HI everyone,
It was just wonderful reading all your stories about your first dolls and your love of sewing for them for some of you… I think we learned a lot about each other and it was just heartwarming to me to have such sweet stories and memories told… thank you all!
It seems like some ladies wanted to keep talking about their love of dolls and several more comments were added Sunday… if you wanted to see them, or maybe respond to someone who posted a comment to “your” comment, you can see that post again HERE.
Today I have another special treat for Stella… this was the piece I wanted to add from the very beginning… a peasant top to go under her romper and skirt… I found a fun piece of dotted or clipped cotton in a really soft and almost sheer cream color. I used a Barbie pattern and modified it just a bit and enlarged it 125%. The first try was the right fit…(Yay) and I have more ideas for when I use it the next time…
So here she is in the top… I made the sleeves to her elbows but they can be pushed up and made a bit puffier if you like. I didn’t want to make the peasant top a body suit, so I think if the winner just tucks the top into her panties it will stay in place…
I think Stella looks pretty adorable in the peasant top with her hat on and in the dress OR the romper…
Then Rebecca said she needed a basket of “something” so I pulled out my baggie of fruits and veggies and Rebecca picked out 5 or 6 veggies and said she had just come from the Farmer’s Market… (works for me!) :o)
The skirt is a little loose at her waist when the romper is removed… so I’m going to check and see if I can cinch it in a little bit more and move the snap over so it looks better with just the peasant top and skirt…
I laid out all the pieces to see what was included… and hope “maybe” to get this listed Tuesday or Wednesday…
Hope you haven’t given up on me… there’s the 4th of July coming up soon and I hope to make something fun for it!
AND this week I hope to get all my pictures sorted and arranged to make a decent Kitchen Reveal post…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
OH, I just LOVE this outfit! It’s not even my favorite shade of green, and I love it anyway. All those fun pieces, and, yes, that blouse is perfect, and I had just been thinking about maybe it could be worn with the blouse alone, and there you had it!! I have two little girls here who are going to have to be watched very carefully around the computer, once this goes up for auction!!
Jeannne! I love everything about this outfit.. especially your signature details like the perfectly set bows at her shoulders:) I’m glad to see more quality outfits bring made as these girls are absolutely beautiful! I think you will get some great bids when it goes to eBay:) I love this one💕
I have Bella and Sara and was lucky enough to get one of the LE of 75 Bellas ! I’m noticing that these girls are becoming more vocal their clothing requests ! Lol
Shara, Lucky you, indeed! Congratulations! When I saw her on FB, I saw she was sold out and only Kayla left, but I love my Kayla and wasn’t interested in this other which is now sold out, too. Good for you! It certainly pays to act when the opportunity presents itself with these limited editions. You picked a real beauty. 👍🤩
What a darling ensemble you’ve created for Stella! Every piece is perfect. Thanks for sharing the process and progress with us. It was interesting to hear from followers about their continuing involvement with dolls.
You were always one of the best Ebay designers but, as I said weeks ago, we are now accustomed to spectacular. The new outfit is a Farmers’ Market celebration, as they are opening up all over the country. The vegetables are a wonderful touch. The new blouse is lovely. I especially like how the neckline echoes the top of the romper. Someone is going to love having this outfit. I’m not sure I’ve complimented the sandals, but they are perfect.
Love Rebecca’s idea of Stella on her way home from the farmer’s market. Good call. The outfit with all of the pieces is perfect. So many fun ways to wear the outfit(s).
Strange, but Luca has been rummaging around this morning and told me he was looking for vegetables? I do believe that he got up early and caught Stella’s photos. Humm.
Luca & Daisy don’t know it yet, but they have a cousin coming to visit at the end of June. Like Shara, we picked up one of the RRFF Limited Edition girls over the weekend too. Comfy Cozy Maya will be arriving to join the flock. 🙂
Good for you, Joy. Congratulations on getting, I think you mean, Cozy Kayla with the hanging chair (?) which she might share with Luca to take his mind off Stella? This doll is gorgeous as was the Bella, which, alas, was sold out by the time I saw her. Now Kayla is sold out, too, so I am glad you caught one in time. Can’t wait to hear what Daisy and Luca have to say about her. I’m sure you will let us know!
Tout est vraiment très joli, beau tissu !
What a lovely, versatile outfit! Great for all occasions. And Rebecca’s idea of the vegetables was a great one. It is that time of year. Living in Texas we’re into the veggie season. Yesterday at church our priest was so funny. He came from Ohio. He said he can’t get used to things being ready for harvest here. Where he came from they didn’t plant a lot of things before Memorial Day because they could still be getting frosts. I can relate to that. Coming from PA and being used to what grows there and when to plant it, I have never been able to figure all that out here and I’ve been here since 1969. Then when I did manage to plant a few things that were doing well, don’t we have that deep freeze in February and now things like my Hibiscus and Oleanders are no more. The Hibiscus may come back but the Oleanders no way. I was going to move them from where they were because they got too big. Guess I don’t have to worry about that anymore. They were also the bushes that lined the sides of I-10 and always looked so beautiful. I noticed yesterday they all look dead. A lot of money down the drain there sadly.
I truly enjoyed the wonderful comments from the weekend blog. That could have gone on for days I think. We have done that before. I wish I could have participated more but I’ve been trying to finish my grandson’s crib quilt. I’m finally down to hand sewing the back of the binding. It looks pretty good for my first quilting experience. I’m not usually averse to mitered corners but I rounded the corners to make sewing on the binding easier this time. This quilt was a kit, but I have an Accuquilt Go Big that electrically cuts pieces which I actually bought more for doing appliques. But I do see more quilting in my future – which will probably include a lot of appliques.
