Of Dolls

Monday, September 26, 2022

Witches! (And cats)

September is almost over, Autumn is here, and that means it is time to decorate for Halloween.

I seems like I definitely have a preference for witches and cats.

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Re-Ment Table Gifts 2022

I had time this past week to open up 2 Re-Ment sets that I received as table gifts at the convention.

The first is a tiny log chopping set. Kenshin is posing with the miniatures to show what scale they are in.

The set includes a carrying basket filled with burnt wood/charcoal, a sickle, an ax, a wood round, and 2 pieces of a split log.

The other set I received is a really cute concept.

"My Own Cooking"

The title is misleading, the karaage is store bought, but then dressed up to look like it was homemade. LOL I'm pretty sure lots of us have done something like that at least once.

The set includes a plate of karaage with sauce, chopsticks,

a container of sauce with a lid (looks just like Gladware),

a grocery or convenience store package of karaage,

And an almost empty bottle of Kewpie Mayo.

These are a welcome addition to my Re-Ment collection.

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Album of Americana - Barbara Fritchie Doll

One of the two items I purchased at the UFDC Convention is an Album of Americana doll, Barbara Fritchie.

The box has some minor damage, but with a little tape should display well.

According to the box, she is Series 1, Vol. 5. Some of the other dolls from the line are: Molly Pitcher, Martha Washington, Betsy Ross, Mary Todd Lincoln, Dolley Madison, Clara Barton, and Priscilla Alden.

On the inside of the lid, an illustration of Barbara Fritchie is displayed next to a blurb about Barbara Fritchie.

Barbara Fritchie is a local icon in Frederick, MD, the town that I currently reside in. Her home, out of which she (supposedly) stuck her head out of the window, waving her U.S. flag and shouting at the confederates passing by is a historical landmark in town, and I was lucky enough to tour it when it was still open.

The doll itself, produced by Plastic Molded Arts Co, in New York in the 1950s, is a rather plain doll, of the plastic dress-me style of dolls.

As simple and ordinary as the doll is, the packaging and story is a nice addition of local history to display in my home library.

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis - Timeless Treasures: Day 5

Day 5 - Saturday

I was up nice and early to help set up and work the Helper Drawings. It is always nice to hear people cheering when they or a friend win a coveted item. I won two items from the drawings: a Robin Woods Alice in Wonderland doll and accessories in trunk,

and a Zwergnase doll.

After putting away my items, I worked the Mini-Offices last shift - 10AM-12PM.

I again ate a quiet lunch in my room, this time leftover Chinese food from the night before, packed as much as I could in my suitcases, and rested.

Kelsey and I dressed up for the final event.

And then we headed down to the cash bar cocktail hour and the final banquet.

The centerpiece was a simple tri-fold that mentioned this year's theme and led us into next year's theme.

My roommates Little Fox doll joined Kelsey at the table.

Table mates were generous with table gifts.

During the dinner, we were entertained first by a barbershop quartet, and then a video of convention goings on set to music.

At the end of the evening, souvenir dolls were passed out to those who had pre-ordered them, and we opened them all together.

The doll is Lena Sutherland by Jennie Sykes.

After oohing and aahing, it was time to say our final farewells to friends and head to bed, especially since our ride to take us to the airport was scheduled to pick us up at 5AM.

Sunday, August 14, 2022

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis - Timeless Treasures: Day 4

Day 4 - Friday

The day started with the Annual Business Meeting. The officers gave their reports, things were voted on, and the location for next year's convention was announced. The 2023 UFDC Convention will be held in Bellevue, Washington (just outside of Seattle). The crowd was very excited.

I had another quiet lunch in the hotel room, and then headed down to check out the Publisher's Preview. I was able to purchase Goldie Wilson's new book! Then onto see the end of a program: From Daydreams to Dollhouses - A Young Collector's Journey by Christopher Aleman.

I took advantage of my mostly empty afternoon to head back to the competition room to take a thorough look at the entries and get some photos of my favorites.