This week in the Civil War: June 29, 1864

Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia.

The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia, played out 150 years ago this month in the Civil War, a prelude to the Union's eventual capture of Atlanta later in 1864. Confederates led by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston entrenched on high ground at Kennesaw Mountain, northwest of Atlanta, on June 18, 1864, as Union fighters approached. Federal forces under Maj. Gen William T. Sherman attacked days later on June 27, 1864, hitting the Confederates hard with artillery. Though the Union had the early momentum, Sherman's forces suffered thousands of dead and wounded as fighting ground to a standstill and resulted in a tactical defeat for the Union. But within weeks the Union would be pressing toward Atlanta in hopes of destroying Johnston's operation while federal forces pressed in on the Confederacy on a separate front in Virginia.

This week in the Civil War: June 22, 1864

AP on chaotic evacuation of the wounded, fighting in Virginia

The Associated Press reported in a dispatch June 23, 1864, that the Confederates had been firing upon horse-drawn hospital wagons evacuating the wounded to steamers off the Virginia coast. Union forces reported that "the Rebels pay no respect to our hospital flags; and on Thursday last they fired upon one of our hospital trains from a battery stationed near Petersburg, (Virginia), killing and wounding several horses." The AP account said no one aboard the hospital wagons was wounded in that and other incidents as Union troops took aim at Petersburg 150 years ago in the Civil War. AP reported, meanwhile, that the toll of war was ghastly: thousands upon thousands of bloodied, wounded men were being taken to steamer ships off Virginia for the trip northward. Also evacuated were many wounded rebel prisoners, including one rebel lieutenant who had lost an arm in the fighting. In a separate dispatch, AP reported the artillery duels had continued unabated for days near Petersburg. "The city is full of lofty shade trees, and the steeples of the churches are the only prominent objects on which to take effective range. The effects of the shooting have not yet been ascertained, aside from the burning of some of the buildings," AP's correspondent wrote in June 1864, adding the air was humid and hot with the dust and din of battle. 

The Adventures of Nellie Bligh

Momma has finally decided upon her own steampunk ensemble!

Using Simplicity Pattern #1558 as a basis, she plans to make the blouse with Tea-Dyed Muslin, and the skirt with two Tim Holtz Eclectic Elements fabrics: Stamps Neutral (using the reverse side) and Photo Card Multi. The blouse and skirt will both be 100 percent cotton which will make them both cool and washable.

How disgustingly practical!

Her character? Captain Nellie Bligh - a composite of both Nellie Bly and Captain Bligh.

What do you think?

Stars and stripes forever

Today I salute our military heroes: both our armed forces and the families that support them at home.

How do you define a Hero? This is what we asked ourselves as we went to work on a collection to honor our veterans. In these auctions you will find an amazing assortment of superheroes and real heroes. These are our true super heroes! They are selflessly our protectors. I would like to thank all of our service men and women for your service to our country. You are my superhero. You are Batman without his cape.

These amazing collections will be sold as 100 percent donation to Fisher House Foundation. We did some research to find a veterans charity that spends the money wisely where we could feel confident that your donations will be put to very good use.

A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 63 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers. Many more houses are under construction or in design.

Since 1990

• Families served: More than 180,000
• Number of lodging days offered: Over 4.7 million
• Saved families more than $200 million in lodging and transportation costs

Military Collection

This collection tugs at our heartstrings!

This is the last of the four collections we are presenting for this amazing cause.

It is an amazing tribute to our veterans and we are very proud to present this to you

Donated by Bee Jacobs - A Bee Line on Etsy

Army Combat Uniform - eight piece set. Most of this set was made using Lee & Pearl pattern 1010: Army Combat Uniform Bundle with a scaled digital camouflage cotton print purchased from Lee & Pearl custom fabric on Spoonflower.

The jacket - has a front zipper and mandarin collar with four gusseted flap pockets. The two front angled pockets have velcro closures. The cuffs also have velcro closures as does the collar. There are four velcro patches: U.S. Army, Dolls for a Cause, the US flag, and the Colonel rank insignia.

