Hi everyone,
My life is crazy right now and as much as I would love to find time to be working in my sewing room, it just isn’t able to happen right now. I’m going to take the week off for what my hubby dubbed a “Medical Vacation!” All this week I will just share something that you can chat about… and hopefully next Monday I’ll be able to get back in my sewing room. Felicity has already asked me where the skirt to her Colonial dress is… :o(
So, today’s question is…
Let’s say today is All about your dolls…
If you had all day, would you sew something for your dolls?
Would you dress them in something different than what they are wearing now?
How about knitting or crocheting for them?
Would you look online for dolls that are for sale?
Would you make a new scene with some props you have?
Would you look through your fabrics and doll patterns and decide on what you will make next?
Well, that should be enough to get some conversations started. Have fun!
Thanks everyone,
I’ll be back soon…
Blessings, Jeanne
I hope you will have some time to relax and refresh and rejuvenate during your “medical vacation”, Jeanne. How is George doing?
I think if I had all day I would probably try to go thru all the clothes and accessories I have gathered for my Little Darlings, first. I have quite a lot of things for them, and they are in different places in my house, so it would be nice to get them all in one place.
Of course, seeing all the wonderful clothes and things I have for them, I would probably redress them!
A few years ago, I made little short overalls for all of them, but some of them to not have coordinating t-shirts yet, so that would be a good sewing project for me.
And, yes, I might look online for some new things, too!
Today I had lunch with my friend Marika, and we both brought dolls. I brought Magic Attic’s Rose, dressed in a skirt and t-shirt, and I added the “ballet sweater” I finished knitting for her recently. I started it years ago, and finally got it finished. Marika had brought her new Felicity doll, the smaller “modern” version, and she is really very cute, much nicer than either of us had expected. So I might need to go and look at those dolls online and see which one I need! She also brought her Truly Me (AG) with red hair, who stands in for Felicity, and she is wearing a new dress that is made of the Felicity “meet” fabric, or a close facsimile thereof. It is styled like a conventional, modern sundress, and comes with a matching headband and coordinating shoes, so I need to check that out online, too.
While we were sitting there, we noticed some ladies at another table, and two of them were looking our way. Later, one of them came over to see our dolls, and to chat a bit. Fun!
Oh, yes, I did take some pictures of our dolls and will try go get them on my computer tonight so I can send them to Jeanne.
What a fun day.
I love that you two went out for lunch with your girls. It is always so great when others come over and inquire about your beautiful dolls.
Sounds a like a fun day, Charlotte. Yes, the dresses are a Collab with Hill House. There is one for Felicity, Samantha, Addy, and Kirsten.
Definitely want to see pictures – of the luncheon and anything you make. So you got to see one of the “new” AG dolls in person. I saw them in the catalog and thought they were pretty cute.
I forgot to say, Joy, I responded to your reply to my comment on yesterday’s post.
Love those Capezio’s. 🙂
Jeanne, I certainly understand how things must be difficult for you and George right now, so take all the time you need and know that my prayers and good wishes are with you.❤️
As far as dolls, no, absolutely not thinking about sewing, knitting, or crocheting for them! While I do know how to sew, but not how to knit or crochet, lugging the sewing machine out on the kitchen table, and sewing something for them just isn’t too appealing to me, when I know that have tons of outfits in their closets! And of course, everything has to be put away so we can have dinner!
However, my dolls are constantly getting dressed and doing new things! Right now I am trying to put together a new scene for my modern girls. The 40’s girls are still camping and will be for the next couple of weeks, but I have all the others doing something different. Cecile is at Coney Island, Kirsten is out milking the cows, Felicity is playing her guitar, while Josefina and Kaya are awaiting new activities and outfits. However, the yard has been taking up my time, and I have no time to really get a lot done with the dolls, since I have a house to clean too. I like to make things look pretty, so I “pretty up” the house and yard before I do anything else. I am way too organized for some people, but I have always been that way, and always will. No excuse for a messy house when I am home and able!
Oh, by the way, I made the most delicious peach kuchen the other day! Perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on these hot and humid days! Peaches and strawberries are pretty plentiful now, so I want to take advantage!
Yes, I am going to have to set the sprinkler out right now.
You are correct, we do need to keep the house tidy.
I want to do some baking. Peach kuchen sounds yummy
I always loved taking care of my house, even when I worked full time but lately running the vacuum cleaner is taxing. I keep hoping my granddaughter will volunteer to come out and give me a hand one day but until Sean is back in town I would have to drive her home and with my PT afternoon appointments two days a week and my Chorale rehearsal one evening it’s not doable right now so I do what I can when I can and keep hoping I’ll be able to do it all again soon the way I used to.
