We got about 3 inches of snow, but the winds were/are bitter and it was well below zero last night. Still, we have power and the snow can be easily shoveled. Next Friday, we’re supposed to get snow and ice and that is worrying. I know many of you were in the path of this storm and got much more snow. I hope you are safe and I pray you have power.
Today, I introduce you to Madeleine. I wanted one more girl and I wanted her to have curls. Most of the curly haired Blythes have too many curls for my taste, but one day last week, I saw this girl and I was enchanted. There is no other way to describe it. I thought about it for 24 hours and then I went for it. It helped that she was very reasonably priced.
Here she is. She arrived on Friday afternoon all the way from Spain. I now have 4 girls from Spain.
She was dressed this way when she arrived. The dress, the little sweater, the scarf, the socks and shoes, and that adorable tote bag: all of it charming.
She had originally been named Kate and I was going to keep that name, but to me, she looked French. I started thinking of names and right before she arrived, I came up with Madeleine. I think it suits her. (My paternal grandmother was named Madeline – different spelling – but there’s a nice connection there.)
The tote bag had a scroll of instrumental music inside, as well as a book. When I examined the book more closely, I saw it was a Tintin book! Tintin is a beloved French comic book character. So my instincts about her were right. And, of course, wearing a scarf is very French.
Isn’t that the sweetest face?
Normally, I immediately want to dress a new doll in something I have in my wardrobe stash, but this outfit is so adorable that I’m going to keep her in it for a while.
Of course, the other girls in this family are fascinated by her curls. Sophie, for so long the only child here, now has 7 sisters. (I’m not sure she’s thrilled with that.)
Quite frankly, I have no more room on the top of the sheet music cabinet for another doll. I managed to create some room for Madeleine and her curls, thank goodness, but 8 (!!) is enough. Or to spin it more positively, 8 is great!
I now have 2 girls from Russia, 1 from Belarus, 1 from England, and 4 from Spain.
Can I say that few things make me happier in my daily life than looking up from my chair and seeing my girls. I’m so lucky that Don is almost as enchanted with them as me.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
She looks French indeed. :-) And the name suits her well. When my brother was in France and “broke into” the abandened house next door, he found pictures of a young woman called Madelein.
I was wondering whether you have got Blythe dolls that are 12 inches tall or the smaller ones.
Have a nice Sunday!
Regula
Yes, I have the standard Blythe doll – just a smidge under 12 inches tall.
Stay safe, Regula!
Thank you! I looked for Blythe dolls, but they are incredibly expensive, prizes in Swiss francs. Do only rich Swiss people buy these dolls so they have come up to the conclusion all Swiss are rich? I may sew a lot of Blythe clothes and sell them before I can afford to buy a doll.
Your girls look like a very nice class of students sitting there and listening.
All the best!
Well, they’re not dolls to play with. They’re art dolls and highly collectible. They also have great resale value. So it’s all about what any one person wants to invest in – some people buy skis and ski equipment and lift tickets, or tickets to sporting events, or guitars, or whatever. These dolls have been customized by talented artisans. That being said, some prices are way too high for me.
I’m sure you could sew Blythe clothes and make some good money, Regula!
xo
Oh Madeline, how enchanting you are! The scarf, the sweater, the green gold eyes! I adore her, Claudia. I know they bring you joy!
We had 5 inches of snow in NW Jersey and it is bitterly cold. Honestly, I can’t make myself leave the house today.
Stay warm.
They do! They are lovely companions, these girls.
It it very very cold here, too. Stay inside, Judy!
Stay safe.
Giving me a little chuckle today – I glimpsed your Madeleine on IG & she is a cutie. Sooo appreciate the international aspect of your brood. Missing my own family a lot at this moment. Needing more distractions from that. My sleep habits have really gone awryJust finished reading a piece by Joan Didion about Martha Stewart (“Everywoman.com”).
Hoping all on East Coast recover soon from this massive weather event. Daughter in CT watched it happen & is not going out soon, happily working & puzzling from home. Fortunately our local wild fire is nearly out. XO
Your daughter is wise. I’m sure she got much more snow than we did. It was quite a powerful storm.
I’m sorry you’re missing your family, Martha. That’s never easy.
Stay safe.
Live on the North Shore of Long Island and we are in the deep freeze. I love your latest little doll. The delicate features and the skin tone….the expressions are captivating. I am house bound for the next few days…..snow, ice and nowhere to go. I spent a good hour looking for one of thethree little nellie dryer lambs that made an escape from the laundry room. He made it upstairs in the sleeve of husbands flannel shirt. So now you know ….cabin fever is real. Stay safe and sane.
Oh she is awesome! Love the curls, the facial expression and those pouty little lips. So very cute. Happy Sunday!
She’s a dear, April!
Stay safe.
Cabin fever is happening here as well, Maria! I’m feeling a little house bound.
Stay safe!
Curls—yes!! But Tintin? I neeed to see that, too.
