Our Creative Hands Blog

Raggedy Ann and Andy
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner to me these dolls just come to mind as a special symbol for this holiday. Did you know that Johnny Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, she had found an old hand-made rag doll, and he drew a face on it. From his bookshelf, he pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, and combined the names of two poems, “The Raggedy Man” and “Little Orphant Annie.” He said, “Why don’t we call her Raggedy Ann.”
Johnny Gruelle, children's book writer and illustrator, inventor the Raggedy Ann doll in 1915. In 1920 Raggedy Andy, her brother was born, and the two starred in many of Gruelle's children's stories. The dolls were very popular during the Depression and World War II. Marcella, Johnny Gruelle’s daughter, died at age 13 with the legend being told that he worked on the stories to keep his daughter’s memory alive.
I have included a picture which is to be the very first Raggedy Ann that can be found in the The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy museum opened to the public in May of 1999, in Arcola,Il. The museum was officially closed 2008 in Arcola. Marcella’s Corner Gift Shop has moved to Rockome. Here is the website http://www.raggedyann-museum.org/exhibits.html to see the works of Johnny Gruelle, which you have to check out truly inspirational and heart warming.
My love for these dolls has inspired me to create all the different versions. I have included them on my web site for sale. The primitive Ann & Andy are sold as a set. At this time, I have made only two different styles but as I researched, I found that the old patterns from McCall’s 1940 may be available- if this is the case, I will be making that one also.
My mother, who just passed away over a year ago, had a wonderful collection herself . She loved to thrift store shop and here she would find “Raggedy Ann and Andy’s” . These sit in the playroom for the grandchildren to play with but soon will be completing for them their very own “Raggedy Ann” with a special message on her chest. – Red wool heart containing the words “nana loves you.”
To celebrate my Mom and her life I am having a giveaway for the pair- Raggedy Ann and Andy.
The instructions are simple to enter. You need to leave one comment for each item you complete per entry.

1) Follow my blog
2) Write a blog post about my giveaway
3) Go to my web site and sign up for my newsletter
4) Like me on Facebook for Our Creative Hands
5) Post my giveaway on your Facebook

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2011 the winner will be selected using Random.com.

I wish you all good luck and especially hope that my Raggedy Ann and Andy
Dolls make you smile as they do me.