topic Re: Toni's First Communion in Community Chat

Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 00:43:30 GMT

May is the month for First Communions and Toni is dressed and ready for her big day.

She has learned all her Catechism lessons and has been prepared for this.

She is wearing a white dotted Swiss dress with

puffed sleeves and a lace trimmed Peter Pan collar. Her sash is white satin, with a bow in the back.

She wears a white veil trimmed with pearls and lace. To complete her outfit, she is wearing a sterling silver cross necklace.

Toni's dress is based on my own dotted Swiss First Communion dress, pictured. My veil was handmade by the French nuns who lived in the convent at the French church and taught at the French school.

First Communion was a very special day, for a seven year old.

Re: Toni's First Communion

on the bay — Sun, 05 May 2024 00:48:09 GMT

So beautiful @Enufstuff!

I love seeing both dresses. Your detail is absolutely stunning!

I love Tony's beautiful hair too!

And the story behind it all with the French nuns-very special.

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 00:57:14 GMT

@on the bay Thank you very much. When I started making Toni doll clothes, 15 years ago, this outfit was the first one that I made. A lady in New Jersey bought it for her Toni doll. I included the sterling silver cross necklace for her doll.

Toni actually has much nicer and fuller hair than I ever had.

I always wanted curls, but I just have dark brown straight strings. I was so in style in 1970.

At least it has not turned gray and I will be 77 next week.

Thank goodness, because I could never color it, I'm allergic to everything.

My mother's dark blonde hair never turned gray either.

Re: Toni's First Communion

San Antonio Gal — Sun, 05 May 2024 00:59:14 GMT

What a sweet and lovely picture of you @Enufstuff . I remember my First Communion too.

I love Toni's dress also. The cross necklace is perfect.

Re: Toni's First Communion

Oznell — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:01:08 GMT

You are both so beautiful in your communion dresses, @Enufstuff ! What a pretty little girl you were.

The lace details, the pearls and ribbons, everything so dainty and exquisite.

A momentous occasion, indeed.

A question-- are Toni's eyes green? They look almost to be an olive-y shade, and at first I thought, hazel. ( I'm partial to, and always on the lookout for hazel eyes, since both of my parents had them.... )

Re: Toni's First Communion

SportyShorty07 — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:02:35 GMT

@Enufstuff Absolutely incredble and beautiful work on making Toni's First Communion dress, Enufstuff! !! Such amazing attention to detail: the pearls on the veil, the little lace trimmed Peter Pan collar, the frilly pluffed sleeves, the glossy ribbon sash and the tiny bows on the shoes. I love the curled glossy red hair and the tiny cross necklace. Look at the photo of you in your First Communion dress! You look absolutely lovely and so pretty- in your dress and veil that was so lovingly made for you. You are such a gifted artist- your attention to detail and sewing/design abilities always amaze me and you are a true expert. Wonderful work, Enuffstuff and I wish you a very happy Happy Birthday Month to you, dear Enuffstuff!

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Mon, 06 May 2024 12:37:19 GMT

@Oznell Thank you very much.

Honestly, I can't really tell you what color this doll's eyes are. She has been packed away for many years. This was the first dress that I made and sold 15 years ago.

I thought that her eyes were blue, but in the the picture, they look like a faded blue. She actually has some rust on her right eye.

When I dig her out of storage, I'll have to see if I can scrape off that rust and get some paint to match the white part of her eyes.

She also has a stray hair on her right cheek. This is not the best picture, but I just wanted to post this dress for May.

Re: Toni's First Communion

On It — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:13:36 GMT

@Enufstuff Your work is magnificent. Toni looks regally elegant dressed for communion. Your devotion to detail is what sets your work apart. You have many creative talents. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:14:05 GMT

@SportyShorty07 Thank you so much. It is nice to hear from you, we haven't talked in a while.

Right now, I am working on poodle skirts and blouses for three Toni dolls. Do you know what a poodle skirt is? They were very popular in the 50s.

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:19:40 GMT

@On It Thank you very much. I had so much fun making those doll clothes, years ago. I'm happy to share the pictures with everyone here.

I know that some who are close to my age, would remember those styles.

Only last month did I start sewing again, after almost 15 years.

Right now, I'm working on poodle skirts and blouses for Toni

dolls. I'll post them when they are finished.

Re: Toni's First Communion

Desert Lily — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:28:57 GMT

@Enufstuff Toni's First Communion dress is perfect. Beautiful.

Your talent is amazing!

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:30:16 GMT

@Desert Lily Thank you very much.

Re: Toni's First Communion

SportyShorty07 — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:32:59 GMT

@Enufstuff Great to hear from you too, Enuffstuff ! I always enjoy your stories, artwork and hearing what you're up to- I hope you're enjoying your Spring season so far! I went through some depression this past few months and now I'm cheering up and making new big and little creative goals for this year. I'll keep you posted on them.

