Yes, she taught me some non-traditional things that I never needed to use such as how to wring a chicken's neck, clean it, and prepare it for Sunday’s mid-day table. I consider myself lucky even today that I didn't have to travel down that road - but on the farm it really was a necessity.
She also taught me some very important conventional things I could use such as how to bake a little love into every cookie, casserole, or concoction that would come out of my kitchen; how to take time each day from my busy schedule to really listen to the members of my little family; and most importantly to always take care of myself so I'd be able to take care of my family. She taught me so many things, and I hope I will be remembered as a better person for having adapted many of them.
So I guess it was only natural I'd have a wonderful Mother - after all she'd learned from the best. Two lovely ladies - very different but both quite similar in their love for me - were two of my greatest treasures in life. Yes, no one would have called Mom a June Cleaver because although she managed to keep a lovely home and cook wonderful meals just like that icon, she also believed it was okay to work outside the home at a time that it was kind of frowned on unless it was a necessity.
But what or who was she hurting? My Dad was great company, but the U.S. Navy didn't afford her a lot of time with him, and what was she to do each day after sending me off to school? Gone were the days when we could make jam together or she could cut out a new dress for me because her sous chef and model simply wasn't available anymore.
Mom's time at work never hurt our relationship; rather it made our weekends even more special! We'd play catch up as well as taking the time to shop together, attend church, and generally do all the things a "traditional" Mom was able to do. I suffered nothing from having a working Mother - rather she taught me the value of having a job and how it could enrich my life, too.
From the first day she brought me home and stood over my little cradle to make sure I wasn't going to stop breathing to the last morning I was lucky enough to share her company I was blessed, and in sharing her Mother with me I had a double blessing. So on Mother's Day I'll proudly pin on that white rose that symbolizes that my Mother is no longer living while secretly wishing my rose was red. I'll ponder for a bit about the loss I've sustained by the passing of both my Mother and my Grandmother, but spend most of the day counting my blessings that I was born a very lucky lady to have had them in my life.
That is my story; now if you have a story about your special Mother or Grandmother please feel free to share it with us in the Comments area. We love your comments!
Now on with the show. We have some wonderful wardrobe boosters available for Mother's Day giving or getting - a subtle hint to Hubby or Dad may be appropriate! Click on the Cards to see bigger pictures, and click on the name of the shop under the card to go to each shop you would like to visit. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!
That is my story; now if you have a story about your special Mother or Grandmother please feel free to share it with us in the Comments area. We love your comments!
Now on with the show. We have some wonderful wardrobe boosters available for Mother's Day giving or getting - a subtle hint to Hubby or Dad may be appropriate! Click on the Cards to see bigger pictures, and click on the name of the shop under the card to go to each shop you would like to visit. Happy Mother's Day, everyone!
Designs by Jude
Introducing Luminous, a sewing pattern designed to fit Robert Tonner's 22" American Model Fashion dolls. The pattern includes a lace up bustier with eyelets and a fully lined. floor length skirt with zipper back closure and a double layered cascading bustle. This design is also available for Ellowyne Wilde and Evangeline Ghastly.
Just Jenny's
When I think about Mother's Day and what my Mother would wear, this was the outfit that came to mind. My Mother is a jetsetter, a professional and a fashionista! This three piece set is made from 100% cotton print and solids. I tweaked a pattern from Fletcher Patterns called French Connection to come up with this design.
The jacket features bell sleeves and a wrap front. The bustier has front and rear darts with a Sweetheart neckline. The wrap skirt and jacket are trimmed in soutache, with tiny buttons as eye catching details. Each piece is fully lined with a snap or hook and eye closure. Doll and shoes not included.
The jacket features bell sleeves and a wrap front. The bustier has front and rear darts with a Sweetheart neckline. The wrap skirt and jacket are trimmed in soutache, with tiny buttons as eye catching details. Each piece is fully lined with a snap or hook and eye closure. Doll and shoes not included.
