Breaking news: Joy just received the proof picture of her new doll. That means her new Effner Little Darling doll will be mailed very soon and she can’t wait! She’s been waiting for about 1- 1/2 years for Joyce Mathews to paint her. Look at this picture… the doll is a knock out…I mean drop your chin, gorgeous! I forgot to ask Joy if she had already thought of a name for her…
(Anne also sent me pictures of her new doll and I searched and searched but can’t find her pictures… Anne, if you read this, maybe can you send them to me again?)
My hubby started it! He said he thought this new “Southern Charm” Civil War dress was his favorite so far. I mentioned in my blog that he’d said it and several of you agreed with him. I was doing my dishes this evening and wondered if you could be persuaded to like another “Civil War dress” any better? I looked through my archived pictures and probably have more Civil War dresses than any other style. Several of my dolls have been my Civil War models, as you’ll see below.
(If you’re new here, the “Southern Charm” dress we are talking about can be seen HERE. or click the picture at the right side bar.
I thought I’d show you several of my favorites and see if you still agreed with my hubby! Some aren’t really fancy, but they have a special place in my heart.
I guess by now, you realize I like making this style dress… this is the 3rd one I’ve made…
This was a group picture, but I love all three dresses equally… :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
The coral dress with the blue ribbons was always a favorite of mine. Any time you want to duplicate the red dress with the white undersleeves, I’ll be happy to buy it. The buttons on the yellow dress make it a favorite, and Rebecca’s lavender and green dress is perfect with her green eyes. There isn’t one I wouldn’t take in a minute.
I’m still waiting to find out which necklace Paula decided on. The choice would be hard, but fun.
And then there’s Joy’s new doll. She’s going to enjoy putting together a wardrobe for her. I’d like a name that means something, like Joy. Hope, Charity, Faith…. There must be some really nice ones. Patience — patience is what Joy had while she was waiting, but somehow this doll does not look patient to me. Doesn’t she have lovely eyes?
HI Marilyn,
I always liked that coral dress with the blue ribbons too! The fabric is so crisp and the design is so sharp… it’s just a very pretty fabric.
When I made that yellow one with the black buttons, “I thought I had arrived!” I was sure I could never make another dress I liked as well. I was wrong!
I love the way Joyce paints her dolls… I have Janie and Lian to prove it! Her blue eyes are so beautiful and I’m sure we know what Joy is doing today… playing with her new dolly!
Blessings, Jeanne
Ha! Ha! Joy has been clearing out the closet so the plumber can crawl under the house tomorrow and fix a leak. Have no idea where we will sleep tonight as the bed is covered in several feet of clothing, purses, you name it. I also cleaned the bath and have decided that we need a cleaning person. Too exhausted to even think of dolly anything. 🙁
Oh, I’m so sorry Joy…we all pictured you getting things ready for Libby.
:o( ~ Jeanne
There’s nothing better than viewing the dresses you’ve made, Jeanne. I think my all time favorite of these Civil War era dresses are~ ALL of them….it’s too hard to choose a favorite! Well done…thanks for sharing the photos with us.
Blessings.
Awwwww, Becky…how sweet of you to like them all! That makes 2 of us! :o)
Aren’t pictures wonderful to take you back in time a few years ago?
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
I found another BATTENBURG UMBRELLA — go to Etsy and look for the Full of Crafts shop. You’ll have a choice between ivory and white, so the seller may have more than two. She seems to have attached elastic loops to the handle so the doll can hold the umbrella. Julie has a clear plastic loop on her umbrella. I wonder if Jeanne has some narrow stretchy lace that would work, or with Battenburg, something plainer might work better.
HI Marilyn,
When I saw your comment earlier this morning, I found myself looking for umbrella’s too! There are a few on Ebay and an then the ones you found. We are going on the 100 mile yard sale tomorrow, so I might keep my eyes open for one… :o)
Thanks, Jeanne
Oh, Joy’s Little Darling is just beautiful. Isn’t her face like Lian’s face? Yes, I hope Joy will tell us her name.
I just go crazy over the Civil War dresses. Each one is unique and beautiful. I love the lavender one , the pink bow dress Cecile is wearing, the red print Addy is wearing above the Cecile picture, the Christmas plaid and the 3 girls who remind me of the March sisters. Really, I like them all. The styles are just wonderful.
HI Paula,
Yes, Joy’s little Darling has the same face sculpt as my Lian’s…a number 2 scuplt…with the more narrow eyes. She is just beautiful… I think Joy must be in heaven today playing with her!
It’s nice to make Civil War dresses and have everyone like them all… It’s fun for me to see which ones draw everyone in the most…
Thank you for your sweet compliments, Paula.
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks for sharing my soon to be home Joyce Matthews dolly. Received the tracking a few minutes ago. Yay! At the moment, I’ve named her Libby. I’ve always liked that name. Looking forward to seeing her in person. And hoping that you too receive a new doll soon.
Oh, the dress candy today. I believe my favorite is the last one. Love the color and fresh white accent.
Can you believe, we are actually having sprinkles today. Haven’t had any rain for quite awhile and usually never during the summer months.
