I have loved dolls, history, and the Victorian Era since I was little and can credit my grandmother for that. As a young girl she gave me a Godey’s Fashion print for August 1870 from my great, great Aunt Flossie. I was captivated by the dresses and became hooked. I just love to research everything and anything about the Victorian Era. I also love to design Victorian dolls. I hope you enjoy my Victorian Dolls, Victorian Traditions,The Victorian Era, and Me blog.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Moose On The Dance Floor! - "Moose Me Victorian" and "Moose Me A Dance!" - Victorian Moose Dolls

"Moose Me Victorian!" really didn't want to have anything to do with the "Victoriana High Society Tea Club" but when his friend "Bearly Victorian, Ryan" invited him - well, how could he say no.

"Moose Me Victorian!" was a Victorian moose but he considered himself every bit the man's man. Hunting was in his blood and had been for generations. In fact, he excelled at marksmanship and had won the county title several years in a row.

But, his friend "Bearly Victorian, Ryan" had asked him and he was as loyal as they come and blood brothers with Ryan. So, how could he say no. He couldn't.

You see, "Bearly Victorian, Ryan" and his wife, "Bearly Victorian, Deb!" had decided to start their own "Victorian Animals Tea Society" for all their wonderful Victorian animal friends because they had been turned down for membership into the posh "Victoriana High Society Tea Club." Their club would truly have an open membership and be accepting of all individuals and creatures. None of this "open to all", but really closed to animals rules. So what if Ryan and Deb were bears. They were still Victorian to the core. In fact, their lineage was probably older then some of the snooty Victorians who turned down their membership application.

So, the "Victorian Animals Tea Society" was born and "Bearly Victorian, Ryan" asked his friend "Moose Me Victorian!" to join. He also invited "Moose Me Victorian's" sister, "Moose Me A dance!" to join as well. His wife, "Bearly Victorian, Deb!" had asked him to so he did.

"Moose Me Victorian" knew that his sister, "Moose Me A Dance!" would be thrilled with the invitation. Why, she'd be ecstatic and be daydreaming of all the high society balls she would be attending. Not to mention all the wonderful ball gowns she'd have to buy. Oh, yes! "Moose Me A Dance!" would be beside herself with anticipation.

"Moose Me Victorian!" wishes his sister, "Moose Me A Dance!" was as good at her marksmanship as she was on the dance floor. She could twirl and twirl and twirl and never loose her footing. She was graceful and every bit as elegant as she needed to be.


"Moose Me Victorian!" is wearing a flannel shirt which is gathered at the neck. He is also wearing a gray wool vest that matches his gray wool jacket and which is lined with the same fabric as his gray wool jacket. His vest is top stitched and fastened in front with a button.

His lace trimmed ascot also matches the lining of his gray wool vest and gray wool jacket. He is wearing a lined gray wool jacket with a lined collar and lapels. His jacket is top stitched and fastens with a large gray button in the front.

"Moose Me Victorian!" knows fully well that he can walk and talk Victorian with the best of the Victorian gentleman. However, he much prefers the company of his hunting buddies and while he may be dancing on the dance floor his mind will be elsewhere.

"Moose Me A Dance!" knows that her brother, "Moose Me Victorian!" really didn't want to have anything to do with joining the "Victoriana High Society Tea Club." But, she knew that he would do it for her. He knew how much she just loves to dance and would never turn down an opportunity for her to do so.

So, when his friend "Bearly Victorian, Ryan" invited him - well, how could he say no. Plus, he knew it would hurt his sister so he had no choice. It was the right thing to do for his friend and for his sister.



"Moose Me A Dance!" is a self standing doll with a square bottom and brushed felt body. She has black bead eyes and a black satin stitched nose. Her mouth is embroidered with DMC embroidery floss and her ears and cheeks are blushed.

Her huge antlers sit daintily upon her head. That is, as dainty as antlers can be! Her cap is lined and lace trimmed and matches her dress. A silk floral adorns the front of her cap while a ribbon bow adorns the back.

