I’m so glad everyone is enjoying seeing other peoples houses and dolls and trees and even penguins! :o) We’ve had a little bit of everything on here and I think that’s what makes this so fun…
I do hope things turn around for Ingrid… poor thing…
So let’s get started on today’s pictures…
Susette sent some pictures of the work Kathie did on her Mary Hoyer doll. (If you didn’t know, our very own Kathie has a doll hospital)
Susette had a Mary Hoyer doll… in pieces! And Kathie put her back together…
Here is the before…
Susette had this Mary Hoyer doll and her mom had made the red skater’s outfit and the red plaid skirt and knitted the yellow sweater. Susette said she probably wouldn’t have saved the doll, but because her mom had made those outfits she thought it would be worth it to try and get her doll fixed… When she sent Mary to Kathie for repairs, she looked like this…
Kind of in bad shape, wasn’t she? Well, look what Katie turned her into…
If you aren’t familiar with Mary Hoyer dolls, here she is next to the 13″ Dianna Effner, Little Darlings.
Here is Mary laying down in her red skating outfit…
…and standing up… :o)
Here she is dressed in that precious sweater and skirt Susette’s mom made.
Susette said her skates and socks look a bit dingy…but that’s because she’s had her since the 1940’s! Most dolls would have lost their shoes and socks… so I think Susette is fortunate to even HAVE them for her doll!
Great job Kathie and congratulations on getting your childhood doll back looking so nicely, Susette! :o)
Next in my emails happened to be Kathie again… this time with her dolls decorating their Christmas trees! Here’s what she said about what’s going on…
Usually my Little Darlings are all gussied up and pretty for Christmas…but this year they just wanted to decorate their own trees. Audrey, the smiling Little Darling, is really my favorite and Santa is loving the fact she got his bubble light working! The other two Little Darlings each chose a different tree and helping out are Tonner’s Ellowyne , in the tree dress and the new Girl Grace on the far right. She is from Robert Tonner from the Virtual Summer Convention put on by Rachel Hoffman. Rachel just finished the Christmas Virtual Convention and it is available on Youtube . Well worth your time to visit. Rachel is a whirlwind and is determined to support doll collecting in every way possible. Bless her heart!
Okay, now as I was uploading Kathie’s pictures, I noticed something… look closely at her pictures and see if you see it… I’ll tell you what it is at the end… this is one of those “what is different in this picture” kind of things… :o)
Have you found it yet?
It has to do with the first and last picture…
I hate to tell you, so I’m going to just give a hint right now… Someone appears to be taking a nap in one of the pictures… How about you just say “Oh, I see it…” in your comments, without giving it away… You keep looking and I’ll let you know Monday! :o)
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings, Jeanne
So much fun to see Susette’s lovely Mary Hoyer doll restored and in good condition again! Kathie, you did a fabulous job!
Did you know, the Mary Hoyer company has been Back in business for a number of years now? It’s run by Mary’s granddaughter, Mary Lynne Saunders (who I’ve met at a couple of MH events in the past), and the dolls are a bit smaller (I think) than the originals but with the same look. If you go to maryhoyerdolls.com you can take a look, too. Apparently you can’t purchase the “play dolls” at the moment (I am assuming production problems due to Covid), but there are several special editions that are still available (hint: look for “Jodie” and “Arlene”)–and LOTS of wonderful clothes. I have….um…..maybe 5 or 6 of the newer MH dolls. Each one is so lovely…and each one comes with a pattern so you can sew for her yourself! I hadn’t looked in quite a while, and I have to tell you, there are a couple of dresses there…..
Kathie, your vignette with the girls decorating their trees is just adorable! You always have such lovely scenes! (And yes, I see it!! 😉)
Charlotte, I did not know that the Mary Hoyer company was back in business. I know that it was in Lancaster, not so far away, and that many women in my doll club had visited the facility as Mary Hoyer used to have teas there. I will have to investigate to see if it is still in Lancaster and if we can visit it when it is safe to travel. Thanks for this information.
You’re welcome, Dorothy! Hope you will be able to go there. If you do, and she’s there, tell Lynne hello from me! 😉 At one time she was a pediatric neurologist!
One of these days I will have to get my MH dolls together for a “family portrait” to share.
Hi Charlotte, Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so sorry for your loss. Janet and Joyce are no doubt having a wonderful heavenly family reunion.
As for Harley I’m not sure why he has suddenly started biting. This makes 3 times in the last two months. Danielle and I were on the receiving end. No growl warning first, just a bite. Mine was the worse bite but to be fair I was cleaning mud off his paws and he’s never liked his paws touched. We will see what his vet says once his quarantine is over.
Enjoy your weekend.
Hugs
Ingrid
Thank you, Ingrid. I understand there was a small funeral for Janet this weekend; they plan a celebration of her life when they are able to have more people together. Yes, I’m sure Joyce and Janet were very glad to see each other again!! (I sure do miss Joyce; she was one of my closest friends. We were at our new church–my dad was pastor–and he came home and said, “there’s a girl at Zion I think you should meet. I think you’ll be good friends.” And that was Joyce.
