I had to go about 25 miles out of town today to a lumber yard. I was asked to go along to help my hubby pick out the right boards. Just between you and me; I think he just wanted my company! :o) I mean… he surely could pick out eight 1 x 6 x 10 boards by himself. Maybe he just needed me for moral support. Maybe he thought I could see the knot holes better in the pine boards. Maybe he didn’t want me to be alone all afternoon. I found out what it was… on the way back home, we stopped at the shop of the friend where the project is taking place. She had asked him to frame in around her 6 great BIG windows! He wanted me to see if I thought what we got was going to work. It looked pretty nice when he held up the plain boards vertically in between the windows. So I’m sure when it’s all said and done, it will look wonderful.
It was just nice to be with him… (total aside…the air conditioner in his truck went out last week and the heat index was 99 degrees…We had the windows down and the wind was whipping through the truck. We about croaked when we had to stop at the stop lights… it was SO hot! By the time we got to Menard’s, I’m sure I must have looked like a wild woman… sort of like Noel’s hair last night!)
Oh, what a nice segue… speaking of Noel’s hair… I took her wig off and soaked it in some water… and then shook it and scrunched it with my fingers. I have it drying on a doll stand right now… It’s still wavy but not quite as frizzy as night…
I also managed to get her slip finished for this navy dress… why 2 pictures? just because… :o)
Since Noel’s blonde wig was drying… I searched in my wigs and found this little bob for her…she makes a cute brunette…
Now she can show you her dress so far. The skirt has been attached and the insides all finished… moving right along aren’t we?
And if this isn’t enough for you… Marilyn commented on her Wendy Lawton doll late last night and I bet most of you missed her comments. She also left a link that shows you what Wendy’s dolls look like without their clothes on… I’m going to post Marilyn’s comment and the link where you can read about the dolls… Thanks Marilyn, I love to be “educated” on dolls I don’t know about… right everyone?
This is Marilyn’s Anneke:
( Many thanks for all the compliments on Anneke. I’ll ask Nikki if she has pictures of the clothes, which are especially nice. A glove wedding was a marriage by proxy. There were Dutch plantation owners in Indonesia, but not a lot of marriageable Dutch women. Agents for the owners would search for young women of good but no longer wealthy families and arrange marriages. The party in Indonesia would send a beautifully decorated glove to the Netherlands to represent the groom. The young woman would accept the glove and marry the groom by proxy, then sail to Indonesia as a respectable married woman. When I was in high school, I found a book called The Scent of Cloves, about a young orphaned woman who made a glove marriage — naturally the results were not to be desired. Naturally I hope for a much better life for Anneke.
I haven’t been able to find a good article on glove weddings/marriages, though I’ve seen some. I did find a reference to a Dutch proxy marriage as late as 1927.
The wooden parts of Lawton dolls are quite unfinished. See
for another of my favorite Lawton dolls, the Merry Widow, to get an idea of how they look. I’m not terribly fond of many Lawton faces, but I like Anneke and Sonja/Anna. The face of the doll pictured looks a lot like the actress who originated the role. I have some good pictures of Anna/Sonja, but don’t intend to buy her unless I somehow acquire a bigger house.
I had a friend my mother’s age whose mother was a young widow during WWI. On the train from Chicago to St. Charles, she met a young officer who had stayed in Chicago because friends were determined that he would see The Merry Widow. He met
Nina, a lovely young widow, and was instantly in love. He called her Sonja, after the Merry Widow in the version he had seen, and married her. He was the sort of man who knew quickly what he wanted and went after it.)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Noel’s dress is coming right along! Her blond wig does look better, now that it’s been to the “beauty parlor”, and I can’t wait to see it on her again–however, she looks darling as a brunette, too!
It was interesting to read about the “Merry Widow” by Wendy Lawton–my goodness, she came with a lot of things! The Lawton doll I have is Paloma from the “Merely Me” collection, in about 2004. She’s about 9″ tall, with darkish/hispanic skin tone and a beautiful dark wig with braids and a few curls. She’s dressed all in white–a pretty ruffled dress, petticoat, and bloomers! I agree with you about the faces, but Paloma’s is very sweet. You can see a picture here: http://www.lawtondolls.com/html/merelyme.html just scroll down a bit.
