Merry Christmas!

In all the years of doll collecting, I've never done this. I set up a "Christmas Tableau" with some of my dolls (and one of my daughter's that is still hanging around here. She's mine for now) 

Anyway, the dolls are from Ruby Red, the only dolls that I purchased without being secondhand. Well there's that Paola Reina. And that one I got at WalMart so I would have an identical one to A's so I could make well fitting clothes.

Sidetracked.

Anyway. The Fashion Friends' dresses are rescued from old porcelain dolls I decided to let go. The Siblies' dressses were made by Susan Israel, from JUSTBEME on Etsy. She makes beautiful, well fitting, good quality dresses. Christmas dresses! And she also sent me a free gift, that happens to fit not only the Siblies but my UNIMAX doll from the Dolls of All Nations. It's a bit Christmassy and I love it's spunkiness. As Susan said when she saw the picture, "She's got a story to tell"

And it's also the 4th Sunday of Advent, with the theme of "Love". 

I just love these dolls. And the dresses are perfect for them.

The Siblies

This outfit really makes me smile. That hat!! She does indeed have a story to tell, someday I'll tell it.

Have a very happy holiday, whatever holiday you are celebrating. For me, a rather unorthodox Christmas. 

Hello December. Holy Moly. Where have I been?

Kind of sad. Missing Judy. I'm still getting strange things with her name, the usual hearing aids and cremation offers, along with renewal notices for all the things she donated to. Animal rescues, zoos, Habitat for Humanity, Heifer Project, Salvation Army. She was pretty generous... and I'm sure she gave a lot to her church. She lived frugally, and spent money on yarn. 

I've been sewing a little bit, but if I am going to give granddaughters any doll clothes I better get moving. It really doesn't take long, but it's just DOING IT that gets me. I want to, so why can't I just DO IT???

Partly because our last cat ate sewing thread and ended up with $2000 worth of surgery and this kitty picks up stuff to eat too. So I have been sewing by hand, teensy clothes for Chelsea. So I suppose I better just make a wardrobe and give a couple granddaughters Chelsea dolls, and one already has a Chelsea, but I don't know if she's still playing with her, she's 10. My other 10 year old grandchild of my heart has kind of moved on from babyish dolls and is more into Fashion dolls; I need to ask if she needs anything. 

The days, weeks and months go buy and I don't see grandkids. Makes me feel totally unloved and unneeded. I need to reach out more. We did go for a picnic lunch in November and one son was here for a few days. It isn't that I never see anyone. Just feeling old and rather useless.

A few pictures of things I've been doing.

This one is a tiny porcelain one I got for a couple dollars. I have pretty much gotten rid of all but the tiny porcelain ones; but this one just looked angelic so I think I will make her some felt and lace wings for Christmas. 

Speaking of Christmas. Yesterday was the first day of Advent. I lit my candle of hope and sat with it seeking to feel the hope. If not for God there would be no hope, so I will greet the world with gladness and remember to be hopeful this week. May God bless your Advent Season as you meditate on the words and the Spirit of Advent.