“Christmas Snowflakes” is finally finished… calling all Little Darlings…

When I started Lian’s dress (a while back), I thought it was going to be a piece of cake to finish… and it would have been, had it not been for all the interruptions in my life… but *alas* it’s done now and you can see it HERE. The listing on Ebay started Monday evening and ends Saturday evening. You can also click on the picture at the top right side bar and be taken directly to the Ebay listing.

I am technologically challenged! There is NO other way to put it! You could send me to buy a new sewing machine, or pick out the best serger, or choose a new iron and I could figure all those things out on my own… but a computer? Not so much… That’s where Kristoffer came to the rescue…The computer I was using was on borrowed time… Kristoffer checked and it only had a small amount of space left before it was totally full… it probably had something to do with the 65,850 photographs I had on it…YIKES! I think we got it in 2009.

Anyway, I won’t bore you with the details, but this new computer has Windows 10 and I’m about to lose my mind! Literally! I transferred all my pictures over and it looked like things were going well, but when they got “sort of organized” and together, there were no titles on them… so I can’t go in to my Media Library and type in “Lian” and all her dresses pop up, or I can’t search for my “Civil War” dresses, because there are no labels on anything… and some of the dates on my pictures are totally wrong.. I was looking through the pictures and saw one that had 1970 on it! What’s up with that? The ones I transferred for Lian’s dress today, have them listed as 2005! Beats me what’s up… so I need some lessons or something to try and figure this out…

Also, my camera won’t sync to my new computer… it’s too old and there are no drivers for it… I can take out the SD card and do it manually, but I have no idea where my pictures go when I do that… SO…I’ve been a little crazy around here… Somehow, and I really don’t know how… I got Lian’s dress listed… but it was purely by accident, because I didn’t know what in the world I was doing…

Okay, enough technical talk… I’m sure you may have seen Lian’s dress by now, but I’ll have to show it here, because I spent 4 hours doing the listing, and didn’t have time to do anything else…

This is the dress without the pinafore… using the lace piece around her waist…

Lian sure can wear red well, can’t she?

I may have made the slip just a tad too full… but some ladies like their dolls in “fluffy” dresses… this is the fluffy version…

…and here’s the “not quite so fluffy” version… without the slip…

Well, ladies, I’m heading to bed…

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

28 thoughts on ““Christmas Snowflakes” is finally finished… calling all Little Darlings…”

  1. Your technological adventure sounds awful. However, when I went to look at your auction, I thought the pictures were some of the best ever. Lian has so much personality and you have captured it beautifully.

    You are fortunate in having a computer expert at hand, and he probably works cheap, or maybe I should say he’s prepaid. Resorting all of those pictures is going to be a huge challenge. Of course you can do it, and it doesn’t all have to be done at once, and you or Kristoffer will figure out how to make the project efficient.

    Christmas Snowflakes will probably go in your “Best of the Year” outfits. It’s a truly lovely and you must be very happy with it. Poor Lian, to have to lose her beautiful dress — there’s already a bid, so we know this one will be gone soon — but there will be other beautiful dresses soon.

    1. HI Marilyn,
      Well, Kristoffer to the rescue again… I sat down to write a blog post for Wednesday and had absolutely no idea where my pictures were or even how to get them onto my computer… SO I texted Kristoffer and he knew exactly how to do it… YAY! I better get that boy something special for Christmas! :o)
      My old computer is sitting down on the floor, and he assured me he’d get it all straightened out soon… YAY again! I did pay him for what he did on Saturday. It would have probably cost me a fortune to have someone else do it…

      I looked at Lian’s dress and it was $91…. I was heading to George’s office to tell him it had gotten a second bid and by the time I got to his office, it had jumped to $177.50! Boy, was I excited to share that with him! He said, “boy, that’s a pretty little doll” and I said, “no kidding!” She is truly a little daring!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Charlotte Trayer

    I’m sorry about your computer woes, Jeanne–sometimes the learning curve is steeper than others, I’m afraid! I remember how it waas when I went from my first laptop (which I had for over TEN years!!) to this one! Why can’t they just keep everything the same from model to model?!

    “Christmas Snowflakes” turned out beautifully, and Lian looks just as cute as she can be, wearing it. I love the little pinafore, of course, but I’m almost liking that lace “belt” better! It just really dresses up her outfit, *I* think!

