My goodness, my day was too busy to check on the comments, but I just sat down at my computer to see, and there were THIRTY NINE! Yes, that’s 39 comments… so I guess I’ll have to pass, as it’s 10:38 p.m., but I did read them… it sounds like everyone is happy with the storyline for “Monkey Business” (Dorothy, I loved your comment about barrel of Monkeys!) :o) and it seems there was lots of talk about having a dolly friend you can share your love of dolls with… or maybe I should say, “Lack of a dolly friend” in most cases… That’s why we have each other…it’s the next best thing to having that friend… I hope everyone on here knows they can come here and get their “dolly fix” if you need one… I love how you all share your thoughts with each other and inspire each other and compliment each other! :o) Thank you for making this blog the best I could ever have hoped it could become. :o)
Well, I decided the next American Girl up for an outfit would be Josefina… She’s one of the original six dolls and since I just recently got her (again…), I thought I’d make her something pretty to welcome her to my doll family.
She’s been laying patiently on a cabinet, because her legs were too loose to stand at all on her own… So the first order of business was to restring her legs… they were P-R-E-T-T-Y loose… I’m talking dangly loose!
I undid the strings at the back of her neck and took her head off…
She was PACKED with stuffing and I thought I would NEVER get it all out… but finally it ended…
I didn’t show the whole process of restringing her legs but you can see how it’s done on this blog post I did… HERE… and an easier way of doing it HERE. The Kirsten dolls in each of my tutorials are different dolls…
But I did want to show you how it looks on the inside once you’ve done it…
Her arms were okay, so I began stuffing her body back with the batting. You have to push and push and really pack that stuff in there. I find by flipping the doll over from her back to her stomach and pushing it in with my fingers works the best… make sure when you add her head on, you lay something soft and cushy down, so you don’t get any shiny marks on your dolls face.
Everything went back in and now look at her legs… straight as an arrow and nice and steady when she stands…
I looked for the little tag usually on the inside of the shoulder seams in the older dolls, letting you know the year and the month the doll was made, but there wasn’t a tag. The tags were put in the dolls made from 2000 to 2009, so I guess she was made in 1999 or before or possibly after 2009, but I think she’s an earlier edition.
I debated and debated about what to make her for her new Anniversary Celebration outfit, and ended up just making her a white peasant blouse for starters…it’s all done except for hemming it.
I took a couple of pictures so you can hopefully see the tiny little silver threads in this fabric… and the embroidery. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this white fabric…
I looked and studied my “wall of fabric” and just couldn’t decide on what to make for a skirt… so I’m going to sleep on it and see what I decide tomorrow… I’m hoping to have Rebecca make me a pretty necklace to go with whatever I decide to use…
So here’s one last look at Josefina… She’s a very pretty doll and I’m glad she’s back in my collection…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I accidentally pasted the entry under yesterday’s post, but I will add that maybe a decorative vest.
Thanks Alina,
I may do a vest but I think I want a necklace to showcase the skirt fabric… but I do love seeing Josefina in vests. …and have made her quite a few!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Nice to see that Josefina is up next. That means I won’t have to look at pleading eyes every time the computer is out, because I don’t have a Josefina! LOL!!
Yes, that fabric really is lovely, and so suited to a peasant style blouse. I know it’s your favorite–one of those that you really Hope you have an inexhaustible supply, right?! I’m sure you’ll find the perfect skirt fabric for her. I do find that sometimes I have to look at things, and then just let them be overnight, and a fresh look in the morning is usually when I make the final decision.
I appreciate everyone’s comments and prayers yesterday. I’m hoping this UTI will be just a memory, soon! I’ve been drinking cranberry juice (I actually do like it, but I also love cranberries in most forms, I think!), and have been on my meds for three doses thus far. I find I’m tired a lot, though–I took a 2 hour nap after supper!
To answer Sally’s question about the peach pie recipe, no, it’s not the one from the Farm Journal Pie cookbook. No nutmeg, no cornstarch. My mom first made it in the early to mid 1950s, so it’s been around a long long time. About 40-some years ago I was telling an elderly friend about it, and she said it sounded like one that was in a Sunset magazine many years earlier. All I know is, my mom got the recipe from our neighbor, Mrs. Nadeau. Do let me know if you’d like me to send it to share, Jeanne. I’ll be happy to, along with a picture!
Have to share something really touching that happened tonight. We were out for dinner, and had just placed our order, when a man came up and talked to us. He put money down on the table and said he was paying for our meal tonight. He had noticed the cap Ron wears (which has a USMC/Korea Vet patch on it) and his own dad had been a Marine, so he wanted to do this for us. We both thanked him and shook his hand and he left. Ron was especially touched, he didn’t really know quite what to say! I think it really made his day for him, at a time when so many things are so challenging for him.
Dear Charlotte, thank you for sharing the story of the kindness of the stranger in the restaurant. I am sitting here with tears running down my cheeks. We so need these acts of goodness and love in the world right now.
I hope you are feeling better today.
Charlotte Noelle sends hugs to her Auntie.
Tell Charlotte Noelle, thank you!
CHARLOTTE, we all benefit from hearing about that wonderful act of kindness and appreciation. It’s one of those things that “make our hearts sing,” right?
I would LOVE to get your pie recipe. If others are not interested, you can get my email from Jeanne.
Good to hear you like cranberries. They are effective for this thing. In a week it will be just a memory. Have a super weekend.
Sally
I will also ask for a recipe
I agree with Sally and Dorothy — that was a lovely gesture and a sort of thank you to all of the people who have served in the military.
I am pretty sure that I speak for many of us when I say the pie recipe and picture sound like a good idea.
I really had to dry my eyes after reading your lovely story. There are so many really good people in this country but we seem to hear mostly about the ones who want to cause havoc. Hearing stories like this one shows me that I’m right to not lose hope. And what wonderful timing. Just when Ron needs it the most.
HI Charlotte,
Well, while I work on Josefina’s set, since you don’t have her, you can work on something YOU like for one of your girls! :o)
It IS my favorite white fabric, but it’s so hard to find… there is no information along the selvage so you just have to look at endless pictures of white fabrics to see if you can narrow it down and find it… that’s how I found what I have now… I typed in white, silver, threads, gauze, semi sheer, embroidered, and lots of other combinations to see if could find it… It was hard but I’m glad I didn’t give up… One night it just popped up and I snatched it up… I think there was 2 or 3 yards and I bought it all..
I hope your UTI is better and like you said, almost a memory… they are NO fun…
Yes, a summer peach pie sounds wonderful…. recipe and a picture please… :o)
What a wonderful man and such a thoughtful way to say thank you! I love stories like that! I can’t imagine how great that made your hubby feel… we felt it too…
Blessings, Jeanne
Okay, Jeanne, probably tomorrow I will send you the recipe and picture! It’s yummy, and this is the time of year for it–it must be made with Fresh peaches!
Good morning Jeanne! As I picked up today’s paper, on the front page was a picture of a monkey, highlighting the new monkey habitat at the St. Louis Zoo, and headlined “Monkey Business”, with a spread of the new attraction! More publicity for your latest creation!
Your Josefina is really a pretty one, and you did a great job on the stringing. Would it be that easy to just take our “stuffing” out for a whole new shape? 🙂 Now that she is in tip top condition, and is ready for a new outfit, I’m anxious to see what skirt material you will decide on. Like Alina mentioned, maybe a vest along with the skirt and blouse?
As i mentioned yesterday, I am making a skirt for Kirsten, and cannot believe how long it took to thread the sewing machine needle, not to mention the threads all over the place and now the skirt is too big in the waist, so I have to redo the back!! You would think making a simple skirt woud be the easiest thing in the world, but I guess I have been out of touch for too long!
HI Linda,
I can hardly believe what was on the front page of your paper today… “Monkey Business!” That made my day… I guess this was perfect timing… :o)
Oh how I WISH someone could just take my head off and take out as much “stuffing” as I requested and then put my head back on… I love that idea, but guess I’ll pass… :o)
I hope you don’t get too discouraged at making Kirsten’s new skirt… you’ll get it… just take your time and it will come back to you how to put it together… I still haven’t decided what to make her, but I will… maybe this evening… Working at the Food Pantry in just a bit…
Thanks Linda…
Blessings, Jeanne
Nothing like a doll refresh to start the day. You always make it look so easy. You’d think that I would take the hint and fix up a couple of my floppy girls. Maybe soon. 🙂
Glad Charlotte’s feeling better and had a well deserved free meal too.
Can’t wait to see that skirt, Linda. I’ve been eyeing some fabric I bought a long time ago to make a skirt for Josefina. Lucky for me, my fairly new machine has a little thingy you push and it threads the machine needle. Very easy to thread the machine too as it has little arrows and 1,2,3 steps printed right on it. 🙂 Makes sewing much more enjoyable I think. 🙂
Can’t wait to see what fabric Jeanne chooses for Josefina’s skirt. Love the beautiful blouse.
Windows open and fans going until the sun peeks over the hills and we close up the house. Going to be a very hot one today. Crows making a ruckus this morning and want their breakfast early. We give them a bowl of dry cat food. They have such funny antics. 🙂
HI Joy,
The hardest part of the legs is just deciding that you are GOING to do it… once that head comes off, you just say to yourself, I can do this… and in no time it’s done… :o)
Oh good, well, if you make a skirt and Linda gets hers finished and I get mine done, we’ll have 3 new skirts to share with everyone… Thanks for the compliments on Josefina’s blouse… I really do love this fabric.
It’s warm here today… I’m working at the Food Pantry and have my hair pulled up in a high pony tail… It’s so hot unpacking boxes and sorting through things…
I hope the crows got their cat food and I hope you are staying cool… as you can… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
That white fabric is really very special. No “just” about it. The peasant blouse is full on gorgeous!
Today is Dad’s 2nd visit to Wound Care. If you are squeamish, skip the rest of my comment. He developed fracture blisters. They are big, red, puffy, and ugly. At the follow up with his usual Dr . no one actually looked at that area under the boot. When I opened it up it was quite the nasty shock to both of us. The ER doctor said they were nothing to worry about. This time they wrapped his ankle in gauze. The biggest blister is about 4×3 inches and started to drain. I replaced the gauze. WCare removed the dead skin and used actual bandage material on it. None of the other blisters have started to drain. That is why wound care is in the picture. This has upped my stress level as now we must be on the look out for a possible infection. Send prayers that nothing else develops!
JULIA, what a lot for both of you to handle! Since he is “on watch” for potential infection, has he been put on an antibiotic prophylactically? You are both in my prayers. Stay strong and May those blisters shrink and dry up soon.
Sally
I had no idea anything like this could develop. Thanks for the information. So far we have not had a situation like this but it’s good to know what to look out for if it happens. I will be praying for your dad’s quick healing and that nothing further develops.
HI Julia,
Thanks for liking Josefina’s top… I like it too… :o)
So sorry to hear about your dad’s problems… I have never heard of fracture blisters either, but they sound just awful… I hope they heal up quickly… I will keep you and your dad in my prayers…
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, Julia, I’m so sorry about this! Good thing you found those blisters and got wound care involved right away. Will be praying for you both.
During the early stages of my dad’s final illness (pancreatic cancer), he developed huge blisters on his legs (fairly common with pancreatic cancer, I understand). We were bandaging them as best we could, but once hospice got involved, they left extra-thick wound dressings to use, which helped a lot (we had been wrapping towels over the gauze dressings!). Eventually, they did disappear, but for 2-3 weeks there, it was a little dicey!
Your Josephine is so pretty I think she’ll be a very successful model. I hope you make a skirt using a multi mix of fabrics for a real fiesta look, something like Ardyn wore the other day. I think you just might be able to find a few in your fabric stash! Puffier sleeves on peasant blouses seem to be catching everyone’s attention this summer with a little wider neckline. Looking forward to what you decide on.
Charlotte, so glad you were both feeling well enough to go out to eat, and so heartwarming to hear about the show of appreciation from a stranger. My brother usually wears his USMC hat and people often thank him for his service and it always makes him stand a little taller and I’m sure Ron felt the same. Thanks for sharing your story. Have a great day all.
Thank you Dorothy,
I think the Josefina I recently got is a pretty one too… her hair has softened up too and I’m okay with it… I just got back from working at the Food Pantry, but haven’t looked again at my fabrics… but Arden’s skirt will definitely be in my mind as I look…
I personally LOVE peasant tops but I’m kind of picky… I like them loose and comfy and the elastic has to be “just right” to suit me… I hope Josefina likes how I did hers… :o)
Thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Josephina will show off whatever you come up with … she is a pretty one!
Glad you are better Charlotte and so nice for Ron to be recognized! I’m sure he was surprised .
Julia hope that leg will heal ASAP !
Have a great weekend everyone!
HI Kathie,
I’m sure Josefina will love whatever I make too… she’s been waiting patiently ever since she arrived… so she’ll probably be thrilled to see some action on whatever I make for her…
I plan to have a nice weekend… it’s already a busy one… not my choice, but I’m helping out at one of the dorms our church owns…
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
I think the material in the blouse is the same as the one you used for the Boneka tops you made for the capris to go along with the two adorable dresses I have the privilege of owning. It makes a beautiful peasant blouse. Can’t wait to see the skirt. So many options. And thanks again for the tutorial for tightening the legs. I need to do that on both my MA Gracie and Natalie. I hope they are similar in structure but I will do some research first.
HI Barbara,
Yes, that IS the same fabric as what your girls have… don’t you just LOVE that fabric… it really is special… but it wasn’t easy to find… no name on the selvage and the white doesn’t photograph well on Ebay pictures… it’s just a process of narrowing it down and then going through LOTS of listings…
I hope you find out how to do your MA legs.. I’m not sure how they are strung… but I’m sure there is a video out there on doing it…
Have a nice weekend…
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Charlotte, What a lovely thing! So happy you experiences a random act of kindness. I always thank veterans for their service when I see them with caps on in stores etc. Our Fourth of July concert opens with The Star Spangled Banner and then has a military salute where they play the song for each branch of the service. The veterans and current members stand up and everyone claps along and then a huge round of applause at the end of each song.
Hi Linda, our Delta Queen cruise went from Cincinnati to New Orleans. I still remember the shrimp etouffee. The calliope was fascinating and standing on deck watching the paddle wheel go round and round was lovely. I also liked the movie “Show Boat” I could definitely live on a riverboat or a cottage by the sea. I love the water.
Looking forward to seeing Josefina up next. The fabric you used for her camisa is beautiful. I enjoy seeing your creations and some dolly distraction is a good thing for me right now. Does yours have soft eyelashes, Jeanne, like the original versions of the PC girls had? If so, she can only be from 1997 or 1998. Mattel acquired AG in 1998 and all PC stock was allowed to sell out, but dolls made starting in 1999 had the stiff black lashes. I know when my daughter got Kit in 2000, those stiff black lashes were a real shock after PC Kirsten, Felicity, Addy, Samantha, and Josefina. The variations in colors of the PC eyelashes are so pretty, IMO.
HI Laura,
What a wonderful thing to do for the veterans in your town… I like that they give them credit and thanks for all they have done…
That’s one thing I have never done… been on a river boat cruise… but it sounds fun when you describe your adventures…
Well, after I read what you said about the eyelashes, I had to go check out Josefina’s eyelashes… first I checked all my other girls and Felicity is the one with the softest lashes… They are wonderful… but Josefina’s are like most of the rest of my dolls… they are slightly soft but I guess you might call them stiff… they are perfect though, and none are missing so I am okay with them… I’m not sure how old Josefina is, but I mostly looked for a pretty face and nice enough hair to do things with and she fit both those criteria…
Well, I better figure out what I’m doing for the bottom half of her outfit…
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
When I saw the last picture of Josefina, I thought, “This girl wants turquoise.” I think, in part, that what we want now is something cool looking. It’s probably too obvious a choice, but a pretty one.
HI Marilyn,
I can’t tell you how many “turquoise” fabrics I pulled off the shelf to look at… and I even had that turquoise tufted dot fabric that I had made her blouse from before out and was looking at it… I might still give in and put a turquoise skirt with her white blouse… she’s not picky…she’s just glad to be on the cutting table and dreaming of modeling for me… to earn her keep! :o)
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I like the outfit so far.
I can see a “twirling” skirt for Josefina. Girls love to spin around and have their dresses flair out.
I agree with Marilyn. A turquoise accent (necklace?) would look lovely.
HI Dorothy,
Okay, now I have two ladies pushing for turquoise… what am I to do? I’ll have to go look again…
Thanks for your thoughts…
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I feel bad saying this but I never read the descriptions for your outfits because I know your work is exceptional. For some reason I actually read the one for “Monkey Business” and was completely charmed. I love the trip to the zoo and was transported back to the days of taking our young children to the zoo. The monkeys were always a favorite. One Sunday afternoon a baboon had gotten out of his enclosure. Some tense moments ensued among the zookeepers but no one got hurt.
I love coming here for my “dolly fix” but it has become more of an addiction! I am so happy to have stumbled across your blog and am honored to have met all of the “sisters”.
Thanks for the photos of Josephina’s restringing. I am just too chicken to try that and just keep sending my dolls to the AG hospital. I just need to practice on one I don’t care about. Josephina’s blouse will be the perfect compliment to the rest of her outfit – I have no doubt about that : )
Debbie
Thank you Debbie,
I was touched that you enjoy my blog so much and love coming here for your dolly fix! It’s a great place to get away from anything that’s troubling you…or when you just need a smile.
I loved it when you said you don’t read my descriptions…wow…what a compliment that is to me! Thank you!
It’s funny…I have a monkey story too…I always always always wanted one of those little tea cup monkeys. They used to be advertised in the back of magazines…my mom always talked me out of one, but I sure did want one…
Thank you Debbie
Blessings, Jeanne