Denidolldesigns
For the Mother's Day Happening, Vintage Cissy is modeling a vibrantly coloured red cardigan worn over a red and white polka dot top with black trousers. My Mom and Cissy are both brunettes who look striking in the colour red. The hip length wrap cardigan has long sleeves, a wide collar and closes with a tie belt.
A seed stitch knit pattern is used on the body of the sweater and stocking stitch for the sleeves. Scarf is also hand knit in a fuzzy textured black and red yarn. The shell style top has a round neckline, short cap sleeves and soft pleats at the hemline. Cotton poly blend fabrics are used to construct this lovely garment.
A seed stitch knit pattern is used on the body of the sweater and stocking stitch for the sleeves. Scarf is also hand knit in a fuzzy textured black and red yarn. The shell style top has a round neckline, short cap sleeves and soft pleats at the hemline. Cotton poly blend fabrics are used to construct this lovely garment.
Denise's Dolls
Denise's Dolls present a bright splash of spring color for Mom on her day. This cotton sundress is perfect for that Mother's Day brunch. Dress plus doll complete this package. See it all on Denise's website.
Fringe Elements
Mom will look splendid at her special Mother's Day dinner in this lavendar silk gown with peek-a-boo lace crinoline. The organdy contrasting overlay makes this dress just a bit more formal. Your Mom will be the Belle of the Ball in this wonderful gown accented with lavendar flowers at waist and skirt
Frances Weir
The photo of the drawing in this card was the inspiration for this outfit done by Frances for her shop. She wanted to do it because the drawing was done by her Mother at age 17, in 1929. The drawing is in a scrapbook her Mother made for school when she was attending a technical school in New Westminster BC. Strolling down Memory Lane a little further, Frances also found photos of her Mother wearing a similar hat, and she remembers she loved seeing her lovely beaded handbags in her cedar chest when she was a wee girl. Frances' Mother died last August at 100 years.....a lady to the end.....but she left Frances with a legacy that she will never forget.
Madra is wearing a 1920's inspired ensemble consisting of a full length knit coat, a "flapper" style cloche hat, and a 20's style beaded handbag. The coat is knit using a silk, mink and marino wool blend yarn, featuring a detachable vintage fur 'stole' collar. The pearl bead and velvet ribbon embellished hat is hand moulded from vintage fur hat felt and the non-opening, suede leather handbag is designed with an Art Deco style motif in hand sewn glass beads.
Pauline Lyngard
BW Designs presents "To Mother With Love." Nothing is more lady like than a simple cotton shift in cool blue and white. Add a dash of velvet and some beads for elegant finishing touches. This ensemble comes with a matching purse and pillbox hat. Now Mom is ready to go shopping or lunch out with friends! See this nd more casual cottons in Pauline's shop.
Karen Daniel
Karen's Mother's Day 4 piece outfit starts off with a turtleneck micro knit cotton sweater that closes in the back with snaps. Pink cotton pique slacks with turned cuffs, front and back pockets trimmed with contrast fabric and a fly front closure completes the next piece.
The matching news boy cap is fully lined and will fit over various hair dos; it has a brim that can be shaped. The tote bag is also fully lined and has a front pocket for her cell phone and contrast fabric straps. Mom will be all ready for a day of shopping whether she needs family groceries or a real fashion shopping experience!
The matching news boy cap is fully lined and will fit over various hair dos; it has a brim that can be shaped. The tote bag is also fully lined and has a front pocket for her cell phone and contrast fabric straps. Mom will be all ready for a day of shopping whether she needs family groceries or a real fashion shopping experience!
Anna Castanes
It was Mothers Day and Mom kept pinching herself. She was in the city of lights, Paris! What a wonderful gift from the family. She had always wanted to come to Paris and here she was. She turned to look at the bedding thinking how beautiful it looked. It looked so rich. She knew when she got home she would have Anna make her the same set so there would always be a reminder of this time that she spent in the city she had only dreamed about.
This special Mothers Day Bedding Set includes a reversible coverlet, two reversible euro shams. and one rectangular throw pillow made with faux suede and silk dupioni; some pieces also are embroidered. Bed and dresser not included. Can be custom made.