"Moose Me A Dance!" has a layer of wonderful lace trim along the bottom of her square body and is wearing a lace trimmed and gathered lace trimmed slip. Her beautiful coordinating ensemble is the latest in Victorian fashion. Her dress came straight from Paris from the finest of designers. Nothing shabby for "Moose Me Victorian!

She is wearing a dress trimmed with 2 layers of gathered lace and one layer of straight lace along the bottom hem. One layer of gathered lace trim and one layer of straight lace trim adorn her sleeves which are gathered at the wrist. Her dress is gathered at the neck which is adorned with 4 layers of gathered lace trim and adorned with a ribbon bow in the front. "Moose Me A Dance!" is also wearing a lined velvet vest that is lace trimmed along the front, back, and bottom edges and is tied with a ribbon and buttons. Her outfit is finished with a print embroidered handkerchief for a shawl.

"Moose Me Victorian!" knows that her brother did this for her. She also knows that he can walk and talk Victorian with the best of the Victorian gentleman and while he much prefers the company of his hunting buddies he's a right fine dancer. He can waltz and twirl with the best of them.

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals



Sunday, September 14, 2008

Bearly Victorian, Ryan! and Barely Victorian, Deb!

"Bearly Victorian, Ryan" and his wife, "Bearly Victorian, Deb!" have decided to start their own "Victorian Animals Tea Society" for all their wonderful Victorian animal friends.

After getting rejected for the umpteenth time from the latest Victorian tea society that he had applied to "Barely Victorian, Ryan!" decided that he and his wife should start their own club.

Their club would truly have an open membership and be accepting of all individuals and creatures. None of this "open to all", but really closed to animals rules. So what if Ryan and Deb were bears. They were still Victorian to the core. In fact, their lineage was probably older than some of the snooty Victorians who turned down their membership application.

Only one way around - start your own club! So, "Bearly Victorian, Ryan!" and "Bearly Victorian, Deb!" did. If there's anything Ryan and Deb can't stand it's "hoity-toity" attitudes. In their minds - everyone is created equal whether they're a human or an animal. Bears or humans - what's the difference? Nothing as far as Ryan and Deb are concerned. They're just as Victorian as anyone else.


However, don't let their names fool you. Ryan and Deb are anything but "barely Victorian!" Both Ryan and Deb are Victorian blue bloods. In fact, Ryan's lineage dates back "before the dawn of man!"

Ryan considers himself to be the epitome of the classy Victorian gentleman. He has the right attitude, the right demeanor, the right clothes, the right walk, the right taste in wine. Why, he can talk the talk and walk the walk with the best of the Victorian gentleman.

Deb considers herself to be at the top of her class. She is refined, elegant, stylish, well mannered, well educated, and proper at all times. She is a "true lady" in all sense of the word.

"Bearly Victorian, Ryan!" is a 15" Victorian bear. He is a self standing doll with a square bottom and plush felt body. His face is embroidered and he has black bead eyes and an animal nose.

Ryan is wearing his favorite blue shirt with stand-up collar and buttons. One of his favorite ties is wrapped around his neck. His blue check tweed jacket with a collar and lapels is lined and top stitched. Two wonderful blue buttons are used to fasten his jacket shut. Ryan's lined top hat sits beautifully atop his head and matches his lined jacket.

"Bearly Victorian, Ryan!" is quite the debonair. He knows it. Why don't they?



"Bearly Victorian, Deb!" is a 13" Victorian bear. She is a self standing doll with a square bottom and plush felt body. Her face is embroidered and she has black bead eyes and an animal nose.

Deb has 3 layers of wonderful lace trim along the bottom of her square body and is wearing a lace trimmed and gathered slip. Her beautiful coordinating ensemble is the latest in Victorian fashion. Her dress has multiple layers of lace trim along the sleeve hem and bottom hem and is gathered at the neck edge.

Her matching wrap is lined and lace trimmed and overlaps wonderfully in the front and decorated with a bow. She has a lined and coordinating lace trimmed cape fastened around her neck and shoulders. Deb's beautifully matching lined and lace trimmed flannel bonnet adorns her head and is tied in a bow around her neck. A lace bow decorates the front of her bonnet.

"Bearly Victorian, Deb!" is quite the fashionable lady. She knows it. Why don't they?

Designer - Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals