I am very behind on answering my emails and (letters) too, so….I thought I’d do it here…I hope you’ll enjoy it… IT WILL FEATURE SOME DOLLS! Aren’t you thrilled already? I hope I haven’t missed anyone… if you sent me pictures and haven’t seen them on here, please let me know… sometimes I get lots of emails all at one time and then when my life gets busy, they somehow get lost.
I received an email from Marilyn’s sister letting me know Marilyn was very appreciative and pleased for all of your kindnesses toward her as she’s been in a rehab facility since around October.
I wrote a check for all the monies collected from the sale of the Vintage Velvet dress and the donations many of you made on behalf of Marilyn. Marilyn liked the idea of ordering something from Harry and David so they ordered a very large Tower of Treats, which Marilyn thinks is fun to receive…and even ordered a sliced ham and some sliced turkey. The Tower of Treats and the meats were delivered to the nurse’s station sometime before Christmas. There was money left over and Marilyn hasn’t decided what to do with the remainder, but I’m sure she’ll let me know when she figures something out. Her sister said she was doing slightly better and her nephew is trying to figure out how to make her computer’s voice dictation program work. She misses everyone… We love you too Marilyn!
Joy sent me some pictures of her newest doll… Sylvia Scarlet. She’s a My Meadow doll and I’m guessing she’s 18″ tall, but not positive. Sylvia wasn’t sure about riding this tricycle…
… so much, in fact, that she decided to give the scooter a try instead… (is that Kit’s scooter, Joy?)
Susette sent me some pictures of her girls dressed up for Chinese New Year. I think it starts today! It’s the year of the Rat…
This is Ivy and isn’t she the sweetest thing in her red Chinese outfit? The rack behind her is for holding paint brushes. Susette used Quake wax to hold the drumstick in Ivy’s hand so she can beat the gong with it.
Next, Ten Ping is dressed in a kimono that Susette made. She looks beautiful, doesn’t she?
Last up is Ivy and American Girl #4, I believe… (The glass screen behind Ivy and #4 was sent to her by her father when he was a civilian with the Army in Viet Nam. (Susette said she doesn’t keep it out very often just in case of an earthquake…California…for those who didn’t remember where Susette lived.)
Now I have 2 things to show you that came in the mail for ME!
Kathie sent me some little velvet vintage Forget Me Knot flowers…I love to use them on my doll hats… Thank you very much Kathie! You’ll probably see them at Easter time! :o) I bought a doll bonnet mold for the Little Darlings a while back but haven’t had a chance to use it yet. I think these flowers just put me in the mood to make one!
I also received a box in the mail today from Becky. She sent me some very vintage lace and as soon as I opened up the box I went, “Oh Oh Oh.” I have this “thing” for lace and this was exquisite. Even with all the holes and stains, I still love it and will find something to do with it. Both pieces must have been used as window valances, because there is a casing on each piece. The narrower piece is over 10 feet long! :o) Rebecca was helping me think of what to use it for… there are some areas that are pretty intact, so I might make a bonnet with part of it or put it on a bodice or maybe just lay it on a table. I love the way it feels in my hands! It’s cotton… my favorite kind!
Thank you Becky!
And last up on this “Catch Up Saturday” is a picture of Navi and the fabric she picked for her dress. She liked that the polka dots were the opposite as what was on the tea set pieces. I guess I better see what I can come up…. :o)
Enjoy your Saturday!
See you Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a wonderful batch of pictures for today’s post!! Thanks to all who sent them!
Yes, Sylvia Scarlet does appear quite uncertain about that trike. Perhaps she took a tumble trying to ride it? That can sometimes scare a child. She’s darling, by the way!
Ivy and TenPing look so festive in their national costumes! I love AG#4’s outfit, too. The screen is lovely, Susette–I can understand why you don’t have it out all the time! Seattle is sort of earthquake country, too, although we’ve never had much damage here from them in the past.
What lovely presents you got! I remember when I was growing up (1950s), those little velvet flowers were used as accents on many things, including doll clothes! I think my Ideal Princess Mary’s formal (which is what she came in–other clothes were either mom-made or dime store purchases) had a little flower or two at the waist, and one of my other dolls had them, too, on something.
The lace is lovely and you have some real possibilities there. From the pictures, it looks like there are some nice big areas with no damage, so I’m sure you’ll come up with some ideas for use! Even some of the smaller areas can be used–over fabric for cuffs, for instance.
I think Navi chose well with her fabric! Can’t wait to see what you make, Jeanne!
So entertaining today in the blog, Jeanne! I find something from everyone that strikes a personal note for me!
First up, Joy’s new doll! Her expression tells it all! How many times did it take for me to get to learn how to ride my bike?? I also had a scooter, but not that kind!! It certainly does tell a little story without any words!
Susette’s dolls are just perfectly adorned in their traditional Chinese garb! If anyone does Chinese or Asian well, it’s Susette! I love those outfits, and actually have the one on the left in the third picture. However, I have Ivy wearing her New Year’s outfit that AG made for her at the moment. I love that two piece outfit, but have a hard time finding one on Ebay. I love all the little accessories that came with it. Her background accessories make the pictures special!
Those flowers!! Yes, yes, yes, I remember them being on all kinds of things too, and even before the 50’s! How about the 40’s? I keep looking for them at all the craft stores, but never are able to find them!
Those lace pieces are beautiful, and are sure to be seen on something you make this year, Jeanne. I too, have lots of pieces of old lace from my mother-in-law, and do use some of them in decorating, but need to clean some too. What do you use to clean old lace?
Navi will look perfectly adorable in that pink polka dotted material! It will be just the thing to showcase her tea set, or maybe the other way around!
