Tag Archives: Holly

What I Made in March

Hi there! I have to laugh at the title of this post because I haven’t made too much. My goal is to make two ensembles each month and I haven’t even finished one for March. ugh…

For the last 3+ weeks I have had tooth pain. Dealing with that consumed a hugechunk of brain power. After a lengthy time of figuring out which tooth was causing the pain I am finally pain free and am ready to get back into my sewing room. BTW, I’ve had two root canals this month–both needed, but only one causing the current pain!

My other monthly goal which I feel is more important than things for my dolls are the dresses I make for real little girls that I add to my Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I make two dresses a month. Yesterday I almost finished both; I will finish up the second one today. In case you’ve missed photos of these dresses here is what I completed last year.

Now on to what I’ve made for my dolls…

March is the perfect time for pretty greens. My Ruby Red Fashion Friend Holly, originally 2020 Holiday Stella, will be modeling this cardigan very soon. It is knit with sage green bamboo crochet thread (#10), which is sadly discontinued. The colorful embroidery coordinates with the fabric I made the dress out of. It is a happy and colorful print made.

To complete this set for Holly I must decide on either a hair ribbon or sun hat, tights or anklets, bouquet or bag, and beads for a bracelet. Then, happy little Holly will be ready to jump into her new spring ensemble and show you what I’ve made for her! Fingers crossed it is very soon.

The daffodils have started to grow here in northern Illinois. They come up along the roadside and profusely in a neighborhood park. I have a few in my yard too. No daffodil blooms yet, but very soon I am sure. What is blooming by you?

Wishing you a perfect end to March and a beautiful beginning to April. 🤗❤️ Take care, my friends.

Holly is Feeling Oh So Lovely

17 Replies

Hi there from bitterly cold northern Illinois. However, I am cozy inside with a fire going in our fireplace. The Olympics are on and I have a snoring chihuahua wrapped up in a blanket next to me. Life is good!

Holly and I had a little photo shoot yesterday afternoon. (The lighting wasn’t great, but either I am busy or it is cloudy; I got tired of waiting for the perfect time.) Anyway, I think you’ll get the idea.

Holly is dressed and ready for Valentine’s Day 2022. Holly’s dress is made out of a peach striped cotton fabric which is sprinkled with red and yellow roses. Her red wool cardigan is keeping her cozy and warm and is embroidered in colors to coordinate with her dress.

Holly has been busy addressing valentines to her doll room friends. She loves the vintage ones the best. Even though she is the ‘new doll’ everyone in the doll room loves her very much. She is happy to have had such a warm welcome when she arrived on Christmas Day.

What is happening by you this weekend? I hope the rest of your weekend is perfect in every way! Enjoy! Sending you virtual hugs from all of us in the doll room! 🤗

My New Christmas Doll

14 Replies

Happy New Year! Sorry, I know it’s a little late; the days in this new year are already full and flying by. I am trying to catch them before they’re gone…

Big news! I have a new Christmas doll. She is the Ruby Red Fashion Friends 2020 Holiday Stella, and I’ve been wanting her in my collection since I saw her over a year ago. Stella is the holiday doll from 2020, so she is pretty much sold out everywhere, however, she was found for me at FAO Schwarz, and I am so happy she was! She has such a sweet face! I LOVE her!!! She is a most special gift!

I think I was drawn to her because she reminded me of Holly in one of my favorite stories, “Holly and Ivy”. Therefore, I am renaming Stella. She is now Holly. This is a first; I don’t think I’ve ever renamed a doll that has come to me named, but she is definitely Holly.

Maybe for Christmas 2022 Holly will be dressed as Barbara Cooney, the book’s illustrator, envisioned her.

Last year I took some video paging through this book on Christmas night. Here is a link to that video. It’s 1:32 into the video. I first came across this charming story at our local library when my daughter was young. That book was the 1985 version with Barbara Cooney’s illustrations. (This story, text only, was originally published in Ladies’ Home Journal in 1957.)

After checking the book out a few years in a row it had become an absolute favorite of mine. I found the illustrations cozy and charming, and the story heartwarming–perfect for Christmastime. I was thrilled to find the book on Amazon in 2009. “The Story of Holly and Ivy” had been republished in 2006. Now, over 10 years later I still look through, or read, this story every year.

Holly looks so sweet in her Christmas fancies, but I am currently working on something a little more for every day, and warmer, for Holly. I’ll show you soon.

I hope you are starting off the new year healthy and happy. Sending you a big hug for 2022. 🤗