Wednesday we lost someone very dear in the doll world. It was reported on facebook that Dianna Effner, the artist who sculpted the Little Darlings and many other dolls had passed away. The messages left by hundreds and hundreds of people who knew her was just incredible. She truly touched more lives than she ever knew. I found this video of her singing “Wildflowers” with her daughters and some other young girls and it is nothing short of angelic… I hope you’ll take a minute and listen to her soft and beautiful voice. She was talented in more ways than just with dolls. She will be missed.
I had already planned to show Anne’s quilts and decided 2 beautiful things in one post was okay… I hope you’ll enjoy scrutinizing Anne’s work and enjoy what her hands created. I’ll let her do the commentating about the pictures…
This one was our guest judges quilt. It was stunning!
These were some of the winning quilts… I tried to make them enlarge so you could see the stitching but the pictures wouldn’t let me change them.
These are my two quilts. The second picture is my challenge entry, I called it Peace in the Valley. The third picture is the list of items we had to include in the quilt. I wish you could see them up close… you’ll have to use the ctrl and the + sign to make them enlarge…
Maybe take a minute or two and see if you can find all the things listed in her quilt… I think I did pretty well… :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I was also a fan of Diana Effner. I “discovered” at least 12 years ago at a UFDC CONVENTION. She had her dolls on display and I looked at their prices—stunned, knowing that I wouldn’t be able to afford them. She also had wig forms for sale. I didn’t buy them either. I had akready tried one before I moved to Missouri. I was happy that she lived so close to me . She invited me to come to see her but I didn’t make it.
I ordered one of the first Little Darlings that she made and I have loved her for years. I have four of them now. I also attended one of her UFDC Lincheons and got her two offerings for that—“A Little bit Country “ and “A Little Bit Rock and Roll.” These dolls are more like statues than play dolls, but they are in my display case.I also have several of her Boneka dolls, maybe five or so.I I was so sad to read that she had passed away. At first I didn’t believe it, but it is true. I know she was loved and respected By many doll collectors. I will pray for her family.
Diana Jenness
Hi Diana,
If you ever received ONE of Dianna’s dolls, it was truly a wonderful gift, wasn’t it? I have 4 Little Darlings as well, but only one from Dianna. But they were all sculpted by her so she is in each of my dolls just a little bit! :o)
Thanks Diana,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, I saw the sad news about Dianna on FB this afternoon. I wish I could have taken a class with her, or at least met her! I do have two LDs that she painted, so I’m glad for that, plus several other dolls whose molds she sculpted (Boneka, RRFF, etc.). My deepest sympathy to her family, and prayers for comfort in this time of loss.
What lovely quilts! Thanks, Anne, for sharing pictures. I love both of yours, by the way. The row by row one reminds me a little of the round robin quilts my former quilt guild used to do. We had such fun!! And your challenge quilt–I just Love it!! And I think I found everything in the challenge, although I’m not quite sure about the ribbon. The fence, perhaps? There are several things it could be, but even enlarging it, I couldn’t quite tell for sure on that.
Speaking of which, I still have several of the above-mentioned round robins that I really should get quilted and finished! Might be wintertime projects for me!
HI Charlotte,
Just a few days ago I was going to email her about some advice on the little dollies for the dolls I was making… I didn’t and now wish I had… :o( She had emailed me a couple of times and asked if I would be interested in making the tiny dolls and letting people know how they were put together. I never could perfect them so I was still in the trials of figuring them out when my hubby got sick and I had to change gears…
thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
XRX, the publishers of knitting books and magazines, calls it’s work/audience “the knitting universe.” It reminds me that we all live in a bunch of universes; where we and our associates have a body of knowledge and interests that people around us don’t share. Diana Effner was, like Jeanne is, one of the stars in the doll universe. We’ll miss her and her talent. Once we discussed, by email, how old the LD’s were. I said I thought of mine as about 10 or in 6th grade, when we begin to see how big and interesting the world is. She said she had that age in mind. Of course our dolls are ours and can be whatever we, and they, choose.
Anne, the quilts are wonderful. Piecework magazine has had articles about the needlework of the women of Australia and New Zealand and their long tradition of excellence. Your pictures certainly demonstrate that. Thanks for telling us about the quilts and sharing the pictures.
HI Marilyn,
Thank you for the compliment of thinking I’m one of the stars of the universe… I don’t think so… I’m just someone who LOVES to sew and make dolly things… and share what I know with others…that’s what I’ve always this blog to be about…
No stardom needed… just friendships around the world! :o)
I knew everyone would enjoy Anne’s quilts… weren’t they wonderful… I think Anne really knows her stuff!
Blessings, Jeanne
Sadness at the passing of such a talented beautiful person, and joy at seeing the workmanship and intricacies of quilting. May peace rein in the valley. It is a wonderful work of art.
Thank you Joy,
So sorry Coco has passed on to her next mommy… I hope you enjoyed hosting her… you’ll have to give me your honest opinion on what she was like…
Blessings, Jeanne
So sad about Diana’s passing. My sympathy to her family.
Anne, your quilts are all beautiful. My mom and sister were quilters and now those quilts are lasting keepsakes of them both. Quilts are little pieces of immortality.
HI Julia,
I love looking at quilts too and think when you get one passed down to you, it’s really something special. Not only the time taken to make it, but also the love that goes into the making and then giving it away…
Blessings, Jeanne
Anne, your quilts are fabulous! The detail and the work makes me green with envy. How talented you are! I agree with what Julia said those quilts are pieces of immortality.
I think Dianna Effner’s dolls will ensure her immortality too. Anyone who can create sweet faces like she did will certainly be remembered. Thank you for the video Jeanne.
Going to get a cup of coffee and enjoy it. She and her sisters sang at her 2004 UFDC Convention Luncheon. She had so many talents!
HI Kathie,
It’s just so sad when someone passes away that we weren’t expecting and we are caught off guard. Live each day as if you really think it might be your last.
I shared Dianna’s video with my daughter, Rebecca, this morning and I saw her eyes, in the reflection of my phone, welling up with tears. Dianna even touched those who didn’t love or play with dolls. I think her voice was incredible..and the harmony with her young singers was out of this world.
Thanks Kathie,
blessings, Jeanne
I read many of the comments regarding Dianna Effner’s passing last night before I went to bed. A sad but beautiful way to end the day. I also watched the wonderful video – twice. I’m glad Jeanne posted a link so that everyone can see it. Dianna was surely a woman of many talents.
We often feel the people in our worlds will be around and active for ever. That things won’t change. It’s like running into a brick wall when we realize they are mortal too. I pray that those who Dianna trained to paint her wonderful doll faces will continue and in turn train others. Hers is a legacy that needs to continue.
I felt the same sense of loss when Jo Flitton was no longer selling her sweet little Heartstring dolls. It took her awhile to get Dianna to agree to do a sculpt for her, but when she did the dolls’ popularity took off. Jo created a lovely little community around her dolls and it was fun to be involved and see the photos, etc., people would post. Those dolls really had some interesting and fun adventures. But when Jo stopped selling the dolls, the community totally vanished. I’ve contacted a couple people who were in the group but they don’t seem really interested anymore. Very sad.
Anne’s quilt pictures are wonderful. And her own quilts are really beautiful. “Peace in the Valley” is something I wish I could hang on my wall. It is absolutely gorgeous! Great job Anne!
HI Barbara,
I’ve watched her video many times too. I LOVE hearing the harmony in their voices… I wish she had cut a CD… I could play it over and over all day. I love music like that…
I read someone’s post that the other artists will most definitely be continuing on with her work… and theirs…
Yes, Anne’s quilts are very easy on the eyes, aren’t they? Lovely to look at….
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks for sharing that Dianna Effner died. Somehow I had her confused with Helen Kish. I will pray for her. I really like how the Little Darlings eyes are painted. Beautiful quilts! I especially like the sheep one.
Thank you Karen,
Dianna certainly had the eyes of the dolls mastered and they are such a treasure now if you own one!
Thank you so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
The Little Darling dolls are truly precious. I was unaware of these dolls until I saw Jeanne’s three. How sweet for those who have a family of them. Their cost will always be beyond my reach, but I do enjoy seeing them. Prayers for her family. What a talented person she was.
What spectacular quilts, Anne. They are just gorgeous. Thank you for sharing them. I really love quilts and cherish the three I have that my grandmother made as well as her crocheted bedspread.
