HI everyone,
It’s me and I’m back today! I had a really wonderful visit with my sisters and Cindy’s hubby. They came late Friday afternoon and we started the “visiting” and basically that’s all we did… and it was just perfect! We did a little shopping on Saturday… more visiting, and a few meals at my house and a couple visits to Panera’s and a pizza place here in town. A bit more shopping Monday and Tuesday they left. We didn’t go to any antique shops because around here, they are always closed on Mondays. We did go to the Goodwill and a few treasures were found. (NO LACE!) :o) We didn’t do any projects here either… they sure liked my kitchen cabinets though… YAY! I’m just about ready to show another picture of the sink side…
Wasn’t it wonderful to have Sally share her Little Daring’s with us and didn’t you enjoy seeing them all standing together? I sure loved looking at them… and those dresses from MyLovelyDresses were absolutely stunning! Thank you again Sally! I truly appreciate you answering everyone who commented too!
When my sisters left, I got busy working on Julie’s set again… After looking at a lot of different Lavender, Wisteria, Lilac, and Hyacinth colors and images on Google, I have decided to just call this Wisteria. It is a bit more on the bluish side and probably is closer to the color Hyacinth, but not everyone knows that color and I sure don’t want to start another problem with trying to figure out the color.
I read over all the ideas everyone had (thank you very much) about how to “fix” Julie’s “dress” and decided on a pair of white bell bottoms from a white stretch denim and I cropped the dress to a short little swing top.
I made Julie a floppy-like hat… it’s kind of a pique fabric and is the closest to a floppy straw hat that I could come up with.
Instead of Julie’s pants opening in the front, I made a fake fly and put the opening in the back… and had it close with Velcro, as there are different sized “behinds” on the dolls…
I also added some interest to one of the legs using some purple-ish, lavender-ish colors of flowers and buttons…and did a little handwork.
Rebecca put together a silver chain belt with a little bird and a LOVE charm that dangle down. The clasp might be changed…
Also, a friend of mine from church, Joy, made this jacket and I took her picture Sunday…it’s kind of lavender-ish, so I’m adding it in here today! She is the one who made the little animals for a couple of boys… I showed the pictures…and she also did the charm quilts…
Well, that’s it for me today,
Hope to see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ooh ooh ooh!!! I just LOVE Julie’s outfit!! The appliques/embroidery on her pants leg is wonderful, and the floppy hat is great. Yes, we did sometimes have floppy hats out of fabric in the 1970s–mine was bright yellow with big white polka dots! The silver chain belt is great, but, yes, I would change the fastener, as those toggles weren’t seen much until just a very few years ago. I think my chain belt had a spring-ring clasp, although it’s been many years since I’ve even owned it much less wore it, so I’m going by memory here. (And I’m delighted you went with my suggestion of wisteria for the color description!)
I’m just a bit sad that I don’t have a Julia to put this outfit on, but she never really “spoke” to me.
And I love love LOVE Joy’s coat!!! Could you please ask her what pattern she used? Thank you. The fabric is fabulous–purple!! And with zebra stripes (and zebras at the bottom, too!). As some of our sewers might know, Rita Farro (who has written some sewing books and done programs at our sewing expo) always says to add some zebra stripes “to tone it down” if you think your outfit is too bright or outrageous! LOL
Thanks Charlotte,
It’s a lot better than that dress, isn’t it? I think Wisteria is a pretty safe color term to use… most everyone knows what color that is…
I guess I’m fickle… this is my 2nd Julie… Marilyn has my first one… :o)
I will ask Joy about the coat pattern… isn’t it cute? It’s just a one layer piece of cotton, but it looks wonderful as a light weight over coat…
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Welcome back to YOUR blog, Jeanne! And you did it again! You turned a plain, not too exciting start, to a big WOW finish! How you do it, is beyond me, but you really saved this one for sure!I love the pants, with the “signature” flowers that you are known for, and that big floppy hat is just adorable! You turned it into a really cute 70’s outfit that will catch a lot of eyes!
Yes, dolls have different sized behinds for sure! My dolls seem to have all the different sizes, including my own!🙂. Pants are difficult to fit correctly a lot of the times, but these look just wonderful! The crop top blouse is perfect too! Whitt’s not to like about this outfit?
I wouldn’t get too hung up on trying to explain the color, it is plain as day in the picture!
Joy’s coat looks very nice and really comfy too!
HI Linda,
In person this set looks totally different too… it’s a 3D thing I think… It just looks different is all I can say… but better. I’m glad you like it… me too… finally!
