3 years, 2 months and 27 days of waiting…

Some of you ladies who have “one” of these, will probably remember me mentioning it before…and some of you won’t have a clue. It’s been a really LONG wait and I’m not entirely sure I would do it again, but it’s over as of today…
A box came in the mail… a box like this…

Anyone recognize these boxes?

Almost ready to show you…

It’s my new Little Darling… I’ve been waiting SO long for her… and she’s finally here! Here’s what she looked like when I took the bubble wrap off…

Look at this sweet face…

Another shot…

She was hand painted by Lana Dobbs, one of the ladies trained by Dianna Effner, to make them look like they have glass eyes, but they are painted… Aren’t they incredible?

Here is a full shot of her in a few poses…

I wanted a dark brown wig for her and Lana chose this one…it’s layered and very pretty and soft…

She has a sweet pedi and mani…

I have big plans for her and have saved back of piece of fabric just waiting for her arrival… BUT Nora comes first!

I have been thinking her name would be Emmie the whole time I’ve been waiting, but I’ll have to see if it fits her when I “call her.” :o)

I did the “happy dolly dance” when I opened up that box lid! I have her in the box right now and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve opened the lid just to see if she’s still as beautiful as I thought she was the last time…

I have another surprise that came in the box, that I’ll probably share tomorrow… :o)

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

38 thoughts on “3 years, 2 months and 27 days of waiting…”

  1. A real darling. Can’t wait to see what you make for her to model.
    A long long wait, but how lovely.

  2. I do remember you mentioning that you had her on order, and I’m so glad that she FINALLY came! Your “dolly brain” is probably on a roll now, just thinking about all the cute things you will be making for her! She is beautiful!! Love those eyes—are the eyelashes painted on or “real”? She’s just the prettiest little thing and looks so versatile. You could make something for her in any era!

    1. Hi Linda,
      You better believe it that my dolly brain is swimming with ideas for dresses for her! The eyes and eyelashes are all painted on! Aren’t they just incredible?
      Thanks Linda,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Charlotte Trayer

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I know you’ve waited a long, long time for little Emmie (or whatever name you choose–but I do think Emmie fits). She is just gorgeous. Lana does spectacular eyes, doesn’t she? And I like that the lips are such a natural color.

    You know, as soon as I saw the Headline of your post, I knew exactly what you were going to tell us!! I am quite familiar with those boxes, being mom to FIVE LDs myself!! (A sixth is anticipated at some point later this year!)

    1. Hi Charlotte,
      I just mentioned the name Emmet to my hubby and he wasn’t crazy about it…but I think it might grow on him…:o)
      Oh Charlotte, I am just over the moon crazy about her!!! It’s hard to think about anything else!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. As soon as I saw the 3 years, 2 months, and 27 days, I thought “What? … It’s an Effner.” And I was right. I think Lana does especially lovely work. She painted my Sophie, who has darker skin and is so much fun to dress because she’s enough different that things look different on her. I was afraid the clothes I had were wrong for her, but they aren’t — I don’t think I found a thing she can’t wear.

    The AG’s, on the other hand, seem to have very different styles, and one may look much better than another in the same outfit.

    Janie, Isabelle, Lian, and Emmie. You are going to have even more fun with your four Effners. These dolls are so pretty that opening the box and seeing the doll feels as if you’ve found a pixie or fairly inside. Remember the 3 dresses you made for Christmas — red. green, and gold? This year you could do four.

    Congratulations on the end of a long but worthwhile wait!

    1. Hi Marilyn,
      There aren’t too many things I’ve waited 3 years for…but this one certainly was the “best” wait…not sure I’d do it again, but for now I’m happy…
      It was a little scary opening the box… wondering if it was going to be love at first sight…it was!!!
      Thank you, Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Emmie is just beautiful. Her eyes are amazing. Her hair is lovely, and her little fingers and toes are too cute!!
    I’m so glad that she has arrived and that she is just as special as you hoped.
    Welcome!!
    Have a good day!
    Take care.

    1. Hi Charlotte,
      I am just thrilled with her and can’t wait to see what she looks like in some of my dresses…
      Thank you for your sweet compliments!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. I personally do not know very much about the Effner Dolls. I have seen many on Pinterest. Now to actually own one or to wait for over three years for your doll would be a thrilling moment to have your doll arrive on your doorstep. Your doll has the most incredible and most beautiful eyes and I am so happy for you to have her in your collection. I think a blue fabric the color of her eyes with a tiny print would be spectacular. This doll collecting is truly a magnificant obsession.

    1. Hi Laureen,
      I am more than thrilled with her and can hardly believe she’s home!!! I think her blue eyes are truly incredible too…so glad I picked a blue eyed doll instead of the brown eyed one I thought I wanted…
      Thank you for your kind compliments…
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Awwww, Ann, how sweet of you to tell me…isn’t that french mani/pedi just the cutest thing?
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. What fun for you, Jeanne, especially after such an extended waiting period. Your doll is beautiful. It will be a real treat to see what creations you make for her.

    Blessings.

    1. Hi Becky,
      Boy, you got it right when you called it an “extended” wait for my doll… it was very hard to not cancel my order when it got to be over 3 years, but now I’m glad I held on…I just love her…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Oh, a new baby! Think you deserve a shower after all you’ve done lately. And what a beauty she is. Absolutely love her dark hair and blue eyes. Remarkable. So glad she has arrived, however long her journey has been.
    Hope you have time to make something for, definitely Emmie, soon. Or Nora, because know you have another busy week ahead.
    We plan to take a group of antique dolls to an appraiser this week. Should be quite interesting to find the outcome. Have also been going through the old 78’s and playing some on the wind up victrola. Lots of fun.
    Enjoy the baby. They grow so fast. 🙂

    1. Hi Joy,
      Yes, she is my new baby…and I’m pretty crazy about her! I want very much to make her something but Nora’s dress has to be finished first!
      I hope you have lots b of success with the dolls you take to be appraised!
      I will enjoy my baby! Thanks Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Oh she is so beautiful ! Can’t believe her eyes aren’t glass…wow!! Her blue eyes and dark hair are quite striking on her. I agree, you are probably thinking of all the dresses you can make for her. So now you have Janie, Lian, Isabelle and your new one. They’ll be fast friends for sure. Oh, can’t forget the little sister LD.
    I can only imagine your excitement getting a new LD and having waited that long. I’m happy for you.

