Doll Triage

Ah, Friday. This was quite a week, and quite a day for weird anniversaries. Today, ten years ago, my little dog Smokie passed away, and three years ago, my cousin, who was a well known professor,poet, and a lawyer [!] died suddenly after graduation. He and I got along really well; I think he was the only one in the family who understood me. That same day, one of my wacky neighbors, who wanted my back yard ravine via adverse possession, stuck nasty letters in my door, and it's my mother in-law's birthday. You'd think that would be enough, but, no.

My other wacky neighbor verbally assaulted me, and physically assaulted my car, with me in it, yes, today! Her kids got caught doing things in my yard they shouldn't, and vandalizing my basement windows. It's been a long, neighborhood-wide problem, but tonight I heard about how awful I am for not wanting my house trespassed and everything in my yard destroyed. She would have made desparate housewives proud, and she did it in front of her oldest kid. Her husband is in the same business I'm in, and he's been following me around, at work, at church, in clubs and organizations, for years. But, he doesn't have my experience, or anything else, so she's jealous. I'm still reeling, and sick. I always thought she looked like Barbie on acid, and now she behaved like it. So, it's either get really sick, give in to the headache and insomnia, or, blog!

Back to dolls, our favorite, and happier subject. I confess to escaping over lunch yesterday when it was finally nice, and going to my local Goodwill and Discovery Shops. I like to look around there and buy things when I can because I really think it helps people. I feel the same way about the Salvation Army, and I like to give things to these organizations, too. I found all sorts of neat things, and even left some!
I found a Dancerina in good condition, pink tutu intact. There was a small ethnic doll of turned wood, probably from Poland, and two tiny English toby jugs representing Shakespeare. I found a small Italian doll with her original brown granny dress, and a Bradley silk stockinette doll with its original label. There were some very old figurines and enamels that came home with me, some nice beads made out of rolled paper, and some silk embroidered slip-on shoes for me, never worn. These were brown silk embroidered with beads.

At The Discovery Shop, I found two pioneer style rag dolls made from Sew Sweet patterns in the 70s or 80s in perfect shape. Because they had buttons on them, they were half price. I found a hand made rabbit, all plush with a beautiful dress for $12.00, with its original price tag of $159.00 still attached. I also found a cat mermaid pin, and a vintage trumpet, etched, for my husband and 11 year old to play with. Both men enjoy music and instruments, and this was a good find, with its original case.

There were many lovely items of clothing, and I found two jackets, both embroidered. My favorite is white, with tiny flower fairies embroidered all over it. I have a wonderful book on resale shops, thrift shops, and antiques which reviews stores all over the US, UK, and Australia. It is very nice. I wasn't feeling well one day and stumbled into the book store to find a medical book so I could read symptoms. Never do that! I got so depressed, I turned to the antique books, and found the one on the resale shops. I felt much better reading that!

Doll Castle News had some great articles again, too. They featured Ruth Gibbs dolls and Nancy Ann Storybook dolls, which was great. There were some great dolls to identify as well, and very nice Gibbs paper dolls. This is a family run periodical that is very informative, but somehow homey. When I read the family clips, or the old issues where the founder and mother of the clan was still alive and writing, I fell as if it is my own mother writing. I hope they keep at it for many, many years!

Still recovering and unpacking dolls that had weather related disasters last year. I vowed to save even the most hopeless, even when I had to throw out many other things. Sunlight, woolite, febreze, and even windex with ammonia can still do wonders, as can an old toothbrush that can be washed and used as a scrubbing tool.

I just finished Monster in Miniature as well, and I have to say Margaret Grace has done it again! This time, she combines two of my favorite things, miniatures and Halloween. I can't wait to try her glue ghosts. Till next time, Happy Dolling, and have a good weekend.