Apparently Wendy isn’t making dolls now, although her website, lawtondolls.com , is still up. She’s more of an author these days, and writes books in a series, Daughters of Faith, for girls. She has a website for her books, too, wendylawton.com , in case you are interested.
What a beautiful story about your friend Nina!! A true love story, I would say!!
HI Charlotte,
Noel’s wig is still a little bit damp, but she’s ready to try it on!
I looked at your Paloma doll and I think I’ve seen that doll on Ebay before… maybe it was just the wig that I saw, but how fun that you have one too. Maybe the dolls were too expensive so Wendy decided writing books was a better money maker.
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
I almost jumped out of my chair when I looked at Charlotte’s comment! The writing is huge and very dark black! I wonder if it is Charlotte’s computer or something having to do with your blog, Jeanne! I think it is you blog, since the words “Name, Email and Website” written below are like that too. Scared me for a minute!!
Well, I must say that Noel’s hair looks so much better today after her beauty shop visit, like Charlotte mentioned. A pretty bow in it, and she will be ready to go anywhere! He dress is just adorable! I love the way the skirt flares out to show the beautiful lace!
Thanks to Marilyn on the information she included. Those extra outfits are gorgeous!
The glove marriages are something I have not heard of, but you learn something new everyday!
You day with George in the truck was funny to read, but I am sure not funny to experience! Oh gosh, we sometimes go to Lowe’s, which is a hop, skip and jump inMichael’s truck, and he doesn’t feel like turning on the air conditioner, since it’s so close, and I am practically dying when we get back! I can’t imagine going 25 miles to and from home with out the air conditioner on, and this heat……………just awful! Well, things will turn around now, at least that’s what the weatherman is saying. Hope springs eternal!
HI Linda,
Sorry about the BOLD comments. I had to wait until the storm we had went through to correct it on my desktop. The weather knocked out my satellite and I wasn’t able to pull up my blog. The problem was I tried to put Marilyn’s comments in bold, but I only thought I was putting the parenthesis ( in BOLD…but apparently I put them in bold from the start of Marilyn’s comments all the way to the bottom…AND onto the previous posts… Yikes!
The weather cleared up and I have fixed it now… sorry about that!
Noel likes her new hair and wants to get her blonde wig back on… soon, I told her, soon!
I like her poufy dress too… just like a little girl her age should wear! :o)
It was miserable driving to Marion yesterday… I thought I was going to go crazy…it was so humid and hot… everything was sticking to us… but we survived and today is much better 76, but rainy… I think the rain will stop and George just came and sweet talked me into going to help him get started on the window trim. I guess I better help him… he lets me buy dolly stuff! :o) :o)
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, wow, the font for the comments is quite different. And for old me, very difficult to read. What’s going on with that? Glad that Linda said something or I would have thought it was just me.
I went back and read Marilyn’s glove info yesterday and found it very interesting. I know they had proxy weddings even during WWII and later. They may still have them today. But, perhaps not a marriage to an unknown individual.
And Noel will have squeaky clean beautiful hair in place to model the new ensemble. Can’t wait to see it complete.
Tell George to get that air conditioning fixed pronto. I can’t even drive a few blocks without it anymore. Fortunately, for my dad’s old GMC 1992 truck with only 29,000 miles, now mine, the air flows quite well. But, the paint is starting to flake on the top and it is starting to have other issues. With no air bags or safety features, we think a friend who has expressed interest may give it a good home. But, we do need a truck for hauling things, so we’re looking at new ones. And they certainly are not cheap. 🙁
Has anyone been looking at all of the photos coming on Facebook of the Modern Doll Collectors Convention? Wow, there are some beautiful dolls and accessories there. Wish I was in New Orleans to see the show. Has anyone ever been to a doll convention?
