Vintage Wooden Doll Crib

This weekend, I helped friends move from one house to another. As a thank you gifts, I was given a vintage wooden doll crib.

This crib is larger than the doll crib I had as a child in the 1970s, and is all wood - no particle board in sight. The sides do not go up and down and the crib has wheels, so I am thinking this might be from the 50s. It also has a cute applique of rabbits on one end - I will see about getting a pic of it later.

Horsman Thirstee Walker looks on as some of the younger babies try out the new crib.

Vogue Ginny Baby, Ideal Rub-A-Dub Dolly,

Eugene "Not Suzy", and Kay Sam 4476.

I look forward to incorporating this fabulous crib into my doll displays.

A Parade of Black Dolls

The most fun, non-stressful, affordable, low-key doll event of the year in Maryland, is The Chesapeake Doll Clubs annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day luncheon. This years theme was "A Parade of Black Dolls".

The guest speaker gave an informative talk on black artist dolls. Besides a slideshow, there were also two tables of the dolls, so attendees could see them up-close and in person.

The Chesapeake Doll Club also had a display of black dolls from the 1960s until today.

I love the Rub-A-Dub Dolly holding the sign.

Lunch was sandwiches, chips, dill pickles, and potluck desserts, which, really, is more than enough food.

There were lots of doll competition categories. My Jada doll did not get a ribbon in the black child doll category, but my Caribbean doll got 3rd place in the black doll dressed in ethnic costume category.

At the end of the event, the raffle were held. I was extremely lucky. I won a Horsman Thirstee Walker,

 Some Barbie dolls,

2 Lil' Imp dolls,

And one of the three special helpers, an Adelaide's Friends doll by Goldie Wilson, a centerpiece doll from the "Circle of Friends" event at the 2016 UFDC Convention in Washington, D.C.

Wow!

The luncheon was a great way to get together with old friends, meet new friends, and learn so much about dolls.

Maryland, A Merry Land : UFDC Region 11 Conference - Day 3

On Saturday, I rushed down to the competition room to retrieve my dolls from competition and then hurried to my morning workshop, A High-heeled Sandra Sue With Her Summer Wardrobe, taught by Margaret Kincaid.

Each participant received a high-heeled Sandra Sue doll, a book about Sandra Sue, shoes, instructions, and all the materials needed to create a dress, hat, and shrug for the doll.

The instructor gave a brief history of Sandra Sue and showed us how to assemble the outfit.

There was not time in the class to complete the shrug, but most were able to finish the rest of the outfit in the time allotted.

I think it turned out quite well.

Immediately after the workshop, was the ticketed luncheon, A Taste of Maryland.

The centerpiece was filled with food and drinks from Maryland and a cute companion doll by Lutsdoll. 

My travel doll, Licca, and Zoe from the Helen Kish event, came to lunch with me, since they wanted to meet new friends.

Lunch itself was a taste of Maryland, with delicious Blue crab crab cakes and Smith Island Cake for dessert.

The souvenir doll was a cute, little Lutsdoll dressed in a red and white outfit decorated with an embroidered crab. Totally kawaii.

Afterwards, I had time to relax in my room and pre-pack my bags, so I would be ready to check out the next morning. 

And then, finally, it was time for the big event, the Black-eyed Susan Ball.

The tables were covered in table gifts and lovely bouquets of Black-eyed Susans, the state flower.

Entertainment was a 1950s themed dance troupe who showed off many of the dances of the day.

Then the audience was invited onto the dance floor to boogie the night away.

It was great seeing everyone out on the floor, and dancing until we were about to drop.

After everyone returned to their tables, the souvenir dolls were handed out.

Meet Merry, by Dianna Effner.

Back in the room for the night, Merry met the other dolls from the conference.

There were other ticket events, workshops, seminars, and programs I did not get to attend, since there is always so much to do at Regionals and Conventions, that one must pick and choose. I hope my little glimpse of the UFDC Region 11 Conference was informative and entertaining.

UFDC 68th Annual Convention, 2017 - Orlando, FL: Part 4

Friday was the UFDC business meeting, Public Day, Artist Showcase, and Publisher's Showcase. Elizabeth Cooper was one of the artists there. Her The Marchers collection was adorable.

Licca and I volunteered in the Mini Office for a few hours. Together we earned my volunteer pin for the con.

That evening I gathered my dolls from the competitive exhibit and took my last walks through the Helper Room and the Special Exhibits.

 I was able to get some good photos of the Toy Shop Windows Through the Eyes of a Child exhibit.

This was my favorite Special Exhibit at the convention.