When I met the first time with Sarah, (the woman who set up my website), she asked me lots of questions about what I wanted in a website, what kind of background, fonts, colors, where did I want certain things placed and many other questions. We settled on most of them and then met a few more times to finalize my wishes. She is a very dear friend of mine and knows I’ve been selling my doll dresses on Ebay for years. She’s always doing something crafty and creative herself and has a good eye for what works and what doesn’t. She’s very computer savvy and whenever I’ve had a question, she either knows the answer or knows where to find the answer.
I told her she could get a feel for my style by looking at several of my auctions on Ebay. She watched a few of them and one of the times we met she asked me if the way I talked about my dolls came “natural” to me or did I have to work at it? At first I wasn’t sure what she meant, but she asked a few more questions and what she was referring to was when I do my “dolly talk” with or to them…
Here are a few examples of what she meant… In the post, The Dolly Toy Box, you can see how I give each doll a personality and sometimes I’m the narrator and sometimes I’m the doll talking… it’s fun to be both. The post was a pretty short one, so I just copied the whole thing here so you don’t have to click to see it. I hope you don’t mind repetition…it was one of my favorite blog posts…
The Dolly Toy Box
If you’ve ever bought anything from me in the past or you’re just a follower of mine, I’m sure you’ve heard me talk about The Dolly Toy Box! It’s a place where my dolls can dig around and find what they want to go with the outfit I’ve just created for them. I know if I let them, they would stay there all day looking and playing and hiding… but I thought I’d share it with you all. There are bears, and doggies, and tigers, and penguins, and rabbits, and kitties and all sorts of “wild things.” My girls love it and I thought you might too. No need to ask where I get them… I get them from everywhere… ebay, yard sales, variety stores, friends, etc… no certain place…just all over. (and this isn’t even all of them… I just used the littlest ones for my pictures…eep!)
Well, this is it…
Lian wants to play “Vanna” and welcome you…
Now she wants to know if it’s okay if she gets in…Sure, Lian, go ahead…
Isabelle saw Lian and she got down off the dolly shelf and joined in…
Oh my, lots of fun things to look at…
Oh dear… who just dove into the pile, girls???
“Don’t worry, it’s just Patsy (Tonner)…she’s hoping she’s up next for a dress…”
Oh brother… and you wonder why I don’t get more dresses made?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Here is another example of when I speak for the dolls… in this case it’s my new Ten Ping…
This post was one where I reviewed Ten Ping, by Ruby Red Galleria. Since this post was longer, I will put the link to it HERE and you can read it if you wish… but I just mainly wanted to zero in on this one part… so here’s a clip from that post…
Since I plan on sewing for Ten Ping, I undressed her and put the clothes back in the box.
As I was in my sewing room, looking at her sitting on her box, I heard this tiny faint little voice say something.
I leaned in a little closer and heard Ten Ping say…
“你讓我一個新的衣服？ ” “Nǐ ràng wǒ yīgè xīn de yīfú? ”
Which translated means, “Will you make me a new dress?”
Someone better get busy sewing!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Sometimes when I answer your comments I do my “dolly talk” and you do it to me sometimes… it’s fun and I enjoy it.
Here’s an example of what I said to Bobbie yesterday, when she commented about Kit’s new patch…
HI Bobbie,
Kit said she does like her new patch and can’t wait for her new lips!
I do it all the time and I’m sure you notice it when I do. Those were just a few examples of what I mean by talking to my dolls, or them talking to me. So to answer Sarah’s question, “Does that come easy to you?… I mean do you have to think before you say those things?…or does that just come out of you?” I can honestly say, it just comes natural and it’s very easy for me to think AND talk like that. It’s all wrapped up in what I do. I sew and I also love my dolls and as silly as it seems, I think they love me back. I think part of it is just being free enough to really enjoy your dolls and let all your childish thoughts come through. It’s fun to have “dolly thoughts” and I love being this way… But I just wanted to let you know I’m also just as normal as can be. I’m not weird or anything like some people suppose doll lovers are. Just wanted to clear that up!
