Thank you to the new subscribers these last few days. I appreciate you being here and hope you’ll introduce yourselves and join in on the comments below. We have a lot of fun around here and you won’t find a nicer group of ladies (and maybe a few men) anywhere!
My sister, Deb, surprised my mom and me with a visit this weekend and that’s why I didn’t make it to your comments…although I did read them. Thanks so much for all your kind comments on the work we did. You were too kind.
I received a few emails from some of my subscribers and thought I’d share them on this Saturday. Isn’t it wonderful that the deep freeze has lifted somewhat? At least here in Southern Illinois it has. We’re supposed to be 60 degrees tomorrow! YAY!! North Dakota and Michigan might still be snowed under. Anyone up there who reads my blog, give us a report… I know Kathie, in Omaha, Nebraska, had it rough…
I received an email and a picture from Dorothy King and thought it might be fun for everyone to learn more about each other. She has quite a sense of humor and I thought I’d start with her. I might do this on a regular basis…once a month or so… till we all get our “bios” on here.
She sent me the sweetest picture of her girls celebrating Black History month. I loved what she wrote so I just copied and pasted it here..
“I thought you might enjoy seeing a photo of some of my girls celebrating Black History Month. They are all holding books illustrated or written by Tom Feelings. He was an illustrator and writer whom I met when I lived in New York in the 1970s, obviously when I was three (laugh). I am not a seasoned photographer but the girls look adorable.
I apologize if I center on topics relating to Black History too much. I am African-American with some Cuban and English thrown in. I guess we just write about what we know or who we are.
I retired from teaching in 2017 but I am always looking for ways to share what I know and to learn from others.
I am having so much fun with dolls. The trouble is that they keep finding their way to my house and asking me to take them in. And, well, it would be cruel to say “no” (chuckle).
Hope you are staying warm and snug. I have been inside with my dolly children all week.
~ Dorothy”
Here are her beautiful girls… Dorothy, can you tell us who they are and what you named them? I know the one on the left is a little 10″ Boneka doll, but I don’t know who the big girl is or the other one…
Thanks Dorothy!
Then a while before Dorothy sent me her girls, Charlotte was making pillowcases for her grandkids.. this is what she wrote me about that… (I hope I got her pictures right!)
“These are the pictures of Alex’s and Jacob’s pillowcases, with close-ups of the labels, too. I won’t send close-ups of the other two, as they are so similar to Isaac’s and Lily’s.
As you see from the second picture, the labels are Quite different! I wish I’d chosen a smaller font or maybe a wider label; maybe they wouldn’t have been so long! But on pillowcases they work just fine.
I’ve also included a picture of some pillowcases I made for the kids back in 2014. I think you can tell which one is Lily’s!! Haha….Top row pillowcases were for Jacob (youngest), Eric (oldest) and Alex; bottom row, one for our pillowcase drive at Sew Expo, then Lily’s and Isaac’s. If you enlarge the picture, you’ll see the “writing” on the trim strips.”
“I’m sending you some pictures of the pillowcases I made for this Christmas. I made them in two “batches”, so the two that were sent to Missouri were made and photographed first so I could mail them. Isaac got the boats, Lily got the polar bears (second and third pictures below). Then I made four more (as I thought I would need that extra one for the child of a friend of my son’s, but it turned out differently…long story). Eric, the oldest, got the second boats one I made. Alex got the mostly mittens print, and Jacob the mostly snow print. The fourth is an extra as I had more of that polar bear fabric! (first picture below)
My Viking #1+ has been acting up; usually I “write” the year and “Grandma T.” and some hearts on the trim strip of each pillowcase, but couldn’t do that this year, so I used my purchased labels. Problem was, I only had two left! Those went on Isaac’s and Lily’s cases. When I went to order more, that company (Charm Woven Labels) had gone out of business, so ordered from another company. The labels were expected the 27th to 29th. Oh, dear….
As it turned out, we wouldn’t be seeing the other grands until after Christmas, so maybe we’d be okay. The labels arrived on the 24th! Yay! So, I got them sewn on.”
…and one last bit of information from Susette. She sent me an email about how to take better pictures inside especially in the winter months when it’s not so easy to go outside. I read over it and while the camera’s they talk about are fancier than mine, I still gleaned some useful tips from them about the lighting…
I didn’t know how to put the article here with the pictures, so I decided to just post the link if you want.
Taking Wintertime pictures inside
I hope you found something to make you smile today… I’ll be back on Monday with something to share.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the picture of Dorothy’s dolls! So cute. I think the one on the right is a Madame Alexander, isn’t it? Not sure about the one in the middle, though–I want to say Wellie Wisher, but I’m not just not sure. She reminds me of something else, too, but my brain is dead at the moment.
Thanks, Susette for the photography tips! I will have to print those off–I would imagine my husband will be very interested–he gets into way more technical stuff than I do! LOL When he starts talking about apertures and such, my eyes glaze over! I’m a “point and shoot” kinda girl!!
What a nice surprise to see my pillowcases in your post tonight! I do want to say, my comments will make a LOT more sense if you CLICK ON THE THIRD PICTURE to enlarge it–the way it showed up on my computer, anyway, just showed a corner of two pillowcases, and there is much more to see.
I’m exhausted tonight–spent most of the day in ER with my husband. He’s staying in the short stay unit for now; has a bowel obstruction that may or may not resolve itself. We are in a “wait and see” place right now. I will shortly be going to bed–much earlier than my usual 2-3 a.m. time! LOL
A friend’s aunt is in the hospital with the same thing, and is now recovering from surgery as a result. She’s doing well, everyone is pleased. She’s 104. I hope the issue resolves itself for your husband and that you’ll let us know how he’s doing and how you are. Being a support person is not the easiest job.
Hi Charlotte – keeping you and your husband in prayer.
Love your pillowcases and thanks for sharing them with us.
Leigh
Good morning Jeanne, and everyone! How fun to see the things others are doing every once in awhile! We certainly aren’t “slackers”, are we?
First, Dorothy, your dolls are just adorable! Yes, I do think that is a Madame Alexander storybook doll on the right. She has that MA face that I also have a bunch of and am very familiar with. Dorothy, I could be your mother if you were just 3 in the 1970″s, I think you are trying to pull the wool over our eyes!!! LOL That really is a cute setup you have for your girls, and it’s nice to hear you too, are a retired teacher. I wonder how many of us are here? Dolls are such a fun way to keep in touch with kids, I think!
I just am amazed at the pillowcases, Charlotte! Here, all this time, I was thinking, that you
were embroidering flowers and such on your pillowcases, and wondered how well that would go over with your grandchildren, especially boys!! Well, I had no idea you colud take such cute fabrics and make pillowcases out of them, and have the kids excited about them!! Such a cute idea and easy too, although the embroidered name might be tricky for someone like me!! They are something not only the kids would like, but their mothers too! No more toys laying around that they quickly tire of! Let’s hope your hubby is home in no time!
Oh, Jeanne, yesterday was SO nice! Went up to 45 for us, and it seemed like we were in a tropical paradise! LOL I’m looking forward to this weekend, in the 60’s no less! I just hope that groundhog does NOT see his shadow today!
Have fun with Cindy and your mom!
Dear Linda, hello. I was just kidding. I could be my own mother if that were the case (laugh). I am definitely a Baby Boomer!
Sorry I made a mistake with your sister’s name! Whatever, have fun with Deb, this time!
Also wanted to comment on the information about picture taking inside. That is a wealth of information and it certainly points out a bunch of things that we all can learn from. Thanks,
Susette!
Here in Colorado, the sun is not shining. My sister, whose birthday this is, will not be able to see her shadow. Groundhog Day is also called Candlemas, the day that marks halfway through winter. Sunshine or shadow, spring is on the way.
Dorothy, you might enjoy a look at this blog https://islandshiregazette.blogspot.com/2018/09/harriets-journey-from-marie-grace-to.html because it is the work of an American who is half Cuban and loves English things and dolls. You can watch for her on AGPT, if you are a member. She also likes making mini-books and Disney pamphlets for her dolls, but she does not sew.
For any of you considering sending dolls to AG for an eye change (from the new eyes to the older style, as AG says it will do for free), check out the Islandshire Gazette here https://islandshiregazette.blogspot.com/2019/01/six-dolls-return-from-eye-exchange-just.html for what happened to 6 of her dolls when she sent them in. It’s pretty awful — scarred vinyl, melted hair, and so on. There seems to be no quality control for this process at all.
Charlotte, the pillowcases are wonderful, and you make new ones as the kids’ interests change. What a wonderful way to keep a record of their growing up.
Dear Marilyn, thanks for this blog information.
Love your dolls Dorothy. Please let us know who the middle dolly is – she is so beautiful.
Charlotte, your pillow cases are such a wonderful gift that will be treasured for years. I like your idea of either embroidering your name / year or adding a label. Care to share who the label maker is you used?
Up here in Michigan, yesterday hit a high of 12 but today is suppose to be a balmy 36 with promises of mid 40’s for Sunday & Monday! I might even open a few windows to let some fresh air in.
What a wonderful surprise for you to have Deb for a visit. Can’t wait to hear what you, Deb and your Mom do over the weekend. Hope you have lots of fun.
Sounds like you are having a great weekend with sister visiting. And very happy for everyone in Iceville that the temperature is returning to a happy level.
What a cute group of girls Dorothy! I always enjoy reading your posts.
Linda mentioned also being a retired teacher. Well, you can add me into that group too. I retired in 2010. 🙂
Charlotte’s pillowcases are a fantastic idea. Love all of the details and the personalizing. Such a fun and useful present too.
We’re off to the annual crab feed this evening. Looking forward to enjoying fresh marinated crab and seeing long time friends.
Happy weekend everyone.
Thanks, Dorothy, for sharing the picture of your beautiful dolls. Congratulations on your retirement and have a happy Black History Month. This is a wonderful site for learning about dolls and sharing tips from a wonderful seamstress. I was inspired to start sewing again after about half a century by Jeanne’s creations.
Charlotte, your pillowcases are great. There are such wonderful prints in the fabric stores for both boys and girls and no size involved. I have made them for my grandchildren. I hope you’ll share the source for the labels. I put them in Hawaiian shirts I made for my boys when they were small and we lived in Hawaii. I couldn’t find them when I searched on the internet several years ago. They look just like the ones I bought that long ago.
Glad you liked the photography article. The website for Digital Photo is tipoftheweek@tpmag.com which sends an email once a week or so with photography tips.
Have fun with Deb and Momma, Jeanne. What a nice surprise.
Good morning a Jeanne and your readers.
Dorothy, love your dolls. What are their names? I agree with some of the girls about the one being a Madame Alex. Is a cute picture with them in the classroom celebrating Black History Month. And congratulations on your retirement, Dorothy. Teachers are one of our most precious assets!
The pillow cases are really neat. What a great gift for your grandchildren or any child. Children like pictures to identify their own belongings. Such fun!
I’m glad to get Susette’s info on taking pictures indoor. That will help me a lot. Now if I can figure out a way to keep my fingers out of the way of my phone camera, I’ll be all set.
With all the teachers on Jeanne’s post, I better be sure my spelling is better than it has been!
Paula, although I was a teacher, clearly, I am NOT a good typist!! I can’t believe the mistakes I make just about all the time!
And me too, trying to keep my fingers away from my camera!
Dorothy, my birthday is December 26 or the start of Epiphany (better known as the first day of Christmas), Boxing Day, St. Stephen’s Day or the first day of Kwanzaa. I remember them all as I celebrate. I love learning about the culture of others and celebrating their holidays, etc. I’m Scottish/Irish/Welsh mostly and love to go to Highland Games when I can. There are many African-Americans there celebrating also as many of them have Scottish heritage too. So I say share, share, share everyone. We have our love of dolls as a common thread and that is a blessing. I loved seeing your dolls as they celebrate Black History Month.
Charlotte, I love your pillowcases. As I was re-organizing my sewing room I came across several pieces of fabric I bought to make clothes for my grandchildren when they were small, nothing they would be wearing now that they are 7 and going on 9. But your pictures gave me a wonderful idea of what to do with the fabric. I know there are places to donate pillowcases and I will be doing that with some of them. Thanks. I hope all is well with your husband.
Joy, I wish I could go to the crab feed with you. I LOVE crab. I’m going to see if my hubby would like to go to Red Lobster tonight for all-you-can-eat Lobster dishes. He’s not a big fan of seafood, but he has no problem with indulging me. He just sticks to his popcorn shrimp.
Susette, I have not read the information on photography yet but will. I’m fairly hopeless when it comes to all that. When I was taking the photos of my village I actually had to get the instructions for my camera to find out how to turn the flash off. That’s how well-versed I am at this stuff. Half the time I can’t even find where I put my camera. My son-in-law is a professional photographer. I see some of the scenes he photographs and am amazed at his eye for composition. He’s really good.
Jeanne, I love the idea of us sharing more about our lives and locations. Sometimes you can’t glean a lot from comments and I love it when I can.
It would be interesting to see how many here are teachers. My hubby’s parents were both teachers and my father-in-law was a principal and then a superintendent. My hubby did not follow suit. He worked in construction. I myself was a secretary and retired from Shell Oil back in 1999. I took early retirement during one of the downsizings. My commute from Sealy to Houston was becoming a nightmare as they were building more and more west, and the opportunity to end it was too tempting. And I got a real nice package to do it. It also allowed someone who wanted or needed to stay a chance to keep their job, since they would be letting people go if they didn’t get enough “volunteers”.
