Hi everyone,
I’m still around… and I did get a chance to read your comments this evening, but it was 10:10 when I did so, and had no time to answer them. It looks like you did okay without me again today. Thanks for being patient with me during this hectic time as we try to pull this wedding together… only 12 more days now… EEK!
Today I washed out all the glass votive candle holders. The candle wax from when they were used last needed to be gotten out and it was a chore… it took me over 2 hours to do them. They were all like this… and some much worse.
I had wax everywhere…
I think there were 48 glass holders… but now they are all sparking clean just waiting for fresh candles to go in them…
I also worked on painting a sign Rebecca wanted to put on the back of the golf cart they’ll be using when they ride around to the various places on the country club’s grounds to take pictures. I just used fabric paint so I had to give it 3 coats to look right. Tomorrow I’ll finish the edges of it and maybe “embellish” it… because you know I LOVE to embellish! :o)
I also had Rebecca pin up the lining of my dress for the wedding and of all days, my hubby wanted to work on some trim in the hallway… But before he could work on the trim, he had to fix the door that goes upstairs to our attic. That took him (and I helped) almost all day… but he has successfully gotten the door in place and NOW the trim can go up… well… after some spackling first!
Somehow, I accidentally missed the comments from Marilyn on the day when we did the tea party post. She left lots of links for various tea things to look at… I hope you will click on the link to that post called Afternoon Tea vs High Tea and check out some of her links…Her comments are the last ones on that post. Sorry I missed them…
Now for the American Girl Fashion show… Linda sent me these pictures and I thought you’d like to see them… This is what she emailed me…
“Jeanne, if this helps, you can use these sometime when you have nothing else going on. Now don’t forget, these pictures are from 11 years ago!!!! AG used to have fashion shows all over the country, and they would have local girls model the clothes that they, at the time, were selling. They used to sell girl sized clothes that the historical dolls wore. Also there were the more modern clothes from the “Just Like You” line.
My two granddaughters were selected to be in this show, and you will see Maggie, who is now in college,(!), wearing the JLY Photographer’s Outfit (she’s the tall one). Annie, who was 3 years younger, wore AG pj”s, but I didn’t get a good enough picture of her in those. It was very hard to get good pictures, period, since they kept walking, and the parents were standing up and taking pictures too. Some pictures are not really good, but it’s all I could do to get any!
This last picture is one of me, Maggie and Annie after the show. Maggie is in college now, Annie is in high school, and I am falling apart!!! They all got tee shirts for being in the show. It was really a fun time and they had drawings for various AG things, I do remember one being Kit’s Treehouse, which i did not get!!! They served food too, it really was nice! Maxine Clark (founder of Build a Bear) was the emcee.
Jeanne, just one more. I just had to send this one of Maggie as Molly in the AG Fashion show from the year before the one I sent! For sure it is not a good picture and we do have photographer pictures, but it is cute and I was so thrilled to have Maggie be Molly in the show!
I hope you’ll come back tomorrow to see what I have for you…
See you then,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a job you had, getting all that wax out of those votive holders! But it’s done now, one more thing to cross off your list!! And now the sign…I love your lettering. Did you use a stencil, or maybe copy a font, or is this your original lettering? Whatever it is, it’s lovely! Can’t wait to see how you embellish it!!
Linda, thanks for sharing pictures of the fashion show; I remember my friend in CA talking about those and how her granddaughters occasionally were chosen to participate. And the first time I ever was in an AG store (Chicago–maybe about 2000?) I remember seeing the matching girls’ outfits. By then, they didn’t have as many different ones, but I remember in the early days when Every historical outfit could also be purchased in a girl’s size!! It’s also nice to put a face to a name, so thanks for including the picture of yourself with Maggie and Annie, too.
BTW, I added a comment to your comment yesterday: we must be the same age, as I started first grade in 1952, also. And yes, it was Dittoes that had that distinctive odor! I remember learning how to make ditto masters in college, and making and using them when I started teaching, too!!
Thank you, Charlotte! Lucky you to be able to go to the Chicago store! I live only 5 hours away, but have yet to get there!
Wow, all those glass votives to clean, and not dirt, but wax! Very time consuming, for sure, but they all look so sparkling clean and brand new now! It certainly was worth the work!
