Little Red Riding Hood

Welcome September!  The first month of the 'bers.  My very favorite time of year.  This turn of the calendar evokes memories of the first days of school.  A new grade, new teachers, new things to learn and a few new dresses made by my grandmother (that looked nothing like the ones the girls wore, which were store bought).  My summers would pass slowly as my mother insisted sending her introverted daughter to things like day camp, girl scouts, a Singer sewing class that was a disaster, and later, summer school just to get me out of the house.  Excitement built as I counted off the days to my birthday, then Halloween, and so on.  It was only until the bleakness of January sank in that summer became something to look forward to.

I still feel a renewal each September the first.  And while logically it has no bearing on anything tangible, it launches a wave of creativity, sentimentality, and a craving for colorful trees, whether they be golden aspens, or darkly green forests

like the one Little Red Riding Hood took off through to deliver a picnic to her beloved grandmother who was ill.  This month I've been celebrating the charms, perils and mysteries of my first favorite fairytale.  One of the few books that my mother either gave to me, or had simply bought for my older siblings, was The Little Golden Book version of Little Red Riding Hood, copywrite 1948.  I was fascinated with the illustrations even before I could read.  This apple cheeked little girl tying the cord of her newly sewn red cape is from this book that was illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones.  I think perhaps this could have started a lifetime passion for Red and her story.

For years it was believed that the fairytale originated in France in the 17th century, but the story has been told in various renditions for more than 2,600 years.   As with most folklore, the tales traveled by trade routes, or migrations of peoples, the storyline changing to suit various cultures and times.  Some scholars believe stories such as this were created to help 

people navigate difficult times throughout the generations.  In the Chinese version, the "wolf" is a tiger.  In Iran, Red was a boy, as girls would not be allowed to "roam" alone.  The Grimm Brothers book was a selection of fairytales collected from the world over and compiled them into one volume.  My mother carried with her to the west, my grandmother's copies of The Red Fairy Book and The Blue Fairy Book.  I do not know what happened to these crumbling books - they were crumbling when I first saw them - but, I'll bet my sister might have an idea. 

Childhood gone, I was 17 years old when I first laid eyes on Trina Schart-Hymen's version of Snow White, published in 1974.  I did not hesitate to purchase a copy, and my mother would much later gift me a copy of Trina's Little Red Riding Hood for Christmas in 1985.  

My inspirations and passions for specific icons come and go like the seasons of the year, but Red and Alice always remain, even if they are undercurrents to some novelty that has popped into my head.  So for September, and to celebrate the beginning of the 'bers, I've dedicated this month to Little Red Riding Hood.  I've been sharing illustrations and dolls I own, along with vintage toys and paper dolls on Facebook.  And, after acquiring a Maggie Iacono doll with a hole in the felt of her leg, for a darned good price, I decided to make another Red so I could play this month.

I actually attempted to mend the hole, even though it would be hidden beneath a full skirt and red tights.  Now that I had a good pattern for tights, this would allow me to cover the doll's bottom without elaborate undergarments.  Not that I won't make them if necessary, but the tights are a wonderful transition for me.

Before I began work on Red, I spent a couple of weeks working on a doll that's to be a Christmas present.  This in itself got me back 

into the swing of sitting in my studio designing, and working at the sewing machine changing threads often as needed.  

I began with red tights.  Many of the illustrations I've collected showed Red in red stockings and I loved this.  The rest of the outfit would be built around it.  The next thing I made was a blouse, as I've come to enjoy working on the layering from the bottom up.  A pinstripe blouse in yellow and white would mellow the brightness of the red tights, and I really wanted more muted, subtle colors for the costuming.  

