My Wednesday was busier than my Tuesday…it really was, but it was all about getting Poppy’s things in order and finishing up her journal and then packing her up… I have enjoyed her stay but she’s taken up my time more than I thought she would… I guess that’s my fault… but she’s going to the Post Office today so I’ll be back to my regular routine now… (whatever that is!)
I took some last day pictures and thought I’d share them… and then move on to something else tomorrow…
I had been wanting to draft some patterns for her before she moved on and just realized today I hadn’t done that! EEK! So I drafted a few patterns and tweaked a few that I had used for Navi…they are almost the same size… and then I had to make something from each one real quick without any finishing details, but just to see if it was correctly fitting her…
If you click on the pictures they will enlarge.
I wanted to get a pair of pants made and a bodice that fit right and then I needed to make sure her jacket fit right, as well as the band for a hat…( like a muffin hat)
Poppy was wondering what all those baggies with outfits in them were for… I told her they were things other host families had sent along with her… She wanted you to see all the things she’s been given…
I had to run a few errands this afternoon and we drove by the Southern Illinois University Campus (SIU) and took a few pictures by some prominent buildings… We do have a beautiful campus… but it was SO bright out when I was taking the pictures, I had no idea if they were useable or not… they aren’t the greatest but at least I tried…
SIU was founded in 1869 and a few of the notable Alumni include, Walt Frazier, Jenny McCarthy, Melissa McCarthy, Gale Sayers, Dennis Franz, Jim and John Belushi, and lots more…
This is how I finished up her journal…
Poppy wanted to wave to everyone one last time before she got her face shield on and got tucked into her box… (oh rats… I just remembered as I wrote that… Cindy and Deb thought I should make her a little face mask to send with her… and I totally forgot to do it.) Oh well, too late now, the box is taped shut and I’m NOT opening it… I made a mistake on where she is going… I said Michigan, but it’s actually Minnesota…
One last thing.. non dolly related… my Amaryllis has bloomed out all the way (8 flowers) and is a bit on the wilting side now… it sure was fun to watch bloom…
Well, it’s time for bed…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
You had quite a busy last day with Poppy! I’m glad you took advantage of the time you had her to get some patterns made…just in case!!
My, what a lot of goodies she has to go with her to her next stop!
I’m glad she finally got a chance to do some sight-seeing. Those lovely old buildings are wonderful!
I enjoyed seeing her journal pages, too. I’m sorry you forgot to make her a face mask, but maybe someone else will decide to do that. Good-bye Poppy! We enjoyed getting to know you!
(Jeanne, your amaryllis is lovely!)
HI Charlotte,
Yep, Poppy has quite a bundle of goodies, doesn’t she? I’m not sure what they are going to do with all these things… maybe sell the doll with all the things? Who knows…
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing Poppy these last 2 weeks…
Blessings, Jeanne
Poppy is going to make the cover of Vogue with all those darling outfits, Jeanne! However, that wig……………! She is one lucky doll and that was great that you got those pictures of her at SIU! I think they were fine, what’s a little sunshine? I didn’t know about all those famous people who went to the school! I learned something today already and it is just past 5:00 in th morning!
I was wondering, where does Poppy originally come from, or where does her owner live?
Goodby Poppy, it was fun meeting you! We will miss her for sure!
Your amaryllis looks beautiful all full of blooms now! Just like mine! 🙂 (the artificial one!)
HI Linda,
I know…that wig… I put a note to Pam (who is getting Poppy next) about the wig really being too small to make her look cute… and that I switched it out for most of the time she was with me.
Poppy came from the artist, Miroslava, in Sweden. Since there weren’t any Doll Conventions allowed because of Covid, Miro wanted to do something for the ladies, so she created 15 of these little cuties and started the traveling for them… for ladies who wanted to host a doll.
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
What fun Poppy was, thanks to your imagination. Those are wonderful scrapbook pages you made for her.
I’m going to encourage you to make and sell patterns. I looked for patterns for RRFF dolls and they were extremely limited. I would buy a pattern for the dress with the three-layer skirt on Sara in the picture one of the ladies shared in a heartbeat. I’ll try to make one but . . . I’ve combined patterns before but haven’t made one totally from scratch. Thanks again for sharing your adventures.
HI Susette,
I’m glad you enjoyed Poppy while she was here…
I am considering patterns more than ever now… I just need someone to show me or tell me exactly how to do it… I might give it a try… I’m like you, I look at the patterns for the Ruby Red dolls and there really isn’t much out there… I was looking for ideas last night…
Hang on…
Blessings, Jeanne
Cindy Rice might be willing to give you some information about starting up with selling patterns. She sells knitting patterns on line. Yours wouldn’t be competing with hers as far as I can tell.
What about the lace behind Addy? It looks like it might be a tablecloth for a card table. Very interesting.
Wow, Poppy has some wonderful outfits and toys. Lucky girl and eventually new mommy. Whoever ends up with her will be thrilled. So glad you were able to get some photos of the university. Founded just a few years before my relatives left for Arkansas/Missouri. What amazing architecture too. Lovely campus.
