I thought it was time to take down the Christmas tree and put all the nutcrackers and other decorations away. I really enjoyed my tree and the nutcrackers spread out this year and it took a long time to pack everything away, but I was sort of anxious to get things back to “pretty” instead of “whimsical.”
I did the best I could with what I had and this is what I came up with for my mantle. I’ll probably change it again but I needed to get my living room and dining room in order. Instead of putting it back the same way it was before, I tried something new…
I also redid a little table in my dining room too… Deb got me the deer for Christmas and I wanted to enjoy him a little while longer so I left him out.
After dinner, I started on the bodice for Addy’s dress. I had finished the skirt late this afternoon. I made it with a Velcro closing on the waistband so any waist size on American Girl dolls could wear it. I also fixed the front area that I showed you last night.
The collar is on, with the basting threads still showing and the sleeves are in… those are the two biggies on a dress usually.
So now I just need to get it finished! I’ll get it done as soon as I possibly can.
I know this is another short post, but it’s almost 12:30 and I need to get to bed. At least I have a nice living and dining room to wake up to. :o)
Thanks everyone,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your “new” decor looks very nice, Jeanne. I don’t blame you for wanting that deer out to enjoy longer! Besides, a single deer isn’t exactly screaming “Christmas”! It’s just a nice addition to your other pieces.
Addy’s dress is coming along quite well. I saw your comment about having only a tiny bit of that lace left, so perhaps you could use some other trim (like a narrow braid in one of the blue shades) to accent the points of the bodice. Just a thought…..
Perhaps for your story, Addy could be dressed up to go and see Pres. Lincoln’s train as it rolls thru town? He might be standing out on the back, and waving to the crowd!
Hi Charlotte
Well, my decorating doesn’t hold a candle to Cindy’s, but I need to get over that and just be comfortable with what I can do…(although she did give me a couple pointers!)
I do like the idea of waiting to see President Lincoln’s train go through town! Hmmm..
Thanks Charlotte
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, you are getting to be quite the decorator, thanks to Cindy’s influence!! You did a wonderful job of decorating the mantel, and your little table! I too, think that the deer us just fine for now, and you certainly can enjoy it a little longer! Unlike your house, mine is still in full Christmas mode here, but I will get going soon. It just seems like the holiday goes by faster every year!
Addy’s dress is just darling, and I am seeing more yellow than before, when you see the whole dress in one picture! So cheerful, and you also got the lace fixed! Yes, President Lincoln riding on a train through town, that’s what I always think of when the Civil War is mentioned! I never was a Civil War buff, but ever since you introduced me to Civil War era doll dresses, it has taken on a new meaning!
Hi Linda,
It’s nice to have my “regulsr”stuff back in place again…with a few new pieces. It’s good enough for now… thanks!
I think I just might have to go with Charlotte’s idea of President Lincoln coming to town…it sounds good to me.
I’m glad you like that idea too.
Blessings. Jeanne
Glad you were able to get everything put away. Your new deer is very cute. I don’t think I have ever seen those lovely stitchery pieces above the table. At least I think they are stitching. A very nice gathering anyway. I need you to come out here and do our mantel. It has a variety of things including sunglasses, a phone, bags of screws, a small bag of birdseed, as well as a clock and a few decorative pieces. 🙂 It is right by the sliding door that leads to the deck and down to the garage, therefore, the clutter that never returns below.
I can see Addy’s excitement growing as her new dress magically appears. I saw a dress for St. Patrick’s Day already posted. Talk about getting ahead of the game. 🙂
Hi Joy,
Thanks for noticing the house pictures in my dining room. I made the 2 smaller ones on the left for my grandma, and Cindy found me the big picture of Anne Hathaway’s cottage in the middle and then later the 2 smaller needlepoint ones.
You’d better call Cindy for mantle decorating.
..I’m a bit of an amateur!