Thinking back to how Boneka and later, Lawton Doll Company, created their dresses, I wanted to make as few pieces as possible to avoid excessive bulk around the waist.  The skirt is one piece with two layers.  There's a ruffled half slip in a tiny print of red flowers and green spray with teeny dots of yellow flowers.  The skirt itself is a dark navy with a beautiful print of yellow and dark red flowers, blue forget-me-nots, and green leaves.  These two gathered pieces

were sewn into one waistband.  I found a pretty jacquard ribbon in beige and red muted tones to decorated the bottom edge of the skirt, picking up the colors in the ruffled underskirt.

The apron is a woven cotton of beige and brown stripes further muting the brightness of the dark navy print.  Why was this important to me?  Well, I was after a peasant look, or fairytale woodland look.  Red's mother would have sewn her outfit from whatever fabrics she had on hand, and most likely remnants from her own clothing.  The only fabric I purchased for this costume was the navy floral print, and I bought two, using this one as the favored.  It was also used in a border on the apron.

The color spot, the focus for the eye, was in the vest.  I've had on hand two large yards of this rose colored, woven plaid for ages.  The plaid lines are in dark red, light blue (picking up the forget-me-nots), and beige.  Its unbelievably fun to coordinate plaids and florals in similar hues.

The vest has four rose colored thread loops on each side for lacing the tie in front.  The tie is caramel colored Super-Suede, which is often used for embroidering into sweaters or needlework projects.  I love it for shoe laces, too.  Its getting harder to find now as the suppliers aren't sending stock.  I was lucky to get two cards when I ordered six!  One in black, and one in the caramel brown.  Super-Suede is a synthetic lacing, so sturdy.

Finally I was ready to sew the cape.  These might seem to be easy to make, but the drape on the doll is everything.  Often I will have to make a couple of mock ups to get just the right look.  The hood is another matter.  It may seem very large in the pattern, but if you intend on the doll wearing the hood up around her head, it must accommodate the wig she's wearing.

Red's cape was made in one of my precious, and very thin velveteens from the U.K.  Its a darker red, which is very elegant.  I considered lining it in red cotton as I did for the Father Tuck Red I created some years ago, but I wanted something different.  Also, I considered how a red lining in a red cape would look around the doll's head.  As I went through my fabric stash, I found this maroon print in the lightest lawn imaginable.  Its beautiful fabric.  It was a risk pairing the two fabrics, but it worked out beautifully.  The velveteen has the drape I wanted, and the lawn picks up the colors in the vest.  The different "reds" do not seem to clash.

You might be pressed to consider this a very "busy" costume, but personally, I find it blends very well.  Like a garden of flowers.

I chose a very curly, dark brunette, human hair wig for Red.  And, for the doll?  I retouched her eyes with watercolor pencils to give her brown eyes, then blushed her cheeks a bit more.

Earlier on, I made her a pair of black leather Mary Janes.  It continues to amaze me how long this doll's feet are.  But, she stands beautifully on them.

Finding bread and a bottle of wine was not going to happen, so I bought some Paperclay and sculpted them myself.  The bread is fashioned after a German loaf, and the bottle...well, it sits hidden in the basket, so let's not talk about how well it did or didn't come out.  Its green.  Its a wine bottle.  It works.  Her basket was hard to find, too.  Little baskets used to be plentiful, but nice ones need to be vintage, and no matter what rulers are put next to them, or descriptions in inches given, the actual basket, when it arrives, may not work for the doll.  So I'm accumulating a basket stash.  Just one of the reason I have so much clutter!  

I loved working on this project and for all intents and purposes, I made myself a birthday doll.  I'm tempted to make a brighter costume in pinks, with the red cape, for my Lawton 9" Mignonette.  She's been in her Bo-Peep costume for a few years now.  And, I'm also considering making a full costume set for the Three L's.  Louise would be Red, Laura, granny, and Lawrence, the woodsman.  How ambitious am I feeling?  I think Mignonette will get the costume, however should I create the set for the Three L's, my inspiration for Louise's costume will come from the bookmark of Little Red Cap, that I've included in the illustrations below.

