"A Decade of Bleuette 1905-1915" Retreat June 2013

Good morning everyone, I have great news! I have finally gotten the initial information for the Bleuette Retreat for June of 2013 completed. I am now taking registrations. There will be photos of the individual workshops coming soon and the photos of the souvenir doll choices. In order to guarantee your spot in this retreat please register early, only 16 participants can attend due to space constrictions for workshops. Here is the complete info ready at this time:

“A Decade of Bleuette 1905-1915” Retreat

June 20^th, 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd, 24^th 2013

Includes choice of souvenir Bleuette “Premiere Jumeau”

 or Bleuette “Friend” S&H 1448 “Little Star” by Connie Zink

(Pictures Available Soon)

Retreat Cost: $375.00 plus Workshops Individually Priced

Limited to 16 Participants

Absentee Souvenir Dolls Available for $350.00

Workshop Kits will also be available for Absentee Participants

Special Guests and Workshop Instructors: Martha Nichols, Pam Willits and Sue Sharp

Registration is now open and your spot can be reserved for a $100.00 deposit. An additional $100.00 payment will be required by Jan. 31st 2013 with the balance being due at time of Retreat. Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received before May 1st will have the choice of a full refund or changing their registration to an absentee registration and receiving souvenir doll. Cancellations after May 1st may change their registration to the absentee package. REGISTRATION WILL BE LIMITED TO 16 PARTICIPANTS! Registration includes Thursday Evening Meal at Land of Oz Dolls and Saturday Night Banquet Dinner at Granny O’Neils. Lunches will be available at Land of Oz Dolls Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for $5.00 each day or you may bring your own. Sign up now to reserve your spot. Please call Connie at 815-565-0024 or email: landofozdolls@mchsi.com Paypal invoices can be sent upon request for the $100.00 deposit or you may pay by check or credit card.

Here is a photo of a previous Premeire Jumeau I have made that will be very similar to the souvenir Premeire Jumeau. I do not have a photo available yet of the S&H1448 "Little Star".

Tentative Schedule

Thursday Evening June 20^th:  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm:

Casual Social Gathering and Welcome Reception. Evening meal will be provided. This will provide a chance for getting to know everyone and allow time for browsing sales tables, helper drawings, and special displays. Special guest, Martha Nichols, author of many Bleuette articles for "Doll News" and "Antique Doll Collector" will be presenting a program at 7:30 pm “Fleischmann’s Eden Bebe and the 6/0 Bleuette”. Martha will also be bringing her seven antique Bleuette’s along with their SFBJ “cousins” for your viewing pleasure. You will also have the chance to see a trunk full of costumes made from the LSDS patterns of the 1905-1915 time period, along with some furniture sized for Bleuette. At 8:15 pm we will have the presentation of the souvenir dolls. Bleuette or her "friend" "Little Star" will come to you dressed in their slip and pantalets.

Please note: Samples of workshop costumes will be available soon. Until then you may see examples  in the book “Bleuette Clothing Patterns” 1905 – 1916 by Louise Hedrick and Barbara Hilliker. Please check page numbers in the individual workshop listings. Please note that fabric for costumes will be as authentic as possible but fabric colors may vary from the originals. All efforts will be made to have workshop kits that can be completed in the allotted time frames with some preparation work being done before the workshop.

Friday June 21^st:  9:00 am – 12:00 pm:

Workshop: Summer Dress #15 1905 page 58 and 59 with Pam Willits and Sue Sharp   Workshop Cost: $40.00

(Picture Available Soon)

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm LUNCH SERVED

12:45 pm – 2:45 pm

Workshop:  "Finishing Techniques for LSDS Patterns, featuring the 1915 Robe Anglaise (English Dress)"-- and as a special bonus, the pattern for Martha’s  "Edwardian Dress for Bleuette," which is loosely based on the Robe Anglaise with Martha Nichols. 

Workshop Cost: $20.00 and includes both patterns, and fabric + trim, and closures.

Martha’s New Pattern Booklet "Ma Premiere Bleuette/My First Bleuette" and features a complete wardrobe which any new Bleuette Maman would be able to create, will also be available for purchase.  

Martha's antique SFBJ 301 modeling the workshop dresses.