I’m sorry to hear about the problems with Harley. It makes me wonder if there is some medical issue behind his biting. I hope they are able to figure out what it is, and that it’s something curable.
I see it, Jeanne!Ha, ha!
Oh my goodness, Kathie does dolls very well, who knew? I sure didn’t! Right now, I don’t have any dolls that require ” dolly surgery”, but if it ever comes up, Kathie will be my “go to”! Susette’s doll is beautiful now! Such a pretty face and hair too! My beef with older dolls is they often look old and worn, with missing face paint, and too mussed up! Her doll is in wonderful shape! Susette’s doll clothes are timeless, and of course, since her mother made them, they have so much meaning. I’m not too sure my childhood dolls even looked that good when I had them back in the 40’s! You see, I had 3 younger sisters, and it was easy for them to get a hold of my “stuff”! Susette, I didn’t know you had Melody”s piano, or is that at Kathie’s house?
Oh, Kathie, what a perfectly darling display you have there! I hope it is out where everyone can see it in your house! It is so full of color and sparkles, and does a lot to add to the Christmas season! That Christmas tree dress is absolutely amazing! Did you make that? The LD dolls are so cute in their little outfits, are they pj’s? It looks like the Ellowyne doll is supervising her nursery school class in decorating the trees! Fun! Thanks for sharing these adorable pictures!
How nice to see Susette’s Hoyer doll in her full glory. She’s beautiful. Good job Kathie. 🙂
Three trees to decorate? And they all look wonderful, Kathie. Your girls certainly know what they are doing. What I found most interesting is Mr. Santa with the bubble light. I believe that I have the same Santa. However, I had no idea that it once included a famous bubble light. I have it up at the other house, so when I go there today, I’ll take a look. I thought the hole was for a candy cane or evergreen bough, not a light. I saved him from my mother in law’s things, but did not see the bubble light. Humm. Thanks for showing him. Made my day.
Linda’s wonderful wreath yesterday inspired me to see what I could find to do one similar. Still in the thought stage, but maybe. 🙂
And yes, I did notice the photo difference. 🙂
Kathy did a great job putting Susette’s doll back together again. I can imagine how excited Susette was. It’s neat that she still has the clothes her mother made too. What a treasure.
Kathie’s trees are unbelievable. The ornaments are fabulous and the perfect size for dolls. Such unique decorations. And the posing of each doll working on the tree. It’s amazing!🎄
“ I noticed too, Jeanne. “
Her dolls are such beautiful dolls. I’ve always loved the faces of the Little Darlings. And her Tonner dolls…. they are like the mother size for the Little Darlings. Their costumes are so cool. Love the tree costume. I have maybe five of the 16” Tonner dolls. They are glamorous dolls.
I also noticed the Willow Tree figurines above the Christmas tree scene. My son got an early gift of the Nativity set for me only it hasn’t arrived yet. It’s suppose to be arriving today. Thank Heavens because the baby Jesus will be born soon and the Wisemen are on there way. The Wiseman will probably arrive next Christmas. And perhaps the shepherds and their flock will arrive at some point.
This has been such fun visiting with all the girls on your blog. Thank you Jeanne. Such good friends. I appreciate those who have addressed my questions too. It’s been fun sitting on the sofa with my decaf coffee seeing all the pictures! 🎄
Paula, I too, love the Willow Tree figurines! If you can, send a picture of your Nativity set when you get it set up. I would love to see that as I am sure everyone else will!
Kathie did a wonderful refurbishment of my doll. I highly recommend her doll hospital.
Kathie’s dolls and trees are amazing! What a wonderful collection! I did see someone who got a little worn out but managed to help finish trimming the trees 🌲. Your house, Kathie, is like Doll Christmas Central. It’s a labor of love to help the dolls get it together. Thanks for sharing your lovely home. I remember the interesting wall hanging in your previous pictures. Could you please describe what it represents and what it’s made of. Thanks again for reviving my doll.
I saw it. Heehee! The trials and tribulations of doll photography.
I love the Mary Hoyer doll!
Kathie, you do excellent work. I have my mom’s baby doll that is over 75 years old. My mom got her when she was 12 and thought she was too old for dolls. She just sat on the bed and looked pretty.
Susette, you have taken such good care of your dollie! The clothes your mom made are wonderful. Did you almost cry when you saw her transformation?
All the tiny trees with their teeny tiny ornaments and little dolls are adorable, Kathy! The tree dress is guaranteed to bring smiles. 😊😍
I see it, too. Ha ha LOL.
How absolutely wonderful that Kathie was able to put Susette’s precious doll back together. All of her outfits are just darling and what treasures. Homemade outfits are so special.