You need a week off, Jeanne, and you know we love you and want you and George to do what you need to do. We wouldn’t be here together if it weren’t for you!!
We are going to the Y, to Lowe’s for some flowers I need, and to the grocery store, but I hope we will be back in time to catch up with y’all. This is my first time back to the Y.
Dear Jeanne and George, no stress, never stress. All of us do have so much we could be worried about. Your blog is kind of like the corner tea shop! “Jeanne’s” We can bring our worries and our caring here.
Both of you, please continue to recover and rest. If you do not put up a daily blog, we will
continue to hold both of you in prayer.
Excellent report from Charlotte, Linda and Sissy. I need to go back and skim through yesterday’s comments and check that I have not missed anything.
I am not sure why, but yesterday was exhausting.
We spent about 2 hours with a nice real estate agent, Michelle. I think we will work with her. Perhaps all of the exhaustion at the end of the day was a result of realizing all of the work we still have to do on the house. I must try to get this mountain of necessities done in two and a half weeks. I do not want to be neglectful any more.
I do not think I will forget to comment on Jeanne’s blog while I am forcing myself to be hyper focused , but I might be short and sweet.
Do any of you know where I could procure a magic wand?
Dollies. At present Felicity, girl of today, Christina, and Amelia the glittergirl, are upstairs lounging on the bed, looking out of the window. All of them are dressed…. if I plan a trip to Richmond, they will have to “strip down” 😆 so I can bring these newly made clothes to the girls in Richmond. No worries. I can make some bathrobes.
I should go through my box of patterns, Jeanne. Also, I should organize and file those patterns I have printed out and have no packaging. I usually like to file those in the larger plastic bags, the quart size? just the snap close, not the ones with the big zipper.
I need to do some driving around town errands, pick up prescriptions, and I will go to the old house and clear out all of the clutter. I opened a cabinet in the kitchen and there I discovered some papers/clutter… what? So, I will do that. Then I will come home and remember to go to tai-chi at 3:00.
That sounds like a lot but it is not. Oh, if I am brave (ticks) I should venture into the back yard at the old house and get some cuttings of the camillia bushes and the forsythia.
Today is supposed to be 85º. You bet I will be wearing long pants and rubberbands at the ankles. Oh and perhaps some dryer sheets around my neck.
Love to all of you 🥰🙂☀️🌹
I’d love to see a pic of your gardening attire. Especially the dryer sheets. 🙂
I know. haha. We strive to always look the snazziest.
I would love to take tai chi. I’ll have to see if it’s offered around here anywhere. Where I go for my PT a wife owns the therapy part and her husband an amazing gym. It’s kind of a collaboration so when I’m through with my PT I can join the gym. I think it’s even covered by my Medicare insurance. They may have tai chi. I’m not sure what all they have yet. They just moved into a new facility and it’s huge with a basketball court and volleyball court. I haven’t been introduced to everything available yet.
I forgot to thank all of you 😔😬🫢 for your compliments on my flickr photos.
I have not updated that folder in ages! I will try to work on that. I have made many more quilts. I have so many that are still just quilt tops and nothing more, waiting for borders, or just simmering. Thank you so much for your kind compliments
Rosemary, I actually did forget to compliment you on those beautiful quilts! Actually, it looked like a page on Pinterest ! When do you do all that quilting? I can’t believe all the beautiful patterns and colors! Thank you for showing those!
You are so very welcome, Linda.
I have been sewing for ages. I have made just about everything.
well, not wedding dresses, or upholstery.
Most of these quilts were started somewhere around 2013 when I started taking care of my parents every day, almost all day.
It was nice to bring some hand sewing along, and making stuff.
Thank you so much for your compliments. I am not a super sewist or perfect, just doing okay with what I have. No fancy machines either, all mechanical.
I just saw that this morning. Amazing!!! What beautiful work.
Perfectly understandable, Jeanne. I’m sure that you are swamped with chores. Are you doing okay with food, supplies, and friendly visits? Hope that it isn’t too overwhelming for you and George. When you get a chance, perhaps, a quick update on George, and your daily chore list. Definitely would help get me motivated to do more around here house wise.
Here, more work happening. We got in a walk yesterday and then drove to the other house to meet the tree guy. He was already there and we were early. Go figure. We spent some time with him and liked the estimate. He was recommended by a friend and we actually watched the work that the company did on trees on our walk. Licensed, bonded, and the price was right. So, this morning we’ll get it scheduled. It isn’t going to be easy, but it will get the trees away from the house. Then, we’ll get others planted asap, hopefully.
