HI everyone,
Before I get to todays post… Sally reminded me that Ed, at Happily Ever After Dolls, is selling the Northern Lights Bella doll as well as the Ruby Red company. Ed is a small business owner and I’m sure he would be thrilled to have your business. He is the one I bought Rozen and Stella from.
Here is a link to his store. You’ll have to probably email Ed or call him to see if he has any dolls you might be interested in.
Happily Ever After doll shop link
You are in for a REAL TREAT today as Sally has emailed LOTS of pictures of her Ruby Red Fashion Friends dolls and I’m sharing them with you! I hope I don’t overwhelm you with too much cuteness at one time, so get a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy! :o) :o)
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge! :o)
I’ll let Sally do the “narrating” for her pictures too!
Here we have Natali from Russia wearing a sweet set by Sue Smith of Lilysworkbasket in the UK; Sydney also wearing a Lilysworkbasket outfit. Little Dara from Russia is wearing a set made by a Russian woman on eBay. This set has the knit hat, a sweater, and leg warmers that I did not use. The jumper is a coarse linen and I just love the little bird and the holly sprigs. All boots are by Stanislav, DollHouseBoots on Etsy. Lilysworkbasket is on Etsy, too. Sue makes her own patterns for everything. What I particularly love about her sets besides the excellent yarns and fabrics, is that the dresses open all the way down the back. So easy to put on. She often needlefelts the little dolls and animals, makes bracelets, includes necklaces, and puts the sweetest bead decorations with embroidery on her sweaters. All so tiny. 😊The dolls and I are very fond of Sue! BTW, these are all LD outfits. While they are a bit big in the shoulders for the Siblies, the little sweaters cover that up. Also, the Siblies wear LD shoes just great. We are VERY happy about that.
Lo and behold, blond Libby (Liberty Joy) and Holiday Sara are sporting these elegant dresses by the fabulous Jeanne Marie! They certainly look mighty pleased with these beautiful dresses and so happy to have them! 😌
These two girls love their dresses by Guzel who sells from her shop on Etsy, FavoriteDress which is in Russia. Guzel finds the most elegant laces and trims. I adore lace. (Actually, a great deal of my doll clothing collection comes from Russia on eBay and Etsy. I have “met” some of the nicest women and Stanislav. His wife has the shop BoosinkaNK and I have several of Natilya’s spectacular outfits. She mostly sells patterns, though. Wonderful couple.)
Well, I love Kayla, but had to try the wig I bought from Danielle from ZaZouCustomDolls that I originally bought for Elinda and could not, for the life of me, get the wig on her. (Danielle even sent me a video how to put the wig on…never any luck. )Then our dear Joy from Northern CA told me about Mack’s silicone ear plugs. As you can see, this wig is staying on. I am going to get brave and try to put it a little more forward.
I had trouble putting Sara’s wig on. This is the first time I’ve had trouble with an official RRFF wig. Well, it’s on, isn’t it. Humph! Three cheers. Bella?? She is my first Bella, and the wig here is very, very disappointing and I was feeling disgruntled about the doll, period. You will next see a picture of Miss Bella in a different wig bought from ZaZouCustomDolls that makes me happy! 😁
Success! So much happier with Bella with this wig, and ta-dah! I got Kayla’s wig a little more forward. Sara is happy her sisters and mama are happier. What a good girl.
Here is dark haired original Luca and his cousin, By the Sea Luca now named Owen due to the red hair and freckles. Luca was SO pleased to get a pal. There are an awful lot of RR girls around here and he was developing an “attitude “. Now all is right.
These outfits are incredible. Luca is wearing his original shirt, and that wonderful tie? Made by our own Joy and we are just pleased as punch. Thanks, Auntie Joy! Since BTS Luca/Owen came with a pretty lame outfit IMHO, he needed a long sleeve shirt. After scouting around Etsy, I saw Polina was making these terrific belted hooded sweaters, and I saw she was posting her sweaters with the most wonderfully tailored slacks with pockets, front pleats, crisp front and back creases. When I wrote to Polina (MamaPaulitaBoutique), I asked if she made the slacks. No, but her good friend Olga with the Etsy shop OliLoliDolls made the slacks, and, she also made shirts! Olga and Polina sent me pics of fabrics and yarns and these lucky guys are sporting these amazing sets. What lovely ladies. I have been so fortunate to find such talented people who make my doll kids look sharp.
