Hi everyone,
I’m sure you have all seen pictures and news of the tornadoes and storms that hit all over the midwest. They are devastating to look at and my heart goes out to all those people. We we told by our local news guy that the tornado was coming right for Carbondale and to get ready. He even mentioned the road right beside us… and said it was heading toward the football field on campus and the dorms on the south side of town. It was pretty scary… Thankfully, it went north and south of us but it did lots of damage both north and south of us. Just a few towns over where we go to Sam’s and hit some antique shops, it hit pretty hard. We even had dear friends who were camping and had to take shelter in the shower house… that must have been very scary… it went right over them, but never touched down until just past them.
I’ve heard from Linda and she and her hubby were spared from any major damage, like was in the center of St. Louis, but she said their yard was a real mess.
I’m sure you have all seen lots of pictures, but I found one that you may not have seen. I’ll just show these two… that poor dairy cow…
Get prepared to see some wonderful items in the next few pictures. Elizabeth, (one of my subscribers, and Sofa Sister) has outdone herself on these things she made for her daughter…
Basically, EVERYTHING you see in these pictures was handmade by Elizabeth… (And you thought she ONLY made Snowmen and Santa’s for Christmas!)
Elizabeth left these comments a few days ago, telling about the pictures she would be sending my way. I have SEEN them and they are magnificent! WELL DONE Elizabeth! You have mastered everything bridal and beyond!
Now everyone enjoy! I know you will… Maybe Elizabeth will answer any questions you all have.
(Elizabeth:)
I can’t wait to get back to sewing for the 14 inch RRFF dolls after sewing bridal dresses for the Barbie doll! I finally finished three different Barbie wedding dresses with veils and corsages to send for my daughter’s Birthday. She is an adult now but played with Barbie’s with her sisters years ago, and I never had the time to sew lots of Barbie outfits for them between working, running a household, and taking classes. I made several Barbie shops for her daughter while she was growing up and one of the shops was a Barbie Bridal Boutique, which my daughter has saved for a Granddaughter she might have someday. And I was made a Barbie doll sized “roomette” from a decorative paper-covered storage box. The Bridal roomette has a built in storage bench, window, shelves for displaying brides purses and shoes, along with tiny shoeboxes. And the Bride dresses are displayed on mannequins. My daughter plans to save the dresses and the “roomette” to go along with the Bridal Boutique store for a Granddaughter she might have someday! One of the detailed Bride dresses was made from a McCall’s craft pattern from 2004, which I never had used due to the time it would take to complete. But retirement offers time to pursue those interests and projects we never had time to do before!
If you click on the pictures, they will enlarge!
I thought you had MORE pictures than these… did you? If not, there is still PLENTY for us to look at.
Any little girl, (or big Girl) will just about be in Heaven when she sees all these pieces… look at those decorated shoes and shoe boxes? Elizabeth, you have excelled them all! :o)
Thank you so much for sharing… and if I’m missing any you sent me, send them and I’ll add them to this post.
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m so glad you and yours were safe from the recent tornados. How scary for everyone! And yes, that poor cow, in you first pictures. I do hope they were able to remove that whatever-it-was from the cow’s shoulder.
Oh, Elizabeth, those wedding gowns are so beautiful! I think the first one is my favorite. And your settings are all just lovely. I would have loved something like that when I young! Thanks so much for sharing pictures.
Made it thru another “first” today (the 18th)–our wedding anniversary. After church our son and I went out to the cemetery, and three of our church family followed us. I put flowers on Ron’s grave, and of course there were some tears, but also some hugs. I’m okay now.
Oh, Charlotte, special memories of special times that are gone can bring the tears. I wish i could have been there to give you a hug.
yes, the sadness can return suddenly. Happy Anniversary on a Union that was blessed by God. You are brave and I am heartened to know you have loving family and friends close to you.
I’m sure that visit was hard, Charlotte, and in light that your anniversary was the 18th. I’m glad your son and friends joined you. Your memories of time with Ron will bring you comfort over and over. Bless you.
Thank you, Paula.
Thank you, Rosemary.
Thank you, Sissy.
*Hugs*, Dear Charlotte! I am glad your son and church family were with you. <3. My parents were married this day back in 1979. Your anniversaries are close together. Prayers for you ❤️
Thank you, Karen.
Thanking of you, Charlotte, May the happy memories of Ron in your heart comfort you until you see each other again.
Thank you, Laura.
The ‘firsts’ are all hard, my first trip back to UK after moving here in 1974 was in 1985 after my mum died. Dad didn’t want to make that trip on his own so he invited me to go with him.
Hugs to you Charlotte lots of love.
Thank you, Anne. Lots of love back.
So glad your family and church friends could be there for you during another memory laden day. I think you are very brave and strong. A great big hug from me.
Thank you, Barbara. I don’t always feel all that brave and strong, but I probably am more than I really know! I imagine the same can be said for any of us, especially when we look back on all that we’ve lived thru!
Charlotte, my message did not go through, apparently! Sending you hugs as you remember your wedding and your dear Ron. You have many happy memories to get you through these “firsts”, and knowing that Ron is no longer suffering..
Thank you Linda.
Dear Charlotte, I am sure that your presence was felt. I hope that your memories give some comfort.
Thank you, Dorothy.
Yes, Jeanne, and everyone, we are safe and a bit tired after all the cleaning up in the yard, and dealing with 19 hours of no power. I live in the southern suburbs of St. Louis, so did not have the actual tornado go through, but my goodness, the wind during that time, made for a scary afternoon! Just as I was putting chicken in the oven the power went out and stayed out until 10 :30 Saturday morning. Not fun at all!
Oh, Elizabeth, I am amazed at how much detail and expertise your dresses and rooms entail! The dresses are just beautiful, and I too, love the first one as a favorite! Barbie dolls are not my “thing” but you sure knocked them out of the box with those dresses!
The room is also beautifully done, and looks almost look like a real room! I was wondering if you used scrap paper for the walls, but you said decorative boxes. How clever! Did you cut them up? All the decorations in the rooms, shelves, pictures, and accessories, are just perfect! Thank you so much for sending them to Jeanne for us to enjoy!
I forgot to mention that poor cow! I certainly do hope that somehow someone did something for it. Who knows how many other animals have suffered this way in storms, when the focus is always on human suffering?
Just wondering where Karen lives in Kentucky, and if she was close to that tornado? Hopefully she is alright and will chime in today!
Sorry, I missed reading this earlier! Yes, we are ok. Thank you for asking <3. The tornadoes didn't come to us. We live about half an hour south of Cincinnati. I think they went to a different part of Kentucky.
So sorry about the power outage and the chicken. Guess you lost all of your food in the refrigerator? That is probably over the time that most stuff will keep without ice. Been there done that so many times now. Even with our generator, keeping the refrigerator going is tough.
So glad that you weren’t hit with the tornado. Must have been very scary.
Joy, would you believe that we didn’t lose a thing in the refrigerator or freezer? We just kept the doors closed the whole time, and I was amazed at how cold it stayed, and things in the freezer were still frozen!
Love my Kitchen-Aid Refrigerator!
That is a great ad for Kitchen-Aid. I’ll remember that as we need to replace appliances. 🙂
Oh, Jeanne, how scary it must have been to hear that the tornado would be at your door! I have seen so many photos that show what a terrible devastation in so many places. It just seems like there have been so many storms and tornadoes this year and last. I just keep wondering where it will be next! I am so glad Y’all are safe.
Thank you for sharing Elisabeth’s amazing work. The dresses are so fabulous and to think about how those dolls are so small to sew for such fine work. The room is so detailed I have to go over and over to look to see all the wonders in it. So much to see. What a labor of love, thank you for sharing it for us, Elisabeth!
I am so glad you and Linda are safe from the tornados, Jeanne!! They are so scary!
Fantastic job on the wedding dresses, Elizabeth! I love the roommate, too!
Today my parents have been married for 46 years!
*”Roomette”!
So you are ok!
Yes, they didn’t come to us. 🙂
Happy Monday everyone. Quick note here
Elizabeth, your dresses and scenery are exceptional. I am stunned at the beauty of these dresses, such precious details and this all looks scaled perfectly, Wow, just lovely.
I heard about the horrible weather, tornadoes are violent and so destructive. It is shocking how laser pointed they can be. that poor cow, I hope it was not suffering too long.
