Kenosha/Chicago August 2011

JT and Elizabeth.




Fountain in the farmer's market area.





Elizabeth found a beautiful silk scarf at one of the booths.






Elizabeth with Gabe and Eli.


Boys at the playground.



Beach time, too.



The community garden that Beth and George started.

Recent doll acquisitions

Well, I've acquired some more dolls. :-)
Meet Little Miss Ginger, one of the two smallest of the 50's fashion dolls at 8". Little Miss Nancy Ann was made from this same mold, evidently. I found Little Miss Ginger in a thrift store, sealed in a plastic bag. She had a rag around her head and was in a dress that I'm sure wasn't hers as it should have been tagged according to info I have.
The undies are original. The vinyl used in the Little Miss Ginger and Little Miss Nancy Ann has a tendency to turn white. So, I was unsure when I purchased her if this was a doll of any value as she's a bit ghostly. She'd be much more valuable if her left arm weren't glued near the top, but I hope to find one of her fashions with 3/4 length sleeves or longer. She and her clothes are hard to come by, however. Not bad for $2.

Next is a Ginny in her red organdy dress with her America's Sweetheart sash. This was available to new Ginny club members in 1996. I got her for 5.50 (plus postage) on ebay, stand included, but she was missing her bouquet of roses, her box, and her certificate. I made a bouquet for her. Behind her is a special edition Ginny made just for a doll shop. She's called Grandma's Favorite and came with the bear, in her box. She was the princely sum of $10 in an antique mall.

These little Knickerbocker plastic dolls, about 6", are from the 50's. The one with hair is the same as the one without. She had a mohair wig glued on. The skirt is original. I replaced the badly frayed ribbon and added a ribbon to the hair to keep it neat. It was half off. The white panties and top I made until I can reproduce the tiered, flock dotted skirt for the second doll. I bought her with a doll suitcase and a few bigger doll clothes at a flea market.



I was once again unable to attend the local doll convention. My gracious mother-in-law generously got the souvenir doll for me. The little Christmas Elf kewpie is adorable!! I was thrilled!


I paid a hefty $8 for this Western pair in an antique shop. The boy's head is loose and they have to share a pistol. I haven't tried to look for a mark as their clothes are so securely fastened.



These are separate but look nice together. The groom is from the Mennonite thrift shop. The bride is from another charity gift shop and is marked ATC. Just a few dollars bought each.

Birthday photos of John Joseph and John Thomas

They're sitting on a bench made by my husband's grandfather, John Weyer.....John J's great-grandfather, and John T's great-great grandfather.