What's new in Georgia?

Savannah Ann update!

" Hello everyone, It's Savanna Ann here!  I just wanted to let you know what Sina and I have been up to here in PTC.  Most days start right here in the kitchen, or as we like to call it, "Sina's Cocina!""

 "We always like to have some fresh flowers on the counter to brighten our day."

"And of course Sina and I like to start our day with coffee...

and maybe a little light reading."

 "After our chores are done we have to go for our workout.  

It's important to take care of ourselves and get plenty of exercise."

"Then it's time for lunch (my favorite time of day)  

Aunt Sina and I love Japanese and Thai food!

Today we had Sushi!"

"Well, that's all for today.  We sure miss y' all in California and hopefully we'll see you soon!"

Love,

Savannah Ann

Emma moved!

This is Emma's old studio apartment.  It is very crowded and a little dark.

And here is Emma's new loft!  

"I love my new loft!  I finally have room for my flute and stand.

I now have a view of the lake and old school house." 

      

 "I love your new place Emma, it's so roomy!"
"Thanks Lydia!"

 "I have room to invite friends! Come in everybody."

"What a great loft!!"
"Thanks Grace."

"Home is where your heart is."

Introducing Lydia!!

Well, here she is!  

Nina, was lonely in Texas and needed a friend.  

SO, Grandma is adopting Lydia to be Nina's sister.

Lydia just arrived this past week and she has been getting to know the girls here.
Next month Grandma Linda is coming to visit and she will go home to Texas with Grandma and Nina!

 Emma was the first to meet Lydia.  It was like kismet!  They knew they would be best friends!

Some people even say they look alike!

Nellie and Emily were next to meet Lydia.  

They all were talking at once, they were SO excited.

 Molly, who is the oldest, explained where each doll of our family came from.

"I am so glad to have a new family!"

"We are glad too!"

Next Lydia met Grace and had a tour of the house.

AND Julie!  Julie was very excited.

"Oh My Goodness!  We have a new cousin!"

"Let me get my camera!"

Dress makeovers!

I found this lot of dresses on Ebay.  

I got them for a great deal because they almost 

all had some problems, fraying, stains, etc.

I have been hunting for this Nellie "meet dress". 

I got all 4 dresses for a little more than the price of 

just this one dress alone on other eBay auctions. 

So I consider the other three dresses a bonus!

As you can see the Nellie dress is crushed and heavily wrinkled.

This dress has a lining of blue fabric and the white outer dress is gathered, the lining is not.

It is very difficult to press.

It also had some stains and dirt.

After handwashing and careful pressing the dress looks great!

This Josefina dress is in perfect condition, but we had no mantilla or comb.

I cut an old scarf in half and made a doll size veil.

I will be hunting for a comb I can decorate. 

This Elizabeth dress was badly frayed and the fabric had tons of snags.

I used "fray check" to control the fraying and trimmed the snags.

Underneath I used iron on fabric to hold the frayed fabric together.

The fabric has been stabilized, but there is obvious damage.

I considered creating a deeper seam to hide some of the damage,

but I decided not to risk it.

I created a brooch to cover the worst damage and a matching choker.

I had some left over sheer fabric and made 

a lovely filmy wrap.

While I know these fixes would never fly with

serious collectors, I am very happy with the results!

This Kirsten dress is the last. Overall the dress is in good condition.

No stains or tears, just loose sleeves.

As you can see the sleeves are badly stretched and need new elastic.

I laid new elastic over the top of the old and stretched it taught.  

I used a zig zag stitch on the new elastic while stretching which creates gathers.

I put together a simple apron with a small flower pattern.

I replaced the old cord bows on the sleeves with ribbon bows.

The cords were frayed, dirty and just not attractive.

Here is a little bit of a closer view.

She reminds me of Alice in Wonderland!

I know serious collectors would not appreciate my additions and changes, 

but I just like to have fun and save something that might otherwise have gone in the recycle bin.  

Now my daughter has some new American Girl doll dresses, that were a great deal and 

will hopefully get many more years of play.

Snow Day!

By Sophie & Mom

Here is Sophie and Grace, and Amrita and Kinza on their way 

to go sledding and play in the snow in the mountains.

"I call frontsies for the drive to the mountains!"

     "OMG!  it is SO cold!"

"Well, why did you wear a skirt silly!"

"Because it looks FAB!

"Wwweeeeeeee!!"

"Hang on!" 

"Give us a push!"

                                                 

 "Look at me!"

 "Wait! help me get up there with you!"

"Here, hold my hand and I'll pull you up."

"Whew, I am tired, but happy to have the front seat to myself on the drive home."

What a great day!