After I commented last Friday, I discovered my kitty boy Miles, age 15 red mackeral tabby
who had been kind of staying in his room for a few days, well, he had lost complete use of his hind legs,. I guessed pretty quickly that he had had an aortic clot. He could be in pain, but he was most certainly very very frightened and distressed. I treated him quickly with a heavy dose of Gabapentin, and we took him to the vet a few hours later to put his to sleep. It was tragic. I cried a lot. My hubbs, Rex, was very brave.
This week-end the weather was beautiful, very good for mental healing. We rarely get tornadoes in Virginia.
I am truly in awe of these dresses, Elizabeth, and so much of the tiniest details. Each dress is a masterpiece and the shop is wonderfully detailed
My sympathies to you, Rosemary, on the loss of your precious kitty! I have had to put two of ours to sleep, and cannot think of doing anything like that again, so we don’t have any more pets. I know how much a part of your life they become, and it is so heartbreaking to have to put them down.
Very sorry to hear about Miles. My thoughts are with you and husband.
Rosemary, I’m so sorry you lost your kitty. How sad. We all love our pets so much- it is always so hard to lose them. Thinking of you.
Dear Rosemary, I’m so sorry for the loss of your precious kitty, Miles. I can certainly empathize with you. We love our pets so very much. It is so hard for the time we are apart. Thinking of you and your husband.
Sorry to hear about your kitty. It is always hard to say good-bye to a beloved furry family member. I’m really a failure at it. I think our Cocker Chelsy probably should have crossed the Rainbow Bridge sooner but I had a hard time making the decision to say today would be her last day to spend with us. That was over two years ago and I still tear up when I think of it.
Rosemary, I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your kitty, Miles. It’s so hard to lose a pet, but sometimes we do have to make that choice. I still miss my Molly a little dachshund mix, and she’s been gone since 1990! We never forget them.
So glad to hear that Jeanne and Linda are both okay after the storms. Karen too. The St. Louis photos were particularly disturbing. And now that poor cow. Sure hope the vet knew how to use a chain saw. On a happier note, I did see one reunion when a man was able to find one of his pups huddled against the foundation of his former home. Very sad to see the destruction.
And then, the much anticipated photos by Elizabeth. The bridal boutique is amazing. Love the display rooms with their special drawers and exciting little niches. The lovely dresses with amazing detailing are delightful. Can’t imagine sewing for Barbie at all, so all of this is quite wonderous. For me, Barbie was past my time for dolls as a child, but our girls really enjoyed their Barbie’s. I never attempted to make them anything and fortunately, the grandparents supplied the girls with plenty of packaged outfits that fit their needs. I do remember the battery powered motorcycle that the girls used to make some fun movies though. Elizabeth is such a creative artist. Loved seeing the display and gorgeous dresses. Thanks Jeanne and Elizabeth for sharing.
Well, more offshore winds expected the next couple of days and hotter temperatures, so back to high fire danger. Yesterday, there were several fires in neighboring counties that Cal Fire quickly was able to handle with their air power. I have my seeds planted and am hoping that I can keep them damp during the forthcoming heat. Found some little zinnia seeds from last year popping up, so carefully planted the new ones around them. 🙂 So much for the garden report. 🙂
Stay safe everyone.
Glad to know our Sofa Sisters living in the track of those tornadoes are safe. So much devastation done. Thinking of all those who lost so much.
And of course, I hope some generous animal veterinarian helps that poor cow. I can only imagine the outside animals stuck in those storms without shelter.
Rosemary, the gowns are fabulous! Such detail. Also, the background rooms you made are adorable. I would have loved having those as a kid. Even today, I like backgrounds for my dolls.
Thank you Jeanne and Rosemary for the pictures !
I do hope some veterinarian can help that poor cow. It looks like the barn collapsed. I wish I hadn’t seen that picture. I’m going to dwell on that all day now. 🙁 🙁
Beautiful dresses and dressing room, Elizabeth. I love all the details you put into everything. I never played with Barbies as a child. I had Skipper and The Sunshine Family.
Hi Laura. I felt so bad about the cow too. I looked it up and it happened at a farm in Wisconsin. The vet was able to remove the 2×4 from the cow and it is recovering at the farm. The barn and farm are totaled though. So sad.
Yaaaayyyyy – I’m happy for the cow!!! Glad you found out about it!!
