I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. It was absolutely beautiful Sunday for Mother’s Day and the sky was as blue as could be! I loved being outside, which I was for a little while. Rebecca called and we chatted for quite awhile covering “ALL” the topics and then Kristoffer came over about 3:30 and stayed till 9:00. My day was truly packed from beginning to end… it’s now 10 minutes till midnight so this will be short as I didn’t have much time to do what I wanted.
You see, it was Marilyn who gave me the idea for the last piece to this set. Now, you might think it was gloves… maybe up to the elbows, but no, I decided on something Marilyn said last Wednesday… She was commenting on how nicely the headband went with the shoes… but then she said, “you aren’t including the shoes, unless you can replace them easily. I’ll bet adding shoes would add a nice chunk to the bids the outfit gets.”
Now, isn’t that a dare, or a double dare, or a hint at least for me to make a pair of shoes to go with this fun set? See, I thought so too!
:o)
But then I realized I couldn’t punch out all the holes for stitching them together, (because of my thumb, still) so I went back to my computer and looked at shoes from the 1920’s again and they were sleeker and more streamlined to fit the feet, so I decided I would try to make a pair and glue them together. I have some strong leather glue and decided to give it a try. I looked through all my leather and found one piece about 4′ x 6″ that was fairly thin and flexible and thought that would be enough to cut out the pieces. And you wouldn’t believe it if you saw it in person… it matches the fabric of the dress exactly…
So I downloaded a pattern for a pair of T-strap shoes from Etsy, (by Ann Van Doren Designs) but I decided to put them together differently than she did hers. I cut off the pieces that she cuts little “V”s around the edges and glues them under the sole of the shoe. I decided to make mine come just to the bottom of the sole and then I’ll fix the edges…
I used my smallest scissors and cut out the pieces from the leather. I used my leather knife to cut out the thicker soles, but I can do that without using my thumb to push down. I managed it without hurting my thumb any. :o)
Then began the process of putting them together. I took a few pictures of the steps as I was working…
I know they look a bit square, but when they are wet molded, they’ll raise up and not look so flat and square… (at least I’m hoping they do!)
They are now on my shoe lasts after I wet them. Hopefully by morning they will have set long enough to make the toes rounded. Then I’ll tidy them up and try to get them finished.
Here they are next to the fabric… see, aren’t they wonderfully matched?
Well, I hate I didn’t get more done, but I’ll be done soon, and then we’ll see what becomes of this set.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Those are going to be Wonderful with that dress, Jeanne!! What a perfect color of leather, and just the right sized piece in your stash, too. This is really going to be something special!!
I had a quiet Mother’s Day. My son messaged me last night and again tonight (although it’s technically the 13th, I’m still up so to me it’s still Sunday night!!). And Ron and I went out for supper tonight.
I think he’s starting to fail a little again, though. He hasn’t been eating as well the last 3-4 days, and I think he’s lost a pound or two. I keep thinking, six more days…and now (the 13th) it’s Five more days….I think we’re going to make it….
Thanks Charlotte,
I did get the shoes finished and you’ll see them tomorrow… (actually you’ll probably see them tonight!) :o)
I’m glad you had a nice Mother’s Day and I know what’s coming up! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes Jeanne Mother’s Day was a beautiful, sunny and very warm day! I’m so glad you got to spend time with your children, and just like me, one via a phone call, and one in person!
Those shoes are darling, and thanks to Marilyn for suggesting them! The t-strap will look especially nice with the light thigh highs! The color does just match the fabric of the dress perfectly! all the stars were aligned for this outfit! I had thought you had this on Ebay, and was surprised to see that there was another addition, and a perfect one at that! This is realy a fun outfit and will catch the eyes of a lot of RRFF doll lovers!
Charlotte, I’m not sure what you are referring to about “5 more days”. Your anniversary??
Hi Linda,
I’m glad you had a nice Mother’s Day too!
The shoes are done and you’ll see them tomorrow. I’m wondering how can I come up with a dance hall or something fancy for a dance other than just that white background? Maybe I could use some tulle and make a drapey kind of ceiling… I think I did that for Lian in a pink and white dress one time.
We’ll see…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, LInda–our 50th!! 💖
What a wonderful addition to this ensemble! I was trying to think of an excuse not to bid on this but now it’ll be gone! The color match, texture and design are perfect! Oh, dear!
Hi Susette,
Your picture was so cute the other day… maybe I need to roll a cigarette for Violette to mimic you! Guess not, since she’s not 15 yet!
The shoes are done and I hope to get it listed tomorrow evening!
Now to come up with a background!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Can’t wait to see Violette’s new shoes with her outfit. Almost picture time. Hope the weather holds as some outdoor pics would be great.
As we were getting the raised beds ready to plant here, I thought of George and his garden. Tomatoes planted? Around here the price of plants has gone way up this year. Still can’t find any Sweet 100’s tomatoes anywhere.
HI Joy,
Well, you won’t have to wait much longer to see Violette’s shoes… They are done and you’ll see them tomorrow. I still can’t believe I had a piece of leather that went perfectly with the fabric.