Tomorrow my hubby is off and I’m hoping he can help me figure out some way to make my sewing machine foot pedal work with my left foot so I can get sewing again…(since I’m not sure how long my right foot will be “out of order!”) I can hear my dolls whispering on the shelf…”when is she going to make MY Christmas dress?” (oops, there I did it again!)
Just wondering…do your dolls talk to you?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, my first sewing machine’s “foot” pedal was attached to the upper right side so that it worked by side pressure from the right knee. You might try that?
hugs,
Sissy
Hi Sissy,
I used to have a foot pedal on my mom’s machine and it was easy to operate. My hubby was working on his truck this morning so we haven’t even looked in my sewing room at what can be done. I may just try sewing with my left foot, but I don’t feel I’ll be very coordinated with it. Maybe if I just go slow it will work.
Thanks Sissy,
Blessings, Jeanne
oh, yes… my dolls and I ‘talk’ all the time. My mom recently moved in with us…and she found out they even talk to HER! 🙂 (One told her she wanted to ‘belong’ to HER and not me.) snicker.
HI Mary,
Oh dear, you better keep tabs on your dolls or they might all want to belong to your mom! My dolls only talk to me… I’m glad I don’t have to share them with anyone…
Thanks for your sweet comments, Mary,
Blessings, Jeanne
You are not weird at all, Jeanne! You’re as normal as I am. (ha ha) Whatever normal is… we all have our distinct quirks, and as long as they’re harmless and positive ones who cares what they are. …at least that’s how I feel.
I hope your husband can figure out a way for you to operate your sewing machine. I’m sure he can figure something out. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Have a good and healing day, Jeanne!
HI Cindy,
Well, if you’re normal, I guess I am too, because we sort of think alike… I like your phrase, “distinctive quirks”…that’s what doll lady’s have…nothing else!
He just came in from working on his truck, so we’ll see what we can come up with.
Thanks Cindy,
Blessings, Jeanne
If Wikipedia is right, your foot should be improving quickly now — then it will slow down, but continue to improve as long as you don’t step on anything you shouldn’t. Fortunately your girls’ toys look pretty soft for the most part. When my nephews came over to stay many years ago, my carpet ended up full of tiny sharp GI Joe accessories.
How is your foot today? You said it was a lovely yellow, like my crab apple tree, the other day. Is that fading? How is the swelling? Can you put any weight on it yet?
HI Marilyn,
Well, if it’s supposed to be improving by now, I’m a little behind I think. I still can’t put much weight on it. I’m still pretty “limpy” so to speak. I use the counters and chairs and the walls to help me move along. I can stand with my foot touching the floor but not with any weight on it. The swelling is better, but my shoes still fit tight on that foot. I have a velcro pair of black mary janes and am wearing them. I guess it’s just going to take longer than I want…
Thanks for asking Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I’m sure you saw that I was one of those who was able to open you blog post last night. I’m often on the computer late at night checking on things or sending emails that I should have taken care of earlier in the day. Could be the meds you are taking or the fact that you are just tired of sitting on the couch and don’t have that “can do” focus you normally have. ??
I have always loved your basket of toys for the dolls. I look all the time for items that might work at props with the dolls. I have found some interesting items in some very interesting places. I just have to remember to use them!! I do have difficulty finding stuffed animals that are of the right size. Most are just too large or too expensive. One day I am sure I will find a good source and clean out their stock.
I hope you will be on the mend soon and back to your normal tasks.
Prayers sent!
Thanks so much Jeannie,
I knew as soon as I hit the button that today was the 3rd and not the 2nd but it was too late, and it got published… Oh well, no harm done…
It’s fun to find little things for doll props. I keep my eyes open ALL the time for new things to use. I could easily stop looking for quite a while but I’m just in a habit so I keep looking.
