A few years ago I started taking part in a ‘month of letters’. You write a letter or note every day for a month and mail them to friends and family. I still try to do this every February and I’ve gained so many penpals over the years.
Lynn from Present Letters is the penpal that got me started and we’ve stayed in touch over the years. She writes letters…nice long newsy letters. And a couple of months ago, she even sent me a gift.
She found this adorable old Raggedy Andy at an antique store and sent it to me.
Isn’t he precious?
I made Ginger a Raggedy Ann dress and then found a pitiful Andy doll at the thrift store.
I say he’s pitiful…because he’s missing an arm! (and yes, I know I can sew and I should make him one soon. lol)
When I went to Lynn’s blog today,
I saw her latest post HERE!
She has a story in the Merry Christmas issue of Chicken Soup for the Soul! I’m so happy for you Lynn. I can’t wait to get a copy!
Penpals and friends…
Raggedy Ann and Andy…
Christmas books!
What’s not to love?
JoAnn has a dollie post today too!
Visit her HERE for
Wednesday Wee Ones!
Take time to PLAY!
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39 comments:
I still have my Ann and Andy from when I was very little, so they are probably close to 50!! They have always brought me pleasure and the stories of them were read to my children and the grandchildren who live close by. Thank you for bringing a wonderful memory back to me today. I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Diane, I love your little gifted Andy. The dress you make is so darn cute. I think little girls should wear dresses like that. I know you are having fun./ I think raggedy Anns and Andys look cute in Christmas displays. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
What a great idea Diane. I have a hat box full of letters that I received from family members before the Internet put an end to letter writing. I still like to take them out and read them.
I did that for years and I too received gifts unexpectedly.
I wrote to cancer children also, shuts in's to America.
Then being a Canadian the stamps went up to mail to Amercias and it became so costly.
So now living in apt . I have met so many people and plus people who are hurting but I do find that doctors give them morphine when they have real pain. So when you visit most of them. I have one lady so far I visit she is not on heavy meds then that is much easier to communicate she talks back and we look at photos and she talks about memories. Then other then her the other gals sleep and your not communicating like you do with letters.
It must be so gratifying as you do and to receive is a bonus . Isn't it.
Thank you for sharing the story of such a beautiful friendship with us.
I'm sure Little Andy will be the happiest with his new arm because it would have been sewn with love.
Cute dolls and very cute fabric!!
Such a sweet post about friendship - and the dress is simply darling - so colorful and fun - I'd never seen that fabric before - it is perfect. Love the little book and pitiful Andy - he'll love it when you make him a new arm I'm sure. Happy dollie week ahead.
Andy got lucky didn't he to go to a good home?
Another beautiful doll completed. So cute, and I have no idea where you find such perfect fabric.
I've also missed the fun of getting letters and postcards in the mail and began exchanging them with Diane, our mutual friend. No need for anyone not to get letters and postcards in the mail! Your Raggedy Ann dress is adorable! I bought Raggedy Ann and Andy for my kids. I always liked them.
Morning, love the wee Andy, so cute... Would love the Christmas book, will have to get one too.Blessings Francine.
You have such fun posts! I've always liked Raggedy ann and Marcela stories! I even....a long time ago ....sewed a RAggedy Ann. (We love Andy.....even with no arm...think of the stories you could weave around that missing arm...lol) Aren't thrift store finds sweet? Its like getting something precious for free...really. And I like that idea of writing someone every day. My hands tighten up after a few lines of writing. I could type something but years ago a friend starated typing me notes and I found it to be kind of impersonal. sorry if I misspelled that..my brain must 'tighten up' to....haha
I love Raggedy Ann and Andy! Cute dress and how fun to have a great pen pal!
hugs,
Linda
Hello, Diane! There are so many lovely things in this post that I don't know where to start. Writing letters, Ginger's beautiful new dress, the cute Andys, a Merry Christmas issue with the foreword by Santa Claus... and those Little Golden Books that are soo nostalgic. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Diane! You're the sweetest. Looks like little Andy has the perfect home! Thank you! Also love the doll too!
I think that is wonderful, Diane. I hate that the art of writing letters is dying out. xo Laura
Taking time to play is so important. Thanks for the reminder. Love everything here.
I just bought a Raggedy Ann and Andy pillow that I keep in the car for Laynee. I had to explain to her who they were. she had never heard of them. So, I'm on a quest to find the old pattern and make her a set.
Love yours.
Judy
Awww...what a sweet post and what a wonderful tradition the letters must be! I used to have a few penpals and loved them. Now we keep in touch on FB-but- there was nothing like getting a wonderful new letter in the mailbox!
Your little guys are both cute-missing arm or not. I think he got injured in "service". xo Diana
What a sweet gift. Your blogging buddies know you so well! I like your vingette and the clever way you've disguised the one-armed Andy. =D
How wonderful that your friend has a story in the book! I love reading the stories. Little Andy is so cute and so is that sweet dress you made. You have such fun sewing and I'm glad you share it with us!
Around 30 years ago we spent hours and hours unsuccessfully combing antique stores because I wanted to give our first granddaughter a real Raggedy Ann... I wonder if she'd still like one, now that they seem to be showing up again 😀 (As the mother of two active boys, I am afraid she'd have a hard go finding time to play with dolls at this stage of her life. )
I had Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls, gave them to my niece, and they became toast! Thanks for the memories of the dolls though...wish I had saved and rescued them.
Deb
So cute I have a set of raggedy ann too I need to dig out for my grand daughter. Letters a lost art so nice you are keeping it going.
Cathy
Ooooo, I will have to try apples in my oatmeal while it's being cooked, sounds yummy. :)
Diane, these Raggedy Ann dolls are treasures. Nel still has hers to this day. It's so nice to hear that you write hand written letters to your friends still. You don't see that too often any more, and it's always a surprise getting hand written notes or cards in the mail, I love it.
~Sheri
Raggedy Anne dolls are my favorites. I never had one, but my daughter did and she has passed it on to her own little one. They are such cuddly, friendly dolls. Your finds are sweet treasures from years past. Love the new dress you made for your own doll.
Yep that Lynn is a sweetie, alright. I'm grateful to actually know her in person, and we do write to each other, too. Not very often...only because I've been so slow in replying to HER letters! Love all the dolls. You're so talented, Diane! Wish I could sew, but it's definitely not a talent of mine. Oh, and I'm glad for Lynn and her publication, too! Thanks much for stopping by and commenting. I keep saying I'm going to get back into blogging, but can't seem to fit it in.
I agree with Susie....not too many little girls in sweet little dresses anymore. Sad
Que bonita con su muñeca raggedy!!!! bss
I came to see your latest Wednesday Masterpiece and was not disappointed! SO CUTE! :)
How sweet is that little Raggedy Andy? I love the dress you made to coordinate. This Winter you'll have time to fix the other poor little Andy....so sad. Congrats to your friend! What an accomplishment! I used to love to write letters and maybe when I get moved and settled in I will try and resurrect my letter writing skills along with pretty stationary that I love. Have a great day!
I've always loved Raggedy Ann and Andy, and could kick myself for getting rid of my dolls! Love yours, and the cute dress you made. Letter writing is almost a lost art, so it's great to hear that some are keeping it going. There's something so nice about getting a hand-addressed letter in the mail, isn't there?
Love the dress! That Raggedy Andy looks like he is hiding something behind his back! :-)
love your little Raggedy Ann's and Andy's. Have a great weekend.
Gorgeous Raggedy Ann dress, Diane.....just adorable!
Helen xox
What a colorful and cheery post...love the Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls,and your little girl's gorgeous new dress and big hair bow! I have happy memories of getting letters in the mail...the good ole' days for sure.
I really adore the old stories of Raggedy Ann and Andy by Johnny Gruelle. What a lovely doll dress you made for the doll holding the Andy doll! And the Andy with one arm is in good shape except for his missing arm. Sweet post!
Aww Diane, you made the cutest dress for your doll and the ragedy Andy is just too cute!
How nice t have pen pals to write to!
Have a wonderful week.
Julie
Diane, Forgive me for being so tardy to leave my comment. I thought I had but I guess not. I did pin your adorable pictures though. I must have been distracted.
The Raggedy Ann doll dress is so adorable as is the precious little Raggedy Andy doll that she is holding. How wonderful to have a great pen pal like Lynn, it was so sweet of her to send Andy to keep Ginger company.
I will not be posting for tomorrow. Between my ex-husband's passing last week and driving down to NC for my DIL's baby shower I have not had much time to work on clothes for the dolls. I do have a couple of outfits cut to sew this week so I should have a post for next Wednesday.
Hugs,
Candy
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