Slices of life, both written and photographed.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

One Great Big Happy Doll Family!





One of my favorite collections, hobbies, okay, OBSESSIONS, is dolls.

As I've written before on this blog, my love of dolls goes way back to childhood but it's something I've never outgrown, (nor hope to outgrow.)

Perhaps it's the happy inner child inside of me that persuades me to buy another doll, when my collection is already bursting at the seams, but I cannot silence her. That little inner child wins every single battle when it comes to dolls.

Have you heard of Matryoshka dolls? Well, you probably don't know them by that name. They are Russian "nesting" dolls. The biggest doll opens up and there's another doll inside. Open that one up and there's a smaller one inside her until the tiniest of tiny dolls finally surfaces. Once I read that the tiniest doll of one set was the size of a grain of rice! Now that is small. The name "Matryoshka" has Latin roots and means "mater" or "mother."




I have a couple sets of nesting dolls but I love the one with a bright red outfit and sweet little painted face the best. There are five dolls in the set.

A friend of mine who collects very expensive dolls gave me an Asian looking baby that I just love. She sits in a chair in the hallway outside our bedroom. She has a mane of black hair and bangs and is just adorable. She's very well-behaved, too, like all the Asian students I've ever met.

There's a sweet black baby who has a beautiful face. She wears a turquoise dress that's a tad too big but I've never found a smaller size.





Actually, come to think of it, my collection of dolls is very much like a small United Nations! They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and outfits.

Once, I remember hearing about a woman who had a fabulous doll collection. She spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on her dolls. They were all over her house. Some of them looked like real children. Then, one day, the woman gathered up all her dolls, brought them to a social service agency, and gave them all away! I'm sure that agency got a pretty penny after the sale of those dolls. Still, hearing about that shocked the "bazookers" out of me. Guess I'm still too doll crazy to ever think about giving away my babies. Maybe someday I will but not in the near future
How about you? Do you have a favorite doll?

13 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Always thought those Russian nesting dolls were interesting. Nice to know a bit of their background.
Have a good weekend!

diane stetson said...

I prefer living dolls...ha ha. xo Diane

Susan said...

Thanks for the visit, Karen. Oh! The book arrived. Started reading it last night. Sounds great! Again, thanks so much. Hope YOU have a nice weekend, too. Sincerely, Susan

Susan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susan said...

Hi Di....Have fun with your "living dolls," your grandsons, at tonight's party. Also, with your grown up children! Warmly, Susan

Rebecca said...

The info. re. the "nesting" dolls WAS interesting. I have never collected dolls as such, but it's hard for me to pass up an interesting or "real looking" doll at thrift stores! I only have two granddaughters right now, but I have quite a few dolls of various sizes for them to play with when they come to Grandma's house.

Betty said...

Like you...I'm into dolls too. The Vogue Ginny doll was my childhood doll and she's the one that keeps my interest the most. I have some Chatty Cathy's, a couple of Toni dolls, and a few from the Ann Estelle family. I like to set my dolls up in scenes and "play" with them. I have some pictures on my blog and if you go back into December I posted old B & W Christmas pictures with all the dolls my sister and I received at Christmas. Enjoyed my visit to your blog.

La Tea Dah said...

Oh yes, I have my favorite dolls. My best doll is one that my parents gave me when I was about 7 years old. She was much loved, and her rooted hair all wore off. One year she disappeared for awhile, only to be returned at Christmas as a gift. My mother had save my own hair from a haircut and had made a wig for my doll from it. And she made her a new outfit in blue and lace. I still have her and always will!

Susan said...

Hi Rebecca.....Lucky granddaughters! Sometime you should post a picture of your dolls. I'd love to see them! Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com

Susan said...

Hi Betty! So nice to have you visit and your comment. Now, I've never heard of Ann Estelle dolls but I'd like to see what they look like! I will love visiting your blog, too! Sincerely, Susan

Susan said...

Dear La Tea Dah....What a wonderful story about your doll with hair from your own! Would LOVE to see a picture of her sometime! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. It means a LOT to me! Sincerely, Susan

Adrienne said...

My childhood Madame Alexander dolls will always be my favorites. I received a MA bride doll and the following year I received the brand new Cissy doll. What a beauty!!

They were stolen from the basement storeroom of my childhood home. Sigh!!

Susan said...

Oh Adrienne. How tragic the dolls were stolen. Madame Alexander dolls are so exquisite! I always look at them in special gift shops but wow, they are ex-pen-sive. I'm so sorry you lost yours. I wonder which ones you had. There are so many beauties! Thanks for your visit, Adrienne. It's always nice to have you stop by! Sincerely, Susan

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