Thanks for your fun comments, Jeannie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne,
I’m in the middle of doing wash from the trip, but want to stop a bit and “relax”! Oh, yes, I also, too, talk with my dolls, and imagine them talking back to me!! Why not? It’s fun, and there is much to discuss, especially what are they going to do next, so that I can figure out what to put on them. It’s fall related now, and they are having the hardest time getting their Halloween costumes off! Rather it’s me, since it took FOREVER to put them on and put away what they were wearing!!
Oh, that toy box is so chock full of fun things! Looks like it came straight from Santa’s workshop!
Ten Ping looks a bit embarrassed to be sitting there in her panties just waiting, waiting, waiting!!
So glad George is home with you today. Good luck with him coming up with something so you can return to your first love…..sewing!!
HI Linda,
It’s too bad the seasons don’t last longer… I’m sure it must take you and lots of other ladies days to get all your dolls dressed up in the outfits you want them in. I’ve never known that part of the dolly life, but it sounds fun to me…
My Dolly Toy Box IS full of fun things for my girls to look at and add to their new dress set. They never want to leave!
Ten Ping WAS embarrassed that day… I shouldn’t have humiliated her like that!…shame on me!
I’ve been up on my foot too long, and it’s aching, so while George is finishing up his truck I’m going to lay down for a little bit…but not too long! I have things to do!
Blessings, Jeanne
I am so happy you shared The Toy Box story with us again. That blog was one of my favorites. I love how Patsy fell into the pile of toys while Isabelle and Lian watched!! I also liked Ten Ping’s wee little voice saying she wanted to know if you’d make a dress for her. So cute.
I sometimes don’t see my dolls for long intervals since I’m doing other things but I’m always referring to them by the names I’ve given them. Often a memory recall of my own becomes part of their story. For my Civil War dolls, instead of an Aunt Pitty Pat, like in Gone With The Wind, they have Aunt Honey (who is not even a doll but a character who spurges on the girls for different reasons- would that be me???) She’s named after Bit O’ Honey, our little doggie’s name. I like to use places I’ve been to or lived in for parts of the character’s origin. It’s so much fun, especially when other doll collectors speak of their little stories.
* Laura, bless you for helping that little doggie find his way home. Glad you enjoy your dolls as I do.
Jeanne, hope your husband can figure out a way to help you use your sewing machine pedal !! The girls down in the doll room are all hoping your foot gets well soon. Savannah says her mother always uses arnica and a few other ingredients from the apothecary store for sore sprains.
Take care.
HI Paula,
I’m glad I’m not the only one who enjoyed that Toy Box post… it was fun for even me to see again.
I’ve never gone to a Doll Convention, but I’m guessing there is lots of role playing and dolly talk going on… is that true, anyone who’s gone to one? I think it would be boring for me to just list my dolls dresses without having some fun with the stories and giving the dolls opinions of things too.
I may just have to take your dolls advice and get some arnica for my foot! It couldn’t hurt anything…
Thanks Paula,
I always enjoy how much YOU enjoy your dolls!
Blessings, Jeanne
I attended two Sasha festivals and one Hoyer doll luncheon. The conventions were just too wearing for me. Too much business and talk, talk, talk. My husband went with me and I was very glad to escape some of the events with him at the Festivals. I lived a quiet life and all the intense talk of just one doll seemed shallow to me. I would rather meet people quietly. I love to learn about dolls but for me, I had never seen or heard such emotion on an object before. My daughters have never understood the” doll lady ” life. One collects Hermes scarves. The other nothing. I was never a collector or saver of anything before dolls. Now it’s yarn I think as well as dolls.
HI Jan,
I wondered what it might be like at a doll convention. Maybe you would be better suited for a doll “show” instead of a convention. That way you could look at the dolls you wished and skip the ones you weren’t interested in. I’m thinking I might like the doll show better myself. It’s too bad your girls don’t like dolls, even it was to appease their mother…
I guess you’ll just have to “play dolls” in private!