I’m with Susette. Would love to purchase some of your patterns. 🙂
Back to sunny weather here in northern CA, but excited as we may get a little much needed rain over the weekend. Fingers crossed as the water source for the area is parched earth. 🙁
HI Joy,
Glad you enjoyed seeing a few pics of SIU… it truly is a lovely campus… very pretty in the Spring when all the trees are budding.
I just told Susette, I’m getting closer to giving it a try… I just am lost at how to start… :o)
I hope you DO get some rain…
Blessings, Jeanne
Bye Poppy!👋 Since I live in Minnesota, maybe I should be saying hello?
HI Julia,
Poppy is going to Ruthton, MN… do you know where that is?
You could be on the “Welcome” committee… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
So long Poppy. It was fun to watch her antics and all the things she got to see and do.
If she’s going to Minnesota, since it’s only January, hope her new mommy can give her a coat to bundle up in.
Your diary captures things about Poppy’s visit in your home and Carbondale. Nice job. She has some nice things from all her mommies.
Your amaryllis certainly has beautiful blooms. Once it is through blooming, what happens now? I’ve never had an amaryllis.
HI Paula,
I was thinking the same thing for Poppy… a Coat! She was fun while she was here… and glad you enjoyed her along with me…
Usually when a waxed Amaryllis blooms, it’s life it over… but Joy sent me a picture of her waxed one and it’s shot up another shoot with more flowers (hopefully) inside…
Everyone should get an Amaryllis next Christmas and we’ll all watch each others… ;o)
Blessings, Jeanne
I think you’re going to miss Poppy. I good you drafted some patterns while you had her though, so now you can sew for her size. Wow, she has some cute things that have been given to her. I love the kitty dress I saw. She even got a Care Bear. What a darling dress and jacket you made for her.
What a nice job you did with her journal entry, Jeanne. She certainly saw and did a wide variety of things at your house.
Looking forward to who is chosen for dress #2.
HI Laura,
As much as I might miss Poppy, I have other girls clamoring on the Dolly Shelf for a turn at modeling! I have someone in mind, but no fabric is chosen yet…
Thanks Laura, for waiting patiently as I get back to my sewing…
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I miss Poppy already. What a wonderful little spark of joy she brought to you and to us, seeing your photos of her and reading her story. She is having quite the adventure this year.
I can hardly believe that we are almost through the first month of 2021. Now I can start my “I can’t wait until May” thoughts (laugh).
Hi Dorothy,
I was “wondering” when you were going to start with “I can’t wait till it’s May!” And you started today! Maybe I’ll have my cabinets finished by May! I certainly hope so, but it’s slow going…
Yep, January is whizzing by…
thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Goodbye Poppy! I see you got some photos of her visiting the college. I love the idea of the photos in a journal format, and there are some nice little dresses in her traveling collection. I am curious to know what eventually happens with the doll once she finishes her travels. Does she have an owner that she will return to? Maybe you have already explained all that, but I don’t remember seeing it.
HI Carolyn,
I’m not sure what happens to the doll when she gets to the end of the line. My guess is she’ll be auctioned off, or maybe sold or put in a drawing… but I’m just guessing… But whoever gets her will have a wonderful starter wardrobe with a few “accessories!”
I’m glad you enjoyed her visiting with me… I did too, but now it’s back to my world..
Thanks Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m going to miss Poppy and her adventures. Great job on the journal. It was a fun read. I loved the pictures of the campus. It’s always fun to see all the famous people that attended places. Lee van Cleef attended Western State in Gunnison, CO, where my hubby went. He’s one of David’s favorite actors so he mentions it often. Wow! Poppy sure has some nice things to take with her on her tour. Do you know where she goes after Minnesota?
You mentioned the SIU campus in the spring. I would love to see some pictures of that.
We’re on baby watch here right now. I just talked to my son who was on the way to the hospital. Today is my daughter-in-law’s birthday and she was determined this baby was going to be born on her birthday. At least it will be one less date for me to remember. They are inducing because her doctor is not comfortable with the fact that the baby is not dropping as it should. Skyy was a difficult birth. I’m praying this is not another one of those but she’s in better hands this time. Depending on how it goes will determine whether or not David and I have to pick the grandkids up from school. If we have to pick them up we will first have to stop by the house to get the placard that allows us to do this. Can’t wait to see the kid’s expressions when we pick them up rather than their dad. I actually hope we get to do it.
HI Barbara,
After Minnesota, Poppy is heading to Wisconsin, then 3 more ladies, and back to the man who started her travels in northern Illinois. Poppy will have been at 15 different homes when she gets done… Talk about a world traveler… well, a US traveler… but she’s been to South Caroline, Florida, Indiana and lots of other places. I bet she’s worn out… :o)
I’ll try to take some pictures of the campus in the Spring…
I majored in Clothing and Textiles there with a specialty in Fashion Design… I just never dreamed I’d be making doll clothes instead of people clothes… but I love it!
I hope your baby wish comes true and it’s born on your DIL’s birthday… that would be special…and I hope you get to pick up your grands and surprise them!
Someone’s going to be grandma really soon…. :o)
Congratulations…
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne, I have enjoyed seeing Poppy I don’t like seeing her in that brown wig though, the little red headed bob wig you had on her was just lovely. it seems strange that she would be sent out with one that didn’t really fit! Goodbye Poppy enjoy your adventures.
With the patterns Jeanne, I wondered if it would help if you got hold of Pixie Faire and talked to them? I know they use lots of designers. I have a couple of patterns from them by an Australian designer.
I’ll pass on the Amaryllis. I have always had a lot of house plants but this house has defeated me. The lounge and sun room are light enough but far too hot, in the summer from the sun and in the winter from the heater and the kitchen/dining area is far too dark, not enough natural light. In the 50’s when my house was built the lounge area had to look out the front facing the road and the kitchen was relegated to the south side and opened to a small passage to the back garden with the laundry on one side and usually the toilet was on the other side of the passage. (I think all NZ architects of the time were taught by the same person). The bedrooms were fitted in around that arrangement. There was little no thought given to the direction of the sun! The people who we bought the house off did the best they could with the arrangement, so my lounge/kitchen/dining is open plan with a double door that opens directly to the deck and garden, the laundry is in a big cupboard to the side of the door with the bathroom (only a shower, toilet and basin no bath) opening off the hallway by the bedrooms. Because little or no thought originally was given to the direction of the sun my bedrooms face north so get sun from midday to early evening (southern hemisphere remember) so can be very, very hot, the sunroom (smallest room in the house) faces north and west so gets full sun from midday to later evening, even hotter, not called a sunroom for nothing, the lounge area doesn’t get any sun until early evening (just in time to shine on the TV and I have to draw the curtains so I can see it). The kitchen/dining area only window faces south so gets almost no sun at all though a little comes in first thing in the morning for a short time from the back door which faces east. I have put in a light tunnel but although it helps it really isn’t enough. I would like to open up the lounge and sunroom but can’t really afford to do it (I think it is a loadbearing wall) and if Sam ever actually moves in I will need it as a bedroom. All that, means that houseplants always die on me. They are either too hot, too cold or too dark. The only place I could actually grow anything is the bathroom but it is so small there is no room for a plant pot. That’s why I have so many pots of flowers and plants on my deck, only place I can grow any. Fortunately architects have moved on and modern houses are quite different!
HI Anne,
I’m so glad you enjoyed Poppy’s antics these last 2 weeks… we did just about as much as I could possibly squeeze in.. but it was fun… and I hope she enjoyed it like I did.
I know PixieFaire gets a lot of lookers, but I guess I always thought I’d sell them in my Etsy shop and not go through them… but I’ll have to see… I’m a ways from doing anything just yet.
Well, as I read all about your house details and the windows and the sun shining in making it so hot… I was reminded of Linda’s comments about the Amaryllis… hers is artificial… just sayin’….. :o)
Thanks Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
I was thinking you needed to make a shoe pattern. I guess you’ll have to get on the list for a return visit.
your pictures even made Poppy’s original wig look nice and that color will look good with her pretty new dress. You did a fine job on that pants pattern too. You made a jumper once with a flower on the front. That would be a good style for her too.
We’ll miss the kid but there are a lot of cute dolls in your collection. Who’s up next?
Hi Marilyn,
I didn’t actually have to make her a shoe pattern as her foot is the same size as Navi’s! Actually Poppy’s foot is just slightly smaller than Navi’s, but the one pattern will work fine… I was happy about that…
I debated about a jumper, but I took all her measurements and wrote them down…
Well, I have a doll in mind, but “someone” came in the mail and now I’m “debating…”
I’ll have to decide…
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ooh, I’m guessing RRFF Sara! As I recall, you said you ordered her!
Good bye, Poppy! You’ll be missed! If you see my parents in MN, give them a hug for me!
HI Karen,
Poppy is going to Ruthton, MN… anywhere near your parents?
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, Ruthton is very close. My parents live about 7 miles away from Marshall, so Poppy will be about 42 minutes away! Small world! And Carbondale is about 5 hours from us in KY.
Poppy was fun little January diversion. Your pictures and poses were so darn cute!
Her wardrobe is much improved because of her visit to Jeanne. The SIU Uiversity pics were great.
The idea of you selling patterns is awesome. I’d buy a Little Darling pattern in a minute!
You already know how to do the insructions :0)
Hummmm wonder who gets the next dress??
HI Kathie,
Poppy was certainly a diversion for me in January… I actually wasn’t expecting Poppy until around Valentine’s Day, so she surprised me by being here earlier… I did enjoy her.
Oh boy, all this pattern talk has me kind of excited… but I’m so close to not even being started yet… but I’m closer than I was…
I have an idea who might be next, but I’m still deciding…
Blessings to you, Kathie,
~ Jeanne
Poppy is adorable and her custom made outfit is just too cute. Lucky the person that gets to call her their own. They come up all the time on my Instagram feed. I am sure she is already missing you. I would love to see your pattern designs.
Barbara I hope all goes smoothly with your daughter. Best of luck.