Grace and Dolly Dingle Over the Rainbow

Sunday mornings have always been a special and quiet time for me.  Whether I'm at the lake with my dog enjoying the fresh morning air, or spending the early hours of the day in pajamas sipping tea and padding around the house, they are times of dreams and plans.  As I sit here writing this journal entry, my mind goes back to my childhood, where every spring, a televised version of The Wizard of Oz would play.  Like clockwork, Easter would be on the horizon, and The Wizard of Oz would come to television, and it was a family affair.  We'd all gather round the television set, thoroughly enchanted by the story, the music and the technicolor, for which, in part, the movie was made famous.  It was expected that we would all sing along with the songs as we all knew the words and no one thought a thing about it.  Well, maybe my brother didn't, but this is a child's memory, and sometimes, as innocently interpreted, they are the best.  

I was just about bowled over with delight when April's Club Grace box arrived from Rachel Hoffman of Turn of the Century Antiques, and the theme was The Wizard of Oz.  If there's one thing Rachel does that endears me to her, she knows how to play and tug at the heartstrings of childhood.  And, Diana Vining follows up with her outstanding illustrations - the ones that have inspired me to continue to sew for Grace and now Dolly Dingle.  They are joyful!  Both women and their talents.  Joyful.  

The Club Grace box included a romper for Grace in large scale blue gingham, made by Ruby Red Galleria, which was a copy of Rachel's own outfit.  I learned that when she wore it on video, she also wore red "slippers" and fancied up a modern take on Dorothy.  The gift box came with a story card of Dolly being in the play, The Wizard of Oz, and how Grace encouraged her to perform.  Diana Vining gave us paper toys in the form of a Grace paper doll wearing the outfit, a paper puppet of Dolly in her Dorothy outfit, and cut-out and assemble basket with Toto (too).

Also inside, were stickers and cards, chocolates, a rainbow lollipop, and a large Oz cloth photo sheet for taking pictures of your dolls in.  It was folded and needs steaming so I haven't included a photo, but its gorgeous and so appreciated.  You could even hang it on the wall like a poster if you wished.

As I may have mentioned, my intent, currently, is to only sew for Dolly Dingle, outfits that correspond with the Club Grace ones for Grace.  I'd originally planned the Dorothy costume for her, but when Diana drew Dolly in a shorty romper for an updated logo (see bottom of page), I knew I had to make this one instead.  These outfits for Grace and Dolly are equally darling for spring picnics.  I bought Grace the blue gingham shoes to go with the outfit, but red heels, or ruby slippers, are coming when the stock arrives.  When they do, I'll use the back drop to photograph the girls and Remmie Lou with her gingham bows.  One nice thing about wire armature in needle felted dolls is that you can pose them.  So Remmie Lou is sitting in a typical doggy pose for these photos.

When The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was penned by Frank L. Baum in 1900 (yes, 121 years ago!), and was illustrated by W.W. Denslow, it was quite a different story.  For those of you who have never read the story, its almost comes as a shock to learn how very different it truly is from Hollywood's version.  I won't ruin it for you, but it was quite a bit darker with trials and traumas typical of fairy stories of the time.  Dorothy wore silver slippers and her head was covered by a pink poke bonnet.  Both Charles Santore (1997), and Maraja (sometime in the 1950's is my guess), illustrated wonderful interpretations of the original story.  I have both beautiful volumes, with an especially nice copy of Maraja's - one of my favorite illustrators of all time.  The reason ruby slippers were introduced to the story by Hollywood, was for the technicolor reasons.  They showed up better!  I love both versions, and one is not any richer than the other.

When I attended the 57th National UFDC Convention, Rosemarie Ionker created a playset with Riley as Dorothy from the original book. I may have been one of the few attending the luncheon to mention the pink bonnet to Rosemarie, and when I did, she reached into her pocket and pulled out one perfect little pink bonnet and gave it to me.  I can't tell you how much this meant to me.  I have treasured this set ever since.  (see below for a photo)

So, yes, The Wizard of Oz continues to, and remains, one of my favorite themes or stories since childhood.  Sometimes I have to pull my head out of historical accuracy and live outside the box to appreciate re-imagined things, but Rachel and Diana do a wonderful job of encouraging me along. 

Dolly's little outfit went together without a hitch.  I hardly even used patterns for this one.  My mind has been elsewhere, as I've been working on my art doll project, which I will not hurry along, but will take the time away from it for Club Grace.  She might be done by the end of the month.  And, I have a new Alice project to create after that. 

This little romper has a halter top, waistband, and shorty-shorts attached to the waistband.  I had the blue gingham left over from making Grace's "Mary Ann" outfit from last summer's Summer Fling.  I am so aching for Diana to make another paper doll set for Grace like that one was.  I have such fond memories of creating those outfits for Grace.  And, yes, there's the 12 Days, too.

Dolly also wears red sandals in the illustration and a hairband of red with a blue gingham bow on it.  The little sandals have tiny bows on the front.  These were fun to make, and went together as easily as the romper.  I think this happened, in part, because I wasn't over thinking the process.

For Grace, since her outfit was already made, I created a pair of emerald "city" earrings for her.  I had these jewels from when I was thinking of making Renaissance princess doll costuming.  Never happened, but then I only create what inspires me at the time.

From a saved off file of the Dolly Dingle paper toy, I made a very tiny one for Dolly that is only 2 12" tall.  I sewed the limbs to the paper dolly using tiny gold brass beads as mini-brads.  Then I hooked her tiny basket with Toto onto her hand.  She's not very poseable having been sewn, but the effect is perfect for miniature.

With my girls dressed and posed, I can now get back to my art doll project, but the best is that I can enjoy them on my shelf for April.  

Below is a version of Dorothy by Madame Alexander for a playset.  I can appreciate this so much more now that I've created Dolly Dingle's romper.  Also, I've added some magical moments from the Judy Garland movie, and as mentioned earlier, a copy of the VDC logo from which Dolly's outfit was made.

I just ordered a copy of the movie in Blu-Ray off Amazon.  My copy was a very old VHS, and I think my husband and I will enjoy watching it again.  I hope.  He may not.  He hates musicals, but who doesn't love The Wizard of Oz?

Time to enjoy your own emerald green lawns and springtime poppies!  My very best wishes to you always.

Love,

Melissa