Linda mentioned in her comment the other day that Samantha could be sitting down at a pretty decorated table where they were serving watermelon. I knew instantly that was a better color to describe this dress but I had already mentioned the name would be “Coral Cascade” and I had a really hard time coming up with something to go with “Watermelon” anyway… These were a few I had to pass on… you’ll see why…
Winning Watermelon
Winsome Watermelon
Welcoming Watermelon
Wearable watermelon
Wishful in Watermelon
Warmhearted Watermelon
Wayfaring Watermelon
Wayward Watermelon
Waking Watermelon
…and my personal favorite (NOT) Weird Watermelon.
So I just kept the name “Coral Cascade” and mentioned in my listing that the color was more of a watermelon color than the coral in the title. I hope that works out okay in the end.
If you’d like to see the Ebay listing where Samantha looks divine in her new dress, click HERE or click on her picture at the right side bar.
Here are a few of our pictures from the Ebay “shoot!”
I made her sash from some antique looking cream wired ribbon and pretied a bow at one end. All the winner has to do is hook the Velcro ends of the sash together and it can be worn in the front, on the side, or in the back. Just put the bow wherever you like. Or leave the sash off altogether. :o)
I didn’t have any ribbon “watermelon” color, and I didn’t want to have 2 big cream bows with this set, so I made a cloth hair bow from the fabric. It has a snap clip underneath…
We debated about what to use for an accessory and Samantha said she’d like to have a purse. So we just made something simple from off white wool felt and decorated it just a bit.
I absolutely forgot to take pictures of Nellie in this dress for my listing… I had it already on before I remembered…and NOW, I’ve forgotten her again for this post. I hope you won’t mind if I show her in the dress maybe tomorrow. I can’t believe I forgot her. I had her standing right beside where we were taking pictures.
Well, Nyssa’s dress sold and will be shipped off, but sadly (for me…not Caroline!), her dress didn’t sell the second time around. (I think this is the first time ever for me to have that happen!) Soooooo, I listed it in my Etsy shop. You can see it HERE. Or you can click on the little thumbnail picture of it shown first in those 9 little pictures at the right side bar under “Listed in my Etsy shop.”
Well, it’s been a long day for me… we have about 1″ of new snow and it’s VERY cold here today. It’s 18 degrees right now and the wind chill makes it feel like 3 degrees! BBRRRR!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
What an adorable outfit this turned out to be! I think my favorit parts are the hair bow and the purse–just the perfect accessories!!
I have been reading your blog every night but haven’t taken time to reply before this; as you may recall, I was down at the Sewing and Stitchery Expo for three days. What fun! I took three classes, and learned qiute a bit, also did some shopping (of course!), and met up with a number of friends. All in all, a good time. I got home about 4 yesterday afternoon.
However, last night I fell and inutred my right shoulder (and of course–I am Very right-handed!), so today after church and lunch, my husband Ron took me up to a walk-in clinis. No broken bones, but they want me to see an orthopedic doctor, and he/she will determine if there’s any soft-tissue damage (such as a torn rotator cuff). So , mostly I have a dull pain all the time; otherwise, when I move certain ways, it really Hurts!
I’m hoping I’ll be able to do a little sewing, but it will have to depend on whether I can even do much! I know, my girls are getting anxious!!
Hi Charlotte – So glad you enjoyed your time at Expo but sorry to hear of your fall. Praying your injury is minor and you will be better than new in no time. Leigh
Thank you, Leigh!
Thanks for your compliments on Samantha’s dress, Charlotte. I think my new Samantha is SO very pretty… much prettier than my other one.
I hope you’ll share some tidbits from what you learned at Expo. Inquiring minds want to know… :o)
Oh, I’m so sorry you fell and hurt your shoulder… I hope you’re up and back to normal very soon… translation…up and sewing soon!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Sorry to hear about your fall. I’m praying it is just a torn muscle, which is painful enough, and not more serious damage.
Really sorry about your fall and subsequent injury. Thank goodness it didn’t happen before or during your sewing expo. I know it is s highlight for you. Hopefully it won’t limit your ability to type.
Oh what a beautiful finish to Samantha’s dress, Jeanne! Such a refreshing breath of spring! I too love the pretty bow at the waist, the darling purse and hair bow!
Too funny, reading all the Watermelon names that didn’t work out very well! Watermelon is kind of hard to put into a title for a doll dress anyway, but I will admit, when you first showed the picture of the material, I thought it looked exactly like watermelon!
So you got one inch, and we got two! Now comes the deep freeze, of dear! I will say it was pretty coming down, and afterwards, when the sun came out and things sparkled, but next comes the melting, and not soon enough!
Oh no, Charlotte, I hope things improve with your arm!
Thanks Linda,
I’m gla you like how Samantha’s dress turned out. We both like it too!
It really is the color of watermelon…such a pretty color… I think it’s one of those colors that anyone can wear…
Yesterday was my sister in law, Gloria’s, birthday, and guess where they went? To the Orchid show like you did. She sent me some wonderful pictures like yours were. What a pretty place to visit on such a snowy day!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Samantha’s dress is so sweet. The color is just perfect for her and really shows off her coloring. I really like how you designed the cuffs and the lace treatment on the cuffs and bodice really adds to the dress. As always, your added touches complete the outfit ie hair bow & purse. Great Job!
A VERY chilly 8 degrees this am here in MI but no new snow and the sun is out. I think I am going to work on tidying up my sewing / craft room – when it looks nicer I’ll call it a studio (ha).
I call my sewing room my sewing “studio”. That’s so it doesn’t become the junk room. That seems to have been relegated to my “study”.
Hi Leigh,
Thank you for your kind words on Samantha’s dress. So far, everyone seems to like it. To be super authentic I really should h as ve hemmed it slightly shorter, but I just loved the way the skirt hung, so I left it…
I hope you got lots done in your sewing “studio!”
Blessings, Jeanne
The Watermelon Dress is lovely. I especially like the finish on the cuffs. I have a suggestion for a website that one might use for reference: The Gilded Age Society. It has fashions as well as many other categories from The Golden Age including furnishing as well as houses, jewelry and pictures of ancestors. One can check out just the pictures by clicking on Pictures on the left column on the website. Hope Charlotte is better quickly. Sorry that happened.
Hi Susette
I’ll check out the pictures…you never know what will inspire you! Thanks for the info!
Fashions, decorating….fun!!!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Kind off of the subject, but how is the cabinet painting coming along? I know it will be a big job, but the after effect will be tremendous. 🙂
Now that this dress is complete, has the next creation been decided? Guess I’m cold, but was thinking of maybe a sleeping bag/nightwear for the Meadow Dumplings. That would be cute. 🙂
Had yet more rain last night. Was it supposed to rain? Didn’t think so, but there the deck was all wet this morning. We are supposed to have at least a day of dryness before yet another storm moves in tomorrow, but upon looking out the window, appears very cloudy. So much for the northern CA weather report. Hope it warms up for you and Linda and anyone else in a cold zone.
Very sorry to hear of Charlotte’s fall and shoulder injury. Hope it is just bruised and heals quickly.
Guess we need to pick up come corned beef at Costco. Not too long until St. Paddy’s Day. 🙂
Hi Joy,
Too many things have been in the way for painting, but I haven’t forgotten!! It will get done!
I saw that the Bailey Dumplings invoices were going to go out next week…so maybe in s few weeks I’ll be sewing or her…of course I ordered mine blank so I’ll have to paint her face first… I need to look at some Baileys that I like to prepare myself…
I think Patsy is next on my list…so a little girl next time…
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh that is good because most of Patsy’s outfits fit the Meadow Dumplings. 🙂
I am just now deciding on fabric for Patsy…
I love this dress for Samantha! The color is gorgeous.
I’ve been debating if I should say this because I don’t like to criticize an artist (and you are!) But I wonder if you did another photo shoot of the Regency Dress. One thing that really stood out to me was the dark gray background. For some reason it seemed to just suck all the color out of the dress and made Caroline’s face look washed out. Also, maybe a close up of the sleeves and the back. Anyway, these are just some thoughts.
By the way, it’s -1 at my house in Denver.
I’m having the same problem today with spelling: “Guilted” instead of “Gilded.” Sorry, it must be catching, Debi.
Hi Debi,
Don’t ever be afraid to say what you think…I just might give your idea of a different backdrop a try. I have it on Etsy so I’ll see what happens there, and if nothing, I’ll be following your advice.
I hope it’s warmed up a bit for you today! We are cold and it was -6 this morning with the wind chill, but it’s slightly warmer now.
Thanks Debi,
Blessings, Jeanne
Lovely dress, and I really do love the color whatever you want to call it. I was really surprised by the bow at the waist. Made me smile. I’m big on hairbows and this one is especially nice made out of the same fabric as the dress. The little purse is sweet. What stitch did you use for your edging? I’m glad Nyssa’s dress has a taker and I’m sure some lucky person will buy Caroline’s dress soon.
Charlotte I’m sorry about your shoulder. After I had my car accident a few years ago, it left me with a sore right shoulder because the car rolled a few times and the seatbelt jerked my shoulder every time it rolled. I still have problems with it from time to time, but surgery is not necessary, at least not yet. A massage every now and then helps a lot and I use RealTime pain relief, which my son and daughter-in-law sell, and it works wonders. Works great for sciatica too. Hope you are feeling much better soon.
I did not comment Saturday. I had to go to an Altar Guild meeting at church and while I was in Katy, where my church is located, I decided to pop into Houston for some retail therapy. I shopped till I dropped. Then I stopped by Bamboo Massage in the mall for a much needed back, neck and shoulder massage (I’ve been sewing a lot lately). I left at 8:30 a.m. and got home at around 4:30 p.m. I was either so exhausted from shopping or so relaxed from the massage, whichever, I ended up taking a two-hour nap and did not look at the blog till long into the evening.
I read the comments Saturday night but felt it was too late to put in my two cents, but I wanted to comment on Jane’s comment about aging. Basically, enjoy what you do have while you still have it. I’m 72 and very blessed to be in good health with no arthritis or other things to deal with. While I don’t move like I used to, I have no mobility issues, so I’m thankful every day. I have aches and pains more than I’d like, but I deal with them when they occur and move on. I always believed you should do what you can no matter what age. I took my first piano lesson at the age of 66, as well as my first voice lesson. I’ve been singing all my life but I always wanted to play piano and never had the opportunity so an opportunity came my way and I snatched it up. We inherited my mother-in-law’s beautiful spinet so I was good to go. I took for four years and I still play every day. While I don’t have the energy I once had (I wish), I still have enough to get done what I need to and do what I want to.
Now for the weather. It’s still winter here in southeast Texas. It was 32 at 8 a.m. this morning and 33 around noon. Not much of a change. I don’t even know the wind chill, but it’s significant. Sun off and on. And tomorrow is supposed to be colder. In 1898 I think, Houston had 20 inches of snow. Hard to imagine living here then without central heating. But never fear Spring is returning later this week with temps in the 70s. Can’t wait to see what’s up for next week.
Hi Barbara.
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing my bows today.. both of them. The stitching on the purse is just one on my machine…it’s like an applique stitch or a blanket stitch, only slanted slightly.
I liked your take on shopping… “retail therapy.”
It always works like charm, doesn’t it?
I hope to just keep going and doing whatever I can for as long as I can. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Oh. The 70’s sound divine! The 30’s…not so much!!
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a lovely new frock Samantha has on. The color is gorgeous and I love the style, especially the lace detail on the bodice and sleeves. She looks ready for a day of shopping. The watermelon names are too funny… wayfaring watermelon is my favorite.
Such a shame that Caroline’s dress didn’t sell. I hope you have better luck on Etsy. Hopefully, it won’t dissuade you from sewing for her again soon.
Hope you arm gets on the mend soon, Charlotte.
Hi Laura,
Thank you for the sweet words on Samantha’s dress. I’m glad you like it… I love the way it makes her look so pretty. It’s nice to have a pretty doll to model for me.
Well, it’s a mystery to me as to why Caroline’s dress didn’t sell…I will sew for her again, but just need to get it right next time…I had a lot of time tied up in that one… If it doesn’t sell in Etsy, I might take new pictures of he with her hair down and use as different background.
Thanks Laura
Blessings, Jeanne
Samantha’s new dress looks lovely on her. I’m glad you went with the name Coral Cascade. Those watermelon names weren’t really working. It’s really a pretty dress and needs an appropriate name. I still like those cuffs, and the bow at the waist is the perfect touch.
It’s cold here—or I should say cold for South Texas. There is a freeze forecasted for tonight. I had to wear a coat to work today! My dogs are enjoying the cold temps are are racing around like wild animals, but I am ready for it to warm up.
Thank you very much for your kind comments on Samantha’s dress. Yea…those watermelon names were pretty awful.
Pretty soon, we’ll all be sweating and this cold weather will be a distant memory…
Reuben does the same thing when he goes outside…he dashes around all the bushes and chases after the birds…
Thanks Carolyn
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the way the watermelon dress has come together. It is gorgeous.
‘Wonderful Watermelon’
I can’t believe Caroline’s dress was not snapped up. Looking at the listing, may I suggest it possibly is too much Caroline, and not enough about the dress. Try the dress on a ‘plainer’ doll, with less beautiful hair.
Weather here in my part of N.Z. is beautiful. Morning mist, bright sunny days with no wind, clear night skies, but we are praying for rain.
HI Jane,
I was just getting ready to head to bed and I saw you had commented. Thanks for your kind compliments on Samantha’s new dress AND on Caroline’s dress. I think if I do list it again on Ebay, I’ll take different pictures with Caroline’s hair down… maybe people couldn’t envision their doll in the dress because they couldn’t do a fancy hair do… who knows.. I’m not stressing over it.
Okay, that’s it… I’m ready to move to NZ! I pray you get your rain and soon!
Thanks Jane,
Blessings, Jeanne