I worked most of the afternoon and just couldn’t get everything finished on Nora’s dress; the background set up, my pictures taken and the set listed on Ebay. I tried, but I didn’t have enough time… I picked up Bithar and her 3 kids for church this morning because her hubby, Jean, is in Haiti preaching a revival! Well, actually yesterday was his last day and he’ll be home on Friday. After church, she asked me if we could get a few groceries, so we set out, with her 15 days from her due date, and pregnant as all get out; with 3 kids under 6, and went shopping! While we were in the store, she doubled over in pain! Yikes… she was in pain and said it wasn’t like anything she’s felt before. She managed to keep shopping and when we were in the check out line, the pains came back… I’m assuming it was a strong contraction, but she said, “NO, she cannot come till Jean gets back on Friday!” I second that request, because I’m the one she’s going to call, if something happens… Please keep her in your prayers for no early delivery! :o) I had a moment with my hubby where I told him, if she calls, I’m sending him to drive her to the hospital and I’ll watch the kids…he’s had lots of experience with birthing calves for about 30 years, and me? “I don’t know nothin’ bout birthin’ no babies!”
I didn’t get home until 3:15 and after I ate some lunch, I started sewing, trying as fast as I could to get this all pulled together. Like I said, it didn’t happen, but almost and I’m pretty sure I can get it on Monday evening. I’m torn between showing you everything and keeping it a surprise for one more day. I guess I’ll show you…a few hints…
Here is your first glimpse of Nora in “Victorian Elegance.”
I don’t want to show you all my pictures, but here’s a close up shot…
The jewelry piece was stitched down in place at the ends and then I used glass faceted beads to finish the “necklace” to the shoulder seam. (I can’t believe I missed seeing that thread.
The same tiny glass beads were sewn to the sleeves…
I chose some tiny black buttons to march down the back of Nora’s dress…
I french braided Nora’s hair into a crown braid that goes around her head and added a ribbon hair piece. She didn’t have any short pieces of hair to pull down for some tendrils, which would have been nice.
There will be lots more pictures in the Ebay listing…and I’ll do my best to get it on Monday evening.
Tomorrow is a special day…anyone know why?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
You should feel really good about what you’ve done. The skirt is a beautiful length, the necklace is perfect. Just arranging Nora’s hair is a huge accomplishment, and the headpiece is terrific. You found the roses for the background, and it looks like she’s carrying an elaborately covered book. Everything contributes to your Victorian Elegance theme. Altogether, this is another winner.
Good luck on Bithar’s baby. I know you and George can manage anything, but it will be good to have Jean back with his family.
HI Marilyn,
I wish you could see Nora’s hair better. I did (my) Rebecca’s hair one time in a french braid around the crown of her head and she had never looked prettier… It’s hard to see what it really likes on Nora’s dark hair. It’s funny, I got this new doll with beautiful long wavy hair and the first dress I show on her, I have it all piled up on top of her head… silly me!
I haven’t received any texts or calls about a baby coming, so I’m very relieved… hold on till Friday, baby girl…
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, that turned out beautifully, Jeanne! I was looking and looking for what you called that “silly string”, and it took awhile to find it, because I thought it was a part of the fabric pattern!! I know, things like that happen to me to, when I take a picture of my dolls, then find out much later, that someone’s hair is hanging right there in their face!
Nora looks so pretty in her new outfit, and I love the hairpiece! I’ve never seen a braid crown go all the way around, but you have to have a lot of hair to work with to do that, and that is something Nora has. She looks so grown up and elegant! And the red roses make a statement too, so pretty!
Is your blog having an anniversary?? Seems to me it is!
HI Linda,
That close up of the necklace was the only picture I had to redo… believe it or not, that thread was the only one on the whole entire dress…and look where it was!
Nora does look grown up, doesn’t she? I’m very happy with the way it all turned out.. I just couldn’t get one thing to work.. Whenever I list my dresses on Ebay, I have a program that lets me take a picture of the fabric, and “tile” the sides so you can see the fabic…well today, only for the 2nd time in 10 years, I could not get it to resize to a small picture, so the sides of the listing look like they have this HUGE fabric instead of the tiny little print I wanted…
You’ll have to see what tomorrow is… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
What a lovely dress, and it models so well in front of the screen. It’s going to be so useful. The one I bought at your suggestion looks so good on the kitchen island that I haven’t taken it down yet. Maybe I could find some stain to match the kitchen cabinets, it looks that good. It took me a while to find the thread and even the white-letter clue! Good eyes you have. Maybe a touch of red on her headpiece? It’s a wonderful dress.