Oh, I know all about husbands who like to “do” things right before an event or holiday when you are way too busy and have no time for extra things! One year right before Thanksgiving, when we here hosting the Thanksgiving dinner, Michael decided to paint the hallway! Why???? Why then? We could have waited until after Thanksgiving, but then he would have probably done it 2 days before Christmas!!
That sign will be a cute addition to the golf cart, and I can’t wait to see the embellishments you do! It will be darling, I’m sure of that! Maybe Rebecca and Karn will hang it over the couch in their living room! Just kidding!!
Thank you for showing my pictures from the AG Fashion Show! It sure brings back fond memories!
Can’t wait to see some ‘real’ wedding pix… though it’ll be bittersweet because I’ll know another friend is leaving the area!
The picture of the American Girl event are wonderful! What treasured memories those are. So glad to see a picture of you, Linda. I wonder where your granddaughters got their beautiful smiles? I think we know now. Thanks for sharing the pictures.
Too late for you, Jeanne, if you didnāt have this tip up your sleeve, but putting things in the freezer to harden up wax makes it a lot easier to chip off. I thought putting them in boiling water like you did would be the next step. Canāt wait to see this all come together. You and Rebecca are so creative and have such good taste. Pretty well have it wrapped up now? Sounds like it. Bride and groom against the backdrop of a beautiful sunset coming up.
Thank you .Susette! It really was a treasured event that I and the girls will always remember!
Jeanne, You get a gold star for cleaning those votive glasses! I confess to the battery operated version for my son’s wedding. They look pretty in the dark but the effect is not the same as actual candles. It is fun to relive all of those preparations while you are making yours; it brings back memories of details that were long forgotten. That golf cart will save Rebecca’s wedding shoes. My DIL had to trek across the grass to get the “wedding tree” in the state park where they married. I never saw the shoes again but I am sure they were ruined.
Linda, You delight us again with the fashion show pictures! You were lucky to live in a city that was on the “tour”. The first photo is a life size version of the Felicity that came in yesterday’s mail. I remember that even Pleasant Company offered clothing in girl’s sizes of most of the historical outfits. We were struggling to keep up with Kirsten’s wardrobe. I did sew Kirsten’s Meet Outfit for storybook day when Allyson was in third grade. When she got to school that morning the younger students in the cafeteria took one look and said “You are Kirsten”! That was so gratifying. I will have to take a picture of that photo and send it to Jeanne.
Debbie
I had to laugh when I saw the wax mess. I used to do that too until one time the smoke from the candles on my table set off the smoke alarm during a dinner. š You might check, but a lot of venues will no longer allow candles at all due to insurance issues. Now, I just pop in dollar store battery tealights. They look great and there are no problems with melting candles overheating and breaking the glass or accidental decoration fires from things too close and the best, no smoke alarms going off. š Just a thought.
So is the guest list still at 10 I think it was? or have more been added? Are you having the food catered? As that would eliminate a lot of stress. Does the venue supply the dishes and silverware? And hopefully, they do the clean up too? It’s getting close, so hope you are taking care of yourself. No slips or falls please.
Well, it sounds like George is ready for the next step in the remodel. More flooring I think it is? Not sure.
How fun to see Linda with grands Annie and Maggie. The fashion show was so fun to see. No wonder they were chosen to model as their grand looks like she’s a model too. š
Thanks for sharing the fun pictures Linda and Jeanne.
Oh dear, Joy, that was 11 years ago, and I look a bit different now! But thank you anyway!š
I have gone totally to the battery tealights. Some I have flicker like real candles. Last winter when we had the freezing weather and lost our electricity one evening I gathered up all my votives with the tealights and put them around the house. My claustrophobia has gotten so bad being in the dark, and it was pitch black, was a problem and even the little votives made a lot of difference. I guess that thing about lighting just one little candle is true for me.
Debbie, yes, do send that picture! It was so much fun seeing the life sized versions of the dresses we first saw on our dolls! I did get a picture of the model who wore Kirstenās dress, but it was not good enough to show. I wish I could have been front and center but you sat where there was a place and that was that.
Have fun with. Felicity! She is a beauty!
Who thought you would have to clean out the votives for two hours ? That is a tedious jobā¦.be sure and use the candles that are set in little metal holders inside your shiny clean holders for your wedding.
Linda, if I could find them, I have almost identical pictures of an American Girl luncheon when my Grands were just about the same age! Me in a suit too, and they each brought their dolls. Had daughters and daughter-laws along too. It was at one of the country clubs on a beautiful day and there were several hundred AG fans. I must find those picsš I think I was still using a cameraā¦not a phone.
Your just married sign will be a photographers delightā¦ good idea!
So no mention of what Rebeccaās dress is likeā¦.so when it came it must have been perfect?
Oh, you meant a “real” American Girl fashion show. I never heard of these. I’m wishing more all the time that my daughter had been into the AG dolls. She was five years old when the dolls were first introduced but never showed any interest in them even though her friends had them. In truth she never showed any interest in dolls at all. That’s why, although I knew about the dolls, I have never been really acquainted with all of them and their histories.
Linda, how proud you must have been to have your granddaughters model the AG clothing. I did not know they did the historical clothes. I have only seen the more modern matching clothing. I think I’ve only been in an AG store once or twice. I love the picture with you and your two granddaughters. One of the advantages to living a long life is a bit bittersweet. You get to see a lot of people grow up. It’s hard for me to realize my daughter has been out of high school 22 years. She has friends with grown children. I remember when those babies were born and it seems like yesterday. Our granddaughter (David’s oldest daughter Shana’s child) was born in 1989. She has three children. Our great-grandchildren are roughly the ages of our son Sean’s children. It feels like we have two generations going on.
I don’t envy you the job of cleaning up those votives. Removing wax is one of the worst jobs. The stuff is relentless. I used to make candles and remember cleaning up after. Not fun no matter how neat I tried to be.
I can relate to the story of men needing to do a job at the worst time. My hubby used to take on projects when we had somewhere to be later in the day. He promised it would only take a couple hours but Murphy’s Law always prevailed and the project took way longer than anticipated. I was a nervous wreck trying to get him to give it up and get ready to leave.
I really hope to get some sewing done today.
Kathie, wasnāt that a fun experience going to the fashion show? Iād love to see your pictures too! My pictures were also taken with a camera, not a phone,
Barbara, yes a ārealā American Girl Fashion Show! AG did this for awhile and they proved to be very popular and fun! They had all kinds of AG items on display and you could bid on them, they had attendance prizes, and even yummy food! The highlight of the show was the parade of AG fashions starting at the historical line and working up to the modern line. They even had little girls about 5 or so modeling Bitty Baby clothes, and that was really cute!
My own daughter was more into Barbieās, much to my dismay, but then AG was before her time. It was the granddaughters that I had fun with, playing with AG dolls! Sadly, those days are over, ā¦ā¦for them, but not for their grandma!
Dear Linda, thanks for sharing the photos of your lovely granddaughters. They favor you.
I did not know about the Fashion Shows either.
I just learned that the AG Outlet in Hershey is closing. I am not surprised as it was very small and probably could not afford to be shut down for an extended period of time.
I only have one AG, Addy. I have a ton of other 18-inch dolls though. They seemed to agree that my house was a haven and they all showed up one day. Well, that’s my story anyway (laugh).
Dorothy, it really is a shame that they no longer have the fashion shows. They certainly helped popularize AG and helped us to see the clothes, dolls, and accessories, plus they were so much fun!
I have heard about the Hershey outlet closing too. Iām sure it was nice to have a place nearby to see some of the dolls and accessories. Our store in St. Louis also closed several years ago, and that was a sad day for me!
All those glass votives to clean would be a big job. I don’t know how you did it, but I find putting the holder in the freezer a few hours works like a charm. the wax must shrink because it pops right out and then a quick bath in hot, sudsy water gets out the film left behind.
Can’t wait to see how you embellish the sign, Jeanne.
I use only battery operated tealight and candles now because of kitties. Dogs always stayed on the floor, but kitties can jump up on the piano or dresser and would get hurt. I also have one that the “flames” move and flicker. They look quite real unless you are super close.