I have so many wonderful illustrations of Little Red Riding Hood in my files.  All are favorites or I would not have saved them.  But, here, below, are a few I'd like to share.  If you love Little Red Riding Hood, look me up on Facebook (Melissa Hoover), and find my Home Page.  I'll continue sharing and celebrating Little Red Riding Hood throughout the month. 

Oh, one more thought.  I should have mentioned this earlier.  My version of the story is about the relationship between a girl and her wolf (her dog).  There is no "big bad wolf" in my story, only a hungry one that likes picnics.  Just a sharing of the love of hiking in the woods, picnics and unlikely friendships.  

Love, Melissa

Small porcelain trinket box.

American Girl Blaire

Liddle Red Riding Hiddle

Vintage front and back card.

Vintage wood block puzzle.

By Korean artist Na Young Wu

Little Red Cap bookmark

 

Grace and Dolly in Paris

Life is funny.  Especially for some of us creative types.  We'll go for months on end, racing against the clock on some creative bent, inspired to the max, an unstoppable force, then *poof*, nothing.  Its been that way for me for a couple of months now.  Thinking this over doesn't do any good either.  And, I guess for myself, if I'm not inspired, I'd rather read books that will take me places, follow my favorite characters in them, and collect for my favorite dolls.  And, that's what I've been doing.  Well, sure, I've made a few things here and there, but even the ideas I've had in the hopper have been shuffled into corners.  Is this what happens after knocking yourself out sewing for ten years?  Yes, almost to the very date, its been ten years.  At least I can say that I've got a pretty good handle on what I'm doing now, sewing wise.

The last two Club Grace months were completely uninspiring for me.  While some collectors raved over the two offerings, they did nothing for me at all.  Primarily, the outfits offered  

have allowed me to create complimentary clothing for Dolly Dingle, and that's where the fun's been at.  This little doll has such an odd little body that she's very difficult to design and sew for.  Which is a good thing because it stretches me.  Challenges me.

When August's Club Grace came in, I shook my head again, and wondered how this dress for Grace could possibly have anything to do with summer.  But, Grace's dress for August is a mini version of a dress Rachel Hoffman wore in Paris, and means something special to her.  It was a least something I could I felt I could work with to dress Dolly, so I did.  Diana Vining drew an adorable poodle paper doll for us to cut out and assemble, and the box came with some Barbie sized food items like a jar of Nutella, that Rachel tells us is a delicacy in Paris.  There was also a simple patisserie bag to cut out and assemble, so the accessories were well taken care of.  I wanted to play.  I wanted to get out of my sewing lull, especially since I needed to begin sewing gifts for the holidays.  So, Grace and Dolly in Paris. 

After some searching, I found a black cotton fabric with flowers the same hue as the roses in Grace's dress.  With the black stretch jersey I had on hand, and a silk ribbon, I could create something for Dolly.  I worked up a pattern for the top, the bodice, sewed the gathered skirt on, and realized I really needed something beneath the skirt, since I've never made under pants for Dolly, and loathe making under garments.  Tights.  Stockings!  Striped ones.  That's what I'd do!  I've made long stocking socks that would even go thigh high, but never a pair of real tights.  So I got online and looked up Free Tights Patterns for Dolls, and found one I could work with.  So here I was, learning something new after all.  

I gave a couple of whacks at the pattern, sizing it larger at the waist, doll bottom and front to crotch, and had a winner.  Indeed, as described, "perfect fitting tights".  They're made very similarly to a pair of pants, but on stretch jersey, so they are much smaller.  One trick to fitting them to a doll, is to sew up

one leg, put it on the doll and stretch the back and front over her middle to see if there needs adjustments to the pattern.  I was delighted with the results, and now..so long ever thinking about underpants because I can sew tights!

I chose to make a similar dress for Dolly as Grace's, omitting the huge silver zipper that goes up the back of the dress.  I've never understood the allure of this look, although some women just adore it.  And, that's okay.  I'm turning into an old lady at the age of 63 and 11 months!  Phooey on me, right?  

