Meet Violet Elisabeth

A lot of my doll-friends live with Schoenhut doll companions.  While I love wooden dolls, history and vintage/old dolls, I was able to resist the "bug" to get one for a long time.  But I was still curious, and would look occassionlly at listings for Schoenhuts.  Last month, I saw one that had a repainted face that just called out to me, so after given it some thought for a few days, I placed a bid and waited.  No one bid against me, so she was to be mine!
When she arrived, I discovered that her wig which "needed styling" would never survive anything beyond being displayed on a doll under a glass dome - not what I intended for my doll!  So, I ordered a new human hair wig in a style that I liked.
While waiting for her wig to arrive, I somehow knew her name was Violet.  Under the warm indoor lights, she had such cute, big brown eyes. That's what happens when the only dolly play you find time for is late at night!  When I finally had time to look at my doll in the sunshine, I discovered that her eyes are actually a very deep indigo violet!
I was able to get a photo of her on Saturday, before I glued down her wig.  It fits well, but the elastic made it want to pop up without the glue!

Yesterday, we oiled her squeaky joints.  Today, I wiped down her body, glued down her wig and redressed her.  I am very glad to have her here.  Now I understand the Schoenhut love!

Melissa at Skyline Drive

Last month, we took a Saturday day trip to Virgnia.  In the morning, we visited Luray Caverns.  Our tour was very full, so it was hard to take photos.  After lunch at the Artisan's Gril (yummy hamburgers there), we went for a drive on Skyline Drive, which goes through the Shenandoah National Park.  We stopped at the overlooks and took a lot of photos.







There are more photos of the trip,without Melissa, here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlp2000/sets/72157633425262410/with/8710098913/

Melissa's ready for warm days!

The first half of last week was really warm for April in Maryland!  On Tuesday afternoon, my car thermometer said it was 97 degrees!  Definitely NOT typical temps.  Melissa begged me to let her put on her one-and-only and brand-new shorts outfit - Jo Flitton's Cotton Candy outfit with a knit top by her sister, Patt.  She loves it so much, that even though the temperatures are now in the more seasonal 60's, she's not ready to change into something a tad bit warmer.

And now she says she needs a lot of summer play clothes!  I think I'm in trouble!

Bleuettes and a Rosette

I just love history!  I hadn't heard of Downton Abbey until fairly recently, but watching one episode on Netflix was all it took, and I was hooked.  I think my husband, daughter and I watched all three seasons in only a few weeks - if that!
All that retro viewing has me in a "historic" frame of mind.  One thing leads to another, and before you know it, my Bleuette duo has turned into a trio, with an "older sister" Rosette repro joining into the mix!  I'm so bad at resisting these lovelies!
I took this photo late Sunday morning after church.  By Monday morning, we had snow on the ground, and now all my poor daffodils are struggling to upright themselves, even though the snow is mostly gone.

So, shall I introduce my lovely girls?  You know my first girl, Nicole Patrice.  She is a "Seeley Gold" mold made by Pat Neff, with a dark blond, human hair wig that I purchased from Janice Naibert.  She arrived June 22, 2005.   It is hard to believe she's been here almost 8 years!  She's wearing a new sleeveless dress and wool felt jacket that I made for her a few weeks ago, and brand new pale pink shoes from Georgette Bravot in France!  Oh, la, la!

You also know Gabrielle.  She is a Unis France 301 reproduction by Madelyn Baughman.  She arrived on May 9, 2011.  She's wearing a dress that I received in a Bleuette Round Robin exchange.  My theme was "A Few of My Favorite Things," and Nicole Patrice received many lovely things inspired by one of my favorite movies (The Sound of Music).  I'm sure I have a note somewhere regarding who made it, but haven't searched it out.

Now for the new girls!  First, Chloe arrived.  Technically, I suppose you'd say she is a "Bleuette Friend."  She is a Tete Jumeau mold and was made by Candy Anderson.  She is wearing a dress I made in 2011 - The pattern, by Linda Deiner and published in a magazine in April 2004, comes from the Gautier-Languereau 1930 catalog.  Chloe's hair looks more red in the sunshine than it does when she's indoors!  She arrived on February 21st, this year.

And finanlly, the newest girl, Annette!  She is a Rosette, also by Candy Anderson.  She is the Byron mold, that is also used by Bravot. Rosette appeared in the Hiver 1955-1956 G-L catalogu,e with outfits and
accessories matching Bleuette's were available for sale.   Rosette is 35 cm tall and articulate with real lashes. The original Rosette is marked UNIS FRANCE 301 71 149, with a 3 at the base of the neck and 3 on her foot.  I suppose Annette technically isn't exactly a Rosette, since she is a different mold, but there are several Mamans who say she is, so so will I!  She is still wearing the lvoely black and white dress she arrived in, since she just got here last week, on March 20th!  I am afraid I have a long line of projects ahead of a new dress for Annette, but she might just convince me to reprioritize!

I believe that there is one more Bleutte out there calling my name, but then that will be it for awhile.  The Christmas, anniversary, bonus and Mother's Day money will all be spent, and these lovelies will be demanding new patterns, fabrics, laces, ribbons, and shoes!

Adieu pour aujourd'hui, mes amis!

A Flowery Day!

Last Friday, we went to a place called Longwood Gardens. They were having an "Orchid Extravaganza."
There were orchids all over the conservatory, but there were also a lot of other pretty flowers in bloom!

It is hard to imagine how big the Conservatory is - it is much bigger than our backyard!

We saw a lot of Columbines.  These were a very pretty pink, but they come in other colors, too!

We discovered the Children's Garden in the conservatory, too.  It has fun scultpures and fountains, walls, spiral stairways and lots of surprises!

We brought home 2 miniature violets to remember our visit.

You can see more photos that we took of the flowers in this Flickr set, beginning here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlp2000/8567102150/in/set-72157629384550878

Melissa (and Jen)