Holly Maya is wearing Betty Atwell’s lovely green silk dupioni dress, and Eira whooped with delight when the mailman brought Jessica Hosch’s holiday gown and reversible velvet cape. Betty’s shop is BabiesArtUs on Etsy, and Jessica’s shop is HoschPoschCreatuons, also on Etsy.
Well, sad to say, I have seven other little girls not happy with their mama because she didn’t dress them for the holiday. Life is tough around here sometimes, alas.
The two outfits with the long ski caps are by Sue Smith of Lilysworkbasket. The green and white dress worn by Billie is made by Linda of Amgirliam on eBay. The little one in the corduroy overalls with the puppet is wearing a set made by Tula of TulasGarden I think, on eBay. I haven’t seen much by Tula lately. Wonderful outfits. There is a little black sweater to go with this set, but I love seeing the bear on the sled on the overall bib. The sweater, cap, and plaid skirt set is made by another Russian woman on eBay, and the last dress is made by my friend, Nur, of MyLovelyDresses on Etsy. I have done a lot of business with Nur. She also designs fabrics with the most marvelous border prints that she sells in her shop. Some of my sofa sisters might like to take a look.
OK. I have decided that some of these outfits are really pretty nice, and I don’t have the starch any more to change clothes on all the dolls. So in this picture we have Fernanda, Elinda, Freya (without her wings…we both agreed they took up too much space so we are “pretending” that when she decides she wants to do a little fly around, they will “sprout out” and retract when she lands. Very accommodating fairy. The only kind to have!) Then we have Darla and from Russia, Alexandra, who is anxiously awaiting sisters Elena and Anna from Russia. (Joy’s Alexandra is on her way to CA! 👍)
So, Jeanne, these pictures cover some of my LD and RRFF collections with some in holiday duds. Hope you enjoyed the show and didn’t fall 😴 asleep! 😆
Love, Sally
Are you kidding me, Sally… fall asleep? Not a chance. I zoomed in and scrutinized each and every picture…
Thank you SO MUCH for showing us your girls. It was really fun and I know everyone will love seeing them.
See you tomorrow, (but I really don’t know HOW I CAN TOP THIS!)
Blessings, Jeanne
First of all, Jeanne, it looks like your Victorian Charm is doing very well on eBay–five bids already!!! I love the changes you made to it, too–putting the buttons closer together and adding a couple really made a big difference, in my opinion. Also like the smaller hat.
Not sure how I missed seeing your blog last night; I probably got tired and missed it. Some nights there are lots of notices to plow thru, and it’s easy to miss the important ones!
I’m another who has Jennifer on her way. Just had to let you all know that. I’m sorely tempted by Northern Lights Bella, and I really LOVE her outfit, but as I already have a Bella, I will give her a pass this time.
Sally, thanks so much for sharing your dolls with us! It’s almost like a full time job, isn’t it, getting them all ready for the various holidays and such?! At least you don’t have to worry about them getting dirty, or wearing a hole in the knee of pants or tights! I think if I had to pick a favorite, it would be Holly Maya’s fabulous silk dress. I’m a smocker, so anything with smocking is a magnet to me!
This Friday is Ron’s appt. with the neurologist; I’m hoping to have something more to report then. In the meantime, *I* have some tests tomorrow (routine cardiac stuff–it’s been several years since the last set).
Hello, Charlotte. I am happy you enjoyed the green silk dress. Betty has smocking down solid.
I am eager to hear how much you gals will enjoy your Jennifer and Scarlett dolls. They should be with you shortly! Dolly anticipation is good for us. 😌
I wish you and Ron a good doctor visit week. Take good care and don’t overdo.
❤️
What a treat we have today! Sally, I cannot imagine how much time and effort it must be to dress all these darling dolls! They certainly must keep you busy! I love the first picture with the darling winter outfits and sweet caps! I love knitted anything! Thank you so much for sending the photos to Jeanne, and to Jeanne for showing them to us!
I see that you have them posing on your dining room table and wonder where they go when you eat there? Do you have a doll room? i certainly hope you keep them out on display!
I am probably one of the few, if not only, person on the blog who hasn’t been bitten by the RRFF bug.. Since I have none, I am wondering how in the world you know who is who, especially when you change their wigs? I do see a few variations of coloring, but when you have so many with similar faces, it puzzles me as to how you keep track of who they are!