Linda, what fun photos. I remember those fashion shows. How wonderful that both your granddaughter’s got to participate. Of course you were thrilled when Maggie got to be Molly. I, also, remember all those outfits that came in girl sizes. Such a wonderful idea. The first one we went to was at the all girl’s school in 1995 or 1996. After the show was over, everyone was told to look under their chairs for stickers that meant you won a certain prize. My daughter won THE AMERICAN GIRLS CLUB & HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAND BOOK ( it was a handbook of historical activities and then you also received newspapers) as well as a choice of a doll bed. She chose Addy’s.
So nice to see a photo of you with your granddaughters. You have beautiful, identical smiles. š
Wow, Laura, you beat me going to the fashion show, since the one I showed was in 2011! What a wonderful thing for your daughter to have won the book and Addyās bed! Do you still have it? I really liked that bed, but never had Addy. This fashion show was also at an all girls school, The Academy of the Sacred Heart, in St. Charles. It was so much fun and people came from all over. Itās nice to know that others also have gone to these shows and remember them!
Hi Linda,
Yes, my daughter did keep the bed when she downsized. if she hadn’t, I would have. She thought Addy’s bed looked more pioneer for her Kirsten. She received Kirsten’s Friendship Quilt & quilt set for her birthday. This was at the time that Addy’s bed came without her quilt. She had a cute cabin set up in the corner of her room with those Kirsten’s Scenes and Settings, Addy’s bed, Kirsten’s table, chairs, birthday dishes and treats, and Samantha’s desk. She kept all of those except Sam’s desk which is now mine. š
Dear Jeanne, you will definitely need to go on an anniversary vacation when the wedding is over. You are working so hard.
All of your little touches are lovely and important in the larger plan.
Don’t worry about the Sofa Sisters. We can always entertain ourselves.
This was a wonderful blog entry. I really enjoyed seeing the AG fashion show. I donāt remember seeing anything about these. They must have been wonderful, especially having a grand daughter in the show!
My kids were boys, so had no interest in dolls. I do remember teaching kindergarten and using a language arts/reading series written by Pleasant Rowland. It had really cute pictures of characters such as Doll, and Bear. She is or was a very creative person. There was also an American Girls Magazine. The article I remember most was about a current American Girl. They showed pictures of a girl and her ancestors in America.
Now for a comment on Husbands. Mine loves to eat, but saves chores until I have fixed dinner. That is the time he chooses to take out the trash or put up dishes from the dishwasher!
Jeanne, I hope the wedding goes smoothly and everyone has a wonderful time.
I really enjoy seeing everyoneās pictures on the blog.
Diana Jenness
Diana, Iām glad you enjoyed the fashion show, since you are the mother of boys, and I am sure dolls were not a popular item in your household! My daughter-in-law has three boys and no girls, so I quite understand how it is for you!
Men are all alike, Iām afraid!š
Linda, I went back through your photos again and saw the picture at the end of you and your granddaughters. They are so pretty, I can see why they were chosen to model the AG clothes. You look like a model too!
Oh Debbie, the only thing that makes me like a model, is my height! I am 5ā9ā, or I used to be! Actually, my daughter, their mother, has a friend who teaches at that school and was one of the people who put together the fashion show. It helps to have āconnectionsā!
Thank you very much for the compliments of me and the girls!
When cleaning votive holders or other candle holders, remember not to wash the wax down the drain/garbage disposal unless you like plumbing bills. A long-gone roommate taught me that. She learned it from experience.
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I too loved the fashion show pictures. I remember when AG had them for sale. They were wonderful.
Hi Jeanne,
I just wanted to say hello. I loved your new haircut. You’ll certainly be a beautiful mother-of-the-bride, Those tea lights were a yucky mess but you made them look brand new! Great job on the sign, it will look super cute on the back of the golf cart. Rebecca’s soon to be in-laws will be visiting … I’ll bet it’s not the last project George needs your help with! I say just go with the flow!
Linda, your granddaughters are so cute and you are such a beautiful lady. It’s so nice to put a face with the name. Thank you for sharing your photo’s. What fun the girls must have had and those cute tee shirts probably were worn with pride!
Hugs to everyone
Ingrid