Sentimental journey

Momma has been mourning the death of her one and only aunt.

Aunt Barbara was a childhood doll collector who shared her love with dolls with Momma. She gave Momma one of Momma's most prized dolls, Belinda, and they spent many delightful hours talking about dolls.

Momma and Aunt Barbara loved to peruse the early Pleasant Company catalogues featuring the original trio, Kirsten, Samantha, and Molly.

Aunt Barbara (who was born in 1928) particularly liked Molly. (Heck, she even looked like Molly - down to the braids and glasses!) Each item in Molly's collection could trigger a flood of memories and hours of conversation.

So which American Girl doll was Momma's first?

My Big Sister got Kirsten and Addy for Christmas 2006. It was the first time Momma had actually seen and held an American Girl doll, and she fell in love.

Momma quickly found some online groups dedicated to Pleasant Company/American Girl dolls where several people mentioned finding used dolls at Goodwill. Skeptical, Momma stopped by after work and found a beautiful Pleasant Company Molly for only $9.95! (Her one and only time, I might add.)

Goodwill Molly has become a mini Aunt Barbara over the past eight years. She has her drop-leaf kitchen table like we have, Kit's roll-top desk and typewriter, and other goodies that remind her of Aunt Barbara and other family stories.

RIP, Aunt Barbara. We shall meet again in the giant dollhouse in the sky.

Betsy-Tacy and Tib

Momma has been Frightfully Busy lately and I have been Terribly Ignored, so Momma told me to publish some back stories.

Here are my dear friends Betsy-Tacy, and Tib - dolls Momma created, based upon the wonderful books by Maud Hart Lovelace.

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Momma used this illustration from Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown as a basis for the three girls: Betsy got Samantha's Middy Dress with Tam, Tacy got Samantha's Play Dress, and Tib got Sam's Spring Party Dress. All three got Samantha's Lacy Whites, as well as Addy's black Meet stockings, and either Addy's or Kirsten's black lace-up boots.

Oh, and you'll love this. The real-life girls that inspired Betsy, Tacy and Tib went to Pleasant Grove School!

Dress like your doll

Okay, I have to admit it. Momma and I both really, really, really like the new Ribbon Trim Sundress for Girls.

This pretty sundress is inspired by Addy. The royal-blue print dress has a black waistband and trim, and cute black bows on the shoulders. It has a gathered bodice, and hidden pockets at the side seams of the full skirt. Above-knee length. Cotton. Imported. Blue. Sizes 6-16. 

$42

Once upon a time, Pleasant Company and American Girl both offered girl-sized versions of the dolls' various outfits. While very nice, maybe it wasn't as practical.

Addy's girl-sized outfit was sold as the "Striped Pink Dress" for $75, but was discontinued in 2000.

The new alternative is not only less expensive, but girls can wear the outfits daily now instead of saving them for special occasions and make believe.

Well done, American Girl. Well done.

The Nancy Drew Philes

Greta Garb-oh!

Momma, my BCF (Best Chum Forever) Clementine, and I are proud to present Momma's latest collection, inspired by the famous girl detective herself: Nancy Drew.
 
More than 170 Nancy Drew books have been written since The Secret of the Old Clock was first published in 1930. The publisher began revising the books in 1959 to make the books more modern and to eliminate racist overtones.

(How did they eliminate the racism? By eliminating all non-white characters!)

Anyway, the covers of six of the original 56 books were used for a now discontinued fabric panel. Momma created six aprons from one fabric panel. (Five of the six are for sale. I shall keep the apron and dress that does not sell.)

The six available bookcover aprons are:

• 1) The Secret of the Old Clock
• 2) The Hidden Staircase
• 4) The Mystery at Lilac Inn
• 5) The Secret of Shadow Ranch
• 25) The Ghost of Blackwood Hall
• 26) The Clue of the Leaning Chimney

Remembering the yellow bookspines of her childhood, each dress is made from licensed yellow and blue Nancy Drew fabric with yellow cotton accents and rickrack. These dresses are sized to fit 18 inch dolls and will fit both the plumper, older Pleasant Company dolls (think Bess) as well as the slimmer, modern (George!) American Girl dolls.