Since you mentioned it in the blog, Jeanne, please have Bithar call an ambulance or call yourself. There could be complications and you don’t need any more than you already have! The EMTs know what they’re doing. She should probably see the OB anyway with that unusual pain. The suggestion comes from years of doing medical transcription. Do Illinois laws protect Good Samaritans?
HI Susette,
Thank you for your sweet comments on Nora’s dress and her modeling debut! I’m glad you like your screen that well. They are pretty aren’t they? I tried putting saran wrap on the back of mine, but it glistened too much when I took my pictures… so I had to pretend it was outside, instead of inside… I need to find a picture to use in the spaces… not just my gray background.
I didn’t hear from her today, so I’m guessing she just had pressure… I’m going with her to the dr. on the 4th if Jean isn’t back by the time of her appointment.
Thanks for the suggestions, Susette… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Nora’s outfit is exquisite and all of your details are so precise and beautiful finishing touches that make this another outstanding outfit…yes, I dream of Jeanne Marie outfits!
Blessings.
Thank you Becky,
“I” was dreaming of I Dream of Jeanne Marie props the other night… I was trying to decide how I was going to show her modeling the dress in front of that wooden piece I painted. I must have had a dozen different ways of displaying it…
Thanks for your kind compliments, Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
Nora’s outfit is beautiful and her headpiece works wonderfully with the outfit. All the little pieces are so specially (well not the thread but I know you have already taken care of that). Her braid, the neckpiece, the buttons — it is all perfect.
I do not know what is special about tomorrow but I hope I will find out!
Have a good day.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
I’m glad you think all of Nora’s details on her dress work well together! She sure does look pretty in person, standing on my cutting table.
Yes, you’ll see what tomorrow is… :o)
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hope you didn’t have to take more photos after finding that thread. I usually find a hair right across an eye or something like that. Really could not see until pointed out.
Dress is just lovely and the setting so perfect.
Think you need to figure out plan B as I don’t think Bithar’s babe is going to wait five more days. And I vote for Susette’s plan. 4th one could be just a couple of contractions away.
I know what is tomorrow’s special day! I’ll never tell. 🙂
HI Joy,
I just had a take a couple of pictures of the necklace close up…and then pick the best one. It was the only thread on the whole outfit!
I’ve been carrying my phone with me everywhere just in case Bithar calls. I sure hope that baby girl decides to wait on her daddy. She has her babies quick and I’m not sure I’m up to speeding to the hospital… :o{
Thanks for keeping “it” a secret, Joy!
Blessings, Jeanne
Your “almost done” pics are good..along with her headpiece and braid! She looks so sweet in that design and color.
Yikes…what a scare you had. Hope that baby will stay put until Daddy gets back.
Will be fun to have a baby to hug .
HI Kathie,
Thanks for your sweet thoughts about Nora’s new dress and her hair!
Yes, what a scare… when she doubled over in Kroger, I thought her water had broke… oh my goodness, what would I have done if it had? That baby girl BETTER stay put till daddy gets home!
It sure will be fun to love on a new baby… the only one in their family born in America!
Blessings, Jeanne
You haven’t replied to anyone. Does that mean you are at the hospital being Bithar’s guardian angel? I have to agree with Susette that an ambulance might be (or have been) a good choice, but if it was the right thing, you and George will have done it. It’s also possible that you are trying to solve the problem with your mother. Two ongoing emergency-at-any moment situations — you may not have noticed this, but that’s very stressful.
I’m wishing you the very best and a stress-free day in the very near future.
HI Marilyn,
I have been under stress lately and this would certainly add to it…that’s why I’m praying this baby stays in place till her daddy comes home… I Like the idea of an ambulance… especially if her babies come as fast as she says they have in the past.
No progress on my mom…she says she won’t move and we can’t make her… pretty stressful!
I’m looking forward to tomorrow… we have “planned” to go to a nearby town and look at flooring at a different store. I’ve been waiting since Thursday…
I think I’ll let Bithar know we will be out of town for a couple of hours…
Thanks so much Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne