HI everyone,
We got LOTS done today in the sitting room!! The trim I painted for the areas we needed to get to first, (the computer area, the bookshelf and the big wardrobe) is now put down, the nail holes are spackled and they have been sanded and painted. The computer desk is moved back in place (for now… I’m hoping to find something smaller soon!), the wardrobe is back in place with all the blankets and sheet sets folded neatly inside and OFF the guest bed, and the bookshelf has been fitted with pieces of felt on the bottom and moved to it’s spot AND the books on those sawhorses in the guest room have found a shelf to rest on… Yippee! We had to fix one place on the floor in the corner behind the computer. The piece originally cut against the wall, was not holding tight enough and there were a few spaces between the planks so we had to fix it.
It looks amazing in here and I even took my half finished curtains and safety pinned onw panel on the traverse rod still up, just so I could see how they were going to look.
Now we can get working in the guest room… making the bed, spackling a few holes Rebecca left us and a few other things. I’ll show you in a few days if we get it presentable… We still have a table of tools in the sitting room, and I’m hoping to bring some things down from the attic and see if I can find a new home for some of them.
BUT you are in for a treat today… Barbara sent some pictures of doll outfits she made for her girls back when it was time to start school. We don’t care at all what time of the year they were made… I’m just thrilled she managed to get her pictures taken so I could share them with you all! Let me just tell you, if you can, first just read what Barbara wrote about each picture, and then click on it so you can see all the details in a bigger picture. Then you can go back and leave your comments without the dreaded disappearing monster taking them away! :o)
I’ll let Barbara tell a little bit about each picture!
Since I could not seem to get these ready for the Fall semester I hope you will accept my school fashions for the Spring Semester. I had to do these pictures the other night while preparing dinner. For some reason I can’t seem to get anything accomplished during the day.
I hope I didn’t overdo it with the pictures, but the outfits turned out so cute I wanted to share if you’ll allow me.
The first picture is Sophie wearing the pleated skirt I made after seeing your tutorial. It was the first time I ever used my Perfect Pleater. Blythe is wearing the rest of what I pleated for Sophie. Instead of pleating the rest of the piece I decided to make it into a kilt and added a gold safety (kilt) pin. Sydney, feeling left out of the discussion, put her leg up to show everyone how her socks matched the top of her dress. Stella and Anaelle are in the background in their new straight skirts and long sleeved blouses. They are shown to better advantage in another picture.
In picture two, I tried to show the back of the overalls being worn by my rescue doll Emma (aka the teacher). I made the more detailed version of these overalls and they have everything from several pockets to a hammer loop. LD Greer Adele (Magalie) is assisting the teacher in her favorite outfit from the house of I Dream of Jeanne Marie. Sydney and Paola Reina Cleo are being good students and working on their assignments.
In the third picture I show the front of Emma’s overalls and another dress of Sydney’s with matching socks (I love this pattern and have it in all sizes). Cleo is wearing a dress made from a small mattress ticking print I got from French Fashions. They specialize in small scale fabrics and some of their fabrics are absolutely elegant. This is one of my favorite dresses.
The fourth picture shows some of my RRFF girls. Sara and Bella are wearing their favorite romper outfits (another favorite pattern) and this is a better picture of Stella and Anaelle in their skirts and blouses.
The fifth picture is of my LDs Claire (Uribe) and Fallon (Magalie) and my Mini Maru Savannah wearing another favorite pattern of mine. It’s the same pattern with three different looks.
The sixth picture is of my Boneka’s Charlotte and Mary-Ellen in their new rompers with Sophie showing off her pleated skirt outfit again. She loves it. There is also a plaid beret that goes with the outfit.
Jeanne, since you still have some painting and flooring to do, maybe this will help ease the need for coming up with something for the blog one day.
YES… I am still very busy and I thank you VERY MUCH for these adorable pictures! Your girls are dressed so sweetly and I LOVE looking at the details in your pictures!
Well, don’t you all just love the set up and the girls outfits? I knew you would.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, what a darling bunch of pictures today! I just love it when people share pictures of their dolls, and this group makes me feel like a “slacker”! Barbara, you have such a darling assortment of dolls, and you actually MADE all those outfits? What a good dolly mother you are!!
I especially love that romper pattern in the last picture. What brand is it? i have looked and looked for a cute romper pattern for Betsy, but have yet to find anythng. Of course, if I did find one, would it be made? But it is darling, and I especially love pleated skirts for school pictures too! I’m wondering how difficult it is to make pleats for such small dolls.
Jeanne, I wouldn’t worry about being “completely” ready for your visit with Rebecca and Karn. Surely they know, especially Rebecca, how difficult it is for you in the midst of your rehabbing! The main thing is that you will be together! That’s the cherry on top!
Hi, Linda, thanks for your wonderful comments. I made all the outfits but the one Greer Adele is wearing. I was the fortunate winner of that extensive ensemble by I Dream of Jeanne Marie of which these are only a few of the pieces. The romper pattern on my Boneka dolls is from House of Biscotti. It’s sized for both the 13″ LD and the 10.5″ Boneka dolls. It’s also a cute dress pattern. I was a bit intimidated at the thought of making a pleated skirt for a small doll but after Jeanne’s tutorial I went for it and it was pretty easy.
Wow, Jeanne, you made a lot of progress in your room today! Can’t wait to see pictures!!
And…10 bids now!! Yippee!!
Yesterday several people talked about taking starts from roses. My mom used to cut a rose, and put it in the ground, with a mason jar over it (making a small greenhouse) until the rose took root and started to grow. She also took starts from African violets, and at one time (when we still lived in Michigan) I think she must have had at least 20 different ones in the dining room!! (On the other hand, I have been know to kill just about anything that makes chlorophyll!! LOL)
Barbara I loved all your pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing! Wherever did you find those cut desks?!! They are just wonderful.
I, too, am a fan of pleated skirts for school! I have a Perfect Pleater, but have yet to attempt a pleated skirt for one of the dollies. I love how, in the first picture, Sidney is showing off her pretty socks that match her dress!!
I’m also very fond of Stella’s and Anaelle’s very grown-up-looking straight skirts and long-sleeved blouses!! So cute.
Thanks again for sharing!
Hi, Charlotte, Thanks for loving the pictures. I will tell the girls. They will be over the moon hams that they are. The backdrop and desks are Our Generation. I found the backdrop on eBay but wanted the “school room” to be more complete so I searched and was fortunate to find someone who wanted to sell both desks for the price of the one that I’d been seeing.
It took me a long time and a Jeanne Marie tutorial to dive into creating a pleated skirt – for any size doll. I will definitely be making more. It was easier than I thought and a lot of fun. Sydney kept trying to get someone to comment on her socks and when no one did, in the usual Sydney manner, she made sure to get the attention she wanted by sticking her foot out. Sophie kept ignoring her because she wanted to talk about Blythe’s matching skirt fabric but Blythe finally looked at Sydney with a bit of consternation and said “What!”.
Dear Jeanne, I always love seeing girls in school clothing. Thanks for sharing these photos.
Barbara, I love the Bonekas. They are so sweet in whatever they wear.
Thanks, Dorothy. The Boneka dolls are the sweetest. They do always look so cute. The romper pattern also has a dress version and I’m going to make them reverse matching dresses for Easter. If I feel ambitious I might even make them some Easter bonnets to go with them.
Barbara thank you so much for sharing. Those are some very lucky dolls to have such a talented dolly mama. I can’t pick a favorite and like Linda I’m feeling like a real slacker. So adorable.
Please don’t feel like a slacker. The only reason I get as many outfits finished as I do is because they are small and make up fast. I thought when I retired I would have tons of hours to spend in my sewing room because I have a lot of other projects I would like to do, but it seems that my retirement meant something else to others in my family. Like, oh goodie now she’ll have time to do this or that.
Sometimes I hesitate to start on something if I know I will be interrupted. I sometimes feel like I sneak in the time to sew.
Wonderful pictures! And you made all those clothes! Where did you find the brass fittings for the overalls? So cute. Thanks for sharing after we’ve heard about your sewing for quite a while. You have a wonderful collection!