Thanks for your thoughts, Jan,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, I love doll shows. Much more manageable. When collectors talk about conventions, they all say theyarrive home exhausted. Hotel rooms buzz with excitement until the late hours. I need quiet and sleep. Conventioneers rave about the great time they have. At both Festivals I attended there were small factions working against each other and unkind in comments and this was upsetting to me. I a collecting world there can be much competition to obtain the best, and most objects. Not a comfortable atmosphere. I often felt
i had played too much alone as a child and had not developed a thick enough skin to play as an adult in the doll world. You may love a convention. A good way to spread your talents to a wide audience. Have a helper At my sales table myhusband took care of the sales and I saw him turn color when he ran out of cash with buyers thrusting money at him. He thought the whole experience a little crazy too.
Generally, husband is very supportive of my doll interest and will listen to all ‘my doll talk.
Glad the foot is a little better…did you soak it ?
The “Toy Box” would make any dolly happy…I’m amazed at all the different ones you’ve found!
Hope George has some inspiration for the sewing machine…that side pedal Sissy mentioned works pretty easily!
Good Luck!
HI Kathie,
I searched for our Epsom salts and I guess we used it all. I’m going to soak my foot just in some warm water with something else that I think will make it feel good. …?
I got the sewing machine problem solved and will share it tomorrow… yay!!!
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Oh, yes, my dolls “talk” to me. One of my Cabbage Patch Originals, Dawn Hollye, even wrote an occasional column for The Cabbage Line, which was put out by Marty Liston, about 20-25 years ago. Sadly, she (Marty) died, and I think someone else was doing the column; I sort of lost track. It was sure fun though–Dawn Hollye wrote about things like helping mommy at work (I worked in a doll store) and going to Vacation Bible School!
Okay, I have a funny story to tell you. I used to belong to a doll club years ago, just a few of us, and every Christmas we would have lunch at a local restaurant. Mary Rose, her daughter Kathi, and I all brought our AG dolls to the lunch (at the time I just had Molly), and then later we went over to the Northgate area Pacific Fabrics. We brought our dolls in with us, and had a wonderful time, looking around. (Molly wanted some red velvet for her Christmas dress, but I had to say no, as I already had her Christmas dress partly done at home!)
Anyway, a week or two later, I was in the Pacific Fabrics up in Everett, and I started telling Val, the store manager, about the nice time I’d had at doll club and our trip to the Northgate store, and she looked at me and said, “YOU’RE the one!! I should have known it was you!!” What?!!
She told me she had been on the phone with the manager of the Northgate store recently, and that lady told Val, “You know, the strangest thing happened the other day. These three grown women came in the store, and they were carrying their dolls and talking to them like they were real children!!!” LOL
First Val told her we had just been “messing with your mind”, and then she told her that she should have complimented us on how well-behaved our girls were!!
Thought you would enjoy that!!
Charlotte
HI Charlotte,
How fun to read a doll column from a dolls perspective! That must have been a hoot!
I did enjoy your story about your doll adventures at the restaurant and then at the fabric store. I think lots of my subscribers probably got a chuckle out of it!
Thanks for your great comments Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
This is so cute! And I love reading the comment stories too. Funny story Charlotte!
Yes, my dolls talk to me AND my Patsy jumps into piles too! I have a story about her getting timed out after a pile jumping episode. But my Patsy, Gabby, is irrepressible. So it wasn’t the last time.
I must take time here more often! Just skimming the fabulous pictures doesn’t do your site justice! lol
I have to go back and read about your injured left foot! I have been off my left foot for a month from a sprain…
Take care, Jeanne!
HI Jano,
Thanks so much for reading my blog and letting me know you enjoy it.
I’m glad I’m not alone in talking to my dolls and then them talking back to me… It’s fun, isn’t it?
Actually it’s my right foot and today I actually drove to town… and made it okay… but I was pretty nervous and had my left foot ready to hit the brake if I needed to.
I hope yours gets okay soon…
Blessings, Jeanne