Here’s hoping Santa is good to your dollies this year!
Hello, dear Linda,
😁 I love the knitted sweaters and hats, too. Thank you very much and I am glad you got a kick out of the Dolly parade here.
I don’t spend much time on wigs and dressing dolls as I used to. It is much more tiring than in days of yore. 🙁
The dolls may seem so alike to you and others, but like my Bella, a wig change makes a real difference. In her case, from not liking the doll due to the particular wig that came (and some of these By the Sea Bellas have had better looking wigs) simply making a wig change that makes me happy is a wonderful solution. Even better when the wig goes on easily!! And she doesn’t look like anyone else’s Bella. These dolls just make me so happy with their pleasant sweet faces; I know when I need an attitude adjustment, all I have to do is go in a room where they are and just look and look. I am immediately happier.
The dining table is about the only convenient place to take pictures here. And I take pictures when I know my husband won’t be around to avoid seeing rolling of eyes.
And you ask where they hang out..I have some large cases in the MBR and half my R. John Wright dolls and 2/3 of the Rubies are in the guest room, being such delightful live-in “guests”.
How I wish I could do the fun things you do with your kids, getting out all your fabulous accessories. You do a bang-up job and we love when you share them.
I hope I answered your questions. Thanks so much, Linda.
Thanks for sharing Sally’s amazing collection. My favorites are, of course, the Christmas ones by Jeanne, the white on the right in the first picture and the red cape and dress. Thanks for sharing the many sources and information about your dolls, Sally.
I found a really cute Christmas fabric on entering “Letters to Santa Fabric” in Search. It’s the right scale for doll clothes. There are colorful versions of the fabric as well as black-and-white, so be sure to order the right one. I first saw it on a lovely Cindy Rice doll.
Regarding electrical work: I had a lesson on California law when the air conditioner was replaced in July. I was going to apply for the permit myself when I found it cost $750! I eventually gave up and paid it, and the company told me if I had obtained it myself, I would have been responsible for any problems or damage caused by the replacement and would have had to pay the inspectors myself anyway. My insurance company might not have covered ant dam either. Good grief, but problems avoided. The last of three inspections is due on December 8th!
Correction: That’s “any damage either.” Proofreading failure this early in the morning.
Hello, Susette!
I think you learned an excellent (and expensive) lesson that potentially could have been far more expensive. Good for you.
Thanks for your comments. The two Sara’s do Jeanne’s dresses justice, and I agree about that little bird ensemble.
Have a wonderful day and good luck on the 8th! 😊
The RRFFs are lovely and their clothes are spectacular. It’s always nice to know where some of Jeanne’s dresses have ended up. Of course, those are probably my favorites because they are so perfect for the season, but Kayla’s classic outfit is is a close runner up and I always admire beautiful smocking. It’s an enviable collection of both dolls and clothes. Thanks to Sally for sharing.
I think there’s time for another Christmas dress if it goes smoothly. Jeanne, do you have a pattern that you love and that always goes together with no problems? I know you have beautiful Christmas fabric, enough lace to start a store — and the tree is up. So — ready?
Hello, Marilyn.
Thanks for your kind comments and, you’re right. Jeanne’s dresses certainly are season perfect.
I think Jeanne mentioned making some more holiday clothes, maybe for Nysa, if I spelled that correctly? However, we also know this lady does quite the merry dance through the holidays. It will be fun to watch, as always. 😊
Dear Jeanne,
It has been days since I have written here, but I am dealing with some troubles with our chamber music society…..plenty of reasons to keep looking at my RR kids for attitude lifts!
Anyway, thanks for using my pictures for “show and tell”. Doesn’t matter how old we get, we still get the same thrill and joy that we did as kids!
Just loved seeing the happiness of the kids and Reuben, your lovely tree, the stockings. Each day the blog and the “sisters” become more important in my life. A huge hug and thank you. ❤️❤️🙏👏😊
Victorian Charm is going to make one winner and doll extremely happy..and one seller/seamstress very happy, deservedly so. Fixing that beret made all the difference. I am so glad the sisters made that suggestion and you followed up. Well done.
So, again, dear Jeanne, thanks with all my heart. Have a most beautiful December, my friend.