Thanks, Susette. I made all but the outfit on Greer Adele. The pieces are part of a Jeanne Marie ensemble I was fortunate to win. The overall closures came from Home Sew. They come in either antique brass or antique silver. Home Sew has wonderful supplies for making dolls and doll clothing, including the small separating zippers for doll jackets.
Thanks for reminding me of Home Sew! I used to order from them fairly often, but haven’t seen a catalog in quite a long time. Maybe they don’t send paper catalogs any more? I really prefer them, because then I can turn down corners (which I would Never do on a book!!) and mark the things I want!
Oh my gosh, what a bunch of cuties. All of the outfits have their merits, but of course, I have my favorites. So delighted to see Sophie. The 10ers around here are very jealous seeing her in that adorable pleated skirt and blouse. And your Blythe is a cutie too. Is Sydney’s dress pattern for knits only? I love the style and the socks are so perfect. The outfits for the RRFF girls are all sweet. That romper pattern is particularly fetching on them. I love the addition of the apple buttons with the apple print fabric on Sara. Lucky girl. 🙂 The LD’s and Maru are delightful wearing the same pattern. Love how Barbara made each outfit so different. Fun. I think the overalls are a work of art. I wonder if the RRFF kids can wear that pattern? or the Siblies if reduced? I’m not sure of Emma’s size? So much fun seeing all of the girls. Great staging too. Thanks so much Barbara for sharing your lovely creations and Jeanne too. It was all I could do to stop myself from going back while doing this comment to see each photo close up. Hope Jeanne can fix that feature after the Thanks-Christmas holiday.
Loved seeing all of Barbara’s work. Lots of envy here. And good that Jeanne and company have cleared the guest room and rearranged the room where no one has time to sit. 🙂
So, is Jeanne thinking about the combined holiday menu? Turkey with candy cane decorations? Pumpkin pie with ice icicles and snowflakes? Should be fun doing the table decorations. Creative fall leaves with snow? Red/white striped napkins. Have to make it fun. 🙂 The crows are here asking for breakfast. Have to go.
Thanks, Joy. I love sewing for Sophie. She always looks so cute. I really wish I had put her beret on her. It fits so well and she looks adorable in it. Sydney’s dress comes in all sizes and I have them all. I first had it for Wellies. The top does have to be made from knit as much so the socks will work but the skirt is cotton. It’s a piece of fabric doubled over so you don’t have to hem it. I liked that. Emma is 16″. The overalls she’s wearing are for a 16″ AGAT doll but I also have that pattern in other sizes and one of them is for Wellies.
So, any idea of who makes the overall pattern because I really like that one? and the Siblie knit dress/socks? TKS
Oops! Meant to tell you that. Sydney’s dress is by SewDolledUp81 and Emma’s overalls are by QT𝝅 called Oh My Gosh! overalls. There are three different ways of doing the straps so you don’t have to have the overall closures..
Thanks so much Barbara. I’ve made some of Sew Dolled Up patterns before. Haven’t looked lately though. And I will check out the overalls too. TKS 🙂
Loved the pictures Barbara, the outfits are all wonderful you are so talented.
Thanks Anne. Glad you enjoyed them.
Very impressive collection Barbara! I love the groupings and the outfits you have seen and collected for your dolls.
Your home is really coming along Jeanne. It is good to have a goal to work toward like Thanksgiving with the newlyweds.
We are finally headed to North Carolina to take ownership of our new home. It has been a long journey of endless packing. I have been following along with all photos and reading all posts. Blessings to all.
Debbie
Thanks Debbie. Glad you were able to enjoy them in the midst of your move. So glad you are finally over the packing and on the way to your new home in North Carolina. I love that state! We have some friends who just moved from North Carolina to Ohio where her parents live. He’s a friend from David’s youth and they talk regularly. David had a front row seat to the process of waiting on a home being built, all the packing then the move and now the unpacking. I hoped it might make him decide moving is not in our future, but he’s still determined that we will not stay here.
