Dollies are GO! - Part 1 (a trilogy in four parts)

So, the first title in my Lulu-Lola series, was published in 2006 - yes, that's 20 years ago this year. I wanted something special to thank my co-publishers who supported the series from day one (and those who joined in along the way) and championed this little reader for many years.

I thought a gift of a little dolly would be just the thing!

I knew some wonderfully creative people who came together at a makers' group in a local Community Centre where they worked on their indicvdual projects side by side - what a lovely idea!

I asked my friend if anyone in the group would be able to make some dollies to help me celebrate - and she invited me to come along to the next group and ask them - which I did.

I told the ladies my story and showed them some books... as it happened, one of them, Edith, had brought in some dollies (she'd made them many years ago for her now grown children) to mend. She offerend to take the lead - how great. All that was left was for me to have a cup of tea, then leave the group to discuss.

Later that evening I had a message from Edith that 10 of the makers along with herself wanted to make dollies! Edith pointed out that these makers were wonderfully creative (they spin, weave, sew, knit and croché).
However, they are used to making cardigans and rugs and bags... BUT not anything with a little personality. Edith believed that the makers might struggle to part with their dollies on completion.
So, we decided to get enough materials so that each maker coucreate two: one for me and one to keep. Reader, this turned out to be VERY astute!

So, Edith and I estimated and measured and matched everyhting as closely as possible to the original artwork. She then ordered materials. Then everything was go!

Over the next few weeks I got regular updates and photos of progress - especially the tiny shoes!

As the dollies neared completion, Edith contacted me to say the group had decided they would like to put a label on each doll making it clear they were hand made and with the name of each maker (or as they were now calling themselves 'foster mothers') - how delightful!.

Of course I was delighted to do that - it would be lovely for the various publishers to know that an individual had made their dolly (by hand and with love) and not a machine.

As it got closer to my departure for the Bologna Bookfair (where I would meet the wonderful publishers at Alanna Max, Charlesbridge, Pallas and School Supply, Edith called. The dollies were nearing completion, but the makers were struggling with giving them away! "What about a Bon Voyage Tea Party?" she suggested.
The very thing! I set about making invitations:

I assumed this would be at the Dromid Community Centre where the makers meet regularly but no - it was  at my house!

Now, you have to understand just how IN THE MIDDLE of Nowhere we all are. This is ireland - right on the edge of Europe...

Kerry is right at the edge of Ireland:

And we all live at the tip of the Iveragh peninsula.
I'm in Waterville, and the makers live in various places in the surrounding area. The community centre they meet in is in Dromid.

Edith brought the dollies made my two makers who couldn't join us - it's a long trip!

The tea party was lovely - I really enjoyed meeting all the makers.

And it was amazing to see ALL the dollies together!

Quite the gang!! I set off to organise Group Check-in for our flight (Cork-Venice then train to Bologna).
See Part 2 to see how we got on!