Hi Joy,
(I just copied what I told Linda… )
Sorry about the BOLD comments. I had to wait until the storm we had went through to correct it on my desktop. The weather knocked out my satellite and I wasn’t able to pull up my blog. The problem was I tried to put Marilyn’s comments in bold, but I only thought I was putting the parenthesis ( in BOLD…but apparently I put them in bold from the start of Marilyn’s comments all the way to the bottom…AND onto the previous posts… Yikes! It’s fixed now…
Noel is anxious to see how I tamed her wig…it’s still a bit damp, but pretty soon, I’ll be able to put it back on her…
He saw a truck in the parking lot at Menard’s and said that’s what he’d like. I think we seriously need to start looking for a truck for him. He carries all his tools in it and really needs one with a cab that has those doors that open up on the sides… his is an extended cab but the doors don’t open… His is 92 or a 94 but it’s got lots of mileage.
I have seen some of those pictures from the doll convention. I’ve never been to one, but would certainly like to… :o)
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Joy, I am going to the UFDC Region 11 convention in Maryland next month. It will be my first UFDC convention.
I have attended two Madame Alexander Doll Club conventions.
I wish we could have a Dianna Effner – Little Darling/Boneka convention!
Conventions are great fun. There are seminars and workshops. You get to learn new things, like the sharing that happens here with Jeanne. The best part is that you get to meet doll people face-to-face. Pure doll bliss!
Oh Dorothy,
I hope you have fun at the doll convention! I’m sure you will!!!
Lovely dress for Noel, Jeanne. I really think the blonde wig will enhance the looks of the dress. Since I’ve had hair like her “wild” looking wig, I’m a bit partial to that look!
What a lovely time together for you and George. Isn’t it great that our husbands “still” like to have us along? Romantic…..
The Wendy Lawton dolls surely are unique. I have one packed away in a closet that I need to get out. I believe her eyes need replacing. She came in a box of mixed dolls and I’ve hardly given her a second thought. It wasn’t until Marilyn’s doll came into view did I even realize they had a wooden body! https://www.qvc.com/Phoebe-Preble-and-Hitty-13%22-Dolls-by-Wendy-Lawton.product.C41863.html It looks like this one is all porcelain. This is like the one that came to me.
I have recently run into a blog that in my opinion is marvelous. This artist/woman, takes used Wendy Lawton dolls and recreates them into new characters. Here’s the link in case anyone is interested: http://missemouse.blogspot.com/
Blessings.
HI Becky,
I certainly looked like Noel yesterday… at least my hair did! I’m glad I didn’t see anyone I knew…but it wouldn’t have mattered…yesterday everyone was looking a little bit frazzled and frizzy!
We did have a nice “romantic” trip in his unairconditioned truck! :o)
How interesting that you have a Wendy Lawton doll too…You better get her out and do some lovin” on her, Becky!
I’m going to look up that link for the lady who turns Wendy’s dolls into new characters. That sounds like a fun place to visit!
Thanks Becky,
Blessings, Jeanne
Is it ever possible to know all the dolls that are out there? There are so many I would love to have, if I only had the money to pursue that dream. The Wendy Lawson dolls are wonderful. I never heard of them. I finally got my 14″ Betsy McCall the other day. I had to wait till my Magalie Dawson Little Darling was paid for. I have the H4H dolls and two Little Darlings. My 14″ Betsy McCall is more the size of my 13″ Little Darlings than my 14″ H4H dolls. Sure didn’t expect that.
I think Noel looks adorable as a brunette. And I love her new dress. Her blonde wig looks like my hair after I wash and dry it. Takes it about a day to calm down and that depends on the weather.
I’ve checked out all the links that were provided today. Lots of wonderful things. Also I never heard about the glove weddings before. Very interesting.
HI Barbara,
It always seems like I’m the last one to find out about the new dolls that are out there. I usually end up missing the popular dolls when they first come out. Maybe that kind of news about new dolls coming out is in a doll magazine…I don’t know…
But…it’s probably a good thing I DON’T know a out all the dolls out there…I’d be in big trouble!!!
Congratulations on your new Betsy and Little Darling dolls… new dolls are fun aren’t they???
I’m glad you enjoyed the post today… ..something for everyone!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
When the weather we had yesterday reaches you today you won’t have to worry about the AC. It was 95 here Thursday and about dinner time it blew and blew and rained on and off and today it is actually chilly!
You have done quite a lot on Noel’s dress. Looking forward to the jacket or maybe hat or both out of the felt.
