I probably should have done this a long time ago, but I just now thought of it. I know several of my readers; well, I know a few things about them… Linda lives in St. Louis and is pretty keen on Molly, Marilyn lives in Colorado and she’s usually the first to get snow, Susette lives in California and has beautiful little ceramic-like houses in her back yard, Joy lives in California too and just escaped the fires out there…practically by the skin of her teeth, Becky writes the sweetest notes of encouragement to me, Kathie has a doll hospital that keeps her busy, Charlotte T is a 4-H judge, Laura is our “resident Historian” about American Girl dolls and more, Carolyn watched out for me and found a 10″ Boneka doll for me… (Noel), Charlotte A. ALWAYS wishes me a nice day! Leigh is brand new and I don’t know much about her, but I’d like to… and I could go on and on… but I’d like to hear from you… (sorry if your name wasn’t in the line up…I had to stop…)
SO… why don’t we all do a short “bio” on ourselves… and we can tell what we like, if you want…what state you live in, what dolls you collect, any hobbies you have, what your latest sewing project is, how you spend your days, if you work outside the home or at home, if you sew for your grand kids, what your favorite dessert is, if you have any dolls you are dreaming of owning, where you like to vacation, what is your favorite thing to wear, what you’d like to own..that you don’t have now, how many years you’ve been married, how many kids you have…just anything and everything…whatever you want… so we can all know more about you.
I’ve learned so much from all of you who make comments…OH…and IF YOU GET THIS BLOG THROUGH YOUR EMAIL and it has the BLUE title… click on that title so you can add your comments here with everyone else’s.
I don’t care how much or little you write… just introduce yourself and don’t be shy…
I don’t like to have a “picture-less” post, so here’s a fun picture of some friends of mine at a garden party I had… Just pretend you are one of them “among friends!”
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m Marilyn, and I always write too much.
I was born at the end of the war in Torrence, California, and my parents and I came to Colorado when I was 5 weeks old. This was my mom’s home state. My dad was from Kansas and came to Colorado just before the war because he knew there were no dust storms in the mountains.
I’ve lived in Arizona, Maryland, and New Jersey, and they are all beautiful, but Colorado is home, snow and all, and there’s snow outside right now. I studied English and American lit so that I could teach, and spent most of my career teaching research paper writing instead of literature. That worked nicely because my full time job was at the campus library, teaching how to find information and working at the reference desk, which is where you go if you need information. Late in my career, the head of Women’s Studies asked me if I’d like to teach a Women’s Studies class that met Saturday mornings. Saturday was my only free day, so I accepted the class. When people say to you, “That class changed my life,” you know you are teaching something really good, and that makes your life even better.
I always loved cooking, sewing, embroidery, and knitting, and I used to make my clothes and all of the bread I ate, but once I gave up Saturdays, I sort of ran out of time. After I retired, we went right into heavy duty parent care — I have to say I was lucky because my parents had healthy minds and reasonably healthy bodies all their long lives — they just needed help because it got too hard to do everyday things, and even healthy older people need more medical care. After that and working on the estate, we had a flood and then I had cancer and chemo. My most current mammogram was Wednesday — nearly 4 years cancer free. For my kind of cancer, the first 5 years are the most dangerous. Except for the flood, the rest — parent care and medical problems — is pretty much ordinary. So far, so good.
I have three Effner Little Darlings, and several American Girls, starting with Jesse, a Girl of Today, who is now 21. They have wonderful wardrobes and were great company during the parent care years, when I had almost no time of my own, and the cancer and recovery years, when I had no energy. It’s been a slow trip, but I’m getting some energy back, reorganizing my house, helping friends, and enjoying Jeanne’s blog. You can’t ask for much more.
I’m Charlotte, and I always write too much, too!!
I was born in Hackensack, NJ; my father, who was a Lutheran pastor, was serving his first church in Ridgefield Park, NJ, when I was born after WW2 (I was in the very first part of the very first year–1946–of “baby boomers”!). When I was 1, we moved to Wisconsin (dad had a city church and a country church), where my brother was born; when I was in first grade, we moved to Stephenson, Michigan (in the Upper Peninsula–yes, I am a Yooper at heart!) where I met my best friend June. We became best friends almost the first moment we met, I think, and here we are, 60-some years later, and still best friends! (Dad had a town church and a country church there, too, and also served part time at a very small country church.)
When I was 10 I joined 4-H and June’s mom was our sewing leader. (I was also in a 4-H cooking club for a while.) Although my mother sewed (and made most of my clothes–even a wool coat and snow pants–when I was little), she wisely let me learn how to sew from June’s mom so I wouldn’t have to relearn things (mom did some things differently than Mille taught us).
One of the saddest days of my life was in the fall of 1960, when we moved to south Seattle, as my dad had been called to a church there. I was, quite frankly, miserable. It rained all the time, we had no friends or relatives out here (LOTS of relatives in Michigan!), it didn’t snow in the winter like it was supposed to, our new house was Way smaller than the last one, schools were Way bigger, the new church was much different than previous ones, etc. To this day, my favorite place to be is in Michigan (which explains why I’m still living in the Seattle area, right?! LOL)
I attended college and got my degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Library Science, and I did teach school for a while, but went on to other jobs. One of my favorite jobs was teaching at the local Stretch & Sew store in Lynnwood, which I did for three years. I already had taken all the classes at another store years earlier, so it was a good fit–I took the training and became a certified S&S instructor. (This was when my son was in early elementary school–more in a minute.) Another favorite job was working in a ……….doll shop!! That’s been almost 20 years ago now. Mostly, though, once I got married (1974) I was a stay-at-home mom. We still live in the same house in Mountlake Terrace, which is just north of Seattle.