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm Break

3:00 pm – 5:30 pm Workshop: (Continued) "Finishing Techniques for LSDS Patterns, featuring the 1915 Robe Anglaise (English Dress)"-- with Martha Nichols

 5:30 - 6:45 Break for Dinner (on own)

7:00 - ? Havencrest Castle Tour (Seperate fee for Castle Tour $15.00)

Saturday June 22^nd : 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop: Mariner Ensemble with Pleated Sleeveless Dress, Jacket with Sailor Collar, and Beret #20 and #21 1910 page 116 with Sue Sharp  and Pam Willits  Workshop Cost: $45.00

(Picture Available Soon)

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm LUNCH SERVED

12:45 pm – 1:45 pm Workshop: (Continued) Mariner Ensemble with Sue Sharp and Pam Willits

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm  Break

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Workshop:  Jacket with Soutache #29 1909  page 112 with Pam Willits and Sue Sharp  Workshop Cost:$25.00

(Picture Available Soon)

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Banquet Dinner Included in Registration

Sunday June 23^rd:

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Workshop:  School Dress with Bretelles and Blouse #46 1907 page 92 and 93 with Sue Sharp and Pam Willits   Workshop Cost: $40.00

(Picture Available Soon)

12:00 pm – 12:45 pm LUNCH SERVED and Helper Drawings

12:45 pm – 1:45 pm Workshop (Continued) School Dress with Bretelles with Sue Sharp and Pam Willits

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm Break

2:00 pm – 4:30 pm Workshop: Leather Bootines with Pam Willits and Sue Sharp   Workshop Cost:$15.00  (Early Departures may purchase finished Bootines for $25.00)

(Picture Available Soon)

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Dinner at Manny’s Pizza (on own order off menu)

Monday June 24^th  OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP DAY TO GALENA ILLINOIS

For those interested in staying and attending we will be leaving at approx. 9:00 am for a trip to Galena. It is approximately 32 miles. Plans are underway for the trolley tour, shopping at the antique mall and downtown specialty shops, along with lunch at a unique restaurant. More details will be posted later. Upon returning to Savanna late afternoon, we will plan on one last dinner together in Savanna at Poopy’s Pub and Gub, a unique experience, of it’s own.

Hotel/ Motel Info

Granny O’Neil’s River Inn Bed and Breakfast

31 Third St. Savanna, Il. Phone: 815-273-4726 (1 mile away)

(For a shared experience with your doll friends, there are three houses that Bill rents out for a total of 12 rooms available in a bed and breakfast atmosphere)

Shared bathrooms with kitchen facilities available, breakfast served every morning at Granny O’Neil’s main house. Rates $79.00 plus tax for reservations of 3 or 4 night stays and $89.00 for reservations for 1 to 2 nights.

Call Bill Lease to reserve your room today.

Super 8 Motel

101 Valley View Drive Savanna, Il. Phone: 815-273-2288 (1/2 mile away)

For more privacy please call Super 8 Motel, newly remodeled, with pool and exercise room next to McDonald’s. Please call them for rates.

Seven Eagles Resort and Campground

9734 Rt. 84 Savanna, Il. Phone 815-273-7301 (1 mile away)

Seven Eagles has several rooms that they rent in conjunction with their campgrounds. Very clean, modern rooms Call them for rates.

I hope everyone has a great week and a dolly good day!! Until next post,

 Dolly Hugs,

Connie Zink

 

What's New in July!!! (July 25th 2012)

Good morning everyone!!! It seems like it has been such a long time since I have been able to sit down and write a post to this blog. July has been an interesting month for sure! We started out the month with the continuing efforts of rebuilding our mold inventories. It has been a long process, but we are making great strides. Thanks to the generosity of many people, our mold inventory has grown by leaps and bounds. I have been able to replace many of our cherished molds, along with a lot of new ones that I didn't have before. This gives me the opportunity to play with many new dolls that I hadn't been able to make before so that is very exciting. There are still quite a few molds we have not been able to replace so we are still looking for molds in our immediate vicinity, within a couple hundred miles. If you or someone you know have molds that you would like to give away please let me know. I will have pictures of our mold rebuilding efforts soon. I hope to be able to start working on a new catalog soon, also.

My original plan was to send a new blog post thru around the 4th of July with new pictures of some of my Independence Day Bleuette's. That plan was put aside by a few circunstances. I woke up not feeling well on the 4th of July. As the day progressed, the worse I felt. At the time, I blamed it on the oppressive heat we have had all summer. By evening, I knew that wasn't the case. On that Wednesday evening, after being sick to my stomach all day, the rectal bleeding started. By Friday, I was in the hospital scheduled for both an upper and lower GI. It was found that I had bleeding ulcers. I was able to come home from the hospital on Saturday, but in a much more weakened state than I had been previously, before the 4th of July. I am sure the stress of the last couple months did not help the condition, but the real culprit according to the doctors was my long time use of Aleve for Fibromyalgia pain. The ulcers are doing well, the bleeding has stopped, but I will have to take the medicine for about six months. I have been extremely tired the last couple weeks, but otherwise feeling much better now. Other than some complications, from some of the medications I am taking, I feel pretty good now and have been able to get back to work. I was finally able to finish painting some Bleuettes and a Rosette I had started back in April, so here are some pictures of my Independence Day Bleuettes. Better late than never right???

