I started this blog on August 1st, 2014, never knowing where it might take us. I was hoping I could think of enough things to write about to last a month or so, but today is my 157th consecutive post and I’m not planning on missing a day anytime soon. You all have welcomed me with open arms and loving hearts and made me feel like what I have to say is maybe worth saying…I have enjoyed SO much meeting you “as best we can online” and chatting with many of you through email.
Someone asked me if it was hard to keep coming up with something to say each day… not really. I think I have a very active mind and I’m always trying to figure out how I can relate something to dolls or sewing or fabric. I LOVE to sew and a big part of my life revolves around it, so coming up with topics isn’t that hard. What IS hard is sometimes finding the time at the end of the day to fit my writing in. I usually get up each morning hoping to think of something that I might like to talk about and mull it over most of the day and then “go for it” later in the evening. When my brother and sisters were here, I did a few posts ahead and had them scheduled to go on everyday so I could visit more. That was nice!
I’ve learned “not everyone wants to hear about your blog!” Sewing and dolls go hand in hand with my business and I sometimes forget that there is a pretty large group of people who think ladies who play with, and dress dolls at age 50+ are weird. I can’t really explain it to them so they’ll understand, so I sometimes just have to leave it alone. You either get it or you don’t. My best explanation is, “These ladies are just as normal as you and me, but they just like to dress up their dolls! If you had a conversation with them, you’d never suspect they are “strange or a little off” but just ordinary women like us.” Another part of their not understanding my doll customers, is why they have to have so many clothes! I tell them their dolls just like to have more than one thing to wear like we do! Usually the conversation stops here and we change the subject.
I’ve learned that when you write about something you think is interesting and you don’t get any comments or very few hits, you have to just let it go. Comments aren’t everything and you tell yourself, “I guess everyone was busy!” Truth be told, I’ve been very blessed with some “chatty” subscribers and I LOVE them… (You know who you are!!) My sister told me that she knew of a lady who started a blog, but after quite a while, maybe a year or so, the only subscribers who read her blog was her family and maybe one friend. I’m not sure I could be that devoted. Fortunately I have been blessed with 66 subscribers so far and hope to bring in some new ones this new year.
I’ve learned that the “blog world” is HUGE! I had no idea there were so many ladies (many who are stay at home moms) who had blogs…about everything from home decor, cooking, weight loss, thrifty shopping, raising kids, party planning, and many many more subjects! It’s fun to read them and I wish I had more time to get lost in a few of them, but my time again is valuable and I find myself doing a hit and miss kind of thing with most of them.
I’ve learned that I don’t know much about the technical side of my website as I’d like. I can do what I know how to do okay, but if some little snag hits my blog, I’m petrified that I won’t be able to work it out. Fortunately I have a wonderful Webmaster (Sarah) who knows EVERYTHING about how to fix the problems.
I’ve learned that you don’t get paid $$ for having a blog (at least in the beginning) so you have to think of it as a stepping stone for what might come in the future. It does take up more of my time that I could be sewing, but I chose to go this route and hopefully I can manage to do both sewing and blogging and keep things working.
I’ve leaned that I have the best audience around. I think “doll lovers” are some of the nicest people around and they prove it by their comments, their emails, their kind gestures toward me, and just how thoughtful they are! Maybe doll people have something wired exactly the same way in their brains… One lady emailed me the other day and as she was reading my post, she said she was saying, “Me too, Jeanne, Me too!” I think we’re all on the same page!
I’ve learned that I like sharing with others what I have been fortunate to know. It’s rewarding to encourage anyone who has questions or teaching them something new that they didn’t know. I like sharing my past experiences with others and it’s fun to dig around in my archived pictures and see what I was doing 6 or 7 years ago…or even 35 years ago. I’m a “people person” and having this blog lets me touch many more people than any other way I know of.
Okay, so I guess I’ve shared enough of what I’ve learned. I’m sure there is lots more, but it’s escaping my mind right now.
