Cabin Fever, Disco Fever, Spring Fever, Scarlet Fever, and Dolly Fever…

All those fevers and guess which one I contracted?

Did I even have to ask you???

If this were a multiple choice question, you should have picked “E” as I have Dolly Fever… well, actually it’s out of my system now… I guess you could say I HAD it…

Yes, that’s a new box you see there on my cutting table… but WHO is inside… wanna see?

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It’s Josefina! I know, you’re probably saying I thought you already had a Josefina… Well, I DID have a Josefina but I sold her last year. I posted a picture of her a while back and someone said she was pretty and I said, well, she’s hard to photograph, so I sold her. But then someone else said maybe I could work on my camera skills and I got to thinking about her again and decided I’d just look on Ebay… end of story!

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There are so many different faces for Josefina out there. Many of them aren’t too pretty…especially the ones made by Mattel when they first took over from Pleasant Company. They started painting Josefina’s eyebrows up so high on her forehead, she looked completely startled all the time. Here are a few examples:

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See what I mean?

Those dolls were definitely off my wish list. I preferred a Pleasant Company Josefina, with the softer, evenly toned skin, the soft brown eyelashes, the fatter bodied girls, softer vinyl, eyes that weren’t wonky, from a smoke free home, pretty long hair that hadn’t been cut and lips that weren’t faded. That’s not to much to ask for, is it? I didn’t think so, but it takes looking at a lot of dolls to find the right now. I can’t tell you how many I actually looked at but there were…shall we say… MANY!

I happened upon this listing and one of the pictures just grabbed my heart… oh brother…yes it did!

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This is the picture that made my knees buckle… now you’re thinking I’ve totally lost it, aren’t you?

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The pictures weren’t very good but I asked a few questions and decided in the end to go for it. I’m so glad I did!

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She has a very pretty face… no marks on it whatsoever…

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Isn’t she beautiful?

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She has the Pleasant Company stamp on the back of her neck…and her strings are uncut.

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Her shoes were a disaster…absolutely falling apart shoe laces… (however, I know someone who can make her a new pair out of some Ultrasuede!)

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Her hair seemed to be in pretty good condition with 2 braids having been put down each side.

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When I took them out it was a different story. The one on the right looking at her was almost like it has been burned a little bit. It was sort of frizzy. I don’t know what will happen when I wash her hair.

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Her limbs are fairly tight and I took these pictures of her standing on her own.

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She came with her shoes, skirt, camisa, a belt, and some undies… I may sell the clothes if they do up nicely in the wash.

I am very happy with my new Josefina… she needs a trip to the “Jeanne Marie Spa” but I think she’s pretty lovely even before she goes. YAY! Out of all those Josefina’s on Ebay, I picked the right one!

So, my dolly fever has subsided…at least for now…
Do you ever get it? I hear it’s contagious….

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

26 thoughts on “Cabin Fever, Disco Fever, Spring Fever, Scarlet Fever, and Dolly Fever…”

  1. What a gorgeous Josefina, Jeanne! She looks exactly like mine!! LOL I, too wanted a Josefina that was one of the older ones, and found one from a girl who was starting college several years ago, and got one of the first ones they made. Isn’t she lovely? I like it that yours too, isn’t overly painted with bright pink lips, but looks very natural. Don’t make the mistake of cutting her hair to even it out! I didn’t know her hair was supposed to be longer in the front, and kind of cut on one side. Oh, I was so mad at myself! She mostly wears her hair in one braid, so it doesn’t show much, but the braid should be a bit longer than it is now. Right now I have her in two braids with ribbons entwined in them, very pretty when put up in a braid crown!

    I can’t wait to see what you make for her, she has such a beautiful smile!

    1. HI Linda,
      I’m really happy to have her back in my collection… I truly like the older historical dolls the best… and yes, she is very pretty… I have too many things to do today but I really want to get her spa treatment going… Her face is just lovely…I loved her the moment I took that bubble stuff off of her face. I was a bit nervous opening the box, not knowing what to expect from the reddish looking pictures I bought her from…

      I won’t cut her hair and I know about it being longer on the sides to accommodate the braid. I can’t wait to make her something either… but Felicity is first…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Forgot to mention, how did you know that green is my favorite color? I get a green quilt square!! I noticed these quilt pieces a week or so ago!

    1. HI again Linda,
      It must have been fate… because everyone was assigned a quilt square randomly… I thought they added a little bit of spark to the comments… :o)
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Oh, Jeanne girl….I DO know about dolly fever…I have SUCH a bad case of it right now. Helen Skinner has offered for auction a couple boy Darlings and there are at least 2 girl Darlings I’m wanting as well. It’s VERY, VERY contagious…or seems to be. I’m so glad yours has subsided for now but I’m afraid it’s only in remission…you WILL suffer a relapse some day. I’ll be praying for you 😉 Your Josefina is GORGEOUS and you know I’m not completely smitten with AG dolls. She is an AG isn’t she? Anyway…she is absolutely remarkable…so very, very pretty…her skin, eyes, eyebrows and hair…even with one slightly frizzy part. I can’t wait to see her after her spa treatment and dressed in something you’ve created for her….hopefully one of those cute 50’s dresses. Oh listen to me…I don’t know anything about Josefina…maybe she’s supposed to be dressed in hispanic type clothes. Regardless…I just love her and I’m so glad she ended up in your home! How’s Reuben?