After that, we grabbed some lunch and got started on the new and improved air conditioner. Awhile back, we put in a unit we liked which functioned well. However, it ended up in a recall. We we finally got around to following up on that. We bought a new model at Costco and removed the old one for the refund. It involved cutting the cord and getting a pic of it and the serial number on the old unit. Anyway, nothing is easy here, but we got the old unit out and figured out the new one which was basically the same as the old one. I asked other person where the saw stand was in the garage? Clueless, he had no idea and couldn’t even remember having it. After moving some things, I located it and we brought it up so we could put the AC on top before lifting it into the window. Worked perfectly. But, not so fast. A ton of leveling and adjustments were involved, but it was in the window. Other person took a break to look at a YouTube video. A bit later, I looked out and it had rained. Crazy rain in the heat. It was like Hawaii weather. So unusual here. Anyway, dried off a few tools and were ready to go again. While on break, I happened to look at the unit and a strange little head was struggling to gain entry into the house through the side window holes. It was Callie Cat who had her head clear into the dining room. Clever kitty, except only her head would fit and not her body. It was funny to see though. She is way too curious. We didn’t have time to finish the project, but only had the foam pieces to fill in left to do. However, this morning, other person found that the unit was level going out but not the sideways direction. So, it will have to be adjusted again today or it will end up draining water inside instead of out. What a big pain.
As to dolls, if I had any time for them, I would probably grab a couple and hope that they were already presentable and take them out to the garden to see my sprouting seeds. They would have to be some of the crew who like dirt though. 🙂
We’re going to heat up a lot today, so I hope that we can get that AC working. Also need a trip to Trader Joe’s and I will be doing a lot of watering too. No time for dolls at all around here right now.
Had to laugh picturing Callie Cat was almost in your dining room. She sounds like a funny kitty and very intelligent!
Yeah, Callie is a cute funny kitty. I love that image now, in my mind of a fluffy kitty head in the dining room haha
Tks Rosemary. It was pretty funny to see her. Didn’t have my wits about me to get a pic though.
Tks Paula. Callie Cat is a very intelligent cat. In face, the smartest of any I’ve ever enjoyed. 🙂
So sorry you had to have a redo on your A/C. I remember when you put the first one in and I don’t remember it sounding like you would want to do it again.
You are so right. And as of now, it still isn’t right. We’re still trying to figure out how to get it situated to drain properly. Ugh
Take all the time you need, Jeanne. I hope George is feeling somewhat better. If I had a free day I would not be spending it doing something with my dolls. I don’t have a lot of time to dress them or set up scenes. It really isn’t a top priority for me. When it happens, it’s fun, but if not no big deal.
Do what you need to do Jeanne. Hope George is doing better day by day, but it’s good that he rests and you rest when you can as well.
I would like to take the time to just sit and play with my dolls, redressing them in outfits, but it’s been a very busy time for me and I haven’t been able to do that.
I’m inspecting my new Ivy Ling doll -making sure she’s perfect in every way. Of course, my husband and kids were aware that I wanted this doll- they would not know which particular Ivy Ling doll I had zeroed in on, son of course I pointed it out!
I’m also thinking of changing her name, possibly to Kim- Kimmy. I have an Asian friend and that is her name.
Off to look Ivy over.
Everyone have a good day.
Kimmy is a cute name.
I like the name Kimmy
Enjoy your Ivy “Kimmy”, Paula! I have her too and she is so easy to fix up, Her hair is cute as it is, and I usually dress it up with bows and headbands. Send a picture of her so we can “meet” her!
I proofread for a political blog and I do encourage the writers to take some time off when they need it for grading or illness or just a break. Yesterday was an especially good column — the writer had just returned from a week’s traveling time and clearly felt fresh. Sometimes people don’t know how badly they need a break until family or friends insist.
Much as readers enjoy that column or this one, most people don’t want you/writers plowing on through headaches or flu or any hard time. I have also told them that explanations and apologies are unnecessary. Most readers know their writers well enough to know that the writer will be there if it’s reasonably possible. Here we can always talk to each other and do so happily. None of us would want you doing anything but what you are.
With dolls — I have 3 sets of American girls, one of the older sort that time travel to each other’s time periods, a newer set of modern girls (the ones with more eyelashes), and 3 Native Americans, who can fit with either of the other two. Right now the modern girls are wearing custom National Park tee shirts in various pastel colors, the Native Americans are wearing new ribbon skirts, and the time travelers are wearing pinafore dresses. All of them want to change clothes, but I need to work on the garden. Weeds grow fast.
I’d love to see a pic of your girls in their National Park shirts. Were they a special order somewhere? We so need to support our parks.
I was wanting to know the same thing as Joy about the t-shirts. When we used to camp on vacation we got to spend a lot of time in national parks and were always supporting the causes. We even adopted bats in Carlsbad. Today we support bees.