I love hearing about all the new family members that are being welcomed into the homes of my sofa sisters. As soon as I finish the quilt I will be back sewing for my girls. I have one dress cut out for Sam my AGAT and another adorable dress on the drawing board for my Paola Reina Cleo. I (we) picked the fabrics for the dress to match a pair of shoes she has. Can’t wait to get that one done.
Jeanne, we never give up on you. Our hanging out while you’re busy is our way of showing that your seat on the sofa is staying warm for you.
The new additions make this ensemble so versatile, Jeanne. A doll sized capsule wardrobe!
I read through the responses to the previous post. l was sad to see so many here got negative comments when they gave gifts they had made. I learned many of my crafting skills from my mom. She was skilled at so many additional things. Her mom was also crafty although then it was just what most people did. My dad’s mom also sewed and did handcrafts. In my family that continues. My sister, myself, and my brother all sew. Yep, Bob has made everything from zippered bags to clothing. He continued after he was married. More recently he did some woodworking. My sister and I both got curio cabinets from him. They hang on the wall in a place of honor. My mom and sister did counted cross stitch and made quilts. Now that they are gone, I treasure everything ever received from them. I married a very handy guy who also builds things. We have all been complimented for being talented. I don’t think it is talent so much as determination. Not everything was easy or looked great when we started, but we just kept on because sometimes it was FUN! At the beginning there may have been some tears. Into each life, some rain must fall!
My family also has a lot of talents. My one sister is a true artist. I told her she needs to have her fairy designs made into needlework kits, embroidery designs, etc. They would sell like hotcakes. My mother did not sew much but what she made us was expertly made. And she knitted some wonderful things. My one aunt and grandmother loved millinery and made beautiful hats. When that aunt retired she began painting and had her paintings in galleries and sold many. Another sister does beautiful needlework and I have several of her counted cross stitch pieces in my home. Problem is that my family tends to think of talent in the arts as frivolous and something you don’t consider making a living doing. My mother, aunts and grandmother came from a time when people created out of necessity and not something you think of doing for a living.
I don’t know where to start commenting on this set. Omgosh! Love the fabric, the color, the print, the knit shirt, and how did you get that new top to look so good under the jumper? The blouse and skirt alone are pretty and the Farmers Market theme hits it on the head. The new owners of this doll will be blown away!
Dont feel stressed about the cabinet pictures….we are a patient group!
****** DEAR ELAINE, *******
I’ll answer you first. Typically, I don’t go back to the blog the same day after I’ve commented. I usually check back the next. No Doll House is a subboard on AGPT (American Girl Playthings. AGDollhouse is a separate forum. i belong to both and you are welcome to join AGDollhouse. I can put in a word with you to one of moderators there. I’ll contact one of the mods on AGPT and have them “fix” whatever is wrong.
Funny you should mention the patterns. I have the original ones in the envelope with the ribbon for Kirsten and Felicity and when I saw the free one on AGPT I copied off everything I wanted. How neat that you savaged the old PC sign. I agree about the catalogs. The first one I saw would have been the spring of 1989. My daughter got the PC stuff first, but I would eventually realize I could, and would have it also. 🙂
Stella’s little mix and match is really cute. My favorites are the peasant top paired with either the jumper or the skirt and of course, with the hat added. I love dolls in dresses.
The basket of veggies is the perfect accessory. Yes, here in Ohio we’re just putting in our tomatoes and peppers etc.
Okay, Elaine, I sent a message to a moderator on AGPT to please check on your account.
Here is the link for AGDollhouse https://theagdollhouse.proboards.com/
You will have to request to join. As soon as you have put in your request please let me know here and I will contact a mod on there so they will speed up your approval. Both boards are fun, for different reasons. Many people are on both and some I know from only one.
Hi again, Elaine, (sorry I’m commandeering your blog, Jeanne)
I wrote to a mod on AGPT and here is her response-
Hi Laura,
I’d be happy to help. I don’t see an Elaine Hoffman in the queue, but if you can share the username or email she signed up with, I can check that way. If for any reason that is difficult, she could also try signing up again with a different username but then also include a note with her name or that she knows you, as that can help flag her application so we can expedite it. We’d love to get her onboard if we can find her!
Please let me know if you are successful.
Dear Jeanne, we would never give up on you. You are our fearless leader!
I loved hearing the comments of the Sofa Sisters. A love of dolls is one of the things that bonds us, that and most of us are Boomers (except me of course, I am at least 10 years younger than all of my high school classmates – laugh), and that most folks like to sew and craft (again, except me who is hopeless at those things).
I think the other reason is that this is a safe place in which to share our thoughts and lives. In a very chaotic world, this is definitely a welcome haven.
You are so right about this being a haven from the chaos of the world. Mostly because most people in my real world, except my sweet hubby, think my love of dolls and dolly things is due to my dotage. They humor me and then roll their eyes. They think I don’t see but even in my dotage I have amazing peripheral vision. Little do they know I’m making note of all this for my will. And you do tea parties and so you are not hopeless. No one who loves tea is hopeless. And your involvement in doll things and keeping us up on important dates is amazing and much needed. So you were the Dougie Houser of your graduating class. Love it!
You gals are so right. What a terrific, safe place to share a love of dolls with no rolling of eyes, snorting, grumpiness, you name it. When I get the “indulgent smiles” that are most insincere, I just beam my biggest smile and want to say, “You’re just jealous!” Ha!
Jeanne! You and Rebecca have really completed this set so wonderfully! That peasant blouse and veggie basket are perfect. Applause!! 👏