My husband and I have been married 43 years now, and have one son and 5 grandchildren. Our son has three sons and a stepson; his oldest son has a half-sister, and Isaac figured, if we were His grandparents, we were Lily’s, too, and so it is! My husband is 13 years older than I am, and has some ongoing health problems now, so he’s not as active as he once was–although he certainly tries. Even mowing the lawn is a challenge for him these days.
My favorite things to make are mostly garments. I sew quite a bit for myself, some for the grands, and a little for my husband. When our son was growing up, I made ALL his pjs (100% cotton knits, mostly), as well as many other garments for him. He and Ron had matching shirts more than once! I’ve done some quilting, which is okay but gets boring with all those straight seams! LOL I enjoy making cloth dolls, too, and for a while I mostly did that!! A number of my friends have received them as gifts, but I did keep a fair number for myself, too.
My parents are both gone now. Mom struggled with arterial dementia (a family trait–it simply Gallops in her dad’s side of the family!) for quite a few years, and I finally told dad–after I’d stayed with mom for a couple of weeks while he went back to the U.P. (he was born and raised there) to visit his sister–that he really Had to put mom in some kind of care facility; it was just getting too hard to watch her all the time, and I could see how exhausted it was making Him to try to do it all (or most of it, anyway) himself. A few months later, he reluctantly admitted her into a family care home; she was moved once, when the people decided to retire, but she stayed in care for almost five years, before she died. She’d had some strokes, too, and was no longer able to speak much at all, but seemed to know people.
As poorly as mom was, daddy actually died almost two years before she did! He developed pancreatic cancer, and that was the longest–and shortest–three months ever. I miss him every day, and it’s been over 12 years now.
As always, sewing has been my “salvation” during difficult or sad times. While he was dying, I was busy with some of his care, but once he was gone, I decided to make some new hospital gowns for mom to wear (by then she was totally bedridden), from a free pattern I found on the internet, and from there I gradually got back into more sewing.
Dolls….well, I have many different kinds, it seems!! I love vinyl dolls because you can play with them, and I have five American Girls, a My Twinn doll that looks like me (and two others a friend gave me, found in thrift stores), I have one Magic Attic doll, Rose; there are maybe seven or so 16″ and one 22″ dolls by Julie Good-Kruger; a number of Robert Tonner dolls (Betsy McCall, mostly), the first Brenda Starr (before Tonner), Gene, 8″ Madame Alexanders, LeeAnn, and, of course seven (7) Little Darlings!! I have sewn for most of the dolls at one time or another. I also like wooden dolls, and have Robert Raikes’s Hitty and three of his “Hope” dolls, all fairly small (5-7″)–I’ve sewn for them, too!
And, since I love sewing, I also love cloth dolls! I have some of those I’ve made, as well as a few commercial ones, and I have Cabbage Patch Kids!! Quite a few Originals, which are all fabric, with hand-painted eyes and hand-needle-sculpted features! Love them!! I also have some of the commercially produced CPK “toys”–the dolls with vinyl heads and cloth bodies, although I”m thinning my collection of the “toy” ones, as I just have way too many!! LOL (I am a member of the CPK Collectors’ Club, and have visited Babyland, which is a real place!)
I’ve traveled to at least 3/4 of our States, and I’ve been to Canada. I’ve also been to Swaziland and South Africa, via London, England (where we had layovers to and from Africa). I was in Swaziland on a short-term mission trip for the church we were attending at the time; after our work was done, we had our debriefing at the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, then traveled down the Garden Route, stopping at the Kanga Caves and several other places on our way to Capetown. It was a fabulous time!
I am quite active in our church, Grace Baptist (yes, a Lutheran PK has become a Baptist! LOL But I think my dad would have understood); outside of church, I’m active in my ASG neighborhood group and our local chapter of Smocking Arts Guild of America.
See? I told you I write too much!
Oh, dear, I wrote Way more than Marilyn did!! Boy, I really DO write too much! Sorry about that!
My name is Evelyn Choo and I lived in a tiny red dot island Singapore. I love reading your blog as it is so interesting. I have Emerson, Willie wishers doll , our generation doll, journey girl doll, Oshkosh kids and hundreds of barbie dolls, Kelly dolls…..etc. I love to have a ten-ping doll and Dianna Esther doll in my collection. Too bad, they are so difficult to get.
Thank you for commenting, Evelyn! I’m so happy you told us a little bit about you. Please join in with us again any time! I hope you find a Dianna Effner doll one of these days!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi, I’m Christine. I live in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. I have been with my husband for almost 23 years, we have been married for 18 1/2 years, and we have a 15 year old daughter and an 11 year old son. I am the owner of Kizzie Creations on Etsy, which I sell doll clothes, and soon will have a second Etsy shop for my embroidery. I love dolls, sewing, machine embroidery, cross stitch (I used to be a professional stitcher) and reading. My fabric and bead collection almost fills our house. LOL We have 2 living rooms in our house, one upstairs and one downstairs and are contemplating turning the one upstairs with all the natural light into my sewing area. I’m the only one who uses it so it’s really not a big deal. Our dining room is currently my sewing room, as our kitchen is big enough for our big table when people come over for dinner. I read this blog faithfully every morning with my coffee and love to see what new things are happening. 😀
Hi! I’m Sarah. I’ve only been following the blog for a short time. But I often find the blog encouraging read in the morning. I hail from Michigan, where you never know what the weather will be like sometimes. I’ve been happily married 4 years, to a really sweet and awesome man. Love him to pieces, can’t you tell? Since no kids have been given to us yet by God, I can often be found crafting something in my own craft room. I’ve just recently gotten into sewing. Though I’ve done a little bit in the past. I’ve enjoyed learning something new. I love that sewing a seam there, and another somewhere else and so on turns into something 3D. If that makes sense. I’ve also picked up crocheting doll sweaters. I’ve been crocheting on and off since I was a kid, so it is very easy for me to pick it up and start, without too much fuss. It is nice since sewing takes a bit more brain power. Though someday that will be old hat too!