Love and hugs,
Sally
And Jeanne, thanks so much for giving Ed a plug for any gals thinking of buying Northern Lights or any doll. He is such a dear to work with, and I know he would be so grateful. Please keep his mom in your thoughts this week. She is having cataract surgery which seems always to be miraculous, but the older we get, the more fearful we are, or some of us, anyway. So again, thanks for saying this. You’re such a peachy doll! ❤️
This is just wonderful. Thanks, Jeanne, for sharing and to Sally, for the wonderous collection. I particularly liked that the names of the dress and shoe makers were shared. This will be a perfect reference in the future. So fun to see the collection.
What a fun treat to see this morning. 🙂
Thanks, Joy. I so value your comments and friendship. 🙏❤️
Sally, I always enjoy your dolly fashion shows. Very timely as ALL of my dolls are still in moving boxes. Today’s offerings are extra special because of your well curated holiday and winter themed outfits. Jeanne’s latest for the Ruby Red’s are just so beautifully crafted and just so Christmas! My pulse always quickens at those Little Darlings. It feels like I will wait forever for my own. I don’t even remember what I ordered it has been so long. I do love doing business with Ed at Happily. I was able to get a Rozen from him a couple of months ago. She arrived in the best packaging and condition of any of the RRFF I have received from any source. I sent him my grateful thanks.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful collection. 🥰
Debbie
Good morning, dear Debbie,
You are always so kind, sweet, and generous with your comments. I am just delighted that this deluge of “Sal Stuff” gave you some enjoyment, and I hope your babies are able to spring from their temporary incarceration before Christmas. Wouldn’t that be grand?? I so hope so.
Are you almost through the 150 boxes? It takes time to figure out “new homes” for things in a logical manner so we can access them quickly. I am dreading our move back East in two to four years. We love it here, but know going to this life care community is the best thing we can do for ourselves and our kids. The longer we put it off, the harder the move will be and the making of a new home. Sigh. Well my dear, I hope you, your hubby and babies have all landed in the perfect spot for you. Sending a big hug and thanks. 🥰❤️
Thank you so much for well wishes! I am half way through Box 1 of 150. Yes, Box 1. We bought a bit more of a fixer upper than we originally thought. We had the entire interior painted. That took 10 days! I readied rooms after she finished but did not want to get in her way. I was finally able to get the closets ready yesterday and open Box 1 this morning. Our home in Louisiana was completely remodeled and I was eager to return home. During our 10 year hiatus in Knoxville our two children both ended up in Raleigh, NC. Like your decision, hubby insisted that we needed to be in a small, safe community within an hour of our kids for the benefit of all. All tall order but after months of searching it finally came true. Now to just free those dollys! The doll room here is 1/2 the size of the previous house. In the meantime I will enjoy your displays over and over. 😌
Debbie
Dear Debbie, wow. New home and living there while it’s all repainted. The fumes alone are something so I hope windows were able to be open. Sending you all my very best wishes for these next couple weeks. Oh, it will be so lovely, I am certain. Hang in there, lady! ❤️👍
How fun that you have Rozen. Hope she is in box #1. 🙂 I would love to have our entire house repainted, but we’d need many storage containers while the work was completed, and I’m just not up for that right now. How nice it will be for you with fresh paint. 🙂
What a wonderful way to start the day! Thank you for the pictures Sally and appreciate all the time you spent getting them ready☺️ I don’t know if I can pick a favorite but the ones in the first picture took my breath away. Fantastic.
I could go on and on but Jeanne’s two dresses are so flattering on the RRFF. If I was a girl I would love how they made me look.
Now those boys are something else! So handsome and being able to choose your own yarn and fabric is an additional way to make them fun and to be so pleased when you can see the results.
Here I was going to get a good start to make cookies to send today and a good half hour just flew by!
Thank you for posting them Jeanne!
Good morning, Kathie!
Thank you SO much. I am sorry the pictures delayed the cookie baking, but it was good that you had fun. I am very, very pleased with my boys and these classy outfits for them. They aren’t going to get much attention, but they seem grateful to have been treated to these duds. Good boys, for sure.
I have a crazy day that will be ramping up soon. My therapy after the worst part this afternoon, if that meeting goes badly (losing our administrator), I will treat myself to looking at all these kids that will make me smile. Then I will drag in the tree, set it up and shape it. I’ll save the lights and ornaments (Steiff this year) until tomorrow.
Happy baking! Have a wonderful day, and thanks again, Kathie! 🙏❤️
Sally seeing your collection was a lovely start to my morning. What a fabulous lot of dolls and the outfits are just wonderful. I haven’t had a lot of time lately to post, it is such a busy time of year and with Sam and family moving in on Saturday it has made it even busier!
Jeanne, I see your Victorian Charm has 7 bids on it. It really is lovely. I look forward to seeing the next one.
Have a great day everyone
Dear Anne, thank you so much. You sure have been busy and it’s always good to hear from you. We sisters are rooting you and Sam on for a great weekend and the best holidays ever! ❤️
Wow, what an incredible collection of the Rubies you have, Sally. I did smile at your comment on if you need an attitude adjustment you go in the room where they are. I agree, smiling dolls and cuddling with pets is cheap therapy.
Love the little jumper outfit with the cardinal and Holiday Sara looks as if she was made to wear Jeanne’s plaid dress. I also am a fan of the smocked dress as I love smocking on little girl’s clothing. Your boys are so dapper. Thank you so much for sharing them. You have the most sensational collection between these and PC/AG dolls with their incredible wardrobes
Can’t wait to see your Stieff tree. I still have my growling Stieff teddy that my great aunt gave to me as a child.
Dear Laura,
Your comments so touched my heart, especially your last line about your Steiff bear. I hope he/she gets to be under the tree every year or on a mantle. And you are so right…our pets and dolls help keep our spirits up. Right now, I need to go look at my dolls because after an hour’s meeting with our administrator, I failed in keeping her. She’s been marvelous and there are certainly no hard feelings. Just sadness at the loss.
Thanks again so much. You are so kind. 🙏🥰
Dear Jeanne,
Thank you for sharing Sally’s pictures, we really enjoyed them. The dresses are so beautiful, that I would not be able to choose a favorite one. The RRFF dolls are so lovely, that sometimes I think that it doesn’t matter what dress they wear, they will always look like models. The handsome Luca looks so smart, those sweaters and slacks made them look like a real young man. The slacks are so well made, that I really scrutinized them, as Jeanne said. I was wondering if the slacks close in the back or in the front with a zipper Sally, they really have a tailored look. I really, really love Luca’s new style. You did a wonderful research Sally to get all these really adorable and incredible doll clothes. Thank you so much for showing us your doll collection of RRFF dolls Sally, and thank you Jeanne for posting all these incredible pictures,
This parade of doll clothes inspires us to get in the “Festive mood”.
I hope you all have a wonderful day.
Angela
Dear Angela,
Your wonderful and generous comments made my heart sing as have all the comments. Dolls and doll clothes are truly just so special and give so much joy to all of us here on this blog.
The boys’ slacks close in back with a snap; the front flies are faux. I was so impressed with them and that shirt on Owen is a work of art. This is all just so much fun, and fun can never be overrated.
Thank you again, Angela. You’ve helped make my day a hundred times better. 🙏😊❤️
Dear Jeanne, thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.
Sally’s children are amazing. I was happy to see the Little Darlings also.
Ed is a sweetie. I always tell him that he has a place on the sofa anytime he wants one (laugh).
Hello, dear Dorothy,
I knew I HAD to dress up some of the LDs for you! Glad you had fun, and I agree, Ed is a real sweetie. Yup, he can join us any time!
Do you have a holiday tea event coming up soon, I hope? ❤️☕️🫖🎄
Dear Sally, if you can believe this, I have SEVEN teas in December! Six are at my favorite tea place that is closing. I signed up for every tea where there was an opening. I had to sign up in February because she gets completely booked as soon as she announces her dates at the beginning of the year. It’s kind of like a limited edition doll being advertised.
The seventh tea is a Downton Abbey Tea. I have never been to this location. It’s over an hour from where I live. I hope the tearoom is nice so we can put it down as a location for next year.
This is probably TMI but I only know dolls and tea so thanks for asking (chuckle).
And thanks for sharing photos of the Little Darlings.
Oh, my! How exciting to have 7 teas to anticipate and attend! Your life sounds magical, Dorothy. I am so sorry your favorite place is closing; are the owners getting too old and worn out? Certainly if the place fills up practically a year ahead of time for events, it isn’t doing badly from a business perspective. Still it is sad. I hope the new location puts on a really good tea. Besides, an hour ride isn’t too bad, especially if it’s a pretty ride to add to the day’s pleasure.
Never TMI, Dorothy. Thank you, dear lady! 😊🌺