1966 Effanbee Punkin

 
Look who I found!
She was in a small antique shop near me.

I almost walked right past her,
 she's so little!

She is an 11" Effanbee Punkin from

1966.  The same year I was born!

Someone kept her very safe for a long

time.  She still has her original outfit 

and her hang tag after

60 years!

Her hair is a bit messy, but I still see

some shine.

Her dress is very dingy and her

face is faded.

I put all her clothes in to soak.  

Look how brown that water is!

She's ready for a bath.

Here is her maker's mark.

The shampoo suds turned brownish-yellow!

So much built up dust and grime.

Her little ears were grimy as well.

Her ears, fingers and toes all got scrubbed.

Freshly washed.

Her hair is very pretty.

You can see the shine now!

First comb out and a borrowed dress.

I think she needs some refreshing of her 

face paint.  That pink is such 

an unnatural color.

Better.  I softened her cheeks, repainted

her lips and added a little color 

along her hairline.

Very sweet!!

Such a winsome expression.

Here are some extra outfits

I found for her.

This little taffeta swing jacket.

It matches her dress.

This skirt, jacket and beret set.

I have had this set for quite a while. I was

just waiting to find someone it fit.

Very sweet!

AND her original outfit.

It is much brighter after a wash.

Much better.

AND

Some before and after photos.

Before      and       After

Before      and       After

Before      and       After

I am very happy I found this little girl!

She turned out so sweet and winsome.

What should I call her?

So, I have had several suggestions for a name 

For this little girl:

Marianne

Penelope

Ivy

April

Babette 

  It is really hard to

Choose, I love all these ideas!

I think she looks like an…..

April!!

A Letter from Cecilia!

Finally another letter from cousin Cecilia!

I so enjoy hearing all about her 

life in New Zealand!

Dearest Cousin Cissy,

Cissy's Driving Tour

Your driving tour looked wonderful.  I have been 

reluctant to travel too far after my long journey 

earlier in the year. Instead, I have been gardening 

as we are now in spring here in New Zealand.  

Imagine that Cissy!  

As you already know, my suitcase went missing 

and I lost all my clothes.  The Cruise line does 

not seem to be able to find it! 

Cecilia's Journey

I did not want to buy a new outfit for the 

garden, so I visited a local thrift store 

(op shop as we call them here).  

Would you believe I purchased a man's shirt?! 

The sun is so harsh here I wanted to 

be well covered.  

I added motifs to the collar and changed

 the buttons. I found a pair of trousers and a hat. 

I added a lace belt.  I found shoes too and then, 

best of all, I found a gardening apron and I loved it! 

I simply had to decorate my shoes and hat to match.

Once I had my outfit I started on some serious gardening.

 The garden had been badly neglected over the winter

 and there was lots to do.  

I trimmed the bushes and hedges, 

I pulled weeds 

and planted seedlings.  

This weekend I planted tomoatoes.

The wisterias are lovely this year, 

we have a beautiful pink magnolia and 

the snowball tree is so pretty, 

I wish you could see it in person.  

There is a big tub of bluebells and we have 

a lot of Aquilegia (Granny's Bonnets), 

and Pansies. 

The tulips are up too and...  

Foxgloves. 

Oh, and this is our 9 month 

old puppy, 'Poppy'.  She enjoys 

gardening too, but more 'unplanting' 

than 'planting'!

Hehehe!

Our spring weather is very changeable with 

sunny days then cold wet wintery ones. 

This weekend it has been warm and we have had lots

 of baby "Song Thrush" birds in the front garden 

learning to fly.

The only problem now is that I keep 

thinking it's Easter rather 

than Halloween!

After all my hard work I changed into my new 

spring dress, I also found it at the op shop, and sat 

on the veranda enjoying the garden and a 

very rewarding cup of tea.

I hope you and the rest of the family are all well.

Your loving Cousin, 

Cecilia

Miss you Cecilia!