Since this is a doll blog, I should probably mention the doll’s I collect? I collect three types: American Girl, Our Generation, and A Girl for All Time. I have one of each of OG and AGAT and two of AG. In terms of crafting, they are all unique to craft for, which I love. Part of the reasons I have more than one type.
I guess that is a little bit about me! Jeanne, thanks for putting together this blog. As I said it has been a blessing!
HI Sarah,
Thank you for letting us know a little bit about you too! I was thrilled to have a few new readers join in and fill us in about you and what you like!
Please join in any time and welcome to my blog!
Blessings, Jeanne
Aw, you are quite welcome Jeanne! It was fun!
Hi, I’m Charlotte A. I live in Saginaw MI. (Christine, I lived in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan for a number of years.) My day job is as a college professor. I usually don’t write as much as I might like but I too read this blog first thing before work and I sometimes run out of time. I have both American Girl and Girl for All Time dolls. I am especially interested in historic designs. While I love the big fancy gowns, I also really like “everyday clothes.” I don’t have a sewing room or room to sew but maybe someday. Right now I sew on the dining room table. In addition to doll clothes, I also make stuffed animals. I’m looking forward to reading all the biographies and getting to know more about everyone.
Have a good day (everybody)!
Take care.
My name is Jeanne and I live in Maine. I was born in Hartford, CT. I came to Maine because my ex-husband lived here as a kid. I married my high school sweetheart and was married 30 years when he asked for a divorce. I have 2 children, 1 boy Wesley and 1 girl, Heidi. I have 5 granddaughters and love to sew for them. Right now I do all kinds of crafts. I really like making doll clothes. They are so much fun. I’m attempting string art. It’s slow going but I think I’m getting it. I love sewing, jewelry making (just learning), making quilts, finding new things on Pinterest and being online. I don’t collect dolls but I have an Asian American Girl doll and a doll that I don’t know what kind she is.
I’m disabled so I don’t work. I was an Insurance Agent for a long time. Right now I’m just enjoying crafting. I love to try new things that’s what makes me love crafting. There’s always something new to try.
I love reading this Blog to see the beautiful doll dresses. I want to be able to learn to make doll clothes that actually fit the dolls. Right now I use patterns and the clothes are big for my dolls. I’m going to make a dress form and try to figure it out. That’s the fun in crafting, there’s always something new to try. Have a great day!
HI Jeanne,
It was so nice to hear from you today! I was so blessed by the new readers who decided to share a little bit about themselves. I hope you’ll join in again now that we know a few things about you.
Thanks for joining in,
Blessings, Jeanne
First of all, nobody writes too much! I enjoy reading everyone’s interesting comments. I live in South Texas and have been married for 10 years to a man who is tolerant of the messes made by a wife who collects too many things and likes to sew and craft. I have a daughter and two step daughters and four grandchildren–two girls and two boys. I sew a little for the kids, but they wear uniforms to school, so mainly just special occasion outfits. I have been sewing for many years and also quilt. My sewing is my escape from a stressful job, and brings me a lot of enjoyment. In the past, I made the “sample garments” for some local sewing stores, and have made exhibition costumes for local clogging and square dance groups, as well as drill teams and even some pageant dresses.
I have quite a few vintage Ideal dolls, about a dozen American Girl dolls, five Effner Little Darlings, a couple of Gene and Tonner dolls, and a few assorted others. I spend most of my spare time sewing for my dolls.
I work as a Cost Engineer and am part of a team that does Shutdown work in chemical plants and refineries. Sometimes it is long hours, but I enjoy the challenges. Prior to that I worked as a Quality Systems auditor, also in chemical plants. I took about two years off in 2009 to take care of my dad when he became too disabled to care for himself, and like Charlotte, I miss my dad every day!
I like vintage things and flea markets, and during the time I didn’t work, I had a booth in a local antique mall. I also have an old Jeep that I like to tinker with so it is always a work in progress. I’m really good at starting new projects but then things get busy with work or family, and I have a hard time getting projects completed. Jeanne inspires me because she is so good at completing things!
Hi. I’m Debi (Deborah) Nicholson. I live in Brighton, Colorado. My husband is a retired Navy pilot & we’ve been married 48 years (high school sweetie.) We have 2 kids & 4 grandkids.
I started collecting AG dolls 10 years ago when my oldest granddaughter wanted Kirsten. I was so enchanted with all her clothes and accessories that I thought “why should Alissa have all the fun?” So, long story short, I now have complete collections for Felicity & Elizabeth, Caroline, Kirsten, Kit & Ruthie, and Molly & Emily. Plus a whole LOT of other outfits and accessories for other historical AG dolls. I now have an entire room of dolls and rotate the collections or do seasonal vinyets, etc. To support my habit, I buy dolls/clothes and repair & clean them to resell on eBay.
I was secretive of my doll addiction until I found out I wasn’t the only one. What a relief to realize it wasn’t weird to be a grown up dolly lover.
