Bubbles

This is the posting for the Bubbles I bought in Aug. For 45.00.

" Here is a Large 23"  Composition and Soft "Bubbles" Doll by Effanbee Please review all photos before bidding. Doll does require restoring , Eyes has lost color, Cry feature does not work, and cosmetically needs TLC. This is an Estate find and I am selling "AS IS" Not sure if the clothes are original to this doll but they do look old and will requiring cleaning. Thanks for looking" I was so taken with that darling face that I failed to notice that Bubbles had cloth legs instead of compo as I was expecting.  No matter, compo legs can always be replaced if it becomes necessary.  For now I've crocheted a lovely outfit that covers her from head to toe.  I took off her head a got some bent needle nose pliers to remove eyes and set to work painting them.  Am excited.

Basket of Babies

Here are a few babies waiting for clothes, cleaning and restoration.  The bassinet is from the Ramona Food and Clothes Closet only $9.99, and it rocks.  I crocheted the pink and blue blankets.

Restoration Doll #1. ABC Toy Co. Mama Doll

I ordered this doll from EBay this morning. $20.00 includes shipping.  I liked the fact that the head was already split.  She has sleep eyes and lovely clothes, shoes and socks.  This isn't a priceless antique and in "rough" shape according to seller.  I don't need to be afraid to dig into this one.  At this point she looks like a "Lindsey".  I am excited, can't wait for her to arrive.

This is what I think she is supposed to look like.

Crocheted Basket Challenge

Dolly Dimple

This is a 16" Dimples doll made by E.I Horseman.  It dates to the 1920s-30s.  The back of the neck is marked E.I.H. Dimples. These dolls were enormously popular as "mama"dolls.  They were made in several sizes and produced for many years.  Since this is my first doll recovery and this is a valuable antique, my efforts will be minimal as I learn the art of restoration, and above all do no harm.   I'd like to do this in memory of the maternal grandmother I never knew.  Her name was Dolly Dimple and I believe called Doll.  She spent all of her middle age and elder years in a sanitarium.  Not exactly clear on the reason.  I met her once when I was four or five.  Here are the before pictures of Dolly Dimple.

I decided to stop after a thorough cleaning.  So here she is with her new crocheted dress and rosey cheeks.

Ling Ling

Ling Ling was born in China in a very poor province of Mongolia.  Few families in her village had running water.  When her mother died in childbirth, she was placed in an orphanage with dozens of other babies in unsanitary conditions.  As luck would have it, a British documentary was being produced on orphan children.  The choreographer fell in love with Ling Ling and immediately began adoption proceedings.  Because he was well known by the Chinese government and possibly they hoped for a favorable video, paperwork took only weeks instead of years.  When it was time to fly home, our videographer had to purchase a second ticket.  His wife knew nothing of the adoption, but it speaks highly of their relationship that he felt confident when he called home and said, "Helen, I'll be bringing someone for dinner, I won't tell you whom, as it's to be a surprise."

Needless to say, Helen was thrilled with the baby she had yearned for for many years.  We now go forward three years as Ling Ling (her family calls her Lingle) is ready to go to her first children's party.  Mother bought a party sundress with matching hair ties.  Best of all Ling Ling is wearing panties with ruffles!  She holds tightly to the present wrapped up with a bow.  Mother keeps an eye out in case she gets to open it.  She doesn't quite understand presents for other people.

Here is Ling Ling all dressed up and ready to go.  She is very proud of her ruffled panties!

My Aunt Mabel Pt. 3

As the weeks flew by, Mabel and Mollie fell into the rhythm of the hospital chores.  They also became adept at medical lingo which had sounded like a foreign language when they had arrived.  The long awaited day finally came to actually assist in the surgery and
both girls were terrified.  "I'm so glad you are scheduled first," declared Mollie.  "Then you can tell me all the things you did wrong."

When her rotation day arrived, Mabel was so jittery she paced the floor in her tiny quarters waiting for her day to begin.  Once down in the surgery room, she stood out of the way waiting for her cue to move in and assist.  The doctor arrived already gowned, pulling on his surgical mask.  "Good Morning ladies and gentlemen, I am Dr. DuPont.  We will be doing a routine tonsellectomy today on a 16 year old male.  He has presented with swelling and redness in the area.  Temp. is normal.  If you are assisting I expect you to work in close and think one step ahead of me.  If you are here to observe, I don't expect to hear you or see you.  I will be available for questions once the patient goes to recovery."  The room was as silent as a tomb.  "No one wants to be on this one's bad side," Mabel mused.  The operation began suddenly and Mabel handed off instruments as if she had been doing it all her life.  When they were finishing up, Dr DuPont glanced her way, "Nice work, May. You have the makings of a fine nurse."  She felt her cheeks grow warm, "Thank you, Dr. DuPont, but my name isn't....."  Her words hung in the air, Dr. DuPont had flung off his mask and left the room.