HI Joy,
Oh, I forgot she isn’t at your house yet… I mentioned to a few people above that you are probably playing with her today…guess not today, but very soon you will be. Are you making her a new dress or play set for when she arrives?
I have a niece named Libby and I think it is a perfect name for her looks. She is very pretty , Joy… I mean REALLY, REALLY pretty!
I loved that red print fabric in Addy’s last dress. It was a pixel print…made of little dots and was so very pretty. I was very sad when it all ran out… I’ve never seen another print like it since. I think it looked so old fashioned…
Sunshine here today and supposed to be in the 80’s tomorrow…
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Marilyn, the choice for the necklace was hard. They are all so pretty. For some reason, I’m liking the color orange this year, therefore, Jeanne, I would love to have #1. The white pearls between the amber and orange beads is very pretty. It will be fun choosing an outfit (one of your dresses, Jeanne ) for it to go with!! Thank you!!
HI Paula,
I have the necklace set aside and will get it mailed out to you. I just missed my mailman, but I’ll get it out ASAP. It’s a very pretty necklace and will be fun for a new summer dress… You might even have something that it will go with already in your stash.
Thank you Paula, and congratulations again.
Blessings, Jeanne
Joy’s doll is perfectly beautiful. Her eyes are so lifelike. I’ll bet she is her favorite doll now.
Glad you posted all of the Civil War dresses together. I still like the Southern Charm one the best, maybe of all the dresses for AG girls, and the pink one that is the fourth up on Cecile is lovely too. So much detail and the color and fan make it so special. Thanks for showing all of them.
HI Susette,
I bet Joy will be stalking her mailbox the next day or two… waiting for Libby to arrive!!
That pink floral dress on Cecile is made from my all time favorite pink fabric. I loved that fabric and can’t tell you how many yards I bought of it when it came out. I also bought the blue and the yellow in it as well.
I think that bonnet may have been my favorite bonnet too… it was just beautiful on Cecile.
Glad to share some past creations today!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Joy, your little one is just precious! She has a beautiful face!!
As for Civil War dresses, I am a sucker for plaid so I really like the red plaid dress that Rebecca is wearing. It may not be the most fancy, but it really speaks to me.
Hope you have a good day today. Looks like more rain here in Mid-Michigan.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
I’m a sucker for plaids too…especially red ones so that dress on Rebecca is one of my favorites. I have searched for more of that fabric for about a year now and have finally given up. I don’t think I’m ever going to find any more of it. It is a thin metallic like fabric but not too sparkly… just enough to be pretty. It was a dream to sew too! :o) Thanks for favoriting one of “my” favorites!
Blessings, Jeanne
Quite the parade of great dresses. I love 8, 11 and the last one. Florals are so pretty and that last one may be newer in style but so sweet.
Joy’s new doll is a prize.. just beautiful and worth the wait for sure. Libby is a name that fits her perfectly.
Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend!
Thank you Kathie,
All your choices are favorites of mine too!
Yes, isn’t Libby adorable? I’d take her any day…. it’s a good thing she didn’t come to my house…I’d be sewing the next 5 dresses for her…
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh my goodness, Joy’s doll is simply adorable!! I can’t imagine how she is ever going to want to put her down after she receives her.
Gee, all those beautiful dresses, each one more beautiful as you go along the parade of dresses! Addy looks so pretty in reds and corals and Rebecca rocks in lavender. Each dress is a masterpiece!
So you are going on the 100 mile yard sale tomorrow? That should be fun, and can’t wait to see if you find any goodies!
Hi Linda,
I know…Isn’t Libbey just the sweetest and most adorable little girl?
Rebecca has made out her list of what she’s looking for and George is mostly going to be chauffeur. ..he’s still not gotten his stamina back… but I told him well scout out the places and wave to him if there are “tools!”
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m sure it will take George a while to get his stamina bac, Jeanne. Just remind him, “patience”!!! And remind him of the many people praying for him…..
Joy’s new little one is just precious, and her name suits her so well! Having recently received my very first little darling, I know just how excited Joy must be to meet her sweet new girl. Joyce did a wonderful job of painting her, and Libby’s facial features are so delicate and expressive. Wishing you many happy hours of play time, Joy!
Your style show of “Southern Charm” beauties was a delight, Jeanne! I think my favorite dress is ….. the one you happen to be working on at any given moment! Just when I think I can’t love a dress more, you surprise me yet again with a new creation. Thanks for the beautiful parade of your work, Jeanne. Wishing you and all your readers a joyful Memorial Day weekend!
Hi Anne,
I totally agree with you about how lovely Libby is. She is truly a little sweetheart!
If you want to send me your pictures again, I’d love to show off your Little Darling!
Thank you for your very kind compliments on Addy’s dress…and all the others…I’m so glad you enjoyed today’s “parade” from the Civil War!
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulations to Joy on her new little addition!! Libby is beautiful! I do love Joyce Mathews’ work–she is the one who painted my Heather Melissa (I also have one LD by each Geri Uribe, Dianna Effner, Helen Skinner, and Nelly Valentino), and she just took my breath away when I opened the box that first time!!
As to your Civil War-era dresses, my favorite is the lavender tiny floral with the coordinating jacket and ruffled had. SO pretty!!