I love to sew...anything and everything! My mother is a master seamstress and taught all three of her daughters to use a sewing machine by 8 years of age. From quilts, to baby clothes, to handmade rag dolls sewing is my stress release and favorite way to spend "spare time" as full time mommy with four active children. By education, I am a registered nurse and enjoyed working labor and delivery for 5 years before choosing to focus on my growing family. Besides sewing, I love to run, cook and spend quality time in the great outdoors with my family and amazing husband.

As for my upbringing in the hills of Appalachia Tennessee, I can remember as a child my mother hand making pixie rag dolls for us to play with. Simplicity at its best...natural materials, sweet friendly characteristics, vintage fabrics. With the upcoming birth of my daughter in 2012, I began hunting for similar realistic looking dolls for her to play with. Let's face it; every little girl needs a doll, right?!

Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the mass produced make-up plastered dolls on the market. Does anyone value simplicity anymore? That's when I stumbled upon a few of my mothers handmade pixie dolls tucked away in the attic. From a simple pattern along with my own drawings, I designed a larger version of her rag dolls imagining what I would want for my own little girl...and so, my rag dolls were born. The natural fibers of cotton and linen are warm and feel more 'real' than plastic. My dolls, quilts and quiet books flow out of a desire to recreate the beauty and purity of times gone by...the good ole' days before plastics were even invented.

Doll making for me is a fluid process...I am constantly adjusting patterns and improving processes such as the way I embroider, attach the hair, or appliqué. Despite the tedious process of stuffing the arms and legs, my dolls are so much fun to create because of their vintage look, warm natural feel and the way each doll develops it's own personality upon completion. In an effort to reduce our global footprint and make a happier planet, I value using true repurposed fabrics and eco-friendly materials whenever possible. In fact, my grandmother just recently cleaned out her attic, and I inherited her huge collection of vintage and antique sewing supplies; threads on wooden spools, antique buttons, fabric remnants and even left over lace from my mother's wedding dress, all of which I love to utilize with almost every doll, quilt or quiet book I make.

I'm amazed and humbled at how small this planet really is and how global my dolls have become, shipping to 11 different countries such as New Zealand, Hong Kong, and Israel! My shop, The Busl Barn, is where I get to share my handmade original designs with you.

So, jump right in and join me in the creative process by customizing your doll to look just like the child it is gifted for. I love creating custom rag dolls for my nieces, nephews, and many of my friends children. They make the perfect keepsake gift for Christmas, birthdays and are sure to become an heirloom for generations to come.

Thanks for stopping by the Busl Barn! I hope you find something to brighten your life & your home or a treasured gift for the little child you adore!

*Photo credits: Thanks to Sabrina Stanford (www.stanfordphotographyonline.com) and Jessica Fitzgerald (www.facebook.com/AdellaPhotography) for the amazing job of capturing real-life play with my dolls.