I had a busy day today and never made it to my sewing room, so Patsy is still laying on my cutting table waiting for me to get back to her dress. I didn’t want to leave you with nothing so I have a few things to share with you. I hope something makes you smile.
First of all, I need some help for Vicki, who emailed me asking about the Dianna Effner dolls. She’s wanting to know information about these 2 dolls. I told her I would post her request and see if someone on my blog knew anything about these 2 dolls. I don’t.
This is what Vicki wrote to me…
Hello. I have had two Dolls I would love to know more about, they are called Sisters Walk Together, created for Walk for the Cure. They were created by Dianna Effner and issued only for Ashton Drake Galleries. I have the only two edition of them, from 2009..they are Vinyl and ball jointed. I read someplace these were the first Ball Jointed ones she made. I would love to know more and you are one who might know.
Thank you so much, Vicki..
So I responded…
Hi Vicki,
I’m not familiar with these dolls at all, but maybe someone on my blog might know…I’ll post your questions on my blog and see if I get any responses from my readers.
Blessings, Jeanne
She also added this information…
Thank you so much, they have their Certificates and all, I am working in my Doll Room and these
were waiting in the Doll Closet, the Doll world is sure fun isnt it. I am going to be sewing some soon
to, I used to do a lot but no expert, ha. I think I can send you a picture of them,
Take care, Vicki…
SO…does anyone have any information we can pass along to Vicki?
Another tidbit for today…
Jane sent me a picture of Allegra, the doll she was hoping to find the “rounded collar” pattern for. Allegra is a Dianna Effner Little Darling and is as cute as can be…
This picture was the one Nelly Valentino (who painted her) sent Jane when she was all done. Isn’t she gorgeous?
This is the way Jane has her looking today… her wig is from an Etsy shop called zazou custom dolls. I think she’s gorgeous either way…
Jane also told me when things “green up” a bit she’ll send us some pictures of her beef farm in New Zealand. That will be enjoyable for all of us.
Ali, I was going to include the pattern you sent from Marsha of Perfect Patterns but I couldn’t copy it… sorry… it wouldn’t let me click on it to copy and show here.
Let’s see, what else?
Today is Sara’s birthday. Sara who? My little friend from Colombia, South America. Today is her birthday and she is going to be 14!!! How can that be? She was 9 when she arrived here in the U.S. Couldn’t speak any English but now she can carry on a conversation about anything and everything. She is a delight to her parents and is SUPER SUPER talented. Since she’s been here, she’s taught herself to sew, knit, play the piano, draw, she reads books like crazy, and she LOVES to bake. She had never made cupcakes in her life when she came here, but we had a few sessions and she excelled and learned very quickly. Here are a few priceless pictures of her and her mom making cupcakes AND using a mixer for the very first time…
Oh…and I better show a few cupcakes…
I wanted to show you what she made for her dad for his birthday back in February. We were invited over for dinner and cake and I wanted to share this. Edgar is a HUGE soccer fan and this is one of the teams he loves… Barcelona. Sara decided to copy their crest/logo and make her dad a cake. Here is her dad holding up the cake and then a closer shot of that logo. I think Sara did a fantastic job…
Well, I’m heading to bed, early tonight… so that’ll have to be it.
Did something make you smile?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
It seems like I’ve heard/read something about those “Walk for a Cure” Dianna Effner dolls, but can’t remember what it was. Surely Someone on your list will know!
Allegra is beautiful either way. What a difference lighting (and a different wig) can make!! I do like the shorter wig a bit better, I think, but she actually looks more like a “real” girl in the second picture!
My goodness, little Sara is 14 already?! Time surely does fly! Good for her, to make such a special cake for her dad last month!!
No dolly sewing for me yet, but I did finish cutting out that Rare Bear tonight.
Hi Charlotte,
Just now getting to comments…
I hope by the end of the day, someone can help Vicki with her dolls…but not me or you, I guess.
I hope you’re back in your sewing room soon.
I’m sure your girls are patiently waiting.
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I’m afraid I have no information for Vicki, about those cute little dolls. she is lucky to have them though!