    1. Thank you Paula,
      Yes, I’m pretty excited to have her finally in my hands… and you are right, I’m already planning what fabrics will look good on her…
      I’m so glad you think she is pretty!
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. How exciting to get a new doll. She’s truly beautiful. What a long wait that’s well worth it. Longer than a real baby! Can’t wait to see your choice of fabric for her first dress. I did recognize the box and am wondering if she came with some clothes. I’m sure you’ll have her all dolled up very soon. The screen is such a great backdrop.

    1. Hi Susette,
      Thank you for your kind comments about my new girl…I wish everyone owned a Little Darling doll…I have been looking at my fabrics and doing a little dreaming already…
      I haven’t had a chance to open up your Dior pics yet…but I will… thanks for sending them!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. Jeanne
    She is absolutely lovely~I hope that she is all that you wanted! Such a long wait~I hope she inspires your gorgeous art and fills your heart with happiness. Hugs

    1. Hi T Marie,
      She is prettier than I expected…I was pleasantly surprised! She has already filled my heart with happiness! I just love her so much!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  12. I knew she was a Lana Girl as soon as I saw the first photo showing her eyes! She’s so beautiful and worth her long wait time:))
    Congratulations, Jeanne.. know shes ready for the Runway!

    1. Hi Shara,
      You certainly can pick out those Lana dolls can’t you? She’s ready to model something but Nora comes first!
      Thank you, Shara,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  13. Wow, what a LOOOOONG wait. So glad she finally arrived. Congratulations! Is she a different sculpt than Janie and Isabelle, or it is just different eyes/wig? I don’t know a lot about Effners because the are way beyond my dolly budget. The eyes are incredible. They must use a special kind of acrylic paint and gloss coating. I wonder how the artist knows where to place the eyes because I noticed Emmie has more white showing on the inside of her left eye than the right. There must be marks on the eyes themselves. I think she may be my favorite of your LDs. Love the contrast between light eyes and dark hair. She would certainly work in any era. Just curious, have you ever sewn a historical period dress for an LD? I think that would be really interesting. Emmie could be a little Southern Belle or Victorian beauty.. Looking forward to her debut dress and seeing Nora’s especially. Nora has been waiting most patiently I’m sure. Your dolly collection is creeping up again. LOL.

    1. Hi Laura,
      She is the same sculpt as Isabelle and Janie…there is a video class you can take that teaches you the way Dianna paints her doll eyes to look like glass…and I did notice the eyes slightly off. I think Lana does that to keep the doll from having that deer in the headlights look.
      I made one Regency dress for Janie one time…
      I’m so glad you think she’s pretty.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  14. Just had to revisit and admire this beautiful wee girl again. She looks very Celtic/Irish. If her name doesn’t fit, try some Irish names. Like Aislin pronounced Ashleen or Rosin (Rosheen). She’s even more beautiful this morning……

    1. Hi Jane,
      I’m so thrilled that you had to come back and take another look…I need to go look in her box again….:o)
      Thanks for the name suggestions…:o)
      Blessings, Jeanne

  15. Woo hoo! Your Lana doll finally made it home! Can you believe how long it took to get her? That’s an incredibly long time to wait, but she was definitely worth waiting for. I love the dark, wavy wig and of course, the eyes are lovely. She’s very pretty, and I’m sure you are delighted with her. She will make the perfect model for all your pretty dresses!

    1. Thank you Carolyn,
      “Incredibly long” is an understatement…it was a dreadfully long wait. But…like you said, I am totally delighted with her!
      Thank you for your sweet thoughts!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  16. Hi Jeanne,
    What a lovely doll. You are pretty patient lady … 3 years, 2 months and 27 days of waiting. When I read the title I knew your Little Darling had finally arrived without reading any further. I’m so excited for you. And super happy that you are so happy with her. Her eyes are amazing they look so much like my nephew’s baby son’s eyes. I told my husband just the other day his eyes are beautiful and he would be a beautiful little girl hubby laughed at me, well I think Emmie could be Hank’s sister.
    Remember a while bad when you said you were bad? Well I too was very bad the other day. I finally found my Gracie. I got home today and there was the box sitting in the mudroom in front of the door. I’ll send you a photo or 2 you can post her when you are in a pinch for something. I really don’t know much about Kaye Wiggs Gracie. If anyone knows where I can find out more about her that would be great.
    Hugs
    Ingrid

    1. Thank you Ingrid,
      I’m so glad my doll turned out so pretty…after all this waiting, if she had been “not pretty” I think I would have cried…and that would have been a crummy post!
      If your nephew’s sons eyes loo like these, he truly must be a beautiful baby!!
      I was going to get Gracie, but had no dolly funds when she came up for pre order…so I really don’t know anything about her…maybe someone else on here does…
      Thanks Ingrid,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  17. Charlotte Stevens

    Hi Jeanne, I think you’re right about the eyes, amount of white showing. I looked at my LD’s closely, and they appear to be slightly different too. I think close-up photos magnify the effect. In normal viewing, it doesn’t show, in their beautiful tiny faces! Your Emmie is fabulous! Congrats!

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