I made a dress for Lian back in October of 2014… exactly 3 years ago, and still, when I see pictures of it, I have to stop and look. I just LOVED it and thought it was slightly different than what I usually made. As I remember, it didn’t get much fanfare at the time and I thought I would show it again… and see how many of you remember it. The fabric was sort of a loose weave and her little jacket was wool felt. I was scrolling through my pictures looking for something else and again, I had to stop and look at it. It was called “First Frost.”
It sold and I received a fair price for it, but I always felt like it was overlooked for some reason.. Maybe it’s just my imagination.
Maybe I liked it because I thought it was something “I” would have liked to have worn… or maybe I thought it looked extra sweet being modeled by dark haired Lian, or maybe it was that teddy bear in her arms that pulled me in every time. I’m not sure, but here it is again… from the beginning to the end…
Well, I hope that wasn’t too much picture overload for you.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I don’t remember that outfit at all. Did you line it completely? There’s no visible hemline, and the skirt drapes beautifully. No wonder you’d love to wear it yourself. It sets off Lian’s complexion beautifully. The first thing I liked was the trim at the waist. The pin is amazing — all that detail in something that tiny. The teddy bear’s rose adds a useful color accent. I’m glad you shared this outfit and I hope its owner enjoys seeing it again here.
Did Deb arrive? What are you doing together? What does she think about the floor and the house’s new look?
Hi Marilyn,
Well, this is fun to have picked a dress that most everyone hadn’t seen.
Deb did arrive Wednesday afternoon and we’ve been going non stop ever since. Yesterday we hit the thrift store, Goodwill, TJ Maxx and then Cool Spoons.
Today we went to Ross’s, back to TJ Maxx to each return something, to Paneras for lunch and we hit Cool Spoons on the way home again.
Tonight I’ve made an Olive Garden salad and we’ll have that.
She thinks she’s going to leave tomorrow.
We’ve had lots of fun!!!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s just lovely, Jeanne, and I’m glad you decided to feature it, as I don’t Think I was a subscriber at the time you first posted it. Even though I’m not a “beige” person, there’s just something about this little outfit that is so special. I love the waist trim, and the decoration on the jacket, too.
(I imagine it will get a fair bit of fanfare today!)
Thank you Charlotte,
I’m glad so many ladies hadn’t seen Lian’s dress. I thought surely everyone must have seen everything before.
Thank you for your kind compliments on it!
Blessings, Jeanne
I don’t believe I have ever seen this either, Jeanne, and it is just such a sweet outfit! Lian looks so grown up in it and it looks so elegant in it’s simplicity! I love doll outfits like this, not the overly ruffle filled, lacey, sparkly ones! Yes, I WOULD love to wear this myself, in a much bigger size (!), and it seems to be an ageless type of outfit that will still be in style 10, 20 years from now. I love all the little “extra” touches you did, the trim around the waist, the little pin and lace on the jacket, and yes, the sweet little hat, not to mention the Teddy Bear! Loved it!
Thank you Linda,
I guess maybe it didn’t get much recognition because not very many ladies saw it. Thank you for the sweet compliments you shared for it.
Blessings, Jeanne
I too was surprised by the lack of interest in this dress which I thought was exceptional. I finally decided that people were just not interested in neutral colors for their dolls!
Hi Linda Marie,
YAY…. someone who saw it way back in 2014! Some people don’t like neutral colors on their dolls but brighter colors. It’s funny that Lian is a “winter” and generally looks prettiest in jewel toned colors, but I think she looks so pretty in the neutral colors of this set.
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
I can’t remember when I came across your blog, so this must be an outfit not seen by me.
However, I love it – color, design, the hat and the little bear. Liam always wears it well. Love the button accents.
* Joy- I hope you are okay out there in CA – Heartfelt thoughts are sent your way.
Hi Paula,
I’m glad you too hadn’t seen Lian’s dress. It’s fun when I find something that most people haven’t seen.
Thank you for your kind words about Lian’s dress.
I posted an email from Joy below, if you wanted to read it.
Blessings, Jeanne
Ye, I am too, wondering how you are doing, Joy, or if anyone knows anything about how she is doing.
Jeanne, Lian looks lovely in this delectable draping dress. It suits her so well. Marilyn spoke of that color accent on the bear-I like that too. The rose color adds a “ping” to it all. It’s just beautiful…I too have to say I never saw it before as it was “before my time”. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Also, concerns for Joy/home/family too…she came to my mind during the night.
Blessings.
Hi Becky,
Well, I think I definitely picked the right dress when I said this one was overlooked…it appears it wasn’t seen by very many people at all.
I posted an email from Joy right below your comment if you wanted to read it.
Thank you, Becky!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi everyone,
So many people were asking about Joy, and I heard from her day before yesterday, so I decided to copy and paste her email here for you all to read. She’s okay for now, but it must be terrifying to be so close to the fires. I can’t even imagine. She’s got her car all packed up and ready to evacuate at a moments notice, and her computer is in there, so she’s only had her phone and can’t comment using it… Please keep her in your prayers!