What lovely dolls you have, Kathie. The smiling Little Darlings are what I would choose as well if I could afford them. They look so happy decorating their three trees. They also have a delightful assortment of ornaments to decorate them with. The tree dress is amazing.
Kathy, what an amazing job you made of Susette’s doll. You are so clever. I love the photos of your girls doing the decorating. (I noticed who woke up). The outfits are lovely especially the tree. I can see Ashley and Sam doing something like that next year.
We have a rehearsal this afternoon for the play we are doing on 22nd (for Delta) and 24th for the combined Church service. I really hope it goes well!
Yesterday was so..oo.. hot! 32C with very little sun (goodness knows what the temp would have been if the sky was clear with no cloud). It was also incredibly humid which is unusual for Christchurch, it was so humid most of my pot plants on the deck don’t need watering today in spite of the heat yesterday! It was too hot for me anyway! I took Ashley and Caitlin shopping to buy their mum a present and I think it was too hot for Ashley she was very grumpy. Sam had asked me to look for some shorts and jandals for Ashley, she tried on a size 9 pair of shorts which were too small but then got really cross because I wouldn’t let her try on another pair that she liked. They were size TWO. She insisted they would stretch. It was all downhill from there! The only jandals she liked were too big or too small and she wouldn’t even try on the ones that looked as though they would be the right size. We got a present for her mum at least but Ash didn’t get jandals or shorts.
Ingrid, I am sorry you have had such a tough time, it always seems worse at this time of the year when everyone else is celebrating. I don’t get many colds and always get my flu shot but last year got a really, really bad one, right before I left for UK. The 13 hour flight to Singapore was a real trial I had to ask the attendant for a face mask I was coughing and sneezing so much, and the humidity in Singapore didn’t help. I had started with it on the Tuesday and left on the Friday, by the time we left Singapore (we had a short stopover) I could tell it was on it’s way out thank goodness. These days they would be sticking a bud up my nose! But then these days I wouldn’t have been on my way overseas either!
Hope you get well before the big day.
Hi Anne,
Thanks for your kind words. I’m afraid I may need a covid test. I don’t have a fever but I’ve lost my sense of taste and smell. I’ve got a nasty cough and I’m so very tired. I thought the absence of a temperature meant there was no way I could be positive for covid but a dear friend tested positive recently and she never ran a temperature. I had a covid test a few months ago when we traveled to South Carolina. On returning home we needed to comply for hubbys job, I will say it was the most unpleasant thing I’ve had done to myself in a long time. It felt as if the nurse swabbed my brain, I really don’t want my brain swabbed again but hubby thinks I should be tested.
Sorry your shopping trip didn’t quite go to plan but on the bright side the girls did find a gift for their mom.
take care
Hugs
Ingrid
I’m so sorry to hear this, Ingrid. I think there’s another covid test that’s done with saliva–maybe they could do that one for you? I’ve heard the “brain swab” one is so unpleasant!! Prayers….
Thank you Sofa Sisters for all the nice comments . I started doing little scenes when I got my Little Darlings…that group was always posting the best pictures of their dolls . Charlotte, I didn’t know Mary Hoyer dolls were still available. I will visit that site for sure!
Susette, Thank you for the recommendations. Your Mary Hoyer was actually in really good condition..just cleaning and re stringing and she has lots of hair and still in good condition.
Those outfits are precious…and to think you’re mom made them is even better. Love the
skates even if they do look well used!
Yes Linda the dolls are out where they can be seen but not many who visit are “into” dolls as much…so I’m used to the “ oh, isn’t that nice” comment.😉and on to something else.
Most of the clothes they are wearing were either made as ornaments or were made to be wine bottle covers.😳 Kohl’s had another one this year too.
Paula the Willow Tree Nativity is so precious..and adding to it every year will be so much fun! Joy you always say the nicest things…I’m so glad you have one of those Santa’s..hope you can find a replacement bubble light for him. I think he is from the early 40’s. I’ve seen them at Antique stores for a pretty price too.
Thank you Jeanne for posting the pictures and the nice comments. Now maybe you can get some of your own things done.
Kathie’s work on Susette’s doll is remarkable. Even her socks look renewed.
The Christmas tree scene is lovely, partly because of the setting and mostly because of the care and wonder on the faces of the participants. It really works.
I do see a difference in the two pictures.
Dear Jeanne, I don’t see the difference. I will have to wait until Monday.
I love the results of Susette’s/Kathie’s Mary Hoyer doll.
Kathie’s doll scenes are lovely. I especially enjoy seeing the Little Darlings dressed for the holidays.
Hi Jeanne,
Thank you so much for your well wishes.
I’m loving everyone’s photo’s. It’s been so much fun seeing how everyone decorates their homes for the holidays. I so very much enjoy reading the stories and comments as well. We have so many bright and talented ladies sharing the sofa, I’m happy to be here : )
I think I saw it! 🙂
I think I found it.
I have really enjoyed all the pictures everyone sent. God Bless you all! 💖