Late in the evening, Mabel came downstairs to get  glass of milk.  Though she was exhausted, she found she was unable to sleep.  She was just about to return to her room when footsteps echoed on the kitchen tiles.  "Well look who's here.  It is our new number one nurse, Mae."
"Good evening, Dr. DuPont.  I was just getting a glass of milk before I retired for the evening." Mabel said.
"I'm glad to have found you here," said Dr. DuPont. " I was serious about what I said in the operating room today. You nurse patients like you were born to do it, Mae"
"Please, if you wouldn't mind, my name is Mabel." She said.  "You see I had a little sister, Mae  who died of tuberculosis last year.  It is part of the reason I wanted to become a nurse.  She was only twelve years old when she died.  It was hard on all of us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, it is one vicious disease." He said.  "I enjoy talking with you, what do you say we have lunch together Sunday?"
"0h, I couldn't," said Mabel. "Matron Agnes made it most clear that we must not fraternize. I am nervous being here  alone with you now"
Dr. DuPont let out a loud braying laugh.  "You mean Naggie Aggie?  I can get around her any day.  Besides, she doesn't have to know.  You girls all go to services at the Lutheran Church, am I right?  Well then on Sunday, hang back a little and when they turn left to go up the church path, you keep walking straight for two blocks.  I'll be waiting with a carriage.
Mabel was horrified.  "Dr DuPont, I couldn't possibly...
"Just think about it," he said, " don't let life pass you by, Mae."  On the way out the door he called back, "Belle."

For the rest of the week Mabel worried over the conversation she had had with the doctor.  To flagrantly break hospital rules would be out of the question.  Her parents had sacrificed so she could be here.  Her younger sister and confidante was also affected. .  Kitty had written her recently that she wouldn't be returning to school in the autumn.  Mother needed her home to help mind the new baby.  Mabel knew that Kitty wanted to be a teacher, now that might never happen.  If Mabel were back home, Kitty could finish her education.

Sunday arrived and the young nursing students glad to be out of nursing aprons, put on their Sunday best.  Mollie and Mabel usually walked together arm-in-arm the mile and a half to the church.  Today as Mabel was dressing, she heard moans from Mollie' s bed.  Her face was dreadfully swollen on one side and she was weeping uncontrollably.  The matron was summoned and she administered oil of cloves to Mollie' s raging toothache then wrapped up the swollen jaw in linens.  Matron shooed all the girls out the door lest they be late for service.  Mabel felt lonely without Mollie and worried about her friend.  She was trailing the other girls when they reached the twisty turn to the church.  As the girls ahead meandered left, Mabel straightened her shoulders and with racing heart, continued straight down the block.

For the next several weeks Mabel grew quiet and aloof from the other girls.  Mollie felt this most keenly and missed the friendship severely.  The luncheon dates continued on Sundays with Dr. DuPont.  She realized she was falling in love with him, but was uncertain about his feelings.  He often remarked on her beauty and nursing skills, but had yet to declare himself.  Mabel became a bundle of nerves.  She hated that she had hurt her friend, Mollie, but was terrified she would let something slip if she had conversations like the old times.  It had become more difficult to come up with plausible reasons for missing church services.  If only she could keep it all together until the completion of her classes.  Surely by then the good doctor would have made his intentions known.  Also, she would no longer be a student and bound by silly rules.  If she could just hold it together for a few more weeks.  Then she received a notice from Matron Agnes to come to the office immediately.

"

One year later, Chicago

May Belle looked longing into the shop window.  Lace gloves, fancy hats and attractive footwear all the latest fashion were on display.  With a sigh she began to turn away for the long trek home when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

    "Why, it's little Mable Sweetser!" Said the older woman.  "Who would have thought I would find you here in Chicago!  As I live and breathe."

     "Mrs.Walsh," said a surprised May Belle.  "I haven't seen you since..."  May Belle stopped,blushing.

   "Since graduation, dear.  Then you and the doctor disappeared for parts unknown,"  said Mrs. Walsh.  "You know your parents are very worried, they tell me they haven't heard a word from you in the past year.  Dr Walsh must do some seminars here at the hospital and he noted Dr Duponts name on the roster.  I decided to come along and see if I could find you.  Thanks to Divine Providence, I have!"

     "It's been so good to see you, Mrs. Walsh,but I  really must get home," May Belle said nervously.

     "Nonsense," said Mrs. Walsh looping her arm through May Belle' s."Now that I've found you, I'm not letting you go that easily.  Besides, I have something from your mother."

      "Mother?"  May Belle' s eyes filled with tears.