And oh my goodness, Jane’s Allegra is just beautiful! Such a winsome little doll, and I like both of her hairdo’s, but the first one the best. She looks like she will be just darling in anything Jane puts on her!
And Sara turning 14 already? One of my granddaughter’s is also turning 14 soon, so I can relate how fast they grow up! Now, those pictures of her baking are from a couple of years ago, right? I recognize your kitchen there in the pictures, they way it used to be! Both your kitchen and Sara have made quite a change! And her mother’s beautiful hands showing in the one picture!
By the way, how about those cupcakes? How in the world did you get them to look like roses, which brings me up to the blue cupcakes you made for that baby shower. You mentioned showing us how, but I’m still waiting! And that cake for her father was just so sweet of her to do. How many of us would even try to accomplish something like that? She has leaned so much here in the USA, thanks to you, Jeanne, for helping her learn!
Hi Linda,
I think Allegra has a beautiful name to go with a beautiful face. I think her little denim dress is pretty cute too.
I am going to try and make a video for how I decorated the cupcakes but I’ll have to enlist Kristoffer’s help to make it happen.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Sara is a super cupcake and cake baker. Not easy to make that logo for the Barcelona team. She is accomplished in so many areas, a beautiful bigger girl now. Happy birthday, Sara.
Enter “Ashton Drake Walk for the Cure Doll” in your Search field and you’ll find more than you ever wanted to know about the dolls. You might add “Dianna Effner” to the end of the title. There is also a site for establishing a value for the Ashton Drake dolls. Hope that helps, quick and easy.
Jane’s Little Darling is adorable. I have the same model with brown eyes like my granddaughter has. The smiling one that I’ve seen on her website always makes me smile, but Riya thought this model looked more like herself. She is the only Little Darling doll I have. Thanks for the interesting post.
Hi Susette,
Sata’s mom, Alba tells me there are bakery shops on just about every corner in Colombia. I keep telling her Sara might have to open up her own shop when she gets back. :o)
I’m going to let Vicki know about the comments today and maybe she can get some answers to her questions.
I’m glad Jane shared Allegra so you could see another doll like yours.
I’m glad you found something to smile about today.
Blessings, Jeanne
delightful post.
The entire post made me smile.
Sara is a beautiful girl and she has the drive for a superb future
The dolls I have never seen, so they must be rare
Jane is beautiful
Thank you Rosemary,
I’m so glad you found today’s post interesting and I’m glad you smiled.
Blessings, Jeanne
Dianna sculpted these dolls for Ashton Drake, who
Had their factory create and paint them for their “Walk For The Cure” Series.
I have a 12” articulated Red Riding Hood from A-D.
They used the photo Dianna gave them of her HAND PAINTED doll in all of their advertising.
There was nothing Dianna could do as she had sold them the molds.
It was very deceptive as the finished dolls looked nothing like Dianna’s of course.
That said… I’ve seen them repainted by some of the Efffner artists and they are beautiful.. the sculpt is wonderful… butvthry must be repainted to realize their true selves:)
Thank you for your information, Shara,
I’m sure Vicki will be thrilled with even a little bit of help…
I’ll make sure she sees your comments.
Blessings, Jeanne
Can’t believe that the cupcake cutie is going to be 14! How time flies.
I believe Shara has an excellent explanation of the Effner/Ashton Drake dolls. I just checked Ebay and there is one listed for $130.00 and one for $300.00. There is also a repaint for $175.00.
Allegra is a lovely LD. So fun to see her different personalities. I probably prefer the shorter wig, but the modern look is cute too. My LD’s are rather perturbed at me as they have been quite neglected. Definitely need some new outfits.
It’s not raining this morning, and it looks like we may have sun. Hard to believe that we must set our clocks ahead this weekend. Time to lose some sleep. 🙂
Hi Joy,
Yes, its had to believe Sara has grown up so quickly! I feel like a proud aunt!!!
My Effner girls are feeling the same way, and when Bailey gets here, look out!!! Yikes!
Oh rats, just when I was enjoying sleep, now it’s less time in bed… :o(
Glad you saw some sun today!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
Thanks for taking time to write…..just your doing that made me smile.
The sweet dolls, sweet Sara, happy Edgar, pretty cupcakes…all worth smiling at…thank you. Hope you had a good sleep.