Each auction includes one fashionable '50s frock and (Hannah Gruen approved) apron only. Clementine and I, Peggy (Momma's dressmaker mannequin), our boots, and other accessories are not included! 

 

No guts, no gory

When my Big Sister and her Cousins started collecting American Girl dolls years ago, Momma knew she had to become a dolly doctor or go bankrupt.

Poor Samantha and Josefina arrived for surgery last week, but Momma had la grippe and then what sounded suspiciously like a consumptive cough.

Today was the day. Momma examined the patients while I tried to calm their nerves.

Poor Josefina was in pretty good shape - except her left arm had fallen off! Samantha had a bad case of Floppy Legs, and her arms weren't much better.

One hour, some elastic, some brass ferrules and washers, and one bottle cap (artificial shoulder replacement) later, both Josefina and Samantha are ready to go back to their new homes.

Does your doll need surgery, too? Let Me know at steampunkaddie (at) gmail dot com and I'll tell Momma.

Make is sew

Mini Me Dolly Divas

As hinted at the other day, here's a sneak peek of my newest outfit being created for me by Mini Me Dolly Divas - as modeled by My Dear Friend, Samantha.

Momma had a vision while looking at Dacia's items, and Dacia agreed to the Special Order.

Special order I am working on for Steampunk Addie. Samantha gets to model it since she is pre-Mattel also. This is going to be a steampunk, Star Trek outfit... doesn't look like it yet I know but it will. I am very excited about this one.

Ok, this so stinking cute it's crazy! Oh, Samantha doesn't want to give this one up....

If Samantha thinks she's going to keep this, she's got another think coming. 

The dress is a modified version of the Thimbles and Acorn's 1870s Bustle Dress pattern.

The t-shirt and the hat are modified Liberty Jane patterns. You can find LJC patterns at http://www.pixiefaire.com.

Peg o' my heart

Imitation is the sincerest of flattery, right?

I have been a longtime admirer of Kirsten's Adventures. She's also Pleasant Company and has an attitude that I quite admire.

One of her boon companions is Pegleg Sally. I have long wanted my own version of her, and Momma said she will finally be joining my Steam Team!

I think I shall call her Peggy.


(Kirsten has not had any adventures in a very long time. Does anyone know why? I hope she and her Momma are okay.)

Float like a butterfly

Sew Fun Doll Clothes

Oh my.

Look at what my Dear Friend, Mama Lisa of Darling Dolly, spotted for me on Etsy.

Time Traveler - American Girl Doll Clothes Embroidered Steampunk Shibua Summer Coat

My American Girl doll can't wait for summer vacation - she's planning on doing a little time travel! This Shibua (sic) coat will not only protect her from the elements as she glides through the centuries, the embroidered butterfly will help guide her on her way! 

This coat was made using Liberty Jane's Shibua (sic) coat pattern; it is a summer weight cream fabric with gold sheer ribbon trim around the open neckline and lower sleeve cuffs. The front opening has four copper eyelets with gold ribbon threaded through them and tied into a bow; and it is lined with a gorgeous copper colored lining.

The embroidery designs are from Urban Threads and includes a cogs design on the lower sleeve cuffs in gold, brass, and copper; and a steam motifs cogs butterfly on the back in gold, copper, steel gray, and charcoal gray with copper swirls. The back embroidery is accented with gray suede cord inserted into the back seams, the cord is threaded through a gold gear attached below the butterfly on the lower back, and tied into a bow.

Sadly, Momma says this coat won't fit my Pleasant figure. (I wonder if I can get one custom-made?)

Oh well, I still give it my Gear of Approval.

The dragon lady

Momma loves Chinese New Year - especially when it's The Year of the Dragon.

Yu Chia Hui

She got to spend part of a Chinese New Year in Honolulu's Chinatown in 1997. (And while not on Chinese New Year, she was in Taipei, Taiwan on Dec. 31, 1988 which she says was amazing.)