Premier Jumeau Bleuette

SFBJ 60 Bleuette Gold

SFBJ 60 Bleuette Gold

1907 Jumeau Bleuette Friend

1907 Jumeau Bleuette Friend

SFBJ 60 Bleuette Gold

SFBJ 60 Bleuette Gold

Premier Jumeau Bleuette

On July 15th, I had a visit from the West Central Illinois Doll Club. After a great brunch at Sweet Life Cafe here in Savanna,. the group came for a tour of the doll shop. I would like to thank Karen Swanson for arranging the trip and thank you to Mary, Joyce, Karen, Kathy, Jane, Missy, Beth, Krista,and Karen for coming!

In preparation for the August Frenchette Retreat, I spent a few days at the beginning of the month trying to get my supply room and sewing room organized a bit, so I would be able to set up some workshops in the area. I will have to remove a few things for the weekend but will be able to fit the workshops in some areas here.

Due to all the hot weather this summer, I decided to think ahead to a little bit cooler time. I'm looking ahead to fall. I love fall, it is one of my favorite seasons, come to think of it, I love winter and spring also. What I don't like is the hot days of summer! Give me a blizzard anyday! Two of the Bleuettes and a Rosette I was able to finish this month have also decided fall was there favorite time, so here is a few photos of their fall display.

Rosette Bleuette's Older Sister

SFBJ 301 Bleuette Silver

SFBJ 301 Silver

SFBJ 301 Bleuette Silver

Rosette Bleuette's Big Sister

Speaking of fall, I will be having a fall open house Labor Day Weekend. It will be called "Celebrate the Fun of Fall". I will be open Friday Aug.31st, Saturday Sept. 1st and Sunday Sept. 2nd from 9-5 each day. Also participating is Picket Fence in Lanark and Prairie Path Sampler and Land of Oz Craft Mall in Mt. Carroll. More details will be coming soon. I hope to see some of you then! For now, I need to close, time to get to work on those Frenchette Steiner dolls for the August Retreat. I hope you all have a great week and find some time for those dolly projects!!!

Dolly Hugs,

Connie Zink

"Frenchette Retreat Weekend" August 17th, 18th, and 19th 2012

Happy 4th of July to All!!! I hope all of you are having a great holiday!! It has been awhile since I have had a chance to update all that is going on around here at Land of Oz Dolls. The month of June was a very hectic month here. I will do a seperate blog post of the progress we have made in the mold rebuilding process very soon but right now I want to post all the details of my upcoming retreat weekend. The workshop instructors and I have three fun-filled days of workshops, field trips including one to a castle, shopping, food and dolly fun including your very own souvenir "Frenchette Steiner" doll. The complete details for the three day event are as follows:

“Frenchette” Retreat

August 17th, 18th, and 19th 2012

“Weekend In Paris” with “Belle Fleur” Steiner

At Land of Oz Dolls in Savanna, Il.

Registration Cost: $350.00 includes undressed souvenir “Frenchette” doll by Connie Zink

Limited to 18 Workshop Participants

Absentee Souvenir “Frenchette” Dolls and Workshop Kits will be available for purchase to non-attendees.

SCHEDULE

August 16^th Thursday Night 7:00 – 9:00 PM :   Casual social gathering for those who have arrived on Thursday evening. Meet and greet, browse sales displays and helper prizes, short program, and light refreshments.   Cost: included in registration

August 17^th Friday  

8:00 – 9:30 AM:  Presentation of souvenir undressed “Frenchette” Steiner doll “Belle Fleur” (means ”beautiful flower” in French), browse sales displays and helper prizes, and light breakfast (sweet rolls, fruit, yogurt, and beverage)  Cost: included in registration

9:30 am– 12:30 PM:  Workshop:   “Sac de Voyage” Carpet Bag for “Frenchette” with Sue Sharp      Make this adorable traveling bag, sized just right, to carry your bebe’s necessities as she journeys thru Paris with her dolly mama.   All supplies provided in workshop to complete kit project.     Cost: $25.00

12:30 – 1:30 PM:  Break for lunch at studio:  Sandwiches, chips, desserts, and beverage.  Cost $5.00  

1:45 – 5:45 PM:  Field Trip to Lanark and Mt. Carroll: We will visit “Picket Fence” carriage house shop and victorian gardens in Lanark, along with taking a leisurely break for “pie on the porch” on Lynn’s beautiful victorian porch. Next stop will be “Prairie Path Sampler” a quaint little shop on the outskirts of Mt. Carroll featuring primitives and quilted Items. Our last stop in Mt. Carroll will be “Ideas and Designs” (antique mall, fabric shop, and “Mad Hatter” tea room).     