The cargo pants - have a working fly that closes with velcro and a faux button. They have belt loops, four gusseted pockets, and the bottom cuffs also pull tight with black cording.

Gray T-shirt - closes in back with velcro. This is also included in the Army Combat Uniform bundle.

Gray socks - made from new purchased socks.

Belt – made from the digital camouflage fabric with a simple black buckle

Dog Tags – custom made by Carolyn Gebert

Black boots – purchased, Sophia's brand

Army Patrol Cap - pattern donated by Lee & Pearl - pattern 1006: Patrol Cap for 18 Inch Dolls - I was able to finish off the uniform. I added the Colonel rank insignia to complete it.

Donated By Carolyn Gebert

Cargo pants, patrol cap and backpack are made from quality cotton fabric. The fabric pattern is reminiscent of the Woodland Pattern, which, per Wikipedia, was the default camouflage pattern issued to United States soldiers until its replacement around 2006.

Cargo pants - feature a front fly opening, belt loops, cargo pockets, and drawstring hem.

T-shirt - made from an upcycled poly/cotton blend people t-shirt with back velcro opening. Fabric was freshly laundered prior to sewing. Pants and Tshirt - Lee & Pearl pattern 1010: Army Combat Uniform Bundle

Patrol Cap - made in the same camo fabric - pattern 1006: Patrol Cap for 18 Inch Dolls by Lee & Pearl

Lace up boots are made from faux suede and are fully lined with cotton muslin. McCall's pattern 3469

Backpack - fully functional with ribbon straps and draw string closure. McCall's Pattern 3469

Dog tags - created by Carolyn out of brass blanks, hand stamped "USA" and hang from a ball chain with connector.

Donated by Cupcake Cutie Pie

Stars & Stripes vintage dress with headband and shoes

Celebrate liberty with this adorable vintage style dress. The fully lined bodice has a square neckline and is made of silver star printed midnight blue cotton. The short puff sleeves are made of contrast red and white striped cotton with elastic at the cuff. The striped skirt is gathered at the waist that provides fullness and embellished with a row of silver rickrack adorned with dainty silver ribbon bows. The dress fastens in back with buttons. Add the blue star cotton headband with elastic back for an easy hairstyle. To complete this ensemble metallic silver flats are included. The dress is made from an original Cupcake Cutie Pie pattern, released by Simplicity.

Donated by Joyce Strangway of Joyce's Knitwear on Etsy

The sweater and beanie hat are machine knitted in 1x1 rib with a wool and nylon mix fiber so it is very hard wearing, The back fastens with velcro.

*Dolls are not included in this listing*

Thank you for admiring our collection. Please follow Dolls for a Cause on Facebook for more amazing charity auctions.

Please remember that 100 percent of your donations will go to Fisher House Foundation. All four auctions end on Sunday, June 22.

Good medicine

Today we at Dolls for a Cause salute our medical heroes: doctors, nurses AND patients!

How do you define a Hero? This is what we asked ourselves as we went to work on a collection to honor our veterans. In these auctions you will find an amazing assortment of superheroes and real heroes. These are our true super heroes! They are selflessly our protectors. I would like to thank all of our service men and women for your service to our country. You are my superhero. You are Batman without his cape.

These amazing collections will be sold as 100 percent donation to Fisher House Foundation. We did some research to find a veterans charity that spends the money wisely where we could feel confident that your donations will be put to very good use.

A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 63 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers. Many more houses are under construction or in design.

Since 1990

• Families served: More than 180,000
• Number of lodging days offered: Over 4.7 million
• Saved families more than $200 million in lodging and transportation costs

What tribute to our veterans would be complete without including the people we entrust to take care of them?

We are very excited to present to you our Military Hospital Collection by Dolls for a Cause.

Meet our Doctor, Nurse and Patient

Donated by Holly Linehan - of New York Doll Designs on Ebay

Classic Vintage Nursing outfit - pattern donated by Med Welch

Dress - made from a crisp white cotton blend, completely lined featuring short sleeves, pointed cuffs, collar, full straight skirt with side pockets, embroidered red cross on the bodice front. The dress closes in front with snaps and I have sewn decorative buttons over the snaps.

