Toad Lily

I was pretty excited when this Toad Lily bloomed. I got it a the first flea market this spring and I wasn't sure when to expect blooms. I will be trying to find more of them next year. It tolerates shade!

Little Women set complete

I have a complete set of the Little Women 12" dolls now, unless I find a Laurie for a good price. In review: I got Marmee for $2.50 at a flea market (no postage :-). She needed restringing. The next cheapest (aside from postage) was Amy, who I got on ebay for $6.99. She really is in mint condition HOWEVER she has a flaw that must have happened in the factory somehow. I have no idea how she came to have eye sockets of different sizes. I think her eyes are the same size, although they look slightly different because of a difference in how much white is visible. Then there is Meg. She was with another doll and her share was $7.50 plus postage. She didn't appear to be the same doll shown in the ebay ad as her hair was in the original set in the net and the doll in the photo had her hair loose around her shoulders. However, Meg was really, really dirty and the dirt had clouded her eyes. The third time I tried cleaning them I poured water and Windex across her eyes so that her eyes were wet enough to look darker. Then, after a good draining, she went in front of a fan and even the hair dryer. She's looking almost normal in one eye and much better in the other. Her clothes came clean. I did have to sew a section of ripped lace on the petticoat and darn it in one small spot. The doll who came with her (no arms but otherwise physically perfect) was said to have a stained dress. The stain came right out but I wasn't told how chewed up the underskirt was. Sigh..
Beth and Jo are from ebay also and cost more, but I did set a $20 limit! Beth is perfect, I think, and Jo is close. I think one cheek has more color.
Moral: be careful on ebay. I should have sent this Meg back but she's grown on me.


I finally found flesh colored stockinette so Dolly, my first doll, has new arms and legs. She needs a better wig. This is just craft hair sewn down the center. She's wearing a dress for a Madame Alexander Kitten that I got at the antiques market at Johnny Appleseed, and Elizabeth's little socks. Someday maybe I'll figure out how to get her eyes to stay aligned and can give her new lashes. The paint is off part of her cheeks and blush doesn't hide that in photos. Maybe foundation? :-)

Oct. 3rd, 2010

First, I wanted to send Happy Wishes to Beth and to Carolyn!
We had a very nice visit with Elizabeth. The awards banquet is always nice. The food is always good and the awards are presented quickly, although I never mind hearing about the accomplishments of all the recipients.