Cold in Florida, too, but I know it doesn’t compare. Still, our little fireplace has been working overtime for the last couple of weeks. Hope everyone can stay warm and safe.
I’ll try to remember to take a picture of the Tintin book, Shanna.
It’s very cold in Florida! Especially if your body isn’t used to it.
Stay safe.
About 2′ over here in SW Mass.
Love the wavy hair. Seeing her bendable knees reminded me of the Betsy McCall dolls back in the day. I wish I still had mine. But I would have to give her a new wardrobe like your girls have!
I never had a Betsy McCall doll, though I did have the paper dolls. Such lovely memories!
Stay safe, Lynda.
Looks like a modern Shirley Temple!
Stay warm!
She does, doesn’t she? And I LOVED Shirley Temple!
Thanks, Ellen.
Stay safe.
Here in my part of Florida, we’ve had some of the lowest temperatures that we’ve seen in a long time. It was in the 20s overnight! We all stayed in and kept warm this weekend. As for Madeleine, can you get her a little beret? She looks like she’d enjoy one.
I saw how cold it was yesterday in Florida. That is not normal!
Yes, Madeleine definitely needs a beret.
Stay safe, Bridget!
Love Madeleine’s curly hair!
Here in southern NJ we got approximately 5-6” of snow. It’s really hard to get an accurate number with all the drifts. It’s 24° now, not sure what the wind chill is currently. It was 0° when I got up this morning. So far this winter has been a roller coaster of temperatures. This Thursday the high is supposed to be 54° with some rain ! So we’ll have one spring-like day and then the temperature is supposed to go down and be more seasonable again. Crazy! In the meantime, I will stay inside where it’s warm and enjoy looking out the window at the snow and the birds coming to my feeders.
It really has been a roller coaster. It went down below zero last night and mid-week, we’re hitting 44, then back down again.
Enjoy your view of the birds, Denise!
Stay safe.
Oh, my word! Madeleine is so adorable! The bow lips and blushed cheeks and nose! I bet it’s fun to imagine their conversations with each other. They seem to have such personalities with each of their expressions.
So glad you missed the worst of the storm and thinking of those that were hit.
Stay warm!
They really do have distinct personalities!
Thanks so much, Melanie.
Stay safe.
She is adorable and looks very French! Love her name and that cute outfit. Glad you still have power. Stay safe and warm. Yes eight is great! Hugs!
And eight is definitely enough!
Love to you, Linda.
Stay safe.
Bonjour, Madeleine! Lots of sisters to swap clothes with.
I feel for you and Don with those cold temps! Not any fun at all. I am laughing at the comments from those “cold” in subtropical climes. They remind me of wearing winter coats as we carolled when the kids were little–yeah, it must have been a chilly 50 degrees!. Attitude is everything!
Wishing you safety and warmth as you thaw out!
When I lived in San Diego after living my life in the midwest and northeast, I felt the cold in a different way, which surprised me. It’s all relative.
Stay safe, Roxie!
Oh my goodness! Madeleine is so adorable. I had curly hair that exact color and style when I was a young girl. I still have curly hair that length but is it now more white then light brown. :)
There is something so real looking about these dolls. I’m not sure what it is, maybe it’s the realistic skin color. They are a lovely diversion from all that is going on in the world today.
Fortunately we only got about 5″ of snow but it is frigid.
Stay safe and warm. xo
I know – they do look very real! You’re right about the diversion and boy, do I need it!
Stay safe, Betsy.
She’s a cutie! I love the curly hair (but then I have curly hair so it’s nice to see it represented!). And a darling outfit and accessories. But does she have short arms, no arms or long sleeves? It seemed like they were hanging empty. What a wonderful international family you have! And all so well dressed. They really are loads of fun.
I’m so glad you didn’t lose power or get overly slammed with the snow. We’re due for some on Wednesday but nothing like what as expected in the East. Timing is good as we plan to go to Livonia to celebrate Christmas with the kids on Saturday (assuming my infectious disease doc lets me go, but I think he will with good masking, especially since the kids and mom had Covid in December and their dad is vaxed, boosted and pretty careful). Don’t tell, but I really wish at least one of them was a girl, especially when I see your cute dolls! We just had another baby in my extended family and everyone was hoping for a girl (although “as long as it is healthy, that’s all that matters,” we all say!). Well, Caleb Michael will join all his boy cousins. C’est la vie!
Just long sleeves. She has arms and hands.
I used to do community theater with the Theatre Guild of Livonia-Redford decades ago. They were considered one of the best non-professional groups in the area and they were. Wonder if they’re still in existence!
Have a safe trip on Wednesday, Jeanie.
Stay safe.
They were for sure till the pandemic. Now I suspect they are on hiatus still. Former blogger Becca Rowan played piano for their rehearsals for a number of years — probably after your time. I’ve heard they were excellent.
Thanks, Claudia!
My time with them was in the late seventies, early eighties. I would have remembered her if she was around then.
xoxo