      Mrs. Walsh, due to her many years as a doctor's wife, understandtood the way  human foibles might rule a young girl's heart.   "Let's get you a nice cup of tea.  Our house is very close.

      Once had been served and May Belle had relaxed a little, she began to tell her story.  " Matron Agnes was very angry that I had been keeping company with Dr DuPont.  She wanted me to pack my bags and leave at once.  I was terrified, not just because of all the hard work that would be wasted, my dreams shattered.  The most awful thing would be how disappointed my family would be.  I begged her to let me finish.  I'm afraid I lead her to believe that I would soon be married."

        "And are you married?" asked Mrs. Walsh.  May Belle hid her face in her hands and shook her head.

         "He made promises, I thought he loved me, "she sobbed," but he wouldn't allow me to work or even leave the house.  That's why I must get back, if he finds me gone, he Will get into a rage.

        "And has he ever struck you?" Asked Mrs. Walsh.  May Belle nodded and sobbed louder.  "Child, you belong home with your parents." Mrs.Walsh said gently.

         "But don't you see?  Word would get out, I would disgrace my whole family.  Marysville is a very small place.  It's better if I never see them again." May Belle sighed, exhausted.

         Mrs Walsh said, "And do you wish to stay with Dr DuPont, then?"

          "Oh no!" Said May Belle, "I wish I had never met him.  But now that I have become a soiled woman there are no other choices open to me."

          " Don't be so quick to give up all hope."  Said Mrs. Walsh. "I'm going to keep you with me tonight.  You have exhausted yourself with crying.  Tomorrow things will look different.  Then we'll talk.

     The next day Dr and Mrs. Walsh sat down with May Belle and offered her a chance to turn her life around.  Dr. Walsh was opening a clinic out west in San Francisco, California.  He was in need of a good nurse, and they would like Her to go with them.  "What do you think, child, "asked Mrs. Walsh. "Would you be ready to start over in the wild and wooly West?"

      Tears filled May Belle' s eyes. "First, I can never thank you wonderful people enough for giving me hope.  Second, I'm reclaiming the name my mother gave me.  I want to be called Mable from now on.  And third, San Francisco, here we come!"

The Coca Cola Kid

I was made to be the Coca Cola Kid.
    Good looking was I, and I know it's true
Cause that's what my mother said.

Until one day, when I lost my head,
     And lost my looks and favor when
Mama banished me to the shed.

Then she wrapped me up safe from harm,
    To travel to a place unknown.
My head was placed in a bowl to get warm.

I had to lose my wig and pate to see within.
    Then find out why I came part
And how to put back together again.

Surprise and wonder without fail
     Now I am uncovered and partially bald.
I've been held together with a twist tie and a nail!

On my neck are found some numbers

Which make me very unique.

Only a few dolls are Coca Cola Kid members.

Now begins the mending:

head, shoulder plate, body.

I  am so hoping for a happy ending

The Coca Cola Kid is now the bomb!

But I just can't wait

To go home to my mom.

The Pierrot Clown

Many years ago perhaps in 1989 or 90, my youngest daughter had become interested in the pierrot clown and she wanted me to make her one. Now for me this was cause celibre as neither of my daughters ever showed more than a passing interest in dolls growing up. Duncan Ceramics had put out a series of animal doll heads/ arms/ legs about this time and I was avidly buying them up as fast as I could. It was great fun dressing them and putting them into interesting poses.

When Duncan came out with what they called their Pierrot clown, I could only see a doll with a pretty face. I was later told that this was the German Mein Leibling doll that this mold was made from. I had much on my plate at this time, several dolls in greenware on my shelf, husband and kids, not to mention a full time teaching job. So months went by and I would periodically think about the clown and how I would dress him/her. Even the gender wasn't decided at that point. Life went on in its dependable little groove as life does and the predictable events lull us into a suspended state of complacency. Easy to put things off because there is always tomorrow. My daughter, Carolyn died quite unexpectedly on April 22, 1992 . There are no words to describe what we went through as a family, and this is the doll' s story so I will leave our family tale untold for now. Suffice it to say my doll making came to a screeching halt I couldn't even think about picking up a paintbrush. Then about a year and a half later I saw the doll head on my greenware shelf in the garage. I remembered the promise I had made to make a pierrot and thought that its time had come.

I cleaned the greenware and fired it, but the more I looked at that beautiful face, the less I saw a clown.  Sometimes a doll much like characters in a story, want to tell their own tale.  Try as you might it is useless to fight them, they always seem to get their own way.  So the clown idea was shelved while a new road began.  I had made many blue eyed blondes so started looking for a brown or red wig.  No soap.  Next I searched for some big brown eyes, none were what I wanted.  When I started the search for the dress pattern, what I thought I wanted and what I wound up with were very different.  When it all came together, it felt exactly right.  It was only when it was completed that I realized I had  re- created Carolyn as an  Angel.