    I’m heading off to bed now myself! Night-night!

    1. HI Charlotte,
      I guess it’s that way with everything… a new sewing machine, a new serger, a new way of listing things on Ebay, a new car, a new computer… it all takes time and before you know it, you have it figured out… maybe not so quickly on the computer… I feel the same way, “Why do they have to go and change things up???”
      Thanks for your sweet compliments on Lian’s dress.
      Night Charlotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. I’m sorry to hear about your computer issues. I hate changing computers too. I always end up losing things in the process usually due to programs that can’t make the change. I’m sure your personal “tech support” will be able to help.
    “Christmas snowflakes” is a beautiful outfit. Your work is wonderfully precise despite the tiny model. Someone will be a very lucky to have this as her Christmas/winter dress.
    Hope you have a good day.
    Take care.

    1. HI Charlotte,
      I’m just not a big fan of change…that’s half my battle… I just like it when things stay the same… which usually doesn’t happen that often!
      Thank you so much for your kind comments on Lian’s dress. I love seeing her in this dress so much… it was specially made for her and I think she knows it… we’ll deal with the ‘giving it up” part later!
      Thanks again,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. Lian looks just beautiful in her new dress. But I’d like to share something else: A picture popped up on my Screen Saver seconds ago and I thought “Wow, that’s a beautiful room with such unusual pretty floors.” Turns out it was the shot of your floors looking from the dining room with the sofa on the right and the blue-gray breakfront on the left. I really thought it was from a magazine. I hadn’t remember that picture. Congrats again on a job well done. Santa will appreciate the new floors. It seems forever ago that you did it. Much water under the bridge.

    A sewing question: Do you use a smaller stitch length when you sew the doll clothes. What stitch do you use to gather the tulle? I used a colored thread so I could see it and then pulled it out. Again, my favorite of your dolls looks beautifully turned out, teddy bear and all.

    1. Thank you so much Susette,
      We are still loving our floors… I was going to mop them yesterday… Monday Mop day, but it didn’t happen… and it didn’t happen today either… Maybe we’ll go for Wednesday Wash day! Hopefully I’ll get it done!
      I do set my stitches on a smaller length when I set in the sleeves and around the neckline seam… the rest of it is pretty much the same as usual. When I topstitch I do set it shorter too… I forgot.
      On the slips, made from tulle, I use a basting stitch (4) so the stitches pull up easier. I’ve done a colored thread too to make it easier to see when it’s all pulled out.
      Thanks for your sweet comments about Lian. I can’t believe it was so long since I had made her anything…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. What a beautiful ensemble, Jeanne. Everything about it is adorable and so pretty. Lian looks perfect modeling the dress. I love the snowflakes against the red. So many of the Little Darling outfits you make are ones I’d love to have worn as a child.

    I sympathize with you on the computer. I go through the same thing, only it isn’t just my pc- it’s my phone, iPad and lap top. They’re all connected somehow…oh and iTunes. I’m password exhausted and it seems like every week, all electronics must update. For what? Oh, I forgot, it’s to make the electronics harder to use and understand. Luckily, my son and niece are able to help me, which is often. It’s always some new change. The day will come though, when I decide to throw them all out on our hard brick patio. Whew!!! Just a little sarcastic humor there.

    1. HI Paula,
      Thank you very much for your sweet thoughts about Lian’s dress set. I’m like you, I would love to have worn this dress as a child. I LOVE red very much so it probably would have been a favorite of mine.
      I had to laugh at your last line about tossing them out the window… I had just told my hubby yesterday, maybe I should have just used my computer till it died and then said, “I’m done… no more from me!” But surely I can figure this out… with Kristoffer’s help, of course.
      Thanks Paula,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Oh, Jeanne, please don’t lose all those pictures. Have you ever tried Flickr? You can get super organized there and you won’t take up so much space on your computer. You could leave a few on your computer and then send the rest to Flickr (or another on-line storage) after they are posted. Flickr has a slight learning curve, but it’s so worth it to have all your pictures safe.

    Don’t get an external hard drive for your pictures. They are notorious for crashing. Ask me how I know that.

    I love Liam’s dress. Hope it brings big bucks!