But, I love to play, and all the girls got light blue berets to emphasize the Paris theme.  Diana's Monsieur Murray, the poodle, is a kick!  And, Dolly carries the patisserie bag as well.  I made her bone colored Mary Janes to compliment Grace's tan heels.  These were a bear to make since I had to fashion them over the tights.  These shoes are larger because of this, and even though I sized the shoe pattern to make up for the bulk of the tights, they were still difficult.

So earlier in July, I'd finally purchased, a long sought after American Girl Grand Hotel.  I've been wanting one for Blaire since she's been traveling the world and all over the country for a few months now.  It suits as a doll house for her.  August was the month I chose to dress her in the AG Paris outfit, so the theme of Club Grace simply flowed.  My dear friend, Menno, gifted me the Service Tray for the Grand Hotel as an early birthday gift.  You can see it on her bed.  My "wiggle room" with the beach window scenes, is that there is a Grand Hotel in every popular tourist location, so while Blaire may be dressed in her Paris togs, she can travel to the coast of France in them.

Another thing I've been doing is feeding my passion for vintage Barbie clothing.  This should come as no surprise since I'd made up the reproduction Barbie's Dream House, which gave Barbie a permanent residence.  I finally, FINALLY acquired Outdoor Art Show, and in minty condition, too.  While the outfit is nothing to do somersaults over, its is rare, highly sought after, and is about art.  Ken, of course, needed some new togs to attend the outdoor art show with Barbie, so some followed close behind.

August has always signaled to me, the last days of summer.  I grew up in a time when the school year began the day after Labor Day, or roughly, September 3rd.  I had to allow Barbie and Ken to enjoy the outdoors a bit more, so I collected a barbeque party ensemble for them.  The rare, wiener on the fork that Ken is holding, actually belongs to Skipper's country picnic, which I collected to make a complete set of a few years back.  I found this cute little plastic Barbie barbeque grill, and set the grill and table with Barbie sized food items and tableware.  Could that be Dolly's Murray begging for a wiener?  No.  The poodle from Poodle Parade is Barbie's permanent pet in the Dream House.  I wish I could join them in their tasty cookout!

And, another favorite of mine to collect is Integrity's Poppy Parker.  I must have twenty Poppy Parkers including three of the male dolls.  I was fortunate to get in on the WClub this year, and the two premiere Poppy offerings were Sugar and Spice, a tribute to the 50's, and Ginger and Cinnamon, a holiday gift set featuring Ginger, Poppy's friend, with a record player, mug of cocoa, Christmas albums, and a fuzzy doggy.  Both these gift sets came in between July and August this year. 

Then lo and behold, Happily Ever After was having a sale of some kind, and I once again spotted their Mizi dolls.  Now, I've known about Mizi for awhile, but never gave her much thought, until I saw Ready to Go.  Of course she was sold out at Happily, but I was able to acquire one from Ebay at a decent price.  Mizi may be J & D Fashion's response to Poppy Parker.  I love dolls that do something.  Travel.  Have a story.  And, this is why Ready to Go appealed to me so much - as well as her vintage 1960's look with the hair and mini dress.  The designer suitcase sealed the deal.  Below this photo is Les Mille et une nuits Mizi that I pre-ordered while still browsing at Happily Ever After.  I love the genie look, and the exotic.  I mean, c'mon.  If they arrive and I'm not tickled as punch, I'll list them on Ebay.  But, I think they'll be keepers.  I don't plan to start a Mizi collection as J & D Fashions currently don't make outfits for her, selling only dressed dolls.  Still, I think these two are winners.  They are 12" just like Poppy Parker, but my dolls don't share their clothing.

Here's the free pattern I found on the internet.  I enjoyed making it up, and have given you some tips for making them for one of your dolls, so you may want to right click on this and save it off for the future. I might also add that I lengthened the one toe to match the other.  I can't imagine why the pattern was drawn this way, and myself, had trouble trying to sew it like that.