Boy, if I was smart I’d jump straight to Easter!!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Good morning Jeanne,
Happy Friday! Your lovely home always looks so pretty, but it’s always nice to get the holiday things put away isn’t it? Addys dress is beautiful, can’t wait to see it completed.
Have a wonderful day
Hugs
Ingrid
Thank you for your sweet compliments on my house, Ingrid…I at least tried to do it this time by myself…Cindy told me to space things in 3 groups on my mantle…
I have the sleeves almost finished on Addy’s dress.
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love what you did to your mantle and the little table. Again, you are so talented. Cindy’s decorating is rubbing off on you. What a wonderful talented family!
Now that you have put Christmas items away, it’s on to the New Year and life events.
By the way, I have a few reindeer myself. I’ve always loved reindeer and sleighs. I find I’m always drawn to them so I use them throughout our house.
Addy’s outfit is coming along. I’m loving it. The touches of yellow are very nice and a good color to add to the navy print. Love the style of the two piece outfit.
Have a blessed day, Jeanne. Hope you get everything lined up to resume your daily activities.
Hi Paula,
I thought watching Cindy do my mom’s hutch would make it easier to do my mantle, but it really didn’t…its very hard for me to figure out where to put things and what to use to begin with, but I did something…
I hope I can get more done on the dress this evening.
Thanks Paula,
Blessings,Jeanne
Christmas is going away today here too. I’m going to really sort through put away the ornaments in a more organized way…all my doll and angel ornaments are going on one tree next year with the White House irnaments and all the cutsie family one and Hallmark ones from the big tree separately. Then the snowmen come out to play. Your living room looks like a magazine cover…just simple and beautiful.
The newest dress is taking shape so fast! That pattern is a favorite…was that some of the new fabric?
Enjoy your weekend!
I swear – everything you make for Addy is just *mouthwatering*! Inspiringly beautiful!
Addy’s dress is coming along beautifully. One of the things I enjoy most about sewing is seeing what comes from a flat piece of fabric and some trim and notions. It’s like magic.
I never did get to shop with my grandkids as planned. They kept extending their visit with their cousins so I went myself. I bought Jaiden Wellie Wisher Willa for her birthday and a popcorn stand. Her party was today. I got Camille for me and a hot chocolate stand. I think I’m more excited with my purchases than Jaiden is with hers. I keep hoping she’ll become more dolly friendly with my influence. Or not….
I admire all your decorating efforts no matter where the ideas come from. I gave up on that years ago because I’m the only one who seemed to care. Hubby still doesn’t care. He’s all about comfort and it drives him crazy when I tell him not to put something on the kitchen or dining table because I have it “decorated”. Or draping his jacket on the back of the kitchen or dining chairs, especially when he drapes it over the head of Santa or Mrs. Claus (my chair covers). He allows my taking over at Christmas somewhat but the rest of the year not so much.
I love the idea of Addy seeing President Lincoln. The Civil War Era is one of my favorites, second only to the Revolutionary War Era. Joy’s mantel sounds like the problem I have around here. Forget a place for everything and everything in it’s place. Someone once said about my office when I worked, that my house must be immaculate. I told them they were assuming I was the only one who lived there. If there’s a flat place, things will get left there whether they belong there or not. Worse when my kids were at home.
I still have Christmas everywhere. We keep Christmas things up until Epiphany which is also my Hubby’s birthday. As well as the religious significance, it’s nice to have the holiday atmosphere for both of our birthdays. The downside is that this year I plan on bringing everything Christmas into my living room and going through it all and re-boxing or getting rid of some things I never put out anymore. After almost 39 years of marriage and having my own place several years before, I’ve accumulated a lot of things and it’s becoming overwhelming. While my initial village items are pretty much in one spot, things I’ve bought since then are some in this box, some in that, etc. I plan on getting all that together so I can get my village up much sooner. It takes me days trying to find something I know I have. Then I give up looking and start decorating the rest of the house and out comes a box I never would have suspected it was in and there it is. Say prayers for me on this because it’s going to be a monumental task. Well worth the time when it’s done but the process will be daunting.