    Much love,
    Bobi

    1. HI Bobi
      I did see Helen’s boy Little Darlings and they are adorable… but I’m sticking with all girls for here…
      I hope my remission lasts a long time… I can’t believe I’ve gotten Felicity and Josefina so close together…yikes!
      I’ve dressed Josefina in mostly Hispanic outfits but she has modeled my Regency things very well before, so she’ll do double duty from time to time.
      You need to find just the right American Girl doll to add to your collection… You’ll know her when you see her…
      Reuben is fine… he is still very much a puppy so there’s lots of running, playing and napping (the only time when I can really get anything done!).
      Thanks Bobi,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. You are way too funny for this early in the morning, Jeanne. I tried to picture you in a disco… stuck in your house… it’s not spring… and, if you had scarlet fever it wouldn’t be a joke. Dolly fever is the only answer, the “funnest” fever to get for us types. I have always loved Josefina, but never noticed her eyebrows. I went over to see her on the AG site and indeed the new Josefinas eyebrows are much higher than your new doll, but not like the ones you showed from eBay. You got an exceptionally cute one. BTW, whenever I go to the AG site I get a mild case of dolly fever… I saw sweet Grace… she’s so cute!
    Looks like you are going to have a spa day today instead of a sewing day? Those are fun too. I used to have those with my $1 garage sale Barbie dolls.

    1. HI Cindy,
      From all the dolls you are selling, maybe you’ve got “reverse dolly fever” unless…..maybe you are selling them all off to get a “new one!” Ah Ha! I bet that’s it.. you want Grace!
      Actually no spa day today… I have to get my 50’s dress finished, and a few other projects underway… so she’ll stand on my cutting table, with those big beautiful brown eyes staring at me, until I probably give in and do something… ( I guess I could go ahead and wash and condition her hair and let it be drying… :o) couldn’t I?)
      Thanks Cindy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Yay, your Josefina is beautiful! I love her and think that you make the prettiest clothes for her. Yes, I have dolly fever too! I received some money for my birthday and what did I buy? Amelia Thimble! She is just the cutest thing.. : )
    Happy that you have another Josefina.

    1. Hi Regina,
      Thanks for your sweet comments on my new Josefina. I’ll try to make her a pretty “first” outfit so as not to disappoint you!
      So you bought an Amelia Thimble… you’ll have to hook up with Cindy Rice (just above your comment) as she makes the most adorable little dresses for Amelia!
      I know what you’re going to be doing today! Have fun playing…
      Blessings, Jeanne

      1. Thanks Jeanne, seeing CR’s dolls is what made me want one, but had to wait for the price to be right and to have the funds. : )

  6. She is definitely beautiful. I think the eyebrow thing is what threw me off of ever wanting her. She just never appealed to me. But you got a very pretty one with a sweet look on her face. Congrats!

    1. HI Christine,
      Yes those eyebrows were crazy. I can’t imagine that the company couldn’t see how ridiculous she looked with them painted so high. I am very pleased to have gotten a pretty one…and at a very good price.
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Oh , Jeanne, Your new Josefina is lovely. You will enjoy sewing for her again. She even wears some Regency like her Christmas dress. My daughter had a PC Josefina as well. I made the mistake of letting her sell her and her PC Addy and some other dolly things to raise money before college. *cries* 🙁 I did claim her PC German Samantha and the part of her collection that was also to go. 🙂 Unfortunately, this was before I thought it was fine for adult to have dolls they didn’t have as kids.
    Yes, I’ve had dolly fever in the past when I got my Felicity and Marlene (fka Nellie).
    I have a doll I really want right now, but I haven’t found THE one at the right price yet. You must be exhausted from two cases (Felicity and Josefina) so close together LOL

    Jeanne, I didn’t know if it would be alright to reply directly to Bobi, but I wanted you to tell her if she isn’t smitten by AG dolls, has she ever seen the PC girls? Personally, for me, Kirsten, Samantha, Felicity,Addy and Josefina look sweeter as the PC German versions. I do like AG Kit and Nellie etc. I guess I’m one who prefers the first way I see a doll. Even the PC dolls have variations among them. Always happy to enable. She could read doll reviews ( you can read without joining)over on AGPT and you’ll find yourself smitten by a doll you never thought you would be. That’s the case for me.