6:00 – 7:15 PM Break for Light Supper (on own) or there would be time for Sievert’s Pizza in Mt. Carroll before returning to Savanna

7:30 – 9:00 PM. Tour of “Havencrest Castle” in Savanna: We have been invited on a private tour of “HAVENCREST CASTLE” located here in Savanna. It is a six story, 63 room mansion high atop Greenleaf Hill, built in 1901 and is the home of Alan and the late Adrianne St. George.    Cost: $15.00 per person Proceeds go to the Adrianne’s Angels Humane Society. 

For more info on HAVENCREST CASTLE go to   http://www.facemakersincorporated.com/havenmain.html

August 18^th Saturday

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM:  Workshop:  “Belle Fleur ‘s  Winter Wonderland”  Wicker Sleigh with Lorna Yates. Embellish Belle Fleurs sleigh, with decorative evergreens, pine cones, berries and bows. Finish it off by filling the sleigh with decorative packages.  Cost: $30.00 Supplies needed:  Hot glue gun and glue sticks, paper scissors, and sewing scissors.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Workshop:  “Fur Hat” and “Muff” with Lorna Yates   Cost: $ 20.00    Students will sew a fur hat and muff that will compliment Belle Fleur’s “Winter Wonderland Wicker Sleigh”. Ribbons and trims are included to complete the set. Fur hat and muff also coordinate with the fur trim on the spats in Pam Willits’ workshop. Matching winter coat kits will be available for purchase separately from Lorna Yates.

12:00 – 1:00 PM:  Break for lunch at studio: chicken salad luncheon, dessert, and beverage.  Cost $5.00

1:00 – 5:00 PM:  Workshop:  “Belle Fleur” Costume with Pam Willits.   Cost $65.00

THE LATEST PARIS FASHION
"Belle Fleur" will be ready for any Paris Soiree dressed in her beautiful frock of red silk trimmed in the finest French lace. Fashioned with a plastron of frills and gathers along the front, the dress has long sleeves ending with a pretty cuff and a pleated skirt. Small tucks gathered in a beautifully shaped bustle finish the back of the dress and a matching bonnet tops the ensemble. "Belle Fleur" will be truly as beautiful from the back as she is from the front and will be ready for her weekend in Paris!
With a little of our "magic in Paris" by Pam you will be able to complete this ensemble in 4 hours thanks to a lot of prep work by Pam. Sewing machine is helpful but not necessary, sewing can be completed by hand. We will have a few sewing machines to loan if it is difficult for you to bring one.  Supplies needed: sewing scissors, all other supplies will be provided in workshop.

6:00 – 9:00 PM: Banquet Dinner (included in registration fee). We will be dining in the private dining room  of  “Granny O’Neil’s River Inn Bed and Breakfast”,  for our evening meal. We will have a choice of several different entrée’s prepared and served by Chef Bill Lease. It will be a great evening of fun, food and friends.

August 19^th Sunday

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Workshop:  Leather shoes and spats for “Frenchette” with Pam Willits. The fur trim on the spats will coordinate with the fur hat and muff in Lorna Yates’s workshop.  Cost: $15.00 for each workshop or $25.00 for both shoes and spats. All supplies provided in workshop to complete project.

12:00 – 1:00 PM:  Break for lunch at studio: Sandwiches, chips, desserts, beverage.  Cost $5.00  

1:00 – 2:30 PM: Workshop:  “Jewelry Adornments” for “Frenchette” with Sue Sharp. Complete this pretty necklace and earring set to add that special finished look for your beautiful doll.  Color choices will be available. Cost $15.00 All supplies will be provided in workshop to complete project.

2:30 – 4:30 PM: Workshop:   “Belle Fleur Bicycles thru Paris” with Lorna Yates. Decorate this adorable bicycle with Paris travel stickers and fill her wicker shopping basket with purchases from the French Market. You will arrange a bouquet of flowers and fruit, re-create a French newspaper, and roll your own French bread from Fimo clay. An embellished straw hat will be the finishing touch to complete your bicycling ensemble.  Cost $55.00

Class limited to 10 students (due to availability of bicycles). Bicycling costume kits will be available for purchase separately.