I’m NOT going down that color road again… EVER… this is Wisteria and if you don’t think so, you can call it whatever you like! :o)
Yes, Joy’s coat looked as comfortable as it did cute!
Thanks Linda,
blessings, Jeanne
Good morning, Jeanne,
Sure seems like you gals had a really good visit and it culminated in a truly magical outfit for Julia. I’m like Charlotte; Julia never spoke to me, either, but then, the 70’s didn’t do much for me style-wise. But boy! I do think this is awfully, awfully cute. The bell bottoms add a great crispness and the pique floppy hat is perfect. I love how this all came together in a totally different way from its origins. (As for the toggle, being an older coot myself, I would find using the toggle nice and simple to use. Just throwing that out.)
Joy’s coat is a true show stopper; very dramatic and gorgeous. Looks great on her, as well.
Thanks, Jeanne, and great to have you back in the saddle. Have a super day. 🙏👍❤️
I’m so glad you enjoyed seeing the girls Tea Party. It was fun putting it together.
Hi Sally,
I’m so glad you joined us today and hope you will often. I was wondering if you weren’t here how I would respond to your questions to me. I usually don’t check back in until the next day. To be honest, I’m thrilled I finally got a doll collection at all. I first saw the Pleasant Company catalog back in 1989 after my daughter was born and there were just the original three. I instantly fell for Samantha having grown up loving the Anne of Green Gables and A Little Princess books My daughter would get dolls, clothing and accessories for many years, but I was of the belief that adults didn’t have dolls beyond childhood packed away ones. Finally, in 2007 I got my Samantha and began her collection. It would take me until 2013 to realize I could also have Felicity who I loved the moment I first saw her in the catalog. She was my daughter’s second after Kirsten. Joining the doll boards led to three more girls . I now have five PC/AG dolls. A PC German Samantha, a PC West German first version Felicity, Caroline, Marie-Grace, and Nellie ,who is re-wigged with #33 wig. I found getting the wig off of each doll not as challenging as I had feared. A metal spoon and lots of patience is the trick.
Samantha and Felicity have collections of my favorites of their PC and early AG clothing and accessories. The historically accurate accessories were my downfall, but beyond Samantha’s desk I’ve avoided the furniture. Caroline and Marie-Grace are renamed and different characters. They live in the Antebellum /Civil War era and have a mix of Kirsten and Addy with a dash of Caroline and Josefina items thrown in. Nellie is also a renamed different character and my “time traveler”. She joins Samantha in Edwardian era, Caroline and Marie-Grace in Antebellum/Civil War, and stands alone in the pioneer and Great Depression eras. I have a few of Nellie’s outfits, she shares Kirsten’s, and I have my favorite clothing and accessories of Kit’s for her.
No, I don’t sew doll clothes yet, but that is my next plan when I have more free time. I did a bit of simple human clothes and decor in high school, but haven’t gotten back to it in decades. I enjoy a lot of other types of handwork though – crochet, embroidery, counted cross-stitch, ribbon embroidery, crewel etc.
Loved reading your doll history Laura. I was like you and thought that dolls were for children and since none of my grandaughters were interested in dolls I didn’t think I could ‘indulge myself’ with dolls either. Sam loved her Barbie’s and I sewed a lot for them and her second brother was into Action Man so he substituted for Ken very often but they made up stories and scenarios for them when they played together. (My son, who is now 53, hates being reminded that he played with dolls). I think Sam is enjoying ‘our’ doll collection now, she is into making accessories which I can’t do.
Hi Anne, you need to mention to your son that some of the most incredible doll creators have been men. He should read Robert Tonner’s story. It’s pretty amazing and his dolls are the best.
Laura, thank you for taking the time to write this; I really enjoyed it. How fun to have a daughter who enjoyed dolls and got you into sharing the joy and the history that was promoted by the PC.
Yes, my AG dolls do a lot of time travel; I told them it was a requirement of their job being in my collection. They’ve been good sports.
Mmm. All those darling AG accessories were a big downfall for me, too, and now that I am out here in a much, much smaller house, that fun stuff and some of the furniture are all stored away.
Sounds like you are a very creative lady. I used to love doing embroidery and folk painting. I tried watercolor painting when I moved here and may get back to it.
Thanks so much for your wonderful letter here, and I do plan to become a “regular”.
Good “evening” Sally,
I DID have a wonderful time with my sisters… I always do… They are just the absolute best and we have such great times when we are together…
I’m glad this outfit was able to be saved into “something” totally different because I certainly wasn’t “feeling” that dress!
I was hoping to get to town today to look at a different chain, but never made it so it might have to stay as it is…
Thanks again Sally! It’s nice to be back at the front desk, but you did a great job for me… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Glad you had some sister time. After all the work around your place, certainly deserved. So, what did sisters think of the new water heater flue?
Glad you figured out Julie’s outfit. Love the embroidery on the bell leg and that wonderfully made floppy hat. And glad you’ve chosen Wisteria as the color. It fits. 🙂
Glad to hear the kitchen cabinets are in the almost stage. Looking forward to photos.
And glad that someone still makes clothing for themselves. Joy’s coat is such a fun piece.
Around here, we’re considering adding a grey water routing to our washing machine drain line. That way, we may be able to water a few things in the backyard with the used wash water. Since there are only the two of us, it might not be worth it though as we only do a couple of loads a week and already have a very low water use washer. Big time water use restrictions are here. 🙁
Hi, Joy.
I like the way you’re thinking about reusing your brown water. May I ask where you live? We are in south central CO in the area called the Banana Belt. Almost always blue skies which is a mood lifter, but not enough precipitation which is a downer.
What town in Colorado? We are hoping some day to move to the Grand Mesa area to a town called Cedaredge. We go there on vacation now and that may be all we ever do but I’m okay for now. We also have property in Parlin near Gunnison. Our daughter and her family live in Loveland.
Salida is my little city. Elevation just over 7,000’ on the Arkansas River. Touristy, artsy, lots of rafting. I love that we finally live in a house in town and I can walk to the library, post office, Safeway, theater…so nice to have that blessing.
So are you in CO now? Cedaredge sounds like it may quite similar to Salida. You think you prefer that to building on your property in Parlin?
Holy cow. If you move, we might be able to have an occasional doll date!! My heart’s aflutter! 👍🎉
At the moment I live in Sealy, TX, west of Houston. I would love to build on my Parlin property but they have raised the property values there so much since we bought it and they’re high enough with nothing but a road on it. But it is “to die for” property with a clear view of the western slope and it’s bought and paid for. It sits on a knoll with BLM behind and a legacy below so I’m keeping it. It makes a great campsite.
I love Salida and have been there many times. Usually when we went west on Highway 50 we would spend the night in Salida so we could go over Monarch in the daylight. As well as being not so scary it’s a view that should not be missed. Also, my in-laws used to spend the summers in Buena Vista or Byoony if you pronounce Buena the way the natives do. They lived in Kansas but avoided the hot Kansas summers by staying in Colorado. They were both teachers and at one time were teaching in Colorado before moving back to Kansas. My husband was born in Colorado. Lately we have been going west through Walsenburg and Alamosa but I could convince hubby to go Highway 50 the next time we head that way. A story you might relate to, when David was going to college in Gunnison he was heading for Kansas to visit his folks for Christmas. He was on 50 and ran into a huge snowstorm on the way and you can imagine what it must have been like not to know where the edge of the road was. A memory he’d rather forget.
Sally, you have to be kidding. Salida is the home town of my father in law. We were able to visit there when he was still alive and could point out all of the homes where he lived. Such a wonderful place. During the depression when they had to lay off railroad workers, the family moved to Denver. All of my husbands cousins live around there. Although there are a few relatives still in Salida. Some in the Fairview Cemetery.
What a coincidence. 🙂 We need to talk more.
Barb, it blows my socks off that both you and Joy know Salida! It truly does!
Yup, good ol’ Byoony is 26 miles away and has grown so much the last couple of years. It’s really a very cool little town with lots going on. Until Covid hit, I drove up to the Humane shelter every Sunday to walk dogs up there in Byoony.
I can relate to treacherous driving on Hwy 50…lots of white knuckles sometimes, but otherwise, a gorgeous ride.
So you’re 74. I’m holding on to 72 for another 6 months, but do you find your finger dexterity becoming increasingly challenging? For me it has taken some of the pleasure out of dressing all my little gals.
And you say that you didn’t have much to do with dolls when you were a kid? When did you get on the “doll bus” and what was it that started your love affair with them? I’m very intrigued. More conversations ahead! 😊
HI Joy,
Well, Cindy and Deb never actually made it up to the attic or the basement to see our handiwork, but they did admire the vent stack coming through the roof… Tom ventured upstairs with my hubby and I heard them talking, so I guess Tom got to see our work…
I thought about painting today, but it was rainy and also a catch up day… maybe tomorrow… They really did love my cabinets… me too… I’m on the home stretch and pretty motivated now to get them finished. I’m looking forward to sharing that “virtual cake” I plan on making! :o)
Well, if it wasn’t so far away, I’d lend you my hubby for your project, if you decide to do it… He probably knows how… :o) If he had to list all the things he’s done or tried, his resume would be quite long!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow! I can’t believe both you and Barbara know about Salida! May I ask who your father-in-law was? Fairview is a pretty little cemetery. When was the last time you were here? And where are you now?