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China it is known as "Spring Festival" or the "Lunar New Year" because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations.

Sadly, Chinese New Year is not an official holiday in the United States -- although the U.S. Postal Service does issue New Year's themed stamps.

Did you know that saying "Happy New Year" is considered rude since it is so short? The best greetings consist of four characters such as:

• Jinyu mangtang: May your wealth come to fill a hall.
• Dazhan hongtu: May you realize your ambitions.
• Yingchun jiefu: Greet the New Year and encounter happiness.
• Wanshi ruyi: May all your wishes be fulfilled.
• Jiqing youyu: May your happiness be without limit.
• Zhubao pingan: May you hear that all is well.
• Yiban wanli: May a small investment bring ten-thousandfold profits.
• Fushou shuangquan: May your happiness and longevity be complete.
• Zhaocai jinbao: When wealth is acquired, precious objects follow.

Joyous Kwanzaa

Heri za Kwanzaa. 

American Girl

Neither Momma nor I celebrate Kwanzaa but I was interested in researching it. 

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States honoring universal African-American heritage and culture, observed annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

(Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest.)

Kwanzaa was created as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage and was first celebrated in 1966–1967. It features activities such as lighting a candle holder with seven candles and culminates in a feast and gift giving.

Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat on which other symbols are placed including corn and other crops, a candle holder with seven candles, called a kinara, a communal cup for pouring libations, and gifts. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles:

• Umoja (Unity)
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Nia (Purpose)
• Kuumba (Creativity)
• Imani (Faith)

Merry Christmas!

My little friends and I were having a pleasant chat and it occurred to me to ask them how they would wish you a Merry Christmas in their native languages.

Felicity might say "Happy Christmas!" since that would be proper in England and probably the Colonies. (Molly's friend Emily would, too.)

Josefina would say in Spanish, "¡Feliz Navidad!" 

Kirsten would say in Swedish, "God Jul!" 

Ma chère amie Cécile might say in French, "Joyeux Noël!" 

Rebecca would wish her Christian friends in Russian, "С Рождеством Христовым!"

Kanani says in Hawai'ian, "Mele Kalikimaka!"

And Merry Christmas from all the rest of us! 

How do you say "Merry Christmas!"?

The Posada Adventure

Tonight I'm off to what you now know as New Mexico to help my dear friend Josefina Montoya celebrate Las Posadas.

Las Posadas (Spanish for "lodging" or "accommodation") is a nine-day celebration beginning Dec. 16 and ending Dec. 24 with origins in Spain, now celebrated in Mexico, Guatemala, and parts of the United States.

Last year my Big Sister got asked to be Maria at the very last minute when the original Maria got sick -  just like Josefina did in Josefina’s Surprise!

Josefina is a girl growing up in New Mexico in 1824. Ever since Mamá died, Josefina and her sisters have bravely met the challenges of the rancho without her. As they watch the new Americano traders arrive from the East, they struggle to hold on to the old ways their beloved mother taught them. Josefina dreams of becoming a healer like her Tía Magdalena. Hopeful and caring, she is the star of her story.

A few weeks before Christmas, Josefina and her sisters went into the village to help with holiday preparations. They took two bright ristras, or strings of red chiles, to Señora Sánchez to flavor her famous stew. In return, she gave the girls a special gift—a plump chicken nestled in a bentwood cage. The plucky little hen had already laid two tiny speckled eggs! 

Papá lit the way of the Las Posadas procession with a wooden lantern that had windows made from a mineral called mica. Ana carried a silver tray piled high with bizcochito cookies. You can bake real bizcochitos using the simple recipe included with the pretend cookies. Help Josefina make beautiful paper flowers called ramilletes to decorate the church altar for Christmas Eve—a complete ramillete kit is included.

Josefina saved her very best dress for the most blessed night of the year, la Noche Buena—Christmas Eve. Tía Dolores provided the elegant striped fabric. But Josefina chose the stylish pattern and sewed every stitch herself by hand! With it she wore ruffled pantalettes, white stockings, black slippers, and a fine lace mantilla, a veil held on with a fancy comb.

St. Lucia invites you to breakfast

One nice thing about being a time traveler is that I get to experience lots of customs with my friends throughout the years. Today is Dec. 13, also known as Santa Lucia's day, so I'm off to visit my friend Kirsten Larson in Minnesota. She's Pleasant Company so I'll let her tell you her story: 

Kirsten is a brave, steadfast pioneer girl growing up on the Minnesota prairie in 1854. Her stories begin with her long, dangerous voyage with her family from Sweden to America. At first, Kirsten finds it difficult to get used to this strange new country. But as she makes friends and discovers what her new land has to offer, she learns the true meaning of home—and that love is the same in any language.

According to Holy Women, Holy Men: Lucy, or Lucia, was martyred at Syracuse, in Sicily, during Diocletian’s reign of terror of 303-304, among the most dramatic of the persecutions of early Christians. Her tomb can still be found in the catacombs at Syracuse. She was venerated soon after her death and her cult spread quickly throughout the church. She is among the saints and martyrs named in the Roman Canon of the Mass. Most of the details of Lucy’s life are obscure. In the tradition she is remembered for the purity of her life and the gentleness of her spirit. Because her name means “light,” she is sometimes thought of as the patron saint of those who suffer from diseases of the eyes. 

In popular piety, Lucy is perhaps most revered because her feast day, Dec. 13, was for many centuries the shortest day of the year. (The reform of the calendar by Pope Gregory VIII (1582) would shift the shortest day to December 21/22, depending upon the year.) It was on Lucy’s day that the light began gradually to return and the days to lengthen. This was particularly powerful in northern Europe where the days of winter were quite short. In Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Lucy’s day has long been a festival of light that is kept as both an ecclesiastical commemoration and a domestic observance. 

In the domestic celebration of Lucia-fest, a young girl in the family dresses in pure white (a symbol of Lucy’s faith, purity, and martyrdom) and wears a crown of lighted candles upon her head (a sign that on Lucy’s day the light is returning) and serves her family special foods prepared especially for the day. In praise of her service, the young girl is called Lucy for the day.

Loving God, who for the salvation of all didst give Jesus
Christ as light to a world in darkness: Illumine us, with thy
daughter Lucy, with the light of Christ, that by the merits
of his passion we may be led to eternal life; through the
same Jesus Christ, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth
and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

These boots are made for walking

A couple of people have now Commented upon my Growing Wardrobe.

People, people, people. What else do you expect when Momma is both a Skillful Seamstress (and Shopper) and knows so many Talented Seamstresses, too.

At the moment I have three (Three!) outfits (with Matching Boots, of course), with Another on the way. Is that so Very Many?

I have seen another poor Pleasant African American Girl here in Philadelphia who has more than 13 dresses! That is Not Counting all her Accessories, Boots and Shoes, et cetera.

So cut Me some slack People.

Or we shall Find Out if these Boots can do More than Walk.

Meet Steampunk Addie

What can I say about myself? I was born a slave in North Carolina but Momma and I ran away after Poppa and my brother were sold. We went to Philadelphia where we could be free.

Once there I became involved in the Underground....

At least that's MY story.

Momma says I'm Pleasant Company and she found me somewhere called eBay. She wanted to fix my "weak" eyes. Ha! If she only knew what I could see with these eyes. But that's another story.

She says that once she saw me she knew I was destined for great things so she started to assemble a great wardrobe. (It's a good thing she can sew!) But we've also collected things from all over.

For my hair, she used hose clamps and ribbon roses.

Being steampunk, I had to have a corset. First she borrowed (eww!) one from a girl named Felicity, then got me my own in black. A red one is coming!

Momma then took an old tartan dress apart and attached the skirt to a sash and paired it with a nifty green jacket.

Finally, I got a shell necklace, a timepiece, binoculars, some major boots, a couple of hats (one of which she trimmed with a scrap of the tartan dress) and some tinted glasses for my "weak" eyes.

What do you think?

Oh, and my hero?

Abraham Lincoln of course!