~ Jeanne
“We have not had phones or internet for several days. Not even a landline. I can’t comment as my computer is packed in the car and this one doesn’t let me comment. Fire Sunday night was incredible. Over 70mph winds. I’ve never seen it like that. Then the smoke. Since we have lived here our whole lives, we knew that there was a fire somewhere and it wasn’t good. It was about midnight then and neighbor was up too. Then the traffic began. Didn’t know at the time what was up, but later found it was people evacuating. Neighbor’s father pulled up with a small trailer. Then I knew the fire of 1964, had repeated itself and burned over the hills from Calistoga and towards Santa Rosa. At that time, there we not too many living in the hills, but now there are ranchos and huge mansions everywhere. I finally woke up other person and told him to get dressed. So, we both wandered around trying to figure out what to pack as a precaution. Got the basics together and loaded the car. Talked to neighbor about 6:00am and found that both his father and brother’s homes had burned to the ground. They were lucky to get out, but did so when they saw the glow and knew to get out. They never received a warning or notification. Others were not that lucky. Our next neighbor down can’t find her mother. Even as of yesterday. She lived alone in the direct path of the fire. No one has been available to go and look for her. Some JC students did hike in and found her house leveled but no evidence of remains. Yesterday, she had been told that some elderly had been loaded on buses and taken out of the area. They were so traumatized that they couldn’t even tell their names. So she has hope. The worst part was listening to propane tanks explode knowing that another home had gone up. Everyone just stands around in the street talking to neighbors as there really isn’t anywhere to go. Nothing was open or very few places. Fire burned right into north town and actually crossed an 8 lane freeway. So many neighborhoods are just gone. Looks like a war zone. We’re talking gazillion dollar neighborhoods as well as working class. Our Arby’s, McDonalds, Applebees, and Taco Bell all burned to the ground. Trader Joe’s was damaged as was Kohl’s. Our landmark round barn is gone as well as several hotels. The school where I taught for 15 years is gone. Just rubble. There were not enough firefighters to save them. Lives were what they were trying to protect. Yesterday they sent in tons of help as well as air power. Late yesterday, they turned off the gas. They wanted to reduce the flow so when it is turned back on, things won’t explode. So, no hot showers now or heat. Probably not for at least 10 days. I’ve been shuttling a few blocks to my uncle and aunt’s home to check on them. They have had no power, gas, or phones since late Sunday. He is 90 and she 86. So I’ve been charging her phone everyday so they have some communication. They do have some great neighbors keeping an eye out. My cousin is coming up today and will take them to her home out of town. And the absolute worst has been the smoke. Just thick. Inside and of course worse outside. Most everyone you see is wearing some kind of mask and not for Halloween. We drove to Costco which is south yesterday to pick up batteries for everyone. Nearly every shopper there had a mask or bandana hanging from their neck. The clerks were telling everyone to stay safe. I’m sure many of them are homeless. Workers are coming in to help even after losing everything. We know so many who have lost their homes on both the north and east parts of town. As we left, the Red Cross truck was being loaded with teddy bears as well as other supplies donated. All going to the huge number of shelters that will be needed for some time.
As of last evening, we are now under advisory evacuation. We have the car packed and ready to go should it get any worse. Trying to decide what to take has been quite heart wrenching, but at least we have time to figure that out. The others had no time and escaped with bare feet and pj’s. So, we are ok for the moment and are hoping they can get some containment today. Unfortunately, the fires are merging and surrounding counties are in just as dire circumstances as us. Probably going to be several more days until the coast is clear. No need to pass the above on, but just wanted to let you know.
Joy”
It’s hard to comment after reading the heartbreaking email from Joy, but I’m so glad you shared it with us. Fire is always on the minds of Southern Californians as well. I’m glad they have the car packed as she said so many just left with the clothes on their backs. I hope their house will be safe. My parents lived in San Bernardino where a huge fire destroyed homes of their friends and next door to theirs in 2002. There are grim stories regarding that fire. I, too, thought of Joy during the night.
I copy pictures of your dresses so they show up on my Screen Saver and the First Frost Lian outfit shows up dated Nov 2015. Maybe it’s from when I first found the I Dream of Jeanne Marie site. I love all the details, the beret and pin and teddy bear. I’m sure Joy has her dolls packed and ready to go. We’ll all be thinking of her even more often now. I was so happy to see the pictures of her dolls out on her deck a while back. What a wonderful collection! We are all praying for her and all the people in the path of the fire. Hope Joy and the Other Person are alternating shifts of being asleep as it’s so dangerous. Thanks for sharing the email, Jeanne.
Hi Susette,
I guess every area in the country has its particular problems when weather or mother nature strikes a blow.
I too, was thinking of that picture of Joy’s dresses on her dolls out on the deck. I’m sure she has them packed up…if a fire wete cominh, I’m sure I’d do the same.
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, after I read Joy’s account of the fires, everything else I wanted to write just seems too trivial. Breaks my heart. I will definitely be keeping her and all the others in that area in my prayers. As for Lian’s dress, I think it’s adorable, as are all of your creations. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found myself drawn to the muted, earthy colors–they are so calming. But the thing that intrigued me the most about this dress was what appeared to be the pattern for the bodice (in the second photo). Is it all one piece, joined at one shoulder and under the arm? If so, how very interesting! I’ve never seen a pattern created this way before. Was it lined as well? As I am sewing for smaller dolls now, I’m always on the lookout for tips and tricks to make it a bit easier/less bulky.
Hi Angela,
I know what you mean about everything else going on with us being trivial. I can’t imagine what Joy must be going through right now! How scary it all seems.
Actually the paper pattern that I think you are seeing is for the wool felt jacket. The dress bodice is one piece too, with no shoulder seams and lined. It is stitched all around the neckline and up the back and then around the armholes. It’s a pretty streamlined dress. I hand hemmed it and loved the way it flared out just a bit . I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing it.
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne —
Thank you so much for Joy’s letter. It makes everything immediate, as news reports do not. Keep us up if Joy writes again.
Joy said don’t bother with letting everyone know, but I decided it was important enough to pass on.