And The Winner IS

Congratulations SETexasMama - Please contact me within 48 hours so that I can get your Raggedy Ann and Andy sent to you... Sincerely ♥Rachel

Valentine's Day Gift

On February 14,1976 I received a

Special Gift

, the birth of my daughter Valery Lea. She was a surprise since I had another 3 months to go before my due date. I went into the hospital very early that morning hoping that it was just the swine flu that was going around that caused me to be having early contractions doctor said no way to stop them that the baby was going to come. I prayed dearly knowing that this was not good hoping that my prayers would be answered for a healthy surviving child. During these years we really did not know for sure what the sex of the child would be so as my daughter was being born I just prayed. She was rushed from me taken straight into intensive care and then without hestitation the decision was that she would go to Children's Hospital, San Diego,CA. I got to see my daughter for a very short time, the name I decided was Valery, because she was born on Valentine's Day. Valery weighed 1 1/2 pounds and 19 inches long. I looked at her this fragile baby girl covered in white fuzz, long gangle legs and arms with no hair. The doctors told me that it was a miracle that she was alive and not to hope for the best. Those doctors did not know my strong belief in God nor my little daughter's will to live. I remember laying in the hospital bed with one visitor, my Dad bringing me a box of Valentine Day candy. This was the only memory I have of that night because that moment on I only concentrated on being with Valery, who now was being transported to Children's Hospital. I traveled everyday about 30 minutes away from my home to go see her in the incubator lying so peaceful. She received feedings every hour and my only contact with her was through the glass. I stroke her bald head, touched her so tiny fingers and spoke to her letting her know that her Mama was there with her praying that she would get stronger to come home. This went on for about 3 months I became close friends with all the nurses and doctors on the floor for Neo-Natal. They always let me sleep on the couch in the waiting room, made sure I ate and just allowed me to be a mother to my child in the best I could be through a glass dome. The doctors never really had much hope but in April they made the decision to let Valery go home. She now weighed over 4 pounds with lots of complications but she was going home with me. I was lucky my mother helped me for the first few months when Valery went home. I stayed with her so that I could have someone to help me with Valery's feedings. I had to feed her every hour 1 to 2 tablespoons of formula. The first ones we tried Valery had a bad reaction to- her stomach had not developed enough finally after several types of formula soy based was the only thing Valery could tolerate. My mother made doll clothes for Valery since nothing at the stores were for premies at this time. Each day she got stronger and stronger. The first year of Valery's life it was a slow process learning what foods she could tolerate, taking care of her hernia in the belly button area, and hoping she would just grow. Valery's one year check up the doctors were amazed at her growth and how she was at normal levels for her age group. I never had a doubt and Valery made sure we succeeded. I want to tell you that my little daughter exceeded all expectations. She was a straight A student, grew to be almost 6 feet and never was anything of a weakling. She did have more than her share of colds, and always seemed to catch anything odd going around but other than that Valery made it. Valery grew up to be a wonderful person and Mom, now married has 4 children of her own not one of them being a premie. We did worry about this since it does run in the family, my uncle on my Dad's side was a premie and one of my sister's was a premie, guess that is why my Mom was so helpful when her first grandchild came into the world a premie. I am just so THANKFUL for my most wonderful Valentine's Day gift who could ask for anything more ♥

Raggedy Ann and Andy
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner to me these dolls just come to mind as a special symbol for this holiday. Did you know that Johnny Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, she had found an old hand-made rag doll, and he drew a face on it. From his bookshelf, he pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb Riley, and combined the names of two poems, “The Raggedy Man” and “Little Orphant Annie.” He said, “Why don’t we call her Raggedy Ann.”
Johnny Gruelle, children's book writer and illustrator, inventor the Raggedy Ann doll in 1915. In 1920 Raggedy Andy, her brother was born, and the two starred in many of Gruelle's children's stories. The dolls were very popular during the Depression and World War II. Marcella, Johnny Gruelle’s daughter, died at age 13 with the legend being told that he worked on the stories to keep his daughter’s memory alive.
I have included a picture which is to be the very first Raggedy Ann that can be found in the The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy museum opened to the public in May of 1999, in Arcola,Il. The museum was officially closed 2008 in Arcola. Marcella’s Corner Gift Shop has moved to Rockome. Here is the website http://www.raggedyann-museum.org/exhibits.html to see the works of Johnny Gruelle, which you have to check out truly inspirational and heart warming.
My love for these dolls has inspired me to create all the different versions. I have included them on my web site for sale. The primitive Ann & Andy are sold as a set. At this time, I have made only two different styles but as I researched, I found that the old patterns from McCall’s 1940 may be available- if this is the case, I will be making that one also.
My mother, who just passed away over a year ago, had a wonderful collection herself . She loved to thrift store shop and here she would find “Raggedy Ann and Andy’s” . These sit in the playroom for the grandchildren to play with but soon will be completing for them their very own “Raggedy Ann” with a special message on her chest. – Red wool heart containing the words “nana loves you.”
To celebrate my Mom and her life I am having a giveaway for the pair- Raggedy Ann and Andy.
The instructions are simple to enter. You need to leave one comment for each item you complete per entry.

1) Follow my blog
2) Write a blog post about my giveaway
3) Go to my web site and sign up for my newsletter
4) Like me on Facebook for Our Creative Hands
5) Post my giveaway on your Facebook

On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2011 the winner will be selected using Random.com.

I wish you all good luck and especially hope that my Raggedy Ann and Andy
Dolls make you smile as they do me.