I do have something new to share though… I managed to get a Valentine dress listed on Ebay this evening. It is for Molly, but would work for any modern girl you may have too. It is made from a pretty red with white hearts print and looks so adorable on Molly. You can click on the picture at the right side bar and you’ll be taken right to the listing. It ends on Thursday, January 8th. (If you are getting the posts through your email, just click the BLUE title of the post and you’ll be taken to that day’s post on my website.)
Here are a few pictures of the dress:
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Great dress for Molly…love the fabric print!
I don’t often comment on your blogs, but I sure do look forward to our “chat” every morning…..feels like getting a personal letter every day!
HI Kathy,
What a wonderful thing to come home to after church…COMMENTS! YAY! Thank you so much for being one of my readers! I’m glad you are enjoying the blog posts each day!
Blessings, Jeanne
Good morning, Jeanne. It looks like things are back to pre-holiday normal by you because you’ve been sewing. I’ll bet it’s good to get back to it. Molly’s dress is so sweet, by the way.
For me, the “doll world” and “real” world don’t mix either. Like you, I don’t tell many people unless it comes up or someone sees me knitting. I have yet to actually meet, in person, a local “someone” who collects dolls.
BTW, I love reading your blog every day, Jeanne!
Hi Cindy,
Actually this dress was one I did last year for Valentine’s Day but I was too late getting it on Etsy and it didn’t sell in time. So I’ve saved it and now am able to use it.
I’m determined to figure out how to get my comments to post on your website/blog. I can’t seem to get through and it wants me to change my WordPress password, which I don’t want to do. I might try a different email address and see if it works. I hate that you are always leaving me comments and I’m not with your blog…
Thanks so much Cindy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love to read your blog everyday. I don’t tell many people about my dolls either..even when someone asks what I am making when I purchase fabric they look at me strange. I hope that you will sew something pretty for Patsy now that the holidays are over. Molly’s dress is adorable!
Happy New Year!
Regina
HI Regina,
Thanks for being a faithful reader… I’ll move Patsy up on the list since you asked about her. She never got a Christmas dress from me in 2014 so I’m feeling kind of bad for her. I’ll see what I can do.
Blessings, Jeanne
Good morning Jeanne! I always try to comment on your blog, because I feel it is nice to let you know how much I enjoy reading it, and how I think it is almost like having a sweet, next-door neighbor I can share with!! Some days I do have a lot on my plate and don’t get around to commenting, but thankfully, those are few and far between.
As for collecting dolls, I always was a doll person, even as a little girl! Even after I stopped getting dolls, I still enjoyed them, until school, career, and marriage came along, then I put it on the back burner. Now, since I have the time, it is very much a part of my life, and I love the American Girl dolls! I really enjoy the historical aspect of those dolls and it is fun to recreate the clothes I had as a child, and then some! I now have 8 dolls, and I think I am done with dolls, but not the collecting of clothes and accessories. Wish I knew someone around here that also liked dolls as much as I do, but oh well! Your blog and readers make me feel at home and perfectly normal—which we all are anyway!!!
Molly’s dress is adorable! I love the way you combined the pattern and checks! I also love red on Molly—so cheerful!
Hi Linda,
You don’t ever need to feel bad that you don’t comment on every single post. I do love seeing your comments though, so post when you can, and don’t feel bad when you can’t.
I used to just sew just to be sewing…but now that I have several different dolls, it’s almost like I’m a collector, but not really! I’d LOVE to have one of each in every kind and color, but I have to refrain from them…hard as it is!
Thanks for liking Molly’s dress. She does look good in red, doesn’t she?
I’m still determined to meet up with you this year and we’ll have breakfast or something together. I met one of my doll customers last year at Panera’s. We sat there and talked for 4 straight hours! I couldn’t believe it. Don’t worry, I’m not a talker, it’s just that the subject was so interesting for both of us… we didn’t want to stop.