Judy O'Connell
Aponi Designs presents “May Flowers” honoring my Mother. It is made to fit Silkstone Barbie®, Poppy Parker® and small busted Fashion Royalty® dolls.Included is a white Dupioni silk dress with a mint green ultra suede belt featuring a pearl buckle. It is fully lined and has pearl beads and button over snap back closure.
The mint green satin brocade coat is lined in white Dupioni silk with tiny pearlescent flower buttons over snaps front closure. Accessories include a custom, hand-formed and bound white sinamay hat with feather, floral, and tulle embellishments; mint lace gloves; and white faux pearl and mint green Swarovski crystal necklace and earrings with a faux pearl snake style bracelet.
Mary Watson
Growing up in the 60’s, my Mother had a bubble cut and wore dresses with gathered skirts. Her favorite colors in her later years were pink and blue. Her whole house was decorated in pinks and blues. She passed away two years ago. I always bought her flowers on Mother’s Day and this year I will too.
It is only appropriate for Barbie to wear Pink and Blue in honor of my Mother and hold a bouquet of Mother's Day Flowers. I drafted this dress to fit the Vintage and Reproduction Barbie Dolls. It is made of 100% cotton fabric from a salesperson’s sample. The top is lined, and it has a V neckline in the back with a snap closure. The grosgrain ribbon belt is separate and you can choose to tie it with a bow in back as in the picture or however you want. Dressed in this ensemble designed and sewn by Mary, your Barbie will be ready for a beautiful Mother’s Day.
Ina Murphey
For Mother’s Day,
designer Ina Murphey, of La Petite Fashion Promenade, has created an
elegant green and orchid ensemble. The sleeveless dress is made of hand
marbled 100% silk from the Marbling Group of Pondicherry, India.
It has a back snap fastener closure, an ivory silk lined bodice and is accented with a green silk ribbon sash embellished with hand embroidered orchid silk ribbon flowers and pearls. Accessories include a matching hat and coordinating elegant Swarovski pearl and crystal necklace and earrings.
This ensemble was created in a natural Ivory cotton, vintage beige laces, and laces up in back. Skirt has snap closures. Under garment is a one piece combination bodice and pantaloon with snap closures. Bustier laces up and is embellished with gathered lace. Included are the choker and earrings.
The jacket is of black and white polka dotted cotton material lined in white china silk with snap closures in front. It has a yellow belt with gold buckle and is accented with a yellow flower on the the shoulder and a yellow scarf.
The outfit is completely lined with silk batiste. The bow in front, as well as the flowers on the hat, are made of cotton organdy. Tyler is modeling this outfit.
This could be just the thing to wear for this Mother’s Day! She’ll be comfortable and stylish at the same time. Available at The Black Ibis, this dress is specially made for JamieShow Demi dolls, but may fit other 12-inch dolls.
It has a back snap fastener closure, an ivory silk lined bodice and is accented with a green silk ribbon sash embellished with hand embroidered orchid silk ribbon flowers and pearls. Accessories include a matching hat and coordinating elegant Swarovski pearl and crystal necklace and earrings.
Gayle Chavez
Oohlalaz has created this OOAK ensemble. Inspired by a loved one, because out of all the styles Gayle has created in the years gone by, this was most loved by her Mother. The comment her Mother would say when she saw this romantic style was " oohlala, " with a big smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes, hence the ideal name for Gayle's shop. This ensemble was created in a natural Ivory cotton, vintage beige laces, and laces up in back. Skirt has snap closures. Under garment is a one piece combination bodice and pantaloon with snap closures. Bustier laces up and is embellished with gathered lace. Included are the choker and earrings.
Peggy Burney
My mother actually has a suit similar to this. Vanessa is wearing a a black and yellow suit. Some might even call it a Bumblebee suit. The slightly flared skirt is constructed of high grade yellow cotton fabric lined with white china silk with a snap closure in back.
The jacket is of black and white polka dotted cotton material lined in white china silk with snap closures in front. It has a yellow belt with gold buckle and is accented with a yellow flower on the the shoulder and a yellow scarf.
Karen O'Keefe
KL Originals Couture
This is a sneak peek at one of our newest shops, and it is not open yet - look for Karen's shop to be on CDS at the end of May. Her Mother's Day offering is an outfit from the movie Pretty Woman. Karen has dedicated this outfit to her mother because it was worn by Julia Roberts in this movie which was her Mother's all time favorite movie.The outfit is completely lined with silk batiste. The bow in front, as well as the flowers on the hat, are made of cotton organdy. Tyler is modeling this outfit.
Christine Loff
Christine was inspired by a Joan Harris "wiggle dress." Margot is wearing a 50s inspired sheath of summer cotton. The colors go with her red hair and tanned complexion. Her linen hat, accented with silk, protects her from the sun and coordinates with her dress. 
Karen Leverton
For her special Mother's Day item Karen designed a black leather Court style shoe for 17 inch dolls with a body style like Deanna Denton. Deanna plans to step out in her little black dress with shoes to match. These special shoes have a rather sedate look in black. They feature a small flower on the front to make them more festive, as well as a suede-look trim to finish them off. All are attached to a black resin wedge heel. Karen has always liked a round toed shoe, and thought Deanna would love something new to wear to a luncheon with her Mother on Mothers Day. Only shoes are featured; no dress or doll.
Gosh, what a nice showing!! And this ends our monthly entries, and now we have some news about one of our popular shop owners. We'd like to applaud Angelic Dreamz who had two
of their JAMIEshow Dolls nominated for the Doll of the Year (DOTY) award in two
different categories, per the announcement made at IDEX (International Doll
Exposition) in Orlando, Florida, earlier this year. We are really happy to have Angelic Dreamz as one
of our cornerstone shops. They have
recently been relocated from our Couture Court to Main Street.
George Gonzalez and his staff have been super
busy with the Mel Odom luncheon hosted by AZ and FDQ magazine. They
had unveiled a special new Gene doll at IDEX called Phoenix that is collaboration
between Mel Odem, JAMIEshow and Angelic Dreamz.
This was very exciting news for
Gene fans since a new Gene hadn't been seen since 2010. However, few had a chance to actually own
this doll as there was only a very limited edition of 150, and she is sold out
now.
This Gene is a BJD, and she has an
interchangeable, rooted wig cap system used on all the regular JAMIEshow
line. Her hair looks rooted, but you can
change it. This doll comes with both
blonde and brunette wig caps.
Her face is classic Gene but has the
sophistication of the facial texture resin affords. She also comes with 2 pair
of hands; one white gloved pair and one natural. And the way they did her
gloves are real nice, also. They made a
pair of interchangeable hands that are painted white, and then have a fabric
sleeve. Her powder blue gown is designed
by Lori Lyon of Madeleine Rose Couture. It was really nice to see Gene back, if
only temporarily, and for some to get to mingle and talk dolls with Mel Odom
again.
Gonzalez also announced a new series of models
with a younger, more youthful feel aptly named the "Junior Mode" Collection. The two current dolls are Edie and Didi. They can both wear all the JAMIEshow wig
caps, and are made of the same Smooth-J Resin, and have the same articulated
body as other 16" JAMIEshow dolls And these
dolls have inset eyes which can be changed out for new 8 mm eyes.
And finally, Angelic Dreamz now has available the
three outfits from the winners of the CDS/AZ At the Opera competition. These outfits were designed by Lori Lyon,
Cindi Stowell, and Deanna Torigian. Be sure to check them out on the AZ website; they are beautiful!
And now it's time to bring this to a close. I believe we have given you a good selection if doll ensembles and accessories in case such items are on your Mom's want list for Mother's Day on May 12. So make your reservation for a nice luncheon, and sit back and enjoy the latest edition of FDQ!
CDS has a fun article that gives you a playful peek into some of the studios of our shop owners, and Pat Henry makes an exciting revelation about another edition of Gene coming soon! The whole magazine is reader worthy, really - with patterns, news about both new and nostalgic dolls and wonderful photoss, FDQ is really a Fashion doll lover's dream!!! Happy reading, Happy Mother's Day, and stay tuned to next month's blog that will feature June Brides.
