I’m sorry but I didn’t get your comments answered from yesterday’s post, but I did read them all! Twice! I was over at my mom’s again and got in too late last night. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and comments and birthday wishes to my mom. Marilyn, I’m glad your eye surgery went well and you are able to see much better. It was fun reading everyone’s thoughts about puzzles… you seem to either like them or not have time for them. I like them but don’t really have time for them…although I did see this cutest one with a sleeping cat in a mess of sewing items… thread, yarn, tape measure, pins, pattern pieces…and it was adorable. I almost bought it, and even carried it around in my cart for a while, but decided to put it back…I’m someone who is addicted to them once I start one and I have no time to be addicted to anything but sewing…at least right now… :o( and :o)
My poor brother got hit with the flu early yesterday morning and was in bed all day long. Jennifer decided to take their 3 little boys to town to go “birthday shopping” for my mom and while she was out, she said something didn’t feel right… My little sister and I had taken my mom to lunch while she took the boys. When we got back, Jennifer was sick…So guess what we were doing? Babysitting the little guys… My sister and I even took them to one of those frozen yogurt and toppings places. When we got back both parents were in bed with their littlest guy…
But later on Jennifer got up and was the “good” mom and tried to help… she even worked with me on the puzzle and we got it done…I have to say this was the hardest puzzle I’ve ever done. That black in the bottom left corner was almost impossible and the blue and white print dress was very hard. But the plaid skirt was the most difficult of all. It was the last thing we both worked on together. It’s done and my mom said it’s never coming out of the box again. I have an aunt whom my mom said might “inherit” it! Just to prove we did it…here’s a picture of it!
[If you click on the picture, it will enlarge and you can see the details.]
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Kirsten will end the year 2015 with a post about her and will begin the 2016 year as well…
I’ve already told you I was going to make Kirsten the first dress of the year…and I’m going to get started on it soon… but in the meantime, I thought maybe I’d show you some past Kirsten dresses to keep you occupied until I get her newest one done…
Kirsten is pretty versatile in that you can make her Swedish dirndl’s or Prairie dresses…I personally like either style on her! I’ll show you some of each…
…maybe you have a favorite style you want me to make this next time for her… Swedish or Prairie?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Many years ago a friend in Sweden asked if I could send a Kirsten to her (she paid for it, of course). My mother said that my dolls (a Girl of Today and Kit) were cute, but Kirsten was beautiful. You have a lot of beautiful dolls, but your pictures show that no one is more beautiful than Kirsten. She looks perfect in every one of these pictures. Every color seems to look fabulous on her, and every outfit, Swedish or prairie, looks splendid.
I think my favorite is the second one (I really like those sleeves), but the big sunbonnet in the photo with the butterfly is a definite winner and so is the smaller, detailed sunbonnet in the photo with the birds’ nest, and then there’s the blue and yellow dress. I’m so glad I don’t really have to choose one. I’m going to be very interested in what other people think. And then there’s the best part — seeing what you decide to do this time.
I do hope everyone is well tomorrow. That happened to my family once too. We were together for a funeral, and when the first person got sick, people said it was jut nerves. It was my dad, so that was pretty funny because he famously didn’t have any nerves — and then the second person got sick, and then the third, and then people who were still well began packing up quite quickly. Your family seems sensibly to be taking to your nice comfortable beds and recovering quickly — a much nicer solution than fleeing.
You stay well, and I hope everyone continues to have a lovely time together.
HI Marilyn,
It’s funny but you talk about my Kirsten being so beautiful…all of the pictures shown above (except for the one of her in the black, blue and pink set) are of my “old” Kirsten and she was so yellow in the face, but she still photographed pretty well. She had a pretty face, but it was very yellow when I sold her.
I’ve had a mixed bag of responses on her and in the emails… so I’m still trying to decide what to do for her…
My brother woke up this morning feeling slightly better and thought they better get home to Peoria if they could…so they left… They were supposed to go to some big New Year’s Eve party tonight, but I’m guessing they went home and all went to bed instead!
We did have a lovely time…even though it wasn’t your typical Holiday/birthday visit… we still had fun…
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
I certainly hope things are going better for your family, Jeanne! Of all things to happen, and at of all times! You just never can plan on things going perfectly, that’s for sure! I hope no one else comes down with it.
As far as here, well, I live very close to the Meramec River, and it is getting a lot of news lately! Although we are in no danger of the flooding, traffic around here is terrible, as they have closed off Interstate 55, which is close by and Hwy. 21, not to mention Hwy 30, and those are the only ways a lot of people can get to St. Louis from nearby Jefferson County, which is where my family live. We drove around to see what is happening, and it is just mind-boggling! Today the water should crest in Arnold, by me, so hopefully things should get better, but oh, what a mess it will leave!
Oh, I just love all these outfits for Kirsten! I love the hanky aprons and sweet little hats. I don’t know if Prairie or Swedish, but Prairie is a bit plainer I think, so I’ll take Swedish, but maybe a Swedish-Prairie dress would work?? LOL
Hi Linda,
I watched the news tonight and St. Louis was right there among the worst of the flooding… It’s good that the rain has stopped…let’s just pray that it stays “stopped!”