Jeanne, even though you give the impression of Superwoman, sometimes you need to take a break. We understand and Goerge is your first priority.
Well, if I were concentrating on dolls I would probably do some knitting for them, it is so cold here this morning! 3C at the moment. My phone said it was 2C overnight but the ground felt crisp at 7am when I had to put the bin out!! It is Jono’s job but he forgot, and Sam forgot to remind him. I had reminded her earlier. At least the recycling hadn’t gone since that was completely full, the green waste had but at this time of year there isn’t so much that goes in it apart from kitchen waste and that will be really smelly by next week, not my problem Kai empties the rubbish bins.
To get back to the dolls, I would also look at a doll I found in my wardrobe. I have no idea where she came from, or the other two I found. I wonder if Sam picked them up from the guild free table while I was away. I certainly don’t remember them. The two smaller ones are the kind that are for display only but the bigger one is the size of the AG’s but slimmer. She has a wig that is glued on and unfortunately there is a lot of glue caked on the top of her head, the wig is blonde ringlets. I will send a photo Jeanne, maybe someone can help me. She is vinyl so not a handmade doll. She is also slimmer than the Our Generation dolls so don’t think she is one of those either.
I spent the last two days cutting out the pieces I need for the extra blocks for the Crossroads quilt. today I will put them together then more cutting out with batting and backing.
Have a good day everyone
Oh yes, please send pics of the dolls to Jeanne. I love looking up older dolls. Poor thing with the glue on her head though.
Totally understand your need to tend to other things at the moment rather than delighting us with your sewing acumen. Since David had triple bypass and two knee surgeries in one year I pretty much didn’t do much other than be there for him during that year. Praying for you and Geoge that life will return to normal very soon.
Yes, to all of the above you mentioned. In truth I do have all day to sew sometimes, especially with the guys out of town lately, but I tend to use the time I should be sewing looking online for things to sew. In short, I’m a pattern junkie and always looking for new things. I’m thinking I may need therapy for that. Yesterday i did cut out the jumpsuit to go with the sweater from Anne. It took me a while to find the perfect fabric. The dress is finished but I need to start working on the jumpsuit. Then I plan on making a whole new wardrobe for my newly acquired Kish Riley who has nothing to wear but her ballet recital outfit and she starts kindergarten in the fall. At the rate I’m sewing these days I should have started last summer. I thought I had all the patterns I needed but found I had not bought one I thought I had so I bought that yesterday and printed it out today.
As for changing my dolly daughters’ wearing attire, well I’m hoping to be able to stand longer real soon but if it takes longer than I hope, I will have to go the chair route I guess. I just know my girls can’t wear their bathing suits through another winter.
I find that my PT some days can be worse than what previously ailed me but I am starting to notice I feel stronger all the time. Sunday our processional hymn had seven verses and we did them all. I looked at the hymn and thought to myself no way will I be able to stand for all those. But I did and could have stood even longer. Yesterday I did stretch exercises and they knocked the starch out of me. They moved my appointment from 4 pm to 10 am and I realize late afternoon is better for me. I’m so tight in the morning it was harder on me. When I was leaving my therapist mentioned that now I had the whole rest of the day. I took something for pain and spent most of the day hanging out in my recliner. I’d forgotten what it was like doing hard physical labor. But that’s the problem. I should have been doing this all along. I wish there was somewhere around here I could do water aerobics but I think I’d have to go to Katy which is as far as Sissy and her husband go and I’d have to go by myself.
Per the explanation above I missed the blog yesterday so I read it today. The doll Charlotte mentioned as being her dream doll sounds like the ballerina doll I had when I was around 12. She performed with me in the 7th Grade Chorus Christmas concert when we did “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. She, of course, represented the ladies dancing. She was beautiful. I don’t remember if her shoes were Capezio but you could point her toes and she had on a pretty pink costume. I thought she might be a Horsman doll but I never could find her online anywhere. I don’t think I ever had a doll I wanted other than my Tiny Tears and Ginny doll which those and my ballerina doll were pretty much the only dolls I got. But these days I think I’d have to say it’s my Meadow Moppet Bailey which will arrive sometime in the next several months so I’m looking forward to that. She’ll no longer be the doll that got away.
Oh, I’m looking forward to seeing your moppet Bailey. Hope when she arrives that she has something waiting for her to wear. 🙂 Definitely would love to see some pics when that happens.
Prenez tout le temps,pour vous occuper de votre mari . J’ espère qu’il va de mieux en mieux. je dois changer mes poupées de vêtements,elles portent encore ceux de l’hiver . Mais ,comme elles ne disent rien,je repousse à plus tard..!Il y a d’autres urgences ; le jardin ,sutout. belle journée ,à vous toutes.