One of the first outfits I bought, that wasn’t AG, was a blue Regency Gown from Jeanne. Elizabeth wears it and is stunning in it (Elizabeth is my FAVORITE doll, with Molly 2nd.) I’ve been an “I Dream of Jeannemarie” follower from the beginning and the first thing I do in the morning is read your blog. Thank you for taking so much time to share your life with us. Love you and God Bless You.
Hello everyone, It’s been wonderful to read all of your bios. This is such a wonderful place to gather. Thank you, Jeanne.
My husband and I (of 35 yrs), live on the farm I grew up on in northern IL….a number of hours just north of Jeanne. After marrying, we first we lived in the Chicago area where we met, moved out to this area for a time, on to NC for 10 yrs and now back here for nearly 10 yrs. My parents have both passed on, my two siblings live down the road with their families (all out of the home for them) and many of our 9 children have gone elsewhere but a number of them are close by.
I’ve made many quilts/hand quilted in the latter days of child rearing to keep some creative spark going (or starting as there was little to no time in earlier days to do so). I have a biology degree but that doesn’t suit me as well as if I would have chosen more opportunity to pursue the textile arts which I think is more within my true identity. It is very gratifying to me to see most of our children exhibit artistic skills that they carry over into their everyday lives.
Nevertheless, a variety of dolls (AG, GFAT, Magic Attic, Barbie Silkstones, Life of Faith) mainly the wooden Hitty dolls, have brought much sunshine into my life and many online acquaintances through doll channels. At times, I seek out “space” to sew a seam here or there to fulfill those creative tendencies between much laundry, food prep, cleaning, etc., that life yields. I’ve also enjoyed “resurrecting” the occasional vintage or antique sewing machine that had been passed on by someone else as well as those ratty haired dolls that find themselves at Goodwill. Restoring such items brings contentment to my being.
I love reading Jeanne’s blog because her work is so well-done technically as well as beautifully designed. I am fortunate enough to own one of her doll ensembles and I marvel at the beauty of it as well as all of her other creations that she shows us in photos. Her work adds inspiration to my life here on the farm and thus, she’s become part of my quest to find more time and energy to sew and create. She’s part of my biography as are all of those who cross my path.
Blessings.
Hello Everyone
What a great idea Jeanne! I’m Leigh, a baby-boomer from White Lake, Michigan. I’ve lived here my entire life. Michigan has so many beautiful lakes and we are fortunate to live on one of them. I love the change of seasons but February can be a bit dreary; a good time for catching up on housework or organizing a sewing room – my favorite.
During my working years I was in banking then migrated to Escrow with a title company processing real estate transaction from individual sales to commercial and condominium developments.
I am married to the most wonderful man for 39 years; 1 daughter; 2 grand kids. When we put an addition on our house he got a “train” room and I got a “sewing / crafting” room. Charlotte, I too miss my sweet “Papa” each and every day who left us 6 years ago. We are blessed to still have my Mom who will be 89 come this January. She has always been my best friend. Years ago we took a basket making class and both got bitten by the crafting bug. We made baskets, wreaths, Father Christmas figures, jointed teddy bears, quilted items and more. We participated in several shows a year and our poor husbands always helped us lug everything in and unsold items back home! Those were such fun times.
As a little girl I loved my first baby doll made my Madam Alexander. Then I was so thrilled to receive a Little Miss Revlon. I remember one Christmas my Aunt gave me and my sister a joint gift – a huge box with one new Revlon doll for each of us and layer upon layer separated with tissue paper of handmade clothes. She was an excellent seamstress and made little nightgowns and robes made of pink dotted swiss, everyday clothes and ball gowns made of silk, lace and sequins. Definitely my best Christmas ever and since my sister was 4 years older than me she quickly lost interest and I had it all to myself – YES!!
Later I received Barbies and a Ken with fuzzy hair; a Barbie Dream House made of of cardboard that you opened up into several rooms. It even has a sliding patio door. I still have all my dolls – just can’t part with them even though there is No doll person in my family.
I was fortunate to win Elizabeth on EBay. She is just so beautiful but needs to be cleaned – there are no ink stains or smells but her hair looks a little dull and probably needs to be washed, her legs are a little loose but being a newbie I am reluctant to try – any suggestions?? I hope to be fortunate to acquire an Effner Little Darling and recently entered my name on a waiting list so I have my fingers crossed.
I have a collection of antique chocolate moulds and use them to make chalkware Santas and Father Christmas that I occasionally sell on EBay.
I always loved dolls and was so excited to have a little granddaughter I could sew for but alas she doesn’t care a thing about dolls! Such is life but I didn’t give up – have made many outfits for nieces and some charities.
I saw one of your auctions on EBay Jeanne and then saw you had a blog. I really enjoy your style of writing, watching your creative process and sharing your projects and life with us. You are very generous with your tutorials and tips and I have learned a lot from you. I was not in from the beginning but hope to go back and read the older posts. Now that I am somewhat retired, I look forward to reading your posts each day.
Best to everyone. Wishing and praying for best test results for George and Marilyn
Hi Leigh,
You asked about tightening the
Legs on your AG doll. I saw a u tube video on it maybe over a year ago. It was very easy to do and a teen did the instructions and talked to you as she did it…so cute. I’m sure it or others are still there ?
Thanks Kathie I will look that up.
HI Leigh,
I wanted to tell you about a post I did on restringing the American Girl doll legs the “easy way.” It’s pretty easy to do…you still have to unstuff the doll, but you
don’t have to use the crimpers and the brass ferrels if you don’t want…this uses scunci pony tail holders…
How to “restring” your American Girl doll legs the easy way…
You might look at this and see if you think you could do it…
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks for the link Jeanne, I read through it and think I have the courage now to try this. You are so knowledgeable – thanks!