HI Laura,’
The Little Darlings are wonderful dolls and I bet all over the world, the ones that Dianna painted have gotten extra hugs today! She was incredibly talented!
Quilts and dolls sort of go together… they are both easy to love!
Blessings, Jeanne
Beautiful dolls and a beautiful person. May God accept her into his kingdom.
I did not know that you can sew such beautiful quilts in Poland, it is not a very popular hobby. I admire.
HI Alina,
Maybe you can begin a new tradition in Poland and start making quilts… Lots of scraps can turn a wall hanging or a bed quilt into something wonderful! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Beautiful quilts Anne. You are so talented!
So sad to hear about the loss of Dianna Effner. She was such a wonderful artist. Sadly I do not own her Little Darlings doll.
Hi Nora,
Yes, beautiful dolls, beautiful Dianna and beautiful quilts! All things beautiful today!
Blessings ,Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, thanks for posting this lovely tribute to Dianna Effner. We have been getting some very moving comments on the Little Darling ning site which she, herself, started. She will live on in all of the beautiful dolls she sculpted.
Anne’s quilts are stunningly beautiful. How wonderful to be able to create such charming works of art.
HI Dorothy,
I haven’t looked on the ning site yet, but I will… Dianna emailed me a couple of times about being in her group of ladies who did different things… she talked to me about the little air clay dolls. I wish I had met her in person…
Yes, I totally agree… Anne’s quilts are charming to look at…
Blessings, Jeanne
I had written earlier, but I think I failed to tap the “post comment”button, so it went to nowhere! Senior moment!
I was shocked to hear of Dianna Effner’s passing. I wanted to visit her workshop that was open for tours, since I live so close, but I guess that won’t be happening now. Her dolls are the most beautiful and precious dolls ever produced! I know she sculpted the faces, but didn’t she also paint them? Thant was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person, who is going to be missed very much. Prayers and comfort for her family.
Anne, you are an excellent seamstress, and I can’t get the ver how much your last quilt shown looks like a painting! Thank you so much for sending the pictures to Jeanne, so we all can admire them!
Dear Linda, I agree, it is very sad to lose Dianna Effner.
To answer your question, yes, she did paint some of the faces of the dolls. She also trained a cadre of artists to paint using her techniques. There are also factory painted dolls that were used as souvenirs at doll conventions. She developed a method for painting the eyes of her dolls so they would look realistic.
She created sculpts for these dolls: Little Darling, Boneka, Maru, Nancy Ann, Ashton Drake, Heartstrings. If I have missed a doll, someone please add it.
She also created sculpts for Little Darling BJDs (ball jointed dolls). The earlier ones had glass eyes and the later ones had painted eyes.
Her dolls were featured this Summer at the virtual conventions of the United Federation of Doll Clubs and the Modern Doll Collectors Convention.
HI Linda,
Dianna’s passing was quite a shock to everyone I think. She was very creative and very much adored! Lots of dolls are getting extra hugs today! :o)
Did she live in Fenton, MO? I thought I knew but wasn’t certain…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I only ever heard of Dianne Effner on this site but it is always sad when someone talented dies, whatever they do.
Glad you were able to return the wig, I know you are very talented Jeanne but I think the amount of time needed to make it usable was way over the top.
Thank you for the nice comments ladies. The purple quilt and the large hexagon quilt were made by the same lady (Judith Ross). She has had quite a few quilts in international shows like Houston, she mostly works in silk which is why the colours are so bright even on this post. The quilt with the small hexagons was by a lady called Dorothy Leadbetter. She is well in her eighties and has quite severe osteoporosis. About fifteen years ago she fell while on holiday and broke her arm in 4 places. It was such a bad break that the doctor wanted to amputate the arm but she flatly refused and signed herself out of that hospital and was driven the 6 hours or so back to Christchurch where she saw another doctor who managed to save the arm but with limitations. She has had several operations on it but can no longer do machine piecing or quilting only hand work. This particular quilt won the Small Piecing section, all the pieces in the body of the quilt had to have one inch sides or less. She also won Best in Show with another quilt also hand done, made up from her garden so it was covered in tiny animals, birds and flowers all in shades of blue with an ecru background. All needle turn applique. I have no idea how she does it with one arm almost useless but her work is exquisite. I don’t think we have had a show since I have been in the Guild that she hasn’t won at least one prize.