    1. HI Laura,
      Thanks so much for the kind words you sent to me about my new Josefina… She truly is as pretty in my pictures as she is in person… maybe prettier! Yes, Josefina does do Regency very well too and I’m sure she’ll get to wear some of those dresses in the future.
      So can you tell us who you are looking for right now??? I promise you won’t get any competition from me right now… ( I promise!!!)
      It is fine for you to reply to another person who has commented…and thanks for “enabling” Bobi… I think she’ll come around some day… :o)
      Well, I better go… I have to go check and see if Josefina is just as pretty today as she was yesterday afternoon when I got her…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Oh, I’m just getting over a case of Dolly Fever. Had to have a Ten Ping aka Jar-Lu. She is a darling. I hope I don’t have a relapse! At least not too soon. Love your Josephina. She will definitely earn her way in your adorable dresses. I have always loved mine, now I’ll have to go and examine her eyebrows. Never thought about it prior.

    1. Hi Joy,
      Oh…you got a new Jar-Lu….how fun is that! You will enjoy her…but she’s about as addicting as any doll ever… I want the Ishara so bad, but I won’t let myself…I actually wanted the Ishara, Guardian of Fortune..the first one, but they sold out immediately and I didn’t even know about them then… Oh well…
      So you have a Josefina… I’m sure even if she does have the raised eyebrows, you love her! That’s all that matters…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Wow..when you point out all of the detail you look for in a AG doll you have me wanting to look again. I bought a very inexpensive one to have on hand to use for fitting…she is a Josephina and her Momie took a scissors to her hair.. I think she was taken to a salon to have it rescued and it is a cute short cut…but I do mean short! 3-4 inches long.
    I went and looked at her and by golly she is a Pleasant one and has the pretty face and nice eyebrows too! What a way to start the day! I think I’ll put another wig on her and see how she looks.
    Oh, try the Johnson and Johnson No more Tangles..once it is frizzed it is usually for good but if anything will help it that will.

    Thanks for pointing out all the good points!

    1. HI Kathie,
      I’m glad you ended up with a good Josefina! She is definitely the prettier one! If you just use her for trying things on…. the shorter haircut is probably a plus… no fuss with getting the hair out of the way.
      I am going to get some No More Tangles… the next time I’m in town…
      Thanks so much Kathie,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. Love learning about the AG dolls. I, too, often have doll fever. Hope one I want will pop up soon. Lost two on ebay as I cannot bear the last final stress nearing the end of the auction. For my dolly fever, I judt have to get to the outlet mall soon.

    1. HI Jan,
      I hope you find your dream doll soon..it’s not fun having Dolly Fever for very long!
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. Marilyn Grotzky

    Congratulations on Josefina. She looked so tired when you opened the box and then happier and prettier as you went along. She’s lovely. I’m so glad she’s yours.

    1. HI Marilyn,
      I’m glad she’s mine too. I went to Walmart this evening and picked up some baby shampoo and some good conditioner…I’m hoping to do her hair tomorrow. Everyone will be gone and I’ll play “beauty shop” with my girls…
      I asked the seller to wrap her head up in bubble wrap to keep her nose and face from getting marks on it, and this is the way she came…with those big pieces of bubble stuff…I’m surprised she didn’t have her nose half way rubbed off, but I’m glad she didn’t.
      Thanks Marilyn,
      blessings, Jeanne

  12. Charlotte Trayer

    Congrats on your new Josefina!! She really is lovely.

    Just by way of an aside, when I wash synthetic dolly hair, I always use diluted fabric softener for the final rinse. After all, synthetic hair is technically a fiber, not real hair! It has always worked well for me.

    And, speaking of dolly fever, Jevne told me about Ten Ping’s best friend, Gigi, and I may be hooked! Ten Ping didn’t particularly appeal to me, but Gigi……that sweet little smile is pretty hard to resist! LOL I’ve been in contact with Ruby Red Galleria, and although their current edition is sold out, they will be getting a new one in next month, I think!

    Here we go again!! LOL

    1. HI Charlotte,
      My Josefina is lovely and I may try your diluted fabric softener as the conditioner made her hair softer, but it didn’t address the waviness of the braid… and some frizz.
      GiGi is a little cutie pie and I do hope you get one… the distributor I went through was Dale at Lonestar Dolls in Texas… I’m not sure if she has any left, but she is certainly wonderful to work with… http://www.lonestardolls.com is her website address…
      Thanks Charolotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

      1. Charlotte Trayer

        Well, it may or may not. Sometimes frizziness can be caused by the chemical makeup (or change to it because of exposure to heat, etc.) of the “hair” itself. I hope it’ll at least improve it somewhat.

        Thanks–I had looked it up on Ruby Red Galleria’s web site, but they are sold out (as they also are at Lone Star Dolls). However, a new edition is coming–either end of August (per Lone Star) or Sept. (RRG, per email), and a preview picture is posted on L.S. Lone Star is taking preorders already.

        Decisions, decisions…..

        Charlotte

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