Hi Leigh,
Another Michigander!! (I grew up in the U.P. but do have cousins in the greater Detroit area.)
If you are a bit fearful of tightening up the legs yourself, the AG company offers repair service. You can check their website and/or call for prices. (I’d try at least the cleanup myself, first, though.) And, if the wig is beyond salvaging, they can replace that, too. Again, I’d try it myself first.
Good luck with your project, and have fun getting Elizabeth ready for display!
Hi Charlotte – I was surprised to see a few fellow Michiganders following the blog. Thanks for the tips, being a do-it-your-selfer and getting the post link from Jeanne I am going to try the restringing. I have checked out youtube for cleaning but still not sure which way to go with the hair but as you suggested I can always send her in for re-wigging if all else fails. I really hadn’t thought about sending her to AG since she is no longer being made – didn’t know if they still had her style of wig. Thanks for the help. She really is a beautiful doll.
Take Care
Hi Jeanne,
What a fun idea! Love it… I’m still reading but wanted to say Happy Friday to you and all the ladies. I think I’ll write my bio in an email an then cut and paste it here. Often my reply here disappears before I get it posted. I’m not sure why most times I just give up. LOL
Hugs
Ingrid
Oh my….this is SO much fun! Keep your comments coming!!! I love reading about all of you and where you are and your interests!!!
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m *mostly* a lurker, but faithful reader from Haslett, Michigan. I’m a retired nurse. I live with Freeman, my partner of 24 years, and my mother (93yo) for the past 2 years. I’ve raised 3 fine sons and, just this year am watching my first grandson grow rapidly. I have always sewn, it seems…began with clothes in junior high school – taught by my mom. I’ve been collecting dolls all my life (I still have several of my ‘first dolls’.) 🙂 I remember trying to sew them clothes from fabrics in moms ‘scrap bag’. Mom sewed on a treadle machine in the dining room and, I still have several items that she made for my dolls when I was a girl. I began sewing cloth dolls in the 80’s… and, doll clothes for the ever (still) growing collection of dolls. I am awaiting delivery of 3 small Pukifee ball jointed dolls. 🙂 The past few years I have spent more time learning/practicing to quilt than I have on dolls/clothes – but, I’m still sewing. I *do* enjoy handwork, so, I embroider and crochet often. I would love to tat and smock, but, I just fail to reserve time to finish learning. I am also an avid hammered dulcimer player and play with groups of friends each weekend.
HI Mary,
I’m glad you came out of “Lurkdom” enough to let us know about yourself.. it was so much fun with some new names in the comments. Thanks for joining in… please do it again sometime!
Blessings, Jeanne
Joy here, born in Santa Rosa, CA, and still here. We’re located an hour north of San Francisco. My paternal grandparents arrived here in 1907, right after the big SF earthquake of 1906, which was actually worse here as we had more killed due to failed brick mortar which collapsed buildings. We’ve lived in the same house for 42 years now and are extremely fortunate to have escaped the Tubbs fire of 2017, by just a few blocks.
I’m a retired elementary public school teacher where I taught many grades but my last 15 years were at third grade. Love that age.
I enjoyed dolls as a child and only the last few years as an adult. I have a lot of dolls, but right now, I am having fun with the 13″ Little Darlings and the 10″ Tonner cuties which unfortunately, are no longer being made. 🙁
I collect just about anything vintage so we seem to have a lot of stuff. “Oh well.” I like to sew when there is time. Over the years some of the things I’ve done include refinishing furniture, painting anything that doesn’t move quickly, gardening, and winter skiing. Oh, and I just bought our grand an AG Nanea for Christmas. Can’t wait to play with it. Ha Ha
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of the wonderful writing today. Quite an amazing group and a great idea Jeanne.
Hello everyone,
I’m Ingrid Banach, I live in Lockport, New York which is very near Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY. I was born in Vlaardingen, The Netherlands in 1960. My parents immigrated to the U.S. after my aunt met and married an American while stationed in Turkey. They were our sponsors, my uncle is from the area and that is how I ended up here in Western New York. I was 7yrs old at the time. My life has been interesting, difficult and very omplicated at times. Someone once suggested I write a book, it’s a work in progress. I find it cathartic. I am a Christian, happily married (1979) to my best friend and a mom to two wonderful children (Richard 1981 & Danielle 1985). I have four awesome grandbabies. Richard has three (Elizabeth, Frederick and Bethany) and Danielle has one (Dominic).
I enjoy antiquing, gardening, swimming, reading, writing, quilting, and collecting things. My largest collections are my teddy bears, tea sets and dolls. I also can’t help myself when it comes to antique kitchen items… I’m pretty sure it’s a disease hopefully not contagious LOL.
In August 2015 I was rear ended while stopped at a traffic light. My world changed that day. Unable to due the things I loved I found comfort in Pinterest. Enter “I dream of Jeannie Marie”! What beautiful clothes!!! And a blog about dolly things to boot! woohoo… Jeanne you’ve been a blessing each day and I thank you. You blogged about national crafting month which inspired me to take a punch needle class. You really don’t know how much you’ve helped me and I suspect others as well.
After a full year of physical therapy I am happy to report my doctor decided to operate. I am the proud owner of two new vertebrae, some shiny new rods, screws and donor bone also several new scars to boot. I’m still busy with physical therapy twice a week. I’m off all meds and feeling better each day. I also get to watch my sweet grandbaby Dominic three days a week. He’s such a good baby. My days seem to fly by but I still make time for my daily dose of Jeanne Marie. Thank you ever so much Jeanne!
Hugs
Ingrid
PS I’m still reading and having so much fun
Hello Everyone! We are finally back from a wonderful trip to Branson, and I have the clothes put away, so can now write. This is so much fun reading what everyone has written, and it is so nice to “meet” you all!
I was born in a suburb of St. Louis, MO, and have lived in this area all my life, except for a few years when my husband, Michael, was stationed in Fr. Lee, Virginia and Fort Knox, Kentucky. I am the oldest of 4 girls, born in 1942, and the one that really was a doll lover. I loved sewing as a little girl, and my grandmother taught me to sew on her treadle sewing machine, which I still have for the memories. I started sewing for myself while in high school, taking all the Home Ec. classes I could fit in!
I went on to college, thinking of being a nun, which surprised many people, but that’ what I wanted to do. Then taught school for a year, then went back to college, this time a different one, Southeast Mo. State in Cape Girardeau, MO. and decided to become a teacher, and met my husband, Michael, there in the priest’s office. Can you believe it, he was considering being a priest??? Well, to make a long story short, we met, started dating, and you know the rest! We have been married for 50 years, last December! I finished my college courses, while he was in the service, then when he got his papers to go to Viet Nam, we decided to have a Christmas wedding, 3 months later!! It was so pretty, me in a white velvet gown, he in his dress uniform and Christmas decorations in the church.
I taught school 5 years, both classroom and art, which technically I am-an art teacher-, but stopped when we had our first child, Jennifer. A year later, Brian came along, and I was very busy with two little ones. The two “little ones” are now in their mid 40’s, and I have 6 darling grandchildren! Two are granddaughters, Maggie and Annie, and the rest are boys, Willie, Jonathan, Gavin and Myles. The last 3 live in Denver so we don’t get to see them as much as the other three. I babysit for Willie just about every week.
I got my first AG doll when I bought my granddaughters their first AG dolls. I always loved looking in the AG catalog, which I received in 1986, but my daughter was in high school then, and I was working at that time, so didn’t think much more about it until Maggie and Annie wanted one. Each girl got a doll, and my husband thought I should get Molly, because she was a “40’s” doll like me! Little did I know what would happen after that! I now have Ruthie, Susan (my#21), Ivy, Felicity, Cecile, Josefina, and Kaya. I also have a Betsy McCall doll, plus some Madame Alexander’s. I also have two huge dollhouses that I enjoyed fixing up. I love decorating, crafting, just anything creative. I found Jeanne on Ebay, and we started writing through AGPT, and it just went from there. I’m so glad I found her and her wonderful blog! She is a dear friend, and I can’t imagine a day without her!
Quite late today, but here goes,
Hi, I’m Laura and I live in Ohio, always have. I was born in Cincinnati and currently live in an old-fashioned college town. I love it. It’s super friendly. I go to a very old church, we just celebrated our 175th anniversary a few years ago.
I have one daughter, now grown, who I raised alone after my high school sweetheart and then fiance became abusive before she was born I knew that raising her alone was a far better choice. I’ve been blessed to be able to work from home as a bookkeeper for a dentist’s office. My college degree is in psychology and I had originally planned to work with children. As the dentist will be retiring within the next year I’s currently taking dog grooming classes because I know I will love working with animals. My childhood dream was to be a vet, but I learned there were some aspects of the job I couldn’t handle.
I’m a huge animal lover. I’ve had dogs ( best dog ever was the Collie mix who walked up the driveway and straight into my heart) birds and even a gerbil and hermit crab as a child and now kitties. I am involved with animal rescue/ socializing and adoption of once feral cats.
As far as dolls go, my daughter had them many, many years before I did. I had seen a catalog first shortly after she was born and they kept coming throughout the years. She had developed a great love for pioneer life and Little House after learning to read at four and a half and reading the books for the first time. The dolls were very expensive, but my mom and I went in together and bought her Kirsten for her fifth Christmas and she took her to church for Christmas Day service. My daughter got a few other PC/AG dolls, but Kirsten has remained the favorite. My collection began when she was preparing for college and decided to downsize and sell a couple of dolls plus clothing /accessories to raise money for books etc. Her PC German Samantha became mine as well as a few pieces of clothing/ accessories. I decided I would have my own Felicity, as she was the one I liked the best when my daughter received hers. I saved any birthday and Christmas money and over a few years was able to get my favorites from both collections and well as a few bits from others. I now have five dolls – Samantha, Felicity, a Nellie which has been customized with #33’s wig, Caroline and Marie-Grace. Five more dolls than I ever thought I’d have. I enjoy crafting little things for them and am hoping to find time to sew something this winter finally.
I found Jeanne quite by accident when one of her listings appeared during an ebay search for a Samantha or Felicity item and then I found her blog. We also connected over on PT as did Linda and I.
Thank you, Jeanne, for the kind compliment about being “resident historian”
Well, Laura, I’m even later than you were…
My day was busy from beginning to now! It’s after 10:00 and I can’t answer everyone, but my, oh my, what a wonderful group of ladies you all are! This was so special to me and I am so blessed to be among you as your friend!
I had NO idea you would all actually do this and I just can’t quit reading your comments.
I’m going to go over them and try to pick out 2 things from each persons comments and answer them in a post… My face was just beaming as I read what you wrote… I wish so much we could all get together… but this was a nice start!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Blessings, Jeanne
You aren’t late Jeanne…I am?