    1. HI Ann,
      Yes, I have a flickr account and lots of my pictures are there. My son assured me that he’ll get my pictures all loaded and figured out. He’ll probably have to wait until the weekend, but this weekend is my big Married Couples party, so it won’t be good for me… I’ll find them all eventually. He had to help me with my post for tomorrow…he knows what he’s doing… even in a text…UGH…why weren’t I blessed with brains like his?
      Because the Lord decided to bless me with brains for sewing I guess!
      Well, so far, Lian’s dress has been quite the surprise… !!! $$$ :o)
      Thanks Ann,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. You outdid yourself as usual. That is the cutest thing! On the computer issue. When my latest computer arrived with Windows 10 on it, I went on eBay and found a full copy of Windows 7 Ultra. I installed that on my new puter and I am good to go. I do not like Windows 10 and it drove me nuts the one time I tried it. Best of luck on that.

    1. HI April,
      When I read your comments, I went straight to Ebay and looked up Window’s 7 Ultra… and was tempted, but my son said, I’d get it figured out… I hope he’s right!
      Thanks for your sweet compliments on Lian’s dress. I’m glad you like it!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Oh boy, the “C” word. I too have a new computer that has taken a week to figure out a place for it to reside. Yesterday was a total loss of time. I was zipping along with it talking to me and doing the set up, when whoa, it wouldn’t connect to the internet. After talking to our ATT person in which country I’m not sure, nothing was accomplished. Not due to them, but because I couldn’t use the mouse or keyboard only the touch screen. The lovely instructions (nothing in writing) just drawings, did not show clearly a tiny part the size of a fingernail that needed to be put in the back of the computer before either would work. No wording as to what the part was even called. After going over the drawings for the 100th time it was located. Once the keyboard and mouse began to work, at least I could navigate. However, the initial set up was not there anymore. Not that it mattered, but I also couldn’t ask questions because “You’re not connected to the internet.” Ahhhh So, one wasted day. I’m currently using my old computer because the beautiful new “blizzard white” model is still not working. I just didn’t feel like calling the tech line yesterday after the other experience with ATT. Hopefully, today someone can figure it out. Not me. Can you please box up Kristoffer and overnight ship him out here? I would greatly appreciate it.
    Love the dress for Lian. The sparkling white pin is just icing on the cake. What a wonderful prize this one will be.
    Now, cross out 1/2 of the things on your list and have a wonderful afternoon.

    1. Special news update:
      Computer is up and working perfectly, because I called ATT again and got the perfect tech. SHE found that we had been using the wrong security code number even though the person yesterday said we had the right one. So, upon typing in the right number, bingo, I was online. A big yay! So, I won’t need Kristo in the shipping box just now. 🙂

      1. HI Joy,
        I could feel your pain in the first part of your comment… My installation actually went pretty smoothly, according to Kristoffer… he was impressed with how little he actually had to do… I told him what you said about boxing him up and shipping him off to CA… he laughed and was slightly flattered… :o)
        I am SO glad your computer is up and working now…the right person makes all the difference in the world, doesn’t it? YAY for JOY! Happy computering…
        Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Dear Jeanne, Sorry for your computer woes. Technology is great, until it isn’t.
    The dress is lovely. Lian looks so cute.

    1. HI Dorothy,
      I love that line in your comment… “Technology is great…until it isn’t!” How true is that???
      Thanks for your sweet compliments on Lian’s dress. She’s a pretty cute little girl, isn’t she?
      Thanks so much Dorothy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. Hi Jeanne,
    I too am experiencing “the curse of a new pc” Grrrr! Windows 10 is not my friend and the touch screen this Dell has makes me crazy! I’ve been trying to figure this thing out for a few weeks. Yikes talk about technologically challenged LOL. I hope you figure yours out soon.
    Love Lian’s outfit, it’s BEAUTIFUL!
    Hugs and have a lovely Monday
    Ingrid

    1. HI Ingrid,
      I got the slimline tower and kept my old monitor and keyboard, but I saw those touch screens… I can only handle so much technology at one time… the tower was enough for me for now! Well, with Kristoffer’s help, I did manage to figure out where my pictures are… the ones I took for the next post… “small steps for mankind!” :o)
      Thanks Ingrid… and thanks again!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. I’m so happy to hear that I’m not the only one that has computer troubles! So comforting to hear about everyone else’s experiences and to know that I’m not alone. Our desktop is about 8 years old and now my hubby wants a new one—-for me, he says to make it easier! What?? How can a new computer be easier, when you have to re-learn how to use it and have trouble trying to figure it all out? I have no idea on that, and I want to hang onto this one as long as I can. Enough of this stuff!!!