Poodle skirts and blouses for three Toni dolls- that sounds wonderful! I can't wait to see it . Yes indeed, I know what poodle skirts are and my parents bought my two sisters and myself poodle skirts when we were toddlers and we loved them! Good times! What colors are the poodle skirts for Toni going to be? I love hearing about your creative process in making these Toni dresses- your ideas for the fabric, the small details, the hairstyling and more. Really very interesting, Enuffstuff!

Re: Toni's First Communion

PARedbird — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:49:12 GMT

Toni looks absolutely gorgeous!!

You as well looked so cute too! I remember my First Communion very well and my white dress and veil!

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 02:25:42 GMT

@SportyShorty07 I'm sorry to learn that you have been having a rough time. I know that last month was so disappointing for you.

I hope that you are doing better now. There are so many great things ahead for you. It is hard to be patient, waiting for those good things to happen.

After being married for 21 years and raising five children, I was devastated by being divorced and single for 8 years, getting my degree and working two jobs, to keep things together. My dance classes were what got me through the rough times.

During that time, I never thought that I would remarry, but I did, at 45.

Things can always get better and I wish the best for you. You have many talents and abilities. Your art and culinary skills can

bring you happiness and fulfillment. I know that it is hard to stay positive during rough times. You are a strong young lady and you will get through this. What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger.

You and your sisters must have been adorable in your poodle skirts. I thought that maybe you would be too young to know what that syle was.

I never had one, but when the older girls were wearing poodle skirts, I was about 7 years old. My mother made me a red felt Christmas skirt with little green satin bows on the the front. Attached to each bow was a little jingle bell. (I have some teeny tiny jingle bells and may make that skirt for Toni, for next Christmas.) I would have loved to have had a poodle skirt like the big girls had.

The skirts that I am making are #1 pink with a black poodle,

#2 gray with a pink poodle and #3 aqua with a white cat. I'm also making blouses, two white ones and a pink one to go with the gray skirt. I'll post those outfits, when they are completed.

Before I started the poodle skirts, I felt like doing some baking. It has been years since I made Baklava, it is time consuming and standing for a long time kills my back, but I wanted to make it. My family loves it.

Ramadan ended at the time of the eclipse and I knew that my neighbor family from Iraq would be celebrating Eid. I wanted to bring them some Baklava.

First, I got out my art supplies and made them a lovely card in green and gold, traditional Eid colors. The next day I baked and made them a lovely tray of Baklava, cut in diamond shapes, in green foil cupcake cups, covered and tied with a green satin ribbon. They were surprised when I brought it over.

Of coarse, we enjoyed our share of it too. This week, I plan on making a pineapple upside down cake. That is another thing that I have have not made in many years. But there were some posts here about it and they inspired me to make it again.

Last week I made your recipe for the Lemon Pepper marinated chicken, again. My guys love it. Thanks again for the recipe. Have you done any baking lately?

Stay well and take care,

Donna

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 01:59:41 GMT

@PARedbird Thank you so much.

Re: Toni's First Communion

on the bay — Sun, 05 May 2024 02:26:23 GMT

@Enufstuff,

Those were such kind and encouraging words to @SportyShorty07. I hope the same for her

And I will be so looking forward to the poodle skirts and especially the Christmas dress with little bells!

Re: Toni's First Communion

spiderw — Sun, 05 May 2024 02:41:05 GMT

I remember my 1st Communion Day, it was so special and I loved my dress and veil. I was also given a beautiful bouquet from my parents. You look lovely in your Communion dress and veil .

I love Toni's Communion outfit, so very pretty and perfect. As always your work, Enufstuff, is professional and perfection!!!! I look forward to future Toni outfits!

Re: Toni's First Communion

ECBG — Sun, 05 May 2024 03:13:41 GMT

You looked so sweet!

Re: Toni's First Communion

Enufstuff — Sun, 05 May 2024 03:19:57 GMT

@spiderw Thank you very much. You know how special First

Communion is with dress and veil. It is lovely, to get dressed up like that. Flowers from your parents was really special for you.

I was so disappointed for my girls in the 70s. I looked forward to their First Communion and the special beautiful dresses and veils that they would wear. They were girly girls and would have loved it.

But someone had the brilliant idea that they wouldn't be doing that. They would just wear a nice dress and head coverings or hats were no longer required in church in the 70s.

This was also the era of the Folk Mass, with the priest showing up in sweater and jeans, playing the guitar at Mass. The statues were taken out of the church and Latin was not used any more. We all knew the hymns and prayers in Latin and that was all gone. I didn't like all those changes and I missed what was taken away.

Anyway, there were no Catechism classes. We were given a workbook and taught our daughters at home.

There was nothing special about First Communion. The girls just went to Mass with the family, no classmates, and received their First Communion. My girls wore their pastel colored Easter dresses that I made for them and a little headpiece I made with a bow and flowers. We took them out to a nice restaurant with the family. We tried to make it a special day for them, but it was just not the same.

A few years later, it was the same for my two boys, no white suits, just a jacket and nice pants or a regular suit.

By the time my grandchildren came along, the children were all in white again and it was lovely. It is too bad that the kids in the 70s missed out on a very special occasion, that other generations had. I don't know if it was a regional thing or if that happened elsewhere. We live north of Boston.