Laura, I’m with you/ can’t get the picture out of my mind but Joy’s news made me feel better.
We lived in Wisconsin at one time and I’ll never forget the spring tornado that landed in our area around Easter time. We lived on farmland that had many cows nearby. It was scary.
Yes, Paula. Now I can picture the cow in a safe place recovering. I’m so glad Joy found out what happened.
Been through my share of tornadoes. I even remember the April 3, 1974 Super Outbreak Tri-State Twister (Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana ). I was just shy by about six weeks of turning six. We lived in Cincinnati. I went to my grandparents after school and my parents came to get me and we all ended up staying overnight. I can still remember the mammary clouds in the sky. It broke the birdbath and destroyed part of the gardens.
Oh, I’m glad I came back here today now. Thank you so very much for finding that out for me, Joy. Now I have happy tears. Very sad about their farm and barn though. I hope they have some way of rebuilding.
I am glad the cow is recovering. Is it more scary, do you think, as a human who knows what is going to happen or for an animal that has no idea until it is happening! Terrifying either way. I am glad you are all ok. I checked with my brother in Texas but they are in the south east, a long way from the storms.
Elizabeth your Barbie dresses are beautiful and I love the roomette. I hope your daughter has a grandaughter to pass it all on to. So much work but the end result is wonderful.
Our very small church group has a member who recently had quadruple bypass surgery. He texted yesterday to say he could now walk as far as his local Mall. Yes, I know that is fairly unusual in US but most suburbs here have a mall and we even have a bus called the Orbiter which travels in a continuous circle calling at each mall. One goes one way and one goes in the opposite direction and they run every 10 mins. (Free between 9am and 3pm if you are 65 or over!) Anyway, he wondered if our coffee group (three of us) would like to meet up for lunch so we are doing that today. It will be good to see him again. I think he had a pretty bad time, though he didn’t know much about it of course. I know Karen was relieved when he came round and there was obviously no serious brain damage! Apparently he was asking about the Rugby and cracking jokes as soon as he could talk.
Stay as safe as you can everyone, it seems there is nowhere on earth really safe these days.
So glad all my sofa sisters are safe after some pretty scary times. Poor cow. Glad to find out she is okay and hopefully resting comfortably. I can relate to the fear of having a tornado on top of you. Where we lived in west Houston before moving here one evening we were in the Pizza Hut around the corner from our house when suddenly the lights in the restaurant went out and then you heard it. Or at least David did. Coming from Kansas he had some experience with them and recognized right away what it was. He grabbed me and the kids and pushed us under the table. We weren’t there long when he heard it fading away. So we sat up in our seats. We had luckily got our pizza before the electricity went off so we started eating again. The employees had no experience with tornadoes so they were freaking because we were no longer under the table. David told them it was gone and they asked how he knew. He said he was from Kansas and had some experience with them. He said the sound was gone. It wasn’t the sound of a freight train like most people listen for but more like a wobbling sound which told him it was over us. It hadn’t touched down but when we went outside the damage was still incredible. It had thrown a board through the back window of our car, many of the light poles were down in the street and the building across the street was minus most of it windows. And that’s just what we could see from outside Pizza Hut. When we got home we were greeted by our dog in the front yard. He was supposed to be in our fenced-in backyard. What fence? Well most of it was still there but it was flat on the ground. It wasn’t too long after that we moved further west but since then that area has been hit several times with worse results. Don’t know what the magnet is but there sure must be one just glad we moved.
Elizabeth you are totally amazing. Not only are the gowns absolutely beautiful but all the accessories are fabulous. Glad I’m not visiting this wedding boutique. I wouldn’t know which gown and accessories to pick.
What a great tornado pizza story. Loved it. Glad you were safe except for the car. 🙁
So, have you seen the latest Li’l Dreamer Hawaiian girl? So cute. Price certainly up though. Thinking about it. You??
Yes, Barbara, you can hear them It sounds like a train without the whistle her and then silence. My town has train tracks all over ( even up on the “good” north east end where we live) due to turn of the century clothing and corset manufacturing and coal still comes through, so when there’s a storm and you hear a train you listen for the whistle. History side note is Lincoln’s funeral train passed through and that depot still exists.
Dear Jeanne, thank you for sharing Elizabeth’s photos. The gowns are lovely.