Cap - Classic Nursing Cap made of crisp white cotton, featuring a navy braided trim.

Cape - Navy blue and fully lined, featuring side slits as shown in pictures, a red embroidered cross and closes in front with a snap.

Shoes - Sophia brand white lace up shoes donated by Maurita Barefield

Donated by Birdie Wright

Field Doctor

Hospital scrubs - Everything is finished to prevent fraying.

Shirt - has a working front pocket and closes in the back with velcro.

Pants - have elastic waistband.

Surgical mask is fully lined and stays on face with elastic band.

Scrub hat is fully lined and has elastic around it for a nice tight fit on the doll's head

Donated by Maurita Barfield - Of Nana's Doll Closet

USMC pjs- everything finished to prevent fraying

Tank top is machine embroidered and closes in the back with snaps.

Pants are in a bottom weight camo fabric and have an elastic waistband.

*Dolls Are Not Included*

Thank you for looking at this amazing collection please follow Dolls for a Cause on Facebook for more amazing charity auction!

Tomorrow I showcase our fourth and final Super Heroes vs. Real Heroes auction: our military heroes!

They did the monster mash-up

Have you seen Her? Have you?

In a freaky twist of adventure, some of the favorite Monster High ghouls get accidentally fused together. Prepare to see the original tribe of beast ghoulfriends like you've never seen them before! Choose from Lagoonafire (a mix of Lagoona Blue and Jinafire Long), Dracubecca (a fusion of Draculaura and Robecca Steam), Cleolei (a combination of Cleo de Nile and Toralei), Clawvenus (a blend of Clawdeen Wolf and Venus McFlytrap) and Neighthan Rot (a unicorn-zombie boy).

Each freaky fabulous doll offers twice the freaky flaws along with killer "fusionable" style. Accessories include a to-die-for purse for each - except Neighthan Rot, who has a hat with a hole cut out for his unicorn horn. Each also comes with a doll stand and brush, plus a personalized diary that contains scary cool insights into these clashing dual personalities. Collect them all to expand the fun to monster proportions.

Super Heroes vs. Real Heroes

Today I showcase the second superhero auction benefiting Fisher House Foundation.

How do you define a Hero? This is what we asked ourselves as we went to work on a collection to honor our veterans. In these auctions you will find an amazing assortment of superheroes and real heroes. These are our true super heroes! They are selflessly our protectors. I would like to thank all of our service men and women for your service to our country. You are my superhero. You are batman without his cape.

These amazing collections will be sold as 100 percent donation to Fisher House Foundation. We did some research to find a veterans charity that spends the money wisely where we could feel confident that your donations will be put to very good use.

A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 63 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers. Many more houses are under construction or in design.

Since 1990

• Families served: More than 180,000
• Number of lodging days offered: Over 4.7 million
• Saved families more than $200 million in lodging and transportation costs

Supergirl and Captain America

This fun collection is an inspiration. All-American super heroes that touch our hearts.

An amazing tribute to our Real American Heroes.

Thank you for your service!

Donated by Monica LeDoux - Made by MoMo Couture on Etsy

Captain America inspired outfit

Jacket - Exclusive Made by MoMo design, lined blue rayon material, white foam star accent, pin-stripe bias arms and velcro front closure.

Tank - Ribbed knit fabric with red ribbon tape and ric-rac accents. Pattern courtesy of Liberty Jane.

Skirt - Made by MoMo design, Silky blue rayon material with FOE waistband.

Shoes - Red ribbon gladiator sandals with cork soles. Design Made by MoMo.

Bead bracelet - Red, white, and blue seed with clasp closure

Two Hair Clips - one red and one blue with white vinyl topstitched wings all Made by MoMo.

Donated By Amy Bray - Confetti Doll Designs on Etsy

Supergirl - Pattern Donated by Doll Tag Clothing

Dress - Made from a modified Doll Tag Clothing pattern of Lycra performance fabric with velcro closure and snap on cape that snaps into shoulder seams.