It was so good to hear that Marilyn is doing better, and that she had such a nice gift for the nurses! I’m sure they appreciated it and it made Marilyn happy to know that so many people love her and are praying for her.
Hi Linda, The vintage millinery flowers are available on Etsy or Ebay. Years ago I bought I bought a bunch of the spun cotton German mushrooms in the traditional red as well as other colors and a few sizes for Christmas to replace ones we had lost from a sweet seller on Ebay. She had a bunch of new old German made stock of those as well as velvet flowers, and the lacquered della robia fruit ( fortunately, we still had the fruit my grandparents used at Christmastime.
Oh, thank you, Laura! I’ll have to check EBay for them. And the Della Robia fruit! I remember that too! I actually remember having some sugared strawberries on my
Easter hat when small!
Linda D., Martha Pullen always uses Biz. I think somewhere I have a “recipe” for her “Biz Bucket” (which also includes Dreft, as I recall), but just making a solution as directions on the box say, and putting the lace in that will probably suffice. I would start with one piece and soak for the minimum time suggested, then squeeze out the solution, rinse, and lay flat to dry. Compare to the untreated pieces, to see how it works. If it doesn’t get the lace white enough, you can soak a little longer. I think it depends, too, on how fragile the lace is; the more fragile, the less time, I would think. Hope that helps.
Biz works really well as per Charlotte😉 I love it too. I think it comes liquid or powder.
That is a beautiful lace pattern!
Back again…so glad the lace looks usable to you, Jeanne. I too think there are possibilities there, especially with your artistic hands and mind at work. Your thanks is more than received.
The dolls are dressed so beautifully and playfully….the vintage flowers make one’s thoughts leap to more fun clothing under your guidance and the fabric for Navi…well, possibilities surely flow with you Jeanne. I can’t wait to see what you do. You’re such a bright spot in our lives. Thank you so much!
So glad that Marilyn was able to treat her caregivers and good to hear that she has improved a bit. Would be wonderful to hear from her.
Sylvia Scarlet is 18″ and can wear a lot of AG clothes. She has been urging me to pull out one of the many patterns we have around here and get busy. The scooter is not AG, but something I found with another doll at mother in laws old home. Was a Coca Cola set.
I always love to see Susette’s special scenes because of the wonderful details. What a perfect use for that paint brush rack. So fun. That special glass screen is remarkable. One of a kind I’m sure. And Happy New Year to everyone. 🙂
I too remember those flowers. My grandmother added them as an accent to many of the outfits she made for me for my dolls. In fact, I still have a bundle of them in her old sewing stand. Memories. 🙂
The lace is quite amazing. I wonder if it would be possible to remove some of the discoloring? But, as it is, it also has beautiful patina.
Navi looks pretty happy with the dots to match her new tea set. Can’t wait to see her outfit.
Have a great weekend everyone.
So glad for the news of Marilyn, pass along we’re thinking and praying for her.
The lace will be wonderful for a bodice/cuff type overlay. Maybe a matching hat. The flat oval type that gets tied under the chin with a big bows. I’m sure there’s a fashion name but I don’t know it. (And the picture in my mind isn’t labeled, lol!)
BTW you can find the little flowers on eBay. Search for “vintage millinery forget me not flowers” I drool over them all the time.
When I saw the polka dot tea set I thought of that same material, because I have a stash of it too! Couple of colors, lots of sewing to do.
Really enjoy all the shared photos. It’s good to know how “regular” doll people use their imagination. I know my grandkids get inspired when see some of grandma’s unusual finds, a lot like Jeanne at thrift stores.
Have a great play day everyone!
Dear Jeanne, thanks for the dolly “good morning.” Gazing upon beautiful dolls is the best way to begin each day. I can tell that Navi is excited about her new dress. I can’t wait to see what it will be.
Have you had any word from Sarah? I have been thinking about her and hoping she is having a good year in school.
Fun pictures today. So glad to hear that Marilyn is doing a bit better. I’m sure the nurses appreciated her gift. We got a fruit of the month gift one Christmas about 20 years ago and it was a fun gift that kept giving throughout the year.
Congrats on you newest addition, Joy. The scooter is really nice, I’ll bet it’s wood. Kit’s, sadly, is plastic.
Your girls are lovely, Susette. What a beautiful kimono you made. What are the little figures in front? Are they trinkets that use to be in Red Rose Tea? I’ve seen them at the antique store before.
Those velvet millinery flowers are gorgeous. I actually have been eyeing some off and on for Samantha. They are so different from what is available today. My mom has a straw hat she wore for Easter that has some in various shades of pink and a pink velvet ribbon around the crown
What lovely lace Becky sent you, Jeanne. I have a thing for antique lace as well.
Navi will look sweet in the pink polka dots. Looking forward to seeing what you create for her. Even if it’s cold and dreary outside, we can count on you to bring some early spring with beautiful dolly clothing.
The scooter is wood. I always thought Kit’s was too. 🙁
Loved seeing the pictures of everyone’s girl’s.
Joy, I love how you display your girls always. I like how Sylvia Scarlet laid down her tricycle to play with her scooter. She’s a busy girl! Her face is so sweet. She’s very posable straddling her scooter and taking her bear for a ride!! So cute.
And Susette, the outfits got your girls are just beautiful. Especially the props you used. The props are so unique. Wonder what ” year of the rat” entails or means.
What wonderful treasures you’ve received, Jeanne. I know you will have fun deciding where to use them.
Susette, I meant to say what beautiful outfits your girls are dressed in. Sorry about that.
OMG!!!
That lace is exquisitely gorgeous!