HI everyone,
I never made it to the comments yesterday… it was a busy day, even for someone with a wonky foot and hand. We went to see my mom and take the caretakers some more cookies. Yes, I did a little baking using a stool in the kitchen… I was pretty proud of myself! Then my hubby wanted to take me somewhere… so he wheeled me around in the kiddy wheelchair in a farm store here in town. (I think he was “secretly” giving me ideas for Christmas!) Truth be told, Rebecca was off today, and she was shopping in another town for her dad…(for me)… We were having secret “texts” fly back and forth several times today. Then when we got home I had to put my foot up… my hubby was in a talkative mood so I didn’t spend any time on my phone answering comments.
A few people asked if I had ever sewn for a boy doll before…and I never have. But the funny thing was, right before I took time to read all the comments a little while ago, I was on Ebay for just a few minutes. I hadn’t looked at the Effner Little Darling dolls in a while and wondered what was new…well, the third auction that had been newly listed was a boy doll just the Little Darling’s size. I think he’s one of the Mini Maru Pals dolls. I didn’t open up the listing, but I did spend a few seconds wondering about how things sell for him. Then I moved on… because I don’t think any of you have boy dolls, except maybe Joy, who has 2 Meadow boys. At one time I had considered looking at American Girl dolls who had been changed into boy dolls.
A friend of mine, Kathy, has the sweetest, or maybe the most handsome boy dolls of anyone I know… I’ll add a link here to her Etsy shop. She does a phenomenal job of sewing for the boys… and the girls too.
I’ll include a link to her Etsy shop. She doesn’t have anything listed right at the moment, but go over to the side and click on her sales… You’ll see plenty of beautiful dresses and handsome boys things too…
I think it was Joy who asked about the trim on the red dress with the black corduroy collar…
That is just some trim I had, Joy. It was an absolute perfect match to the color of the dress. The pattern is one I have… I’ll have to see if I can find it on Etsy…that’s where I got it.
Here it is… click on this link to see the pattern. It’s by the 2nd Life Mercantile.
The 2nd Life Mercantile Pattern
Laura added some comments at the bottom about the American Girl dolls… if you want to go back and read them, you can. She is our “resident Historical” dolly reader! Thanks Laura.
Here is yesterday’s post… I’ve made lots of Christmas doll dresses
And as promised, here is Reuben. Rebecca was wrapping presents and bringing them in the living room and putting them on a little chest I have sort of in the corner. We aren’t putting up a Christmas tress this year, so we are stacking things on the chest and putting them in the drawers to keep them all in one place. When Rebecca left, Reuben got up on the end of the couch and put his head down on the armrests and it looked just like he was dreaming of what might be in those packages…
Well, I’m going to call it quits… We’ll finish that Christmas dress slide show, but just not today…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne, what a sweet picture of Rueben! I have always thought that animals bring out the very best in us, and I can see a sense of wonderment and innocence in this sweet picture, that never goes out of style! That would even make a cute Christmas card!
I know that many do like boy dolls, bur I really don’t care much about them, because I prefer pretty dresses, curls and dainty little accessories. Also, I guess I am prejudiced , but I came from a family of 4 girls, and no boys, so boys were somewhat foreign to me! I never felt they had any fun because they never had pretty clothes and dolls to play with! I quickly came around when I had my son!
I am glad to hear you are able to get around somewhat, not just sitting and pining away! Christmas will come no matter what, it’s what we make of it.
Laura is a treasure trove of wonderful information! Thank you Laura for those attachments for us to look at. My daughter was in high school and not interested in dolls in 1986, but somehow I received the first catalog that American Girl mailed out, and I was hooked then, but didn’t get into it for myself until later on when her daughters received Bitty Babies.
Well, it is time to start my day and get going. Shopping is almost done, house needs a once over before the big day, and the snow is melting! Too bad it won’t be a white Christmas, but we had our white all this week, so I guess we should be thankful for that!
Hi Linda,
Reuben got a quick haircut from my hubby this morning. He ws getting pretty wooly looking!
I will probably just keep swing girlie clothes, so I don’t have to buy “boy material.” But I have been intrigued with them for awhile.
Yes, Laura is a wonderful treasure to have with us…she knows so much nd when you have a question about the AG dolls, historical or not, she either knows the answer or can find it.
I hope you get all you shopping and cleaning and baking finished. It’s funny but I’d LOVE to mop my kitchen floor or wash my windows from the ouside…but *alas* that won’t be happening, and I’ve come to terms with it..
I’m just looking at what I “can” do and forgetting the rest. I had cleaned my house pretty well when we had company about 2 weeks ago, so I’m okay with it.
Thanks Linda
Blessings, Jeanne
I have a few boys…. 1 Hitty size, 2 10″ Bleuette boys, 2 12″ kish, and 1 14″ Kish. 🙂 They are in the ‘minority’, but, loved. I know they feel like I did, growing up, I had 5 brothers. 😀
Hi Mary,
You had brothers growing up and Linda had sisters! Congrats on having so many boys. You sound like you really enjoy them!
Blessings, Jeanne
Rueben is so cute in that picture. What kind of dog is he?
I have started a t-shirt for my boy doll who is named Zeke. I finally bought him an outfit because I did not have one single article of clothing he could wear! The only pants I have are flowered or pink. My plan is to replicate some of the things I made for my son when he was small and still willing to wear what I made. I finally got a wig trimmed to were I like it and it has similarities to Son’s hair.
I had a couple things to finish sewing for Hubby and Son that I planned to do today. Well guess what? Hubs took today off! I might get away with working on it a little bit otherwise it’s wait till Monday! I do not do the last minute thing but here we are!
Hi Julia,
Reuben is a miniature Schnauzer. He looks somewhat better this morning….my hubby gave him a quick haircut..
When you get Zeke finished, please share some pictures with us. We’d like to see him.
I hope you found some sewing time today…my thumb is still too sore to use a pair of scissors, but I wish I could join you.
Hopefully, I’ll be back to it soon..
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
Looks to me like you do have a tree near the gifts pile. Why not add a string of LED battery mini lights? It would be beautiful.
Reuben is adorable. Looks like he is patiently waiting for Santa. Reminds me of our long gone pup Pete who was known to sneak into the living room and pull out a gift when we were absent. He always knew which one was his and never touched any of the others. 🙂
Now, I can see the perfect match ribbon on the red dress. Great idea. And thank you so much for the pattern reference. Definitely need that one. Of course, I will probably try to resize it, but it is such a great pattern. Would be an adorable skating outfit with a shorter skirt too. 🙂
And yes, I have boy dolls. The Meadow boys, several Natterer, Mini Maru, and my Tonner boys. They would love some more outfits.
Hi Joy,
I do have a couple strings if battery operated lights…so I might have George go upstairs and get them…it’s a ficus tree and it might look kind of festive! I can use all the help I can get!
That is such a cute story about Pete pulling out ONLY his presents!!
Resizing that pattern to the Little Darlings would be wonderful.i might have to try that for a Valentine dress. Thanks for the hint…
I knew you had boys and like how you mix them in with your girls.
Blessings, Jeanne
What an adorable picture of Reuben. I agree that it would make a wonderful Christmas card.
A big thank you to Laura for her AG doll information. I will definitely be checking out those sites. I really want to be more “in the know”. While I might not participate in the conversations re AG dolls I still would like to know at least what people are talking about.
Thanks to Charlotte for empathizing regarding my “can’t seem to get things finished” situation. Part of it is I guess my own fault. Between my Jacquie Lawson Cotswold Advent Calendar and wanting to see what each day brings (if you don’t have one definitely check it out for next year – the theme changes each year and you can still get the previous ones) and chatting on the blog, I’m in my jammies longer than I should be and slower getting started with my day. My whole day today is reserved for finishing Christmas preparations. I’ll just work faster when I get to it.
I do not have any boy dolls but I think that’s because I love making girl clothes. But I did sew for both my son and daughter when they were growing up until their wearing attire became solely jeans and t-shirts. I loved sewing for both.
Glad you’re feeling up to blogging as best you can. You’re level of importance in the life of your readers is greater than you can imagine. It’s definitely a special community and it’s you who bring us together. No pressure here. lol
Hi Barbara,
I’m glad you enjoyed what Laura shared… she really knows her facts when it comes to the American Girl dolls.
I have too many things that take up my time too… before I started my blog, I used to make and sell between 80 and 125 doll dresses a year…that really slowed down when I started writing my blog…oh well…
I’m so happy you enjoy the blog and check in each day to see what everyone is up to…
Thank you Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, what a lovely photo of Reuben. I understand that Pets Magazine is going to make him “Dog of the Year.” (chuckle)
I asked about boy dolls because I was curious. I have a Chatty Baby Brother (Chatty Cathy’s sibling). I have his twin sister and, of course, Chatty Cathy herself. These dolls have their original clothing and I don’t re-dress them.
I kind of think of dolls as “girls,” which makes no sense but there you have it.
I can’t wait to see what Santa will leave under your tree. I have it, first hand, that you are on the “nice” list!
Hi Dorothy,
Reuben…Dog of the Year? I doubt that. He had to wear a muzzle this morning while my hubby was clipping him. He has lots of quirks that would put him down a notch or two…or 50!! But we love him!! :o)
I had no idea Chatty Cathy had a brother…you taught me something today.
Oh, goody…I’m glad you’ve heard I’m kn the “nice” list…I’d hate to be on the naughty one!!
I think you’re on the nice list too!! :o)
Thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I just ordered the pattern and it’s like a sewing class with tips for different techniques. Example: Do the snips on a curve alternately on the collar and the lining to reduce the bulk. It was my first favorite dress and may get me to sewing for dolls again.
Reuben is so cute. I’m looking forward to visiting Max, my son’s family’s golden doodle even though he did chew the hand off my first Ten Ping doll when he was a puppy. He liked watching me iron when I was making new covers for some stools.
Hi Susette,
I’m glad you bought the pattern… I can’t think of anything I changed on the pattern to give you any extra tips.
I remember that story about Max chewing Ten Ping’s finger…I was just sick over it and I’m sure you were much more.
Happy Sewing to you!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne the Mini Maru dolls are great. I just got Hannah Grace with the new body/ So nice as theolder body was a softer vinyl but new one is a harder material and I love her
Hi Lynn,
Congratulations on your new Mini Maru doll. Hannah Grace. I bet she was thrilled to join your family!
Thanks for letting us know about the new body vinyl…
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you so much for all the sweet compliments on my knowledge. I thought the combination of dolls, historically correct clothing and accessories with books was just an amazing thing when I first saw a catalog. I used to buy some things for my daughter’s collection when she was just starting because I liked them. I should have just gotten things for myself also.
That picture of Reuben is adorable. He has a look of wonderment as Linda observed and anticipation. I completely agree that animals bring out the best in us/ I can’t imagine a life without them. Tow of my favorite animal quotes are- “Pets are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole” and “A house is no a home until pet hair covers everything”. I saw a very funny one on a kitchen towel recently, “Pet hair is a condiment in my kitchen”.
I don’t have any boy dolls either because, like Linda, I love dresses, ribbons, ruffles, lace and all the girly accessories. A boy doll would require a complete other wardrobe and that cost is prohibitive. I do love your friend Kathy’s tails and top hat outfit and well as the Colonial one. If I had a boy doll he would represent a few eras and would require clothes to match. i would have him be Colonial, pioneer (think Almanzo), Civil War ( brother to one of my Civil War cousin doll), Edwardian, and Great Depression. If I could sew well and fast enough, it might be tempting.
Hi Laura,
I meant every word I said about you…you really do surpass the average person and their knowledge of the AG dolls. It’s nice to have you here!
I liked your quotes about pets…fortunately, Schnauzer’s don’t shed…so we don’t have to worry about that.
I look st all my flowered and pink fabric and wonder if I have “anything” that would work for a boy doll… not much, I’m afraid…
I just watched an episode of Little House and Almanzo was in it…( what a heart throb)
I love Kathy’s Colonial and period outfits too!.
Thanks Laura
Blessings, Jeanne