My hubby said he’s going to have to pass on the tomatoes this year. He is up to his eyeballs with a project for my cousin. It’s the old mobile home my sisters and their hubby’s stay in when they come to visit. My cousin lives in Florida and has been coordinating with my hubby to get 3 different bids for putting new siding, new eaves, soffits and underpinning on the mobile home. Then there is the garage to do too. My hubby has spent days and days meeting with guys and making lists and thinking of questions… he said the tomatoes would have to wait this year… but he did buy 6 cucumber plants, so I guess we’ll have cucumbers.
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Those shoes are so beautiful and they do match the dress. Congratulations for figuring out workarounds so your thumb doesn’t get hurt. There is nothing worse than being slowed or halted when you have an idea.
As a long time lurker and follower on eBay from almost the beginning (2005) I am in awe of all you do with home, I remember when you installed your floors, church, designing and sewing for your demanding customers-the Dollie’s in the cupboard, and of course your lovely family.
Thank you Donna,
I’m so glad you like the outfit for Violette! I’ve really enjoyed this one… something different this time!
Yes, my thumb has made it difficult to do what I want to do.. just when I had gotten my lace gloves down pat, I hurt my thumb, so that came to a halt… my thumb IS better, but it feels so vulnerable when I don’t wear my brace… like if I bump it, it will start the process of healing all over again. I’m very protective of it.
I’m glad you came out of “lurkdom” and hope you’ll keep commenting… I’m glad you enjoy my ramblings! :o)
Thanks Donna,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love those shoes and can’t wait to see the final product. Perfect color for the dress. Shoes always add to the temptation to bid.
The weather here for Mother’s Day was not so good until around mid-afternoon. Thankfully we made it to church before the deluge occurred. But we have an added problem here right now. They are burning the fields in Mexico and we are having to deal with the haze that comes from it. Houston’s air quality has been pretty bad for days. We do better out here where we have more air flow, but it just adds to the overcast skies. Otherwise I had a good Mother’s Day. The nine of us (David, me, Sean and his crew, Jason and Stephanie filled a table at our favorite hibachi restaurant Atami. I’m not sure what we’ll do if we add others in the future.
Andrea and I had a long video chat a week ago so we covered everything pretty thoroughly then. She and her hubby just recently opened an Airbnb in Jackson, ME, and it is doing fabulously well. They’ve received all five stars in all their reviews. It is a lovely area and their Airbnb cabin is wonderful and has anything you could want. Andi and Jamey are great hosts and they have guests continually. They are loving what they are doing and where they are doing it. If anyone is thinking of going “leaf peeping” in the northeast in the fall sometime, theirs would be a great place to hang out while doing that. It’s always great when your kids are loving what they’re doing and being successful in the process.
Weather already hot and muggy here. Anxiously awaiting the arrival of October.
Hi Barbara,
Well, I hate for my shoes to temp you, but if they do, they do… :o)
We went to a Chinese restaurant for Mother’s Day… they have a section with a hibachi grill. They were super busy Sunday! I think half of Carbondale was there!
My friend, Beth, that shared her little 40’s rag dolls, by Edith Flack Ackely, a while back, has started an AirBnB in her house too… she’s always got someone staying there and really enjoys it too. Congrats on your kids finding something fun to do and being successful at it!
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m thrilled about the shoes. They will be lovely with those stockings. You must have some of everything in your stash — you always have the right felt or leather or flower or button. Amazing how you are managing while being careful with your thumb.
We’re having rain and sun and you can’t tell from one hour to the next which you’ll be out in. When I was in college it rained all month. I never saw a dry iris. This is nicer.
I went with a friend to look for hawks and eagles. We drove away from the mountains, which gave us a longer, deeper view. Wow! The high mountains are still quite snow covered — that’s the snow that feeds the rivers that irrigate the Southwest, so I like to see it. It’s like money in the bank — it’s nice to have it there.
In Gunnison where my hubby went to college and where we’ve spent many a summer vacation they release the water from the melting snows into ditches in front of people’s homes and they can then pump the water to water their yards and flowers. Saves people a lot of money on water. It’s like a celebration when the water is released and the ditches fill. One summer we were there when the area had seen little snow that winter and there was no extra for the ditches. Very sad indeed.
Dear Marilyn, what a great idea about the shoes! I think they are just the right touch.
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for the hints about the shoes. I really wanted to make something, since I only had those cream ones. They would have been fine, but I think I loved the challenge of some 20’s shoes. I do have them done, and they don’t look exactly as I had hoped they would, they are fine and go well with the dress. It’s hard to make sleek shoes for a doll that has long flat feet with wide toes. I did the best I could.
We’ve been having rain and sun just like you… I haven’t looked to see what tomorrow’s weather is supposed to be. Maybe Violette might get some outdoor pics.
We have a period of time that people can go look at the eagles out by the Wildlife Refuge… we’ve seen some eagles around here, mostly when we lived on the University Farms…
Well, I better get to bed…
Thanks again for the nudge on the shoes.
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, the shoes are going to be adorable! I am sure the little cutie who gets to wear them will be very excited.
Hi Dorothy,
Well, “I” think the shoes look adorable, but I may be biased. Violette likes them… but she also thinks she gets to keep them. EEK… gotta tell her about what happens around here again. She seems to have forgotten!
Thanks so much!
Blessings, Jeanne