    I love sweet Lian’s new dress and pinafore! She looks like a little angel in it, and it will be a very hard day when you have to take this off of her. I, personally, like the dress better without the full petticoat, but I absolutely love the petticoat!! I think maybe without the pinafore it looks better with the slip, and the pinafore makes it look too poofed up,when also with the slip, if you know what I mean.

    1. HI Linda,
      I was ready to trade my new one back in for the old one I had, but when Kristoffer told me it was almost full and at a bigger risk of crashing, it scared me enough to know I have to figure this Window’s 10 out…With his help, I think I can… without his help… totally impossible.

      I know just what you mean…but the winner can use the pinafore for another dress if she wants… and get almost 2 outfits from this one dress set. That’s why I left the pinafore totally plain… so it could go with anything.
      Thanks so much Linda,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  12. Oh dear…computer headaches! I remember not liking windows 10 either but now it seems ok…I understand not knowing where your pictures are! It’s not as easy to find things in Win 10. You are much calmer than I would be…you are lucky to have a son who is so helpful.
    The dress is darling….that red is so deep and pretty. You made the vintage fabric have a whole new life. Lian is such a sweet model. Some dolly is going to look amazing on Christmas!

    1. HI Kathie,
      If it hadn’t been for Kristoffer, I might have tossed the computer out the window… it’s just so different than Windows 7. I knew my way around with 7, but this 10, it might as well be in Greek! But Kristoffer assures me I’ll get it one of these days… I hope he’s right!

      Thank you again for the sweet lace piece you sent to me. I absolutely loved sewing it into Lian’s pinafore and hope whoever wins it, loves it as much as I did. It truly was the prettiest piece of embroidery I ever owned!
      Thanks so much for your kindness in sharing it with me.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  13. So sorry to hear of your computer troubles, but there is good news. The four hour listing will be well worth it, literally. just headed over to eBay to see Lian’s dress and nearly fell out of my chair. This dress is well on its way to maybe being a record breaker. The auction isn’t even one day old and it’s already topped some five day ones.
    Lian does look adorable in her new dress and whoever the luck dolly to wear this dress on Christmas will be delighted. It even will be perfect for all of January. I think the crisp white pinafore really makes it. I’m now thinking that Samantha’s and Kirsten’s birthday pinafores that I have might be finding a second use over a cotton print winter dress.
    Think you will have time for one more Christmas dress? It might be cutting it a bit close (pun intended), but maybe.
    On a totally different note, I went back to our garden/gift store today to see the new display that was going up last week- a winter fairy garden, too cute. I love candles and used to burn soy or beeswax ones frequently because dog couldn’t get on the desk or cabinet, but now with kitties they are very impractical. Well, I found the most amazing realistic looking faux candles today. They have a plastic flame that moves back and forth while a light is shining from behind. From a distance they are totally believable. I got a set of the 1 1/2 inch tealights. Now no worries.

    1. HI Laura,
      Thanks so much for your kind comments on Lian’s dress. My sentiments exactly as I saw the price jump too!!! Whoop de doo!!!
      I told my hubby I was hoping to find time to do a Civil War Christmas dress. I wanted to do a post of my Christmas Civil War dresses since you commented about them, but I have no idea how to find them.. maybe Kristoffer can help me locate them…
      I have one of those Luminaria candles like you are talking about… well, actually Cindy got it for me… I LOVE mine.. it looks so real, I’ve had kids try to blow it out… they can’t believe it when it doesn’t blow out! Mine is set on a timer to run from 6pm till 10pm… I love it! I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. It’s one of my favorite things ever!
      Thanks Laura,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  14. Gorgeous dress. She looks lovely in red with her white apron.

    I hear you about technology. Sometimes it is a blessing and often a curse. Computer’s I don’t have any issues with. I have taken them apart, rebuilt them, upgraded them and installed CD/DVD players for dozens of them. Program these new flat screen televisions…that is another story and my brand new one is lucky it didn’t get hurled over the balcony today. They can keep the smart phones. I am old school…landline.

    New to your blog and am loving all that I’ve managed to read right now. I love to sew and am constantly talking about creating and sewing doll clothes to sell with one exception. Barbie clothes! I spent months sewing those for my daughter’s when they were younger and nearly ripped my hair out.

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