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I am so thankful that you write this blog every evening. There are times when I am up late and click in to see what you have written. It is like having a friend in the dark of the night! I love you helpful instructions on garment planning, sewing construction and final finish with embellishments. You have willingly shared your training with us and I know I am one who has benefited. I am so thankful for that.
Now as to being a 50+ doll lover and crazy lady. I stand tall and proud and make no bones about it. I tell anybody who will listen and even have taken my dolls with me to the fabric store, knitting club and family events. Put me in the loony bin but be sure to give me a doll to keep me company!!
Love Molly’s dress. She is my first & favorite AG and sits proudly on a shelf in my sewing room.
– Jeannie B. in TX
Hi Jeannie,
Your comments made me smile this afternoon! ..”standing tall and proud to be a dolly lover!” I love it! Maybe we should start a club… “I love dolls and I’m proud of it!” I bet we’d have lots of members!
Thank you Jeannie for all the comments and emails you’ve sent my way! You and I truly have a kindred spirit and even the same name! I’m so glad you enjoy my ramblings…
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Molly’s new dress is soooo pretty. I enjoy reading your blog each day as well. I love dolls and PC/AG didn’t exist until I was grown. When my duaghter was born and I saw the Pleasant Company catalog when she was 2 in 1991 I KNEW these dolls would be a part of our lives. She still loves them at age 26 (in fact I bought her Julie for her birthday yesterday). I inherited her PC Samantha in 2008 whom she didn’t care for as much as the others and I was hooked on the clothes and accessories. I bought things for her we didn’t have. I figure if she didn’t exist when I was a child why can’t I have her and stuff now! Then I got my OWN Felicity( my personal favorite) and was hooked on her collection as well (Felicity is well loved around her as we each have one). There is a wonderful site AGPT( American Girl Playthings) which is filled with doll lovers of all kinds (not just AG, but similar ones like Life of Faith and German ) and ages. You feel quite affirmed in your love of dolls and collecting. Anyone interested please join us. 🙂
Hi Laura,
Thank you for reading every day too! Funny that you got your daughter Julie… I just won a nude Julie off of Ebay and should get her this week sometime. I went to high school in the 70’s and I just thought I’d be VERY familiar with the fashions of that day!
I’m already a member of AGPT and try to get there at least once a day! Since my love mostly revolves around sewing, I’m generally in Merriman’s Store, Home Ec or looking at the newest threads to see what is happening with everyone. There are some REAL doll lovers there…I mean the ones with 30+ dolls in their collections.
Thanks so much Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
HI Jeanne,
That Valentine dress is Darling! I just love the way you get the bodice to fit so perfectly! Pattern mix of fabric is cute …she looks so happy in that cheerful red.
I love your blog…just keep it up..I don’t always comment but almost always read it!
Thank you Kathie,
Thank you so much for your kind words about Molly’s dress…and thanks for reading… it’s nice to know I have so many wonderful ladies reading every day! Just my little part to make your day a little brighter… hopefully!
Blessings, Jeanne
You know I love reading your blog every day unless something un-forseen keeps me from getting on the computer. And simply said, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOUR BLOGGERS HAVE SAID ABOUT DOLLS AND COLLECTING THEM AND THEIR CLOTHES!!!!!! You have some wonderful girls as your bloggers. And lucky us, we have YOU as our seamstress and we have your blog to read!
There are many interesting collections people have out there- it’s fascinating to see the diversity in what people collect and what intrigues them.
The Valentine dress is really neat and such a sweet dress too. Valentine’s things are fun to collect too!
HI Paula,
Thank you so much for your sweet comments. Everyone has been wonderful at letting me know they like my blog and how much they enjoy reading it. I never would have believed it 6 months ago… but I guess it’s happening.
I love the time between January and Easter… you can get away with making any and all sorts of pretty dresses to fit most any doll.
I’ve got another Valentine one in the works…
Blessings, Jeanne