Spankies shorts to match for underneath the dress made with the Liberty Jane Leggings pattern that has been modified. Both patterns are from Pixie Faire.

Boots are modified from the All Dolled Up Slouch boot pattern and are made of lycra performance fabric, craft foam and elastic.

Necklace hand sculpted from Fimo and put on silvertone findings.

Mini Super Girl Doll - Purchased DC collection doll to go with the ensemble.

S emblem and the hair bow - added by Dacia from Mini Me Dolly Diva's



* Dolls Are Not Included in this listing*

Please follow Dolls for a Cause on Facebook for more amazing charity auctions.

Thank you

Tomorrow I start showing off the Real Heroes!

A New Beginning

I've been asked what I think about the upcoming redesign of the historic American Girl books and dolls: Beforever.

To be honest, I'm stumped.

I mean, why? Why mess with a good thing?

The photos I've seen of my doppelgänger are Pleasant and I imagine she'll be good Company, but, why?

It looks like the six book sets are being condensed into three book sets, and the reader can participate in the stories themselves, but, why?

Inquiring minds want to know. 

Not all heroes wear capes!

Momma and I are proud to be part of the four newest Dolls for a Cause auctions on eBay. All four auctions run through Sunday, June 22 and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Fisher House Foundation. 

Today I focus on My Personal Favorite, the Steampunk Batman and Robin collection that Momma contributed to.

How do you define a Hero? This is what we asked ourselves as we went to work on a collection to honor our veterans. In these auctions you will find an amazing assortment of superheroes and real heroes. These are our true super heroes! They are selflessly our protectors. I would like to thank all of our service men and women for your service to our country. You are my superhero. You are Batman without his cape.

These amazing collections will be sold as 100 percent donation to Fisher House Foundation. We did some research to find a veterans charity that spends the money wisely where we could feel confident that your donations will be put to very good use.

A Fisher House is “a home away from home” for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility or have transportation available. There are 63 Fisher Houses located on 23 military installations and 24 VA medical centers. Many more houses are under construction or in design.

Since 1990

• Families served: More than 180,000
• Number of lodging days offered: Over 4.7 million
• Saved families more than $200 million in lodging and transportation costs

Not all Heroes wear capes - Steam Punk Batman and Robin collection

We decided to take Batman and Robin and change them into something new and different yet still touches us as the true Batman and Robin always have. Batman and Robin are classic superheroes we all know and love, and we are so happy to present them to you as a tribute to our veterans.

Donated by Dacia of Mini Me Dolly Divas on Etsy
Steampunk Batman

Skirt - bustle skirt pattern by Thimbles and Acorns, black fabric, with batman print bustle, edged in yellow beaded trim, and closes with a snap

Shirt -pattern by MHD designs - gray with Batman fabric trim has pleated neckline, this shirt is fully lined, it has little snaps on the sleeve cuffs for a nice snug fit but will still easily go over your doll's hands, and it closes in the back with snaps

Corset -pattern by MHD designs- black fabric with machine embroidered Batman patch fully lined, has a ribbon strap closure in the back

Cape - Modified Melody Valerie Couture pattern is black with Batman fabric lining, fully lined and closes in the front with a snap

Steampunk Robin

Skirt - Thimbles and Acorns bustle dress pattern modified. I modified this pattern making a short underskirt for fun. It is made in green and red fabrics with yellow bead trim and closes in the back with a snap, and has whimsical machine embroidered patches

Jacket -Thimbles and Acorns bustle dress pattern - this jacket is fully lined and closes in the front with snaps.

Hat - Bonjour Teaspoon pattern available at Pixiefaire, hat is fully lined.

T-shirt- Trendy tee pattern by Liberty Jane Clothing, green embroidered T-shirt closes in the back with velcro. This T-shirt is my nod to service men and women, our heroes without capes.

Donated by Greta Huls of Rexphiles on Etsy
Additional Steampunk Accessories

Lobstertail bustles to properly outfit the steampunk dresses made with the Thimbles & Acorns pattern 1870-02. Bustles became popular after the Civil War when travel by train became popular. Large hoopskirts didn't fit through narrow train aisles so the bustle became popular.

Batman's bustle is made with licensed Batman fabric, and ties with coordinating grosgrain ribbon. A small surprise is hidden from view - Bam!

Robin's bustle is made in green and red fabrics with yellow bead trim, and ties with yellow grosgrain ribbon. A small surprise is hidden from view - Pow!

Goggles/masks - inspired and modified from Simplicity® Pattern 1392: Doll Accessories. Both are made with soft black or dark green and dark red vinyls, coordinating ribbon ties, and yellow plastic lenses. I sewed everything making it sturdier and eliminating the need for glue. "Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it."

* Sorry dolls and shoes are NOT included in this listing*

Thank you for admiring our collection. This is one of four amazing collections to support this charity presented by Dolls for a Cause. Please look for our other auctions, and find us on Facebook.

I shall spotlight the other auctions this week!

 

This week in the Civil War: June 15, 1864

Union assault on Petersburg, Virginia

This week 150 years ago during the Civil War, the Union Army of the Potomac crossed the James River and began heading towards Petersburg, Va., ever closer to the capital of the Confederacy. The movements came days after Union Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler had sent thousands of cavalry and infantry soldiers up against thousands of Confederate fighters manning stout defenses all around Petersburg, not far from Richmond, Virginia. Union forces had early success in driving back the outer ring of Confederate defenders, but Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee quickly dispatched new forces to Petersburg who repulsed subsequent Union attacks over four days of fighting. With Lee's Army of Northern Virginia now firmly in control of the defense works at Petersburg, any Union attempt at a breakthrough was lost. The early Confederate victory in these hot June days of 1864 would eventually open the way for a long and grinding Union siege of that city near Richmond.

This week in the Civil War: June 8, 1864

Lincoln nominated to run again for president as fighting rages

President Abraham Lincoln was nominated by his party to seek a second term on June 8, 1864 — a major political milestone for Lincoln as he pressed on with the war. The New York Times reported on May 16, 1864, that critics had been predicting Lincoln wouldn’t let any major fighting go on as he pressed for the nomination for a second term. But heavy fighting by the Union in Virginia in recent days trumped the naysayers. “The recent campaign in Virginia has very effectually silenced that calumny; for one of its most conspicuous features has been the zealous cooperation of every department of the Government and every branch of the public service ... President Lincoln has done everything in his power to insure success” in the war effort, The Times declared. It added that Lincoln was intent on the public good first and foremost. “The country may rely, with unfaltering trust, upon the supreme devotion of the President to the defence of the Government and the suppression of the rebellion,” the newspaper added.

Shiny

I swooned, Momma looks like a deer caught in the headlights, but Nathan Fillion really is ruggedly handsome.

(A copy of this photograph will go to the lucky winner of the Dorothy of Oz outfit I am wearing. It will be one of three book-related collections auctioned in August by Dolls for a Cause for Fillion's organization, Kids Need to Read.)

You can't take the Badge from Me

She's a Valley Girl

Visiting my minions at AGPLA.

News flash: Momma and I just discovered that American Girl plans to open a store in Scottsdale next year - 20 minutes away from us!

I think I shall swoon....

American Girl to open its newest store in Arizona

Scottsdale Quarter to become home of popular American Girl store

Middleton, WI (June 4, 2014) - American Girl®, a division of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT), today announced plans to open its newest experiential retail store at Scottsdale Quarter, the premier open-air lifestyle center owned by Glimcher Realty Trust (NYSE: GRT), located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 12,000-square-foot American Girl store is slated to open in late summer of 2015 and will be located within a new 180,000 square foot expansion of the property.

"For 16 years, American Girl retail stores have created unforgettable memories for millions of girls and their families, and we're thrilled to now bring the American Girl experience to even more fans in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area," said Wade Opland, American Girl's vice president of retail. "As a leader in experiential retail, American Girl has found a great partner in Scottsdale Quarter, a well-established premium shopping center with an upscale mix of stores and restaurants. It's an ideal location to introduce American Girl to the area and we look forward to opening our doors in summer 2015."

"We are very excited to welcome American Girl to Scottsdale Quarter and to have such an iconic brand anchor the next phase of development at The Quarter," said Michael P. Glimcher, Chairman and CEO of Glimcher. "Scottsdale Quarter has become the pre-eminent shopping destination in the Arizona market and a model for experience-centered retail development. American Girl fits seamlessly with our focus on bringing the best mix of retail, entertainment and dining to market."

Visitors to Scottsdale Quarter's new American Girl store will find all of the company's popular historical and contemporary dolls, along with a large assortment of doll outfits, accessories, girl-sized clothing, and a variety of best-selling American Girl books. In addition, American Girl fans will be able to enjoy a meal and a delicious dessert or celebrate a birthday in the store's fun and casual 25-seat Bistro and treat their dolls to a new hairdo in the Doll Hair Salon. A variety of girl-and-mom-friendly events and programs will also be offered throughout the year.

American Girl has been recognized as an industry leader in experiential retail since opening its first flagship store, American Girl Place®, in Chicago in 1998. Today, American Girl's sixteen proprietary retail and entertainment sites, located at premier shopping destinations nationwide, have welcomed more than 63 million visitors to date. To learn more about the different experiences available at each American Girl store, please call 877-247-5223 or visit americangirl.com.

One bad apple

Greta Garb-oh!

I'm sooo sorry I haven't posted much in the past few weeks, but it has been busy around here. 

Momma switched jobs, both Grandmomma and Grandpoppa had surgery, and the school year ended for my Big Sister.

Phew!

Oh, and Momma has been sewing of course.

Her latest outfit is inspired by both the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz AND the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz.

Momma likes the moving picture, but she LOVES the original 14 Oz books.

And who can blame her?

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, it has since been reprinted numerous times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of both the popular 1902 Broadway musical and the well-known 1939 film adaptation.

The story chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Dorothy Gale in the Land of Oz, after being swept away from her Kansas farm home in a cyclone. The novel is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture and has been widely translated. Its initial success, and the success of the 1902 Broadway musical which Baum adapted from his original story, led to Baum's writing 13 more Oz books. The original book has been in the public domain in the US since 1956.

In the book, when Dorothy and her companions try to enter the forest, the Fighting Trees pick the Scarecrow up and throw him back two times. They are easily overcome by the Tin Woodman and his a sharp axe.
 
In the 1939 film version, apple trees become annoyed with Dorothy when she picks an apple from one of them. The Scarecrow helps by provoking the apple trees into throwing their apples at him, which Dorothy can then collect. She discovers the Tin Man while collecting the thrown apples.

Using a pattern similar to the iconic film dress worn by Dorothy in the film, Momma used licensed Wizard of Oz fabric, but used the wrong side to soften the look. She paired it with a brown blouse covered with red apples. She is trying to find glittery red boots for the sale version, but I prefer my silver boots. (Dorothy wore silver shoes in the book, but it was changed to ruby red for the film.)

Momma is so excited about this that she is heading up the next Dolls for a Cause auction in August which will benefit Kids Need to Read. Classic books have been chosen for the theme.

Stay tuned for more exciting information.

In the meantime, a version of my One Bad Apple dress will be listed in Momma's Etsy shop soon!

This week in the Civil War: June 1, 1864

Bloody combat at Cold Harbor, Va.

Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant pressed on with fierce fighting in Virginia, his massive Union force intent on breaking the backbone of the Confederacy on its territory. But Confederate rivals in turn exacted heavy casualties on the Union foe. On June 1, 1864, Union cavalry fighters drove back one attack by Confederate forces, who were being reinforced by more troops arriving from Richmond, Va., seat of the Confederacy. Union attempts to attack the Southern forces met with heavy casualties on the federal side. The fighting raged for days along a front stretching for miles to the Chickahominy River in Virginia. By mid-June of that year, with both sides bloodied and wearied, Grant began moves to relocate his forces in an area threatening Petersburg, Va., below Richmond.