I didn’t photograph the one which won Viewers Choice but I suspect that there was a ‘sympathy vote’ there. Not that it wasn’t beautiful, it was, it was all buttonhole applique and all hand quilted and I have never, ever seen such tiny and even buttonhole stitch, I wouldn’t have believed you could do such tiny stitching. It was very appropriately called “Forget-Me_Not” and she completed it only weeks before she died of cancer. It had already been sold and the proceeds donated to the cancer society.
As for my quilts Jeanne, the ribbon in my Challenge quilt is the arch over the wishing well which I then covered in flowers and leaves. Some of the items in the Rainbow Trout picture would be very hard to find in the photos. It wasn’t easy when you were right in front of it but everything was there. My friend loves my ‘Peace in the Valley’ and wanted to buy it on the day, not sure if she still wants to but if she does I might sell it to her. I don’t think Sam will forgive me if I sell the other one, though where I will put it I have no idea, she loves it.
I was so pleased with the bag I made for Bianca that I made another one for me. Russell’s old work pants had three usable pockets so I have enough for one more. I will send pictures of them. My old one was well used and was really lovely 18 months ago when I made it but the lovely fabric I had on the front had lost all it’s lustre and was quite dirty as well, I will photograph that one as well so you can see what I mean. I might also include some of the original fabric so you can see what it used to look like. The pattern is basically my own made up of lots of different techniques from other patterns. So long as you can make a bag with a zip you can easily make one to suit whatever you want to do with it. The ones I just made had to accommodate the pockets I already had so came out a little bigger than the one I made earlier last year.
Greg saw the Doctor on Wednesday and the news wasn’t very good. It seems some of the symptoms are coming back and if they can’t get on top of it, it will kill him, the Dr said. Sam is pretty fed up. I saw a programme a few years ago that was talking about ‘learned helplessness’. Greg can’t read or write so has always relied on Sam to handle everything but he also relies on her to REMEMBER everything for him and will do nothing to help himself. He got a letter from the hospital yesterday which (Sam thought) said he had an appointment on Tuesday at 9.30am at a different hospital to Sam. Sam is having a new port put in at 8.30am on Tuesday morning (the last one got infected and had to be removed). Ashley also has to be got ready for school and taken there for 9am. He just said to Sam “Well what are You going to do about it?” As far as he is concerned it was her problem. Having vented to me (as usual!) she was going to call Greg’s sister to see if she could help until she read the letter and realised his appt was the next Tuesday, fortunately. It was ironic that he said to Sam as they were leaving the the doctor’s “I don’t want to die and leave you to handle the children on your own”. Honestly it has always been as if she had four children not three!
Sorry ladies didn’t mean to vent but it is so frustrating. The long summer holidays this year were a write off for Sam and the children as Sam started her first really strong chemo on 18th Dec which went on for 3 months. The next holidays we were in Lockdown, so she said they would do something the winter holidays only her radiation was scheduled for the full two weeks of the holidays, every day. So she promised she would do something the next holidays just gone only Greg got a bad infection and had to go to the hospital every day for intravenous antibiotics and he never knew until the day before what time so those holidays were a washout too. Poor Ashley cried the other day and said “Why can’t we have a normal life like everyone else, why did you and Daddy have to get sick”. Pretty tough for a 9 year old.
Ah well life goes on, I don’t know what I would do without sewing, unfortunately I am not keen on sewing practical things like clothes for me lol. I don’t know what I would do without you girls either, thank you ladies.
HI Anne,
When I read about Dorothy Leadbetter and how they almost amputated her arm, but she said no… and got another doctor, I thought, wow…that is one lady who wants to keep sewing! And she did!
I love going to quilt shows and scrutinizing the details up close on the quilts… We used to go with a group of ladies from our church every year to the Paducah KY quilt show and it was always a great day of fun with lots of ooohhhhs and aaaahhhhs… We always came home totally inspired…
I received your purse pictures and just might have to show them to everyone… I was so impressed, I kept zooming in on them to see closeup details…
It sounds like sewing is your best friend right now… I am glad you have it to help keep you sane… your life is pretty hectic right now… not to mention mixed with quite a bit of drama!
Thanks Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne