If you had asked me back on August 1st of 2014 how long it would be before I missed a day with nothing to write about, I would have guessed maybe a month. I wasn’t even sure I could go that long and it was one of my biggest fears about starting this blog/website. I began writing down ideas to talk about long before my blog ever got started, but I only had about 50 things on paper and was sure when those got all used up, I’d be struggling to come up with something to write.
Well, so far, I haven’t missed a day and I still have topics on that list that I haven’t used yet, so maybe I can do this…or maybe I’m just full of “hot air” and like to babble a lot! Who knows… I checked back in November and by my 100th post I had acquired 59 subscribers. Since January 1st, 2015, I have added 26 more, for a total of 85 now. I am grateful and appreciative of each and every one of you and hope you find my blog interesting enough to stick with me. I don’t know exactly where we are headed, but I’ll let you know as we go along!
I’ve picked up a few NEW hits from some really far away places…according to my Sitemeter… Malaysia, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, but my farthest and pretty regular hit comes from Perth, Australia….at 10,920 miles away. Thank you, whoever you are!
As I look back over my calendar with my posts written in on each day, I thought maybe I would pick out ten of my favorite posts and see what you thought. I’ll put a link beside the title of that post, in case you missed it. Then you can check out that post if you like and you’ll just have to hit the “back” button to continue reading to get to the blog again. I don’t think I’ll do these necessarily in my “favorite” order, just ten favorites…
August 2, 2014 ~
My Biggest Alterations Job Yet! (HERE)
I think the reason I liked this one, was even though it was on my 2nd day of blogging, I realized, not everything I wrote about had to involve dolls or their clothing. I felt comfortable just talking about what I did…and this day it was a big sewing job!
September 3, 2014 ~
Details Matter…It’s the Little Things that Make a Difference… (HERE)
I spent a lot of time putting this post together for a Presentation to the Dianna Effner Little Darlings group. My hope was to help others with a few details that might make a difference in their sewing and also their listings on Ebay or Etsy.
September 4, 2014 ~
Do you Iron in the Nude? (HERE)
I felt comfortable enough to share a little humor in this post… and to think it was all about testing out a new iron…
September 17, 2014 ~
Before American Girl and Dianna Effner Little Darlings, there were Cabbage Patch dolls (HERE)
This post was fun for me because it brought back so many memories of sewing and trying to start a small business and going to craft fairs to sell my doll outfits. I learned a lot and cried a lot during all those special orders I ended up making.
September 22, 2014 ~
What almost kept me from selling my doll clothes… (HERE)
It was fear that I would run out of ideas (again) that almost stopped me before I even got started selling doll clothes…silly woman!
September 25, 2014 ~
The Dolly Toy Box… (HERE)
I talk about my Dolly Toy Box much of the time time when I’m sewing for my Little Darlings, by Dianna Effner and this post just made me smile. I liked it very much when Patsy Tonner jumped into the pile of toys and her feet were up in the air…and then Lian’s response…
November 25, 2014 ~
Having a Thankful Heart (HERE)
It was nice to verbalize my top ten things I was thankful for…
November 27, 2014 ~
Happy Thanksgiving in a Variety of Languages (HERE)
I received a lot of feedback on this post and it blessed my heart to have comments and emails from all over the world.
December 24, 2014 ~
41 years ago today… (HERE)
This post was special to me because it was about my dad. I wish he could see what I am doing today. I think he would be proud of me.
February 10, 2015 ~
Tutorial: How to sew on buttons so they look like a flower… (HERE)
This was a fun post for me and you all responded so enthusiastically toward it. It was fun for me to see how excited you were to give this way of sewing on buttons a try.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, if you think I can possibly pick one of those, or any other one, as my favorite, you are not thinking!!! I love them all, but am especially fond of the one you wrote about your father, because it says a lot about you and your character as a person. You are a very sweet, kind, and caring person, and it shows in everything you do! Thank you for being YOU!!
Morning Linda,
Thank you very much for being a wonderful friend, even though we’ve never met and for all your encouragement and sweet words you shower my way!
We’re getting our first substantial snowfall today…are you? It’s pretty but I’m still ready for Spring!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I think that my favorite post is the “Details Matter” post. I have learned so much from your blog on how to sew for my little dolls and how to embellish their outfits. I have been looking back at your post to get ideas for the green dresses I am making for St. Patty’s Day. Thanks for your blog!
Thank you Regina,
That post took about a month of planning to put together. It’s pretty special to me because I wanted to use my new website to do it on and so I had to work hard to get the website up and running and the Presentation done all about the same time. Sarah, my webmaster did the hard part of the website, but I had to figure out how to use it and do the posts…
I’m glad you have found things that you can use from it! That’s what the plan was!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, your post about your father reached right straight into my heart. With every word you wrote I could feel your pain as well as the love and pride you have for your dad. I have no doubt that he sees and takes equal pride in your accomplishments.
Embellishments – entirely changed the way I look at how I finish off my doll garments. I even rearranged my sewing supplies so what I have is more accessible. Additionally, I am always looking for new items to add to my stash. Huge learning curve!
As a side note, I have started taking some new vitamins. Why? I see how much Jeanne Marie accomplishes in a day and I know I have to ramp up my efforts and energy level. My stash of fabric and yarn call to me and I only have one lifetime……..
HI Jeannie,
Thank you very much for YOUR friendship and how you bless ME! Embellishments? My theory is you-can-never-have-too-many! That’s it in a nutshell. I used to have a friend who didn’t have a very big sewing stash and every time she needed a button or a spool of thread she had to run to the store. That would never work for me…. E-V-E-R!
I hope you get everything you want to accomplish “accomplished!” I’ll agree with that for myself too!
Thank you Jeannie,
Blessings, Jeanne
The tribute, a very sweet daughter gave to her father is the most touching, Jeanne. It also reflects what a strong and loving mother you have in that she raised wonderful, kind and giving children all by herself.
I also love your humor in the “Iron” blog….how clever! That just cracks me up!
And I love the girls in the baskets of toys….how precious is that.
Congratulations on your 200th blog and may you flourish with a 100 more!
Have a blessed day!
Thank you Paula,
It’s nice to see that you all liked my “dad’s tribute!” I’m so glad I wrote that post, even if it was hard to do.
Thanks so much for your kind comments and for your wishes for many more posts to come!
Blessings, Jeanne
Along with the tribute to your father, my favorite post is the picture of your husband cutting the fabric pieces to help you in the early days of your doll sewing career. It is a wonderful glimpse of his devotion.
HI Jan,
Thanks so much… you know, I almost used that picture for the “Cabbage Patch” gallery photo. But I decided the doll picture was more colorful, so I used it. That is one of my all time favorite pictures of him…as you are right, he was such a big help to me and such an encourager during that time. He’s very proud of me and my biggest fan!
Thanks so much Jan,
Blessings, Jeanne
To answer your question, Jeanne, yes, we did get a whopping 2 inches of snow!! I love looking out at it with everything so pristine and white! It was so pretty watching the fluffy snowflakes fall to the ground, and I do like that over all the brown we have otherwise!
Forgot to say “Congratulations” on your 200th blog! I am looking forward to many, many more!!
Thanks Linda,
We still have snow falling as of 6pm but it’s slowing down… I think we have 5-6 inches.
Maybe I’ll show a picture tomorrow of my back yard…
Stay warm..
Blessings, Jeanne
“200 Congratulations!” Loved the re run of your favorite posts. The Iron post felt like you had peeked in my sewing/laundry/ironing room. I love the old heavy irons form the 70’s with blue handles that have a shot of steam. They get really HOT makes the crease in jeans and dockers look pressed. I find them at Estate sales. My hubby says I have a Iron Fetish…which is right…I have one now I kind of like but it shuts off in 5 minutes if not moved which drives me crazy 🙂 I give irons to my daughters and nieces…I can’t believe how many people don’t iron anymore. It’ so soothing ( for me)
Keep going girl…love your posts!
Kathie
Thank you Kathie,
I have a thing for irons too. If I see one at a yard sale, I’ll pick it up, cause hey, mine will conk out eventually and I’ll have to buy one! I’m like you… so many people don’t iron anymore and I can’t imagine not doing it. I wouldn’t exactly say it’s “soothing” to me, but what would I do without an iron for my doll clothes?
Thanks so much Kathie!
Blessings, Jeanne