This is just amazing. Yes, I would be happy to talk about your connections and memories, Joy. Thank you!
I would be thrilled to have an American Girl doll named after me! Is that auto correct changing Julie to Julia? Works for me!
Julie’s outfit says, “Summer of L💜ve” to me. Also cool and groovy!
Ha-ha!, Actually, I like Julia so much more than Julie. And I bet you’re an American Girl doll in your own right. Rock on, Julia! !!!😄
HI Julia, (aka Julie!)
I’m glad you like Julie’s outfit now… it’s quite an improvement, don’t you think?
Summer of Love is a great title… I might have to use that… :o)
Thanks so much,
blessings, Jeanne
I’m over the moon with Julie’s outfit. It looks like something I would have created back in the 70s. Her hat is really adorable and I love the embellishment on the leg. The overall look is striking!
I did an outfit in the 70s where the pants were white bellbottoms and a few inches up from the bottom was a strip of red with white polka dots. The top was a tunic with bell sleeves that had the polka dot bands a few inches up around the sleeves and on the bottom of the top. The top was great for cool evenings but if the day was warm I had under it one of those cute short sleeveless tops with the ruffles in the red/white polka dot fabric. I probably did most of my sewing during the 70s because I was working and could buy my own fabric so I remember those styles well.
Sounds like you had a very enjoyable time with your sisters and Cindy’s husband. Any pictures of things you bought?
HI Barbara,
I’m glad you are good to go with Julie’s set this round… that first round was pretty awful!
I probably did MOST of my sewing in the 70’s too. I was in high school and sewed a new outfit almost every week… if not more than one… my closet was very full! I went to Bible college in 1978-80 and one semester I didn’t wear a single outfit twice. yikes…that’s too many clothes!
I didn’t buy a thing this time… they did but it was shoes and tops and pants… I was good!
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Lemons into lemonade for sure with this outfit😉 It matches her personality. The color with the hat and the embroidery all just melt into such a cute outfit!
Glad you had fun with your sisters…my sister left after being here two weeks. She misses her friends and clubs and favorite places to eat so she got caught up with most everyone. We sent the family First Communion dress hame with her as her granddaughter will need it in June. The dress was mine so 70 years old. She will be the ninth or tenth little girl in 3 generations to wear it. A traditional design and made from cotton organdy and eyelet. It has had the hem taken up and let down multiple times but this time it had to have 9” added to the waist/ chest…this little Miss is chubby. I opened it from the waist up and through the puff sleeve and luckily the skirt had enough fullness to allow for the extra width. Does that make sense?
I should have taken a pic🥴
How wonderful that so many have worn the Communion dress. I love tradition. When my daughter was born someone gave us a beautiful candlelight Christening dress. It was brand new but I thought it would be great to start a tradition. Andrea wore it and then Sean and I hoped for my grandkids to wear it too but tradition is not a big deal with most of the young these days. By the time Skyy was Christened he didn’t fit the dress and his mom had other ideas for Jaiden so tradition you might say “died on the vine”. But there was a dress that David’s two older girls had worn that we fortunately had so Andrea wore it and then I gave it to my DIL for Jaiden. Then I sent it to my granddaughter in Dallas so the two great-granddaughters could wear it. Hopefully that’s where it is now, but by now it is probably getting a bit worn. It would be 50 years old now.
So warmed my heart to hear about this tradition. Am I correct in feeling that many of you gals are also in your 70’s? So many of us value these traditions and the handing down of family items. Many in the younger generations just see it as “old stuff” that makes me rather sad.
74 years young here. And in my second childhood. Funny thing is I didn’t play with dolls when I was little. I sewed some for them but mostly I liked designing clothes for my paper dolls. You could change their clothes faster.
HI Kathie,
How fun to have a dress in your family for that long and get so many uses out of it… It must feel wonderful to have passed it down all these years. I think that’s a great idea to use it as often as you can or until it absolutely falls apart… Yes, if you have a picture of the dress, even if it’s not on a child, we’d love to see it. I have a thing for old vintage dresses, especially baby ones.
Thanks for the compliments on Julie’s outfit, Kathie… I can’t believe it came out as well as it did. I was pretty thrilled with it…
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Julie’s outfit is very cute. I like the ruffle on the sleeves and the flowers and butterfly. The belt is sweet also. You have the nature love all pulled together there. She looks fresh and crisp in her white pants and wisteria top and the big floppy hat is perfect. Julie never did anything for me either as only part of her collection is familiar to me. Some of the clothing, some of the accessories, but always a little one off to me color-wise. My 1970’s fashion sense didn’t kick in until 1978 when I turned 10.Now this outfit with the more pastel look and Julie’s beige dress you made, I love.
Sounds like you had a great time with your sisters and Cindy’s hubby. I assume we’ll see the “treasures”.
HI Laura,
Unfortunately there weren’t any treasures from Cindy and Deb’s visit… just a few tops and pants and some shoes that they bought. I don’t think I bought a single thing… like I said, we mostly just visited and laughed… It’s only been the last 2 visits that we’ve done that…it’s like before, we felt guilty about laughing when they came home because for so many years they came home to visit momma. But we decided it’s okay to laugh and have a good time AND we did!
It’s funny, I loved that beigy taupe dress too and almost wanted to make another dress from that same pattern. I did love that one… guess you did too!
Thanks Laura,
blessings, Jeanne
I love Julie’s outfit now. It really shouts 70’s to me, mind you my memory isn’t that wonderful these days! I love the colour and the embroidery on the pants. I love the idea of putting the velcro in the back of the pants! I had some difficulty with the Pixie Faire Hi top Jeans pattern. The jeans didn’t fit my OG dolls at all. I have made a couple of pairs since and added a quarter inch to the top and side seams and that seems to have worked well but I found the front with the velcro was too bulky and never thought of making a false fly and opening the back! I will try that next time. It is lovely anyway. Well done.
Sam and I did a photo shoot yesterday for ANZAC Day (which was Sunday). Sam made all the accessories (poppies, wreath, lantern etc.) I just dressed the dolls! We also took a video which was 50 secs long which didn’t seem very long to me but apparently was too big to send as an e mail so when I send the pictures I will send the link as an attachment. The ANZAC Dawn Parade here and in Australia is always very moving, Every small town has a dawn service, though the ones in the city usually have speeches by local dignitaries. I hope what we have done is not offensive to anyone we tried to make it as authentic as possible (obviously the normal service lasts a lot longer than 50 secs. Will send the pictures today.
I should have said, Welcome Back I am so glad you had a great visit with your sisters. I really miss mine, I can’t believe it is almost 2 years since I was in UK. There is no chance of a visit now anyway, even if I could afford it!
When you said on Saturday “see you Tuesday” I never gave it a thought because I always have to wait till Tuesday! I couldn’t understand why I didn’t get an e mail Tuesday morning! Duh!
Looking forward to seeing your kitchen finished. You will have to have a party to celebrate! Lol
HI Anne,
Thanks for the welcome back and I’ll make sure and look at your pictures… I saw you had sent me something but haven’t opened it up yet…
Thanks for the compliments on Julie’s outfit… I think I am finally happy with it… now just a few more touches and it will be ready to list…
I most definitely will be glad when this kitchen painting is done and I’m going to make a cake and share it “virtually” with anyone who wants a piece… :o)
Thanks Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I am so glad you had a wonderful time with your sisters. I knew that you would.
Julie’s outfit is definitely on point for the 1970s. I feel like I should say “can you dig it?” (laugh)
I love Joy’s coat. She is a stylish lady. And what a beautiful smile she has.
HI Dorothy,
I’m so glad you can “dig” Julie’s outfit now! I sure couldn’t before!
Joy DOES have a beautiful smile and a great big heart for Internationals!
Thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I had an appointment yesterday and missed being able to tell Sally what an enviable collection she has — both dolls and doll clothes. All of the pictures were wonderful — I did get to look before I left.
I think Julie’s outfit is now really special. She looks pretty and happy and stylish.. The belt is a nice finishing touch for this Wonderful Wisteria outfit. Lovely in Lilac? California Dreaming?
I’m glad you had such a wonderful time with your family and I’m glad they liked the cabinets, as whowould not. You now have an impressive kitchen. Now you need to catch us up on the progress on the roof.
Marilyn, thank you for saying that. I hope your appointment went well.
Hi Marilyn,
I was going to give it one more day and then I was going to email you and see if you were okay… I was missing you…
I’m glad you got to see Sally’s dolls in all those pretty dresses. They were something, weren’t they?
We are still waiting for the roofers to come… but there is still plenty to finish up on the inside… my hubby thinks one more day and he’ll have the basement part of the pipe all finished… he has the upstairs part all boxed in but he’s waiting until the roof goes on before he closes it up completely… we are keeping an eye on the pipe for rain that might make its way in…
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne