I've loved hearing about dolls from some of you, my readers, I hope others may show pictures of some of their treasures if they have them.
Quick post today, I get to go to Betsy's house after lunch and meet her new granddaughter *VBS* See you later!
With the wonders of our modern age, not only memories can span the miles and years...pictures can too. This lovely Christmas Day portrait of DD#1 and her little family came zipping across the miles last evening. And a couple pictures of that DGD opening my gift to her. She wasn't with her Dad and my DD on Monday, they got to pick her up on Tuesday morning *VBS*. She's 16 now and getting to be quite the beauty.
Since my doll pictures and memories touched a soft spot for many of you, I'm going to give you a BIG grin *VBG* and a few more. This little darling is Sparkle Plenty, the baby daughter of Dick Tracy. She came to my house on Christmas of 1947, along with a stuffed Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Both were special to me, but alas, they met the fate of my other toys. Sparkle Plenty was made with a new "magic" skin, which turned out to be a disaster. It blacked and got hard over the years. It's rare to find a doll that still looks this good. This is an eBay photo. I didn't bid on the doll, but was delighted to find a picture of her.
Another Ebay photo, and more dolls that I couldn't possibly afford. I recieved the one in the back row, dressed in a blue fleece snowsuit in 1945. "He" was my most favorite doll ever, I think. The dolls had a simulated 'real' hair, and it was called "caracul". I have a couple more ebay pictures of them, but the dolls are hard to find and went well over $200. I'm happy to have found pictures.
These little darlings look like toddlers. They are the "Kissy" doll from 1961-1965. My youngest sister got one for Christmas in 1961. I've had hers for years and years, altho NOT in the original clothes. A few years back, in a moment of foolish weakness, I decided to 'collect' Kissy dolls. Trust me...not a wise move for someone in limited house space. They wear size 12-24 months clothes, and take up more room than you'd imagine. I quit with about 25. I have several in original boxes, and original clothes. They came in s variety of outfits, and are NOT hard to find on ebay. They also came in a 16" size, altho I collect the larger ones. They are moderately priced. They were made by Mattel, but only for 4 years.
And last but not least, this little cutie is "Baby Small Talk". My Dad gave DD#1 a doll just like this one for Christmas the year she was one..1968. Apparently HE really liked the doll because he gave her another one(exactly the same) for her second birthday....LOL. They got passed along to relatives, but I've purchased two more on Ebay, and for now, they live on my dresser.
This very faded picture from 1946 is a window into a sad Christmas past. My baby brother had been born and died in December of 1945. It didn't stop Christmas from coming...and also a baby from the WI Welfare Dept. for my Mom to take care of . They took the baby away in mid December of 1946, as a new baby was due to be born at our house in 1947. There were presents under the tree for me, but not much visibility of parents. A quiet and lonely Christmas. The doll in the picture is a Candy Kid, made by the Effenbee Co in 1946. I got one dressed in pink that Christmas and another dressed in blue for my birthday the Oct. of 1947.
This is an original Candy Kid doll, the picture is from Ebay. I didn't win that auction, but I kept the picture.The original dolls were composition material, and didn't hold up well over the years. They chipped very badly. IF you can find one to bid on,it will be very expensive.
This is a reproduction Candy Kid doll. The company used the original molds(but cast the doll in a resin type material)in 1996 and produced a limited edition for the 50 year anniversary. I bid on and won a doll dressed in pink, and another in an original(reproduction) box. This one(in blue)isn't mine, but another picture from Ebay. I'm sad that I don't have my original dolls, the 2 Candy Kids and others from over the years. My Mom decided they should go to needy families. I was not consulted before hand, and it's too late once the toy is in the hands of another child.
This was our tree from Christmas, 1951. I know that because I had turned 11 in Oct and was getting too big for dolls. But Santa brought me one anyway...a blond one for me, a dark haired one for my 4 yr old sister. Our baby sister was 6 months at Christmas. I have a Kodak picture of the 3 of us, on the couch, with the 2 large dolls.
And this one is probably 1953...I don't remember much detail about most childhood Christmases...just a glimspe here and there.
We are sisters...but devotion wasn't part of the picture, in any sense of the word. I was almost 7 when my middle sister was born, in 1947. I don't remember welcoming her with open arms. By 1951, when sister #2 came along, I was nearly 11 and DEFINITELY did NOT want another sister(or brother for that matter. Much falls to us oldest daughters...too much in my opinion.
Being so much older, I was grown and out of the home while my middle sister was in the early grades. My youngest sister was 7 when I married. I had little to no part of their growing up. That probably explains alot. Or maybe I wasn't a natural born caregiver.
And since a post just isn't hardly a post without a picture....this one will have to do! We've got a fun new blog over at Sew Prim Khris...an Aussie gal who want to do it ALL! Welcome to blogland Khris! Her blog was bigger but she somehow lost part of it in a flying-finger deleting session. I had almost NO computer time since late last week, so please forgive me if I haven't been by to see what you are up to.....I probably won't have much time until after the 23rd. That is OUR family gathering....and then the kids and partners scatter to the four winds for other celebrations.
Betsy and her brand new granddaughter, R.
First impressions are soooo important..hey, what's with that bright light?
And today, on Dec. 15th, this sweet little DS#2 turned 34...my how time flies! Hope you're having cake today J *VBS*
This is the quilt I made back in the mid 1980's using the 4 patch variation block I showed in Saturday's post. My friend Carol was doing it in plaid shirts fabric, I used scraps. ALL the pieces were template traced, and scissor cut. Took a few evenings *VBS* It's machine pieced and hand quilted 1/4" from each seam.
Part of THE LOOT: Yesterday was a FULL day of shopping with friend Jean. It's such a great help when she drives us. And I can buy more than I would alone, because she always helps me carry everything inside! A portion of what I need for 9 grandsons....LOL. I see wrapping in my future...*VBS*
And still more loot to wrap.. a few little girly things and some stocking stuffers beginning to pile up! Wish me luck!!! Ebby is just sleeping through it all, lucky cat!
And my "last-but-not-least" picture for today is quilty!!! A friend's PLAID SHIRTS quilt top, in progress. This was to be a memory quilt for a SIL. The gal's brother had died of cancer, and she took his shirts and made this quilt for his widow. I love that particular block, which is known as a 'four patch variation'. I've done one double bed size quilt of it, in scraps. I think it would also look great in Christmas fabrics. How is everyone coming on their holiday sewing???? Happy Weekend one and all!
Many of you are familiar with the story about the journey that brought Ebony to my home to live. You know she's an older cat, that I'm her 3rd home, and that she's extremely fearful of everything. A sense of security has been established in the year+ she has lived here, but it's only a drop in the bucket compared to what life should be for her. ***BUT***mark the calendar!! December 5th was a RED LETTER DAY!! A BIG B for bravery, and an A+ for effort and a gold star for success.
Gosh, could it be my fault?? I put my "I love snow" snowman by the front door...*VBS* Naw, couldn't be that...
And with December it's time for Frosty. Mine is immune to melting...a bird feeder that the birds don't recognize or accept...oh well, he looks cute on the chair.
Snow means time to get out the old sled. An early 1940's version...very much a one person sled. I spent many, many happy hours on one just like this. A block from my house was the most wonderful sliding hill. The city thought so too, and every winter they blocked off the top and bottom with saw horses and put the old kerosene burning 'pots' at each end of the saw horses. The pots burned brightly in on cold winter nights from early December til the thaw in spring. The hill,you see, was a side street in a quiet neighborhood. Traffic was deferred a block to main street. Kids by the dozens gathered after suppper on cold winter nights to slid and play, warmed by mittons, stocking caps and zip up or buckle boots, heavy snow pants of dark wool, and layers of sweaters under their jackets. We were so well insulated from the cold that the snow clung to our jackets and pants and didn't melt but needed to be brushed away. Our noses got drippy, our eyes watered from the wind and cold, and our cheeks were rosy! It was the grandest of times, that innocent social interaction between boys and girls, neighorhood friends and cousins. We slid solo, or 2,3 or 4 on a sled, sometimes piled 3 or 4 high on our bellies. A topple off into the snow was always a possibility with double-deckers. Our laughter rang out in the cold, clear night, and off in the distance the churches played Christmas carols from their bell towers. It was truly a glorious time in my childhood. I have the very best memories of years and years of sliding on cold winter nights. By 9 p.m., most of us had to trudge home, happy, tired and ready for our jammies. And oh the sweet dreams a child had on nights such as that *VBS*
And of course, since I'm a 'last-but-not-least' mood lately, here is my newest treasure from last weeks thrift store adventure. I collect pitchers... I love cream pitchers(in all sizes) the best!! I got this adorable little guy for only .49!!! On the bottom it says Made in China(stick on tag) and is insized with "1/2 cup" and a pottery logo that I don't recognize. I have only a couple of the 'mouth' pitchers, which makes him all the more special. OK...dishes are done, laundry is washed and dried...now I can sew!!
It's pretty, you can make it in any size you'd like or have scraps to fit. It's a 16 patch with borders.
| You Are Thanksgiving |
![]() You are a bit of a homebody who enjoys being in the company of people you love. It doesn't take a lot to make you happy. You're enjoying life as it is. You have many blessings in your life, and you are grateful for each one. You believe that life is about what you *do* have. You feel like you have enough of the good stuff. What makes you celebrate: Family, friends, and the changing of the seasons. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The host of the party On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Spend so much energy preparing that it's a full time job |
I will be adding a border strip to each end..probably a 4.5" strip, and not the green plaid I had thought I might use. It's just too different.
And last, but NOT least, here is my adorable new gingerbread man from Julie Q *VBS* She sent me the blue fabrics (right behind him)also. They are 'sample' cuts, definitely WINTER...one has snowflakes, two are blue blenders, and one has mittons and hats, the other(and my favorite) with long red underwear and other winter garments ...LOL I've been browsing my books, looking for a little quilt to make using them. Thanks again Julie!! You made my day!
The wreath is up and the door is unlatched...please do come for a cup of Christmas Tea *VBS* This is all the decorating I will do for awhile, but I iike to kick the month off on the 'right' foot!