Blessings
Hi Becky,
I’m a bit late at getting to comments but better now than at 10:00 tonight.
I’m glad you enjoyed todays post with the variety.
I slept pretty well…till 5:30…then I was awake..
Blessings back to you, Jeanne
I tried to find information about the Effner dolls with little success. I found pictures on Google and lots of Ebay entries but very little real information. I tried searching using Diana Effner and with Ashton Drake, each paired with Walk for the Cure and I tried Sisters Walk for the Cure. There are things on Facebook, but I’m not a member, so those who are might try that.
Allegra is a stunner and I especially liked the second picture. Her coloring is lovely.
Sara looks so much like my goddaughter Bella, who is 15, nearly 16, and earns money by being an extra in TV shows. The cake is wonderful. Sara needs decorating tools for her next birthday, but she has a great grasp of proportion and did a great job with the colors. She has a lot of talent and intelligence. I hope she’ll be back for college. Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner from Kenya, did a lot with her American education.
My computer is working today but my nephew says it’s hanging by a thread. I’ve been deleting so much information to get ready for a transfer that I woke up in the night thinking my arm was broken, but it’s only muscle fatigue.
I haven’t had a chance to say how much I like Nyssa in the blue you chose.
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for trying to help Vicki out with the dolls.
Allegra really is a beautiful little doll and I bet Jane spoils her rotten! :o)
Last year I gave Sara a big box of brownie mixes, cake mixes, icing, oven mits, spatulas, etc. She liked it…
I hope your computer hangs on long enough for you to finish getting things transferred and deleted…
Thanks too, for liking Nyssa in blue. :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
For Vicki, Ashton Drake also had an Alice in wonderland of these bjd’s , an Indian series called “little dancing moccasins”. These are all 12”. I have a couple of them and they are fun to sew for and redress. Also the closest I’ll ever get to a real little darling by Dianna. Ashton Drake also made a storybook series that are maybe 13” but have white cloth bodies. Still very cute but not quite the same, sigh . . . I’ve never even seen a real Effner little darling but maybe someday.
Well, Dorothy, if you want to meet a Little Darling in person, we can fix that (laugh).
Hi Dorothy,
…and we have a little more information on the dolls…yay! Thanks!
Maybe you and my “other” Dorothy can get together and have a play date with your dolls.
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne,
Wow, this was Little Darling day on your site. Yeaaaa!
Jane’s Allegra is adorable.
I don’t know anything about the Ashton Drake dolls. Maybe someone on the ning site would know. Juanita is very familiar with the Little Darlings. She might have some information about these dolls.
Your little protegee is growing into a lovely young lady. Is she the one who asked you to teach her how to sew?
Only 55 days until May!
Hi Dorothy,
I’m glad you noticed today was a “darling” day.
Everything I showed was sweet and pretty and hopefully made you smile.
Only 55 days till Spring? I think I can hold on for that long!
Blessings, Jeanne
Sara is a pretty amazing young lady and a real go-getter. She is truly blessed to have the opportunity to come here and take advantage of all the opportunities. She’s definitely not wasting time. And she’s becoming quite the baker. Her Dad’s cake is truly and ambitious project and she excelled at it.
Allegra is a truly beautiful doll. Lucky you Jane. And I love her adorable outfit.
I never heard of the Ashton-Drake Walk for the Cure Dianna Effner dolls. But then I only learned about the Dianna Effner LDs in the past few years. Dianna Effner did the sculpt for Jo Flitton’s 8″ Heartstring dolls and it was through them that I learned about the Little Darling dolls. I thought the Heartstring dolls had such sweet faces and wanted to see what the bigger dolls looked like. I found them irresistible.
Dorothy, I hope some day you get to not only see an Effner Little Darling but own one. I have two, one by Geri Uribe and one by Magalie Dawson. I had no hope of getting one actually painted by Dianna because every time I checked she was not taking orders, but the others are trained by her and do beautiful work themselves. It takes so long to get them (two years for my Geri Uribe LD) that, once I made the down payment, I was able to save a little every month for the final payment. Magalie Dawson’s are a little more expensive but you get a cute outfit designed by Magalie (and she is really good) along with the doll so it was well worth it.
Hi Barbara,
Sara certainly hit the ground running when she arrived here, didn’t she? She is truly a remarkable young lady and I’m so glad we are friends.
I hope Dorothy gets a Little Darling one of these days too. They are really special a’s l dolls. I waited 3 years and 3 months for Emmie from Lana Dobbs. It was awful waiting that long, but worth the wait.
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
That was a fun post.
Love little Sara as a cook and her pink cupcakes are beautiful! 14 already and still a sweet girl. Her Dad’s birthday cake was amazing…that was a hard logo to copy!
If Vicki would go to Diana’s webpage I’m sure one of her staff would answer her questions…they are so friendly and nice. I had to contact them this week for almost the same thing.. I had an 8 inch Dianna Effner designed doll that I thought was a Boneka..but Boneka said they did not make any 8 inch. So that’s when I went to Effners staff and turns out it was a Heartstring doll…they knew right away so I’m sure they would help.
OMGOSH Allegra is outstanding. Nellie does a great job…she painted one of mine. Wow
Well…another 5 inches of snow last night….rain Saturday turning to snow and more next week. We have to send that groundhog to another country to retire. Everytime ( and I only remember 3) he predicts an early spring this happens. Stay warm girls!
Kathie, which Heartstring do you have? I started collecting them and have a Jackie and a Grace and wanted more, but Jo has had health issues and is no longer selling the dolls. She is hoping someone will buy the Heartstring business. They are the most adorable little dolls and Jo was amazing at dressing them. She still sells the clothes, but is not adding anything new to the line, so I guess when she runs out of fabric for each one, she will eventually close down entirely. The Heartstring community used to be a large one with lots of pictures of our dolls in different situations, but the Yahoo site, while still there, has had no comments for a few years and the Facebook page has not had any activity for about two years or more. So sad.
Hi Kathie,
I’m so happy you enjoyed today’s tidbits.
Vicki will certainly be able to find out more if she takes your advice. Thanks for mentioning it…
So sorry to hear about the extra snow you received. Dorothy says it’s only 55 days till Spring…hang in there!
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m late tonight, but hoping what I’ve got to add will be worth it. : ) Charlotte, I hope your arm heals up very fast! Glad to hear you are able to do some pattern cutting! I hurt my left arm back in early December and I’m blessed to have about 60% range of motion back in my fingers now. Thank God. I’m working hard with OT now and hope to get it back to 100%. I can only type a short time, so let me get to this…Sorry you couldn’t copy the pic Jeanne, but I have a solution. Windows 7 and now 10 have built in a little program called Snip it. Using that, you can copy literally anything that shows on your monitor. If you have a little icon in your task bar that looks like a pair of scissors, It’s already been done, so just click on that, select what you want on the page and save it. It’s simple. To activate Snip it, do this:
Select the Start button, then type snipping tool in the search box, and then select Snipping Tool from the list of results.
It will install itself and put the scissors icon at the bottom of your screen in the task bar. I don’t think I can send the link, but the instructions are on the Microsoft website, so you can Google “Snip it” and choose the link from Microsoft. Happy copying!! : )
Love and Hugs, Ali
HI Ali,
I’m sorry about your arm… both you and Charlotte are having to work hard to get to sew, aren’t you? I hope your OT works quickly for you, although arm muscles can be somewhat stubborn.
Actually the picture you sent me never came through. It wasn’t that I just couldn’t get it, I never even saw it… It was just a gray square with some words in it. But I will make note of what you say about the little scissors and see if I can make it work sometime… You certainly are pretty computer savvy! Much more than me!
Have a wonderful tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
How lovely to see Miss Sara busy with her cupcake creations. Busy busy little hands with not a cellphone in sight. A rare thing.
The thing that made me smile was the delighted and very proud Edgar. A very special cake – Azul y Rojo son nuestros colores. Futbol Barcelona.
(Football mad grandson)
HI Jane,
I see Edgar isn’t the only one soccer crazed! I’m glad you enjoyed seeing the pictures of Sara and her dad in the same post. She’s really a sweet little girl, who just might change the world with her kindness!
Thanks Jane,
Blessings, Jeanne