Memoirs of a London Doll
WRITTEN BY HERSELF, EDITED BY MRS. FAIRSTAR
by Richard H. Horne
This discussion will begin on Monday, November 17th, 2008,
on hittygirls at yahoogroups.
Don't have the book? Read it online here.
For this book, we are offering a multitude of fun projects!
Do them all, or just do one--your choice.
And we are introducing a new sort of activity. Some of the activities can be
done right in your
own neighborhood. Hope you will want to do some of them!
Make
(or acquire) a jointed doll with a wig, in any media - as Mr. Sprat was able
to make dolls of various kinds.
Make
a doll.
Make your doll
a blanket to protect her from the cold wind in the Sprat's house.
Donate a doll and a blanket to a shelter.
Chapter 2: My First Mama
Chapter Synopsis
Make either a Napoleon-style cock'd hat of brown paper
OR a Twelfth- cake.
Make a
box to hold the doll and her possessions.
Read a child a story
Take a picture of your doll in a cocked hat.
Make a
12th cake for your doll, throw a tea party and wear cocked hats, take a picture
Write a poem
Chapter 3: Twelfth Night
Chapter Synopsis
Make
a nightgown and night-cap OR sugar plums.
Mine were the same as these.
Make a blue turban
Make a cornelian necklace for your doll
Chapter 4: The Little Milliners
Chapter Synopsis
Add a strip of blue ribbon around the waist and make
a purple cap OR post a photo of your doll dancing.
Make a raspberry tart for your doll
Have your doll wear a blue ribbon around her waist.
Chapter 5: My First Frock and Trousers
Chapter Synopsis
Make the outfit similar to what Ellen and Nanny made
for Maria OR make physic in teacup.
Make Maria's first frock and trousers
Take a picture of Maria and a friend in a tent sewing.
Take a picture of Maria Poppet walking in the park.
Chapter 6: The Little Lady
Chapter Synopsis
Make a scarf and bonnet for wearing out OR ma ke/acquire
a swan.
Make a scarf and bonnet
Take a picture of Maria with a swan.
Take a picture of Maria in a carriage.
Take a picture of Maria with the doll Achilles.
Chapter 7: The West End of Town
Chapter Synopsis
Acquire one or more of the following: cradle basket,
with mattress
and pillow; gold watch on chain; featherbed; wardrobe.
Find or make Maria an instrument so she can make music as well.
Make Maria a featherbed.
Make Maria a watch and chain and photograph her with it.
Chapter 8: A Narrow Escape
Chapter Synopsis
Create a vignette of Maria visiting a zoo OR make a
bonnet with veil OR make frock to wear to opera.
Take a photo of Maria at the zoo.
Make Maria a new pink frock.
Make a bouquet of the sweetest flowers.
Make a white lace scarf.
Make a top hat for Maria and take a picture of her in it.
Chapter 9: Doll's Letter
Chapter Synopsis
Write doll's letters and send to another doll--this
can be someone on the list or outreach to someone not on the list.
See if you can write a better letter than the Mister!
Make Maria a cambric handkerchief.
Take a photo of Maria taking a photograph.
Chapter 10: Playing with Fire
Chapter Synopsis
Make a bracelet with your doll's name on it.
Extra: Make a ball dress.
Make a bracelet
Take a photo of Maria at her writing lesson.
Take a photo of Maria dancing around the fire.
Chapter 11: The Portrait Painter
Chapter Synopsis
Acquire a new wig OR Maria's journal.
Paint a portrait of Maria
Make a book to help her while away the hours while her paint dries.
Chapter 12: Punch and Judy
Chapter Synopsis
Make a simple wrapper OR create a vignette of Maria
watching a puppet show.
Make Punch's baby.
Take a photo of Maria at the Punch and Judy show.
Chapter 13: The City
Chapter Synopsis
Make jacket and cap like a monkey organ grinder OR scarlet
and green
dress OR make an organ for Maria to sit on.
Make a bracelet to replace the one the
peddler took from Maria
Take a photo of Maria in a red vest like an organ monkey
Make a meal for Maria with a treat of candy and plum cake
Make a tambourine
Chapter 14: The Lord Mayor's Show
Chapter Synopsis
Create a vignette of watching a parade or musicians
OR make a pint of hot coffee and bread/butter.
Take a photo of Maria upon a wall.
Make Maria a drum.
Make Maria a supper of macaroni.
Chapter 15: The Lost Bracelet
Chapter Synopsis
Make a new outfit OR plate of roast mutton and potatoes
OR box of sweetmeats.
Make Maria some sugar plums.
Donate a doll to a children's shelter.
Make Maria a shawl.
Chapter 16: The New Grand Christmas Pantomime
Chapter Synopsis
Make a Christmas dress of muslin with pink rose trim
OR any of the characters or props from the play.
Make a playbill.
Make a white muslin frock with pink roses.
Make a wreath of pink roses for Maria's head.
Take a picture of Maria as the Silver frost Spirit with a silver wand.
Take a picture of Maria as Columbine.
Chapter 17: Conclusion
Chapter Synopsis
Add clothes to her wardrobe OR acquire chest of drawers,
bed with blankets and sheets.
Create a vignette of your Maria telling her life history to another doll.
Take a picture of Maria in a Dragonhead.
Make a bonnet and cloak.
Take a photo of Maria and her doll friend.