Have a great time with your mother and sister. It sounds like you’ll have a lovely weekend in which to do enjoy yourselves.
What a fantastic job George and you did fixing up the house. I’m sure that it will sell faster now.
Your dolls are just beautiful, Dorothy. The largest one has a gorgeous face. What are their names? Of course, when a new doll friend wants to stay you have to let her. LOL I always enjoy your comments. I don’t know what eras in history you like best, but I shared these on the doll board and thought you might enjoy seeing these of the black Victorians. The pictures are lovely.
http://colorwebmag.com/2016/11/02/these-photos-of-upper-class-black-victorians-show-history-isnt-just-white/
https://www.upworthy.com/17-stunning-photos-of-black-victorians-show-how-history-really-looked?g=3&c=ufb1
What lovely and unique pillowcases you made, Charlotte. I especially like the polar bear and ship ones. I love the sea and anything that is associated with it. I’ll be praying that your husband recovers quickly.
Thank you for the picture taking tips, Susette. I’ll check that site out later. Have fun with Deb, Jeanne. The weather has improved slightly. We’re supposed to get close to 50 degrees tomorrow and there will be sun!! Happy Candlemas to everyone. In Victorian times the last vestiges of the Christmas decorations were removed. Traditionally people light a lot of candles around their houses. We did that for many years to represent Jesus, the Light of the World.
Dear Laura, thanks for sharing this information. The people in the photos are striking.
Dear Jeanne and friends, thanks for your comments. My girls were delighted to be featured in this blog. As requested, I am sharing information about them. The smallest one is a Madame Alexander Happy Birthday doll. I have named her Jeannine. The middle sized one is a Boneka Tuesday’s Child sculpt. I have named her Aletta. The tallest one is a Journey Girl called Chavonne but I have renamed her Sissy.
I loved seeing Charlotte’s pillowcases! These are items that the children will enjoy and then pass along to their children.
Susette thanks for the photography tips. I need inside AND outside tips as I am just one step above cutting off people’s heads (laugh).
Wishing all a wonderful day.
Thanks everyone! I loved sharing the pictures in today’s post… and the link from Susette.
Charlotte, there might be a run on making pillow cases after we saw how cute yours turned out. I think you even got a few wheels spinning for a few ladies here… :o)
Dorothy, thanks for letting us know about your girls… I had no idea the Journey dolls were so adorable… Sissy is a striking doll and I love her hair!
I had to laugh at your comment about your picture taking… “just one step above cutting people’s heads off!” Loved that! :o)
We might see lots of improvement in our picture taking, Susette. I’m going to have to read it again to absorb everything…then try it out!
Deb and me and momma have had a great time. We like Paneras so we’ve been there twice already… and there’s always tomorrow! *wink* It’s been a fun visit of just talking and telling stories and looking at books at Barnes and Noble and finding my mom some new shoes, eating a wonderful pizza from Amy’s called Roasted Vegetable pizza with no cheese. It was OUT OF THIS WORLD! I’m getting another one next week!
We got my mom’s landline phone fixed (by a repairman!) We watched videos of Deb’s grandson… (yes, Deb’s a grandma and I’m not!) We still have tomorrow to play before Deb goes home on Monday… Tomorrow’s the Super Bowl but I’ll probably hang out with Deb and Momma.
Thanks everyone…
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the lovely compliments on my pillowcases and labels. The labels are from http://www.labelweavers.com Service was quite good, and the quality is very nice. I was just thinking they wouldn’t be quite that long!! LOL
Thank you especially for all the prayers for Ron. The x-rays today (taken after he had to drink some contrast) show the bowel obstruction is still there. They put a tube down into his stomach because he was throwing up again, and he said it’s kind of uncomfortable to try to talk with it there. I saw him this afternoon, and he mostly slept; tonight I talked to him on the phone, and he sounded better–and said he felt better, too. Still, we have to wait and see….
I’m hoping there will be some kind of a decision made tomorrow, as to whether surgery will be needed or not. I already have a list of calls I need to make on Monday, cancelling a couple of appointments on Tuesday, and I’m still not sure if I will make it to my smocking guild meeting Monday night.
I’m feeling much better tonight than I was last night–sleep and adequate food both help!!
Oh, Dorothy, thank you for the reply about your dolls. I had forgotten about Journey Girls. Yours is lovely! (And, even though I’m 100% Swedish, I have an A/A version of a Madame Alexander birthday doll, too–but not the same one as you have. Mine has brighter colors in her clothes, and the “Maggie” (smiling) face. She is SO cute!!