I’ll put you down in the Swedish column since that was your first choice…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Sorry to hear that your family was hit with the flu. I hope they all feel better soon. Kirsten is so cute. I especially love the yellow and blue outfit. It is just a combo that makes my heart sing and I don’t seem to see it a lot. Happy New Year Jeanne!!
HI Christine,
After I finished that yellow and blue dress, I made a little yellow felt purse to go with the set and also added a daffodil flower for Kirsten to hold…you can see them by clicking these 2 words…
purse
flower
Thanks so much for your compliments Christine,
Blessings, Jeanne
Flu, boo hoo! Our family went through the Norovirus at Thanksgiving. Our son in law’s parents came down with it and couldn’t make it for dinner. They contracted it from our darling mutual granddaughter. Exactly two days later, my husband came down with it. Then several days later, our little granddaughter carrier gave it to her mother. I escaped as I am immune to the Norovirus. (Both my husband and I have had our DNA done, and I’m immune, he’s not.) So, me thinks there may be others in your family that may become sick. Hope not though.
My favorite Kirsten dress is the one with the blue butterfly. The larger looser bonnet, is adorable on her. And I also love the last redish outfit. The handkerchief apron and lace detail really makes a simple dress shine.
Hope you and family stay well.
HI Joy,
Being sick is no fun, whether you are at home or in someone else’s home, but I’m thinking being in someone’s home is probably worse… My brother was dreadfully sick!
Thanks for your sweet compliments on Kirsten’s dresses…she is always fun to make things for… I love the colorful ones myself.
Blessings, Jeanne
Loved all the Kirsten dresses..just beautiful! Can’t wait to see what you’re making for her next!
HI Jane,
I can’t wait to see what I make either!!!
Thanks for your thoughts,
Blessings, Jeanne
The rose pink, white hanky apron dress is my favorite. My heritage is both prairie and Norwegian so I always like Kirsten in whatever she wears. Hope the last to have flu person is the last for the family. Congratulations for finishing the puzzle. I like working on puzzles but husband declines.. His parents were intolerably competitve in any game and unpleasant memories are hard to forget. I don’t like competition myself and stay away from avid players.
HI Jan,
I appreciate your input on the next Kirsten dress… we’ll see what I come up with…
Too bad about the puzzles and your hubby’s family… they are fun if you let them be…
Blessings, Jeanne
Is the second from the bottom a Swedish style? I don’t if I like the style better or the color combination but it is a favorite…along with the ones that have the hankie detail. She’s a cutie in most anything!
I’ve been reading but only on my phone …had surgery and a nasty cold..not a good combination!
Hope 2016 will be a good one for you….
HI Kathie,
I think that yellow and blue one is very pretty on Kirsten too… you are the second one to comment on it… If you look up in Christine’s comment, I added 2 links to a purse and flower that I added to the dress set to finish it off…
She is cute in most anything…
I hope you are doing better by now.. surgery and a cold are not conducive for the holidays!
I hope 2016 is a good one for YOU too!
Blessings, Jeanne
The blue and yellow together are signature colors in Sweden as I understand for both decorating and clothing. I love the picture of you with the fountain and the chickens in yesterday’s post. I saw fountains like that in every plaza in the small towns in Provence this past summer on a photography tour. You are very fortunate to have it. Is that wisteria on the trellis? Oh my, in the springtime.
Happy New Year to all.
HI Susette,
Thanks for your comments on Kirsten’s dresses…and our fountain… we run it for special occasions and it’s fun to hear the water gurgling…
Yes, that is wisteria on that trellis, but we have cut it out and now have Clematis on there. The wisteria just didn’t do anything…it never bloomed and just had these long tendrils and that was all… so my hubby chopped it out… I was sort of sad…
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne,
I like all of your Kirsten dresses…but especially the dirndl ones….so, I vote for that type. Thanks for making such pretty things to view and your generosity in sharing your photos of past dresses for your dolls. Again, you make my day when I read your posts.
I hope you can stay away from all flu bugs yourself.
Take care,
Becky
Thank you Becky,
I hope the flu bug stays away from me too!
Thanks so much for your kind compliments on my doll dresses and my blog posts!! I’m glad you enjoy yourself…
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi, Jeanne, congrats on getting the puzzle done! Now THAT is a puzzle I would LOVE to do!! I love challenges like that. So. Much. Fun.!!
Enjoyed seeing the Kirsten dresses. I do have a Kirsten myself–had to get her because she is Swedish (I’m 100% Swedish, though 3rd generation American born) and her last name is the same as my maiden name–Larson!
My favorite is the blue and yellow one that is second from the bottom (blue vest, white blouse, yellow print skirt). I love that yellow print, by the way, and the blue and white look so crisp with it. Blue and yellow are the Swedish colors, as someone said, although the Swedish yellow is a little warmer than the one you’ve used here. Just look at the Swedish national flag, and you will see why blue and yellow are the Swedish colors!!
That said, I also love the outfit made of the black background print, with the beautiful light blue hanky apron. I have many lovely hankies, but I use them, I don’t sew with them! I’d hate to cut into any of mine, and I do have quite a few!
Hi Charlotte…yes, I’d say you HAD to get Kirsten!
I was just sorting out my hankies last night… I have quite a few too but I use mine for aprons. I am always on the lookout for them.
I know the Swedish colors…. But picked the lighter ones for that dress set. She looked so pretty in it.
Thanks Charlotte and Happy New Year to you,
Blessings, Jeanne