passed through woodland.

In days gone by you would have been taken to the top of the hill in a horse drawn carriage.

The carriage would have stopped near the top and the passengers would have alighted and walked the last few yards to the summit.

And here is the view that would have greeted them. Little has changed over the centuries.

Windermere lake with the Lakeland fells (mountains) in the distance.

There are plenty of fast flowing streams tumbling through the Lakeland landscape.

Primroses bloom among the rocks.

These pretty blooms were once so plentiful they were picked by the basketful. These days the picking of wild flowers is discouraged.

The fast flowing stream eventually reaches Windermere lake.

Hopefully we will soon see the return of a lot more red squirrels like this cute little character.

 

WRSS Facebook page

Westmorland Red Squirrel Society on Facebook