Oh and shoes..those should be sweet too.
I should have told you about Johnson & Johnson “No More Tangles” it is wonderful on doll hair. It isn’t sticky.
For a rooted hair doll that you don’t want to wet because it will get inside and mold, it is awesome. Just take a section of hair at a time and a soft rag and clean each section. It has a mild pleasant smell and leaves the hair so nice. I’ve used it on every kind of doll hair…and granddaughters too! :0)
HI Kathie,
I could use some chilly weather…not cold…just sweater weather…that’s probably my favorite!
It’s been dreadfully humid today but the temps are a little cooler…tomorrow it is supposed to cool down some.
I have been helping my hubby with some window trim for a friend, but I hope to get something else done on Noel’s dress set today… I hope her wig looks better on her head this time…and thanks for the tip about Johnson’s No More Tangles… I’ll remember that.
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Becky’s recommendation of the missemouse.blogspot.com is one I’d like to second. In fact, I nearly added it to the Lawton information because it it so wonderful. She’s copied designs from the Peck-Gandre paper dolls, and they are very beautiful.
I didn’t know Lawton was no longer producing dolls. Nikki and I have Mary Chilton to serve as Anneke’s sister Susana, but we now have to come up with coordinating outfits. Mary Chilton is a Pilgrim doll and came with a book about the Pilgrims centering on Mary and the way she sees what happens to her group as they look for a place to settle. I felt like I knew more about their situation than I had previously learned. The Time-Life Cooking of New England is good for that too.
I looked up Paloma — I think Charlotte got the best of the collection in terms of faces and dresses. Congratulations, Charlotte, I’m so glad you have her. It sounds as if our dolls will probably continue to increase in monetary value and deserve the care they are getting so that they’ll live on for another generation. Anneke lives in a house with cats and a small boy — that’s one reason she lives behind glass, but protection from dust and sunlight is also important.
Tomorrow — a new dress and a new hairstyle for Noel, unless Jeanne is so exhausted from all the new building adventures that she’s gone to sleep with a huge fan to keep her cool.
HI Marilyn,
I looked at the website that Becky linked to… and it looked wonderful… I enjoyed seeing what she did! There are SO many creative people out there… I just love seeing what others are up to!
I’ve got to look for a catalog I used to have…I’m pretty sure it had Wendy Lawton dolls in it… I just didn’t know anything about them… I hope I still have that catalog…
I think keeping Anneke in a glass display case is the best way to go…she’ll stay pristine for years and years that way…
Well, Jeanne is back home now and hoping to get something done on Noel’s set… I’m wanting to tackle her shoes as I’ve thought of a new way to do the soles… I hope it works…
The building adventures are over until tomorrow…then we can hopefully finish the window trim. A pizza place, Dominoes is wanting to rent her building but the windows needed to be finished… maybe I’ll share a picture of what we accomplished.
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Beautiful dolls. No More Tangles sounds like a good idea. I liked the bold print as it was easier to read on a cellphone. Probably takes up more memory.
About the truck air conditioning: It’s a possibility that the type of aerosol that was used in air conditioners for cars was declared illegal some years ago and was replaced by some new product that didn’t harm the environment. Anyone know about this possibility? Sounds like a new truck is coming anyway and it will have air conditioning.
HI Susette,
Sorry, but the bold print was a mistake… I accidentally set it for Marilyn’s comments but didn’t realize I had bolded it for EVERYTHING below…even to the next posts…
I don’t know anything about the AC laws but only that my hubby could use a new (er) truck… his is a 92…I just found out. He has to dig around in stuff when he has a job…he really needs a work truck with the tool boxes on the sides…not just one in the back… Most of his stuff is in tubs behind the front seats… It would drive me crazy to have to dig around in all the tubs for what you were looking for.. He has no choice so he makes the most of it!
Maybe someday he’ll get something different. We both get what we like eventually …new dolls for me and a new truck for him!!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Susette! Yes, the old stuff Freon is no longer used in car air conditioning. Our 1992, truck had the old system changed out for the new quite a few years ago. It works great. Have no idea of the cost though. But, since you and I are in CA, the rules here may be different than in other states. Good point! 🙂