Dolly's Perfect Fit Tights

The Barbie sized food items in Club Grace.

Its been a good month over all.  Yes, I was sick.  Not with a bug, but some kind of lower intestinal problem.  Terrible cramping.  I even got a Cat Scan to see what might be the problem, but nothing showed up, so when this happens, I go back on broth and Jell-O until it passes.  I call it "old plumbing".  That's the best I can throw at it.  

New fires in the Sierras are popping up all the time now, so to add to the Dixie fire, there's the new one called the Caldor fire near Mormon Immigrant Trail, once pristine Sierra majesty.  This is so sad and so troubling.  The drought and climate change are destroying all the beauty that has grown over the last couple hundred years, and the loss of wildlife is tragic.  Is it any wonder that I have trouble finding my Zen these days?  Our air, our sky overhead is no longer blue, but filled with smoke and ash from the fires in Northern California.  So if sinking myself into a good book allows me some semblance of peace, so be it.  At least Dolly and Grace are enjoying themselves in Paris this month.  

As I mentioned earlier, this was good for me, sitting at the machine again.  I have gifts I need to start sewing, and also because they are gifts, I cannot share them here.  Not until late December anyway, but I am excited about making them.  However, once I get started, and inspired again, there will be wonderful things to share and talk about again.  And, maybe next month's Club Grace will prompt me to sew for Dolly again.  Actually next month is going to be GREAT.  Its birthday month for me, and it has a special theme.  Part of the creative process means that times like this are inevitable.  My love of dolls, my love of talking about dolls and sharing them, is as deep as my love of history, reading, nature, dogs, and EATING good food when I can!

Treasure the last days of summer.  Have your own barbeque party, even if its a party for one or two. The 'bers are approaching, but let's not rush things.  Each day is precious.  And, one more shot of my blue bereted girls.

Love, Melissa

 

2021 UFDC By the Sea Convention

Four days home from convention, and slowly getting back into the groove.  Or maybe not.  Maybe its okay to sit still for a little while and reflect on what has been, and how I'd like to spend the next few weeks.  While in Baltimore I developed a health concern (having nothing to do with the trip), and perhaps it really is best to simply rest and figure out what the heck is going on with my body.  Time is too precious not to feel as good as you can.

But, I'd like to share with you my reflections on the recent 72nd annual UFDC By the Sea with Dolly and Me convention.  The thing that stands out most to me at this writing, was the lack of any visibility of a seaside theme.  I would have had beach balls, and fishing netting, and faux seaweed, strung all over the place.  Large cut outs of starfish and sailboats.  I wonder, seriously, if 2020 and the first half of this year's complications had any bearing on the

lack of inspiration and creativity.  Its hard for someone like me to even consider it, but if my assumption is correct, they get a pass.  Maybe it was just enough to get people there and gather again.  Never have expectations, for they will surely not be met.

The days prior to my departure, I had dreams of hula girls, pirates, high seas adventures, and along those themes, I'd hoped the Ruby Red Galleria Love on the High Seas dinner would provide us Lia and "the boy" in clever, contemporary pirate costumes.  So I made two little needle felted green macaw parrots for my friend Heather's doll, and my own.  Finally, after a long, hard wait, I was able to purchase Tonner's Tia Dalma, from his Pirates of the Caribbean line, and following her, Will and Elizabeth.  So floating on this stream of found treasure, I was ready for more adventure.  It just seemed like no one wanted to play "By the Sea".

What I did find on my first night, and at the opening of the sales room, was Arana.  She was a Ruby Red Friends LE 50 doll dressed in a charming little sailor's dress.  When I saw her, it was a no-brainer decision, and I asked Ed to write her up. 

Meeting Ed of Happily Ever After was wonderful.  I've done business with this doll shop for years and have always enjoyed excellent product selection and top quality customer care.  Since Ruby Red Galleria (Ruby and Paul) could not be present with one of their glorious booths, Ed stepped in for them and offered all that they would have.  

It was delightful to see the pre-order By the Sea, Ruby Red Friends dolls that will be released in September.  I'd already put in my order for Daisy and Luca, red headed twins in darling nautical outfits.  So adding Arana, and as my first purchase, was fabulous.  She comes with a little white 

windowed purse with a pink bunny head inside.  Her navy shoes with red bows are so pretty.  The Ruby Red Friends line is truly a darling and very affordable doll line.

The next day I headed for the special exhibits.  Usually they pick up the convention's theme brilliantly, but again, this fell flat.  I can't believe that I was the only one to notice.  I've seen such phenomenal exhibits provided us in years past and kept wondering where the rest of it was.

They had a Schoenhut exhibit, which showcased your normal selection of dolls and play sets.  They had a room of BJD dolls by (I don't remember, not Connie Lowe), but one of the artists, that could have been set up for Modern Doll Convention.  And, if I recall, there was an exhibit of ethnic dolls.  All small rooms.  None of them had any representation of By the Sea.

The next day I browsed the sales room again, and ended up once again at Happily Ever After's booth.  How could I have missed Ruby Red Galleria's new and exclusive to the event, Girls of the Orient doll?!  This is one of my very favorite lines that they've continued.

Once again, a LE 50, Hung-Hung and Lok Lok, stole my heart.  They used one of the Tanghulu doll's garments on a Shan doll, adding a precious little back pack for Hung to carry her wee brother in.  Her beautifully padded Chinese garment is gorgeous.  Lok-Lok wears this sweet little hood to keep his head warm and can carry a toy to keep him occupied.

One of the things I've always treasured and admired in Ruby's designs is her attention to detail.  Followed by extremely top notch craftsmanship.  And, she loves accessories, and knows how they enhance a doll's ability to display well.

Two.  Two big dolls to carry home now.

But, back to the exhibits, or lack thereof.  I can think of several exhibits that would have wowed the attendees.  How about one of French Fashion and Huret dolls dressed in beach attire?  You could even add a Bleuette section in there.

One of antique tin sand pails, and seaside story books and mechanical toys, with beach themed dressed bears as well, bringing out a boardwalk theme.  Vintage dolls dressed in beach and nautical themes.  And, one of pirate dolls and mermaid dolls, and hula girls.  How they've done this in the past for other themes, I don't know, but the rooms have been so artfully designed  that you could spend hours in them.

My only explanation is perhaps people are still struggling with inspiration and creativity.  However, I spent a lot of time meeting new people, seeing friends I'd not seen for a few years, and having wonderful discussions with some of the artists.  One in particular, Doug James.

Doug's new line of dolls was being represented by none other than Ed of Happily Ever After.  How this all worked out, I've no idea, but that was my go-to booth.  Doug had a table set up front and center of the U-shaped booth, and on the table were his new dolls, the 1470 Flappers.  I was completely blown away.

Last year, last spring, during the pandemic, he spotted one of the Cuno and Otto 1469 antique flapper dolls at an auction, fell in love with her and bought her.  And, thought to himself, she's such a marvelous doll, I'm sure others would love to play with her.  Then he set out to make a perfect 14" reproduction of the antique in a wonderful, heavy porcelain that could easily be dressed and played with.  

Doug James has been around the doll world for a very long time as a designer for Gene and Integrity, and many others.  One of his own doll lines, with Laura Meisner, was Sommers and Fields, The Mod British Birds, Willow and Daisy.  

I collected all of that line way back when.  It was brilliant and fabulous.  Accessories and clothing were generously provided for these Mod 1960's girls, and I know he and Laura had a ball designing them.  And, now, his 1470 Flapper.  He has two companies making the line.  One to make the doll, and the other for the clothing and SHOES.  Oh, how difficult those shoes were to make for Kitty Hudson!  Remember her?  In the photo with Doug, is one of the flappers in a dark bob.  In the other photo is his antique with the clothing line he is having made for the reproduction dolls.  Would I even bother sewing for her with these gorgeous offerings?  Time will tell.  She's due to be released near Christmas.  If you're interested in one, write to Ed at info@happily.com and inquire.  He is taking pre-orders.