Sewn 🤦♀️
What an absolutely adorable group of girls you have there, Barbara. Everyone looks darling and I can’t believe you made all except one of the outfits. I really like the romper set you have on Sara with the sweet little apple buttons. Love your school room set up as well.
My grandmother was an African violet queen also, Charlotte. She probably had as many varieties also in the dining room on tiered white wrought iron stands. I’m guessing due to our age differences that your mom and my Nanny were close to the same age. The yard was full of flowers and the house had houseplants and cut flowers.
Thanks, Laura. I have all kinds of buttons but usually not the ones I’m looking for so I was surprised when the green apples worked for the outfit. Since the top and pants are actually one piece and the buttons were just for embellishment, I wanted them to be “noticed” so size wasn’t an issue. The school room set up is a fun one.
My grandmother also grew African Violets. I have a few myself but she was more attentive to them so each of hers were absolutely beautiful. At least I can grow them. Otherwise I’m kind of like what Charlotte said about killing anything with chlorophyll. My husband always buys me plants because he says cut flowers look dead soon after you get them. I will admit the plants take a little longer but the end result is usually the same. The only plant I can keep alive is my Pothos and that’s been marginal. I figure it must be immortal because I’ve brought it back from near death more times than I can count.
Dear Jeanne,
I can hear your excitement about that sitting room loud and clear; we are all eager to see this room and guest room soon. Getting those pieces of furniture back in place with what they hold must be so satisfying. Good luck finding your new computer desk. I know you’ll find the perfect one at a great price!
Jeanne, thanks for sharing Barbara’s ever so delightful pics. JOY should send her sweet pics of her Halloween crowd in her darling outfits. She had them on FB but not everyone does that. They would be great filler for another day! Hope you had another productive day, but you seem to make every day productive. You tire me out!
BARBARA! My goodness, woman; these pictures are so much fun! What terrific dolls, and your outfits look SO well tailored. I love the tiny prints, the buttons, the schoolroom accessories…just unbelievably and perfectly detailed . Sydney showing off her socks is too cute. I am so envious you are able to do scenes like this, but you have shared your joy with all of us. I just have to keep looking at these pictures so I don’t miss a thing. Thank you ever so much for sharing them. You’ve got genuine sewing talents here, dear lady, and those pleats look very smooth. Hooray for you and Jeanne’s tutorial.
DEBBIE, good luck traveling and unpacking. Such an enormous job. We are looking to do the same in a few years. May your new home bring you joy and great health.
Hugs to all on this Veterans’ Day.
Sally
Thank you Sally!
So glad you enjoyed the pictures, Sally. I’m so glad that Jeanne allows us to share our pictures. It makes it more fun to do them. Finding small scale prints is not easy, especially for the 10″ and under size. Jo of Jo’s Doll Shoppe always had the cutest tiny prints and she said she found them in quilt shops on her travels. I haven’t been that lucky but find enough for what I need. Home Sew calls them vintage minis but they don’t have many designs just a few designs in different colors. My next project is a winter activity scene. Can’t wait to see how that one turns out. It could get out of hand.
What wonderful scenes, dolls, eyes can be looked for at the details of beautiful creations. I dream about the moments when I will be able to sew like this. Constant lack of time. Today we had the Independence Day of Poland. It is the 103rd anniversary of regaining independence and there are still threats to peace. Greetings to all sisters.
I got so busy responding to comments today that I forgot to do my own. How wonderful that you have accomplished so much in your “sitting” room. And the guest room is nearly back to normal. As for a computer desk, since most people use something other than desktops to do their computing these days, there are tons of options on a smaller scale out there. I used to love the big cabinet type computer desks but now even when I’m designing a room using my Home Design Program I use the small and often very stylish computer desks.
I love Joy’s combination Thanksgiving/Christmas theme ideas. Sounds like you could have a lot of fun with that idea.
Thanks so much for allowing me to share my endeavors. It definitely makes it more rewarding to do them. It’s probably something I wouldn’t actually do otherwise. It’s all about motivation so I’m sure my nearly 40 dolly children are very appreciative.