I think everyone kind of likes to see something about Christmas in July…ornaments in a store, craft ideas on a blog post, recipes in a magazine, Christmas fabric in stores, etc. It kind of lets us know there are only 5 months left to get ready.
Well, I saw something back in February on Ebay that I bought, but didn’t want to wait until November or December to show you, so I have been waiting the last 5 months to show you in July. You know a “Christmas in July” post. I almost didn’t make it either as today is the last day of July. Yikes!
I bought one of the background scenes made by American Girl. It’s called Cozy Christmas and I’ve only seen them on Ebay, but they might still be available in stores. It’s a sturdy hardboard fold out scene that has a Christmas tree, a fireplace and a window with a snowman peeking in.
It’s pretty realistic and photographs well as it’s not as glossy as the big Scenes and Settings books are. I think I’ll use this quite a bit…
My plan all along was to make a Christmas dress to “feature” in July, but *alas”… no dress… HOWEVER, Rebecca said she’d be happy to play Vanna and show you this lovely background… Ok, Rebecca, do your thing…
It would look even better with some props sitting around to give it a more 3D effect….some presents on the floor, a kitty on a rug in front of the fireplace…you know, Christmasy trinkets…
…and it’s not just for the 18″ American Girl dolls… here’s 14″ Nahji, a Hearts for Hearts doll. I think it could easily work for these dolls.
…and here’s tiny little Noel looking all the way up that Christmas tree.
I kept the box my background came in to protect it from any dents and dings it might get.
I think Paula has one, as I’ve seen it in her pictures. Anyone else have one?
So there you have it… I made it… Christmas in July… the 31st to be exact! :o)
See you soon,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a perfect backdrop for your Christmas photos, Jeanne! And, yes, I think it works really well with the smaller dolls–really, they’re almost more in proportion to that Christmas tree than the AG dolls are! (When I was 9, the tree was always quite a bit taller than I was!)
Rebekah’s dress looks like it’s just about ready to put on ebay! That is exciting news for those dollies waiting for something new!! Now I wonder who will be next?! (Ten Ping thinks it should be Her, of course! LOL)
HI Charlotte,
I bet no one expected to see a Christmas post today! I’m full of surprises, aren’t I?
I think you’re right about the background looking better for the smaller dolls…I hadn’t really noticed that until you mentioned it.
Rebecca dress hasn’t been touched except for the hem…but I’ve got to redo it. I used one of the lines of the plaid to make it straight across the bottom, but for some reason it’s much longer in the back. I think I can keep it straight in the front but I’ll have to veer off the plaid line to make it even…either that or put a bustle in the back to pull the back hemline up! :o)
Ten Ping ALWAYS thinks she should be next! :o)
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh yes, Jeanne, I have seen those backgrounds, in person, at the store, when we had one, and it is really bright, cheerful and cozy looking! It doesn’t work for me, since I have 3 dolls in that one place where it would be, and gets too crowded looking with more than a couple of dolls, but would work perfectly for you, to showcase a doll dress. I also like the way the smaller dolls look with this background. You made “Christmas in July” just in the knick of time!
Rebecca looks so sweet in her dress, and I like the full length picture of her in it. I guess she is warming her pretty little toes in front of the fireplace! The poor girl needs shoes, but you already know that! Is she going to have a hat or something for her hair, and maybe a little pursy thing? Is it a reticule? Lacy pantalettes showing at the bottom will be just the thing for her legs!
HI Linda,
I “barely” made the July deadline, didn’t I? I can see how it would be to crowded with 2 or 3 dolls…but YOU have so many props…you don’t need any background help!
Rebecca will definitely be sporting a pair of pantalettes, but I’m not sure about what else she’ll have. I haven’t studied this dress enough to see what she needs.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’ve seen that backdrop, but not used with dolls. It does fit a wide range of sizes doesn’t it? Glad you shared it.
And seeing your Nahja in that slip, it makes me want one for my Dumpling/Meadow girls. Would be very cute on them. And a very tiny one for little Twinkle/Meadow. Not that you need more to do drafting patterns.
Fires still raging in the next counties north of here. They even had to evacuate an evacuation center yesterday.
Hope the house closing is still on track, then you can get back to some painting. 🙂
HI Joy,
Merry Christmas in the midst of all the fire around you!!! I sure hope it stays clear of you and your girls! It must be very scary for all f you in the vacinity.
I’ve seen more and more people on the Meadow Facebook page getting there new little dolls…they’re 6″ tall? That’s 2″ smaller than Ten Ping and I thought she was tiny!
The house closing has been scheduled for Thursday…hopefully…
Thanks Joy
Blessings, Jeanne
I have this same Christmas backdrop and have used it for my 11” Meadow, 13” Little Darling and 18” Meadow Saffi… looks great with each one.
You were lucky to find it on EBay.. it’s long sold out at the AG site! Congratulations:)
HI Shara,
I think I’ll have fun with this backdrop. It gives enough color and with just a few added props it will make a really nice picture. I’m glad it will work for the smaller girls too.
Thanks Shara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I love Christmas in July. I have been glued to the Hallmark Channel for the last few weeks. They were showing their Christmas shows. I always cry at the end no matter how many times I have seen a show (laugh).
I have seen this back drop online. It looks perfect. I love Noel in the scene. She is adorable. I have three Bonekas.
Thanks for the Christmas cheer. Ho Ho Ho!
HI Dorothy,
OH I love watching the Hallmark movies…especially the Christmas ones. We don’t have cable so whenever I visit my mom and she’s watching one, I usually stay.
The background really does look nice with tiny little Noel. I think it will come in handy this Christmas. Everyone might be sick if seeing it by the time Christmas is over.
I cry at the end of the Hallmark movies too. Didn’t want you to think you were the only one… :o)
Thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I like it! I’ve not seen it before, but I’m sure my dolls would like to have one.
HI Carolyn,
If you look on Ebay you can find one every once in a while for a decent price. It really is a fun background and I’m excited to use it.
Thanks Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I have this background as well. I love it. I think the background pictures that have been available at the AG store are reasonably priced as compare to others I’ve seen on eBay etc. I think I have five from different seasons. I use them quite often to set the scene for my girls to pose or “act out”.
HI Jeanne,
So they are at the stores? I’ve seen the snowy hill one and I think a beauty shop one.
I really like the finish on these…it’s kind of a matte and not so shiny as the big AG books.
It’s just about time to start working on Christmas dresses…get a few Back to School dresses,made and then it’s Christmas.
Thank Jeanne,
I hope you and Jack are doing okay…
Big hugs to you, Jeanne