About Celeste the Dolly's Family

Celeste's Parents,
Jacques and Hitty Preble Adair.

Celeste's Parents were Jacques Adair and Hitty Preble Adair. In 1830, the young Jacques, with his Parents, Harrison and Lucinda Adair, left their home in Rouen, France and moved to Cranberry Isles, Maine, USA in order to form a business partnership with John and Penny Preble. The Adairs and the Prebles were in the lucrative wool industry.

Eighteen year old, Jacques Adair soon fell in love with the daughter of the Prebles, whose name was Hitty. Jacques and Hitty were married in Cranberry Isles, January of 1831. A few years later, their tiny daughter, Celeste Marie was born.
In those days, the export of wool necessitated much travel between the United States and France. Celeste was raised in both cultures. She graduated from the Parisian Female Seminary in 1850. Eventually, Grandmother Lucinda's increasing problems with rheumatism would impel the family to move to the Three Rivers region near the Ozark Mountains. An area known for it's "miraculous healing springs"; Grandmother Lucinda was able to recover her health. Celeste the Dolly, the family and it's descendants still reside in this beautiful area.

Grandmother Lucinda Adair, circa 1820.

The family home in Three Rivers, Circa 1852.

This is the family history of the dolls who live with me. Your dolls may have different stories.   :)

Celeste Loves "Les Aventures de Deux Soeurs" The New French Fashion Doll Magazine.

This publication is very well done. Each quarterly issue includes the journal entries of 2 French Fashion Dolls (sisters) Charlotte and Mimi.
A complete dressmakers pattern with thorough instructions.
A beautiful paper doll set with fashions and accessories. 

Celeste points out the new dress she wants me to make for her out of the Premiere Issue of Les Aventures de Deux Soeurs. This is an adorable fashion and I can't wait to reduce the pattern to fit Celeste's dainty figure. Totally excited! 

***

Paris Collection. One of my birthday gifts is on it's way. Yay!

So happy to finally have my very own copy of Sylvia MacNeil's Paris Collection coming for my birthday. I have borrowed the public library's copy so many times. I LOVE this book. Can't wait to reduce the patterns and make them for my darling Celeste doll. 

Hopefully I shall also receive a gift card to the fabric store, (hint, hint Sis) lol

Anyways, then we can go shopping for fabrics to make the fashions. I do believe the striped dress on the far right shall be my first attempt.... So happy! 

"Lilas" book by Samy Odin. From DOLLSPART.

I received the beautiful book "Lilas" book by Samy Odin for my birthday. I LOVE it! So beautiful.

  

Images from the beautiful book "Lilas" by Samy Odin.

***

Celeste admires her new Lilac Striped Cotton made to resemble Lilas' Toilette # 8 fashion on page 11. This fashion is also feautured on the cover of the book.  :)

***

Celeste reads her very own copy of Journal Des Poupees from the 15 Mai 1865 issue of La Poupee Modele. This is such an entertaining read. It reminds you of the Chat On Fashions sections of the magazines written for Women of the 1800's. Just so whimsical and wonderful!  

I truly love and admire this book so very much and am very grateful to M. Samy Odin for writing it. The Musee De La Poupee is a heaven for doll lovers.

A Complete Doll's Trousseau in 1865 according to La Poupee Modele

A Complete Trousseau for a Doll in 1865 according to La Poupee Modele

2 festooned blouses

2 richly decorated blouses

4 pairs of trousers, 2 simple, 2 rich

4 camisoles as above

2 night caps

2 hairnets

1 hoop skirt, in colored fabric with train

1 netted hoop skirt

2 white petticoats, festooned and pleated

2 embroidered and lace trimmed petticoats

1 wool ruffled petticoat

1 corset

4 chemises, one high necked in nansouk, one high necked in silk chiffon, lace trimmed, 2 open necked, one embroidered nansouk, the other richly decorated silk chiffon.

4 hemmed handkerchiefs with numbers

2 embroidered handkerchiefs

2 stiff plain collars

2 embroidered collars

1 application collar

1 pair of sleeves to match the application collar

2 pairs of stiff, solid color sleeves

2 pairs of embroidered sleeves

4 pairs of stockings, 2 white, 1 red and 1 with open work.

1 dress hat with flowers and lace

2 simpler hats, one morning hat in embroidered nansouk, trimmed with lace, another in chiffon with ribbons

2 head scarves, one blonde with ribbons, the other black lace

1 pair of velvet slippers for winter

1 pair leather mules for summer

1 pair dancing slippers

1 pair of ankle boots with elastics

1 pair of Russian boots

2 night dresses

1 elegant coloured cashmere jacket

2 striped of plain fabric pea jacket for cool weather

1 hooded cape

1 crocheted fichu

1 Foulard silk Russian blouse

2 cloaks, one in richly decorated velvet, the other in black silk

1 large white, blue or red cloak with a hood, decorated with point lace, for carriage travel or leaving a ball

2 pairs of gloves, one white, one dark shade

1 pair of mittens

1 round hat for travel

1 cap, toque, or lady’s hunt hat for country use or simple dress occasions.

1 closed hat in tulle or straw for fancy dress

1 velvet hat or felt hat for winter

2 hats, 1 evening and 1 ball style

7 dresses. Dressing gown, house dress, travel dress, demi toilette dress, silk dress for fancy dress, chiffon or rich light fabric for small evening, ceremonial dinners, concerts or balls

1 hair net in soutache or chenille, for at home use

1 ‘in any case’ all weather clothing

1 parasol

2 fur coats, muff and fur tippet

2 aprons, 1 in black silk and 1 garden apron in off white fabric

2 veils, 1 large white tulle viel and 1 black lace small mask veil

1 set of jewelry in fine pearl or coral, matching earrings, pin watch, bracelets.