My Aunt Mabel continued

When she arrived in Minneapolis,Mabel was greeted by Matron Agnes at the train station. Greeted, was hardly an apt description, as the grim faced wizened woman barked orders and rules all the way to the hospital. Mabel was too excited to care however, and stared in awe at the five story building the horse cart had pulled up to. The next three days were a flurry of checking in, meeting house mates, and more rules upon rules. The most important and oft repeated seemed to be that nurses at Minneapolis General were under no circumstances to fraternize with any male staff. This was the least of Mable' s concerns.I  She began to worry about her first work day and if she would be able to measure up. Her parents had put so much faith in her to be allowed to travel so far. Mabel had always helped with the younger children. Now a new brother had just arrived and she was miles away. Try as she might, sleep eluded her that night.

By the time she had finished her shift and returned to her quarters the next day, Mabel' s legs felt like two sticks.  She had started out tired in the morning and had had no time to stop all day.  The nurses in charge had every minute of the day filled for the trainees with bedpan duties, linen changes, floors swept, bathrooms cleaned.  The hospital was very large and cleanliness was of paramount importance.  Another trainee named Mollie was also sharing quarters with Mabel.  "It's like bein a maid in a bloomin' hotel." She whispered to Mabel.  Student nurses weren't supposed to carry on any idle chatter.  They could only speak to each other  about hospital or patient related matters. "I wonder when we get to work with patients."  Mabel whispered back.  A matron started down the hall and they quickly returned to their duties.

When Mabel returned to her quarters she found a package had arrived from the farm.  Mollie was as excited as Mabel to see what mysteries lie within.  Mama had sent preserves, some pickles, a chocolate cake and fruit from the peach tree.  In the bottom of the package a new winter coat was wrapped around an odd shaped parcel.  "High buttoned shoes!" Squealed Mollie when they fell onto the floor.  Mabel was speechless.  They must have cost an awful lot.  On the farm all the children received one new pair of shoes every year.  Mama would buy one size larger for each child.  One year Mabel' s little sister Kitty had a growth spurt and the new shoes were too small.  Mama had her sit with hot towels wrapped around her feet squeezed into the shoes.  Mabel felt herself tearing up, she felt very homesick.

Granddaughter's Birthday

My granddaughter is having a birthday party on Saturday and I've decided to make up one of the doll kits I have that she admired in the past. Sorry Aunt Mabel, you'll have to wait for a couple of days.

Well only a half dozen mistakes and plastic pellets all over the floor, but she's finished, and ready to get dressed.

I came home after school all ready to choose a pattern and some clothing to our little orang. I really like some s dolls I have seen in mixed patterns. So I dug through my stash and came up with some yellow and blue prints that seemed to go together. The blue was actually two fat quarters I had picked up at a sale. If it wasn't' sufficient I was going to have to go to plan B and hit the stash again. By the next morning I was having all kind of second thoughts. It clashes, it doesn't work, it clashes with the doll etc. I was partly tempted to go with just safe pink. Then I got brave and charged forward. I finished her tonight and she gets her new mommy tomorrow. It's been fun.

My Aunt Mabel

The doll I have begun working on is from a 1975 pattern I sent away for. It was made it for a doll convention. It's been waiting for me for thirty nine years. Here is the pattern leaflet. Today I finished cutting out arms, legs body and head. I'm calling her My Aunt Mabel, but this doll' s name is actually Mae Belle. Our story begins before Mae Bell's time. Mabel Anne Swensen was the second of twelve children born on a small farm in Marysville, Minnisota. It was a loving home, and though they weren't wealthy, there was always good food on the table and their needs if not all their wants were met. The oldest daughter had married and moved away to North Carolina. Mabel was next in line to March down the aisle, but she had other plans. It was just past her seventeenth birthday and she had heard of a nursing program for unmarried girls. Room and board would be provided while on the job training was undertaken. She broached the subject to her father,the more lenient of the parental duo, and he thought for a long while before he owned he must discuss with Mama. Mama was not keen on the idea at all, but after exchanging long letters with the matron in charge, permission was given. Mabel was going to Minneapolis, and she was going to be a nurse!

Dolls With Stories

Whether we keep treasured dolls from childhood, found dolls we have refinished and reborned,antiques we struggled with ourselves before parting with a heart stopping number of dollars, or dolls created from imagination and hour's and hours of hard work. These objects of our affection all have back stories even if you don't realize it. How long have you had this doll, why did you come to possess it, what memories, emotions does it call up? This is just scratching the surface. On this blog I'll share my doll making journeys and I hope any reader/ passers by Will do the same. All dolls have some story, some thanks to imagination, others from the poignant capriciousness of real life. My hope is that the telling will provide as much enjoyment as I know the reading will.