5:00 PM - ?? Farewell Dinner:  Drawing for Helper Prizes at 5:00pm. Dinner at Poopy’s Pub and Grub for those who are still able to attend and not leaving for home until Monday morning.

Hotel/Motel Info On Last Page of Forms

Registration Form for “Frenchette” Retreat Weekend

August 17^th, 18^th and 19^th 2012      Limited to 18 Workshop Participants

Deadline for Retreat Registration and Workshops is July 25^th 2012

Name: ________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________

City:__________________________   State:_____________________    Zip Code:___________

Phone:________________________      Email:________________________

 Check included____ or Credit Card _______________________Exp._______ Sec. Code______

You may also request a PayPal invoice for deposit.

Registration fee is $350.00 and includes undressed souvenir “Frenchette” 15” Steiner doll by Connie Zink, Thursday evening welcome gathering, Friday morning light breakfast, and Saturday evening banquet dinner are included in registration fee. A $200.00 deposit is due at time of registration. Balance is due upon arrival at retreat. Workshop fees will be paid directly to workshop instructors at the retreat.

I would like to register for the following workshops:

“Sac de Voyage” Carpet Bag with Sue Sharp Cost $25.00 ___________

“Winter Wonderland Wicker Sleigh” with Lorna Yates Cost $30.00_______

“Fur Hat and Muff” with Lorna Yates Cost: $20.00______

“Belle Fleur” Costume and Bonnet with Pam Willits Cost: $65.00________

“Leather Shoes” Cost: $15.00______     “Leather Spats” Cost: $15.00________ with Pam Willits OR (Both “Leather Shoes” and “Leather Spats” with Pam Willits) Cost: $25.00 ________

“Jewelry Adornments” with Sue Sharp Cost: $15.00_____

“Belle Fleur’s Bicycle” with Lorna Yates Cost: $55.00______

 Lunch:  Friday Cost: $5.00 ____ Saturday Cost: $5.00____ Sunday Cost: $5.00_____

“HAVENCREST CASTLE” Tour  Cost: $15.00 I will be attending YES_____ or NO_____

Please return this registration form along with deposit to: Connie Zink

 Land of Oz Dolls 1723 Portland Ave. Savanna Illinois 61074

Email: landofozdolls@mchsi.com or Paypal address landofoz@internetni.com

Phone: 815-565-0024

ABSENTEE Registration ForM For “Belle Fleur” Steiner Doll

Deadline for ABSENTEE Registration and Workshop KITS is July 31^st, 2012

Fee is $325.00 for the undressed 15” Steiner doll. Shipping costs for doll only is $15.00 for U.S.

I would also like to order the following absentee workshop kits:

“Sac de Voyage” Carpet Bag with Sue Sharp   Cost: $25.00 ___________

“Winter Wonderland Wicker Sleigh” with Lorna Yates   Cost: $30.00_______

“Fur Hat and Muff” with Lorna Yates   Cost: $20.00________

“Belle Fleur” Costume and Bonnet with Pam Willits   Cost: $65.00________

“Leather Shoes” Cost: $15.00______     “Leather Spats” Cost: $15.00________ with Pam Willits OR (Both “Leather Shoes” and “Leather Spats” with Pam Willits)     Cost: $25.00 ________

“Jewelry Adornments” with Sue Sharp     Cost: $15.00_____

“Belle Fleur’s Bicycle” with Lorna Yates     Cost: $55.00______Only available if left after Retreat

Additional shipping costs for workshop kits will be figured after order has been placed.

Souvenir doll and workshop kits will be shipped the week of August 27^th after the retreat.

Please return this registration form along with total amount due to Connie Zink.  

A Paypal invoice may be sent upon request.

 Land of Oz Dolls 1723 Portland Ave. Savanna Illinois 61074

Email: landofozdolls@mchsi.com or PayPal address landofoz@internetni.com

Phone: 815-565-0024

Name: ________________________________________________________________________

Address:_______________________________________________________________________

City:__________________________   State:_____________________    Zip Code:___________

Phone:________________________      Email:________________________

 Check included____ or Credit Card _______________________Exp._______ Sec. Code______

A complete printable PDF version of the Retreat Info and Registration is available for download at:

http://www.landofozdolls2.com/f/Frenchette_Retreat_August_2012_PDF.pdf

I am currently over 50% full for the Retreat Weekend, if you are interested, please get your registration in as soon as possible. Deadline for Retreat Registration is July 25th and Absentee Registration is July 31st unless Retreat fills before that date. Hope to see you in August!!!

Have a great dolly day!!!

Connie