The weather in Baltimore was mild that week.  Mostly humid and in the 80's, but perfect for dining out and strolling the bricked promenade along the harbor, which the hotel was 30 seconds from.  There were wonderful restaurants to select from,

although all very expensive.  It was simply where we were.  The hotel was limping by after just reopening.  They'd only ever had one restaurant, but it was buffet only, and terribly expensive for the cafeteria food offered.  I don't know.  Maybe I'm just picky, and expect better from a Marriott.  This was, after all, my vacation, and the first one I'd had in three years.

Then came the night of the Ruby Red Galleria dinner.  I'd been anticipating their release of the boy doll, complimentary to 12" Lia for some time.  They'd sold clothing for him the past two years, but no boy ever surfaced.  I thought this might be his debut.  And, it was, sort of.  Again, I'd hoped for a pirate theme, and also that the companion dolls would be in boxes ready to be purchased after the event.  As it turned out, he was the centerpiece and only 19 could be owned.  If you wanted a chance to purchase him, your name went into a drawing.  

At first glance, I thought, "What's up with the white hair tipped in aqua and pink?"  But, of course, this is China, and young people do wear their hair like this to promote individuality.  The food was delicious for this dinner event, and the people at our table were fun and friendly, and anticipating our Lia souvenir doll.  A program was given to entertain us, and after the program, the drawing was done, and dolls passed out to us.

The friend I attended the dinner with had put her name in to give me a better chance at winning, and her name was the first drawn.  I was delighted!  Then my name was the third drawn, so I let the one other lady at our table who wanted one, to purchase mine.  So it all worked out well for everyone.  But, to my surprise and glee, my friend passed the boy doll to me and said, "Happy early birthday!"  What a wonderful evening it was!

When I finally dressed these two for photos for my blog, I simply fell head over heels in love with the pair.  They are gorgeous.  Ruby Ho never disappoints.  Jamie has a bouquet of roses for Lia and carries a little sailboat.  Lia has a shoulder bag to match her extraordinary outfit.  Now I know some of you will scratch your heads at the wig choices, but in Ruby's world they are perfection.  I'm very pleased.  And, maybe some rainy day, I'll find new wigs for them and make them contemporary pirate outfits!

The last day, and I skipped the final banquet as the RJ Wright doll was very expensive, I toured the sales room one more time to say good bye to new friends I'd met, when my eyes fell upon a small collection of Hitty hats in Judith Phelps booth.  Very handy with the smartphone by now, I photographed them and texted my friend, Betsy, with the selection to see if she wanted any of them.  These were the five she picked out.  Well, four, but I encouraged her to purchase the strawberry bonnet.  It was first one I saw and fell in love with, and a favorite of Judith's.

All in all, I had a wonderful time and shared many stories and laughs with new, and close friends.  Which is why we gather at the UFDC convention when we can.  To share our love of dolls, be they antiques, vintage or contemporary.  Next year the convention will be in St. Louis, Missouri, with a Meet Me in St. Louis theme.  I am one person, and this was my personal reflection of this year's event.  Maybe I'm just spoiled, but I hope things will have turned around in a positive way by then.

Below is a selection of photos taken on my smartphone that I managed to get onto my computer, from Baltimore.  I hope you'll enjoy them.  As for what's next?  Let it be a surprise.

Love, Melissa

The harbor and promenade.

An early morning walk.

A vintage Cissy Trunk Set by FAO.

Flying Nun dolls.  Need one!

Maggie and Tony Iacono

Maggie's OOAK Red Riding Hood.

Maggie's OOAK Snow White.

Ken in uniform.

Liddle Kiddle paper dolls.

Sandra Wright Justiss's Pirate.

Schoenhut dollies.

Jamie and Lia, Love on the High Seas