We just got home from what we jokingingly refer to as Golf Group…which is what it was 15 years ago…now we are mostly an eating group. Lovely couples and good cooks so once a month in winter and twice a month in summer we gather…friends are the best.
I was born in Cedar Rapids, IA and as the plaque in my family room says ‘I wasn’t born in Nebraska but I got here as fast as I could’ ? Grew up in Omaha and met my hubby through his sister who I meet in college. Mike farmed and had a night business in the Omaha Stockyards. We raised our 4 kids (2 girls and 2 boys) near a small town 20 miles outside Omaha where we made life long friends. They have a wonderful small school district where they still have Halloween parades and sing Christmas carols and have Band Concerts. We moved back to Omaha 27 years ago because we both worked here and my Mother had passed away and we bought her home.. we love our neighborhood and the conveniences no longer a half hour away ?
Our son lives now on that farm and built a awesome new house and refurbished the barn where they actually lived for 9 months while they built the new house. He has2 girls and a son. They seem very musical and must get that from their sweet mom . My DIL works at the Elementary school and supports their Parrish and she is a great CCDTeacher.
Our oldest daughter teaches 5th grade in that same school district and lives in that small town. When she moved there with her hubby she was teaching kindergarten in the same room where she started school! She has a daughter a freshman at UNiv of NE in Lincoln and her son just became an Eagle Scout. Both are dedicated to their church and charities.
Our youngest daughter has 2 girls in school and she and her hubby work so hard getting them through college..one in nursing and one going to Spain in December for a semester. She is a talented cook and baker and decorates awesome cakes and cookies that always bring huge prices at their community auctions.
Our oldest son is a financial manager and does such fun things with his family making memories and is so generous with his time for kids sports, church and community. His wife is equally generous with her skills and keeps her 2 girls and one boy and hubby organized..a big job. So all in all there are 10 grands…7 girls and 3 boys..each as nice as can be and love spending time with their cousins . I miss those sweet baby g-kids as they are now 11 -21…where did that time go?
I loved reading the previous posts..so many of us grew up in similar ways… I learned to sew on my Grandma’s tredle sewing machine like Linda and didn’t belong to 4H but was a leader for the sewing portion like Charlotte and one year , I think 1983, made 400 ‘Kathie Patch’ dolls..the year you couldn’t find the real Cabbage Patch in the stores. Then that led to doll repair and that is now my retirement job! It’s a rewarding hobby/job and I love making a box of dirty moldy parts back into a clean,sweet smelling dolly who gets a chance to be loved again.
I have always loved dolls and my Grandma, who lived with us, always went to the downtown Union Pacific Station gift shop to buy me a Story book doll for my birthday. (sure wish I would have kept those polka dot boxes!) My mom always bought my sister and I dolls for Christmas and I kept all but one big Compo baby doll that I was talked into giving away when I was ten. Much Later at an antique show….I saw her! There she was.. my Angela… and I had to have her. Of course this was in the 80s and she was pricey..but luckily I had stashed some $ and she was mine again! I still smile when I see her and her too many friends. Love Helen Kish dolls..Robert Tonner’s and Mary Englbriets. Madame Alexander Dionne’s became a favorite as soon as I saw them , I enjoy a set of the 7 inch baby ones and the 11 inch set that looks like a one year old baby. A few antique German dolls, one Schoenhut, and my three Little darlings. My seven granddaughters are the American Girl lovers. My youngest granddaughter has helped me when asked to give a talk on dolls to
different groups..she brings her American Girls and tell about them and always a lots of accessories to show them. Those of us who enjoy our dolls need to encourage the next generation to love them too. Have tea parties and play house with those little ones ?
I can’t remember how I found you Jeanne but it is a very special piece of my day! All your projects and family stories make me admire you and your lifestyle! I so enjoy reading your blog and use it as a reward when every non dolly related duties are finished so I usually read your blog before bed. Sorry this is so long!
I may be last. I found Jeanne’s blog after asking her questions on the Ning Little Darlings site. (About her awesome sleeves and embroidering on smocking with silk ribbon) I mostly lurk, due to time zones and a fear of being misunderstood on social media. Anyhoo
I live in New Zealand, born after WW2. Married 48 years. 4 sons, no daughters but 11 grandchildren plus a late surprise one due around Christmas. Retired nurse/midwife and (still) a small time beef farmer.
I like making things, more interested in making dolls than owning them.
I have fallen for little darlings though. I do have various other vinyl too.
I like Jeanne’s blog for her lovely photos, great sharing and generosity of spirit. Her latest strawberry salad is a real winner, and is doing the rounds renamed Genie Salad by a grandkid.
I love the US doll scene and chatty people. I am often frustrated by our low dollar and exorbitant postage from the U.S. But all in all life is good
No, I’m the last–and tomorrow’s blog has probably already been posted. I live in St. Charles, MO, and have been here for ten years. I will write more tomorrow , since it is already very late.
I have enjoyed reading the bios from all of the people on the blog. Like many of you, reading this is my first activity after I get up in the morning.
Diana
Hello, Diana! You live kind of close to me, compared to others here. I live in south St. Louis county, in an area called Mehlville, a little ways from you, but I have been to St. Charles many times! I love to go to Miss Aimee B’s occasionally and love it in St. Charles at Christmas! Maybe we can meet one day!
Linda
I’m now last 🙂 I’m Debbie, been flop lowing in the shadows for awhile after finding by accident on an eBay listing for a Kirsten outfit. I grew up in St. Louis, moved to Colorado 20 years ago and just this past summer moved to the Seattle Washington area, due to job change for my husband. Still unpacking and getting settled. Seattle is beautiful, but I do miss Denver. I am a retired teacher and middle school counselor. My passion is sewing, started in 8th and haven’t stopped. Not much garment sewing now, mostly craft type items, quilts and bears, and anything involving machine embroidery. I got interested in American Girl about 4 years ago, have early Pleasant Company Samantha, Molly, Kirsten, and Felicity, an early American Girl Kit, and now Maryellen too. I blame my nieces for getting me hooked. Guess that me in a nutshell.
Another St. Louisian! It looks like you, me, and Susette all grew up here! I lived in south county, Susette lived in north county, and you? My son lives in Denver, moved there about 20 years ago too, and loves it. I can see why you miss Denver! Another retired teacher too, like me!
I grew up in north county, worked in Hazelwood Schools before leaving St. Louis. My husband and I lived in Wildwood when we left St. Louis. We were surrounded by Babler State Park. Loved all the Dogwood and Red Bud that were out there, don’t missed the humidity.
Hi,
I am Madelon from Maryland. I am the proud mother of a high school junior and college junior. I work full time as a lawyer with my husband who is also a lawyer. We have been married over 30 years. We have a Puggle. My grandmother started my love for dolls. She worked in NYC and bought me Madame Alexander dolls from FAO Schwartz. I grew up in New Jersey and really love that state. My interest in dolls was rekindled when my daughters were younger. I was bitten by the American Girl craze, I suppose. I enjoy repurposing items for use in doll photography, exploring historical doll fashion and the time periods they go with. I look for accessories, clothing, food, and furniture that match the appropriate time.
Bonjour Jeanne !
I’m Sophie, I live in Brittany, west part of France.and I’m just 60 . I read your posts every day and I decided to join you and speak a little about me. I once was the owner of a crosstitching shop, but it was nearly 14 years ago, and now I begin to sew and knit for My Little Darling and some others dolls I recently collected. I have 3 boys now adults, no grandchildren for the moment…. But I’m ready to welcome granddaughters with My Dolls. I discovered the Little Darlings 4 years ago and feel very lucky to own 7 of them, I also have 3 Zwergnasse (50cm high) , 1 Maru and Friend, 1 Witchell, and 1 Minouche Petit Colin. I named them after great women of our History. You Can have a look at my blog to meet them.
I wish I can find one day an américain doll. I learn to sew in following tutoriels on the web, and it’s Make me happy, I forget the hours and I feel “free ” . My dolls are my Oyster and I’m the queen of it! Ah ah ! I really appreciate the dresses, hats and all the accessories and jewels you imagine for your dolls. It is a very pleasant moment for me to read your daily post.
Have a good week-end !
Dear Sophie,
Bonjour. I enjoyed reading your post. I love that you are the “Queen” of your dolls (smile).
What is the web address of your blog? It sounds interesting.
You mentioned that you want an American doll. What do you consider an American doll?
Bonne journée, Dorothy
Hello Dorothy,
What I call an américain Doll is an américain girl, the same mold as Felicity. I saw some of them on the web, I remember one , blond hair, with freckles, named Kit, so cute !
The link to my website is : http://www.lescanotieres.canalblog.com
Dorothée I Will think of you in two Weeks as I am going to Paris for a Doll exhibition where I hope to meet some dolls’addicts like me, coming from different parts of France.
Amicalement. Sophie
Dear Sophie,
Bonjour. I have seen your website! It is very nice. I did not know that it belonged to you. My French is not good enough to read without translation but your pictures look very nice.
I see now, you are looking for an American Girl Doll brand doll. I thought you were looking for a doll from a specific region in America. As you point out, there are several dolls in the American Girl doll series. Have you looked on ebay for the doll you want?
I am happy that you are going to Paris! I was last there in 2001. That was so long ago. I miss the feel of the city. I had a tea party in July and the theme was Paris.
I am going to visit a friend in Philadelphia, which is near where I live. While I am there, I am going to take some lessons through Alliance Francaise. I love the French language! I just can’t remember words or when to use “le” or “la.” I need to practice more.
Voici pour votre email,
Dorothy
Hello New Friends,
I am a doll collector (mostly Madame Alexander). I recently purchased an Iplehouse BID, Elin sculpt, who I named Elyse. She is such a cutie! I am on the waiting list for a LD.
I belong to a local UFDC club, the Madame Alexander Doll Club, an IH Yahoo Doll Club and the LD Yahoo Doll Club.
I am recently retired and enjoying having my time to myself. I am watching way too much of Judge Judy, though.
I am have no crafting skills. I took the required Home Ec courses a gazillion but nothing took. I remember trying to make a blouse with puffed sleeves. When I finished the puffs were under my arms. I took that as a sign that I should throw away my pin cushion. Luckily I am a fairly good writer so at least I have one redeeming quality.
I volunteer with our local historic preservation group. I love Arts & Crafts Bungalows, although I don’t own one. I know that some day someone will give me the keys to one. I am a big dreamer. I also collect Paul Revere Pottery. It looks divine in an historic bungalow, which of course one day I will own. As I said, big dreamer.
I found this blog when I was looking for clothing for Elyse. I keep a “picture book” on my computer of all of the lovely outfits I want to purchase for her. I saw a darling outfit on Pinterest and I tracked it to this site. The postings about the Secret Santa caught my eye. I love those kinds of things. I thought I should post here first so folks would know who I was.
I am a native of Pennsylvania although my heart is in Paris. I travel there often in my dreams.
Blessings, Dorothy