Addy is excited to show you her new dress set…me too! I’m sorry it’s taken me so many posts to get this particular dress finished, but sometimes it just does! If you missed the previous posts, you can see them HERE, HERE, and HERE.
I searched for a nice background of any kind to show off Addy’s new dress set, and came up empty handed….(now I’m guessing I should have kept my American Girl Scenes and Settings books. The big cheval mirror I have didn’t look right, the gray background that I usually use blended in too much with her skin tone, so I switched to my white background, I tried baskets, flowers, a wooden cabinet with some fabrics in it, and nothing seemed to work. I got out the pages of notes I took when I read Addy’s books and read a little tidbit that I had written down that Miss Ford gave Addy tips when she delivered fabrics and dresses to the customers. I read a little further in my notes where part of Addy’s job was to sort the laces. I wanted to make a little scene of her putting away the laces but came up short of making it look nice. So I asked Rebecca what she thought and she suggested some Civil War Valentines. I didn’t see anything that particularly jumped out at me, but I did see some fashion plates with some red and pink dresses in them, and decided they would be my story line in my Ebay auction. By the time I did all that it was too late to get it listed on Ebay tonight… *sigh*
I’m hoping to get this dress ready to list on Ebay Tuesday evening. I have to go out of town, actually out of state, to get a root canal today… can I hear a groan?? I’m hoping to be back in time to list this. I have all my pictures taken, I just need to get it listed. So keep watching.
Okay, so who’s ready to see Addy’s “Blue Ribbon Valentine” dress set? You saw the dress finished yesterday, but here it is with her new hair ribbon… you’ll see it in a minute…
[If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.]
So this is what I came up with… a hair ribbon with lace behind it, attached to a snap clip so you can use it wherever you like in your dolls hair. I strung some ivory glass pearls and some gold seed beads on 2 strands and they dangle in front of the lace. I think it’s pretty and Addy just loved it! It’s on the simple side but very elegant too.
Addy HAD to have a boned crinoline to hold her dress out, so I made a pretty white cotton one for her. It can be tied around your dolls waist for a perfect fit.
This is what the crinoline looks like when you lay your doll down…it stays round and full, just the way a crinoline should…
Here are the Fashion Plates that Addy got from Miss Ford… (You’ll have to read about them in the Ebay listing…)
…and one last picture of Addy… doesn’t she look happy?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy root canal! My brother sensibly chooses to do something nice any day he has to do something less pleasant. In his case, he usually chooses a restaurant, but fabric or bead stores have many fewer calories. I hope there’s a nice store of some sort close to your dentist and you can have several pleasant minutes browsing and finding something pretty and inspiring.
The outfit is a winner. The ribbon and lace headpiece is just wonderful. No wonder Addy looks happy. I like the way you’ve finished the points of the blue ribbons too. I like the fashion plates even better than valentines. They suit Addy. “Blue Ribbon Valentine” is a lovely name for this outfit. I think it’s a winner.
Hi Marilyn,
We are on our way…ugh! I have this abnormal fear of dentists…so going to a specialist because I have a mass of nerves under my tooth isn’t much fun to me. George said he’d take me shopping afterwards.
Thank you so much for your kind compliments on Addy’s new dress. I got up early this morning and managed to get it scheduled to go on Ebay this evening.
Blessings, Jeanne
That really turned out very nice! A lot of work (reworking) – but, definitely wonderful.
Good luck with the oral surgery. Not fun, but, helps. 🙂
Thank you Mary,
I’m glad I did the reworking…I wouldn’t have been as pleased with it the other way.
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, the dress has turned out beautifully…and the hair bow/lace/beads…just stunning on her. Your work is more than fun to look it.
May your root canal episode be over with in quick time…and I hope you can enjoy something afterwards.
Take care.
Thanks Becky,
I’m glad you like Addy’s dress and thank you for the sweet compliments.
I’m going shopping afterwards…: o)
Blessings, jeanne
Oh my gosh, Jeanne! Addy looks just adorable in that beautiful dress and darling hair accessory bow! The lace doily with the bow is just the perfect touch! Where did that idea come from? The crinoline is just the thing she needs to make the dress stand out! You just never cease to amaze me in how you make things so original!
I have a question about your Addy. Why did you pick an older one versus the newer Addy? Have you seen the new ones?
Oh, root canals——I can’t even tell you how many I have had! At my dentist, it is a piece of cake, you just sit there and let him do it, and I never feel a thing! I hope that’s your experience too. People always complain about root canals, but I just don’t understand what is so horrible about them. They just take a bit longer, but they have never bothered me at all—-of course you need shots so you don’t feel anything! Good luck!
Hi Linda.
Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments on Addy’s new dress. I looked online at Civil War hairstyles and saw quite a few flowers and bows attached to combs so I just started playing around with some lace and robbed some glass pearls from Rebecca. I’m glad you like it.
I was just looking for a used doll in very good condition with nice face color, perfect eyes, and no marks or shiny spots on her face. This doll just happened to have what I was looking for.
I am just a big chicken when it comes to the dentist and when my dentist said he was going to send me to a specialist because of the nerve bed under my tooth, it makes me a little bit too anxious. I’m looking forward to the “afterwards” part.
Thanks Linda
Blessings, Jeanne
addys dress and head piece look wonderful. A total sucess! One root canal down and it was nothing unusual but a longer time in the chair. May your experience be easy.
Thanks for your kind words about Addy’s dress. I appreciate them…
My hubby prayed for me this morning and I know he will be praying while I’m in the chair…so I know I will be fine!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh my, the picture of Addy just jumps out at you. The background works wonderfully. Love the dress and the finished bow/lace/pearls that leave her lovely hairstyle showing. Hopefully, your dental experience will go smoothly. Presuming that the need to go out of state is for a specialist? Wishing you the best.
Hi Joy,
Thanks so much for your comments about Addy’s dress. I’m so pleased that everyone likes her dress.
Yes…the dentist is a specialist.
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Addy’s outfit came together PERFECTLY! I especially love her hairpiece, so pretty and feminine. She is beautiful!!!
Whatever you chose for the background is working, blends nicely without taking anything away from the main attraction, beautiful Addy. Congratulations!
Wow, you have to go out of state for a root canal! We have a couple of endodontists nearby, which is a good thing because I’ve had to pay one of them a few visits over the years. 🙁 I don’t enjoy it either. Hope yours goes smoothly and that you have a successful shopping day.
Hi Cindy,
We are on our way home now…I survived!!
It was pretty painless… I have TMJ in my jaw so I can only open my mouth 2 finger widths. It makes my jaw have spasms when I have to hold it open like that.
Thank you for the compliments on Addy’s dress. I was very pleased at how her dress came together.
Thank you Cindy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, Addy’s outfit is perfect. I too, love her headpiece… oh the pearls and lace! You just work magic, dear. It so fits into Addy’s story or the doll I use for Addy, Cecile. Any of my Civil War girls would love the ensemble too. Can’t wait to read Addy’s story on the listing.
Hope all goes well with the root canal.
Thank you Paula,
All went well. I am still numb but we are on our way home. My jaw is very sore and the crown fell off at the last minute. This Dr only did root canals so I will have to call my dentist tomorrow to get the crown redone.
Thank you for all your sweet comments Paula! You always say the sweetest things.
Blessings, Jeanne
I love Addy’s hairpiece, Jeanne, you are so creative.
Thank you Jevne,
I’m glad you like her hair piece. It was fairly simple to make… once I figured out what I was going to do.
Thanks so much, Jeanne
You do such a wonderful job from beginning to end. There is so much more to listing than just a photo. That lace piece for her hair is brilliant. Just the perfect touch. I like the plain background cause the dress is busy..it works!
You can list your Ebay item and have the listing start any time you want. When I used to list a lot I did that all the time.
Hope your tooth feels better! ((HUGS))
Thank you Kathie,
I appreciate all the things you said Kathie. Yes, there is a lot more to a dress than just taking pictures. Because of the way I do my listings, it takes me quite a while to get it just right.
I’m on my way home and thinking about some potato soup. My crown fell off the last few minutes he was working on it so it’s all rough and my tongue won’t leave it alone. I will have to call my dentist tomorrow.
Thank you Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Very late to the party tonight. Doesn’t Addy look beautiful!!! The hair piece is perfect.
I’ve seen similar in period films. The fashion plates are a great choice as well. Google images are such fun to add whimsical little touches to one’s dolly world. I was just browsing a couple of nights ago for Victorian valentines for Samantha The best things about those things is the are free!!
I hope your tooth feels better. I had to get a crown this summer. No fun.
Thank you Laura,
I appreciate your thoughts on Addy’s dress. I’m glad you think it looks better.
Yes Google is a wonderful way to find little trinket’s and such.
Almost home…thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Addy’s dress is very pretty and I love the bow with lace for her hair. I don’t like the dentist either, I have the same thing with my jaw.. glad it’s over and you survived. : )
HI Regina,
Thank you so much for your kind words about Addy’s dress and her hair bow. This was a fun dress to make.
I’m glad I survived the dentist too! When we came in, my hubby told Rebecca, “well, mom survived!” No more root canals for a while I hope!
Thanks Regina,
Blessings, Jeanne
I second all of the comments about Addy, the changes and especially the lace headpiece. It’s really beautiful and adds so much to the look. How in the world did you do her hair? There is so much of it! I’m sure you get tired of the word “inspiration” in my comments, but it’s so true. Love reading about your processes and techniques. And the fashion plates are a wonderful addition. Beautiful pictures.
Hope the dentist uses a bite block when you have a procedure. If not, ask for one so you can relax your jaw and you won’t have to wait a few days for the pain and strain of holding your jaw open to disappear.
HI Susette,
I’m glad you like Addy’s dress too….it seems the changes were well received! :o)
I told how to do Addy’s hair a few posts back… it’s just french braided down the sides and then tucked in the back… as I said in the post, sort of like you would cross your arms… one braid over, one braid under.
I love those dresses in the fashion plates too… Addy might find herself wearing one of them one day!
I can’t use a bite block…it sort of gives me claustrophobia… the dentist was very good about letting me stop and rub my jaws… I’m sore, but I’m SO glad it’s over with. I’m just weird I guess! :o)
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, those crowns and tongues. The bite block is an excellent suggestion from Susette. Hope the crown can be addressed ASAP.
As for this completed set for Miss Addy? Pure bliss. You may have heard my foot stomping, hooting, and clapping way out there! :~) My dogs thought I had “lost it” yet again!
Get a good night’s sleep, Jeanne.
Sending hugs and sweet dreams.
Thank you Sally,
I just got Addy’s dress set listed on Ebay… so now you can go look and drool over it… something else for your dogs to think you’ve “lost it” again for…
I’m heading to bed pretty soon tonight!
Blessings to you Sally,
~ Jeanne
The entire ensemble just “sings”, Jeanne!! I’m so glad you made the bows smaller/shorter, and the overskirt, too–looks much more balanced. The hair ornament is pure genius! Absolutely perfect.
I hear you on the dentist thing–I have real “issues,” too–my childhood dentist (there was only one in our little town) was not very kind or patient with children, and it left me with a severe dread of things like drills! Add to that a small mouth and a Highly Refined gag reflex, and you end up with a pretty bad combination! Fortunately my dentist is very understanding (and he’s a Christian!), and when I need to stop and breathe, or whatever, he will stop. This is particularly important when he has to work in the back of my mouth, because it’s so small–and, like you, my jaw gets tired and sore!
One thing we’ve found that works well when I have to have a back tooth taken care of is, the assistant sprinkles a few grains of salt on my tongue. For some reason, it seems to help reduce the gagging and choking by allowing my mouth to relax a little!
Charlotte
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HI Charlotte,
Oh good, another person who is afraid to go to the dentist. Next time I have to have something done that scares the bajeebies out of me,
I’ll email you for support! :o)
Thank you so much for your very kind words about Addy’s dress. I’m so glad I fixed all those things that I could have let slide.
Blessings, Jeanne
From your blog today, it sounds like we may have had the same childhood dentist! Yes, by all means, feel free to email me for support, Jeanne!! (And don’t be afraid to suggest that little hint about salt–it only takes a few grains, but it’s almost like it gives your tongue and mouth a distraction while hands and drills and things are in there!
Charlotte